Tag: 343 Industries

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is out now

The free-to-play multiplayer for Halo Infinite is out several weeks early.

The multiplayer beta component for Halo Infinite  releases today, several weeks ahead of its original launch date.

Anyone looking to get in some quality sticky-grenade time can do so regardless if they are on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC completely free of charge. Yup, Halo Infinite’s  multiplayer doesn’t cost a thing, no strings attached! The single-player campaign mode, which still isn’t coming out until Dec. 8, is something you will still need to pay for but that’s about it.

Microsoft and 343 Industries made the surprise announcement that Halo Infinite’s  multiplayer was coming out early during the Xbox 20th Anniversary event on Monday. 

It’s wild to see Halo’s multiplayer component launch as free-to-play. Back when I was a kid, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, games like Halo 2 and Halo 3 used to sell whole Xbox consoles. It’s quite a sign of how different the games industry operates. It’s already up across Xbox platforms, Windows PC and Steam right now!

Now, Halo Infinite  joins the likes of Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite  and Apex Legends  as a big free-to-play shooter. 

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01fm06pxwqt5sbnqyssr playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fm06pxwqt5sbnqyssr/01fm06pxwqt5sbnqyssr-a4180bb9a23d6b140bd669284e6f8fca.jpg]

[listicle id=1224137]

There’s no official Collector’s Edition for ‘Halo Infinite’

Custom bundles are all Halo Infinite has.

Halo Infinite  doesn’t have an official Collector’s Edition, even though some retailers have them.

It’s a confusing situation, as  Walmart listed a Halo Infinite  Collector’s Edition  on Nov. 4 but it hasn’t popped up anywhere else. Rather, that specific Collector’s Edition hasn’t. It’s causing a lot of Halo  fans grief naturally as they spend hours trying to find this now mythical Collector’s Edition. Brian Jarrard, community director at 343 Industries, finally set the record straight.

“Since a few folks have been asking about this – I can confirm that while various retailers around the world are expected to offer their own custom bundles,” Jarrard said on Twitter. “There is not an ‘official’ Collectors/Ultimate edition for Halo Infinite.”

So if you happen to spot a Collector’s Edition for Halo Infinite  out there, know it’s a retailer-specific release. Boy, this definitely isn’t going to lead to any confused holiday shoppers. Not at all, nope!

It’s kind of a bummer that Halo Infinite  isn’t getting an official Collector’s Edition. After all, Halo 3’s  infamous Master Chief helmet was the stuff of legend. 

Halo Infinite  is coming out on Dec. 8 and fans are still going wild over its latest campaign gameplay trailer. Many predict it’ll be the next global esport, with the first major championship happening not long after launch.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.

[mm-video type=video id=01fke1r1cjv1yfsm1x1s playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fke1r1cjv1yfsm1x1s/01fke1r1cjv1yfsm1x1s-52fe1ba3c275fac9bd26d2c7ce204b3e.jpg]

[listicle id=1197520]

‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection’ is completely free for everyone until October 18

Master Chief, mind telling me why you’re totally free this weekend?

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available this weekend for the ultra-low price of free until Oct. 18 on both PC and Xbox.

That’s right, for zero dollars and zero cents, you’ll get several incredible first-person shooters, including:

  • Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
  • Halo 2: Anniversary
  • Halo 3
  • Halo 3: ODST
  • Halo: Reach
  • Halo 4

While the games are free for now, you’ll have to pay by Oct. 18 to keep them. Thankfully, 343 Industries and Microsoft have slapped a 50 percent discount on Halo: The Master Chief Collection, bringing the total to $19.99 USD. What better way to prepare for Halo Infinite’s launch in December is there than to replay the whole saga? Well, except Halo 5, that is.

So yup, Halo is free! Most of it, anyway. Just head over to Halo: The Master Chief Collection’s  Steam or Xbox pages and add the collection to your account to get in on its free weekend. It’d be far cheaper to get in on this deal than, say, buy official Halo  bling, but you do you fam. 

Season eight of Halo: The Master Chief Collection came out just the other day as well. Check out the stylish launch trailer for yourself below.

Now go on. Get out there and finish the fight!

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd/01fh5m7554rv6tbby8qd-5e2bd290a3d9e72fb03cb741103ea1bf.jpg]

[listicle id=1143984]

Hilarious ‘Halo’ bling is available for anyone that wants to sticky-grenade in style

Master Chief, mind telling me why you’re spinning those rhymes?

Anyone looking to prove Master Chief is their idol better pick up the new Halo  bling from streetwear jeweler King Ice. 

Yup, diamond-encrusted Halo  bling, just in time for Halo Infinite’s  launch in December. There are several necklaces available in the Halo X King Ice collection, including an Energy Sword, Master Chief Helmet, Master Chief’s spartan armor, and Needler — someone want to spot me the cast for that last one? The Needler has always been good, ok? Don’t feel compelled to, though, as these necklaces range from $100 to $149 USD. 

Check out King Ice’s Halo collection for yourself below. 

“Enough bling for the entire Ring” is the best Halo-themed rhyme anyone has ever come up with, by the way.

Snark aside, these don’t look bad at all. And it seems many would agree, as the Energy Sword necklace is already sold out! So act fast if you’re even slightly interested in this gear. 

The Halo X King Ice collection is likely part of the marketing craze we’re about to witness as part of the lead-up to Halo Infinite’s release. Coincidentally, Halo: The Master Chief Collection  just got its last ever seasonal update this week too.

There’s a collection pun in here somewhere, I swear.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fhsxwv1qam34cvbc7a playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fhsxwv1qam34cvbc7a/01fhsxwv1qam34cvbc7a-9b47f2822491a3f210bb175c8ffafd70.jpg]

[listicle id=1159015]

The 2021 Halo Championship Series Kickoff Major begins December 17

Think we’ll see any killtaculars?

As we inch closer to Halo Infinite’s  launch, developer 343 Industries is gearing up to turn the game into a global esport. As such, the studio announced that the Halo Championship Series Kickoff Major is taking place in Raleigh, North Carolina, from Dec. 17 through Dec. 19, with a starting prize pool of $250,000.

Considering this is the first big Halo tournament since DreamHack Anaheim 2020, 343 Industries seems particularly excited to reunite with fans for a few days of competition. 

“Once again, the Halo community will be united under one roof,” 343 Industries said via Halo Waypoint. “This time with an entirely new Halo game to play and watch. In tried-and-true Halo esports fashion, the HCS Kickoff Major will feature an open bracket, seating for spectators, as well as full main stage and featured stations for pool play and the championship bracket.”

Check out the Halo Championship Series Kickoff Major’s slick announcement trailer for yourself below.

Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow, but proof of vaccination will be a requirement like many other 2021 esports events with live attendees.

“We have been working closely with Esports Engine, the Microsoft Security and Events teams, as well as the venue and local government in Raleigh, but we need the help and cooperation of the entire Halo community,” 343 Industries said via Halo Waypoint. “All attendees must also present proof of vaccination as well as a photo ID each time they enter the venue.”

It should be a great event, especially with some of the talent involved. Here’s to hoping Halo Infinite’s esports debut is a hit.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we/01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we-bc8a508488e628317fa54da847356a2e.jpg]

[listicle id=1133606]

Watch: Hilarious ‘Halo Infinite’ glitch spawns hundreds of wet floor signs

Careful not to slip if you’re in the multiplayer beta.

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer beta is in full swing right now, and players discovered an absurd glitch where wet floor signs multiply out of thin air. Yup, wet floor signs — spawning by the hundreds whenever a grenade explodes nearby.

Over on r/halo, user natdog806 was among the first to point out that something is seriously wrong with Halo Infinite’s wet floor signs. For whatever reason, tossing grenades towards these signs causes them to replicate until everyone playing is practically drowning in yellow plastic. I’ll likely never be able to spot one of these signs in the real world again without smirking a bit. 

Check out the wet floor sign glitch for yourself below.

So many floor signs from halo

It seems to be a common bug as well, considering Reddit user Rough-many-4308 encountered it as well. This clip gives you a more wide-angle shot of the absurdity.

Just got the funniest bug I’ve ever encountered, I missed Halo Infinite from halo

Anyone worried that this might be a sign of Halo Infinite’s technical polish or lack thereof needs to remember that betas exist so development teams can address bugs before a game’s final release. So, for now, enjoy the wet floor sign carnage. It likely won’t be around much longer. Unless, of course, developer 343 Industries wants everyone to know the dangers of slippery surfaces! 

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we/01fg7d0ch8pv2dsnt6we-bc8a508488e628317fa54da847356a2e.jpg]

[listicle id=1120221]

Upcoming season of ‘Halo: The Master Chief Collection’ will be the last

At least the custom game browser is finally coming!

Fans of Halo: The Master Chief Collection should know that Season 8 will be its last free content update. Developer 343 Industries announced that the studio needs to shuffle resources due to Halo Infinite  launching in December. 

“It’s important to us that we position MCC’s eighth season for success but also help alleviate any conflicts that could take away from the studio’s focus on Halo Infinite’s launch,” Michael ‘Farns’ Fahrny, community and engagement coordinator at 343, said in a blog post on Halo Waypoint. “To that end, Season 8’s release later this Fall will be our last official MCC update of this calendar year.”

Check out the full blog entry for yourself below.

It’s a sad bit of news for anyone still playing Halo: The Master Chief Collection regularly, particularly as an esport, but it’s hardly unexpected. With Halo Infinite  already positioning itself as a global esport, 343 likely needs to ensure its launch goes off without a hitch. Especially in light of some fears people have about the game.

Though it’s not all bittersweet news for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and its fans. As 343 announced, some cool additions are coming with season 8. From the much-sought-after custom game browser to additional mod support for each title in the collection, there’s plenty of improvements and additions to be excited about when the new season launches later this fall. 

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr/01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr-b48c79cc3aec6289df7c9bdb35a43541.jpg]

[listicle id=1111733]

‘Halo 5’ not coming to PC despite what rumors suggest

No Halo 5 on PC for you, sadly.

Halo 5 came out on Xbox One half a decade ago, and despite a recent rumor stating otherwise, it won’t be getting a PC port anytime soon. 

Buzz of Halo 5 on PC began circulating after a list of games on Nvidia’s GeForce Now service leaked, The Verge reported on Monday. There were some wild mentions on the list, such as Kingdom Hearts IV and BioShock 2022 — that first one has yet to have any sort of formal announcement, for example. Among them was Halo 5 on PC. However, it would be best if you didn’t get your hopes up about anything mentioned on the list.

“NVIDIA is aware of an unauthorized published game list, with both released and/or speculative titles,” Nvidia said via Wccftech. “[The list was] used only for internal tracking and testing. Inclusion on the list is neither confirmation nor an announcement of any game.”

To squash the rumor further, Halo 5’s developer 343 industries commented on a potential PC port. Their answer? Well, again, don’t get your hopes up.

“Maybe this was for ‘Halo 5: Forge‘ but I can confirm there are no plans to bring [Halo 5] to PC,” Brian Jarrard, community director at 343 Industries, said on Twitter. “We know there’s some demand for it, but as we’ve stated before, not in the cards as the studio is fully focused on Infinite and MCC. Will never say never, but nothing underway currently.”

Halo 5 is the only game in the series that’s not on PC, so, understandably, some fans are might want it on the platform. At least Halo Infinite is coming to PC, and it’s only a few months away!

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr/01ffn6cjtr3cx513yhmr-b48c79cc3aec6289df7c9bdb35a43541.jpg]

[listicle id=1111733]