There have been numerous high profile video game delays this year, with even Cyberpunk 2077 delayed yet again earlier today, though few were as surprising as Halo Infinite's delay, as it was Microsoft's heavy-hitter exclusive for this fall. However, the delay hasn't slowed down marketing promotions, as evidenced by a new collaboration with Butterfinger that lets players earn up to four unique emblems.
Starting on November 2, players will be able to redeem codes found on Butterfinger packaging for the emblems, which will also net them a 7 day Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership upon the first redemption. Strangely, this isn't the first game the company has partnered with this year, as Butterfinger and Final Fantasy 7 Remake had a separate partnership towards the beginning of 2020.
Butterfinger hasn't revealed the new emblems yet, though it seems likely they'll debut when the promotion starts next month. Fans have only got a few glimpses at Halo Infinite's character customization thus far, so the emblems may prove to be a meaty detail, though there are certainly many that would prefer to see new armor and weapon options from within the game. The customization system will be unlike anything that has come before it, which has certainly raised a few eyebrows.
Interestingly, the promotion is set to expire on February 15, 2021, though Halo Infinite still doesn't have a release date. Rather, it has an ambiguous window of 2021, so the promotion might end before the game comes out. The game is featured prominently on the Xbox Series X's packaging, leading many to believe the Halo Infinite delay was a surprising decision, as there have been numerous other marketing campaigns that align with the original fall release window.
Halo Infinite is one of the most important games in Microsoft's Xbox Series X lineup, so it's understandable that the company would want to get it right. It's possible that the game releases towards the beginning of next year, but still difficult to tell. In all likelihood, the brand deals were in motion well before the delay was being considered, which explains the disparity between the promotional period and the game's release date.
With any luck, Microsoft and developer 343 Industries will have more information in the coming weeks, though for now, all fans can do is try to claim the promotions that excite them. It isn't clear went they'll be able to enjoy the rewards, though it doesn't seem like they'll be waiting for too long.
Halo Infinite is currently in development for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.