Veteran Halo developer Joseph Staten has recently announced his departure from Microsoft after 18 years of service. Staten has been with Microsoft since 2002 and has left to pursue other projects in the entertainment industry.
Joseph Staten was the original cinematics director for Bungie’s Halo: Combat Evolved and was part of the core creative team that developed the Halo franchise. He went on to write the screenplay and directed the cutscenes for Halo 2 and Halo 3. Additionally, he wrote several games in the Halo universe, including Halo: Reach and the delightful-but-underrated real-time strategy title Halo Wars. He eventually moved to Microsoft Studios in 2008.
At Microsoft, Staten quickly rose through the ranks to oversee several different projects. He worked as executive producer for the Gears of War series and was lead producer for the Xbox 360 version of Halo 4. He was also involved in the development of several Xbox Live Arcade titles, such as Toy Soldiers and Crimson Alliance.
Staten announced his departure from Microsoft on social media, noting that it had been “an extraordinary 18 years.” He didn’t mention what he’ll be doing next, but he said his time at Microsoft has been “incredibly rewarding and challenging.”
Joseph Staten’s departure from Microsoft marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic gaming franchises ever. He was a major part of what made Halo so successful and memorable, and he will undoubtedly be missed. We wish Staten the best of luck in whatever his next venture may be.