The co-founder and head of Halo developer 343 Industries, Bonnie Ross, has announced Monday that she is leaving the company. 343 Industries’ most recent release was Halo Infinite, which has been suffering from delays.
In a tweet on Monday, Ross stated: “While I had hoped to stay with Halo until we released the Winter Update, I am letting you know I will be leaving 343 and attending to a family medical issue. I am incredibly proud of the work everyone at 343 Industries has done with Halo Infinite, the Master Chief Collection, the Halo television series and so much more. It has been an honor to serve alongside the team for the last 15 years and to be a part of a universe that I love.
“Thank you everyone in the Halo community for your support. Halo’s future is bright. I cannot wait for all of you to experience what we have in store — and to cheer alongside you, as a fan, at the Halo World Championship in October!”
Ross had been in charge of the Microsoft-owned 343 Industries after Bungie left Microsoft back in 2007. At the time, she took charge of the Halo franchise and her team helped Bungie complete its final Halo projects (Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach). Ross’ team also began work on 343’s first official Halo game, Halo 4.
During her leadership time, Halo: The Master Chief Collection was released, Halo was brought to PC again, and Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Infinite were released. During her tenure, Microsoft also launghed its live action Halo TV series.
Replacing Ross will be production head Pierre Hintze. Marketing head Brian Koski will become the franchise general manager and Halo veteran Elizabeth Van Wyck will lead business operations.
Microsoft commented on the news, saying that: “After more than 28 years in gaming at Microsoft, including 15 years leading 343 Industries and Halo through its most ambitious steps forward, Bonnie Ross will be leaving Microsoft and spending more time with her family. We are thankful for her leadership of 343 during which the team launched Halo 4, Halo 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the Halo television series, and Halo Infinite. We wish her all the best. Head of Production Pierre Hintze will become Studio Head effective immediately. The 343 team is hard at work shipping the Winter Update, the biggest Halo Infinite update since launch.”
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
