Save big now! Microsoft has Surface Laptop 3 discounted by $400

  • Forums
  • Shop
  • Best Laptops
  • Best Graphics Cards
  • Best Motherboards
  • Best Antivirus
  • Best VPN
  • Dell XPS 13 Deals
  • PC Parts Deals

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Loud and clear feedback

Halo Infinite is removing traditional color customization, and fans aren't happy

The reception from fans has been rough, and for good reason.
Brendan Lowry
23 Oct 2020

Halo Infinite's Red Shift and Monarch armor coatings.Source: 343 Industries

Recently, following 343 Industries' showcase of the Monarch armor coating, the Halo developer wrote a blog post that (in addition to teasing the Red Shift armor coating) contained an explanation about how Halo Infinite's coating customization system will work in detail. Specifically, coatings were defined as special shaders that change the color, material, and/or pattern of an armor piece, weapon, or vehicle. Considering the fact that material and pattern customizations haven't been options in Halo before, this initially got people excited.

343 Industries then confirmed these coatings are replacing the primary and secondary color system that has traditionally always been in the Halo games. This means players can't freely pick what colors their armor has; instead, you'll have to pick from the color combinations that are available in the coatings you unlock. Most fans (myself included) are not happy about this change. Here's why, and also some suggestions on how the coating system could be made better.

VPN Deals: Lifetime license for $16, monthly plans at $1 & more

The problems with Halo Infinite coatings

Halo 5: GuardiansSource: Windows Central Halo 5: Guardians color customization.

Ultimately, the community's biggest problem with the coating system is that because color preferences are such a uniquely specific thing to each individual player, it's highly unlikely that there will be enough coatings in the game to give every player the type of color combination they want. I expect there will be coatings for common color combos like black and red or gray and green, but what about weird ones like brown and orange? If you think that would look ugly, I would agree with you, but that's not the point. People should have the choice and freedom to use that combination right out of the gate just like you could in all previous Halo games, rather than be forced to hope the developers make a coating that suits their very specific taste.

It’s like taking a kid’s bin of legos and giving them 50 pre-made lego sets that can’t be altered or fiddled with.

It’s not giving us more options for personalization, it’s removing creativity and individuality.

— LateNightGaming | Halo and Destiny (@LateNightHalo) October 22, 2020

The second concern I and many others have with the coating system is that it looks like you won't be able to use the colors of a specific coating without using the armor material and pattern of that coating as well. So, for example, let's say that the brown and orange coating is in the game after all. However, to use those colors, you'll also have to make your armor look worn down and chipped — and you want your armor to look normal. In this situation, you'd forced to choose between the colors you want or the armor texture you want.

Considering the point of Halo's customization system is to allow players to make their Spartan look the way they want, this "one or the other" situation would be terrible. Colors should not be tied to the other things coatings change, as this limits a player's options and forces them to make annoying compromises.

How could the coating system be improved?

Halo Infinite Master ChiefSource: Xbox Game Studios

In terms of how the coating system could be improved upon, I think a compromise would be to separate color options from coatings entirely, at least for armor. This way, players will be able to choose the colors they want freely like they could in previous Halo games. Additionally, this change would allow for people to come up with more creative combinations, since you'd be able to use different types of colors with each texture and pattern, which are currently locked to one color scheme.

If the developers aren't willing to budge on coatings affecting color, than I think it would be ideal for the coating colors to at least be separate from a player's main colors. Maybe a coating could give your armor white accents on the plates, for instance, so players retain the freedom to choose their main colors while the developers can still incorporate color into coating designs in interesting ways.

Your thoughts

What do you think of the coating system coming to Halo Infinite? Do you agree with me and the wider Halo community that the removal of the traditional color system isn't a healthy change? Let me know.

Halo Infinite is currently expected to release in 2021 on the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One family of consoles, and on WIndows 10 PCs. While you wait, we highly recommend checking out the Master Chief Collection.

The next adventure in the saga

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite

A new Great Journey awaits

Halo Infinite is sure to be an incredible game filled with wonder, adventure, and more.

  • See at Microsoft
  • See at Steam

Finish the Fight

The Master Chief Collection.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Experience the entirety of Halo history

The Master Chief Collection is a collection of every Halo shooter from the pre-Xbox One era, offering incredible value at an incredible price.

  • $40 at Microsoft (Xbox One)
  • $40 at Microsoft (PC)
  • $40 at Steam

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

I can't get enough of Minecraft Dungeons right now
Dungeon Crawlin'

I can't get enough of Minecraft Dungeons right now

Minecraft Dungeons has received robust post-launch support, but the new Ancient Hunts make the dungeon crawler more rewarding than ever. Here's why I can't get enough of Minecraft Dungeons.

Microsoft makes holoportation' a reality with Microsoft Mesh and HoloLens 2
The future is today

Microsoft makes holoportation' a reality with Microsoft Mesh and HoloLens 2

In 2016, Microsoft showed off a concept of 'holoportation' using 3D scans of people to "beam them" to a virtual location. Today, the company is making it a reality with Microsoft Mesh's announcement, a new mixed-reality platform powered by its Azure cloud service. The company is also teaming up with James Cameron, Niantic, and Guy Laliberté of Cirque du Soleil to use the tech in real...

Should you get an XPS 13 or XPS 15?
Decision time

Should you get an XPS 13 or XPS 15?

Have your heart set on a new Dell XPS laptop but not sure which one to go for? Let us help as we break down some of the key points to consider.

These gaming laptops are perfect if you want to play Diablo 2: Resurrected
JOIN THE FIGHT

These gaming laptops are perfect if you want to play Diablo 2: Resurrected

Diablo 2: Resurrected is expected sometime in 2021, and you might be shopping around for a new gaming laptop that will handle its requirements. Here are some of the best available now.

Keep in Touch

Sign up now to get the latest news, deals & more from Windows Central!

I would like to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I would like to receive mail from Future partners.

No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details without your permission.

  • Games
  • Halo
Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.

  • Windows 10
  • Laptops
  • Surface
  • Reviews
  • Gaming & Xbox
  • How To
  • Forums
  • Deals
  • PC Components

Other Categories

  • About Us
  • Licensing and Reprints
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • Windows Central Merch
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Android Central
  • iMore
  • CrackBerry
  • Thrifter
  • TechnoBuffalo
  • MrMobile
Log in or Sign up
  • t
  • f
  • p
  • i
  • r

Brightness

  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • © Future US, Inc.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Licensing
  • External Links Disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement