Xbox head Phil Spencer discussed the consequences of Halo Infinite being delayed to 2021 in on Gary Whitta’s Animal Crossing Talk Show yesterday (via Stevivor). First of all, the exec acknowledged that the delay is “a bummer,” especially since Microsoft announced some time ago that the game would be a launch title for the Xbox Series.
If delaying Halo: Infinite was a difficult decision to make, Spencer also revealed in the interview that splitting up Halo: Infinite into different parts was discussed during internal discussions with developer 343 Industries. Maybe the campaign and multiplayer modes could have shipped at a different date, but Spencer said that “It just didn’t feel, to all of us, like the Halo release that we would want.”
Ultimately, Spencer believes that Halo Infinite being delayed shouldn’t affect too much the launch of the Xbox Series X. In the same interview with Gary Whitta (via Video Games Chronicle), Spencer said that “What you’ll see from us around the launch of the console, frankly, isn’t going to change too much because you were going to hear a lot about the console and a lot about Game Pass and how we think those two things together are a real great value proposition for gamers going into the next generation.”
As you may recall, all the games Microsoft showed at its Xbox Games Showcase last month are coming to Xbox Game Pass, and the list includes S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, The Medium, or Dragon Quest XI. However, Spencer teased some exciting announcements for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. “Our investment in Game Pass and that portfolio continues to be strong. We’ve got some more… really great, strong, announcements to come about things… coming to Game Pass,” the exec said.
It remains to be seen if Spencer was referring to blockbuster games or AA games that should cost less money to bring to Game Pass. With the Xbox Series X now having no exclusive games at launch, Microsoft will likely rely more on Xbox Game Pass to do the heavy lifting during the holiday season.
