Above and beyond the Call of Duty.

Image credit: Halo Studios, Xbox.

A Halo game made by an Activision studio doesn't sound like a far-fetched idea, and is actually something Xbox considered per a new report. Sledgehammer Games, the studio behind several Call of Duty games like WW2, Vanguard, and Modern Warfare 3, is said to have been sought out to develop a Halo multiplayer game.

The project, however, never made it out of the prototype stage. That's according to a new video from YouTuber Rebs Gaming (via Insider Gaming), who followed up speculation from Windows Central's Jez Corden that Xbox may be interested in having Activision develop Halo games.

"I spoke to a source who previously sent me a bunch of Campaign Evolved information that turned out to be 100 percent accurate," said Rebs Gaming. "They told me that Microsoft is exploring a proposition to have Activision help develop Halo games, which includes having Sledgehammer Games help develop a Halo multiplayer game."

The prototype, according to the video, is said to have been in the early blockout phase, only featuring basic gameplay mechanics. Following a period of testing in June, Xbox decided a month later not to move forward with the project.

"Cancelling the pitch prototype does not mean Activision won't develop Halo games," they went on. "According to my source, Microsoft is still exploring the proposition, but they have not green lit anything yet."

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Much of the video revolves around how much outsourcing Halo Studios seemingly relied on to develop Halo: Campaign Evolved, and the extent to which they believe that same approach will be replicated with future titles.

Xbox, of course, owns the entirety of Activision Blizzard, including all of the Call of Duty teams, following its 2023 $68.7bn acquisition. However, there hasn't been much overlap in terms of development duties; both companies have continued working on their own projects just like pre-acquisition.

As Microsoft takes a long hard look at its Xbox gaming strategy, we're bound to see more collaborations between the different studios, especially now that Xbox is laying off 3,200 workers across the entire division.

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