If any gaming franchise could be considered Microsoft's darling, it's probably Halo. When the company first decided to break into the gaming scene, big names at Microsoft spent tons of time laboring over the design and function of the first Xbox, but they also knew that it needed an incredible launch game. Luckily, Microsoft chose developer Bungie, whose innovative first-person shooter Halo: Combat Evolved helped early Xbox units fly off the shelves. Years later, the newest entry in the famous franchise, Halo Infinite, is poised to release during 2021's holiday season.
Halo Infinite is bringing with it new features to try and impress the series' loyal fanbase. Developer 343 Industries has also put some hard work into Halo Infinite's multiplayer, which the company showed off at the recent Xbox E3 conference. 343 seems to be making an effort to return to classic multiplayer elements of Bungie's Halo trilogy, while also adding things like a grappling hook and a unique battle pass system. Halo Infinite is a huge project that could hit big highs or crushing lows, but the team at Xbox believe the game won't "make or break" the series in the long run.
In an interview with VGC, Xbox head Phil Spencer spoke at length about the confidence that Microsoft has in Halo Infinite. Spencer talked of the Halo series' "rabid fanbase" and "history and lore," believing that Halo Infinite's reception won't affect the development of more Halo games in the future. He also continued to push Microsoft's confidence in 343 Industries and feels there is no reason to put extra pressure on the development team to hit Halo Infinite's holiday release window, as many teams "put enough kind of pressure on themselves."
"I don’t know if this is what you want me to say or not, like when I think about the community but I’m just being honest, I don’t think about it that way, like the future of the franchise. Halo will be here 10 years from now. Is Infinite the lynchpin on whether it survives that long? Absolutely not," Spencer said in the interview.
Spencer's confidence in the Halo series isn't misplaced. It is one of the highest grossing media franchises of all time, and the series has sold over 81 million game copies as of February 2021. While there have been some growing pains for 343 after taking over from Bungie, the company did find solid ground with The Master Chief Collection, which combines six different games into one experience. 343 is also drawing from more than just the original trilogy for inspired Halo Infinite content, as the game's first season will based on Halo Reach.
Microsoft knows that millions of people will be playing Halo Infinite when it launches. Spencer points out that even if the game is well-received, there will likely still be areas that fans will feel need improvement, and that is "just the nature of being in the entertainment business." Halo Infinite will continue the franchise's trend and come out as an Xbox console exclusive, and if its performance is in any way related to Microsoft's confidence, it has a good chance of performing well.
Halo Infinite releases on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in 2021.
Source: VGC