Halo Infinite Releasing Fall 2021, Confirms Franchise Veteran Joseph Staten

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Images: 343 Industries

Halo Infinite’s delay was a monumental blow to Microsoft’s original Xbox Series X|S launch plans, but the franchise will be back in a big way next year. Ex-Bungie member Joseph Staten, who recently joined 343 Industries as Campaign Project Lead for Halo Infinite, has confirmed that the game will be released in Fall 2021.

“Yep, that’s when the game is coming out,” Staten wrote in today’s Halo Waypoint update. “And from now until then, every one of us at 343i and our great partner teams will be building, testing, and polishing an experience we hope all of you love.”

Staten has had a long history with the Halo franchise, having served in various directorial roles ranging from writing director (Halo: Reach) to cinematics director (Halo: Combat Evolved). He even did a bit of voice work for the Covenant’s Grunts.

“I joined 343i right as the team was wrestling with feedback from the July campaign demo,” Staten explained. “This discussion boiled down to one fundamental truth: we needed more time to do things right. That included pushing hard in the Fall, giving the team time to recharge over the Holidays, and then coming back in January to finish the game at a healthy pace.”

343 Industries hasn’t elaborated on how it intends to fix the criticisms levied against the Halo: Infinite demo, which was thoroughly mocked for its disappointing graphics, but it did share a few new pieces of concept art and in-game renders that suggest the team is working hard on polishing the game’s visuals.

Tsing Mui
News poster at The FPS Review.

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