Halo Successor Being Developed by Microsoft Studio

Microsoft Studios Vancouver has been changed to Black Tusk Studio and the development team has the job of creating the next Halo for Microsoft.

Black Tusk Studio is still a division of Microsoft Studios and is a first-party developer. The only thing that has changed is the name.

The newly rebranded development studios is being tasked with creating the next big entertainment franchise for Microsoft, or simply a new Halo. Given the time frame needed to create a video game, the project is not likely to debut until the next generation of consoles.

In order to accomplish this task, the team is looking to add new staff. The studios is currently made of 55 employees with an average of 12 years of experience on AAA games. That number has grown from an initial five member team and is expected to double. Currently, positions for artists, engineers and developers are open.

Studio Manager Mike Crump and the original five man staff were formerly working for EA.

According to the studio’s website, Black Tusk is dedicated to creating immersive games that push the limits of Microsoft consoles. As part of a first-party studio, the team has the opportunity to think and act big. All Microsoft studios share that same belief and commitment to innovation and quality.

Black Tusk also states the developer has the ability to share resources from some of Microsoft’s other first-party studios, including 343 Industries, Turn 10 Studios, Rare, Lionhead Studios, Good Science Studio, and Twisted Pixel Games. The Vancouver studios also shares resources and knowledge with BigPark and Microsoft Studios Victoria, two other Microsoft studios located in Vancouver and Victoria respectively. Black Tusk also works closely with the teams that make Microsoft’s entertainment platforms, such as Xbox 360, Xbox Live, and Kinect.

More information about Black Tusk Studios and the opportunity to view and apply for open positions can be found the official website for the developer.

Not much is known about what is in development at Black Tusk but it is likely in the early stages of development. Obviously, a studios being tasked with something compared to Halo is experiencing plenty of support from Microsoft.