Halo Infinite is a big game for Microsoft, in more ways than one. Not only is it the headlining launch title of the Xbox Series X, but it's also the first mainline Halo game in five years. It also marks the first time a mainline Halo game will be available on Game Pass at launch.
There are certainly a lot of expectations for Halo Infinite, but the title raises just as many questions. Microsoft is considering the game a "spiritual reboot," rather than a straight-up sequel. With that in mind, what does it mean for the future of Halo?
It sounds like Halo's future is going to be vastly different from how Microsoft has been handling the series so far but does that mean that Halo Infinite will be the last game in the franchise?
Microsoft Sees Halo Infinite as a New Platform
Halo Infinite is being seen as an entirely different beast by Microsoft and the start of the next ten years of the franchise. What that means is that Microsoft plans on using Infinite as a sort of platform to build and iterate upon. Chris Lee, studio director at 343 Industries, spoke to IGN about Infinite and said the following, "We want Infinite to grow over time, versus going to those numbered titles and having all that segmentation that we had before."
This change makes sense, especially with the more digital-focus of the Xbox Series X. It allows 343 Industries to deliver Halo content at regular intervals, rather than segmenting content off into individual games. This does mean, however, that everything will be built off of the Halo Infinite foundation. For example, Microsoft has taken a huge step forward by making Halo Infinite's multiplayer free, and there are even rumors of a battle royale mode. This clearly shows that Microsoft is already turning Infinite into a game-as-a-service platform, that'll continuously evolve.
It's possible that Infinite could be the very last mainline Halo game to ever release, and at the very least will be the only mainline Halo game to release on Xbox Series X. Keep in mind, however, that it might only apply to mainline games, and Microsoft could still easily release new spinoffs like Halo Wars. Without official word from Microsoft, it's impossible to say if Halo Infinite will actually be the last Halo game ever released, but it seems like it'll be the only one for the foreseeable future.
Halo Infinite launches Holiday 2020 for Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC.