TheHaloseries has been one of the many driving factors in the success of Microsoft’s Xbox brand. Ushering in a whole new area of online gaming within the console realm, theHalogames have always had huge amounts of hype associated with each launch.
While the latest in line,Halo Infinite, fumbled out the gates with a controversial gameplay reveal, it seems fans are curious regarding the game’s cross-gen release structure especially following CD Projekt Red’sCyberpunk 2077launch debacle.
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Halo Infinite Is The First Cross-Gen Release
Halo Infinitehas been the subject of high fan-hype and speculation, but it isn’t always for all the right reasons. However, Microsoft’s luck seems to have paid off this time as the company has seemingly tackled its negative reception with a positive approach. The original gameplay reveal spawned a viral meme in the form ofCraig the Brute, and Microsoft embracing it has seemingly put a smile on many a fan’s face. Since then, fans have been more comfortable followingHalo Infinite’s many development updates along the way.
However, this hasn’t translated that well with the game’s cross-generation release plans. Fans have been quite worried about the game’s performance on Xbox One afterthe disastrous launch ofCyberpunk 2077. Additionally, fans have been curious to know whether the added pressure of makingHalo Infiniterun smoothly on an 8-year old machine has impacted the developer’s ambition in any way. A lot of it can be attributed toHalo Infinitebeing the first game in the series to have a cross-generation release.
Pros and Cons of Halo Infinite’s Cross-Gen Release
Fans worried that Xbox One might be holding backHalo Infinitearen’t entirely unjustified.343 Industries’Halo 4suffered from a similar problem. The swansong Xbox 360 exclusive, 343 Industries had to cut down a great deal in its AI department (one ofHalo’s well-known features) to make the game run smoothly with such visual fidelity. Xbox One is significantly weaker than Xbox Series S/X, and the flames of such speculation can be further fanned with examples of multi-platform games generally struggling to hold a steady framerate on the original Xbox One.
However, there’s also a light at the end of the tunnel.Halo 4was 343’s debut title, and the team has significantly grown in experience and expertise over the years. Additionally,Halo Infinite’s delay and a rumored budget of $500 millionare two bold things that show Microsoft clearly wants the game to be done right. Unlike previous entries in the 343Halogames,Halo Infinitewould be running on a brand new Slipspace engine probably built for technical flexibility, since the game’s launching on PC alongside consoles. This might mean 343 Industries might have a sweet middle ground where players on all consoles will have a competent gameplay experience.
While there’s little to no doubt that the best way to playHalo Infinitewould either be an Xbox Series console or a high-end PC, fans shouldn’t be worried too much regarding the game’s release on the old Xbox One.
Halo Infiniteis scheduled to release this fall for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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