Canon Fodder

Community

Alex Wakeford

Issue 132

Canon Fodder: High-Value Histories

Games

Halo Infinite

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>
</div></figure>



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>
</div></figure>



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!

343 INDUSTRIES

Halo Infinite Update – September 2022

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

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>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<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

Community Spotlight

Issue 002

Community Corner: Rythaze

In our <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/august-drop-pod-preview" target="_blank">August Drop Pod preview blog</a>, we outlined a few upcoming changes to Halo Infinite matchmaking that would be landing this month. As these updates draw nearer, we wanted to outline them again and provide a little more detail. The focus over the next week will be to improve matchmaking in Ranked and update our playlist offerings.



To get things started, let’s take a closer look at everything happening in matchmaking over the next few days. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg" alt="Two Spartans holding BRs stand at the ready." class="wp-image-43622" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Ranked Doubles</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ranked Experience </h2>



In preparation for Ranked Doubles, we’ll be updating how we determine skill (MMR), which will help us make better matches and improve the accuracy of CSR ranks. This will require additional maintenance that involves resetting CSR ranks. We plan on deploying these changes early on Aug 23, with the maintenance window lasting a few hours. During this time, Ranked Arena will not be available, though all other playlists and online services should be available. 



In the days leading up to the maintenance window, we will have two other small changes rolling out as well. The first change, which has started today, is a small Ranked experiment with CSR that will be running until we close out this current ranked period. The impact should be minimal, but it will help us gather information for potential future ranked improvements. The second change is that the Fireteam CSR Limit, which has been active in both Solo/Duo playlists, will begin to take effect in Open Crossplay starting Monday, Aug 22. To learn more about the Fireteam CSR Limit, please visit <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/6492534068884" target="_blank">this page</a> on the Halo Support site.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080.jpg" alt="Two Spartans stand back-to-back. One is holding an Energy Sword while the other holds an MA40 AR." class="wp-image-44714" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/08/Playlist_Social_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /><figcaption>Team Doubles</figcaption></figure>



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



Next Tuesday will also bring about the addition of two new playlists: Ranked Doubles and Team Doubles. In order to help make room for these two new additions, the Last Spartan Standing playlist will be rotating out of the lineup. As with all playlists, we will continue to monitor their individual health in addition to the health of the entire matchmaking experience. If all these playlists perform well, we will continue experimenting with adding or rotating more playlists in the future. 



Since that was quite a bit of info all at once, here’s a quick summary of the timeline for the matchmaking updates:



<ul><li>Friday, Aug 19 – Ranked experiment begins (should have minimal player-facing impact) </li><li>Monday, Aug 22 @ 11am – Fireteam CSR Limit applies to Open Crossplay </li><li>Tuesday, Aug 23 @ 10am PT – CSR rank reset occurs and Ranked maintenance begins, taking Ranked Arena offline for ~3hrs </li><li>Tuesday, Aug 23 @ 10am PT – Team Doubles (social) goes live </li><li>Tuesday, Aug 23 @ 11am PT – Last Spartan Standing comes down </li><li>Tuesday, Aug 23 @ 1pm PT – Ranked Arena, Ranked Doubles, Team Doubles come online </li></ul>



If you have any feedback around these changes when they go live, please be sure to share your thoughts right <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://forums.halowaypoint.com/c/games/halo-infinite/8" target="_blank">here on our Forums.</a>



We’ll see you all online for some Doubles action soon!

Unyshek

August Matchmaking Updates

Art by Sleepy

Art by Low_Poly_NPC

Spotlight: August 18, 2022

Esports

OPTIC GAMING – $125K HCS NA SUPER CHAMPIONS!