Halo Infinite and the Future of the Franchise
It's no secret that Halo Infinite didn't perform as well as 343 Industries may have hoped. Despite some good qualities, the game disappointed with its weak approach to the live-service model, lackluster customization system, and removal of some classic Halo game modes. This puts the future of the beloved science-fiction franchise once again in question.
On one hand, 343 Industries could make another attempt with a mainline sequel to Halo, as the campaign of Halo Infinite wasn't entirely bad and could become a great addition to the series with some refinement. On the other hand, it might be better to give the Halo franchise a break. In the meantime, Microsoft could still release a new Halo game by taking a cue from the approach of Call of Duty.
The Call of Duty Approach: Remastering for Halo
In 2016, Activision released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered - a complete overhaul of the 2007 original, including the beloved campaign and popular multiplayer mode. Although it received criticism at the time for its expensive special edition, the remaster was highly praised by critics and fans alike. In 2020, a similar move was made with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but only for the campaign mode.
Overall, these Call of Duty remasters were successful and brought in high profits for Activision, likely with lower development costs compared to creating a completely new game. Fans also benefited as they had been clamoring for such a remaster. A similar strategy could be wise for the Halo franchise.
Winning Back Nostalgic Halo Fans
One way to win back Halo fans after Halo Infinite would be to offer them something nostalgic. The best way to achieve this would be through a revamp of the original Halo games for modern hardware. However, there have already been some remasters for the Halo series in the past: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was released for Xbox 360 in 2011, and Halo 2 received its own remastered anniversary edition in 2014 as the main selling point of the Master Chief Collection.
Other Candidates for Remastering
Although Halo and Halo 2 have already been revamped, there are still some classic Halo games that could benefit from a revamp or even a complete remake. An obvious candidate is Halo 3, the only part of the original trilogy without an anniversary remaster. Although Halo 3 still looks good today, some technical elements have aged. A complete remaster of Halo 3 would be an easy way to excite fans again for 343 Industries.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Halo
Ultimately, it is up to 343 Industries and Microsoft to find the best way forward for the Halo franchise. With a combination of successful remasters, new gameplay concepts, and better communication with the community, they could regain the trust of fans and breathe new life into the series.
It remains to be seen what decisions will be made and how the Halo universe will evolve. But one thing is certain: fans are ready for a return to the roots, and expectations are high for future projects centered around the Master Chief.
