Following days of intense speculation, Windows Central editor Jez Corden has clarified that Halo Studios is not using generative artificial intelligence for the development of its upcoming Halo project. The statement comes after a wave of confusion sparked by earlier reports from YouTuber and insider Rebs Gaming, whose remarks on AI usage within the studio were widely misinterpreted online, leading to viral claims that the franchise was being developed through AI-driven processes.
In a direct post on X (formerly Twitter), Corden addressed the growing rumors head-on. “Halo is not using generative AI in its game dev / art assets, etc. for its next game,” he wrote. “Microsoft has no mandate on studios to use generative AI for games. I’m sure it’s being used for emails n shit like that but they’re not making a gen AI game here.”
The confusion traces back to Rebs Gaming’s initial report, which suggested that artificial intelligence was being “woven into multiple aspects” of Halo’s ongoing development. Many readers interpreted this as confirmation that the studio was heavily relying on generative AI tools for design, art, and production tasks. However, Rebs later issued a detailed clarification, stating, “Many people are misinterpreting what I reported as if it directly confirms AI is being used in all the wrong ways and Halo is doomed. I did NOT report that.” He went on to note that his comments referred to the use of AI in general workflows rather than large-scale automation of creative content.
Corden reinforced this perspective, pointing out that viral reactions and misrepresentations have amplified misinformation around Xbox projects. Responding to another user, he remarked that “the weekend seems to be prime real estate for Xbox FUD,” referring to the growing trend of false or exaggerated reports circulating about Microsoft’s gaming initiatives. Other users noted that Rebs had originally referenced “procedural AI,” not generative AI—suggesting that the misunderstanding stemmed from semantic confusion and opportunistic reporting.
Despite the clarifications, Rebs Gaming continued to investigate the matter, citing a Halo Studios job listing from 2024 that mentioned the use of “generative AI and ML to augment in-game experiences and improve how we make games.” In a follow-up post, he questioned whether such responsibilities could truly be limited to administrative tasks, as Corden implied. “I’m very curious about this Halo Studios Senior AI Engineer job listing from last year that confirms generative AI is used for in-game experiences which is way more than ‘emails and stuff like that,’” he wrote, emphasizing his intent to obtain more concrete information.
As the debate unfolds, one point remains clear: official representatives from Microsoft and 343 Industries have not confirmed the use of generative AI in any form of Halo’s core game development. While experimental applications of artificial intelligence are increasingly common across the gaming industry—ranging from testing tools to asset optimization—there is no indication that the next Halo entry is being built around generative AI technologies.
Halo Studios is expected to reveal more about its upcoming projects during the Halo World Championship on October 24, an event that may finally provide clarity on the team’s current direction.
