NetEase established a new development studio in the United States called Jar of Sparks and appointed Jerry Hook, one of the famous names of Xbox, as the head of the console. The studio will focus on developing a “new generation of story-based action games.”
Hook, CEO of Jar of Sparks, is one of the founders of Xbox Live, who helped launch the original Xbox. He has also been a director of the Halo and Destiny series, most recently the design leader of Halo Infinite. So it is possible to say that he is very experienced in this regard.
Accompanying him in this new studio is Paul Crocker, the lead story director of Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham trilogy. Crocker continued to work as a story director at Warner Bros. Games Montreal before continuing in the same role at 343 Industries.
The studio’s executive producer, Greg Stone, was also a producer of Doom and Halo Infinite, while gameplay director Steve Dyck was an animation director and design director for the Halo, SSX and NBA Street franchises.
“We’ve built games for some of the biggest names in gaming to date, and now it’s time for our own success,” Hook said. We want to create something new, innovative and enjoyable to play.”
The studio is probably at least 3 years away from releasing its first game. While the working names have names like Halo and Destiny in their portfolio, this first project of the studio will definitely not be a live service game.
