The delay of Halo Infinite was undoubtedly the lowest point for Xbox in 2020, with the game having to be removed from being an Xbox Series X and Series S launch title, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer says he "didn't like" how it was handled.
Speaking to GQ, Spencer explained that he wasn't a fan of how Xbox was showcasing Halo Infinite and highlighting it as a next-gen launch title, only for it to receive its official delay just a short while afterwards:
“I don’t like how we did it. I don’t like that we showed the game, talked about it launching at the launch of the consoles. And then within a month we had moved it.”
Spencer admitted that "we should have known before and just been honest with ourselves", stating that there was no "deception" intended. The team was just holding onto "hope", which Spencer says "isn't a great development strategy".
The delay of Halo Infinite was a huge disappointment for Spencer and his team last year (not to mention the fans), but it definitely looks like it was for the better. It's been a long old road to release, but we're finally almost there...
How do you feel about the Halo Infinite delay now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
[source gq-magazine.co.uk]
Comments 20
If it had launched with the stink of cyberpunk or more recently GTA Trilogy it would have been a death blow for the Xbox hype train.
Don't feel pressured by self entitled 'fans' to release any game before it's ready ....because them same self entitled 'fans' will then all be crying, review bombing, saying you should.of delayed it(amnesia?)..if it's not upto scratch..and even if it is some still will
Only release a game when it's fully finished. Even if it takes 5+ years.
The right decision was made as it would not have sold more series x consoles at launch or even now a year later. As soon as they are in stock they are sold.
It may have given the Xbox eco system a little boost, but the game being in poor condition would have been more negative than any little positive.
They could even hold off another year until 2022 if they really wished.
I think the issue was poor communication between 343 and Microsoft. The fact that MS wasn't even aware of the game's poor state just months before its release proves that I think. It could be that MS had faith in 343 since they have released multiple Halo games before without any issues and they thought it would be the same with Infinite this time. But the difference now was 343 going for a different approach with Infinite compared to previous Halo games, i.e. the open world aspect. Creating an open world is a major undertaking and I believe that's why Infinite turned out to be in a poor state. Had 343 communicated better with MS, then perhaps the delay wouldn't have happened so close to release. That could also be the reason for why MS decided to get rid of 343 studio head Chris Lee as he would've been responsible for the poor communication.
I'm sure that Microsoft has updated their procedures now and will thoroughly inspect each of their projects before revealing them.
I think you meant 2020!
Honestly, the recent Halo games are meh compared to the original trilogy so if this delay means Infinite will be a banger then it was the right choice. So far with the mp beta and the recent video showcasing the things they improved, it seems it will be worth the wait!
In my opinion, xbox's lowest point this year was the live gold price hike.
@Zag_Man and to think that Starfield already has a release date...
@AFCC Oh yeah, we're already at the end of 2021!
Time is passing by far too quickly...
@FraserG I know, right? It seems like the new consoles came out like mere days ago lol the pandemic messed with the time flow it seems
@Scenes Or Diablo 2, or Battlefield 2042. Or really any game released this year or last by a AAA studio, it seems.
@Zag_Man I agree. I think they have learned something. I think of Everwild. Sure it wasn’t about to release or anything, but in realizing they need more time to reassess what they’re doing, they are taking their time to try to get it right. Imagine if we didn’t have this regular cadence coming. Everwild would be releasing next year or so and would probably be not good.
@Dezzy70 that’s a great point. It’s not like they would have sold more consoles.
@StylesT Or..... Just DO NOT talk about the game in any manner, at all, ever, until you are going gold within 6 months.
Just follow that simple advice and your golden.
Wish every developer did this.
Hopefully it's not another crackdown 3
@SplooshDmg To this day I still cannot play. I have limited time to game. And with their "fix" every time I start the game, there are atleast 100 people ahead of me in queue.
100% agree with you. Blizzard has lost all future business from me.
It was obvious to me that Halo Infinite was not going to be ready based on that trailer and I was certain that they would 'delay' or risk having a 'messy' launch which ultimately would be detrimental long term.
Even though I knew I could play it 'free' through Game Pass, that trailer did more to put me off and even came close to putting that final nail in the coffin of Halo for me.
It therefore came as no surprise when it was Delayed and I think that was the 'best' decision to take. It may of meant that 'no' big, new AAA Exclusive game ready for launch - although did launch with Gears Tactics and XSX versions of Gears 5 and Forza Horizon 4. There were also some Indies too like Falconeer too so it wasn't as if it launched with 'only' Multi-platform games.
I still have concerns about Halo Infinite. Its clear that the original reveal and the Promise that the new 'Slipstream' engine alluded too that got everyone 'hyped' for it and the 'new' generation after the disappointing Halo 5 will not be met, not by a LONG way, but the last trailer at least appeared a big improvement. At least the LoD's, Pop-In, materials, lighting etc have been significantly improved and if the story and game-play are great, as long as the Graphical presentation and performance is 'stable', I can at least 'enjoy' the game. I certainly can't see it winning any awards for 'Graphics' despite the delays.
As I have Game Pass, I am NOT faced with the decision of whether I think the game is worth buying at launch or if not at launch, at what price do I think its worth purchasing. With Games on Game Pass, it comes down to whether I think they have done enough to tempt me to try it or not. Like I said, the 2020 trailer actually put me off from even trying it but the last trailer did enough to make me think it might be worth trying for free - better than paying $60-70 and the 'expectation' that comes with it...
I'm sure multiple factors led to that reveal. I can't help but think of 343 as Ben Wyatt on Parks & Recreation when he was depressed when he made a movie. Then he showed it off and was embarrassed when he realized it was bad, admitting he compared it to Avatar. Yes, that's different, but the whole situation reminds me of the scene where he comes to that realization.
I don’t care about halo delay, I care for metroid prime 4 botw 2 Bayonetta 3 delays Nintendo is the king of delay I just bought my series s when I saw the switch oled instead of a true next gen switch and was tired of waiting for Nintendo games and I have a lot of fun with gamepass and my Xbox!
Ok yet another person piling up on Microsoft, so who is it this time… oh…. Oh… 😅
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