With the Xbox Series X and S now available, fans are diving into the console’s launch titles. One noticeable exception isHalo Infinite. Originally planned as a launch title, the game’s release date moved into 2021, andrumors aboutHalo Infinite’s development have taken off. In an interview, Xbox head Phil Spencer has tried to assuage fans' fears that the game is suffering from a rocky development cycle.
The slow drip of news stories regardingHalo Infinitehas created a less than rosy picture for the game that many feel should serve as a tentpole for the new console. Recently,Halo Infinitelost its second directorwhen Chris Lee stepped down, and staff turnover gives the impression that things are not going well. However, this is not always the case.
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Talking about the situation atHalodeveloper 343 Industries, Spencer explains that turnover is part of any project, and can be seen as healthy. He said, “We want people who are really motivated by the things that they’re working on.” Spencer said he regrets that the game was built up as a launch title and then delayed shortly after the original announcement in July. While a game missing a release date is a shame, especially one as important to Microsoft asHalo, many fans see thedelay ofHalo Infiniteas a good thing.
Fans would rather see a quality game be released over a buggy, rushed effort. Spencer gives a positive outlook for the franchise, saying he has faith in the new talent brought on to theHaloInfiniteteam. The delay created by this turnover is unfortunate, however, given thatHalo Infinitealready put into motion an advertising blitz, which included acollaboration with Monster Energy. It built fan expectations up, and now they are forced to wait with an unclear picture on when the game will be available.
Plenty of games don’t hit their initial street date for any number of reasons. This is especially true in 2020, with the impact of COVID-19 reverberating through the industry, so scheduling a game’s release has been a challenge. Hearing stories about developer turnover is worrisome, but according to Spencer it might not be such a bad thing. It is unfortunate that this has struck thegame featured on the Xbox Series X retail box, but perhaps the wait will be worth it.
Halo Infinitewill be available for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2021.
