Certain Affinity is a studio that we have heard a lot about, but which has never really been put in the spotlight. While the work carried out by its studios, often in the shadows, has been of great use to Xbox, Certain Affinity has just been bought by Keywords Studios.
Certain Affinity, a talented studio too often in the shadows
We have counted dozens of articles available on Xboxygen that mention the Certain Affinity studio. And for good reason, the developer’s American studios, which include many former Bungie employees, have lent a hand to Xbox and Microsoft on numerous projects. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Support for 343 Industries on Halo Waypoint
- Support from 343 Industries on the Halo: Reach “Defiant Map” pack
- Support de 343 Industries sur Halo : Combat Evolved Anniversary
- Support de 343 Industries sur Halo : The Master Chief Collection
- Support for 343 Industries on a Halo Battle Royale (canceled)
The studio has tried several times to create its own license, but it is best known for its role in supporting Xbox teams with the Halo license. The battle royale game Halo was an ambitious game and we learned in September 2022 that it still occupied the majority of the studio’s workforce with more than 100 developers on the project.
According to its CEO, Max Hoberman, Microsoft’s order was “something big and new for the franchise. But I can’t say more. This is our largest project among our three current projects. We have almost 100 developers working on it. »
Xbox has never really communicated officially on the content of the project, but many rumors in the corridors already evoked the Tatanka project, a Battle Royale with Halo sauce, canceled by 343 Industries during the summer of 2023 in order to focus on the next Halo game . Since then, Microsoft has announced a name change for its favorite studio, which has become Halo Studios in October 2024.
What future for Certain Affinity after the takeover?
So what were the studio’s other two projects? The developer kept it secret, but again, renowned journalist Jeff Grubb spilled the beans by talking about a Monster Hunter-like codenamed Project Suerte and also developed on behalf of Microsoft. Even with the acquisition of the studio by Keywords Studios, it is entirely possible that the project with Xbox will continue.
According to Gameindustry, Certain Affinity will continue to be led by its management team, which includes founder and CEO Max Hoberman and president and COO Paul Sams. The two men currently oversee a staff of 180 people across the United States and Canada.
“Paul and I look forward to partnering with them to chart a course for prudently expanding our core co-development businesses, refining our core development capabilities, as well as promoting the growth of the Create division » Hoberman said. Last April, the studio laid off 25 U.S.-based workers, or 10% of its staff, with Hoberman citing “an industry-wide slowdown in financing new development and co-development projects” and a “reluctance of third-party investors” as the main reasons for this decision.
