Halo has been Microsoft's headlining since the very first Xbox, and it'll probably stay that way for a long time to come. Halo Infinite is the next step in the prolific franchise, and it looks to be splitting off from Halo 5: Guardians.
Halo Infinite is, once again, developed by 343 Industries. It was one of the first major titles announced for the Xbox Series X and next-gen in general. Considering the last game in the series, Halo 5: Guardians, was released in 2015, fan expectations are high.
Microsoft has been expectedly tight-lipped about Halo Infinite, but there are still a few interesting details the company has dished out.
Halo Infinite Release Date
Halo Infinite was officially announced at E3 2018 with a gorgeous, albeit brief, teaser trailer. It was originally announced as an Xbox One title, but at E3 2019 Microsoft confirmed that Infinite would launch alongside Project Scarlett, now known as Xbox Series X. The Xbox Series X is set to launch in Holiday 2020, although it doesn't currently have a firm release date.
Halo Infinite will launch on both Xbox One and Series X but will have enhancements on the next-gen console. Despite a lack of gameplay footage in 2019 and early 2020, Microsoft seemingly still has Halo Infinite on track for Holiday 2020.
Halo Infinite Story
The first reveal trailer for Halo Infinite indicates that the game will take place on yet another Halo ring. The new game takes place years after the end of Halo 5: Guardians, and is being seen as a "spiritual reboot" of the series. Halo 5 split gameplay between Master Chief and Spartan Locke, but Halo Infinite will focus entirely on the Chief once again.
Outside of these details, the only other thing Microsoft has shown is that Cortana will likely be returning. The reveal trailer features Cortana's voice, and based on the cliffhanger ending of Halo 5, there seems to be no way the AI won't return. The end of Halo 5 saw Cortana activate an overwhelming force of AI, and subject the universe to her rule. Halo Infinite, considering it takes place years later, will likely show the fallout and ramifications of Cortana's decision.
Halo Infinite Gameplay
While a bit of the story has been detailed for Halo Infinite, Microsoft has yet to show any actual gameplay. However, there are a few details that have eked out. Infinite is built on the SlipSpace Engine, a brand new engine that 343 Industries sees as vitally important to the future of the Halo franchise. The trailers seen so far have all been running in-engine according to Microsoft.
Microsoft confirmed two features for Halo Infinite at E3 2019, split-screen co-op and customization similar to that found in Halo Reach. Microsoft and 343 have also said the SlipSpace engine was designed with PC players in mind, and the PC version will have some form of unique features. Outside of these few details, it remains to be seen what stays from previous entries and what goes.