Halo Infinite Development to Conclude with November Update
Active development on Halo Infinite will end on November 18th, coinciding with the launch of the “Operation: Infinite” update, marking a significant shift for the long-running franchise.
Originally announced with a ten-year plan to expand Master Chief’s story, the decision to halt major updates comes less than four years after the game’s 2021 release. Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries, stated that “Operation: Infinite may be the last major update currently planned for Halo Infinite.” However, the team assured players they remain “fully committed to supporting players with exciting challenges, ranked rewards, and community events throughout next year and beyond.”
The final update will include a variety of new content, such as 2X boosts on Career Rank and SP, a 100-tier Operation Pass, eight new armor sets, new Ranked Seasons, and over 200 previously unreleased customization options available in The Exchange. This news follows the recent departure of Halo art director Glenn Israel, who worked on the franchise for 17 years, and broader layoffs at Microsoft earlier this year. The shift in focus comes as Halo Studios begins work on a new project, Halo: Campaign Evolved.
“Your excitement is the lodestar for our every effort,” the Halo Studios team said in a statement. “Whether you’re a long-time player, a recently returned Spartan, or a brand-new ally, we’re grateful to have you on our Fireteam.” Officials indicated that player feedback will continue to inform future refinements and goals for the Halo franchise.
Active development on Halo Infinite will end on the same day that Operation: Infinite kicks into gear: 18th November.
Released in 2021, Halo Infinite was announced amid a 10-year plan to “continu[e] Master Chief’s saga for years to come”.
Now, however, with less than half of those ten years on the clock, Halo Studios – formerly known as 343 Industries – has confirmed Operation Infinite is, ironically enough, not infinite at all, but will “be the last major update currently planned for Halo Infinite”.
“Operation: Infinite may be the last major update currently planned for Halo Infinite, but we’re fully committed to supporting players with exciting challenges, ranked rewards, and community events throughout next year and beyond,” the team said.
“As the Halo Studios team shifts focus to in-development projects such as Halo: Campaign Evolved, we’d like to thank our Halo Infinite players for years of steadfast support.”
The team said it’s been a “legendary run of Seasons, Events, Fractures, and Operations, with plenty of maps, modes, sandbox additions, Forge tool upgrades, and incredible memories along the way”, and thanked Halo’s community for its support and enthusiasm.
“Your excitement is the lodestar for our every effort. Whether you’re a long-time player, a recently returned Spartan, or a brand-new ally, we’re grateful to have you on our Fireteam.
“As we look ahead, your feedback will continue to help us refine our goals, in hopes of exceeding expectations and delivering the best Halo experiences possible. Throughout our day, we look to your suggestions, your art, and even your memes as constant reminders of our dual commitment to faithfully stewarding Halo’s legacy and forging its future.”
Starting 18th November, Operation: Infinite will introduce a 2X boosts on Career Rank and SP, 100-tier Operation Pass, eight earnable armour sets, new Ranked Seasons, and “200 never-before-released customisations” arriving in The Exchange.
The news comes after Halo art director Glenn Israel left Halo Studios last month after 17 years working on the franchise.
Israel worked on titles such as Halo 3: ODST and the most recent Halo Infinite, across both Bungie and 343 Industries (now known as Halo Studios). As he left, he dropped an ominous message that appears to allude to discontent within the studio. It follows mass layoffs at Microsoft this year.
