Halo Infinite
Image: Xbox

343 has officially confirmed via the Halo subreddit that new playlists for the Halo Infinite multiplayer component will be dropping next week on December 14th.

This update will include the much-requested Slayer playlist alongside Fiesta, FFA, and SWAT. It's also noted how this update will introduce a new challenge category based on an "accumulating player score" - this is apparently a "small initial step" towards performance-based XP.

Here's the full update courtesy of Halo's community director, Brian Jarrard.

hey everyone - Last weekend I said I'd be back once we had updates to share around near term playlist plans for Halo Infinite. I'm happy to report that a Slayer playlist is officially locked and loaded for the update next week. Four new playlists: Slayer, Fiesta, FFA, and Tactical Slayer (SWAT) will all be added via a services update on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

As I noted last week, the team's original plans for a Slayer playlist included a variety of new variants that weren't going to be ready in time to deploy before the holiday break. To address player feedback for Slayer in the near term, we'll be releasing a basic Slayer offering to start and will look to bolster and expand with more variants in a future update.

Next week's update will also include adjustments to challenges including removing some particularly frustrating mode-specific ones, reducing some requirements for others, making the weekly ultimate challenge less intensive (getting there is tough enough), and adding brand new challenges specific to the new playlists. Personally I'm eager to check out a new challenge category that's based on accumulating player score (a small initial step towards 'performance based XP'). We'll have some more details to share on Halo Waypoint next week.

Lastly, on a semi-related note - please know that the team is aware of and actively investigating reports of intermittent hiccups affecting some players in BTB over the last few days. Additionally, the team is continuing to review Ranked matchmaking and player feedback around potential anomalies.

Thank you to everyone who has shared constructive feedback and filed support tickets for issues you're running into! More to come. Have a great weekend!

As noted, more details about this update will be shared on Halo Waypoint next week, so stay tuned.

What are your thoughts about this next update? Leave a comment down below.

[source reddit.com]