Microsoft’s marquee Xbox Series X launch title, Halo Infinite, has been delayed to 2021. Developer 343 Industries said the shift to a work-from-home environment was one part of the reason behind the delay, and that it will give the team the time to “deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision.”
Needless to say, the internet had a lot to say about the delay, and we’re rounding up some of the hot takes people have put out on social media.
Halo Infinite is now scheduled for release in 2021, but a more specific date has not been announced yet. The delay is big news because Halo Infinite would have been the first Halo game to release as a launch title for new Xbox hardware since the original Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001.
While Halo Infinite is now coming in 2021, Microsoft still plans to release the Xbox Series X this year–a November release date has now been confirmed. The platform will have “thousands” of titles available at launch thanks to its backwards compatibility support for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the original Xbox.
Halo’s community director, Brian Jarrard, reflected that he understands the delay news is “disappointing.” However, he also mentioned he’s been overwhelmed to see the Halo community’s response to the news and their support of 343 doing what it needs to do to get the game finished.
Never easy to deliver news that many will find disappointing, but the overwhelming show of support and understanding coming from the community today is amazing. We’re all in this together in wanting the best game possible. Thank you 🙏
— Brian Jarrard (@ske7ch) August 11, 2020
Halo’s community manager, John Junyszek, shared a similar sentiment. “The Halo community is the best community,” he said, adding the fist-bump emoji to his tweet.
Mat Piscatella, who is an analyst at the research firm NPD, said in his own tweet that people should remember and respect the fact that we are in the midst of a pandemic and have patience and understanding regarding Halo Infinite’s delay.
The fact video games get made at all is bit of a miracle. Please don’t get mad that some get delayed in the middle of a pandemic that has forced everyone to shift their entire way of working and living on the fly. C’mon gamers, a little empathy would go a long way.
— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) August 12, 2020
Waypoint reporter Patrick Klepek added that he heard that 343’s shift to a work-from-home environment had an “especially big impact” on the final stages of Halo Infinite’s development.
I’ve been hearing for much of this year that the transition to work from home amid COVID-19 was having an especially big impact on the final stretch of Halo Infinite’s development. The delay makes a lot of sense, even though I wondered if they would actually make the decision.
— Patrick Klepek (@patrickklepek) August 11, 2020
Ace Watkins, the fake gamer president, sounded off on the delay as well with a joke about Joe Biden announcing Kamala Harris as his running mate on the same day as this news about Halo.
Joe Biden announced Kamala Harris as his running mate today because he’s too afraid to grapple with the big issues that his campaign cannot handle. Don’t be fooled by this distraction. As president, I will make sure that we get Halo: Infinite on time.
— Ace Watkins (@GamerPres2020) August 11, 2020
Windows Central reporter Jez Corden joked that 343 delayed Halo Infinite to further incorporate Craig the Brute into the game. It’s a joke, but we hope 343 does actually include an Easter Egg or some other nod to the popular meme.
They delayed Halo Infinite to add Craig as a major character imo.
— Jez (@JezCorden) August 11, 2020
Wushu Studios communications manager Shinobi602 said it was commendable for 343 to delay Halo Infinite, given it was the flagship launch title for Series X.
It’s easy for anyone outside of gamedev to point & mock 343 on Halo Infinite. It was the pillar for Series X this year – likely Microsoft’s biggest ever project. It could have been rushed out & fixed later, but delaying out of launch for quality & employee health is commendable.
— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) August 11, 2020
Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski said he welcomes the news about Halo Infinite’s delay if it means the end product will be better. “Take your time, team, and eventually, shut up and take my money,” he said.
Halo Infinite delayed.
That franchise broke the fuckin’ mold for console shooters and I was too dumb at the time – when the first one came out – to recognize it.
Take your time, team and, eventually, shut up and take my money.— Cliff Bleszinski (@therealcliffyb) August 11, 2020
Twitter user 9 V O L T brought up the memorable Shigeru Miyamoto quote to reference Halo Infinite’s delay, but with a more humorous spin.
a rushed game is bad forever, a delayed game is eventually duke nukem forever. just think of this famous saying from shigeru miyamoto if you are sad about halo infinite being delayed :)
— 9 V O L T (@9_volt_) August 11, 2020
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