Halo Infinite’s lead multiplayer designer, Andrew Witts, has announced that he is no longer employed at 343 Industries. This is normally something that would be considered bad news, but based on all of the disappointment and controversy that the multiplayer portion of Halo Infinite has stirred up since its surprise release in November 2021, perhaps a small celebration might be in order—although maybe it’s actually just upper management (e.g., Bonnie Ross and Frank O’Connor) that requires a solid scolding. Witts confirmed that Sunday was his last day at 343 Industries, but it’s unclear where he’s headed next.
Today was my last day at 343 Industries. It’s been an honor leading the MP design team over these years. Thank you to all @Halo fans for your feedback over the years. We made this game for you.
— Andrew Witts (@RevivedAntihero) March 5, 2022
Going to take some time off to relax and recharge but I’m excited what’s next! pic.twitter.com/3uXaKIP28g
Another piece of lame news for Halo Infinite comes by way of the latest update on Halo Waypoint, which reports that some of the shooter’s most highly anticipated features have been delayed yet again. Rather than launch with Season 2 in early May, campaign network co-op is now slated to release at the end of the upcoming season. The release date of split-screen co-op is also unclear, although 343 Industries has promised that it will be sharing more info on both as soon as it can.
Halo Infinite’s lead multiplayer designer leaves 343 Industries (PC Gamer)
- It marks yet another exit for one of Halo Infinite’s senior developers.
- Earlier this year saw the game’s lead narrative designer Aaron Linde leave for Riot Games, while creative director Tim Longo and project director Chris Lee stepped down from their roles in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
- Xbox boss Phil Spencer assured fans in 2020 that turnover was a natural part of development, saying “as an industry, we’re always going to see turnover. I don’t have any specific concern about 343. I think in the long run, turnover is a healthy thing because we want people who are really motivated by the things that they’re working on.”
HALO INFINITE UPDATE – MARCH 2022 (Halo Waypoint)
- We’re making great progress on Campaign network co-op. And to be clear, this work has been occurring in parallel to Season 2 work, as has our work on Forge.
- But the reality is that it’s going to take more time to land a high-quality, full-featured 4-player network co-op experience in the massive, wide-open world of Halo Infinite.
- All this means that we will not be able to ship Campaign network co-op on May 3rd, at the start of Season 2. But we are still aiming to deliver Campaign network co-op later in Season 2, and we will share a release date for that and for split-screen co-op as soon as we can.