It's been confirmed that 343 Industries did indeed add Craig the Brute meme Easter eggs to Halo Infinite's campaign mode. Craig's history in Halo canon only dates back to July 2020 when he debuted in the newest title's first gameplay showing. The brute appeared about halfway through the demonstration, wearing a helmet that Master Chief quickly popped off with a well-placed shot to the head. Viewers were offered a closer look at Craig right before Chief killed him in close-quarters combat.
Amid the dismay at Halo Infinite's less-than-stellar gameplay reveal came memes revolving around Craig the Brute, so named by fans in Reddit and Facebook threads who took a liking to his poorly rendered visage. Xbox and 343 Industries shared their appreciation for the meme's burst in popularity as well, with brand leader Phil Spencer jokingly referring to Craig as Xbox's new mascot. Though 343 developers recently confirmed Craig will not appear in Halo Infinite, the team teased that observant players would likely stumble across an Easter egg or two referencing the Brute's indelible legacy. They weren't kidding, either.
While playing through Halo Infinite's campaign mode, The Verge's Tom Warren stumbled across two Craig-specific Easter eggs, both nodding to his previously unknown musical talents. Warren notes in a YouTube video that a small memorial to the Brute's musical career rests atop The Tower in the fourth mission. Players will want to upgrade their grapple shot, he added, but said the shrine won't prove difficult to find. One Easter egg comes in the form of a "Craig Zeta Halo Tour 2560" poster, which features 10 dates for Craig the Brute's tour across the months of October and November. On the ground near the poster sits a Greatest Hits record, filled with hits such as "I Smile Inside," “The Day You Become a Meme," "I Am So Famous," and "I Got Tears Last Summer."
It seems Craig accomplished plenty by moonlighting as a rockstar. Sadly, his musical career came to an end upon dying at the hands of Master Chief. If there are other Easter eggs alluding to the meme character, here's to hoping they, too, offer insight on Craig's life beyond the battlefield.
Halo Infinite's campaign mode will go live for everyone when the title hits digital stores and retailers early next month. PC and Xbox users can enjoy the multiplayer suite now, however, thanks to Xbox launching Halo Infinite's online modes ahead of release as a way to celebrate the franchise's 20th anniversary.
Halo Infinite comes to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S on December 8.
Source: Tom Warren/YouTube, The Verge