Games

Picture it… The year is 2004, Mountain Dew and Doritos are the snacks de rigueur, and the sequel to 2001’s hit game Halo: Combat Evolved is in your Xbox, ready to go.



Twenty years ago, the gaming world was introduced to Halo 2, and things were never the same. The multiplayer experience forged friendships, propelled online gaming to the mainstream, elevated MLG to another level, and was truly a catalyst of the early gaming and online eras.



With Operation: Great Journey coming on November 5, we wanted to celebrate this iconic milestone by bringing the Halo 2 festivities to Halo Infinite. Here are the playlists that will be available next week…



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size">DELTA ARENA</h2>



Delta Arena is a playlist intended to embody the spirit of the gameplay you experienced in 2004. Think of it as a modern take on the legacy settings you remember from days of yore.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock.jpg" alt="Two sticks and a rock near a serene brook." class="wp-image-122719" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2sticks_1rock-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



The Delta Arena modes will feature:



<ul>
<li>No sprint</li>



<li>No clamber</li>



<li>Increased jump height</li>



<li>Friendly player collision</li>
</ul>



You’ll be playing a mix of Slayer, Oddball, Capture the Flag, and King of the Hill on some maps that will look very familiar:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Ascension (Ascension)</h2>



Credits: bullet2thehead9, DISTORTED JAKAL, MikRips <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/dde40c05-2441-4e17-a4ed-3888a4a79c1e">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Ascension created in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122763" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_030-67227a8ecfb5c-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Boulevard (Turf)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr Greencastle, ArtNoob, MikRips <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/05a4f045-0b4b-4565-a246-38fb6be62a30">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Turf in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-122621" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_027-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Canopy (Lockout)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr Greencastle, MikRips, ArtNoob <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/4136d751-8a9c-4036-b1c0-524d6b5c10c9">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Lockout in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122635" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_017-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Conjurer (Warlock)</h2>



Credits: MikRips, bullet2thehead9, DISTORTED JAKAL <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/c61aa8f0-d6d3-4ee7-b6ed-704d922fafa7">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Warlock in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122649" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_022-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Inquisitor (Midship)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr GreenCastle, MikRips, ArtNoob, WookieCookies <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/32487285-d829-4a07-947e-996c259a76a8">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Midship in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122663" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_002-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Serenity (Sanctuary)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr Greencastle, MikRips <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/474233e4-b780-4fb2-8d03-0a6bae65afa3">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Sanctuary in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122677" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_013-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Beaver Canyon (Beaver Creek)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr Greencastle, Azwilko1997, MikRips <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/c7a3eb2a-663f-4258-8bb6-074593720eed">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Beaver Creek in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122691" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_006-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



It’s time to party like it’s 2024!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size">THIRD-PERSON FIREFIGHT</h2>



Halo has been a first-person shooter since its release in 2001 (except of course for some gameplay elements such as driving, operating turrets, etc), but it previously explored third-person action during the MacWorld days. As a result, players have often dreamed what Halo would look like from a different vantage point. At long last, that dream is a reality with the introduction of Third-Person Firefight!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008.jpg" alt="A Spartan playing a game of Firefight: King of the Hill in Third-Person perspective" class="wp-image-122734" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_008-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



You will soon be able to see the Halo Infinite Firefight experience you know through a whole new lens. Battle for the hill on your favorite Firefight: King of the Hill map and mode combo while being able to admire how enemies look from afar (or around corners), while also allowing you to appreciate how stylish you are. It’ll be the first in Halo matchmaking history.



At launch, you’ll be playing Firefight: King of the Hill on Normal difficulty with Heroic and Legendary following later. Here’s what is coming at launch:



<ul>
<li>Fiestafight: King of the Hill</li>



<li>Firefight: King of the Hill</li>



<li>Gruntpocalypse: King of the Hill</li>



<li>Gruntpocalypse Fiesta: King of the Hill</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006.jpg" alt="A Spartan playing a game of Firefight: King of the Hill in Third-Person perspective" class="wp-image-122749" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/pk_006-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



And the maps you’ll be playing on:



<ul>
<li>Ardent Prayer</li>



<li>Behemoth</li>



<li>Breaker</li>



<li>Cliffhanger</li>



<li>Courtyard</li>



<li>Deadlock</li>



<li>Exiled</li>



<li>Fragmentation</li>



<li>Gyrefight</li>



<li>Highpower</li>



<li>House of Reckoning</li>



<li>Kusini Bay</li>



<li>Launch Site</li>



<li>Lone Wolf</li>



<li>Oasis</li>



<li>Powerhouse</li>



<li>Refuge</li>



<li>Rendezvous</li>



<li>Scarr</li>



<li>Vallaheim</li>
</ul>



You’ll also be able to explore and play with the third-Person camera in custom games and we can’t wait to see what you create with these options!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size">RANKED UPDATE</h2>



There’s also some updates coming to the Ranked experience with Operation: Great Journey in the form of two new map additions. 



Fortress is a brand-new symmetrical map design that plays CTF and all variants of Slayer (Tactical and Snipers included). Players can expect fast-paced action with exciting moments provided by dual sniper battles, Overshield, and more. It’s a beautiful map with a unique aesthetic that will have players taking a moment to enjoy the view.



Inquisitor is a remake of one of Halo’s most iconic maps—Halo 2‘s Midship. You’ll be transported back in time once you load into what is an amazing recreation. This map is tried and true. Inquisitor also plays at a fast pace in CTF and Slayer (Tactical and Snipers included). Be ready as soon as you spawn—the action is coming in hot!



Along with the Great Journey comes a rank reset, effectively giving you a Great Journey on your back up the ranked ladder. Good luck.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Inquisitor (Midship)</h2>



Credits: UneeQ, Mr GreenCastle, MikRips, ArtNoob, WookieCookies <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/32487285-d829-4a07-947e-996c259a76a8">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003.jpg" alt="A remake of Halo 2's Midship created in Halo Infinite Forge" class="wp-image-122579" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/h2_map_003-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Fortress</h2>



Credits: MikRips, Ethan Hibbs <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/22115c4e-8e63-4181-b879-1cfaa94eaa03">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004.jpg" alt="Fortress, a Halo Infinite Forge map" class="wp-image-122593" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/fortress_004-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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All of these experiences will be available with the launch of Operation: Great Journey on November 5. Warm up your thumbs and prepare to play!

snickerdoodle

Playlist Overview | Great Journey

Community

Community Update

Happy Haloween to all you spooky Spartans and Sangheili out there!



What a month it’s been! The next chapter of Halo was revealed to the world, the 2024 Halo World Championship reached its climactic conclusion—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Join us for a round-up of all the latest goings-on in the world of Halo, including news on the upcoming 2024 Winter Update for Halo Infinite.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A NEW DAWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/a-new-dawn"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video.jpg" alt="Click here to view A New Dawn video" class="wp-image-120322" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Those of you who joined us at the 2024 Halo World Championship earlier this month for the climactic Grand Finals received a first look at the future direction of Halo as the franchise and studio turns the page to begin a new chapter.



That chapter began with the announcement that we are now Halo Studios and the “recipe” for how we make Halo games is changing. We have multiple projects in development which are being built in Unreal Engine 5, and we showed a behind the scenes look at Project Foundry—a multi-discipline research project and development process training tool which brought to life some of Halo’s iconic environments, characters, and weapons.



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/a-new-dawn">HALO | A NEW DAWN</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO INFINITE</h2>



WINTER UPDATE 2024



As we approach the end of the month, we are looking ahead to our upcoming Operations, starting with Operation: Great Journey in November—a celebration of all things Halo 2 as the beloved game hits its twentieth birthday.



This will mark the beginning of what we’re calling Halo Infinite’s Winter Update for 2024, which includes three Operations over the following months.



The Winter Update will bring some really exciting additions to Halo Infinite, which is where players can expect to see notable Forge updates, quality of life improvements, and things like third-person Firefight—a new way to play Halo (which can also be configured for experiences created in Forge). After the three Operations of the Winter Update are complete, what follows in early 2025 will be the “Spring Update,” and so on.



We will have more to share with you about what’s coming in the Winter Update very soon, so stay tuned!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/haloween-operation-launch"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween.jpg" alt="Haloween key art depicting a Spartan clad in Spartanstein armor in a dark forest surrounded by raised energy swords" class="wp-image-119942" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Haloween-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/haloween-operation-launch">OPERATION: HALOWEEN</a>



Of course, before we get ahead of ourselves, there’s still time to complete the current Operation active in Halo Infinite right now: Haloween.



The free 20-tier Operation Pass features the Spartanstein* armor set and addition Spartan Points rewards, and you can upgrade to the Premium Pass to obtain the Pestilent Winds armor effect.



(*Spartanstein’s Monster)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/community-corner-the-forge-falcons"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art of a Spartan and Monitor" class="wp-image-119726" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/community-corner-the-forge-falcons">COMMUNITY CORNER: THE FORGE FALCONS</a>



Alongside Operation: Haloween, the Survive The Undead playlist launched which was made by the amazing folks known as The Forge Falcons.



We sat down for a chat with EliteFalcon, MaxBloodBath, Prim27, and Outlet to learn all about the work that goes into creating the incredible and unique Forge experiences that The Forge Falcons are known for. <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/community-corner-the-forge-falcons">Give it a read here!</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-alpha-zombies-refresh"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD.jpg" alt="Spartans fighting off Infected Spartans in the Infection playlist" class="wp-image-121545" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/AlphaZombies_MOTD-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-alpha-zombies-refresh">ALPHA ZOMBIES</a>



The fan-favorite Infection mode, Alpha Zombies, has returned!



This mode is all about survival instincts. Featuring simplified loadouts (Spartans with Pistols and Shotguns, Infected with swords, and no weapons on the map), this should feel more reminiscent of legacy Infection experiences. <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-alpha-zombies-refresh">Get the full details in our Alpha Zombies refresh blog.</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO ESPORTS</h2>



HALOWC 2024



Spacestation emerged as the victors of the 2024 Halo World Championship, beating out OpTic Gaming in a thrilling seven-game series. We hope you had a great time watching this epic finale for Year 3 of HCS—whether you joined us at the Seattle Convention Center or tuned into the livestreams from October 4-6.



You can relive the biggest Halo event of the year with some official and community-based photo galleries linked below:



<ul>
<li><a href="http://aka.ms/HaloWC24Photos">Official HaloWC 2024 Photo Gallery</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/198323268@N04/albums/72177720320973890/">Meg’s HaloWC 2024 Community Album</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/199330279@N05/albums/72177720321007092/">Hawkner’s HaloWC 2024 Community Album</a></li>



<li><a href="https://david-stevens.smugmug.com/Halo-World-Championships-2024">David’s HaloWC 2024 Community Album</a></li>
</ul>



Of course, you can also catch the epic highlights from each day as well.



<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/FsPe3MqBFGg?si=uOFq_yfh941M-V4r">Day 1 Highlights</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVt5kVFZDGg&ab_channel=HaloEsports">Day 2 Highlights</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPZUC3-MWB4">Day 3 Highlights</a></li>
</ul>



And in case you missed any of the awesome Community Stage panels, be sure to head over to the VODs for each!



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/jLgH0jgAhB4?si=c52utilja_TBsy-8">Community Stage, Day 1</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/Xo57pHb2y74?si=GVSxMU2fTT9LywNZ">Community Stage, Day 2</a></li>
</ul>



Get to know the pros more with the two most recent episodes of UNLOCKED, a series which takes you behind the scenes with the stars of the Halo Championship Series. And, voted by his fellow Halo pro peers, Legend emerged as the MVP of the year!



<ul>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/_jW-WopsmMM?si=syZ5yuTM34ActQL-">UNLOCKED, Episode 6 – MentaL of Shopify Rebellion</a></li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/jGZS0goQ12A?si=cvwtwEIIjaohYKo2">UNLOCKED, Episode 7 – Lucid of OpTic Gaming</a></li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/yGFG23F8dK8?si=9BNTCENCwJ9Mr9aJ">Legend – Your 2024 HCS Season MVP</a></li>
</ul>



Thank you for joining us for another pulse-pounding bout of competitive Halo action. We put together a little video to honor your participation. It’s your energy, passion, and love for Halo that made this event incredible—whether you were competing, cheering from the stands, or joining us online, none of this would be possible without you!



<a href="https://youtu.be/IM7M8Cj-aGU?si=NtgRdbo3bFf5bWLU">Thank you! | Halo World Championship 2024</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs10years"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID.png" alt="HCS 10 Year Anniversary" class="wp-image-122408" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/HCS10-VISID-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



TEN YEARS OF HCS



November 5 marks the tenth anniversary of the Halo Championship Series, so take a trip down memory lane with us as we celebrate some of the most iconic Halo esports moments from the last decade.



Keep it locked to <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/hcs10years">our HCS 10 Year Anniversary blog</a> for further updates as we update it each week with brand new content.



HCS YEAR 4



As announced at HaloWC 2024, Year 4 of the Halo Championship Series will be kicking off in 2025! Stay tuned for more information and a 2025 roadmap in the new year.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RADAR BLIPS</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="http://aka.ms/SpotlightOctober2024">COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT – OCTOBER 2024:</a> Check out the latest round-up of community creativity.</li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-blightlands-and-brigands">CANON FODDER #158:</a> Dive into our latest announcements from Canon Fodder LIVE, the lore behind janissary super-soldiers, and we recommend some spooky Halo stories for the season.</li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/rIZm3xkTcp4?si=RAQ0OZfAn4D-D9f6">VENEZIAN SONATA:</a> September 2559. Captain Veronica Dare is deployed to Venezia on a reconnaissance mission to investigate the emergence of a potential new threat.</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo: Venezian Sonata | Audiobook" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rIZm3xkTcp4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE ARTIST’S CORNER</h2>



October’s art piece, in celebration of the Haloween festivities, is an illustration by Guy Warley for <a href="https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3008-349/Halo-Encyclopedia-HC">the 2022 edition of the Halo Encyclopedia</a>.



This depicts the Gravemind, the central intelligence of the Flood, and its foul legions emerging from a structure to spread and grow, sharing its timeless chorus of everlasting victory with all forms of life. Won’t you join their song?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/3008-349/Halo-Encyclopedia-HC"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1356" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood.jpg" alt="Halo Encyclopedia 2022 edition art by Guy Warley depicting the Gravemind and a horde of Flood emerging from a structure" class="wp-image-122447" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood-300x212.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood-1024x723.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood-768x542.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood-1536x1085.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/2022ENC_GuyWarley_Flood-1568x1107.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



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That’s a wrap for October. Thank you again for joining us at the 2024 Halo World Championship, we hope you had a great time with your fireteams of family and friends. Be sure to catch up on all the action if you missed it—it’ll be sure to inspire as you mop up that Operation Pass for Haloween ahead of Halo Infinite’s upcoming Winter Update.



We’ll be back with you very soon with more to share on that. Until then, happy Haloween!

Alex Wakeford

Haloween Horrors

Community Spotlight

Spotlight: October 24, 2024

Infection: Alpha Zombies & Refresh

HaloWC 2024 FFA Results

Esports

Official HCS

Spacestation are your 2024 Halo World Champions!

Canon Fodder

Fiction

Issue 158

Canon Fodder: Blightlands and Brigands

Get an intimate look into the world of competitive Halo Infinite with UNLOCKED – a collaboration between <a href="https://www.loosefilms.com/">Loose Films</a> and Halo Esports.



This docu-series takes you behind the gamertags of Halo veterans and rising stars alike.



Dive in and learn about what it takes to be a professional Halo player!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-1024x576.png" alt="HCS UNLOCKED premiering live at the Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-121282" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/UNLOCKED-Featured.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.7 – Lucid</h1>



The star of the show.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/lucid_tw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tommy “Lucid” Wilson</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: October 2024</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep. 7 "Lucid" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jGZS0goQ12A?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.6 – MentaL</h1>



Mental by name. Mental by nature.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/mental" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Billy “MentaL” Putnam</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: October 2024</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep. 6 "MentaL" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jW-WopsmMM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.5 – Lqgend</h1>



The legend of a French superstar.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/lqgend_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaci “Lqgend” Sabri</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: France</li>



<li>Release: September 2024</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep. 5 "Lqgend" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TtbeNPouDH8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.4 – Renegade</h1>



This installment dives into the story of one of Halo’s deadliest players – Meet the demon.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/renegade_jw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jonathan “Renegade” Willette</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: October 2023</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep. 4 "Renegade" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bCwIfx4gfig?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.3 – FormaL</h1>



The Multi-FPS God needs no introduction.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/formal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matt “FormaL” Piper</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: October 2023</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep. 3 "FormaL" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7uSNGM5xdgA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.2 – Kuhlect</h1>



A new challenger approaches, and he’s here to Kuhlect.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/formal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kahari “Kuhlect” Miller</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: September 2023</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep.2 "Kuhlect" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c9qV7QZYpaA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Ep.1 – Bound</h1>



Our first episode delves into the 2022 Rookie of the Year’s relentless determination to succeed. Adam Gray is Bound for greatness.



<ul>
<li>Featuring: <a href="http://twitter.com/formal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam “Bound” Gray</a></li>



<li>Player Origin: USA</li>



<li>Release: August 2023</li>
</ul>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNLOCKED: Ep.1 "Bound" | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_CIcjGCaeaA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>

UNLOCKED: HCS Docu-Series (New Episodes!)

Welcome back to the Community Corner!



Earlier this week, we launched Operation: Haloween which features Survive the Undead—a new playlist experience made by The Forge Falcons. Naturally, it only seemed right that we sit down with the fine folks of that team: EliteFalcon, MaxBloodBath, Prim27, and Outlet.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/>



Welcome (back!) and thank you for joining us today! Please introduce yourselves and tell us all about who The Forge Falcons are and where we can find you.



Thank you for having us (again!), for those who don’t know, we are a team of Forgers who love Halo and its community. Since our inception, the goal with ‘The Forge Falcons’ was to make it function somewhat like a typical game studio—or what some might simply call, a Forge studio.



Across multiple teams (Forgers, Scripters, and Graphic Designers) we all work together to create the absolute best Forge experiences we possibly can. Each team has a lead to ensure we are always releasing quality content and renders. The best places to find us are <a href="https://discord.com/invite/FhqSHJesy4">Discord</a> and <a href="https://x.com/TheForgeFalcons">Twitter</a>.



How did your great journey with Halo start?



Individually, it has varied from the release of Halo: CE up to Halo: Reach. But our love for the franchise has grown ever since.



Our journey as a team started on November 1, 2022. How did this come to be? Well, we all really love making things and we of course love Halo and there was a clear opportunity for us to create a Forge based studio, and build a community around that and the content we make. But more importantly, we wanted to provide great experiences for the players and contribute to the franchise we love.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art depicting four Spartans" class="wp-image-119768" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons3-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Let’s talk Forge. Tell us about your experience with Forge over the years. Did you begin with Halo 3 when the tool was more of a level editor, or did you jump into the mode in more recent years?



As a team, we obviously started with Halo Infinite‘s Forge, but individually, the majority of us started with Halo 3, while some of us started with Halo: Reach.



Forge has come a long way since the early days, especially in regards to what is actually possible with the experiences you can make—mainly because of the Node Graph in Halo Infinite and the ability to add Campaign AI. So, for players that might only be starting out with Halo Infinite, you genuinely have an almost infinite playground.



Do you remember what your first ever Forge creation was? Personally, I can vividly recall messing around on Last Resort in Halo 3 and finding out that throwing deployable cover into a gravity lift would make the large crate fly into the air while I was inside it.



The first experience we made as a team was Survive the Undead, which of course is why we’re here today! But going all the way back to the days of Reach, many of us remember messing around with fusion coils—making it rain with fusion coils, making a battleship-type map with cannons that people can use… Back then, that was considered impressive. It was fourteen years ago to be fair, but we will always remember stuff like that.



How has it felt to have the Halo community playing your maps and experiences in matchmaking?



Having the community play our experiences we have spent thousands of hours on feels good, that’s why you make things, right? For people to play them, and getting your maps into matchmaking is the best way to do that in Halo Infinite.



As it’s an entirely new experience we’re making, we never expected it to go into matchmaking. But for it to actually go in, get its own playlist, and do extremely well with the community… it’s an extremely good feeling.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art depicting a Sangheili Ultra with the Banished symbol" class="wp-image-119782" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons4-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



What’s the origin story for the Forge Falcons? How did this group come together and develop to not just encompass people passionate about Forge, but graphic designers as well?



When I originally created The Forge Falcons, I wanted to create exceptional experiences that required a well-coordinated, skilled, and passionate team.



If you look at anything we have made since our inception, it can’t be made by any one person, at least in a reasonable amount of time. And I guess I wasn’t aware of just how many people had that same mindset, about wanting to create amazing things with a team that follows a studio-like structure.



Unsurprisingly, we found folks with graphic design skills  that are just as passionate and skilled as the Fforgers, so now we have an incredible team that all work well with each other and understand the vision of the studio.



Where do you begin when looking to design a map—whether that’s a functional multiplayer arena or more of a specific experience?



We have had many meetings and discussions about what experiences we should make, so the process really starts at the concept phase. What do players want, what would do well with players, and most importantly what are we most passionate about?



From there, the team leads take that concept, talk with their teams, and get a plan together for what direction they want to take it. Then the blockout gets made before anything to make sure we’re happy with it and that it is budget friendly. After that, we get the scripts done, tested, and then it’s onto art. Sometimes in odd cases, like with Helljumpers, there will be crossover with blockout, scripts and art all at once if it’s best for the direction we’re taking it and the deadlines we’re aiming to hit.



Do you have a favorite map or experience that you’ve created as a team?



This has to go to Survive the Undead. This experience has come a really long way since it was originally released, from its origin leveraging bots to now with fully realized campaign AI and bosses. We’ve always had fun working on Survive the Undead and that probably shows in the amount of maps we have created for it. If players love it in matchmaking and it has its own playlist like it currently does, then we will be more than willing to make new maps and even mode variants down the line to really beef the playlist up.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1350" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons5.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art depicting four Spartans surrounded by Jega 'Rdomnai, two Sangheili, and Escharum looming over them in the background" class="wp-image-119796" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons5.jpg 1080w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons5-240x300.jpg 240w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons5-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons5-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></figure>



On the graphic design front, where do you begin when putting together the amazing imagery for these maps and experiences?



From the beginning, it was always about supporting the talent that the Forgers pour into their creations. At the same time, since we are based in Halo Infinite, we want to adhere to designs that 343 established so everything feels cohesive.



To do that consistently, I draw up a creative brief that gives direction for our other artists and allows for some consistency, regardless of who is making what. Aside from that, artists have creative freedom to do what they think best amplifies the work done by the Forgers. Most often, that involves finding noteworthy spots in their maps that we would want to showcase front and center.



Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made for a Forge Falcons experience? Why that particular piece?



It’s really tough to pick just one. The thumbnails for Survive the Undead were some of the first things I made for The Forge Falcons before we onboarded other artists, so those were fun in the sense that we didn’t have an overall tone set in place, and we were exploring what that would eventually be. But my favorite might just be the content for Helljumpers that was recently shown off at the 2024 Halo World Championship event!



What advice would you give to folks who are interested in trying out Forge but might feel unsure of where to start? What are some of the fundamental things you think those people should know?



For anyone wanting to learn Forge, always start out small and don’t commit to something you know you can’t do yet. Build up slowly, build confidence in your work and your workflow, and take it from there.



One thing every Forger should keep in mind is performance. Forge can get very unoptimized at times and it’s down to the Forger to manage that; cut back in places that aren’t as noticeable and really make sure players have a good experience before anything else.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art depicting a Spartan and Sangheili with a red energy sword" class="wp-image-119754" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



If you could issue a challenge to the community, what’s something you’d like to see people make in Forge?



If we could challenge the community to make something, it would be more experiences like Warzone, Invasion, Rush (Battlefield), and any crazy stuff like that. We do know that Okom and co are working on a Warzone experience and the HaloFunTime folks are cooking up Forge World. So that’s always awesome to see.



Who are some of the Forgers out there that have inspired you?



Forgers that inspired us would be people like: Nightavenger01, InfiniteForges, Paimon and RedNomster. Incredible artists and creatives, if anyone reading this hasn’t checked them out, please do.



Forge has come a long way—both over the years as a whole and also as it has continued to be supported in Halo Infinite. As Forgers, are there any further wishlist items you have for what you’d like to see implemented into this mode in the future?



Forge has certainly come a long way, but there are for sure some features we’d love to see added that would take the tool to the next level. Most notably is a Saving Device or something of the sort (allow the players to save their progress across multiple games via the cloud), and of course, a real landscape tool that allows us to make fully custom terrain.



Those two features would effectively take Forge from an advanced player tool to a full-on dev tool at that point.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1906" height="1068" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons image for the Halo World Championship 2024 Forge panel showing a Spartan and Monitor" class="wp-image-119740" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1.jpg 1906w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1-300x168.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1-768x430.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1-1536x861.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons1-1568x879.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1906px) 100vw, 1906px" /></figure>



Do you have any hints about cool maps and experiences you might be looking to build in the future?



Aside from maps we’d be willing to make for Survive the Undead in matchmaking, the biggest one we’re working on—and one people would have got a good look at during our Forge Panel at HaloWC earlier this month—is none other than Helljumpers. It is by far our biggest and most ambitious experience and we cannot wait for people to finally play it on October 25.



Outside of Forge, do you have any other areas of the franchise that you really gravitate towards—whether that’s the campaign and fiction, multiplayer, and so on?



We all love Halo, from the games to the books, and beyond. Campaign is of course a favorite, for the majority of us it’s a big draw to Halo. Whenever any of us pick up a new Halo game at launch, the first thing we are doing is playing through the campaign before anything else.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6.jpg" alt="Forge Falcons art for the Helljumper experience depicting ODSTs and Banished" class="wp-image-119811" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6.jpg 1080w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/09/ForgeFalcons6-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></figure>



Thank you very much for joining us for this issue of the Community Corner! Do you have any parting words to share?



Thank you for having us (again!), we really enjoyed answering all of these questions and giving people even more insight into what we do and who we are.



We want to thank the Halo community for supporting us through all of our projects, it means the world to us, truly. And we want to thank 343 for their close collaboration with our team to put on an awesome panel and to get Survive the Undead into a really solid state.



Working with 343 has been a pleasure and we hope we can do it again in the future to bring more of our experiences to matchmaking!



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Don’t forget you can <a href="https://discord.com/invite/FhqSHJesy4">join the Discord group for The Forge Falcons</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/TheForgeFalcons">follow them on Twitter</a>!

Community Corner: The Forge Falcons

Haloween Operation Launch

Prior to the climactic conclusion of the 2024 Halo World Championship, we offered a glimpse of the future of Halo as the franchise and studio turns the page to begin a new chapter.



We are Halo Studios, and a new dawn is breaking as the future of Halo is being built with Unreal Engine 5. Join members of the Halo Studios team to learn more in this behind-the-scenes video:



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDgR1FRJnF8">HALO | A NEW DAWN</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDgR1FRJnF8"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video.jpg" alt="Click here to view A New Dawn video" class="wp-image-120322" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Video-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



“If you really break Halo down, there have been two very distinct chapters. Chapter 1 – Bungie. Chapter 2 – 343 Industries. Now, I think we have an audience which is hungry for more. So we’re not just going to try improve the efficiency of development, but change the recipe of how we make Halo games. So, we start a new chapter today.” ~ Pierre Hintze, Studio Head



To hear more from Pierre Hintze, Elizabeth Van Wyck, and Chris Matthews, visit Xbox Wire: <a href="https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/10/06/halo-studios-unreal-engine-interview/">Halo Studios: New Name, New Engine, New Games, New Philosophy</a>



A key step in our path for the future is Project Foundry. Neither a game nor a tech demo, Foundry represents our multi-discipline research and reflection on what is required to build Halo in Unreal, while also serving as a training tool for our development process going forwards.



This is the foundation for how we are changing the recipe for how we make Halo games.



In the video linked above, you will see old and new elements of Halo brought to life, exploring just how far we can push these environments. The classic Pacific Northwest landscape that has served as a familiar hallmark and stunning backdrop to many adventures over the years.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloFoundry4K"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of a Pacific Northwest-themed environment surrounding a Forerunner beam emitter" class="wp-image-120308" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_PNW-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



The deep freeze of the Coldlands, where a Forerunner beam emitter stands amidst snow-covered plateaus and the environment is reflected in great fields of ice.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloFoundry4K"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of a Forerunner beam emitter in an environment of snow and ice with the band of the Halo ring silhouetted against a gas giant and moon" class="wp-image-120266" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Coldlands-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



And the Blightlands, where we bear witness to a place that has been consumed by the Flood—the virulent parasite that is the reason why the Halo Array was built.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloFoundry4K"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of a Forerunner beam emitter and environment that has been completely consumed by the Flood" class="wp-image-120224" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Blightlands-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



And at the center of the action, we see the Master Chief clad in his iconic MJOLNIR Mark V armor facing off against an Energy Sword-wielding Elite, ready to finish the fight.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloFoundry4K"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of the Master Chief holding an M6D Magnum facing off against a Sangheili wielding an Energy Sword" class="wp-image-120252" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefVsElite-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



This gives us a glimpse at the sheer level of fidelity we are able to realize when bringing both new and legacy assets to life, such as the M6D Magnum.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://aka.ms/HaloFoundry4K"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of a close-up on the M6D Magnum" class="wp-image-120280" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_Magnum-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



This is just the first step in our transformation as a studio as we have worked to change our structure, our processes in how we build our games, the technology powering those games, and our culture of how we work together.



We are working on multiple projects and looking to grow our team as we build the next generation of Halo with Unreal Engine and deliver stories of hope and heroism, alien worlds of wonder and mystery, and unforgettable experiences with your fireteam of friends and family.



Stay up to date by following us on LinkedIn, and visit Microsoft Careers to learn more about how you can help us forge the future of Halo and apply to open roles.



<a href="http://aka.ms/halojobs">JOIN HALO STUDIOS</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/halo-foundryue5-bb6690d90c204266b76244eff4f9890a.zip"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword.jpg" alt="Project Foundry image of the Master Chief wielding an Energy Sword" class="wp-image-120238" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/Foundry_ChiefSword-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>

343 INDUSTRIES

A New Dawn