Summary
With the live service run ofHalo Infinitehaving lasted over two years following its 2021 release, players have begun to speculate about what could follow for the prolific FPS franchise. After the transition from original developer Bungie to 343 which took place leading up toHalo 4, the series has undergone several changes that have modernized its gameplay at the same time as it divided the community about its future direction. While there are wider implications regarding howHalo Infinitewill affect the games that follow it, there’s a more complicated issue it has introduced through its name alone.
It’s not uncommon for new entries in a long-running series within any medium to have a subtitle in favor of being declared a numbered entry, but this was an especially strange move for the most recentHalo.AllHalogames featuring Master Chiefup untilHalo 5followed a sequential progression, butInfinitethrew this pattern off as what seems to have been an intentional redirection for the franchise. It may have made sense to renew its image back when it was announced in 2018, but the long-term effects ofInfinite’s title have left the next game’s mainline status and title dubious.
Halo Infinite Follows an Industry Trend Which Has Multiple Fandoms Confused
The Mass Effect Problem
Numbered names can often be indicators that a piece of media is a mainline entry among other content, but an uncertain future can make this a much more flexible situation. Themixed reception toMass Effect: Andromedahas led to that series’ community being torn on whether the next game will be consideredME5,ME4, or just end up using its own unique subtitle. With games like 2011’sMortal Kombatactually being consideredMK9in the eyes of its own developer, for example, there’s not exactly a clear etiquette to these naming conventions for fans to follow.
Halo Infinite Doesn’t Feel Like Part of a Trilogy
It could be argued that the main motivation behindInfinite’s title is its focus on open-world design and continued live service support when compared to its predecessors, and this only further delineates it. There was a somewhatcohesive narrative betweenHalo 4and5, but the controversial nature of its direction seemed to causeInfinite’s pivot into a more classic take on a Master Chief outing. It wouldn’t feel out of place ifHalo 6eventually did arrive to redeem those stories, but the next game will be the ultimate determinant ofInfinite’s label.
343 Needs to Decide Whether to Validate Infinite With Future Halo Titles
Halo Infinite’s Long-Term Viability Might Affect Halo’s Numbering
While it would make sense forHalo 6to be the name of the next entry if it manages to capture a similar feeling to previous numbered titles,the changes ofHalo Infinitealso seem intended to be a permanent shift for the series. The plan to continue supportingInfinitefor an entire decade might not be progressing as it was originally predicted, however, leading some fans to theorize that 343 is instead moving its resources towards a new game instead. Depending on whether the nextHalosticks with the current design philosophy or not, it could just as easily end up with another subtitle or be calledHalo 7.
The Call of Duty Route
Franchises with many releases can prove confusing to navigate, and the likes ofCoDhave found massive success in bridging the gap between subtitled and numbered entries. WhileHalo’s unfamiliarity with subtitles has madeInfinitea moment of ambiguity,differentCall of Dutygameshave managed to produce sequels of their own. It might seem unlikely following the simplicity that defines names likeHalo 2, but there’s even precedent for aHalo Infinite 2to set a new tone for the franchise if 343 follows it up next, no matter what its actual title, number, or subtitle turns out to be.
Halo Infinite
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
