Halo Infinite To Have Esports In-Game Cosmetics Available From Launch

Halo Infinite is still being brushed over with a fine toothcomb, as it prepares for one of the more illustrious launches to date in the fall of 2021. Set to be groomed like a prime poodle, 343 Industries have been toying with the finer details of the game, and have already been stirring up a broth in the esports scene.

Ahead of the plasma-firing FPS being released, Halo Esports Coordinator "Tashi" has taken to a blog post to outline the plans for the esports ecosystem and the ways in which they are looking to promote their elite leagues.

Halo Infinite Will Not Be a Franchised league

Tashi explained within the blog that 343 have already been liaising with esports organisations to make sure Halo Infinite can hit the ground running when launched. 

Having discussed the format and ecosystem with orgs, 343 Industries will be ditching their original ideas to host a franchised league, in the same format as Overwatch and Call of Duty.

Tashi said, "For Halo, we decided it was critical that Halo Infinite esports had an open format and ecosystem, and that we were building off of the philosophy that started way back with Halo: Combat Evolved."

"We wanted to create an ecosystem that was as open as possible to allow for new teams to integrate into the scene at any time, for up-and-coming players to have the opportunity to rise to the top at any moment, and for tournament operators of all sizes to plug into the ecosystem across any region."

Halo Infinite To offer Team Bundles In-game

Halo Infinite will see an introduction of a Partnership Program, which will see teams and organisations apply to be a part of.

The HCS Team Partnership Program has already seen organisations enrol in the scheme, which will see them have their own customisation features added to the game upon release. 

Each esports team in the program will have designed their own content that can be purchased in-game through microtransaction bundles, allowing players and fans to represent their chosen team(s). 

The partnership will also see 343 Industries make their professional leagues accessible to audiences, providing free VODs and footage from every event. Each team will also have all travel expenses paid for by the developers, for as long as they are in the scheme and eligible to compete.

As to which teams have already enrolled, 343 have opted to keep a lid on this, although they "intend to make a lot of noise later this Summer."