Poor graphics and missing features - a toxic combo

Games Halo Infinite
1

To any 343 employees reading this,

I know Halo Infinite is “the most ambitious Halo launch title to date” but I worry this 10 year plan/Destiny style structure in terms of content support means that this game will launch both visually unappealing and with missing core features, just like Halo 5.

I believe if this happens it will be detrimental to both the Halo franchise and Microsoft’s commercial aims surrounding the Xbox Series X. People will see Halo Infinite as just another Halo 5 in terms of missing features, add poor graphics onto that too and it sets the stage for critics to pan this game when it launches.

Also since this is the second Halo open world(ish) game (ODST was first), and this is the first time 343 has attempted something like this, the campaign may turn out worse than expected too.

This is a massive risk for both Microsoft and the Halo franchise and should it go wrong on release, I don’t know how a recovery is possible.

I believe you should delay the game and offer a public beta. Work with the community and Xbox fans (not just Halo as lots will be interested in the beta), integrating their feedback towards a well-prepared launch with next gen features like raytracing included at launch.

If you do that this game might have a lot better chance at succeeding, restoring faith in both the Halo franchise and the Xbox brand, which have both been in a bit of a rough patch the last decade.

2

I think it’s a little too early to assume it will be missing features. Sure the graphic leave something to be desired. However, most of that can be fixed in the months before launch. Even more so if this is an older build of the game.

I do agree that we really should have a beta with enough time before launch to make changes based on player feedback. Unfortunately with the current state of things in the world that is far easier said than done. I also agree that if the game needs more time that it must be delayed. I believe the quote is. “A rush game is forever bad, but a delayed game is eventually good”. However, I’m not sure how much say 343 has on its release date. Microsoft clearly wants Infinite to be a launch title for the next Xbox. Whether or not that’s a good thing only time will tell.