343:
Let's talk about Halo Infinite playlists!
We've been reading your feedback, and we're working on plans to add Fiesta, Tactical Slayer (SWAT), and Free-For-All playlists as we speak.
Halo Infinite has spilt screen PvP, but it's still missing another classic multiplayer feature that should be completed before Halo 7.
Halo Infinite’s brand-new Survive the Undead mode is a masterwork of Forge creativity, and Call of Duty Zombies fans need to play it.
Xbox Game Pass has some great single-player experiences, but nowadays, it's all about getting together with friends and family. Thankfully, there's a surprisingly extensive library of multiplayer titles on Game Pass to bring everyone together.
So what were they doing this entire last year. Fixing Craig's face.
I feel like these basic modes should have been there for launch, but at least some player's worst fears of having to wait until the end of the first season for this stuff isn't true.
Have they ever said anything about adding in new maps over the next few months?
This is pretty much the consequence of going down the F2P route.
Of course, many are asking why such basic features aren't available after 6 years of dev. I mean, Halo 3 launched with 4 player co-op, Forge, Theatre AND industry standard playlists. Not to mention, all game modes available in Custom.
Obviously, because the business model is F2P, 343i thought of ways to ensure their horrendous progression system would be complimented by the playlists. They knew that if everyone finished their "Win 3 Oddball matches" challenge, then Team Objective playlist will become a ghost town, since the majority of players would just play Team Slayer. Thus "Quick Play" playlist. A combined playlist might make sense in Ranked, but 0 sense in Social where people don't want randomised game modes, but pick the game mode of their choice then have some fun after a hard day's work.
Then we have the Lobby and UI which the former is nonexistent and the latter abysmal. In Halo 3, you could vote for which map to play on. You could chat pre-game. You could stick with the matchmade party if you thought you were a great team, and continue as the same team to the next game. None of that is available in Halo Infinite, 14 years later. This is a statement of the games industry in 2021.