343 community manager John Junyzsek: Titles/headlines on departures misleading, no creative dilemma inside the studio

[Cranster]

Hey all – I wanted to jump in and clarify what Tim & Mary's roles were at the studio, because there seems to be quite a bit of confusion here. Before that happens though, I'd like to reassure everyone that the entire Halo Infinite team is rallying behind the game and is working hard to make sure we can execute on its vision.
Tim's role as Creative Director was to help make creative decisions around the design and direction of the game – whether it was campaign, multiplayer, etc. Mary's role as an Executive Producer and then Lead Producer on Campaign was to help drive the game to its completion for our holiday 2020 release date – with the latter specifically focusing on campaign deliverables.

Unfortunately the thread's title saying, "He was replace with Mary Olson and she also left," is far from accurate. It implies that Mary took over creative control of the entire game, didn't like what she saw, and then decided to leave. If that's what actually happened, I could totally understand getting worried – but that isn't the case, as she was a Lead Producer and not a new Creative Director.
Producers at our studio support designers, engineers, artists, etc. by helping each of them track and hit deliverables. They also ensure the people they support are not overwhelmed with too much work and have all the tools and information needed to hit their deadlines. To put it simply, producers are the ones tasked with making sure the studio is always moving forward – even our Community Team has a producer to ensure we're tracking our deliverables; blogs, social media posts, flighting emails, and whatever pops up in between.

Since Tim and Mary were friends of mine, I'm sad that I don't get to see them as often, but I'm happy to see both of them doing well. Mary joining Josh Holmes at Midwinter is nothing short of exciting news for me, because I'm eager to give Scavengers another go soon (I played it at E3 and thoroughly enjoyed it). And, funny enough, I actually just bumped into Tim the other night at the theater for opening night of the Joker :)

TL;DR: Title is super misleading, there is no creative dilemma inside the studio, and there's no writing on the walls.

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https://www.reddit.com/r/halo/comme...rvu0/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

 

[Lant_War]

I mean, they're not going to say "PLEASE BE WORRIED EVERYTHING IS CHAOS". It's definitely weird to have two higher ups leave a year before the launch of arguably the most important game of XGS.

 

[mescalineeyes]

 

[Cort]

Is it really a big deal for a CD to leave a company when the game is largely finished anyway?

 

[strikeselect]

 

[Deleted member 17990]

 

[Gamer17]

We really don't know if it's concerning or not all these people leaving but him saying everything is fine is kinda his job . We will find out in the next Jason book

 

[Rendering...]

OK but can we pretend that the sky is still falling?

Repeat after me, kids: B-O! M-B-A! This game will suck in every way!

 

[Deleted member 4976]

Unless I see more turmoil, I see no reason to doubt this statement.

 

[m_dorian]

The CM is doing his job but such departures usually signal a development hell.
We ll find out eventually if that is true or not.

 

[Nome]

We really don't know if it's concerning or not all these people leaving but him saying everything is fine is kinda his job . We will find out in the next Jason book

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It's not his job. Companies usually don't comment on departures so it's sad they have to try to quell doom and gloom. People read way too much into gaming industry turnover.

 

[jelly]

Just show us a new screenshot or a short game play tease and never talk about it again :D

It's nice that they are being open as possible. We really have no idea. Good luck to all involved on current and new adventures.

 

[danrbg]

It would have been better to keep quiet, that works. Look how Shawn Layden was fired and the reaction was that everything is fine. Clarifying things only generate preoupacion.

 

[Shambala]

Nothing to see here

 

[Dimple]

I'll let Schreier be the judge of that one.

 

[Deleted member 31104]

To be honest you can read too much or too little into any individual or even small series of departures. Talented people get other offers, they may leave a position for a number of reasons many of which are nothing to do with their current employers (my brother left his dream job when my father got seriously ill because he needed something more flexible with less travel: he did get it back when my father passed). I've left places because the environment was toxic, I've left places where I've liked the job and the pay because another opportunity or role was simply a better offer.

 

[MillionIII]

Why would they just leave the project then?

 

[Slayven]

He is probably right but this is probably something they shouldn't address cause it will fan the flames and validate silliness

 

[MrTired]

My lack of concern was justified.

 

[RF Switch]

Its sad that this had to be addressed and even sadder that people will think its even worse now lol

 

[Gamer17]

My take :To me it's a bit weird that these high profile positions are leaving only 12 months before launch and don't want next halo (ms tent pole franchise )to be in their resume . Like who leaves halo infinite to go and work in a new studio with zero track record ?its a bit odd imo

 

[Cactuar]

That is one long winded explanation that you would think a major company would avoid doing. The old "nothing to see here" never works, and just makes you look like you got more issues. Don't worry about message board chatter, we're gonna talk cause that's what we do, worry about your game. It's a damn shame I have to explain this to a company as big as Microsoft in 2019.

 

[Jawmuncher]

While I doubt there's any issues going on with Halo: Infinite. That was a very long post that effectively answered nothing.

 

[Kasey]

Don't take away peoples concern. It's all they have.

 

[SilverX]

 

[Defect]

Can we get a glimpse of the game please?

 

[icexxascended]

Maybe we should wait till we see some gameplay before we panic lol really hope 343 pulls it together

 

[Jahranimo]

Some of y'all worry too much. Let them show us the product again before freaking out over some employees leaving for various reasons.

 

[pswii60]

I mean, they're not going to say "PLEASE BE WORRIED EVERYTHING IS CHAOS". It's definitely weird to have two higher ups leave a year before the launch of arguably the most important game of XGS.

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Sure. But if there were genuine issues, we wouldn't have seen any comment at all. It's really not Microsoft's style. We would have had the 'we do not comment on speculation' spiel at best.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

That was a loooooot of words to dispel absolutely nothing

 

[pswii60]

My take :To me it's a bit weird that these high profile positions are leaving only 12 months before launch and don't want next halo (ms tent pole franchise )to be in their resume . Like who leaves halo infinite to go and work in a new studio with zero track record ?its a bit odd imo

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How is that odd? I've left positions at major companies to go and be a bigger fish in a smaller pond. Sometimes it's nice to be more than a number, to have greater influence over a smaller project. Sometimes it's nice to work in a smaller community, without the politics and red tape of the the major corps.

And HI has been in development for 4 years already, most of the creative and design work is done. HI is already on their resume. If the dream job comes along now, why sit around for a year only to find that opportunity no longer exists?

I swear some of you have never had an actual job or career, because these things are just everyday life in the working world.

These people are in real life, not a gaming forum.

 

[Hudsoniscool]

Ya people read way to much into these career changes.
When you have 500+ employees there's gunna be plenty of turnover. Frankie, and Bonnie have been there since inception and Chris lee the lead on infinite is still there. Those are the 3 most important spot.

 

[isaaccs]

I still don't understand why some people here made such a mountain out of this molehill.

 

[DevilMayGuy]

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Came here for this

 

[Gamer17]

How is that odd? I've left positions at major companies to go and be a bigger fish in a smaller pond. Sometimes it's nice to be more than a number, to have greater influence over a smaller project. Sometimes it's nice to work in a smaller community, without the politics and red tape of the the major corps.

And HI has been in development for 4 years already, most of the creative and design work is done. HI is already on their resume. If the dream job comes along now, why sit around for a year only to find that opportunity no longer exists?

I swear some of you have never had an actual job or career, because these things are just everyday life in the working world.

These people are in real life, not a gaming forum.

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I m a project manager in a firm but what u say is very short sighted .
If I m working as a project manager in say General Electric I would not let that go and start working in mama papa electronic shop. I have to think about my life after that position and having a long successful experience in General Electric will help me much more to land a better job in future and advance my career . However after mama papa shop I have to look much harder for job and would be hit with 100 of question IF they accept my experience there as they don't know the company and how the organizational structure is set there .Sure I would get maybe more influence and freedom in mama papa shop but my career would not advance as fast a successful long employment at General Electric .


Please next time do not generalize saying that you people don't work when u have no idea about the other person, in an attempt to put yourself at a higher moral ground in the discussion . It just comes off very unpleasant. Thanks

 

[Bradbatross]

I still don't understand why some people here made such a mountain out of this molehill.

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People are still trying to lol.

 

[jviggy43]

Company assures people that it is in fact not something to panic about, in other news, grass is green, water is wet.

 

[Nome]

My take :To me it's a bit weird that these high profile positions are leaving only 12 months before launch and don't want next halo (ms tent pole franchise )to be in their resume . Like who leaves halo infinite to go and work in a new studio with zero track record ?its a bit odd imo

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A lot of people.
Going from big to small is very common for senior level folks, especially if they're chasing stock options.

Once you're financially secure you can take big risks like working at a startup.

 

[N.Domixis]

He's not going to come out and say things are bad

 

[Gamer17]

A lot of people.
Going from big to small is very common for senior level folks, especially if they're chasing stock options.

Once you're financially secure you can take big risks like working at a startup.

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Hmm for senior positions of above 15 20 years experience you might be correct.hadnt thought about it that way .thank you for the insight .appreciated :)

 

[Sherbert]

I m a project manager in a firm but what u say is very short sighted .
If I m working as a project manager in say General Electric I would not let that go and start working in mama papa electronic shop. I have to think about my life after that position and having a long successful experience in General Electric will help me much more to land a better job in future and advance my career . However after mama papa shop I have to look much harder for job and would be hit with 100 of question IF they accept my experience there as they don't know the company and how the organizational structure is set there .Sure I would get maybe more influence and freedom in mama papa shop but my career would not advance as fast a successful long employment at General Electric .

Please next time do not generalize saying that you people don't work when u have no idea about the other person, in an attempt to put yourself at a higher moral ground in the discussion . It just comes off very unpleasant. Thanks

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This is some asinine nonsense.

Mary Olson has been at 343 for at least 7 years so who is to say Head of Production at this new studio isn't her 'advancing her career'.

People change jobs for dozens of different reasons. It could be money, family, location, preferred coworkers or as mentioned above the ability to get in at the ground floor of a brand new company where they can set the direction and have a financial stake in the outcome.

Of course it could be a sign of issues @ 343 but there really isn't anything to indicate as such.

 

[JaggedSac]

I m a project manager in a firm but what u say is very short sighted .
If I m working as a project manager in say General Electric I would not let that go and start working in mama papa electronic shop. I have to think about my life after that position and having a long successful experience in General Electric will help me much more to land a better job in future and advance my career . However after mama papa shop I have to look much harder for job and would be hit with 100 of question IF they accept my experience there as they don't know the company and how the organizational structure is set there .Sure I would get maybe more influence and freedom in mama papa shop but my career would not advance as fast a successful long employment at General Electric .


Please next time do not generalize saying that you people don't work when u have no idea about the other person, in an attempt to put yourself at a higher moral ground in the discussion . It just comes off very unpleasant. Thanks

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Actually, hopping companies is the fastest way of advancement nowadays.

 

[Gamer17]

This is some asinine nonsense.

Mary Olson has been at 343 for at least 7 years so who is to say Head of Production at this new studio isn't her 'advancing her career'.

People change jobs for dozens of different reasons. It could be money, family, location, preferred coworkers or as mentioned above the ability to get in at the ground floor of a brand new company where they can set the direction and have a financial stake in the outcome.

Of course it could be a sign of issues but there really isn't anything to indicate as such.

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Oh my mistake I thought she was there for 2 months only and then left . Apologies

 

[Nome]

Actually, hopping companies is the fastest way of advancement nowadays.

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Sad but true, especially if you're already in a senior position and the company isn't expanding at a pace that leaves openings.

 

[Burrman]

They shouldn't have to say anything. Don't let internet nerds tell you to be concerned. Very few know what goes on behind making a game. Judge the end product. There's a lot of crazy ass assumptions going on here.

 

[Deleted member 1238]

Oh my mistake I thought she was there for 2 months only and then left . Apologies

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Very ironic that you said this:

Please next time do not generalize saying that you people don't work when u have no idea about the other person, in an attempt to put yourself at a higher moral ground in the discussion . It just comes off very unpleasant. Thanks

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It is fitting that the "G" in your username is capitalized.

 

[Ryan.]

Oh in that case everything is fine...

 

[DrScissorsMD]

They literally can't win. People just rampantly speculate without any actual evidence or info and then if they say nothing, "chaos confirmed". If they say something "of course they'd say everything is fine, chaos confirmed". Like fuck, guys, wait for the finished product to judge. Go outside and take a minute.

 

[RoKKeR]

Damn the Internet commentary on this "story" is really something.

 

[ShutterMunster]

It's not his job. Companies usually don't comment on departures so it's sad they have to try to quell doom and gloom. People read way too much into gaming industry turnover.

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Yep. Information is not knowledge.

 

[Darryl M R]

I'm just waiting for the news drop on this topic to make things clear.