Microsoft Corp’s Xbox unit is shifting more senior talent to its delayed Halo Infinite, including a well-regarded veteran of the multibillion-dollar series, to help get the most important game for the new Xbox console back on track.

Joseph Staten, who has been overseeing another Microsoft-published game, will move to Halo development studio 343 Industries, according to four people familiar with the plans, who asked not to be named as they’re not yet public. The company will also shift one more senior leader to Halo Infinite, according to two people, who said the changes are meant to provide more expertise to the project. Microsoft is preparing to announce the changes as soon as Aug 27.

The new personnel will work with studio head Chris Lee and report to Bonnie Ross, a Microsoft vice-president who oversees 343, according to one person. An Xbox spokesman declined to comment.

In a blow to its upcoming Xbox Series X console, which debuts in November, Microsoft earlier this month delayed Halo Infinite’s release to next year, blaming remote work during the pandemic for slowing development. That came after a first look at gameplay in late July that wasn’t well received by Halo franchise fans. The series has generated billions in sales for Microsoft and was expected to anchor the console launch, going up against Sony Corp’s PlayStation 5, whose initial slate of games was met with a much warmer reception.

Staten, one of the most renowned figures among Halo fans, started his video game career in the 1990s at Bungie, the studio that created the series. He was responsible for writing, editing and directing cut-scenes on the first three Halo games, which were beloved by fans for their rich characters and universes.

He remained at Bungie when the studio split from Microsoft in 2007 and ended its work on Halo, but abruptly departed in 2013, just a year before the launch of Bungie's online sci-fi game Destiny. Staten then rejoined Microsoft in 2014 to work on non-Halo games in the Xbox portfolio. 343 was founded to take over the Halo games after Bungie left.

 - Bloomberg