It may be arriving later than expected, but Xbox and 343 Industries is finally getting ready to deliverHalo Infiniteholiday 2020. After a multiplayer gameplay reveal during the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase on Sunday, 343’s back on Monday with a 13-minute multiplayer overview feature. The video doesn’t just coverHalo Infinitemultiplayer gameplay footage, however. It also broaches the free-to-play game’s live service model, including monetization and support for cross-progression.
To start, 343 has immediately clarified thatHalo Infinitewill not offer loot box-style rewards. That means “loot” won’t be delivered via randomized systems, period. 343 describes this as a “Player First Mentality,” which in practice means ensuringHalo Infiniteplayers know exactly how to earn thecustomizations and cosmeticsthey want. That means cosmetics are also “single source,” meaning cosmetics will only be found in one place and won’t be granted or sold in a different way. GivenHalo Infinitehas a lot of different cosmetics, that means a variety of different ways for players to earn them.
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Battle passes will be one ofHalo Infinite’s biggest systems for delivering monetized content. That means seasons of content each with its ownpremium battle pass. Each season will have its own theme with new components, looks, and gameplay. But 343 is stepping forward on battle passes as part of the Player First Mentality, as well. Traditionally, battle passes capitalize on FOMO (feeling of missing out) by being available to progress through for a limited time.Halo Infiniteunlocks battle passes from time restrictions. Each seasonal battle pass will be available permanently once released, and those who purchase them can progress through them indefinitely. That means players can swap between their purchased battle passes and progress toward the content they want, when they want.
The other confirmed Player First Mentality feature that 343 was able to confirm iscross-progression forHalo Infinite. That means that a player’s progression inHalo Infiniteisn’t locked to their platform. It’ll carry over between PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and cloud, depending on what platform the player chooses.
For the time being, battle passes are the onlymonetization system343 is ready to talk about forHalo Infinite. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other monetized systems in place. There is a hint at a direct store where players can purchase cosmetics that rotate in or out. It’ll be interesting to see if they have any other innovative monetization plans.
One thing that 343 reiterates aboutHalo Infinite’s monetization is that only cosmetics will be purchasable. Nothing related to multiplayer gameplay will cost real money. That goes for the game itself, too, asHalo Infiniteis free-to-play on PC and console. All that’s left to do is wait forHalo Infiniteto launch so players can see for themselves how 343 has delivered on its promises.
Halo Infinitereleases holiday 2021 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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