Tag: Halo

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]

Open world gameplay for ‘Halo Infinite’ is making fans go wild

It looks like the Halo magic is back!

Halo Infinte  is going open world, and if the fan reaction to its new  single-player campaign trailer  is any indication, Microsoft and 343 Industries are onto something here. 

It’s a bold direction for the series, as Halo’s  past campaigns were mostly linear corridor shooters. There have always been massive levels for vehicle segments and set pieces, however, especially in Bungie’s classic titles in Halo: The Master Chief Collection, though. Now, the team behind Halo Infinite  is leaning into those sandbox elements, and fans are digging it a lot. 

Check out Halo Infinite’s  campaign overview trailer for yourself below to see what all the buzz is about. 

While the reception to Halo Infinite’s  multiplayer betas has been overwhelmingly positive,  especially from the esports crowd, fans have been wary of how the single-player might turn out since it’s been missing in action for over a year. 

Well, that any fears that Halo Infinite’s  single-player campaign wouldn’t be up to snuff have died out. At least, everyone’s far more optimistic now. Be it the much-improved graphics or high-flying vehicle skyjacks, Twitter was overflowing with Halo fans stoked that their favorite series may be on the verge of a huge comeback. Oh, and the memes were great too. Take a look below to see what I mean.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

The 10 greatest video game launch titles of all time

Every games console has to start somewhere — but some have more talent for killer day-one games than others.

Imagine being in charge of launching a new game console. Once the really hard work is done — thinking of a cool name, capitalizing a letter somewhere in the middle, drawing endless controllers, and disseminating them to game’s sites — you’ve actually got to convince studios to make games for it. At a time when the user base is zero. 

Sometimes you get a Battle Arena Toshinden, and sometimes you get one of these Hall of Famers, who can take at least partial credit for their entire platform’s commercial success. In fact, they’re still worth playing now, even though their associated hardware may be out of production, and found only in attics and pawnshop windows. Not bad for a shot in the dark on launch day.

[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]

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]

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]

Halo Championship Series announces partnered esports teams for ‘Halo Infinite’

Nine teams will be ready to compete when Halo Infinite comes out.

Halo Infinite has everyone from casual fans to massive content creators going wild over its esports potential, and several big teams just announced partnerships with the Halo Championship Series. 

343 Industries and Microsoft are already putting Halo Infinite’s competitive scene front and center by partnering with some big names from the esports world, well ahead of the game’s December launch date. Though the Halo Championship Series isn’t franchising like, say, Overwatch League does — the teams will just work with Microsoft and 343 Industries to help Halo Infinite grow as an esport. There will even be open events for anyone to compete.  

“These Teams are investing significant funding into the Halo ecosystem and we want to ensure that the Halo ecosystem can give back financially to them,” said Tashi, Halo Esports Lead at Microsoft, in a blog post on Halo Waypoint. “None of the investment funding is going to us, it’s all going to the community! Part of why these teams were selected was because they wanted to be a part of the Halo community for the long haul.”

The partnered teams include:

Check out the slick trailer announcing the partnerships for yourself below.

Safe to say with names like these, the Halo Championship Series isn’t playing around.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fec4hhn2w231ze6azs playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fec4hhn2w231ze6azs/01fec4hhn2w231ze6azs-7d3a33779d6d43653e176b299da9aa68.jpg]

[listicle id=1083617]

‘Halo Infinite’ developer explains why its campaign wasn’t at Gamescom

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer looks great, but the campaign has been missing in action for a while.

Despite most people’s palpable elation over Halo Infinite’s release date announcement at Gamescom, some are upset that its single-player campaign mode was a no-show. Joseph Staten, head of Creative at 343 Industries, took the time to address those disappointed fans.

“I definitely hear the disappointment about not seeing Campaign gameplay on the broadcast,” said Staten in a blog post on Halo Waypoint. “The whole Halo Infinite team is in shutdown mode. This means we’re done with feature work and focused on crushing high-priority bugs. We’re spending lots of time playing the game, verifying fixes, and generally doing all we can to ensure campaign (and Multiplayer!) plays great on all platforms.”

Much of the disappointment comes from the fact that there hasn’t been a Halo Infinite campaign demo since July 2020. Since then, the game has received several delays, and there have been many reports of development troubles at 343 Industries. A multiplayer trailer was shown off at Gamescom, which Ninja loved, but any concerns over the campaign were still unanswered until this message from Staten.

Check out the multiplayer trailer for yourself below.

“I’ve played Infinite’s campaign multiple times,” said Staten on the same post. “Every time I do, I always find something new tucked away on Zeta Halo. Sometimes these are quiet little bits of environmental storytelling, such as an abandoned but desperately defended Marine recon post, high on a lonely mountainside.”

Here’s to hoping everything works out when Halo Infinite comes out December 8, 2021.

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF. 

[mm-video type=video id=01fdt7hmmpkcf3a6cn52 playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fdt7hmmpkcf3a6cn52/01fdt7hmmpkcf3a6cn52-a4ef6107c9c4f0b34b166fc95471bac3.jpg]

[listicle id=1079074]

Tyler ‘Ninja’ Blevins teases return to competitive ‘Halo’

The legendary Fortnite content creator might be returning to “Halo” this winter.

Halo Infinite will likely take the esports world by storm when it launches this December, and Tyler “Ninja” Blevins might get in on the action. 

Belvins made a name for himself playing Halo 3 and Halo Reach competitively nearly a decade ago, before he was ever a Fortnite megastar. For long-time fans of his, there have been hopes that he’ll make a return to the scene with Halo Infinite.

Well, that might happen, as Belvins recently teased a return on his personal Twitter. He even busted out a SpongeBob SquarePants meme for good measure, which nobody does unless they are committed to something, of course!

Check out the playful tweet from Blevins for yourself below.

Belvins tease even further by responding to former pro Halo player Faisal “Goofy” Khan later with a suggestive emoji. 

In all likelihood, Belvins is just having some fun amidst all this speculation of a potential return to Halo. At least for now, anyway. We won’t know for sure until there’s an official announcement of some sort. 

Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.