But Microsoft announces November launch for Xbox Series X.
Developer 343 Industries has announced that Halo Infinite’s launch will be pushed back to an unspecified date in 2021.
In a statement, 343 Industries’ Studio Head, Chris Lee, said: “We have made the difficult decision to shift our release to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision.”
Lee cited a number of factors behind the delay: “The decision to shift our release is the result of multiple factors that have contributed to development challenges, including the ongoing COVID-related impacts affecting us all this year. I want to acknowledge the hard work from our team at 343 Industries, who have remained committed to making a great game and finding solutions to development challenges. However, it is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship it this holiday.”
News of Halo Infinite’s delay does not entirely come as a shock: the demo of the game shown in Microsoft’s recent Xbox Series X Games Showcase drew widespread criticism for disappointing aspects of its graphics.
Halo Infinite’s delay marks a big blow for Microsoft’s launch of the Xbox Series X: the latest iteration of Master Chief’s adventures was set to be the forthcoming console’s highest-profile exclusive launch title.
But in acknowledging that in a post on its news website, Xbox Wire, Microsoft also announced that the Xbox Series X will launch in November. Xbox Wire’s Editor in Chief, Will Tuttle, said: “We have plenty to keep you busy until Chief arrives: There will be thousands of games to play, spanning four generations, when Xbox Series X launches globally this November and over 100 optimized for Xbox Series X titles, built to take full advantage of our most powerful console, are planned for this year.”
In keeping with Microsoft’s recent policy, Tuttle missed no opportunity to talk up Xbox Game Pass, which Microsoft will position as a means of generating an instant library of games for the Xbox Series X. As yet, neither Microsoft nor 343 Industries are offering any indications as to when in 2021 Halo Infinite will be deemed ready for release. However, the earlier it comes out next year, the quicker it will drive early uptake of the Xbox Series X. We’ll bring you more news on the subject as it emerges.
