Jar of Sparks Halts Work on Unannounced Title, Seeks New Publishing Partner

A New Chapter for the Seattle-Based Studio

Jar of Sparks, the Seattle-based game development studio founded by Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook, has announced that it will be halting work on its currently unannounced first title. The studio is searching for a new publishing partner to help bring its creative vision to life.

A Bold New Direction

When Jar of Sparks was initially unveiled in July 2022, it was described as a first-party developer for Chinese publisher NetEase, focused on creating the “next generation of narrative-driven action games”. Little has been heard from the studio since then, but Hook’s recent statement on LinkedIn suggests that the studio’s future is uncertain.

A Message from Jerry Hook

Hook wrote: “Earlier today, we notified our team that Jar of Sparks will be halting work on our current title as we search for a new publishing partner who can help bring our creative vision to life. Throughout this journey, our passionate, driven, and innovative team took bold risks and pushed boundaries, striving to create something truly new and exciting for the industry. We couldn’t be prouder of the groundwork we’ve laid together.”

New Opportunities Ahead

As the studio prepares for this next step, Hook emphasized that the team will be exploring new opportunities. “From the day we formed Jar of Sparks to this very moment, this team has accomplished remarkable feats—proving that a small, focused, and dedicated group can achieve great results. We thank each of them for their courage, skill, and friendship.”

What’s Next for Jar of Sparks?

Jar of Sparks’ announcement doesn’t explicitly mention layoffs, but a separate post from Hook suggests that the majority of staff will be departing following today’s news. Eurogamer has reached out to Jar of Sparks for clarification, and to NetEase regarding its current relationship with the studio.

A Message of Gratitude

The statement concludes: “Thank you to everyone who supported us throughout our journey here at Jar of Sparks. We look forward to updating you all with our next step in our journey.”