Community

Community Spotlight

Alex Wakeford

Issue 003

Community Corner: WexyLex

Games

We’ve got two changes coming to Halo Infinite’s playlist line up next Tuesday, September 20: The Yappening BTB shenanigans will continue, and we’ll be rotating out the dedicated Land Grab playlist.



Before we jump into those specifics, we wanted to share some insights around how the current playlists are performing, as well as the team’s philosophy and priorities for ongoing playlist management, as these are questions we hear often.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Playlist Fundamentals</h2>



Ever since Halo 2, matchmaking playlists have been at the heart of Halo’s online multiplayer and that remains true today in both MCC and Halo Infinite. Likewise, for as long as there have been Halo playlists, there have been rotational plans that see various modes coming and going at regular intervals. With Infinite, we haven’t seen a lot of rotations thus far, but as the team continues to amass a backlog of tried-and-true modes—along with brand new offerings—this will occur more regularly.



When it comes to playlist management, the team’s priorities are offering variety and breadth of experiences, focusing on the things that are most popular to players (while improving and evolving those that are less popular), and maintaining the best player experience possible.



In general, when new playlists are added, there’s a likelihood that overall match quality declines as the player population is spread across more options (unless, of course, a suitable influx of incremental new players is seen). As a result, some playlists become “unhealthy,” meaning they will experience longer than desired wait times, degraded online performance due to smaller populations around specific data centers, and/or larger than desired variances in player skill levels. Each of these factors can contribute negatively to the overall experience, with the worst case being some players have such a bad time that they move on entirely.



Most recently, Last Spartan Standing was removed as a dedicated playlist due to it no longer sustaining a suitable level of engagement to hit the match quality and player experience bars the team has set. For context, LSS accounted for less than 1% of all player activity (despite it also being some players’ personal favorite mode).



The team has to weigh all of these considerations any time a new playlist is added and/or the population changes. Meanwhile, rotational playlists will continue to play a part in matchmaking and should become more commonplace as the game continues to evolve.



Overall, playlist management is a dynamic process and our plans will continue to evolve based on data and player feedback.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAYLIST RANKINGS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080.jpg" alt="A multiplayer Spartan rocking the citron white coating which is part of the Yappening Event Pass." class="wp-image-45501" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_06_Watermarked_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Quite a few folks were surprised to hear that Last Spartan Standing was hovering around the bottom of the list given how much they personally enjoy it. Naturally, this raises the questions of what are the most popular playlists and how do my favorite playlists currently fare?



Here’s a stack ranked list of Halo Infinite’s playlists over the past month to give you an idea of what’s most popular and where players are spending their time:



<ol><li>1) Quick Play</li><li>2) Ranked Arena</li><li>3) Fiesta</li><li>4) Team Slayer</li><li>5) Big Team Battle</li><li>6) Tactical Slayer</li><li>7) Land Grab</li><li>8) Ranked Doubles</li><li>9) Team Doubles</li><li>10) Team Snipers</li><li>11) Rumble Pit</li><li>12) Bot Bootcamp</li></ol>



Anytime we have an active event, we see significant impact and shifts across matchmaking. Since it debuted, the Yappening playlist has been the overwhelming favorite playlist (nearly 4x as popular as the #2 playlist).



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE YAPPENING KEEPS ON HAPPENING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080.jpg" alt="A multiplayer Spartan rocking the Quilhawk cosmetic item which is part of the Yappening Event Pass." class="wp-image-45473" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_2022_Yappening_04_Watermarked_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



It’s been great to see so many people enjoying BTB antics as part of the Yappening event (which we’ve also been having a blast playing!). Our pal Flipflop the Grunt has thrown one heckuva party and, with his permission, we’re going to keep the good times rolling with a minor change in branding.



When the Yappening officially ends on Tuesday, September 20, the new “BTB Social” playlist will emerge as the new home for the shenanigans you’ve come to know and love in the event playlist.



The Yappening has been a huge success in terms of popularity and engagement, but we’ve also seen the core BTB playlist activity significantly decline in its shadow. The team will be monitoring closely to see how both playlists hold up together and what the overall player experience is to determine what future steps may be needed.



In order to maintain a positive player experience and optimal playlist health, we may need to consolidate and/or rotate things around while we also apply the insights gathered during the Yappening to further improve BTB as a whole further down the road. We’re eager to see how things go and as always, look forward to your feedback.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Land Grab</h2>



On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the dedicated Land Grab playlist will be rotated out of matchmaking. While we know many players have enjoyed this new mode introduced in Season 2, at this stage it’s been steadily declining and starting to fall short of the quality bar for a positive player experience.



Land Grab will be back as part of the Entrenched event with Week 5 kicking off Sept. 27, and the final week slated to begin on Oct. 25. Looking further ahead, Land Grab will roll into Quick Play as part of the Winter Update coming Nov. 8.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">LOOKING AHEAD</h2>



As Halo Infinite continues to evolve and we see new modes brought online we expect to see more regular rotations to offer experiences players want while also maintaining that high quality bar we have set for ourselves. We can’t always offer everything that every individual player wants today, but we’ll continue doing our best to focus on the breadth Infinite has to offer, the modes that are most popular to players, and keep addressing areas that negatively impact your online experience.



We’ll see you online, and thank you for your continued support!

343 INDUSTRIES

Halo Infinite – September Playlist Update

Community Update

Future Factors

Esports

CHIEFS ARE YOUR $50K HCS MELBOURNE 2022 CHAMPIONS!

Canon Fodder

Issue 132

Canon Fodder: High-Value Histories

Get your armor clothes on, Demons—the Yappening is happening!



<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 Infinite | The Yappening Event Launch Trailer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QlX4TFBnYd8?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>
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Running for two human calendar weeks from September 6-20, you can jump into the salty bogs of the Methane Menagerie playlist for some big ol’ 12v12 Big Team Fiesta action with a free Event Pass containing ten new whimsical rewards worthy of a disciple of the great Yapyap.



All ya gotta do is be completin’ those Event Challenges and I’ll give ya these cool knickknacks I picked up on the way here.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080.jpg" alt="The Yappening Event Pass includes a variety of cosmetics." class="wp-image-45558" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HIMPS2_EVENT_YAPPENING_REWARDS_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">METHANE MENAGERIE</h3>



You humans are always doin’ big fights ‘n’ stuff, so you gotta be provin’ yourself in the biggest, baddest, most Gruntiest fight of all in the Methane Menagerie playlist!



Lemme get ya a list of the modes… *puts on Unggoy-sized reading glasses*



<ul>
<li>BTB Fiesta CTF</li>



<li>BTB Fiesta Slayer</li>



<li>BTB Fiesta Stockpile</li>



<li>BTB Fiesta Total Control</li>



<li>BTB Shotty Snipes</li>



<li>BTB Skockets Slayer</li>



<li>BTB Team Snipers</li>
</ul>



That’s alotta big fightin’ goin’ on there—feels better when you’re shootin’ at each other rather than tryin’ to make us Unggoy get on the “endangered species” list…



Oh, and if you wanna be playin’ these modes with your bestest ever pals in Custom Games, you can do that!



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GRUNTY GIFTS FOR A BALAHO BONANZA</h3>



If there’s one big learn that I’ve been doin’ in my time helpin’ the galaxy’s good guys, it’s that humans sure do love gifts! I drew a smiley face on a rock one time and gave it to a human, and he didn’t throw it back at me or nothin’—not like those ungrateful Kig-Yar…



Anyway, all you gotta do is log in and you can get some free stuff. How about this nifty Yappening emblem and nameplate to show how much of a big friend you are to Unggoy across the galaxy and make your enemies run off crying with scaredness!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080.jpg" alt="The Yappening Event in-game gift for logging in." class="wp-image-45572" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Yappening1_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Let’s see, uh, (*rummages in gift bag*) if you complete all your challenges this week, I’ll give you this weapon charm from back in my Covenant days. Got it from the High Charity gift shop before the space zombies put it out of business…



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080.jpg" alt="The WORT weapon charm." class="wp-image-45600" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/Wort_WeaponCharm_S2_Ultimate_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



And speaking of shops, you gotta check out this set! I dunno what “Opulent Display” means, but it looks cool!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080.jpg" alt="The Opulent Display shop bundle." class="wp-image-45586" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/OpulentDisplay_FXandPose_S2_Shop_Social_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FLIPFLOP’S FACTOIDS</h3>



You wanna know more about me? Really? Mostly do dealings with the Sangheili who are all about honors and learning how to wave glowy blue swords around, very honorable to be waving glowy sticks, but they not much for doin’ talks and getting’ to know you and stuff…



Anyways, you’re gonna wanna check out our Unggoy historical and cultural enrichment postings <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Read on your local chatternets here">on your local chatternets</a>!



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">INCOMING TRANSMISSION: The Yappening? Is happening. September 6. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HaloLoneWolves?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HaloLoneWolves</a> <a href="https://t.co/TY8y4iV19E">pic.twitter.com/TY8y4iV19E</a>— Halo (@Halo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo/status/1564644386293645317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



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For now, that’s all from me—your new Unggoy friend, Flipflop. I gotta head back to that big dangerous war we got goin’ on soon, so I got you some pictures to be doin’ me a remember!



See you in the methane springs!



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The Yappening is Happening!

With the end of Season 2 drawing ever closer, we want to provide you with an update on the future of all things Halo Infinite.



Joseph Staten, Sean Baron, and Brian Jarrard sat down for a roundtable discussion about the current state of the game, priorities, and player experience goals. Also covered is the upcoming “Winter Update,” Season 3, and other features (such as the Forge Beta and Campaign Network Co-Op) which you can check out in the video below.



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo Infinite | Update – September 2022" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ramqlt7vxJ8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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In addition, we have also updated the roadmap for what’s coming in the Winter Update and Season 3, featuring new maps, modes, weapons, armor, and much more.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1594" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022.png" alt="Halo Infinite roadmap update for September 2022" class="wp-image-45372" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022-300x249.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022-1024x850.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022-768x638.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022-1536x1275.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfinite_Roadmap_Sep2022-1568x1302.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



We continue to be grateful for the community’s passion and patience as we look to what’s coming on the horizon. Nothing excites us more than being able to deliver the experiences of everything that’s coming on the roadmap (and beyond!), and for your creativity to soar when Forge is in your hands, knowing that our best days are yet ahead of us!

Halo Infinite Update – September 2022

Last week, we gave you a preview of what’s coming in the latest update to MCC. Today, that update arrives—ready for installation to bring an array of exciting additions and improvements to your experience!



As a quick overview, here are some of the things coming with the August update:



<ul><li>Five new Spartan armor sets for Halo 2: Anniversary</li><li>Golden Moa campaign collectibles in Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach</li><li>Acrophobia and Bandana skulls added to Halo: Reach</li><li>Main menu background video customization</li><li>New Forge options in Halo: Reach, Halo 4, and Halo 2: Anniversary (object duplication, delete all, location name markers, “hold to bake lighting,” and more)</li><li>Career menu UI overhaul</li><li>Post-match poses</li><li>Unified subtitle improvements</li><li>Live playlist hopper data refresh at weekly reset</li><li>“Season” naming changed to “Series”</li><li>Bug fixes</li></ul>



For expanded detail on each of these items (and much more), <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-mcc-august-update" target="_blank">head over to our August Update Preview blog</a>!



<a href="https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/8955559396372">Check out the full patch notes for the MCC August update here.</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A NOTE ON HALO: REACH MOD TOOLS</h2>



In the August Update Preview blog, we stated that mod tools for Halo: Reach were still in the process of being locked down and may come just a little bit later in order to ensure that they are up to the highest possible standard for public release.



This is still the case and Reach mod tools will unfortunately not be making today’s update. But worry not! You won’t be kept waiting very long for this feature, as we are aiming to release it in the coming weeks.



UPDATE: 9/6/2022



Halo: Reach mod tools are now available. Go forth and unleash your creativity!



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With all that said, it’s time to go once more unto the breach and dive back into MCC! Unlock some new armor, get cozy with the new UI furniture, say goodbye to even more previous limits in Forge, make the main menu your own with your choice of background video…



We’ll see you on the other side!

Halo: MCC – August Update Is Live

"Let's bake that cake we made last night!"

Halo: The Official Cookbook – Out Now!

Halo: MCC – August Update