Quite honestly, not much is know about the next installment in the Halo series. 343 Industries is keeping the lid tightly shut against anything having to do with Halo Infinite's plot. Aside from a few pieces of concept art and a trailer released at E3 2019, fans of the Master Chief and his adventures have not had much to go on.
Our lack of knowledge on the game is driving us crazy. In order to stop ourselves from going insane with anticipation, here's a brief list of all the things we know to be true for Halo Infinite (and a few things we think are highly possible).
10 Already Know: Releases Holiday 2020
The term "holiday season" feels vague, but it's definitely more specific than simply stating "releasing in 2020." Gamers now have a roughly 3-month period within which they can expect to receive Halo Infinite next year. Not only does this provide impatient fans a light at the end of the tunnel, it also means that there's a chance an upcoming Christmas gift could be the next Halo. 343 Industries has reinforced the game's release date twice, but time will tell if they end up feeling the need to push it off even further. Fingers crossed we get a timely release for Halo Infinite.
9 Likely Possibility: Includes Monitors As Integral Plot Point
Monitors are the robotic custodians of the Forerunners' installations, from the Ark to the Halo rings to Genesis. These beings have not only become recognizable characters to gamers, they've also heavily influenced the Halo series' story. Fans are now speculating that monitors will play a large role in Halo Infinite. Some believe that Exuberant Witness from Halo 5: Guardians will continue to assist humanity against Cortana's revolution. Others theorize that Mendicant Bias, a monitor known only from the expanded universe and terminal entries, will finally make an appearance.
8 Already Know: Returns To A Halo Ring
343 Industries is taking Halo fans back to basics with Halo Infinite. For the first time since Halo 2, the Master Chief will be back on an actual Halo ring instead of on another random Forerunner planet.
Trailers and concept art have showcased the new setting for Halo Infinite, and developers are not being shy about the fact that the Chief will once more tread the ground of a Halo ring. The silhouette of the massive installation is being shown at every opportunity, and we're not disappointed with what we've seen.
7 Likely Possibility: Takes Place On Installation 04
Some images have made gamers believe that not only is the Master Chief returning to a Halo ring, he's returning to the Halo ring. A rampant fan theory is that the Chief and his fellow survivors are going to be on Installation 04 in Halo Infinite. Hardcore Halo fans should know that Installation 04 is the Halo ring we were introduced to in Halo: Combat Evolved. In certain images from the trailer, the Halo ring we see has a portion that is heavily damaged. Certain fans believe this is from the explosion Chief and Cortana caused when they detonated the Pillar of Autumn in the first game.
6 Already Know: Occurs Some Time After Halo 5: Guardians
This might seem like a very obvious piece of information, but that's honestly and example of how little information we actually have about Halo Infinite. One of the only sure things we know is that the game takes place some time after the events of Halo 5: Guardians. Though some gamers might have been confused as to why Chief is wearing his old armor in the trailer, even going so far as to say the game is some kind of prequel, rest assured, the game has been declared to take place after all the stuff that went down in Guardians.
5 Likely Possibility: Takes Place On Installation 07
Aside from Installation 04, eager fans also theorize that the mysterious Installation 07 is the Halo ring that will appear in Halo Infinite. This particular ring has been mentioned in the expanded universe quite frequently. Having the newest Halo game take place there would definitely be a way to incorporate lore into the games. If the Master Chief and his friends were to arrive at 07, there is a very likely possibility that they could find Mendicant Bias there, too. Similarly, they could also discover more secrets about the Forerunners to help them in their fight against Cortana.
4 Already Know: Cortana Is In The Game
Cortana was a driving force in Halo 5: Guardians. Because of her, all life in the universe is now going to be subjected to rule under the "Created" (aka Artificial Intelligences). Since Halo Infinite is going to take place after Guardians, it is obvious that she would remain an integral facet of the story.
Her voice is heard in the trailer, and a special QR code hidden in a screenshot of the trailer reveals a message spoken in her voice, too. So while it might seem that the Master Chief starts his journey alone, Cortana's presence will still be felt in the plot.
3 Likely Possibility: Halsey Flash-Cloned Her Brain To Make A New Cortana
Speaking of that hidden message in the trailer, fans have extrapolated a shocking meaning behind Cortana's words. The message states "This...this is part of me. I don't know why. I don't know how...but it is me." The favored theory as to what these words mean is that another Cortana is going to be made by Halsey. Once again, Halsey will flash-clone her brain and make a new Cortana model for the Chief. It seems a likely possibility, but only time will tell if it proves correct.
2 Already Know: Releases On Both The Xbox Series X And Xbox One
The 2019 Game Awards revealed the name of Microsoft's new console. Previously known as Project Scarlett, the Xbox Series X looks to be the new machine that Xbox One owners can upgrade to. As one of its flagship franchises, Halo having an entry on the next generation of consoles is a logical choice. Halo Infinite will release on both the Xbox Series X and on the Xbox One when it comes out. Hopefully, this means gamers will have a chance to experience the power of the new Xbox with a fantastic game.
1 Likely Possibility: Cortana Controls The Majority Of The Galaxy
The end of Halo 5: Guardians saw Cortana activate the massive Forerunner Guardians to use as a police force against all sentient life in the galaxy. If any species were to step out of line (a line she created), Cortana could eradicate them without so much as a second thought. With such a cliffhanger for an ending, Guardians effectively ensured that the next Halo game would be about dealing with the monstrous problem that is now Cortana. Halo Infinite will most likely be about what is left of a resistance trying to overthrow Cortana's rule.