The Xbox Series X is going to arrive in November. But it’ll do so without the launch title, Halo Infinite, which is instead coming next year.
On Tuesday, Microsoft announced the console's release date likely to blunt the bad news about Halo Infinite’s delay. “We have made the difficult decision to shift our release (of Halo Infinite) to 2021 to ensure the team has adequate time to deliver a Halo game experience that meets our vision,” the game’s developer 343 Industries said in a statement.
Tweet
When Halo Infinite will exactly release next year wasn’t stated. But 343 Industries pinned part of the blame on COVID-19 disrupting the game’s development process.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work from our team at 343 Industries, who have remained committed to making a great game and finding solutions to development challenges.,” wrote studio head Chris Lee. “However, it is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship it this holiday.”
On the plus side, the extra time will help 343 Industries add some more polish to the first-person shooter, which Lee said will be the studio’s “most ambitious Halo game ever.”
In the meantime, Microsoft is pointing out the Xbox Series X will still launch with a sizable game library. “There will be thousands of games to play, spanning four generations, when Xbox Series X launches globally this November and over 100 optimized for Xbox Series X titles, built to take full advantage of our most powerful console, are planned for this year,” the company wrote in a blog post.
The company adds that over 50 new games optimized for the Xbox Series X will arrive later this year. They’ll include Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5, Gears Tactics, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Watch Dogs: Legion. But it’s important to note none of these named games will be Xbox exclusives. Halo Infinite itself is slated to also arrive for the Xbox One and Windows 10.
Further Reading
- The Best Free PC and Console Games to Claim in August 2020
- Twitch Prime Is Now Called 'Prime Gaming'
- Risk Of Rain 2 Demonstrates the Challenges of Going From 2D to 3D
- Microsoft's Cheaper Xbox Series S Console Confirmed by Controller Packaging
- More in Gaming
Gaming Reviews
- AtGames Legends Ultimate
- Shadow by Blade
- PowerA Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Nintendo Switch
- Tobii Eye Tracker 5
- Razer THX Spatial Audio