Poll: How Do You Feel About The Delay To Halo Infinite?

It needed to be delayed. Here's hoping it isn't too far into 2021.

It’s a great decision, just release it with Series X optimisations with Ray Tracing. I really hoped for the second time a Xbox launches with Halo but heavyweight titles like Cyberpunk and AC Valhalla will keep us busy destroying the competition in Digitalfoundry reviews with ultra performance of Series X like always. It’s actually better for Halo if it releases in a clean time period without other heavyweight titles around to cut some attention.

Get it perfect and optimised for series x
I can wait for that.

This needed to happen, plain & simple.

And I am happy that Microsoft has the stones to delay Halo. If 343 says it needs more time, then give it to them!

We all just want Halo to be awesome when it does come out. And bc of COVID-19, things are taking longer now.

People getting upset about this are ridiculous. Think of the health of the development team, for one. And two......if Microsoft released Halo in a crappy state, they would be destroyed for it.

And it’s not like we don’t have plenty of games to play right now anyways. People are so dramatic. Lol.

I didn't vote in the 1st poll, but voted "huge loss" in the 2nd.

Mainly because I'm dying to play Halo Infinite (in theory) but after what I saw last month, it NEEDED a hefty delay.

Understandable but disappointing, it's a loss for the launch whichever way you put it...
I'm trying to think of how Microsoft can counter this against Sony, obvious methods are undercutting them on price, promoting Game pass heavily and paying heavily for a timed 3rd party exclusive at launch (A trick straight from Sony's book)....
For me this doesn't matter, but I can't help but think this isn't ideal for Microsoft launching a new console....

5 years in development, at least 3 development studios working on the game, the money and backing of a multi billion dollar company, and being the flagship franchise, and delayed. Even with Covid, that's just awful management.

Its a shame but its better to give it the time it needs.

Obviously loosing the flagship title is bad but considering its a cross gen game it wasn't doing that much "selling" the Series X.

MS dose need to plug this gap with something, get some momentum

I think this could hurt Xbox for years to come. Not only did they show that their flagship developers couldn't make a next gen looking game with a rumored $500 million budget, but that they can't hit a deadline even after their last game came out over 5 years ago. Halo really was suppose to be what convinced people to switch from PS to Xbox. Unless the Series X/S prices are incredibly low I don't see why anyone would switch now.

Frankly, I did not expect this news. I figured Covid would have an impact, but not on launch games, even though Phil Spencer admitted it's a slight possibility (albeit a small one). Not hugely disappointed since I still have to play through the first 5 Halo games and am finally getting close to finishing the first game.

Having seen the gameplay (yes in 4k) and how poor it was compared to expectation, how far off it looked from being ready to ship and the 'time' left until launch - also taking into consideration the time needed to get the game printed to disc and shipped, it was inevitable - unless MS were prepared to release and try and fix later.

Of course its a big loss to lose a major franchise from your launch window but ultimately its better than releasing a sub-standard game that, with its issues could have a bigger detrimental impact to the success of the next gen hardware.

I know its a cross gen title but it also needs to look and offer a 'next gen upgrade too. People will be looking at Halo as an example of what next gen consoles offer, how it compares to what the competition are doing and offering. Halo looked a long way off from games like Ghost of Tsushima (also stylised), let alone games like RDR2, AC:Odyssey, Far Cry 5 and other Open World games this gen - let alone Game Engine Demo from 2018 that set the expectations...

I think its the most sensible decision despite the disappointment of losing a big Launch title but Halo also feels like its on its last chance, that 343 needs to prove they can deliver the 'Halo' experience the Fans expect - so it makes a LOT of sense that MS takes the decision to delay and give them chance to get it right...

@Royalblues

So you aren’t even a Halo fan, but you are now spelling gloom & doom for Xbox bc Halo gets delayed due to Covid-19? Lol.

You need more things to worry about in life. 😂

And Miles Morales is, basically, DLC for a Spider-Man game that was already released. And Sony has showed off ZERO 1st party launch games other than that. Give me a break, man. 🙄 lol

It's a great decision for the game's quality, but it's definitely going to hurt sales of it and the Series X. Now by the time it comes around again it's mostly just going to be Halo fans paying attention

Maybe they should release whatever build they have of the
Free to Play multiplayer as an "Early Access" benefit for XSX owners.

@RedShirtRod You are right they need to undercut sony by a decent amount.

If I get the Series S, it won't be for Halo anyway. No loss to me.

It's a shame. But having only one launch title is quite risky. You basically have to hold it back, like BOTW if you want to be 100% is gets out on launch day. Considering the Series X patch wasn't even ready, I think they were rushing it instead of taking it easy. So I'm not too surprised.

@Royalblues

“I am saying this as someone who has not played a Halo game for more than 20 minutes before the year 2015”.

That’s a direct quote from you. Lol.

Ms had to do something. But the thing is, if there wasnt such a negative feedback about the graphics, then they would have happily released it in November. Corporate pigs, without sonys quality control it seems.. "Ahh you didnt like that fans,ok we'll delay it and make it better" . 343 are not worthy of halo. Franchise is over imo, it died when bungie left it.

Sony will be licking their lips at this news.😪

I'm happy the game is delayed. Having the best possible game and a healthy team after the year we've had is only a good thing.
That said, I'm not so happy they're still releasing the Series X in November. I cannot fathom a reason as to why I should buy one on release and not just wait till next year now....
There will literally be only a couple of third party exclusives at launch. I'm not saying Sony is better (and I wonder if any of their titles will shift to 2021 after this new too).
It seems unfortunately that the hype has really been sucked out of next gen on all fronts. Here's hoping things look better in a few months time.

@pip_muzz agreed. Without halo, sony hold all the cards in terms of then next gen machine people will buy before Christmas. I wont buy a series x until maybe 12months time now. I mean there is no incentive to is there?

Arnold Schwarzenegger. Phil spencer has embarrassed himself yet again. If halo was rough then why demo it in the first place?🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

It’s good Craig’s getting a makeover!

Think it was needed considering what was shown at their unveiling recently.

@DavLFC Exactly. I still want an Xbox over a PS5. But I now have no reason to buy one this year... And for those who haven't made their minds up, they'll go with Sony now.
This year has been a real s**storm for everyone but I can't help but think Microsoft should have delayed the console to next year and behind the scenes got Sony to do the same, a sort of gentleman's agreement.
Both consoles look at launch to be essentially pointless. A PS4 Pro Pro and an Xbox One XX is how they now seem to me.

@KelticDevil you said halo infinite looked fine when it was shown. And now you're saying this delay "needed to happen"?

Make your mind up.🤦‍♂️

I’m thorn on the second survey... I think “it’s only one game!” But also realize in the bigger picture it’s quite a big loss. Not bad as if it turns out SM: Miles turns out to indeed be a repackaged re-release with exclusive DLC, though. That would be a slap in the face of fans.

@Tharsman why the hell are you talking about spiderman? It's a standalone game, at 4k 60 fps with a ray tracing option. Smaller game yes , but it will be priced accordingly.

We should worry about Microsoft not sony.

@KelticDevil hell, we have not even seen gameplay for the Miles game!

Spencer needs to go. Need someone stronger in charge of xbox gaming division imo

@Tharsman then why are you talking about it then?

@Tharsman what the hell has bonnie Ross been doing these past almost 6 years? Is there any quality control?. ...why didn't spencer question her and her team, before he sanctioned a underwhelming gameplay demo, to be shown to millions of people ?

@Royalblues

I love how you just gloss over my point that the only thing Sony has at launch is Spider-Man DLC. Lol.

Oh and we haven’t even seen gameplay of that yet. 🙄

Like I have always said.....then go guy a PS5. Us Xbox fans will not care either way. Thx.

@Tharsman

Exactly! Sony has showed us nothing, so far. And, for some reason, they get a pass. It’s ridiculous.

It bugs me to miss out on the game at launch, especially since it was going to be available to Game Pass members, but I will always stand behind the idea that extra development on a major title if needed, is a must. I would always much rather wait.

@DavLFC they also had a second showcase last week that they could have had Miles Morales gameplay, instead of that stolen game.

If the game can be improved upon than it needed to be delayed, The game needs more time in the oven and i'm happy to wait for it..

@DavLFC actually they Bugsnax and The Pathless as well. Anyway my point is they could have shown gameplay there as well, they chose not to. Marketing means little as they decide what to show and when. I’m not saying the gameplay wouldn’t have been awesome, but just that there was an opportunity for it.

@DavLFC Sure.

@LocalPenguin it could also mean a pretty good bundle come boxing day for moi! I was planning on getting it boxing day and this delay might sweeten the deal a bit. The series S is also intriguing due to it potential price point but I want the disk drive to buy used games, try out games for free from the library and watch movies. The fact that I can by a used x box one game and it willl play better on my system is very inticing.

Says it all.

Q) How Do You Feel About The Delay To Halo Infinite?

A) I enjoy Halo but I'm not a huge fan or player of it; Halo Infinite to me was a case of either being a game that I happened to get at launch as a pack-in deal or such, or simply to play co-op campaign with one of my brothers. So it's delay doesn't effect me specifically.

An overall, from the statements released so far, I admire Microsoft and higher ups of 343 Studios for opting for a delay in these troubling times rather than implementing Crunch Time to get the game done on time. Once again, Microsoft has taken the moral high ground... whether people will perceive it that way is up to debate (the game has been worked on for a long time after all).

Q) How Big Of A Loss Is Halo Infinite To The Xbox Series X's Launch?

A) The biggest lost is due to a matter of perception and reputation. Despite how Halo Infinite was a cross-generation release, it has been perceived as the Xbox Series X big launch title (much like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was for Switch, despite also releasing on Wii U) and it's absence will be likely perceived as a disaster by a wide range of gamers. It might have less of an impact depending on how the narrative is taken regarding it, but then I don't feel the wider audience will look into the statements or background of the delay and just see the 'delay' part of the matter.

It is the right move and one i couldn't care about and in no way changes my mind i like new tech toys with or without one game.