Microsoft has introduced plans to place Halo Infinite into upkeep mode later this month so developer Halo Studios can give attention to engaged on a number of new Halo video games.
In a weblog publish, Halo Studios stated Operation: Infinite, due out November 18, is the final main replace presently deliberate for the Xbox and PC first-person shooter, however insisted it should help gamers with challenges, ranked rewards, and neighborhood occasions all through subsequent yr and past. Operation: Infinite’s free, 100-tier Operation Cross and 100-tier Premium Cross haven’t any deliberate expiration date.
One of many new Halo video games Halo Studios is engaged on is Halo: Marketing campaign Developed, which is due out sooner or later in 2026 throughout PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Halo Studios didn’t say what the opposite upcoming Halo video games are.
“As we glance again on 4 years of evolution and updates in Halo Infinite, we’d prefer to thank our neighborhood to your steadfast help,” Halo Studios stated. “With out your suggestions and enthusiasm, Halo Infinite multiplayer wouldn’t be the particular place it’s in the present day: a sturdy area for slaying and taking part in, with one thing for each Spartan.
“With a number of Halo titles in growth, we’ll want our entire staff’s mixed focus to ship new experiences with the identical ardour and care that our neighborhood has given us. Whereas we stay dedicated to supporting Halo Infinite on the highway forward, Operation: Infinite is the final main content material replace presently deliberate.”
Halo Studios, as soon as referred to as 343 Industries, leaves Halo Infinite behind 4 years after its delayed launch throughout Xbox One, Xbox Collection X and S, and PC in December 2021. Microsoft had meant for it to be an Xbox Collection X and S launch title and are available out a yr earlier, however pushed it again following detrimental suggestions to a hotly anticipated gameplay reveal in July 2020.
Halo Infinite went by way of vital modifications within the years following its launch, together with the rebranding of its developer, 343 Industries, to Halo Studios, and a number of rounds of layoffs. This got here after participant numbers for Halo Infinite dropped off dramatically after launch as followers expressed frustration over an absence of content material, poor development programs, and aggressive monetization. A “recreation changer” battle royale mode was scrapped.
Players are already mentioning that Halo Infinite hasn’t even managed to succeed in the midway level of Microsoft’s well-documented 10-year plan for the sport (it wasn’t referred to as Halo: Infinite for nothing). In July 2020, IGN spoke with now former Halo Infinite Studio Head Chris Lee, who described Halo Infinite as “the beginning of our platform for the long run.”
“We would like Infinite to develop over time, versus going to these numbered titles and having all that segmentation that we had earlier than,” he continued. “It’s actually about creating Halo Infinite as the beginning of the subsequent 10 years for Halo after which constructing that as we go together with our followers and neighborhood.”
Whereas continued updates have considerably improved the expertise, Halo Infinite by no means fairly managed to comprehend its potential. The main focus now’s on Halo: Marketing campaign Developed, though this, too, has suffered a bumpy experience because it was introduced, with one of many key members of the unique Halo growth staff at Bungie expressing concern about among the modifications made.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You may attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
