A new multiplayer project set in the Halo universe has been cancelled, according to reports from industry insiders. The project, which carried the codename 'Ekur,' was being developed by Certain Affinity, a studio known for providing support on previous Halo and Call of Duty titles.
The news was first reported by YouTuber Rebs Gaming and subsequently verified by Windows Central's Jez Corden, who confirmed the cancellation as accurate. Ekur had its origins in an earlier project known as 'Tatanka,' which was previously envisioned as a Halo-themed battle royale game before shifting focus.
From Tatanka to Ekur
Rather than a traditional battle royale, Ekur was described as a large-scale team battle experience. The development team drew inspiration from Halo 5’s Warzone mode and experimented with an extraction-style gameplay loop. The project was being built in Unreal Engine and was intended to utilize the map originally constructed for the Tatanka project.
Why the Project Was Scrapped
The cancellation appears to be a matter of resource allocation rather than a direct result of recent corporate restructuring at Xbox. Development of the upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved remake hit hurdles that necessitated moving staff away from the Ekur multiplayer project. With developers redirected to focus on the single-player-focused remake, the multiplayer title was ultimately shelved.
The Future of Halo Multiplayer
While Halo Infinite continues to host active servers, the game has struggled to maintain a consistent, lively player base. With Combat Evolved positioned as a single-player experience with co-op, players looking for a fresh, competitive PVP Halo experience are currently left without a clear roadmap. Whether Microsoft chooses to revive Ekur or pursue other multiplayer avenues remains unclear, though industry observers suggest the company is keen on revitalizing its major franchises.