The gaming industry knows now that Halo Infinite, long considered the biggest game release coinciding with the launch of the next generation of consoles, has been delayed. Perhaps due to criticism following Halo Infinite's gameplay debut, or perhaps due to internal development issues, Xbox and 343 decided that a 2021 launch would be to the game's benefit. If it sounds like a last resort decision, that's because it was. Phil Spencer recently explained how the team evaluated a variety of different options before ultimately choosing to delay Halo Infinite.
Speaking with Gary Whitta on his Animal Talking show, Spencer shared some information regarding the process of deciding on the Halo Infinite delay. The team considered all options, in what Spencer described as a 24-hour deliberation with 343 studio leadership. For example, the team even considered releasing the game in multiple parts. As such, at least a portion of Halo Infinite would be available for the Xbox Series X launch this holiday. The team, clearly, must have decided that wasn't for the best.
The reason why releasing Halo Infinite in multiple parts was even considered should be self-evident. Halo Infinite, regardless of the criticism surrounding it, is a major game release. It would have improved sales of the Xbox Series X dramatically. Also key is the fact that Microsoft has a ton of advertising partnerships tied to Halo Infinite. Delaying the game means risking those partnerships and damaging opportunities in the future. Delaying Halo Infinite may have been the right thing to do, but it's certain to cost Microsoft a lot.
Spencer didn't elaborate on what shipping Halo Infinite in parts really means, so it's hard to evaluate whether it would have been a feasible solution. For example, delaying the campaign while shipping Halo Infinite's free-to-play multiplayer could likely have worked. The multiplayer being key to getting Xbox users embedded in the platform early on. But perhaps they were considering releasing the single-player campaign in parts, instead, which very likely would not have been received well.
It's not a good situation for any party involved and Spencer realizes that. In the interview, he says clearly that, "We're disappointed." Adding that, "we know it was something people were looking forward to this year." For Spencer, and for the team, however, releasing a "great game" is the priority. 343 has previously apologized for the delay, as well.
Launching Halo Infinite alongside the release of the Xbox Series X wouldn't have resulted in a "Halo release that we would want" according to Spencer. Apparently, releasing the game in parts wouldn't have been acceptable either. When Halo Infinite does launch in 2021, it'll be the game that 343, Xbox, and hopefully fans all want it to be.
Halo Infinite releases in 2021 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
Source: Gary Whitta