Windows Central Insider
In a report from Mr. Rebs (also known as Rebs Gaming), we now have some new details regarding Halo Infinite’s multiplayer story, which was unfolding before eventually being canceled in June 2023.
According to Mr. Rebs, the cancellation was largely due to layoffs at then 343 Industries, now known as Halo Studios — although for simplicity’s sake, I’ll continue referring to the studio as 343 Industries throughout this report. For additional context, Project Tatanka was reportedly Halo’s attempt at a Battle Royale experience before later evolving into more of an extraction shooter project.
Its current status remains unclear, although previous reports have suggested the project was either heavily reworked internally or canceled altogether, and according to Mr. Rebs, Halo Infinite’s multiplayer narrative was originally intended to help bridge players toward Project Tatanka.
In his report, Mr. Rebs states that Halo Infinite’s multiplayer story was originally intended to sort of mirror what we got with Spartan Ops in Halo 4, but with a more narratively cohesive structure that would also introduce characters from the wider Halo universe.
He also claims future multiplayer maps would have featured narrative context tied directly to these cutscenes, helping further develop Halo Infinite’s ongoing story.
However, these plans were ultimately scrapped after Halo Infinite’s Season 2 cutscenes were released, with layoffs throughout 2023 reportedly having a major impact on the internal teams responsible for creating these narrative scenes.
According to the report, the sound team and other cinematic-related teams were heavily affected during these layoffs, leaving 343 Industries without enough staff to continue supporting the multiplayer narrative cutscenes.
Mr. Rebs also teased that the multiplayer narrative was building toward “something playable,” although exactly what that was remains a mystery. What was clarified, however, is that it reportedly was not playable Elites, something many Halo fans, myself included, had long hoped would eventually come to Infinite.
I’ve said many times just how big a Halo fan I am, and I genuinely believe Halo Infinite was 343’s best attempt at a Halo gam. In fact, they even released a new update to Infinite recently, which is good fun, and you should check it out!
Still, it's such a shame to hear how things reportedly unfolded this way for a title that was originally intended to last an entire decade, and with that said, I’d love to know your thoughts.
Did you enjoy Halo Infinite’s multiplayer story, or are you glad 343 Industries shifted focus elsewhere?
Let me know in the comments, and be sure to take part in our poll below:
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