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Xbox Head Prioritized Bonuses, Cancelled Promising Halo MMO

11/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sandy Petersen, a former Ensemble Studios designer, says Xbox head Don Mattrick prioritized a personal stock bonus over Titan’s development, canceling the Halo MMO.
Titan began planning in 2008 and was projected to generate $1.1 billion.
In 2009, Mattrick dissolved Ensemble Studios after its release of Halo Wars.
The Titan project, which had advanced development stages, left behind only leaked prototypes and screenshots.

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Story summary

Sandy Petersen, a former Ensemble Studios designer, says Xbox head Don Mattrick prioritized a personal stock bonus over Titan’s development, canceling the Halo MMO.
Titan began planning in 2008 and was projected to generate $1.1 billion.
In 2009, Mattrick dissolved Ensemble Studios after its release of Halo Wars.
The Titan project, which had advanced development stages, left behind only leaked prototypes and screenshots.