Microsoft closed out its Xbox E3 2019 press conference with a look at Halo Infinite, the next major release in the franchise that continues the story of the Master Chief. As part of the new reveal, Xbox Head Phil Spencer revealed that Halo Infinite will be a launch title for the next Xbox, both to release Holiday 2020.

A few months ago there were rumors that Halo Infinite would be a launch title for the next Xbox, currently known as Project Scarlett. This new announcement confirmed it; however, those same rumors had claimed that actual gameplay and the game's rumored RPG elements would be shown off at the press conference. While there was a glimpse of what could be the HUD and live gameplay, and while the footage shown at E3 2019 was said to be in-game footage, it was much more cinematic in nature.

Phil Spencer made the announcement about Halo Infinite coming as a launch title, drawing a comparison to how the very first Xbox launched with Halo: Combat Evolved, and how next year Project Scarlett will also launch with Halo:

"We launched Xbox 18 years ago with a game reviewers called 'The definitive reason to own an Xbox.' Well, because humanity was and is worth saving, next holiday we will launch Project Scarlett with Halo."

When Halo Infinite releases at the end of 2020, it will have been five full years since the release of the previous game in the mainline series, Halo 5. As confirmed by developer 343 Industries, Halo Infinite is basically Halo 6 with a new title in the fact that it directly continues the story of the Master Chief from Halo 5.

Previously, games in the franchise have traditionally released in November, so while completely unconfirmed at this point, that may give a hint as to when players might see the game land in 2020. It certainly lands in that promised Holiday 2020 launch window.

Halo Infinite is launching Holiday 2020 exclusively with Project Scarlett and for PC.