Long-time After 14 years working with the FPS icon, “Halo” art director Nicolas Bouvier, also known as Sparth online, is leaving developer 343 Industries and the larger Microsoft bubble. This week, Bouvier made his departure public. He tweeted, “All good things come to an end”.
“After close to 14 years on “Halo“, I have decided to pursue other opportunities outside Microsoft and 343 Industries. It’s been a hell of a ride, loved every minute of it. Wishing the absolute best to 343, you guys are and always will be amazing.”
We can assume Bouvier will play another artistic role at his new residence even though he hasn’t made any indication of where these other opportunities will take him. He jokingly claims that he was only good at drawing as a child, which is why he stuck with art since he was five and went on to study at Paris, France’s ENSAD. His 2018 343 Industries employee profile demonstrates this (Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs).
After joining 343 Industries in 2008, Bouvier worked on concept art for “Halo 4” and “Halo 5: Guardians“, which 343 described as “a blend of dizzying, imaginative vistas, and a loose, almost impressionist style of painting.” In addition to contributing covers and illustrations to numerous “Halo” novel and comic adaptations, he most recently served as art director of “Halo Infinite“.
Although the multiplayer aspect of “Halo Infinite” is still being developed, the game’s world and campaign, which were Bouvier’s top priorities, are essentially complete. The only thing left to be released at this point is the full-fat campaign co-op, which just recently launched its beta and received its first gameplay video.