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Halo Infinite May Seem Graphically Dull – But Xbox Has a Grand Plan

Last Updated September 23, 2020 2:08 PM
Jasmine Henry
Last Updated September 23, 2020 2:08 PM
  • Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries confirms plans to update the game for the next 10 years.
  • The Xbox Series X launch title could be the last main Halo game for a while.
  • The update plan also shows how the Xbox team could find huge success with its subscription models.

In an interview with IGN , 343 Industries studio head Chris Lee called Halo Infinite “the start of our platform for the future.” Lee also confirmed plans to grow Halo Infinite once it releases later this year as an Xbox Series X launch title.

Halo Infinite Post-Launch Content Teased

Lee revealed that:

We want Infinite to grow over time, versus going to those numbered titles and having all that segmentation that we had before. It’s really about creating Halo Infinite as the start of the next ten years for Halo and then building that as we go with our fans and community.

The poor response to the Halo Infinite trailer suggests that fans would be happy with just about any post-launch change to the game. The trailer, which was from a six-month-old build of the game, had its graphics criticized.

Halo Infinite’s gameplay reveal is garnering some critics of its graphics.. | Source: Twitter 

Fans who slammed it on social media will be glad to know that the graphics will be upgraded post-launch.

Looking at Halo 5: Guardians, the last game in the series, multiplayer DLC also looks incredibly likely. 343 Industries has given away DLC packs, such as Memories of Reach  which added a new multiplayer map and mode, for free. That game also has microtransactions for REQ Packs, which are used to unlock cosmetic content. Fans may be able to expect more of this sort of content with Halo Infinite.

Halo Infinite Could Be a Big Part of the Xbox Team’s Subscription Plan

While details haven’t been confirmed, it’s not difficult to see how Halo Infinite’s plan for more updates could tie-in to things like Xbox Game Pass. There is potential for players to get free REQ Packs or free access to premium DLC if they become an Xbox Game Pass subscriber.

It’s clear that targeting new Xbox Game Pass subscribers is among the Xbox team’s primary goals. Ever title from the Xbox Games Showcase, from first-party titles like State of Decay 3 to third-party titles like Warhammer 40,000: Darktide will be available on the service at launch.

Recurring revenue allows the Xbox team to make money from gamers who do not buy many games every year. It can also increase brand loyalty, preventing people from buying a PS5 or signing up for a competing subscription service. Xbox is playing the long game here, but Halo Infinite seems to be one of its star players.