During a live stream on Gary Whitta’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons Twitch talk show, Xbox boss Phil Spencer spoke at length on the delay of Halo Infinite.
With the Series X slated for launch in November, many have to wonder, aside from Game Pass and a small assortment of third-party experiences, what more will Microsoft’s next-gen platform have to offer upon launch. Spencer, however, proves there’s always sound reasoning behind a game delay and wants nothing more than to ensure fans are satisfied.
Citing from the announcement posted by 343 Studios online, Whitta merely asks what other causes aside from the ongoing pandemic have affected the launch of Halo Infinite. Spencer started the conversation by speaking directly to the fans first, expressing “the fact that this is a bummer,” and noting the franchise’s misalignment with the Series X debut. He points out the stability of the series and the prowess of the studio behind it, adding: “It just didn’t feel, to all of us, like the Halo release that we would want.”
Spencer highlights a major point of maintaining “the health and stability of the team” in reference to 343 and those under Microsoft that are building this experience. As seen with places like Rockstar and Naughty Dog, crunch may lead to great games but is more often than not ignored and leads to serious damage to the industry writ large. It’s clear Spencer is taking a serious approach to crunch culture, as well as imploring the necessity of a more considerate approach to game development, especially in this incredibly uncertain time.
The Xbox boss also mentioned how Halo Infinite was initially meant to be a series of different games on a staggered release schedule, rather than one fully-fledged title. Instead, Matt Booty from Xbox Games Studios, 343 Studios’ Bonnie Ross, and Spencer decided to keep it as is with the intention of ensuring it could be the best Halo experience yet.
Spencer concludes:
Among Microsoft’s most prized crown jewels and one of the most anticipated next-gen experiences, Infinite’s postponement not only leaves Halo fans with tears in their eyes but also begs Xbox devotees to wonder on the validity of the Series X console.
“I’ll apologize to the fans because I never like to set up expectations and then not hit them, but I also believe we’re making the right decision, in the long run, for both Xbox and Halo and our customers.”
At least, for now and into the Series X launch, there’s Game Pass to keep players preoccupied. And Animal Crossing, of course.
NEXT: With No First Party Launches, Is There A Good Reason To Buy An Xbox Series X?
