Highlights

  • Halo Infinite's upcoming update will introduce shorter "Operations" in place of traditional seasons, delivering new content in a different structure.
  • The update will bring a new map, cross-core customization, Covenant-inspired items, and a Spartan IV armor core, all of which will be free.
  • Each Operation will last 4-6 weeks and offer 20 tiers of unlockable content, but players can pay to unlock the Operations permanently.

343 Industries has revealed that Halo Infinite's January 30 update will scrap traditional seasons in favor of shorter "Operations." While fans can rest assured that a wealth of new content is coming to Halo Infinite throughout 2024, the delivery of this content will be dramatically different as the developers re-imagine the structure of new battle passes and updates.

In the hour-long reveal, community director Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard shared all the new features in the upcoming update. Although Halo Infinite’s 2024 roadmap confirms that there is no expansion planned for the game's campaign, online players will be treated to a new map, cross-core customization for helmets, tons of new Covenant-inspired items for Forge mode, and a new Spartan IV armor core. Yet perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that all of this will be absolutely free as 343 scraps plans for Season 6 and restructures Infinite’s battle passes.

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Just over two years after its release, 343 is abandoning Halo Infinite’s divisive paid battle pass system. Instead of releasing January’s new content as part of the expected "Season 6," 343 has rebranded the drop as Content Update 29 – or "CU29" for short. CU29 will be the first of many smaller updates that will replace the game's traditional seasons. Each update will feature 20 tiers of unlockable content – for free – rather than the paid 100-tier battle pass structure seen in previous seasons.

These time-limited "Operations" are an evolution of the periodic events from Halo Infinite’s earlier seasons. Each Operation will last 4-6 weeks, giving players plenty of time to unlock the 20 tiers of new armor, emblems, and coatings. This move to time-limited passes may alienate some gamers, as many previously praised Infinite's permanent battle passes. 343 needs to ensure it does everything possible to keep players engaged. However, players will be able to pay around 500 credits ($5.00) to unlock these Operations permanently, letting them complete the new content at their own pace.

Each Operation will last 4-6 weeks, giving players plenty of time to unlock the 20 tiers of new armor, emblems, and coatings.

With the move from traditional seasons, some critics are concerned that 343 will begin to withdraw support from Halo Infinite. However, the shakeup of the game’s formula could well be beneficial. After early seasons were criticized for lacking content, the new format promises small but regular updates, keeping the game fresh and engaging. After the release of Firefight in Season 5 and the Halo community’s incredible creations in Forge (including entire campaign missions from past games), Infinite feels like it’s in the most complete state it’s ever been. Only time will tell whether the new formula heralds the beginning of the end or a bright new direction for Halo. Until then, players will be able to enjoy everything coming in Halo Infinite’s first Operation, "Spirit of Fire," on January 30.