The Halo series is as well known for its epic campaign missions as it is for its awesome selection of multiplayer maps. For well over two decades, ?both Bungie and 343 Industries have crafted unforgettable campaign experiences, which are (mostly) centered around the story of the Master Chief.

We know Halo levels are great, but which ones are the cream of the crop? I've whittled them down to the 10 best Halo campaign missions of all time - I reckon there ar?e some surprising choices you won?'t expect here.

10. Midnight

• Game: Halo 4

It should come as no surprise to learn that Halo 4's Midnight is the only 343 Industries mission on this list. The mission begins with a Star Wars-esque trench run unlike anything the series has seen before, almost resembling Star Fox in its gameplay approach.

It then moves to an intense, non-stop combat sequence as Halo 4 hurtles towards its conclusion. Combined with Neil Davidge's thundering track, "Arrival," th??is sequence arguably does a better job of making you feel like an unstoppable Spartan than anything else in the series. It's 343's best work in the series' campaigns, topped off with an emotional climax involving Cortana.

9. Mombasa Streets

• Game: Halo 3: ODST

It's a little cheeky to call Halo 3: ODST's Mombasa ??Streets a mission. It's more of a hub for you to wander and get lost in the streets of New Mombasa, solving the mystery of the rookie's missing squadmates.

Mombasa Streets oozes atmosphere at every turn, more so than any level in the Halo series. Marty O'Donnell's piercing saxophone soundtrack creates an overwhelming feeling o??f loneliness, while the dark of the night makes it feel as though danger awaits around every corner (and it does). There's even an AI embedded into the city's technology, which directs?? you away from danger by lighting up street signs.

8. Assault on the Control Room

• Game: Halo: Combat Evolved

By far Halo: Combat Evolved's longest miss?ion, Assault on the Control Room is proof that variety is the spice of life. This level allows?? you to use every single vehicle in the game, including the Scorpion for the first and only time. Every weapon, too, except for the shotgun.

It's this variety that makes Assault on the Control Room stand out among other Halo missions. Like it or not, you're forced to take part in every different combat style here - vehicular, long-ran??ged, and close-quarters. It finds a delicate balance perfectly.

7. Halo

• Game: Halo 3

Halo 3's final mission, Halo, earns its spot here based on the thrilling Warthog finale alone. As the ??game (and Bungie's entire trilogy) comes to an end, you must commandeer a Warthog through an epic run of obstacles.

Moving through the level, the entire Halo installation is collapsing around you. Explosions, falling floors - go too slow, and you're doomed. It's a perfect throwback to Halo: Combat Evolved's own Warthog run in The Maw, but better ?in every way.

6. Coastal Highway

• Game: Halo 3: ODST

Bungie really nails a final mission, huh? Halo 3: ODST's Coastal Highway largely takes place on the titular highway. Throughout, you protect the slow-moving Elephant from defending Covenant forces, while the chaos of the Battle of Earth erupts around you, perfectly capturing the sense?? of impending doom.

It culminates in one final standoff at the entrance of the Uplift Nature Reserve. You and your squad face waves of incoming Covenant forces, like an intense game of Firefight. It's one final stand while awaiting rescue, capping off a near-perfect Halo mission.

5. Halo

• Game: Halo: Combat Evolved

It's another level called Halo. In another Halo game. It makes sense, I promise. Halo set the standard for what the series' level design looks like at its best, with a vast open mission that sees you rescuing marines from various structures across the map. It's a great mix of Warthog gameplay and close-quarters combat, introducing you to various Halo: Combat Evolved mechanics early.

If the previous mission, The Pillar of Autumn, set the expectation that Halo: Combat Evolved was going to be yet another corridor shooter (as was prevalent in early 2000s FPS games), then Halo shattered it immediately. It represents a near-series best for Halo campaign missions right at the very beginning.

4. The Silent Cartographer

• Game: Halo: Combat Evolved

The Silent Cartographer opens with a blast. An iconic beach scene that, I promise, felt more impressi??ve then than it does now. For many players, The Silent Cartographer's opening was the moment they realized they were playing something truly special.

The rest of the level rules, too, offer great variety between short outdoor vehicle sections and well-designed interior combat encounters. But the opening assault on the beach as you storm out of the Warthog is the center??piece here.

3. Metropolis

• Game: Halo 2

Metropolis is the only Halo 2 mission on this list, but it's number 3 for a reason. It's a short level, but one so action-packed you can't ignore it. You start Metropolis on a bridge with a Scorpion, blasting your way across it with ease. Is it challenging? No. But it's awesome, and isn't that what really matters?

After the bridge section, you find yourself in the inner city, the Metropolis, if you will. Most players make their way through the city in the provided Gauss Warthog, emphasizing Metropol?is' vehicle-heavy gameplay. Then you board a Scarab! It's the definition of "short and sweet."

2. The Ark

• Game: Halo 3

The Ark is Halo 3 at its best. Starting out with a sniping sequence, it then moves from one chaotic vehicle setpiece to another. Not to mention the epic Scarab fight, whi?ch, by the end of this colossal mission, feels more like a reward than a challenge.

The highlight of The Ark is the lan??ding of the enormous Forward Unto Dawn frigate, which descends upon you while blowing away everything in its path. As it casts its massive shadow over you, it's immediately clear you're witnessing one of the coolest video game moments ever. If you know, you know??.

1. The Covenant

• Game: Halo 3

That the two mission run of The Ark and The Covenant make up the top two spots on this list is a miracle. The latter half of Halo 3's c??ampaign is remarkable, ??and The Covenant is where it all peaks.

From Warthog gameplay, Hornet combat, and a great mix of tight hallway gunplay and open battlefields to fight on, The Covenant has it all. It all culminates in that fight against two Scarabs simultaneously, resulting in the best setpiece the series has ever produced. Forget the Halo series - The Co??venant is one of the best FPS missions ever made.

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The Halo franchise has spawned some of the most iconic multiplayer maps ever made. Since it debuted in 2001, the series has seen players face off in Spartan on-Spartan action across legendary battlegrounds that have?? cemented themselves in gaming folklore.

With so many to choose from, how do you find the 10 best Halo maps ever? We're going to try.

10. Valhalla

• Game: Halo 3

Valhalla felt like a natural evolution of Blood Gulch. Two bases facing off, separated only by a river. The wealth of vehicle options makes Valhalla a perfect Capture The Flag map,?? and the hilly terrain only adds to the tension as you escape the base with the enemy flag.

It returned in all three of 343 Industries' Halo games as Ragnarok, Viking, and Vallaheim, ??respectively. After all these years, it plays better than ever.

9. Narrows

• Game: Halo 3

Narrows is symmetry perfected. The two?? small bases on each s?ide are accessed quickly by the man cannons that fling you across the map. There's a large bridge through the middle, featuring an upper and lower level. There's even a vertical curve to the bridge, which makes for some interesting combat engagements.

Narrows matches are extremely fast-paced, thanks to the existence of the man can?nons. You'll not get a moment to rest u??ntil the game is finished!

8. Zanzibar

• Game: Halo 2

At times, it feels like Zanzibar is underrated by Halo fans. One team spawns in a power station, while the other starts on the beach. The tw?o must fight for control of the giant ??spinning wheel in the middle of the map, giving Zanzibar an extremely dynamic feeling.

Its full commitment to its asymmetric design is admirable. This makes it perfect for 1 Flag Capture The Flag and Single Bomb matches, creating awesome "attack vs. defense" scenarios. Zanzibar's Halo 3 remake, Last Resort, is great too.

7. Battle Creek

• Game: Halo: Combat Evolved

Battle Creek is a total brawl. This semi-symmetrical map takes place in a small canyon, featuring two identical bases. In 4v4 Slayer matches, you're never far f?rom the action, even if you spe??nd most of your time on the respawn screen.

Taking your Xbox to a LAN party and playing split-screen Battle Creek is what classic Halo is all about. The map returned in Halo 2 as Beaver Creek, which is also one of the best Halo maps ever. The differences between t??he two are minimal.

6. Midship

• Game: Halo 2

Midship's Covenant setting gives it a unique aesthetic among the best Halo maps. It ??looks great, but it plays even better. It's a small arena setting with a ton of verticality, making it ideal for Oddball and free-for-all Slayer matches.

Midship produces a unique brand of chaos that other Halo maps struggle to replicate. You w??on't find campers here - there's nowhere to hide!

5. The Pit

• Game: Halo 3

Halo 3's The Pit is a symmetrical map set in a UNSC training facility. It was an instant fan favorite on release in 2007, and has remained a staple of Halo's competitive scene ever since. The Pit has?? verticality, long sight line??s, and close-quarters opportunities. There's something for every playstyle here, hence its longevity.

The biggest compliment to The Pit is that it has been remade in every single one of 343 Industries' Halo titles. Pitfall in Halo 4, Simulation in Halo 5: Guardians, and Empyrean in Halo Infinite. Still, you're never beating the original.

4. Forge World

• Game: Halo: Reach

Halo 3 had Foundry and Sandbox as its primary Forge maps. Halo: Reach went one better with Forge World, an enormous blank canvas for players to bring their wildest ideas to life. The map has several different regions, each of which can be?? built upon to create something entirely new. It's magnificent.

Bungie certainly had confidence in Forge World; many of Halo: Reach's? base multiplayer maps were built in it. For better or worse, this started a series trend of Forge maps becoming matchmaking staples.

3. Guardian

• Game: Halo 3

It's difficult to describe why Guardian works so well. It's asymmetric, feels smaller than it is, and doesn't play well with most objective game modes. Yet, it's undeniably one of the best Halo maps ever made. Why is that?

The map is separated by a few different areas, where combat encounters are well-isolated. It rarely feels like you're being attacked by multiple angles with little you can do about it, and you're always fighting for control over a different area of the map. From a design?? perspective, Guardian is near-perfect.

2. Lockout

• Game: Halo 2

If you like verticality in your Halo maps, Lockout has three levels on what is otherwise a very small arena??. Lockout features one central platform, from which the rest of the map spans out from. No matter where you spawn, Lockout does a great job of luring you back to that middle focal point, whether you come from the upper sniper tower, or from? the Gravity Lift room.

With so?? many areas to worry about, you're always taking a new combat engagement from interesting angles, and Lockout offers pl??enty of environmental cover for skilled players to use to their advantage. For this reason, Lockout is the best Slayer map ever made.

1. Blood Gulch

• Game: Halo: Combat Evolved

Blood Gulch is quintessential Halo. Two bases, one vast, open canyon. Plenty of vehicles on both sides. Snipers galore. Off to the races you go, Spartans. This is Capture The Flag at its very best, and there's a reason Blood Gulch has returned in so many Halo games since.

Part of the beauty of Blood Gulch is its simplicity. Bungie didn't overcomplicate anything, stripping the Halo multiplayer experience back to its core to create something magical. You can still play Big Team Battle matches on Blood Gulch in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and it still feels as epic as ever.

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343 Industries is no more (sort of). Prior to the grand final of? the Halo World Championship 2024 eSports tournament, the developer confirmed that it has rebranded to Halo Studios, turning a new page for the legendary franchise.

It also revealed that Halo Studios will move to Unreal Engine 5 for all future projects, of which several are in development. This marks a move away from its proprietary game engine, the Slipspace Engine, making it easier for new devel?opers to come in and hit the ground running.

Halo is making the jump to Unreal Engine 5

Halo Studios revealed the news with an impressive UE5 video showcase titled Project Foundry, hitting all the classic Halo notes: Master Chief, Elites, Energy Swo??rds, and even the Flood.

Nothing was officially confirmed, but given what was shown, it looked suspiciously like the Halo: Combat Evolved remaster that was rumored back in June. Are they teasing it right in front of our eyes? Only time will tell. Regardless, it looks stunning, with mind-blowing environments that look closer to Blur Studios' Halo 2: Anniversary cutsc?enes than any real-time gameplay seen before in the series.

As 343 Industries, the studio has developed three mainline Halo games since being founded in 2007: 4, 5: Guardians, and Infinite. Each title had positives and negatives, although it's generally agreed that the series hasn't quite reached the dizzying heights of its Bungie days. Can this rebrand and move to Unreal Engine 5 help secure a brighter future for Halo? I sure hope so.

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File this under "news no one expected." 343 Industries has confirmed that Halo Infinite is getting a thi?rd-person mode, and it's coming sooner ??than you think, with a release date penned in for November.

Halo historians will know that Combat Evolved was a third-person shooter at one point in its development. Now, well over two decades later, that idea is set to become a reality in Halo Infinite.

Halo Infinite third-person mode confirmed

343 Industries confirmed the addition of third-person mode to Halo Infinite in a video on Twitter. It's an announcement that wouldn't feel out of place on April Fools' Day. Halo? Third-person?! I assure you, it's real, and frankly, it look?s like a lot?? of fun.

The clips from the gameplay wer??e marked as a work in progress, but?? a couple of interesting tidbits can be garnered from what has been shown so far.

One moment shows the player t?ransitioning from first to third-person, indicating that you're not locked into one view for the entire match. It remains to be seen if the new third-person view is only available in specific modes. PvE combat was also shown, confirming F?irefight will be getting the third-person treatment. Count me in.

Interestingly, the footage features one moment involving the player struggling to see while entering a Shroud Screen. T??his shows the drawback of adding third-person to a gam??e not initially designed for it, so it'll be interesting to see how 343 Industries handles things like this in the full release.

Even if third-person mode doesn't become the de-facto way to play Halo Infinite going forward, I'd be lying if I said I w?asn't intrigued to try it out. It's currently set for a November release, with no specific date nailed down at the moment.

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Halo Infinite's sandbox lives and dies by its weapons. If the gunplay isn't solid and the weapons don't feel fun, then little else matters. It's something that the series has nailed over the years, and luckily, Infinite is no different.

In Halo Infinite, multiple old favorites return. You can find classic weapons like the Energy Sword and Gravity Hammer, helping the game feel familiar to long-time series fans. However, it also introduces several new weapons such as the Mangler and the Cindershot, which keep the sandbox fresh, even for Halo veterans.

Halo Infinite Weapons Tier List

Halo Infinite has 23 weapons in total across its campaign and multiplayer. This is more than enough to give you a ton of variety, because not all of the weapons will appear on every Halo Infinite map. Frankly, this is for the best. We couldn't cope with every player on the server having power weapons all at the same - that might be a little too chaotic.

When ranking Halo Infinite's weapons into a definitive Tier List, there are a few things to consider. First of all - fun. We're asking the question, "Do these weapons feel fun to use?" After all, it's Halo, a series known for its iconic armory of weapons, so the best of Infinite's offerings will likely b?e the ones that are the most f??un to use.

It's important that we consider weapon efficiency, too. Sure, a weapon can feel fun, but it's hardly any use if you can't actually kill anyone with it. Pick up the weapons near the top of our Tier List to ensure you?'re at the top of the leaderboard in every multiplayer match.

S Tier

• BR75 (Battle Rifle)
• Energy Sword
• Gravity Hammer
• M41 SPNKR (Rocket Launcher)
• S7 Sniper Rifle
• VK78 Commando

A Tier

• M392 Bandit
• M50 Sidekick
• MA40 AR (Assault Rifle)
• Needler
• Sentinel Beam
• Shock Rifle
• Skewer

B Tier

• Cindershot
• CQS48 Bulldog
• Heatwave
• Hydra
• Plasma Pistol
• Ravager
• Stalker Rifle

C Tier

• Disruptor
• Mangler
• Pulse Carbine

The fact that so many of Halo Infinite's weapons are in the S and A tie?rs here is a compliment to 343 Industries' balancing. Overall, the studio did a solid job making sure the game's armory feels fun and powerful, yet rarely overpowered. This isn't to say that weapons in the B and C tiers can't be well-utilized by skilled players. Still, the average gamer will likely have a tougher time trying to dominate multiplayer lobbies while using them.

With Halo Infinite still receiving updates years after its launch, even more weapons may be added in t??h?e future. The M392 Bandit is the most recent addition to the game, arriving in early 2023.

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Halo Infinite's campaign is arguably the best in years. Plenty would have it down as 343 Industries' best effort to date. It was the game that took the franchise's single-player in a bold new direction, embracing an open-world campaign for the first time. It was an interesting experiment, one that makes Halo Infinite one of the most unique games in the series.

In this open world set on Installation 07, players can still complete a series of traditional cam??paign missions. These are separated by area, so once you've finished one location, you must move to the next to unlock the next set of missions.

Halo Infinite Campaign Missions Tier List

Halo Infinite features a total of 16 campaign missions spread across seven different areas. Despite the big change in approach, this still very much feels like a Halo campaign. You've got Master Chief facing hordes of Covenant (now the Banished) - what more could you want? Halo Infinite's campaign missions feel like a love letter to the fra??nchise. You have levels like The Road, which feels like a v?ehicle mission pulled straight from the previous games in the series. Then, there are missions like Pelican Down, which creates a sense of urgency unlike anything else.

Most importantly, Halo Infinite doesn't forget to make its campaign missions fun. You can hit the right notes to recreate that classic Halo feeling all you want, but if it isn't actually fun to play, then it doesn't matter. Our Tier List here considers the fun factor above all else. S Tier missions are the cream of the crop, the levels you can replay 10 times over and have a blast. Moving down, C Tier levels are the ones you finish begrudgingly during repeat playthroughs, sighing deeply as you wait for the good stuff. Luckily, Halo Infinite doesn't have too much of that kind of thing.

S Tier

• House of Reckoning
• Pelican Down
• The Road
• The Tower

A Tier

• Conservatory
• Repository
• Silent Auditorium
• The Command Spire
• Warship Gbraakon

B Tier

• Excavation Site
• Foundation
• Nexus
• Outpost Tremonius
• The Sequence

C Tier

• Recovery
• Spire

Halo Infinite Campaign Side Missions Tier List

With Halo Infinite taking a more open-world approach, 343 Industries was able to add side missions to the franchise's mainline games for the first time eve?r. Love or hate these side missions, you can't deny they were a fun change of pace from the main campaign.

All of the seven side missions in Halo Infinite involve liberating some Banished outposts, although the objectives change each time. It's got a hint of the Ubisoft formula about it, but it works well in Infinite's sandbox. The game is?? at its best when chaos reigns, and these s?ide missions provide that in spades.

S Tier

• Forge of Teash
• Ransom Keep

A Tier

• Annex Ridge
• Armory of Reckoning
• Redoubt of Sundering

B Tier

• Horn of Abolition

C Tier

• Riven Gate

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Blood Gulch. Lockout. Guardian. All standout maps that you might remember from the Halo series in years gone by. The franchise has a deep history of producing iconic multiplayer battlegrounds, and Halo Infinite is no different.

37 multiplayer maps populate Halo Infinite's multiplayer offerings, and our Tier List aims to rank them one by one. Arena maps, Big Team Battle maps, and Forge canvases each have their own Tier List, as they're too different to compa??re against one anothe?r.

Halo Infinite Arena Maps Tier List

Arena maps are Halo Infinite's bread and butter. 4v4 gameplay across modes like Slayer, King of the Hill, and Capture the Flag. This is Halo's DNA, the reason players return over two decades since the franchise made its debut. Luckily, Infinite has some ??great arena maps t??hat are an absolute blast to play.

Our ranking of Halo Infinite's arena maps is largely based on how fun they are. Ultimately, that's why you play the game, right? We've also slightly considered aesthetics, too. When you think back to legendary Halo maps from previous titles, eac??h one has a strong visual style that's ??easy to remember. It's a small consideration, but an important one.

S Tier

• Bazaar
• Empyrean
• Live Fire
• Recharge

A Tier

• Aquarius
• Behemoth
• Chasm
• Forest
• House of Reckoning
• Prism
• Streets

B Tier

• Catalyst
• Elevation
• Forbidden
• Illusion
• Interference
• Launch Site
• Solitude

C Tier

• Argyle
• Cliffhanger
• Corrosion
• Detachment
• Dredge

Halo Infinite Big Team Battle Maps Tier List

Halo Infinite features six maps made exclusively for the Big Team Battle game mode. These maps are made for 12v12 action, featuring vehicle-heavy gameplay. Jump in a Warthog with some friends and cause mayhem - that's what Halo is all about, and that's wh??at Big Team Battle provides.

When ranking Halo Infinite's Big Team Battle maps, we??'re not just considering how fun it is to play. We're also considering how well they fit the game mode. After all, what good is Big Team Battle if you can't cause a bit of vehicular chaos?

S Tier

• Oasis

A Tier

• Fragmentation
• Scarr

B Tier

• Deadlock
• Highpower

C Tier

• Breaker

Halo Infinite Forge Canvas Maps Tier List

Halo Infinite's Forge mode is the most powerful version of the iconic map creator to date. It's hard to believe how far it has come since the Halo 3 days. From requiring the use of glitches to make items float back in the day, to in-depth scripting in the?? most recent iteration of the game mode.

Eight Halo Infinite maps exist entirely as Forge mode canvas?es. While not fun by themselves, they serve as a way to create completely new maps, with each having its own unique theme. Since we can't rank by fun factor, we're going purely by aesthetics and versatility here.

S Tier

• Permafrost
• Void

A Tier

• Barrage
• Ecliptic

B Tier

• Institute
• Mires

C Tier

• Arid
• Seafloor

The post Halo Infinite maps Tier List: All maps, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

As loyal Halo Infinite multiplayer players have already noticed, ??there have been some big changes made with Season 5.

Though many are positive, such as the ability to mix and match cosmetic items, it's not all milk and honey, as all microtransaction prices have been made more expensive, to boot. This problem has been highlighted by Halo fan and streamer XLR8 over on Twitter, where they expressed their disappointment with how 343 Industries has been handling this particula??r issue.

"Even as a frequent spender," they said, "lots of stuff simply isn't worth the price [anymore]." For example, the featured Flood-themed Transgressor cosmetics bundle costs the equivalent of $20 for a single set of armor and a universal color scheme. In the seasons prior, $20 would net players two full sets of armor with additional cosme?tics, ?several color schemes, and some weapon skins on top of all that.

While Season 5 of multiplayer content may have delivered some key wins for 343 early on, the fact that the studio is bumping up MTX purchase prices is an obvious point of contention for the community, to the point that Halo Infinite's community manager, Brian Jarrard, had to chime in, responding to the i?ssue with a direct retort to XLR8.

Why is Halo Infinite increasing shop prices?

According to Jarrard, the reason 3?43 Industries has chosen to increase microtransaction prices across the board is to reflect the new multi-core customization feature. As players can now mix and match their cosmetics across different armor cores, 343 believes each disparate cosmetic item is worth more than it previously would've been.

"With Season 5, many previously released coatings and all helmets in the game were updated ??to work on all cores," said ?Jarrard, explaining that "and those shop offers were adjusted to reflect these changes."

Jarrard also added that players should expect the price increase to be active across the board in d?ue time: "While many S1-S4 offers have been adjusted, I want to be transparent that as more multi-core coatings come to bear, there are going to be more past offers that weren't included with the initial S5 adjustments that will see updates in the future."

Naturally, anyone who owns any of the affected items?? from before will be able ?to continue using them normally in the future, though this entire problem obviously doesn't apply to those players in the first place.

"I understand this isn't necessarily what everyone wants to hear, but I hop?e this at least helps explain what did ch??ange and why," concluded Jarrard.

Any discrepancies ??in item prices, especially those that might now be on sale for amounts of currency that don't make sense considering t?heir previous pricing, are due to these changes. With that in mind, and considering Jarrard's explanations, it doesn't seem like 343 Industries will budge on its valuation of MTX items anytime soon.

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Team will focus on in-game features and fixes

Bad news for Halo lore fans, as developer 343 Industries has confirmed that it will no longer be producing narrative cutscenes for Halo Infinite �?The cinematics,?? which generally drop with each and every new season, will no longer be a part of the updates from Season 4 onwards.

Speaking on Twitter, 343 co??mmunity director Brian Jarrard explains the decision??.

"As we've refined our top priorities and shifted resources internally this year, we had to make the decision to forego seasonal narrative cutscenes to make room for the team to continue focusing on highly requested features, content, and improvements for Halo Infinite," writes Jarrard.

//twitter.com/sk??e7ch/status/1670926893078691841?s=20

"These trade-offs are never easy to make, and we truly appreciate your support as the team works to make Halo Infinite the best experience possible. While the job is far from over, Season 4 marks another big step forward and we remain committed to this journey with the Halo community."

Of course, 343 Industries was one of the Microsoft subsidiaries that was hit by layoffs at the start of the year, which forces the dedicated Halo team to prioritize its manpower and talent on the core elements of the sci-fi shooter. The studio has recently spoken of its aim to improve many areas of Halo Infinite's gameplay, with in?coming additions such as a new career rankin??g system and the return of Infection Mode, both of which launched this week as part of Season 4's content.

Halo Infinite is available now on Xbox and PC platforms.

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It'll be part of Season 4

I remember the very first time I played Infection in Halo 3. Zombies were making a comeback in popular media, and we were just a few years away from The Walking Dead arriving on TV and changing the entire creature-feature landscape for the next decade or so. In case you haven't played?? it before the concept is simple, and you may have even enjoyed it on the schoolyard playground: there are two teams, one human and one zombie, and the zombies need to infect everyone they can. With a group of friends via local play, it's complete chaos; and leads to some really intense moments and satisfying wins.

But like several aspects of Halo Infinite, it was conspicuously absent both at its December 2021 launch and in the subsequent months since. Well, that changes this summer. Here's the full statement from the official Halo Twitter account, which was accompanied by concept art for the mode:

"Infection returns in Season 4 ☣️ The fight to survive starts ??on ??June 20."

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SWLEPaTx4c

The latest episode of the "Spartan Chatter" podcast talks briefly about the mode 52:30 in, noting: "The fan-favorite absolutely sick and terrifying mode of Infection wi??ll be launching with Season 4. Yes, Infection is also going live, it's a signature mo?de for Season 4...we're super excited for that, expect a full deep dive on that later."

Vague to be sure, but that'??s really all you need. The mode's aim is really easy to convey, and fans know exactly what to expect.

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The former Halo head lands at Netflix Games

Former Halo Infinite head of creative Joseph Staten has a new job at Netflix. The industry veteran announced his new role today, confirming he's jo?ine?d Netflix Games as a creative director for a new AAA game and original IP.

Staten confirmed the news today on Twitter. This brand-new game doe?sn't have a name or official reveal yet, but it will be multiplatform and apparently be original IP.

"In ??my work life, there's nothing I love more than collaborating with others to build worlds filled with iconic characters, deep mysteries, and endless adventures," Staten said. "So today, I'm thrilled to announce that I've joined Netflix Games as Creative Director for ??a brand-new AAA multiplatform game and original IP. Let's go!"

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyMlV5_HRWk

Staten previously worked at Bungie on early Halo games, before returning to the Halo series again by joining 343 Industries, leading Halo Infinite as head of creative. His departure was revealed last week. Microsoft laid off a significant number of employees earlier this year, and reports indicated 343 Industries was seeing some internal shifts in t?he wake of it.

The Netflix of Games

Netflix, meanwhile, really seems to be ramping up its gaming division. The streaming service started moving into streaming, though the actual pull of the service was unclear. Still, it's been gradually scooping up talent, even picking up studios like Oxenfree developer Night School.

Staten is a high-profile get for Netflix. It certainly makes it seem like the streaming giant is serious about its move into games. And with a "AAA"-tier game on the way, I'm curious to see how these aspirations play out. We've seen some tech companies try and fail to pierce into games before, but I've been generally intrigued by Netflix's acquisitions and the games they ??elect to add to their mobile service. We'll see how this ?pans out as we learn more about Staten and co.'s project.

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Halo head of live performance says the team is going to be more consistent

A big new update for Halo Infinite is out today as Season 3: Echoes Within is now live. The latest Season for Halo has maps, a new mode, a new weapon and piece of equipment, and ???of course, a new seasonal pass.

First off for Season 3: Echoes Within in Halo Infinite is the new map drop. Two new arena maps, Chasm and Cliffhanger, have been added to the pool. Cliffhanger has a cross-map man cannon, letting you live your most daring lives as a multiplayer Spartan,?? while Chasm is a smaller space with lots of Forerunner architecture.

Over on the Big Team Battle front is a third new map, dubbed Oasis. In an interview on the Xbox Wire, Halo Infinite head of live performance Sean Baron draws a comparison to Halo 3's Standoff. It's a big map with lanes for veh??icle combat, but also indoor space.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3K-SCCkWBQ

That escalated quickly

Halo Infinite also gets its version of the classic? "gun game" mode, dubbed E??scalation Slayer. Everyone starts with the SPNKR and ends with the Oddball, but in-between, there are 11 total levels of weapons to work through. Whichever team gets the Oddball kill wins. Additionally, the secondary and equipment options change up every time.

On the equipment side, Spartans can use the Shroud Screen, a new piece of equipment that's like a space-age smoke bomb. And then there's the M392 Bandit Rifle, a new semi-automatic kinetic weapon. Baron says the team wanted to create something akin to Halo 5's Magnum, in terms of timing and damage.

A new Battle Pass and two new Armor Cores are live as well, so there's more content to complete. It does seem like those sticking with Halo Infinite should find some new?? goals to chase here, including two free narrative events.

//twitter.com/Halo/status/1633196212907302914

Consistency

The update cadence for Halo Infinite has been somewhat staggered, as 343 Industries has responded to both shifts in development priorities and personnel shake-ups. With that in mind, the Xbox Wire interview with Baron closes on a note l?ooking forward, specif?ically in regards to what he calls "seasonality," or consistency.

"To me, seasonality is really about consistency �?we need to be consistent in everything," ??Baron said. "I f?eel very confident with where we’ve gone with Season 3, and I have very strong confidence that we’re going to be able to keep improving that consistency, and avoid, completely, the long seasons of the past. We’re going to be more consistent. We’re going to continue to evolve the game in close partnership with our players. We’re focused on shipping Season 3 and then, as Chief said, we’re ‘[r]eady to get back to work.'"

With recent reports of Halo Infinite development shifting gears again, I'm interested to see what this consistency looks like. Despite the rocky road, I still boot Infinite up every once in a bl??ue moon fo?r some BTB or SWAT, and those multiplayer nights have me hopeful 343 can turn the conversation around.

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Halo studio reportedly heavily affected by Microsoft layoffs

Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries looks set to stay working on the Halo franchise. But a new report details some big internal shifts at the company, including layoffs and a change in engine. All the while, the studio seems to not be actively working on any new story content for Infinite itself.

Bloomberg reports that 343 Industries will continue to work on Halo. This is in line with a statement from studio head Pierre Hintze, which said 343 will develop Halo now and in the future.

But while the franchise is staying with the studio, Bloomberg's article suggests that at least 95 people at 343 Industries lost their jobs as part of the recent Microsoft layoffs. This list, according to a spreadsheet seen by the ou?tlet, contained names of staff veterans and contractors alike.

Internally, Bloomberg reports that the head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty assured 343 that, even as it works with partners and outsourcing houses, the studio will stay in charge. But shifts seem to be on the way for Halo, too, as the repor??t sugges?ts that 343 made the decision to pivot away from its Slipspace engine and towards Unreal Engine last year, after Hintze took over.

The engine switch will reportedly take hold with a game code named Tatanka, in development with Certain Affinity. This project apparently started as a battle royale but may ?evolve elsewhere, according to Bloomberg's sources. 343 is also apparently not actively worki?ng on new story content.

The future of Halo

343 Industries was already reported to be among those Xbox studios affe??cted by the Microsoft layoffs, alongside Bethesda and The Coalition, but seeing an actual number puts the sit??uation in stark relief.

A switch to Unreal, as Bloomberg's report indicates, raises hopes that development will be easier on future projects. Still, with several major shifts all happening, 343 Industries sounds like it's starting back from square one. For Halo fans, hopefully, the studio rallies from it.

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More information is coming out about how these layoffs will hit Xbox studios

Microsoft confirmed earlier today that it will be? laying off 10,000 employees. Reports have since circulated about how those layoffs affect studios within Microsoft, including those behind some big Xbox games.

Bloomberg reports that the Microsoft layoffs have affected workers at both 343 Industries and Bethesda, according to their sources. The scale of the cuts is not clear, but Bloomberg's report notes that some of those affected include longtime Xbox veterans, who have been at the company for over a decade. In a follow-up tweet, Bloomberg's Jason Schreier says it sounds like the Halo Infinite team go??t "hit hard," citing an email? to staff from 343 head Pierre Hintze.

Kotaku also reports that 343 and Bethesda were affected, as well as Gears developer The Coalition.

In addition to layoffs, it seems like movement is also being made around 343 Industries. Schreier reports that Joseph Staten, who was brought on to help bring Halo Infinite development to a close, is leaving 343?? to return to Xbox Publishing.

M??ore details hav?e been emerging throughout the day about how these cuts have affected Microsoft.

A shift for Xbox

In a public letter addressing the cuts today, CEO Satya Nadella confirms the 10,000 layoffs will take place from now through Q3 of fiscal year 2023. The news arrives one year after Microsoft announced its plan to purchase Activision Blizzard, a deal which is currently caught up with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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Browse custom games like it's the early aughts

The Halo Infinite December update is out now, and 343 Industries has added quite a bit. Alongside some shifts to cosmetics and the return of a map, Halo Infinite now also has a custom game browser.

The latest update allows players to flip through available custom games, looking for one they might want to hop into and play. The Halo Infinite browser has filters for different options, including the ba????se map and mode being used.

And as the trailer advertises, there are already some solid custom game creations out there. They range from recreations to some pretty neat ideas like? Pain?tball, and the browser should hopefully make them easier to find.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTjL_AMaWns

Falling back into The Pit

Some other additions arrive in the December Update, too. All armor cores and cadet coatings are now free. And Halo 3's The Pit returns as Empyrean, which is less fun as a nam??e in my opinion, but still looks like the same ol' Pit I've played plenty of matches on.

The custom game browser is really the major addition here though, as it really builds out the Forge component of Halo Infinite. Forge hit beta in November, and now discoverability for those modes is th?at much?? easier.

I frequently get very nostalgic about the days of custom game browsing. Whether it was Halo or something like Warcraft, the server browser was a place where I discovered a lot of cool, fun, inventive ways to reimagine a game I?? enjo?y.

Hopefully, this custom game browser gives Halo Infinite a good boost headed into the new year. With the Forge filling out and network campaign co-op finally in, Halo Infinite may star?t to loo??k more like some fans hoped it would.

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The longtime Halo lead is leaving due to a family medical issue

343 Industries founder and lead Bonnie Ross is leaving the Halo Infinite studio. After 15?? years leading 343 at Microsoft,? Ross has officially confirmed her departure.

The studio head has said she will be leaving the com?pany to attend to a family medical issue.

Here's the statement in full, via social media:

While I had hoped to stay with Halo until we released the Winter Update, I am let??ting you know I will be leaving 343 and attending to a family medical is??sue.

I am incredibly proud of the work everyone at 343 Industries has done with Halo Infinite, the Master Chief Collection, the Halo television series and so m?uch more. It has been an honor to serve along??side the team for the last 15 years and to be a part of a universe I love.

Thank you to everyone in the Halo community for your support. Halo's future is bright. I cannot wait for all of you to experience what we have in store - and to cheer alongside you, as a fan, at the Halo World Championship in October!

Axios,

Bonnie Ross

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyMlV5_HRWk

The Halo rolls on

Ross has a long legacy at Microsoft, having worked on a number of franchises over the years leading up to 343 Industries. She helped found the new studio 343 Industries in 2007. Under her leadership, 343 released The Master Chief Collection, an initially rough launch that m?anaged to? right the ship and become quite a stellar collection.

With Halo Infinite experiencing similar pains now, it will be interesting to see how 343 forges ahead. According to a statement via Windows Central, ??Pierre Hintze will immediately step in as studio head. Bryan Koski will take on the ro?le of GM of Franchise. Elizabeth Van Wyck steps in to oversee business and operations.

With a Winter Update coming soon and more on the horizon, there's still more to do for Halo Infinite.

_{Lead image via Xbox}

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343 Industries is shifting the roadmap for Halo Infinite ahead

Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries has released a new roadmap update today, outlining the roadmap ahead for the latest Halo. While features like Forge are coming into focus, others are?? falling behind.

The next major update for Halo Infinite will arrive on November 8. Dubbed the Winter Update, this will include the campaign network co-op and mission replay previously targeted for late August. It will also include a beta version of the Forge, Halo's map creation tool.

The Winter Update will also include a shorter, 30-tier Batt?le Pass and two new maps, Detachment and Argyle. A new beta for Match XP will roll out, the Covert One Flag mode will be added, and events will be hosted in December and January. This season will run th?rough March 7, which is when Season 3 will debut.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ramqlt7vxJ8

In today's Dev Update video, 343 head of creative Joseph Staten and head of Halo Infinite live service Sean Baron discuss the plans ahead for the FPS. And as the team focuses on other areas, one aspect is being taken off the table. While network campaign co-op is set to arrive in November, 343 has decided to not ship split-screen campaign co-op for Infinite.

Infinite horizon

Season 3, meant to arri?ve on March 7, will include a full 100-tier Battle Pass, a new weapon and equipment, and new maps for Arena and Big Team Battle. In-game reporting, VIP and Escalation modes, a custom game browser, and a new narrative event are all set for that season as well.

Campaign co-op has been an elusive addition for Halo Infinite. The feature has been delayed several times over, as has Forge. And while the networked version will finally be arriving soon, seeing the split-screen version get cut is a bummer. It's how, I'm sure, many folks first played co-op Halo. But hopefully the shift in resources helps Halo Infinite get on a better release track overall.

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You can finally play the campaign together again

The campaign co-op network test for Halo Infinite is right around the corner. 343 Industries confirms today that a test period for online campaign co-op in Halo Infinite will run from July 11 through 22.

Previously announced as arriving this month, 343 confirms the test will run for that perio??d of time for Insiders. There's another featur?e on the way, too.

In a Halo Waypoint blog, the studio also confirms Mission Replay will arrive alongside the network campaign co-op update. This will let players replay old missions right from the Tac-Map. Halo Infinite lead world designer John Mulkey cites the open nature of Infinite ??causing problems for this initially, but the update will let Solo or Co-Op players select any c?ompleted mission, alongside difficulty and Skulls. Spartan Cores will also carry over.

If you want to participate in the flighting, you'll need to head over and sign up to be a Halo Insider on 343's site. Otherwise, you'll just need to make sure you own Halo Infinite (or have an active Game Pass sub), and have the Xbox Insider app downloaded if you're? on Xbox. Steam players will get a unique key via the Halo Insider team. Crossp?lay is supported, too.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyMlV5_HRWk

Ain't no party like a party full of Master Chiefs

The Halo Infinite also answers a few more burning questions about the network campaign co-op test, like what each player will look like. In previous Halo games, co-op had different players appear as different Spartans, or even Covenant Elites. In others, you are all Master Chiefs or Arbiters. Mulkey says that in Halo Infinite, everyone is Chief while playing Campaign Co-Op.

Part of the flight program means that players will need to start from scratch, though. You won't be able to carry save data from a regular version of Halo Infinite into or out of the test. All progress in the campaign will carry over though, so you can keep all of it intact. There is also an Area-Of-Operations limit, so playe?rs can split up and tackle missions from different angles, but not necessarily run to opposite ends of the Zeta Halo.

Campaign co-op has been a long sought-after feature for Halo Infinite since its launch last year, so to? see it finally start to roll out is nice. Finally, we'll get to see what four Master Chiefs grappling and bl??asting across the open-world can look like. The flight starts on July 11.

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Spartan Points could let players directly buy cosmetics

343 Industries is looking into a new way to pick up cosmetics in its Halo collection. The studio says it's considering adding microtransactions to Halo: The Master Chief Collection through purchasable Spartan Points.

Prior to now, Seasons in Halo: The Master Chief Collection offered Season Points, which were earned through challenges and leveling up. But Seasons are being fazed out of the MCC. 343 Industries confirms in its blog post that these will be renamed to Spartan Points i??n the future.

Alongside the change, 343 is looking at new ways to unlock cosmeti?cs. This would be through purchasing Spartan Points.

"It is prudent to note here that we are happy with the current system of how players earn Spartan Points, by completing challenges and levelling up through play. This would be an optional,? additive alternative for players who might find the vast scope of content to be an intimidating amount of playtime and want to get ahead on (or skip) the grind, or maybe want to grab specific items they want (we all have our favorites!)"

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qBkw4YwGrM

The Master Chief's Collection

It's important to note this is being internally explored, for the time being. 343 says it's sharing the idea ahead of time in the interest of "transp??arency" with the community.

It's also stressing that Spartan Points would be additive. And it's worth noting the sheer amount of cosmetics in Halo: The Master Chief Collection: well over 1000, by 343's count.

As long as playtime-earning these cosmetics still exists, there are two avenues for Halo cosmetics. Purchasable points seem like they would poten?tially be a fast-trac??k, buy-it-now option.

More updates on Halo: The Master Chief Collection and its Spartan Points are coming in the future.

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You could help test the long-awaited online campaign co-op

Halo fans who have been waiting for Infinite to get some campaign co-op might not have to wait much longer. 343 Industries announced its going to test out online Halo Infinite campaign co-op in July.

The test flight will be for Halo insiders, 343's program for experimenting and getting feedback on Halo games. These public flights offer a chance to t??est things out, stress them a bit, and provide some feedback to the team?.

If you're hoping to get some network co-op in, you're able to sign up for the program here on the Halo Waypoint.

//twitter.com/Halo/status/1534233991972257792

Keep in mind, this is just the insider tes??t that's rolling out in July. 343 Industries is still targeting later this year for the official launch of campaign co-op. And no??te that that's network campaign co-op, too, so no split-screen just yet.

Carrying on the fight

Campaign co-op has been an elusive addition for Halo Infinite. First it slipped the launch window, then was pushed into 2022, and now it seems to be aiming for an August launch.

The Forge, Halo's extensive custom map and content creation tool, has ?also been pushed back a few times as well. At least with test flighting on the way for co-op, odds seem good that 343 Industries is? closing in on a launch.

That might help 343 set a better tone for Halo Infinite moving forward too. The post-launch rollout has had some bumps, with the team acknowledging a "bumpy start" to Halo Infinite Season 2 last month.

Campaign co-op and the Halo series are synonymous for me, so it's safe to say that the full launch of online campaign co-op would definitely get me to boot Infinite back up. The latest Halo has been something I enjoy going back to every couple of months for a few quick matches of Team Slayer and Big Team Battle, but I'd love to see 343 finally roll out the h??eavy hitters it's been working on.

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The second season of Halo Infinite has had some stumbles out of the gate

The newest season of Halo Infinite multiplayer is having a rough start. And in response to already mounting feedback, the Halo Infinite devs say they're reviewing options in?ternally to address ??the issues players have with Season 2.

Season 2, dubbed "Lone Wolves," adds some new maps, modes, playlists, and more to the lineup for Halo Infinite. There's also a new battle pass which, adhering to Halo Infinite's structure,?? is permanently open for unlocks and progression.

The launch didn't go smoothly, though. Last Spartan Standing, a new game mode, is a pretty neat idea, but challenges weren't accurately tracking. An unintentional glitch was causing weapons to "jam," an issue they're working on now. And players have had issues with both multiplayer movement tech and single-player speedrun tactics getting patched.

Joseph Staten, the head of creative at 343 Industries, addressed the feedback on Twitter:

"Hey Spartans, this week has been bumpy. That definitely wasn't our goal. We are indeed taking your feedback to heart, especially r??egarding map jumps and speedrunning. We're reviewing options and ??will have more news to come."

Sr. Community Manager John Junyszek, meanwhile, addressed some of the specifics. Last Spartan Standing should be tracking more accurately for the Interference event, and anyone who logs in during the event will get five XP Boosts and five Challenge Swaps. The difficulty of some Event Challenges are also being lowered next week, and completing them will earn two levels on the Event Pass. Junyszek also addresses the issues with multiplayer jumps and speedrun strategies, saying they're taking feedback ?seriously and internally re?viewing options.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=o69uckS2jlU

Lone wolves

The second season of Halo Infinite has, much like its preceding season, struggled to get off on the right foot, it seems. Though I've seen some folks happy ??with new maps and modes, lingering f??rustrations with the aforementioned systems still exist.

Halo Infinite is still due to receive a co-op campaign mode and Forge somewhere down the line. To 343's credit, they're at least working to ?right the ship still. Hopefully it's sooner rather than ?later.

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As previously confirmed, it won't arrive with season 2

Halo Infinite campaign co-op will be arriving in August, a new 343 Industries blog?? update has fully confirmed.

The news comes directly following the acknowledgment that the gametype wou??ld not make it in for season 2's launch, b??ut now we have a more clear window in mind. Interestingly, the developer didn't elaborate too much on the ex??act details of co-op play, other than saying "it's being worked on."

The soft August confirmation was mostly done by a 2022 roadmap image actually, and it's a "late August target" at that. Breaking it down, that's "end of August, possibly September" we're looking at, which is a "target." That target can still move! Maybe we'll get Halo Infinite campaign co-op in time for Christmas/winter break. That includes the "campaign mi??ssion replay" mechanic too, also slated for "late August," followed by a Forge mode open beta in September (all targets).

In the near fut??ure, the new Catalyst (Arena) and Breaker (big team bat?tle) maps are coming when season 2 arrives on May 3, with the interference alpha pack arrive twice throughout the season as a "narrative event." The new 100-tier battle pass will trigger during season 2, and the "Fracture: Entrenched" even runs from May 24 through May 30.

Season 2 will run through November 7, ??so those aforementioned targets can actually fall that far back and still technically allow 343 to launch co-op in "season 2."

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Gimme a Break(er)

Halo Infinite Season 2 arrives on May 3, and with it, two new maps for multiplayer. Today, 343 Indu??stries put out a trailer showing off the sights and sounds of the two maps arriving this season: Breaker and Catalyst.

The first one is Catalyst, an abandoned Forerunner edifice. This feels pretty classic Halo to me, with plenty of sightlines and elevations to play around with. Power weapons are sitting in the open, so they're a calculated risk. And it has all the metallic sheen and glowing blue bridges that make a Halo map feel very Halo.

While Catalyst is the Arena map, Big Team Battle fans will be headed to Breaker. This Banished shipbreaking yard looks pretty open for chaos, given the giant laser moving around in the middle. The jump ramps seem perfectly poised for the comical Warthog leap right into the hull-slicing beam. Of the two maps arriving with Halo Infinite Season 2, I'm definitely into Brea?ker—but then again, I'm also a Big Team Battle player.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD88v-0IKJ0

Lone Wolves

This second season of Halo Infinite, set for May 3, is dubbed Lone Wolves. Alongside adding Breaker and Catalyst to the map pool, the new season will also have a new battle pass. That means plenty of new cosmetics to earn and, due to how 343 is handling? battle passes, no ?time limits on when you get them.

While new content is good, there is a downside. 343 Industries has also confirmed that campaign co-op will not be arriving with the launch of Halo Infinite Season 2. The team has said it's aiming to deliver campaign co-op via network play later in the season, while split-screen co-op is still up in the air. The Forge for Halo Infinite, meanwhile, is still due to arrive with Halo Infinite Season 3.

The seasonal updates for Halo Infinite have led to a mixed reception so far. The updates make for good excuses to come back, but big Halo features like co-op and Forge moving back with updates has made it tough for Infinite to stick with me like other Halo games have.

We'll see what the Lone Wolves can do for Halo Infinite when Season 2 launches on May 3.

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Lone Wolves be free tonight

343 Industries are showing off the next season of Halo Infinite. Dubbed "Lone Wolves," Season 2 of Halo Infinite is due to arrive on May 3, and it's got som?e new multiplayer content in tow.

The Halo Infinite team has made the targeted launch date of May 3 known over on the Halo Waypoint blog before now, but today we got a glimpse of all the action in motion. This incl??udes new m??aps, modes, and more in the upcoming Battle Pass.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=o69uckS2jlU

343 Industries has been discussing what's in store for Halo Infinite Season 2 over on the Waypoint, includin??g some story. A mix of cinematic, story-themed Events, and Battle Pass items are?? all intended to embody the "Lone Wolves" theme.

Cosmetics are one thing, and thankfully Halo Infinite's Battle Pass system means this one will stick around,? rather than being time-limited. When it comes to gameplay, however, a few updates are on the way too. Map-wise, an Arena map called Catalyst and Big Team Battle map called Breaker are on the way.

Bigger birthday parties

New modes are also in store for Halo Infinite Season 2. Last Spartan Standing is a free-for-all elimination mode, and another new mode called Land Grab is on the way. King of the Hill fans (not the TV sho??w, sorry) will also be happy to see the mode return this se?ason too, with a refresh.

343 Industries went into some more detail about what's in store with this upcoming season for Halo in another blog, ranging from weapon damage ??changes and odd issues to audio alterations. My personal favorite: "The volum?e of the Grunt Birthday Party sound effect will be increased in Campaign."

What's not in store for Halo Infinite's second season is campaign co-op. 343 has confirmed the feature is not able to ship on May 3, though it is looking at delivering Campaign network co-op sometime later in Season 2. Forge is also still on the way, and 343 has said it still aims to ship Forge in Halo Infinite Season 3.

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Season 2 is still slated for May

Halo Infinite Season 2 details can't c??ome soon enough, and hopefully it improves u?pon the inaugural season of the new shooter.

As you may recall, Season 1 of Halo Infinite had issues out of the gate, and was slow to adjust in several respects. Some of that has already been fixed, but 343 has work to do in terms of making future seasons more compelling to play through. A new blog ?is hinting at ?some adjustments that could make that a reality.

Here are all of the Halo Infinite Season 2 details we know so far:

• It's due out in May (the target date is May 3) and info is coming soon
• It's called "Lone Wolves"
• It'll usher in new maps, armor, and characters
• There's going to be an "evolving seasonal narrative" that includes cinematics

On paper, all of that sounds good. I mean, as long as they don't screw this up, the foundation of the season pass system is pretty firm. Given that you can freely go back to old season passes and finish them on your own time, it's less predatory than some other passes that weaponize FOMO. Not to say they didn't?? do that with events in season 1: but again, there's room? for improvement in the upcoming Lone Wolves season.

By the time Forge and co-op enter the fray this year, there's a chance to sort of reinvigorate the entire Infinite landscape and refresh everything. "Addressing issue??s negatively impacting player experience" is allegedly priority ?number one for the team, so we'll see.

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Master Chief can feel it coming in the air tonight

The Halo TV adaptation is w?eeks away. Over the weekend, we got a good look at the series thanks to a new trailer. And it looks like it has everything: Mas?ter Chief, Cortana, the Covenant, and a Halo to find.

While we've seen a few teasers before now, the official trailer for Halo was set to premiere this last weekend during the AFC Championship Game halftime. Alongside a premiere date of March 24, the Paramount+ TV series also gave us a glimpse of what it's doing in the Halo universe.

In the trailer, we see a lot of familiar faces. Master Chief is obviously centered, but we also see his AI companion Cortana, some Covenant forces, and other Spartan operators. We even get a very Heroes setup: Find the Halo, win the war.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KZ3MKraNKY

It's also a notable departure, as it turns out. If you've followed Halo lore or even the story of the games much, you'll notice how it all feels a bit different. As a blog on the Halo Waypoint site breaks down, the events of the Paramount+ series exist in the "Silver Timeline." It's a timeline that contains key elements of the core ?canon, but with details that diverge in wa??ys to fit the TV medium.

These can range from the titular ring station being a goal from the get-go to multiple Spartans being around. Or even as small as Cortana, while still portrayed by Jen Taylor, being a little less blue and AI-like.

Safe to say that you shouldn't expect to see Halo: Combat Evolved in TV form here. But even with all that said, I'm still interested to see how it comes together. Video game adaptations have become a hot commodity on the silver screen, and while they've certainly ranged in quality, the series have worked out okay. We'll see Halo take its turn ??on ??Paramount's streaming service on March 24.

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Not that you'd expect otherwise given Game Pass, word-of-mouth, and all of the other factors in play

Unshakable Halo fans and cautiously hopeful "I'll play it if it turns out well" onlookers were eager to see how Halo Infinite would land, and �?no surprise here now that the launch-window dust has settled �?the game was a huge success for 343 Industries. In a tweet today following Microsoft's Q2 fiscal year 2022 earnings report, the company called Halo Infinite "the biggest launch in Halo franchise history." T?he current count: 20 million players.

//twitter.com/Halo/status/1486110124611719181

From the outside looking in, that record-breaking status seemed to be where the goalposts were for Halo Infinite. It had to deliver! Not only because it's been a while and Halo has needed this refresh, but also because momentum is picking up for Xbox at large and Game Pass specifically. There's the ?free-to-play multiplayer factor, too.

As a point of comparison �?doubly so as a game that has also done particularly well for its respective series �?Forza Horizon 5 has clocked in 18 million players, as recapped by Niko Part?ners senior analyst and Gaming Twitter bestie Daniel Ahmad.

Putting 20 million Halo players into perspective

"Of course the context around the [20 million, best-in-series-history] numbers is that Halo Infinite is available on Game Pass (25M subs) and the multiplayer is F2P on all platforms," noted Ahmad. "However, that'??s exactly the strategy for Xbox first-party. ??Reaches a broader audience than prior games, long-term monetization."

It's a good day for Halo fans, even if we're bummed about the lack of co-op and Forge (for now) and we have specific hangups with multiplayer playlists or progression on any given week. At the same time, as Microsoft continues to bulk up with head-turning acquisitions like Activision Blizzard, the future of this industry, and the much-wider tech scene beyond strictly "video games," is very much being written. It's exc?iting and scary all at once.

I'm a simple guy, so I'll say much: Infinite is an overall great step forward, and I hope the next game doesn't keep us waiting for too long �?momentum does matter here. I think everything else in the works for Halo at large can now fall into place piece by piece.

This easily could've been disrupted with a bad launch. I'm glad Halo Infinite got here.

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New cosmetics, plus a new Slayer mode

It's a new year, and that means some new styles for Halo Infinite. The first Halo season, Heroes of Reach, is still ongoing, and today a limited-time event within that season kicks off: the Halo Infinite Cyber Showdown.

The Halo Infinite Cyber Showdown event will run from today, Jan. 18, through Feb. 1, with a new mode available and a set of free, limited-time cosmetic rewards. Ten Event Challenges will be spread through the pool of Weekly Challenges while the Cyber Showdown event is live, and for each one complete??d, you'll be able to get another reward from the event track.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXifTPUqjJM

The new mode joining Halo Infinite with the Cyber Showdown event is called Attrition. It's a twist on Slayer where ?each team shares lives, where you can also revive fallen teammates. Four-on-four, last team standing wins. It's a little bit of a different twist on the usual Slayer, where lives will be on a premium.

Tick off those challenges, and you can get some cool-looking b??right neon cosmetics. There's a visor, mohawk, and more. Sick. I'll be honest, I really dig the blu??e-and-pink Warthog.

After some initial fumbles from the first bout of Halo Infinite's events, 343 Industries rebounded into the new year with a revised Fracture: Tenrai event that seemed to go over well. And the steady drip of new cosmetics into the game, es??pecially fun ones like these that can be earned through challenges, is a welcome reason to check out new modes.

Though Halo Infinite launched pretty late in the year, it's got a long road still to go in 2022. But with neon mohawks in its present and hopefully some larger updates further out, it might be a pretty good year for Halo.

The Halo Infinite Cyber Showdown event ends on Feb. 1, so make sure you start logging in ??now if you want to nab the whole pass.

The post Halo Infinite’s neon-infused Cyber Showdown event adds new mode, sick mohawks appeared first on Destructoid.

An advent calendar, but with armor pieces and cosmetics

As everyone goes home for the holidays, it looks like you'll have reason to boot up the Xbox between annual festive traditions. 343 Industries announced the Winter Contingency event for Halo Infinite today: a s??eries of da??ily gifts just for logging on and playing.

Starting today, Dec. 21, and running through Dec. 30, there will be ten unique Holiday-themed rewards to acquire. Just log in and play a match of Arena or Big Team Battle. And while the rewards roll out in December, the event runs unt??il Jan. 4. So if you miss a day or two, you can get right back on track ??later on.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvWOF0PDVTQ

It's essentially an advent calendar, but with Halo cosmetics. And the rewards look p??retty fun, including some festive peppermint colors and?? emblems.

It'll help tide you over until the Fracture: Tenrai event re-opens in the new year with its new progression. And with those new playlists adding in Slayer, SWAT, Fiesta, and FFA-specific modes, it'll be easy to hop in for a quick match of Fiesta and snatch a fes??tive cosmetic in the? process.

Just make sure you set a reminder or something, because while there are a few days of leniency, the Halo Infinite Winter Co??ntin??gency event only runs through Jan. 4, 2022.

The post ?Halo Infinite is holding a Winter ??Contingency event over the holidays appeared first on Destructoid.

The developers discussed feedback and changes they're making to the event pass

The Fracture: Tenrai event for Halo Infinite is currently on pause, but when it returns, it sounds like there will be some changes. In a recent stream, 343 Industries discussed the event rewards for the Tenrai event as well as Halo Infinite monetiza??tion, and shared how t??hey were looking at both.

Previously, some parts of the Tenrai event—specifically, its cosmetics—were split between the event pass and the store. One in particular, the Kabuto armor, was a point of feedback. 343 confirmed on stream and on Twitter that it's changing up the pass after Tier 10: all XP boosts and challenge swaps are being replaced with other items, including the full Kab???uto armor set and pose.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6a4f5PntWg

Cosmetic items that were only in the store and event pass will now only be available in the Tenrai event, too. More event challenges will also be added, so players won't get stuck behind regular challenges. In addition, 343 confirmed they are reviewing the store monetization. The HAZOP armor from previous games being paid in Halo Infinite, and for a decent amount of cash, hasn't instilled confidence in every Halo Infinite player.

This all highlights one of the ongoing tensions of Halo Infinite on the multiplayer side. It is a free-to-play game, rather than a mode packed in a one-time purchase box. So it's trying to strike a balance between the models that Halo players are used to and common practices for a F2P multiplayer shooter. Even though it's been qu?ick to address some crit??icisms, there's always more to ask.

Either way, the Tenrai cosmetics being added into the Halo Infinite event pass is solid, in my view. It's good to know I'll be able to unlock a few more cosmetics when the event returns in January. But I am curious to see how Halo Infinite's monetization changes as it rolls into future seasons.

The post 343 Industries discusses changes coming to Ha??lo Infinite Tenrai event appeared first on Destructoid.