Halo Infinite will no longer launch this 2020 holiday season. Microsoft confirms that the game’s release has been delayed from its initial Holiday 2020 launch to an unspecified 2021 release date. That means that the upcoming Halo sequel will no longer launch alongside the next-gen console, Xbox Series X.
Microsoft did not confirm a new release date window other than the fact that Halo Infinite will be released next year. The developers explained that the delay is caused by multiple factors that have contributed to several development challenges. One of these challenges is the ongoing COVID related impacts that affected us all this year.
The Xbox Series X will still launch this year, as Microsoft confirms that the next-gen console will arrive in November 2020.
According to Microsoft’s official statement, they have made the difficult decision to shift Halo Infinite release date to 2021. This is to ensure that the developers will have adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets their vision.
The decision to shift the release date is the result of multiple factors contributing to development challenges. The company also said that it is not sustainable for the well-being of their team or the game’s overall success to ship it this holiday.
Microsoft knows that the decision will be disappointing to many and that they share the same sentiments. However, the extra time will let the developers finish the critical work necessary to deliver the most ambitious Halo game ever at the quality they know that their fans expect.
Halo Infinite was supposed to be the marquee launch game for Xbox Series X. But Microsoft also made it clear that there are more than 50 new games planned for this year across generations and optimized for Xbox Series X.
Aside from this, Halo Infinite was recently confirmed that its multiplayer will be free to play. It will also support 120 fps on Xbox Series X. Halo Infinite will also be released on Microsoft Windows gaming PC.