343 Responds To Rumours Halo Infinite Has Been Cancelled On Xbox One
343 Industries is trying to straighten its "halo" as the developer responds to the latest round of rumours that claim Halo Infinite has been completely dropped from the Xbox One. Although Microsoft has its sights firmly set on the release of the Xbox Series X later this year - and hopes to rival Sony's PlayStation 5 - the company isn't going to forget its current-gen console. With Halo arguably being the Xbox's flagship franchise, it makes sense that it will arrive on both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
Despite promises you wont need to dash to the shops and pick up the next-gen console right away, Microsoft is doing a pretty good job of pushing out its older model in favour of the shiny, new, Xbox Series X. There's been a run of scandalous headlines relating to Halo Infinite, with Brad Sams writing a scathing piece for Thurrott. 343 clapped back at "claims" about the game's development process and is doing the same with the Xbox One rumours.
The original sources claimed Halo Infinite was struggling to reach performance above 900p on the oldest Xbox One S console. If this was the case, it could've led to Microsoft dropping Xbox One support and giving the title a next-gen only release. However, given the hyped release of the game as a cross-gen juggernaut, it seems both 343 and Microsoft want to save face by keeping Halo Infinite on both systems.
Now, community manager John Junyszek has taken to Twitter and said, "We're seeing lots of fake 'leaks' out there, so please don't believe everything you read". Discussing the slew of false reporting, Junyszek explained, "There are no plans to change our 2021 release or the devices and platforms we'll be supporting. We're building Halo Infinite to be the best it can be on each device/platform".
Click to enlargeHalo Infinite was originally announced as an Xbox One game that would then be enhanced for the Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, the game's delays have pushed it from its original release and will see it launch largely as an Xbox Series X game. Heading back to January 2020, Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty promised its first-party games wouldn't be Series X exclusives for at least a year - hoping to keep the whole Xbox family together.
Things with Halo Infinite have been up in the air since that divisive Xbox Games Showcase and criticisms over the way the game looked. 343 has repeatedly said the Showcase version is far from the finished product, and has also said its developers are hard at work refining the long-awaited sequel to Halo 5: Guardians. If Xbox One owners were worried they'll be forced to part with their cash and buy an Xbox Series X to play Halo Infinite, it looks like you can put those fears to rest.
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Images via 343 Industries | Unsplash Artion Vallat
