SUMMARY
- Halo Infinite is the ongoing Halo multiplayer FPS following a live service model.
- Infinite added content that lasted about 3 months on average, titled seasons.
Developer, 343 recently showed off a new update to Halo Infinite, via a live stream. The devs coming on stream to announce a new update was a good follow-up to the midseason Firefight update in December. However, the fans only had one question in their mind and that was – ‘Where’s Season 6?’
Halo Infinite is getting the next big update on January 30, 2024. The new update features a new arena map, a new operation, a free Mark IV Spartan core, along the long-awaited ability to equip shoulder pieces on any armor. It also features a set of new Covenant items in Forge
Halo Infinite ends Seasons
However, at the end of the stream, 343 broke the ice announcing there will be no Season 6. Halo Infinite is going forward moving away from the concept of seasons. The devs announced that instead, they will continue to create “Operation” events.
These events will have shorter 20-tier battle passes that run for four-to-six-week periods, similar to the seasons. That being said, 343 will continue to add content to Halo Infinite throughout 2024. Community director Brian Jarrard said, “We have a dedicated team working on supporting Halo Infinite and continuing to deliver coming forward, but also, we have additional teams now that are accelerating towards the future working on brand new projects.”
The news of seasons coming to an end was received with mixed reactions from fans since it was believed that Infinite was finally preparing for its comeback. Many fans even think that the end of seasons marks the beginning of the end for Infinite support.
What does the end of seasons mean?
343 Industries‘ decision to end the season’s format could mean Microsoft is planning to close down on a live service shooter that could not take off the way it was planned. It could also point to a trend in the industry to move away from pre-defined schedules of the live service model.
It must be noted that Embark Studios recently revealed that it will not be releasing a public roadmap or promising anything about The Finals updates. Instead, updates would follow whenever they’re ready, and the team hopes players enjoy the surprise.
It is also possible that 343 knows Halo is probably not going to be as big as the other leading titles out there and thus, they plan on releasing more maps, playlists, and customization updates more often. The Operations lasting four to six weeks are relatively smaller than seasons. Notably, 343 also recently canceled a Halo Battle Royale game codenamed Project Tatanka.
Keeping in mind how Halo Infinite struggled during its first few seasons, it is reasonable for 343 to slowly get back to its old ways like 2021 and before. Back then the franchise released a new game every few years with the hope that players like the newer one more. While some fans may find it disappointing to learn that Halo Infinite may never reach its potential, on the other hand, players can look forward to new content in smaller durations.