One of the big guns that Microsoft saved for its final moments during its E3 2019 presentation was for Project Scarlett, its next-gen console slated for release next year. Accompanying this official announcement of Project Scarlett was a cinematic on its capabilities, which threw a lot of very brave words around, but none that will come as a surprise to any discerning person who knows that products do need to be hyped.
As for a launch game for this next-generation console, expect nothing less from the series that made getting an Xbox popular in the first place. Halo Infinite, the sixth main entry in the franchise, will also serve as Project’s Scarlett’s flagship title, and it received a highlight on the E3 stage as well, showing off some in-game footage of Master Chief finally being found after drifting in space. Check out the trailer below.
Since the debut of this trailer, we barely had any new information on Halo Infinite, and some features regarding the game. However, just last week, developer 343 Industries has released a new Halo community update, one which sheds more light on what we know so far about Halo Infinite.
- Release date – Halo Infinite, along with Project Scarlett, is aiming for a Holiday 2020 release date. The posting also mentions that this includes the entire Xbox family of devices, including Windows PCs. I guess Microsoft doesn’t really care that much about the Xbox exclusivity any more, treating Windows 10 PCs in the same vein as they would their consoles. It was not confirmed if the “family of devices” will include the Xbox One, making Halo Infinite a cross-generational release rather than a true launch-exclusive title.
- Setting – Halo Infinite takes place some time after the conclusion of Halo 5: Guardians. It will focus exclusively on Master Chief and will tell a more human story than its predecessor.
- LAN – 343 Industries confirms that Halo Infinite will indeed support LAN networking, which is a nice throwback option for people who like to game together in the same room.
- Splitscreen – Halo Infinite will also support splitscreen, and as of now it is up and running internally.
- Black undersuits – Black undersuits will be making a return in Halo Infinite.
- Flighting Programs – Programs to opt into early previews will start small, eventually expanding until the game’s release.
- PC – Likewise, flighting will be available for PC, although this comes at a later date. 343 Industries reiterated, however, that PC players will be given the first-class treatment upon release, much like consoles.
- Player Customization – 343 Industries indicates that the level of armor customization options introduced in Halo: Reach will be making its way to Halo Infinite.
- SR 152 – There will be a special token of appreciation for players who hit SR 152 in Halo 5: Guardians.
- Pro Team – There is an internal Pro Team for Halo Infinite.
343 Industries also shared some key details with regards to the impending Flighting for PC players for Halo: Reach. As one of the first details shared with regards to the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC, it was revealed the collection will see its included games release one by one, in order to have the players already playing while 343 Industries works on the other titles. Halo: Reach will be the first of these playable titles, and now we have more details with regards to the upcoming Early Access tests for this game.
According to 343 Industries, if all goes according to plan, the first ever flight for Halo: Reach on The Master Chief Collection on PC will be set sometime this week, and will be made available to a small subsection of registered Halo Insiders. The reason for such a small and modest starting point is to ensure a smooth overall delivery process of the game, including clear communications and to properly respond to feedback from the participants based on the overall build for Halo: Reach.
As of now, the team is still in various stages of testing what proper builds players will try out first, and as such a lot of critical decisions are on the line, which is the reason for the smaller flighting test. Of course, even if you aren’t chosen for the preview, you will still get information on how it went, and you can expect more coverage from us until then.
Check out the entirety of the community update here.
Halo Infinite will be released on Project Scarlett and Windows 10 PCs sometime in Holiday 2020.
