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Spotlight: February 4, 2021

Esports


<p>Welcome to the first installment in the <em>Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem </em>blog series where month by month we will do a deep dive examination into how we at 343 Industries are working to develop a healthy and sustainable long-term esports ecosystem for Halo Infinite. The main focus of today’s blog is to set the foundation for how we think about the ecosystem as a whole, and details our mission, our overall goals, and more. The core of his blog and specific sections like Our Mission and Goals were ripped straight from our Power Point presentations that we share internally as well as with external partners. If you’re interested in our philosophical approach to esports as a fan, player, and even potential partnered team, sponsor, tournament operator or otherwise, then this blog is likely up your alley. We know there are some folks who are just interested in seeing the roadmap and format – we totally understand but fair warning, this blog might not be for you. That information will come down the road as we get closer to launch, and you can get the latest on that (and some more items) in last month’s Community Update.</p>



<p>Let’s get right into it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUR MISSION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-1024x279.png" alt="Crowd looking at the main stage of the 2018 Halo World Championship" class="wp-image-5466" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-1024x279.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-300x82.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300-768x209.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.29.2021_1100x300.png 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Our mission is to provide epic entertainment to Halo fans through the thrill of competition.</p>



<p><strong>We believe in:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Cultivating and uniting communities</li><li>Providing sustained content for fans around the world to watch</li><li>Creating a platform for players, teams, and partners in the ecosystem to thrive on.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PROGRAM GOALS</h2>



<p>These are the goals and how we will determine the success of the program and ecosystem. Success in these areas means we can expand and grow over time, failure in these areas means we may need to rethink our approach.</p>



<ul><li>Extend engagement outside of our games with players, and potential players. (Viewership and social media impressions/reach)</li><li>Build a platform that players, teams, sponsors, tournament operators, and content creators can sustain successful businesses around. (Participating and investing in Halo needs to provide returns based on their goals)</li><li>Build a vision and aspiration for our fans, players, and gamers to create a movement. (We want to create as many 1 + 1 = 3 scenarios as possible. If we all band together, we can truly create something special)</li><li>Create exciting and epic moments in gaming culture. (When are the times we are creating a moment and capturing the attention of the greater online gaming community?)</li><li>Player retention, loyalty, engagement, and more in-game. (The development team will own these goals more than the esports team, but still important for us to track and contribute to.)</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT’S A PLATFORM?</h2>



<p>You might have heard about certain things in tech being called “platforms”, like Xbox for example. Try to imagine all of the different people and groups who see the Xbox as a valuable platform to invest their time and money into. If you’re a player, you want to get enjoyment out of your Xbox with the games you play and apps that you invest your time and dollars into. As a developer, you invest a lot of resources to bring your games to the Xbox platform either as multiplatform or exclusive.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="597" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1024x597.png" alt="Shapes showing how connected players, developers, and Xbox are to the HCS ecosystem." class="wp-image-5479" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1024x597.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-300x175.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-768x448.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1536x896.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155-1568x915.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.29.2021_1980x1155.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Now, try to imagine all the things that Xbox does to provide value back to these groups. For players, the Xbox team created the most powerful console ever in the Series X and also put a ton of work into backwards compatibility – both of which are great for players. For developers, the Xbox platform is easy to develop for, and offers a ton of power to give developers the freedom to make great games. Having the games be great is also very valuable to players as well, and thus Xbox is providing “indirect” value to players that way. By putting out great games on a platform that has a lot of players, the developer has an opportunity to see a return on their investment. This is just a tiny snapshot of the overall picture, but hopefully you can start to see the dynamics of how platforms work and how interconnected all of the different groups are. And not only are they interconnected, they depend on each other for their success in the ecosystem, this is a critical component.</p>



<p>This is the type of platform we have been working to create for Halo Infinite esports, but obviously with our own set of groups and means to provide value to those groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE KEY GROUPS</h2>



<p>For the launch of Halo Infinite esports, who are the key groups or audiences that invest their time and money into Halo that we need to provide value back to?</p>



<ul><li><strong>Players (Pro, Amateur, and general competitive players): </strong>This one is obvious. The players are central to the entire ecosystem and without a healthy player base for the entire game, the ecosystem is not sustainable. This is mission critical.</li><li><strong>Fans (Viewers, Event Spectators, fans who engage in-game): </strong>Fans and viewers are also critical – we want as many people watching Halo Infinite tournaments and content as possible, and it’s important for us to take strides to increase viewership.</li><li><strong>Teams</strong> (Tier 1 and Tier 2 esports teams)</li><li><strong>Tournament Operators</strong> (Live event operators, online tournament platforms, and HCS Grassroots partners)</li><li><strong>Sponsors</strong> (Endemic to gaming/esports, as well as non-endemic)</li><li><strong>Other</strong> (Viewing platforms, Content Creators, Talent)</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="600" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1024x600.png" alt="Key pillars of the HCS Halo Infinite program." class="wp-image-5492" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1024x600.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-300x176.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-768x450.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1536x900.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160-1568x919.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/DesigningTheHaloEcosystemJanuary_HCS_In_Article_p3_1.29.2021_1980x1160.png 1980w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Once we identified these groups we started to think about and talk to them about what their goals are, what they were trying to accomplish, and how Halo can help them achieve their goals. From there, we were able to see how one group could provide value to back to us to meet our goals directly, or indirectly by providing value to another group. The priority is finding ways for one group to provide value directly to another group first. As an example, it’s more important that teams use funding to support their roster and fans, than it is for funding to go directly to us or other partners in the ecosystem.</p>



<p>This is just a high-level overview, and we’ll do a deeper dive on each of the key groups in the upcoming blogs so you can get a more granular view of the relationship and our approach with each of the groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUR ROLE</h2>



<p>While we truly believe that we need to all rely on each other in order to have a successful Halo esports ecosystem, we understand that we play a larger role and have a larger impact than any of the other groups. So, what do we at 343 Industries consider our role in the ecosystem to be?</p>



<ul><li><strong>Developers</strong>: First and foremost, we are of course the makers of the game which is at the center of this all. It’s our responsibility to create a great Halo game that fans and players love. The esports team specifically does not develop the game, but we consult on various aspects including features and gameplay, and we provide insights from the competitive community.</li><li><strong>Architects</strong>: From an esports perspective, we see ourselves as the architects of the ecosystem. It’s our responsibility to identify the puzzle pieces and work to make them fit together. How do teams fit in? How to tournament operators fit in? That’s on us, and that thinking is really the foundation of the esports ecosystem. Ultimately however, we don’t own the decisions of the each of the groups, we try to provide the best opportunities possible for them. And finally, as architects we also believe it’s our duty to take in feedback, and be the catalysts for growth and improvement in the ecosystem.</li><li><strong>Sanctioning body</strong>: We are also the central sanctioning body for the ecosystem. While there are many tournament organizers big and small, we determine who runs official HCS tournaments and dictate the rules and regulations for those tournaments including but not limited to format, game settings, and Code of Conduct. We don’t want this to seem as a sort of dictator-like function however, we are collaborators in the space and work closely with our tournament operator partners to determine the best way forward. And of course, we are closely partnered with Esports Engine who are our main partners in the ecosystem and really act as an extension of the 343 Esports team.</li><li><strong>Broadcasters</strong>: Additionally, we are the main broadcasters for Halo esports. That means for official HCS events, it’s our responsibility to decide the broadcast scope and execute on it alongside our operator partners of course. It’s important to us that we’re not the only ones broadcasting in the ecosystem however, as we generally believe that the more broadcasters covering matches in the Halo Infinite ecosystem the better. Finally, we also determine broadcast talent for official HCS shows, and overall creative direction and tone for those shows.</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OPEN ECOSYSTEM</h2>



<p>By now you’ve probably realized that Halo Infinite esports is an open ecosystem. This means that while we don’t officially partner with everyone in the ecosystem, we do not control who enters and leaves the ecosystem. To provide an example, if a brand new team organization decided that they wanted to pick up a pro Halo roster and earn their way to the championship, then that’s totally ok. If you’re a long-time competitive Halo fan you might be thinking, “well yea, that’s just how it’s always worked right?” and the answer is yes. This is consistent with the legacy of Halo esports and not only touches on organizations like teams and tournament operators, but also players. Halo esports was built on open tournament structures where any group of players could work their way up to the top and would have opportunities to play against the best in the world. This will still be true for Halo Infinite esports. Esports as an industry has continued to evolve and grow however, and while there are some leagues that more closely resemble closed ecosystems like you see in traditional sports, Halo Infinite’s journey will begin as an open ecosystem. We are however, as noted above and will be detailed in future blogs, partnering more closely with groups in the ecosystem than Halo ever has in the past.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/hcs/body/trophy-354edc4bb0204a13876bd72cdd9b0f79.png" alt=""/></figure>



<p>Ultimately this decision was based on where the ecosystem is at today and what we’re trying to accomplish. If some numbers of years down the road we decide the best way to improve and grow the sport and ecosystem is to change our approach, then we will adjust our strategy. For now, Halo Esports will be an open ecosystem, and we’re very thankful for the groups that want to participate in it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOSING</h2>



<p>Well, that will do it for the first entry in this blog series. We made a promise to be more transparent about our plans and intentions and we hope you enjoyed and appreciated this look behind the curtains.</p>



<p>As this is the first in the series, we’d appreciate hearing your thoughts overall. Did you enjoy it? Do you have any more questions about our goals, ecosystem design, and platform aspirations? Hit us up on twitter and we’ll work to incorporate answers in future blogs.</p>



<p>Thanks – see you online!</p>



<p>-Tashi</p>


Tashi

Designing the Halo Esports Ecosystem-January

Games

343 INDUSTRIES

INSIDE INFINITE – JANUARY 2021


<p>Hey Friends,</p>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/343Postums" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Postums</a> here to welcome you to the blog, and to shout from the rooftops that Season 5 is upon us! This blog will be breaking down everything you need to know about what is coming with this latest season for <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection, </em>which you can get <a href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection-pc#purchaseoptions">right now</a> on <a href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/pc-games">Xbox Game Pass for PC</a>, the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/halo-the-master-chief-collection/9ntm9hxnlszx?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">Microsoft Store</a>, and <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/976730/Halo_The_Master_Chief_Collection/">Steam</a>.</p>



<p><strong>Today, we’ll be going over the following:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Season 5 Summary, and Seasonal Sitrep videos</li><li>A breakdown of what’s to come in this latest season</li><li>A closer look at timed Nameplates and challenge-exclusive rewards</li><li>And of course, a rundown on today’s game update</li></ul>



<p>The light is green Spartans. Let’s dive on in!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MCC’S SEASON 5 – ANVIL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="305" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p1_1.27.2021_1120x334-1024x305.jpg" alt="A jetpacking spartan with a needle rifle wearing the G R D helmet." class="wp-image-6064" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p1_1.27.2021_1120x334-1024x305.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p1_1.27.2021_1120x334-300x89.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p1_1.27.2021_1120x334-768x229.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p1_1.27.2021_1120x334.jpg 1120w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Season 5 of <em>MCC</em>, titled “Anvil”, is finally here! With it comes a slew of new content, a game update, and a new option for disabling new armors, should you so choose. Thank you everyone for voicing your feedback and letting us know you wanted such a feature – we took this to heart and were able to push and get this into the game update today. Thank you to players who continue to constructively let us know what you want us to focus our attention on. </p>



<p>But now, to introduce you to what’s on the horizon, check out our Season 5 launch trailer: </p>



<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: The Master Chief Collection - Season 5" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mm6fdTnju6g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>From new armor customization for both <em>Halo 3</em> and <em>Halo: Reach</em>, there are a lot of new ways players can suit up and get ready to finish the fight.</p>



<p>My personal two favorite pieces from this season are the long lost AKIS helmet that comes in the GRD variant, and having the fabled Mister Chief making an appearance as a MARINER variant! There are over 80 pieces players can customize their Spartans with, and we look forward to seeing them in matches here shortly. Additionally, Anvil has a wide assortment of all-new challenges and content players can experience starting today!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MCC GAME UPDATE</h2>



<p>Today’s game update is more akin to a “hotfix” patch that is very lightweight and includes a short list of bug fixes, and as previously stated – a new option for turning on and off the visibility of new armors and weapon skins for <em>Halo 3</em>, for those that want to preserve the legacy experience. (If you opt to turn off cosmetics, any players in your game who are wearing new armor will appear as default Mark VI.)</p>



<p><strong>For a full list of Patch Notes and Known Issues, please check out the links below for the full details:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Patch Notes</li><li>Known Issues</li></ul>



<p>As always, if you do end up running into any sort of issue while playing the game, please make sure to head on over to the Halo Support site and submit a ticket. This helps us see what the top issues are and what we need to prioritize for future game updates, so please let us know! (Of course, one ticket per-issue, please. It helps us better sort and track each individual item.)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TIMED CONTENT DURING SEASON 5</h2>



<p>Season 5 brings with it a slew of new content, with an exclusive set available only for specific times, and a few others as a part of specific challenges. These will give you some new opportunities to spice up your Spartans and online personas in <em>MCC</em>. Read on below to get a look at what you can expect – and, for some info on how to add them to your armory.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">TIMED NAMEPLATES</h3>



<p>Below are the two unique timed Nameplates that you will need to just log-in to earn. Be sure to hop in during the months of February and March in 2021 to snag these two and show your support to your fellow Spartans for Black History Month and Women’s History Month:</p>



<p><strong>Black History Month: </strong>February is Black History Month, log in during the month of February 2021 to secure the Nameplate just below.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="104" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p2_1.27.2021_720x104.jpg" alt="Nameplate that is black with a spartan helmet and a red and green line." class="wp-image-6935" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p2_1.27.2021_720x104.jpg 720w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p2_1.27.2021_720x104-300x43.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Women’s History Month: </strong>In the month of March 2021, you can log in at any time to snag the all-new Women’s History Month Nameplate below.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="104" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p3_1.27.2021_720x104.jpg" alt="Nameplate with Spartan Kat-B320 for women's history month." class="wp-image-6948" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p3_1.27.2021_720x104.jpg 720w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/08/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p3_1.27.2021_720x104-300x43.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">TIMED SEASONAL CHALLENGES</h3>



<p>This season includes 12 unique seasonal challenges and four of them include customization items as rewards. Check out their details below:</p>



<p><strong>Because You Begged</strong> – Perform an Assassination against an Elite to survive a fall that would’ve been fatal in the <em>Halo: Reach</em> campaign.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Blue Spartan holding a shotgun wearing the Mister Chief helmet." class="wp-image-6077" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p4_1.27.2021_1120x1120.jpg 1120w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Reward: <strong>Mister Chief Mariner Helmet</strong> and 77,000 XP</p>



<p><strong>Release the Geese!</strong> – Complete the <em>Halo 3</em> mission “Halo” on Legendary with all players in Mongeese at the end of the mission.</p>



<p>Reward: <strong>Hazard Pay Mongoose</strong> skin and 77,000 XP.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p5_1.27.2021_1120x630-1024x576.jpg" alt="Teal Spartan on Standoff riding a mongoose with the Hazard Pay yellow skin." class="wp-image-6090" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p5_1.27.2021_1120x630-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p5_1.27.2021_1120x630-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p5_1.27.2021_1120x630-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p5_1.27.2021_1120x630.jpg 1120w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Challenge: <strong>Combo Maker</strong> – Complete the “Guilty Shot” and “Who, What, Win” challenges. “Guilty Shot” requires you to get 343 headshot medals with the Battle Rifle in matchmade games which earn you 3 Season Points and 50,000 XP. “Who, What, Win” requires you to win 25 ranked matchmade games and earns you 3 Season Points and 50,000 XP. When completing these two, it will fulfill the requirements for the Seasonal Challenge “Combo Maker” with the rewards below.</p>



<p>Reward: <strong>Lucky Shot BR skin</strong> and 77,000 XP.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p6_1.27.2021_1120x630-1024x576.jpg" alt="Grey Spartan holding the Battle rifle with the Lucky Shot green Battle Rifle skin." class="wp-image-6103" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p6_1.27.2021_1120x630-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p6_1.27.2021_1120x630-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p6_1.27.2021_1120x630-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/GRDIsHereMCCSeason5NowLive_MCC_In_Article_p6_1.27.2021_1120x630.jpg 1120w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Challenge: <strong>Strong in the Week</strong> – Complete 30 weekly challenges.</p>



<p>Reward: <strong>Quickdraw Nameplate</strong>, 4 Season Points, 200,000 XP.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/BlogPost/MCCUpdates/MCC-S5/mrchief-29c22322a4574cdbad46843cdc554639.png" alt="Mister Chief Quickdraw nameplate"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL SEASON BATTLE PASS CONTENTS</h2>



<p>To help us dive into the nitty-gritty, we thought we’d shake things up a bit and drop a brief Season 5 Seasonal Sitrep. I tried to channel my inner Frankie with the shaved head and all, and this was my first video of this nature ever, so hopefully y’all enjoy!</p>



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Seasonal Sitrep: MCC Season 5, Anvil" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GghSlbvTagg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p><strong>With Season 5, “Anvil”, we are bringing online over 100 total items for player customization across a 100 tier (and, entirely free) Season Pass where you use Season Points to unlock each tier. This season will include the following types of content:</strong></p>



<ul><li><strong>All New Armors for <em>Halo 3</em> & H<em>alo:</em></strong><em> Reach</em>, including the long–lost GRD.</li><li>New Weapon Skins for <em>Halo 3</em> for your Battle Rifle, Assault Rifle, Magnum, and more.</li><li>And a slew of new Nameplates to customize your online persona.</li></ul>



<p>To acquire and unlock the 100 tiers for Anvil, you will need to obtain Season Points just like in previous seasons. For newcomers, Season Points can be earned by ranking up your Global Rank for the first 100 Tiers in <em>MCC</em> or by completing daily, weekly, and some of the seasonal challenges.</p>



<p>It’s worth noting, you do not have to unlock these immediately. Season Points are retained indefinitely and can be used on any and all previous seasons interchangeably.</p>



<p>It’s also worth noting that there is some lore behind the new armors coming to <em>MCC</em>! My good friend Jeff Easterling (or as many know him, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne" target="_blank">GrimBrotherOne</a>) has a couple of Canon Fodder blogs, Pen Umbra and Armor Online which share all of the fun and unique stories behind each piece. Be sure to check them out if you are interested in learning more about some of Season 5’s unlocks!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOSING</h2>



<p>Season 5 kicks off today and will run for roughly 2 months, so make sure to get online and tackle those timed unlocks and earn your free rewards! And for those that haven’t joined in on the fun yet, you can get <em>MCC</em> <a href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection-pc#purchaseoptions">right now</a> on <a href="https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-game-pass/pc-games">Xbox Game Pass for PC</a>, the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/halo-the-master-chief-collection/9ntm9hxnlszx?activetab=pivot:overviewtab">Microsoft Store</a>, and <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/976730/Halo_The_Master_Chief_Collection/">Steam</a>.</p>



<p>I know there are quite a few that I’m eyeing to unlock. I’m looking to create a flock of mongeeses decked out in Hazard Pay and of course, working on getting some more splatter medals. I look forward to seeing y’all sporting this season’s new content and will be sure to check out the cool content this community creates from these new additions!</p>



<p>We appreciate you taking the time to come read up on the latest and greatest going on in <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection</em>. As always Spartans, we will see you online!</p>



<p>Cheers,<br><a href="https://twitter.com/343Postums" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Postums</a></p>


Postums

GRD IS HERE: MCC SEASON 5 NOW LIVE

Canon Fodder


<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ISSUE 111</h4>



<p>Happy new year! January has brought with it a fantastic feeling of fresh starts and eager outlooks, so we figure it’s only natural that we add to the festivities with the first Canon Fodder of 2021. We’ve got some MCC armor lore to discuss and some recent announcements to resurface, so let’s get to it, shall we?</p>



<p>Also, in case you missed it, we <strong>recently announced a brand-new novel from Kelly Gay</strong> on the way on March 2. What you might not know is that we <em>also </em>recently announced that the audio book will be read by none other than the lightbulb liaison himself, Mr. Tim Dadabo! For those of you who enjoyed his dulcet tones in the audiobook for <em>Halo: Primordium</em>, you already know what a treat you’re in for. We figured considering the subject matter, there was no better person for the task, and we’re thrilled that the right stars were able to align to make it happen.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're thrilled to announce that Tim Dadabo (<a href="https://twitter.com/davocal1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@davocal1</a>), voice of 343 Guilty Spark, will be narrating the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/audiobook?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#audiobook</a> edition of Halo: Point of Light by <a href="https://twitter.com/KellyHGay?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KellyHGay</a>, coming March 2!<br><br>Pre-order it via <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonAudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SimonAudio</a>: <br>Audible: <a href="https://t.co/VX1ktUTj2q">https://t.co/VX1ktUTj2q</a><br>Google Play: <a href="https://t.co/8eTd2mRRCa">https://t.co/8eTd2mRRCa</a> <a href="https://t.co/rdfUUt8Qe0">pic.twitter.com/rdfUUt8Qe0</a></p>— Halo (@Halo) <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo/status/1351613091369218048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p><em>Halo: Point of Light </em>follows up on the story first forged in <em>Smoke & Shadow</em> and <em>Renegades</em>, and we can’t wait for you all to read it.</p>



<p>And speaking of forging, now might be the time to transition over to today’s main event. And for all you secret smiths wondering “how soon is now?” Well, you gotta strike while the iron’s hot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL OF STARS</h2>



<p>As many of you know, we recently announced that we’re adding items from the experimental <em>Halo Online </em>project into the Master Chief Collection as part of the Season 5 slate of customization options. Keen-eyed fiction fans will likely recognize certain aspects that surfaced in various ways over the past few years, but their inclusion in MCC <em>Halo 3</em> multiplayer will mark their first “true” inclusion into proper canon, including more definitive lore and robust integration into the overall universe.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf111_social-59d1073e82ce4d7c830ad3a65074c819.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p>Of course, for time-capsule types who prefer to keep their clocks set to 2007, there’s an option to toggle off any new cosmetic content such as skins for weapons and vehicles as well as armor add-ons.</p>



<p>When you boot up <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection</em> on Jan 27, you’ll be greeted with a brand new season, appropriately titled “<strong>Anvil</strong>.” As the name implies, these new customization items find their fictional foundations within a classified facility known as Anvil Station. In case you aren’t familiar with this particular element of our universe, let’s catch you up.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ANVIL STATION</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/season5icon-250-d6c972592935495d97d7661cf054f965.png" alt=""/></figure>



<p>Following the close of the Covenant War and the aftermath of the Great Schism, the UNSC entered into a classified partnership with the Swords of Sanghelios, a faction of allied Elites loyal to Arbiter Thel ‘Vadam and his cause. The foundation of this partnership was a retrofit orbital facility coined Anvil Station. Alongside the ANVIL Initiative was a complimentary program codenamed Project: CRUCIBLE, which involved the establishment of a joint task force made of both humans and Sangheili across a number of disciplines and specializations, from artisan armorers and technical experts to battle-bred warriors and steel-willed super-soldiers. With the decades long conflict placing both species at precarious moments in their respective civilizations, the hope was that by putting aside differences, cooperation could become the cornerstone of a robust rebuilding effort that aimed to see both humans and Sangheili alike benefit from a long-term partnership.</p>



<p>At Anvil Station, the UNSC would test skunkworks technologies and clandestine prototypes, some destined for full and successful production runs, other merely serving as a stop-gap in the development pipeline of Mjolnir components, weapon advancements, and more. Warriors from both sides were eager to face off in field test simulations, hoping to not only advance their respective technologies, but hone their personal proficiency in battle.</p>



<p>Many of these elements you might recognize from their “production run” state in later games, variants like DEADEYE, PIONEER, WARRIOR, and SOLDIER. And just like real life, sometimes a concept makes it to production with very few adjustments—and sometimes there are changes more robust than others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CRUCIBLE CARAPACE COLLECTION</h2>



<p>Let’s take a closer look at the armors you’ll be able to earn in Season 5, and how their lore is laid out.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AIR ASSAULT</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-airassault-032956b5857746ed86579f8b2111e69c.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>A favorite of Spartans tasked with assisting ANVIL Station security personnel.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">AVIATOR</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-aviator-7cdf36e547b049759bbd440cb9bab52d.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Employed by interceptor squadrons assigned to ANVIL Station.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEMO</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-demo-bed196b2e54b451899eef35c6727c0e0.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>A prototype Mjolnir suit tested at ANVIL Station on behalf of unidentified third parties.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">PIONEER</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-pioneer-16a4de9934ca4504975314f82d606773.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Acheron Security hopes that ANVIL testing will prove out improvements made after the suit’s use on Installation 03.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">WARRIOR</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-warrior-b89371a80546483789edd0d48e2ff930.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Even mainline armor kits can benefit from evaluation in ANVIL training courses.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">HIVEMIND</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-hivemind-99aa2e3edfad4508bafe0ec56f777cc7.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>ANVIL Station is the ideal equipment testing environment for Spartans tasked with eliminating localized Flood infestations.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">SUTURE</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-suture-119520797db14a41bc6d18e614338f9d.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Spartan combat medics and specialized Mjolnir are a new experiment series approved for ANVIL testing.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">NAVIGATOR</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-navigator-f10b508ed6e4471fbfd28acb7f19c1d3.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Specific technologies being worked on for Mark VII have found their way into ANVIL prototypes for focused evaluation.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">COMPASS</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-compass-7463328265b7440daf44846b865d9f1a.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Contains experimental multi-band sensory receptors produced aboard ANVIL Station by Swords of Sanghelios artisan-armorers.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEADEYE</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-deadeye-e16b390630564de9a7f555cbc1b0e102.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Cross-training with Sangheili rangers on ANVIL Station will improve the suit’s stealth capabilities.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">TANKER</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-tanker-a5fe0b9f869745aea333e13b4e472f9b.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Even the Sangheili aboard ANVIL Station are impressed with the resilience of this human harness.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">SOLDIER</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-soldier-7d8c9819cd60412c9fdeb9539743208a.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>ANVIL Station testing has proven this is one of the Mjolnir platform’s most versatile variants.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOMETEAM HELM</h2>



<p>Of course, <em>Halo </em>3 isn’t the only closet in the collection receiving a few new additions to the wardrobe. In <strong>Issue 109 we dove into the lore</strong> surrounding one of the new helmets being added to <em>Halo: Reach</em>’s customization suite. Today, we’re going to tackle the other. Joining AKIS is the new MARINER helm, which also includes a few curious variants all its own.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">BASE</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-marinerbase-1dad20dab2e9465bb2b076558776481b.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Standard MARINER suite is optimized for Sabre, Baselard, and Nandao flight systems.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">DEFIANT</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-marinerdefiant-5f4558c7fffd46c88722f18ce94f5fd3.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Even in the violent and chaotic rigors of space warfare, MARINER remains unbowed.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">OPTREX</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-marineroptrex-0939aa0ae1f44b99876b603d1028edfd.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>An enhanced optical suite for detecting polyband thermal and chemical signatures.</em></p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">MISTER CHIEF</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-marinermisterchief-48b5c0a1b3744b8e8d0b175d42b426ae.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>The absolute zenith of human endeavor and a perfect encapsulation of human talent.</em></p>



<p>Okay, that last one might not be hard canon. Or actually, maybe it’s the “Kilroy” of the 26<sup>th</sup> century. Hmm…. Anyway, I digest. Depress. Digress. Whatever.</p>



<p>Oh! and let’s not forget that new chest piece:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">EXO/TSCS</h4>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf-mcc-exo-tscs-e53feb6d6ce345929fd3ac488906dc98.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Modified for exo-atmospheric engagements, with onboard Tactical Signals Intelligence Collection System.</em></p>



<p>And speaking of new armor before we go, in case for some reason you missed it, last month we dropped a pretty substantial bit of new info on <em>Halo Infinite</em>, all wrapped up in a pretty little bow in the <strong>December 2020 edition of the “Inside Infinite” development update</strong>. More than a few folks have already begun discussing thoughts and speculation about fiction-focused details surrounding the new armor elements shown off in the aforementioned feature.</p>



<p>Maybe we should talk about those sometime soon.</p>



<p>And with that, we bid you a fond farewell as far as this edition goes. But as we’ve said before, we’re going to have a lot more to discuss later this year, so don’t go getting <em>too </em>cozy.</p>



<p>Until next time… Live well, play Halo, and give more compliments to people. Also, GO BUCS!</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/grimbrotherone"><3 Grim</a></strong></p>


GrimBrother One

Armor Online


<p>Late last year we added Halo 5 to the “Pro Series” tournament programming and the global support for the online events both in terms of participation and viewership has been great to see – thank you so much!</p>



<p>With Halo Infinite now set to release this fall, we wanted to provide some more Halo 5 and Halo 3 tournament action in the first half of the year. As a reminder, here are our goals:</p>



<p><strong>Our goals:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Provide regular competitions for players around the world to compete in</li><li>Continue to experiment with new formats and broadcast experiences where it makes sense</li><li>Provide support for players of both MCC (Halo 3) as well as Halo 5.</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg" alt="Image of Pro Halo player playing his game." class="wp-image-6363" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-300x82.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300-768x209.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p1_1.21.2021_1100x300.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MCC COMPETITION</h2>



<p>For the most part, the format and structure here hasn’t changed from what we had set in place last fall. These are still weekly tournaments in Halo 3 with a $1,000 prize pool, but there are a few key differences:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Double Elimination format:</strong> Thanks to the Faceit team for upgrading their platform, these MCC tournaments will now move to a Double Elimination format.</li><li><strong>Sunday competitions:</strong> In hopes of increasing participation in these tournaments, they will now be taking place on Sundays rather than previously on Fridays. We will continue to monitor player feedback, number of teams participating, and the overall tournament experience to evaluate the need for any adjustments.</li></ol>



<p><strong>Remember, there are no roster transaction restrictions, so you can feel free to compete with whomever you’d like to on a weekly basis. And as a reminder, with MCC now featuring crossplatform play, players on both Xbox and PC are able to participate. See below for all dates:</strong></p>



<ul><li>Sunday, February 14</li><li>Sunday, February 21</li><li>Sunday, February 28</li><li>Sunday, March 7</li><li>Sunday, March 14</li><li>Sunday, March 21</li><li>Sunday, March 28</li><li>Sunday, April 11</li></ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO 5 PRO SERIES ON XBOX</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="279" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg" alt="Image of Pro Halo player playing his game." class="wp-image-6376" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-1024x279.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-300x82.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300-768x209.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/07/ProSeriesEventsContinue_HCS_In_Article_p2_1.21.2021_1100x300.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p> With the main competition moving to Halo 5 last fall and the reintroduction of the 4 major regions, it’s been amazing to see the energy week in and week out from the community. Just like with MCC, the format and structure here remains the same but there are some notable changes:</p>



<ol><li><strong>Double Elimination Format:</strong> For the open tournaments, the format will move away from single elimination and into double elimination. The formats for the Pro and Championship tournaments (group play into single elimination) will remain the same.</li><li><strong>ANZ Schedule:</strong> For the upcoming seasons of Halo 5 Pro Series, we have reduced the number of tournaments featured in ANZ and have spread out the dates a bit further as well. Overall, the participation numbers in ANZ at the moment aren’t to the level we had anticipated. Our hope is that with more time between tournaments, we will allow for individuals and Teams of 2 or 3 more time to complete their rosters and sign-up for each tournament. We will of course continue to monitor participation in the region and feedback.</li></ol>



<p>Here’s the full list of dates for both Halo 5 Pro Series seasons:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">NORTH AMERICA:</h4>



<ul><li><strong>Saturday, February 6</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 13</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 20</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 27</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 6 </strong>– Championship (Broadcasted on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.twitch.tv/halo/" target="_blank">Twitch </a>and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/halo" target="_blank">YouTube</a>)</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 13</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 20 </strong>– Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 27 </strong>– Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 3</strong> – Pro</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 10</strong> – Championship (Broadcasted on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.twitch.tv/halo/" target="_blank">Twitch </a>and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/halo" target="_blank">YouTube</a>)</li></ul>



<p><strong>Prizing:</strong></p>



<ul><li><strong>Open </strong>– $1,000</li><li><strong>Pro</strong> – $5,000</li><li><strong>Championship</strong> – $10,000</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">REST OF WORLD:</h4>



<ul><li><strong>Saturday, February 6</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 13</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 20</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, February 27 </strong>– Championship</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 13</strong> – Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 20</strong> – Open</li><li><strong>Saturday, March 27 </strong>– Open (Includes ANZ)</li><li><strong>Saturday, April 3 </strong>– Championship (Includes ANZ)</li></ul>



<p><strong>Prizing:</strong></p>



<ul><li><strong>Open</strong> – $1,000</li><li><strong>Championship</strong> – $5,000</li></ul>



<p>Finally, in North America, the Top 8 teams from the prior season will automatically advance to the first Pro tournament on February 13. Teams must submit their rosters to <a href="mailto:haloevents@faceit.com">haloevents@faceit.com</a>, and the roster must maintain 3 of the 4 players from the prior season championship. <strong>Rosters for the first North American Pro tournament must be submitted by Tuesday, February 9.</strong></p>



<p>Registration for the tournaments is now live and you can head over to the following links to sign up for free: <a href="https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/20664c35-7e42-4c7b-a45b-8eb49c754557/Halo%205%20Series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HALO 5</a> – <a href="https://www.faceit.com/en/organizers/ccdbefc7-97c9-49a3-9502-2d79ab4b1cb4/Halo%20MCC%20Series" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MCC</a>. For those competing, please continue to monitor emails and official communication channels for limited time opportunities to offer feedback and input throughout the program. For the latest on Halo esports and the MCC and Halo 5 Pro Series’, be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/hcs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@HCS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FACEITHalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@FaceitHalo</a> on Twitter.</p>



<p>Best of luck to all players competing!</p>


Official HCS

PRO SERIES EVENTS CONTINUE

Spotlight: January 14, 2021

Inside Infinite – December 2020


<p>Here at 343 Industries, we love our community and we love armor. But, unsurprisingly, there are members of our community who love armor just as much (if not more) than we do. They spend hours meticulously crafting and perfecting their own custom armor sets to eventually wear in real life. They are cosplayers.</p>



<p>Today, we’re happy to release our first official cosplay guide to help support this community of talented creators. With <em>Halo 3: ODST</em> joining <em>Halo: The Master Chief Collection</em>, and ODST armor being a more approachable starting point than a full suit of Mjolnir, we decided to focus this first guide on everyone’s favorite new guy – the Rookie.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE ROOKIE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-promo-16x9-waypoint-3420e2e054be4157acd3915c868b158c.jpg" alt="H3 ODST Cosplay Guide for Rookie"/></figure>



<p><em>Born on Luna at the very start of the war, the Rookie has never known a life without the threat of the Covenant. Leaving the shelter of the Sol system, he eventually joined the UNSC Marine Corps. Soon after, the Rookie volunteered and was accepted for the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST), despite his initial lack of combat experience.</em></p>



<p><em>After completing ODST training, the Rookie served in a Rapid Offensive Picket within the 26th Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). After the fall of Reach, the Rookie was assigned to the 65th Shock Troops Division for emergency defensive operations near Earth.</em></p>



<p>To download our official cosplay guide for the Rookie and jump feet first into the world of cosplay, look no further than the links below!</p>



<ul><li><strong><a href="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst_cosplayguide_rookie_full-cf711784cefd46f1942179552d484811.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">The Rookie | Cosplay Guide (Full)*</a><br></strong></li><li><a href="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst_cosplayguide_rookie_mobile-3205b69a031a4a4f9ced2dee4dff173a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)"><strong>The Rookie | Cosplay Guide (Mobile)</strong></a></li></ul>



<p><em>*File size may be large for mobile devices. Please consider waiting until you’re on a computer to download this file.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FROM THE TEAM</h2>



<p>To help bring this cosplay guide to life, we enlisted the support of many people across our Franchise, Content, and Consumer Products teams. From finding old builds of <em>Halo 3: ODST</em>, to pulling renders of Rookie’s armor, to assembling them inside the guide, this wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of many talented individuals.</p>



<p>To celebrate the collaborative nature of this first guide, I spoke to a few people on the project about their roles and what they’re looking forward to seeing from the cosplay community. Let’s see what they have to say! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-turnaround-front-waypoint-6b29331e87d34cdb81dbfc887ee23992.jpg" alt="Rookie cosplay guide in three different views"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE IN BUILDING THIS COSPLAY GUIDE?</h3>



<p><strong>Quinn Spence (Franchise)</strong>: I was responsible for pulling together all of the old Rookie 3D models and textures, as well as making the new high res character renders you see throughout the guide.</p>



<p><strong>Kenneth Peters (Franchise)</strong>: I did a pass on the guide to give it some canonical flair. Most cosplay guides have little-to-no context for the material, but I felt it important to go the extra mile, and let you know in exactly which pocket the Rookie stores his “pogey bait.”</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/ZaraVarin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Zara Varin</a> (Consumer Products)</strong>: I’m an avid cosplayer and armor making enthusiast in my own time, in addition to all the overlap it shares with the awesome things I get to work on here at 343. I’ve also worked on similar guides in the past and build out these sorts of references for myself every time I undertake a new costume or prop build. A great deal of my input was advocating for not only what I would hope to see included in this sort of reference, but what other cosplayers (like our illustrious <a href="https://www.405th.com/">405<sup>th</sup> Infantry Regiment</a>) have mentioned wanting, too.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-references-promo-16x9-waypoint-592e662cc03748f8966414d774ad9f0e.jpg" alt="Graphic showing over 70 pages of examples and references for the Rookie cosplay guide"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT ASPECTS WERE YOUR FAVORITE ELEMENTS OF THE GUIDE?</h3>



<p><strong>Zara</strong>: Gosh I adore the whole thing; some of the lore blurbs still make me laugh and I noticed details on this character model I’d never seen before while working on this. I love being able to include a lot of individual component breakouts and angles that are almost impossible to see in-game; those sorts of details are things I know I’ve spent long hours agonizing over and doing some wild things to try to get reference for my own cosplay. It was important to me that we showed as much as possible, even if that meant having to break the fourth wall a bit; with the Rookie, for instance, revealing the details of areas usually covered by armor also showed parts of the character model where geometry simply doesn’t exist because there was no reason for it to in a final optimized game asset. Fiddly situational stuff like that is the sort of thing I want to make sure we include however we can in future guides, depending on what the unique challenges are for each character.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-turnarounds-promo-16x9-waypoint-e53d803b319940aa9ff8cf353167a70a.jpg" alt="Graphic showing over 70 pages of examples and references for the Rookie cosplay guide"/></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE FROM FANS, FROM THIS OR FUTURE GUIDES?</h3>



<p><strong>Quinn</strong>: I’m really happy with the level of detail we were able to put into this guide – I know both how challenging and rewarding it is to bring characters from digital designs to physical outfits, and I’m beyond excited to see the different solutions fans come up with!</p>



<p><strong>Kenneth</strong>: The industry and creativity of our community never fails to impress and humble, and I sincerely hope that this guide can help in the creation of new art and artifacts.</p>



<p><strong>Zara</strong>: As far as what I’m most excited to see from fans: <strong>ALL OF IT</strong>. I essentially live in a fandom blanket fort built out of all my favorite things (Halo obviously included!), and I’m always so delighted to see what folks make!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-smg-colors-waypoint-7abce3f557184daea01dc0d051fe4e88.jpg" alt="Rookie cosplay guide for the M7S/SMG weapon in H3 ODST"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CLOSING</h2>



<p>One of the coolest elements of video games is the unique way they can make you feel like you’re truly immersed inside your favorite universe or franchise. From Spartans and Spectres to Gears and Grey Wardens, it can be exhilarating to step inside the experience to truly become your favorite character. </p>



<p>For some fans though, their passion for <em>truly </em>becoming part of the universe is on an entirely different level.</p>



<p>Halo has been incredibly blessed to have such a massive and engaged cosplay community, with dedicated members all over the world pouring their heart, soul, and skills into bringing the universe to life. We’re always impressed by the lengths that cosplay creatives will go to in order to lend a helping hand to others. Whether it’s assisting someone on their first build, bringing extra foam and Velcro to share at an event, or making an appearance at a moment’s notice to support a good cause, cosplayers are very often at the forefront of what it means to truly be a <em>community</em>.</p>



<p>Guides like these are one way we would like to continue our own involvement in these endeavors—compiled by dedicated 343 team members from across the studio eager to help provide some additional assistance to fans through official assets, reference shots, material guides, turnarounds, contextual information, stats, details, and more. We hope you enjoy this particular contribution to your own creative process, and we can’t wait to see what you make next.</p>



<p> – 343 Industries</p>



<p>That colorful closing crafted by the creative <a href="https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">GrimBrotherOne</a>, whose help with assembling this blog was invaluable, will be included at the start of this cosplay guide and potentially the ones yet to come. His involvement, just like that of so many others, aided in bringing this project to life. More importantly though, those aforementioned words are equally felt by the entire studio, and will sit prominently within this cosplay guide as a reminder of how much we appreciate this passionate community. It was quite the undertaking to find and crack open builds of <em>Halo 3: ODST</em> from 2009 to find those perfect models of the Rookie, but we’re extremely proud of the result and we hope you all enjoy.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20201119162902im_/https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CosplayGuides/h3odst-cosplayguide-color-guide-waypoint-5f4a819c452a4808aeb032376b2b74a6.jpg" alt="Color guide for the Rookie cosplay guide"/></figure>



<p>Before we wrap this up, I wanted to implore you to share any and all of your cosplay creations with us using #HaloSpotlight on <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo">Twitter </a>and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Halo/">Instagram</a>. It’s the easiest way for us to spot your fantastic work and may even land you in a <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news?categoryName=Halo%20Community%20Spotlight" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)">Halo Community Spotlight</a> here on Waypoint!</p>



<p>Until next time,</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://twitter.com/Unyshek">– UNY</a></h4>



<p></p>


Unyshek

Official Cosplay Guide: The Rookie


<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/BlogPost/community-update/blog_banner_cf_template-9793d19c52c24cada8e665a576045a9f.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">ISSUE 107</h4>



<p>*wipes dust off*</p>



<p>So uh, hey there! I feel like it’s been a little bit, no? If you’re new to these features, Canon Fodder is a long-standing look into lore-related elements of the Halo universe. <strong>Our last issue</strong> took a deep dive into the narrative elements of last summer’s Outpost Discovery tour.</p>



<p>While today’s return will be brief, it will hopefully still bring a smile to your lore-loving face—especially if you’re a fan of good books and intriguing storylines. Let’s get started!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HOMECOMING</h2>



<p>Our prime piece of real estate today is to announce the next adventure in Halo’s deep and enriching extended universe – <em>Halo: Shadows of Reach. </em>Penned by Troy Denning, <em>Shadows </em>takes place after the events of <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>. For a bit more information, let’s take a gander at the official description:</p>



<p><strong><em>October 2559. It has been a year since the renegade artificial intelligence Cortana issued a galaxy-wide ultimatum, subjecting many worlds to martial law under the indomitable grip of her Forerunner weapons. Outside her view, the members of Blue Team—John-117, the Master Chief; Fred-104; Kelly-087; and Linda-058—are assigned from the UNSC </em>Infinity<em> to make a covert insertion onto the ravaged planet Reach.</em></strong></p>



<p><strong><em>Their former home and training ground—and the site of humanity’s most cataclysmic military defeat near the end of the Covenant War—Reach still hides myriad secrets after all these years. Blue Team’s mission is to penetrate the rubble-filled depths of CASTLE Base and recover top-secret assets locked away in Dr. Catherine Halsey’s abandoned laboratory—assets which may prove to be humanity’s last hope against Cortana.</em></strong></p>



<p><strong><em>But Reach has been invaded by a powerful and ruthless alien faction, who have their own reasons for being there. Establishing themselves as a vicious occupying force on the devastated planet, this enemy will soon transform Blue Team’s simple retrieval operation into a full-blown crisis. And with the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, mission failure is not an option….</em></strong></p>



<p>Yes please.</p>



<p>Of course, a return to Reach wouldn’t be complete without a ridiculously cool cover to adorn the adventure, and once more, talented artist Chris McGrath has delivered the goods. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorite Halo book covers, I must say. Make sure you click for the full wrap!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.halocdn.com/media/Default/community/CANON_FODDER_Franchise/cf_halo_shadows_of_reach_front_cvr-waypoint-a6387eaf8de740fd99304f915afb0b51.jpg" alt=""/></figure>



<p><em>Halo: Shadows of Reach </em>is published by our friends at Simon & Schuster and Gallery Books, and is slated to drop later this year on <strong>September 22</strong>, helping you pass the time while you eagerly await the arrival of that little Halo game we’re all looking forward to this holiday season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ARCHIVISTS ANONYMOUS</h2>



<p>Of course, there’s plenty of Halo to <em>play </em>in the meantime as well, more and more so if you’re playing on PC, as the Master Chief Collection continues to roll out on both the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/halo-the-master-chief-collection/9ntm9hxnlszx?activetab=pivot:overviewtab"><strong>Microsoft Store</strong></a> and <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/976730/Halo_The_Master_Chief_Collection/"><strong>Steam</strong></a>. Along side this rollout, you may have noticed some new video pieces accompanying each title. First up, and highlighting some gorgeous artwork by our friend at partner <a href="http://toroskose.com/"><strong>Toros Köse</strong></a>, two lore-laced video pieces showcased the MCC background menu changes for <strong><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CWG6_BKEo0">Halo: Reach</a> </em></strong>and <strong><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLHR61cjQAQ">Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary</a> </em></strong>respectively.</p>



<p>Next up is something that might be of particular interest to regular readers of this feature. That would be a new video series titled ONI Archive, which represent on the surface, a way to help introduce new fans to key events and elements of the universe via the loosely canonical framework of an ONI Section 2 propaganda initiative. For deeper-diving fans of course, there’s an additional bit behind the curtain that we hope you’ll find interesting…</p>



<p>Here’s the first video, released in conjunction with <em>Halo: Reach</em>.</p>



<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="ONI Archive – Noble Endeavors | Halo: Reach" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AoN2mhQTdZs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p> And hot off the presses, a <em>Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary-</em>related drop that released <strong>just today</strong>! </p>



<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="ONI Archive – Conflict Evolved | Halo: CE Anniversary" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t0R2xW9s5zE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>It’s been awesome to see keen-eyed/eared fans already starting to pick up little details. Stay vigilant, folks… </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BRINGING THE ARMOR TO LIFE</h2>



<p>Another recent video that might be of interest is an inside look into how we partnered with the folks from EVAkura Armor to create a real-life version of Master Chief’s GEN2 Mk.VI armor as seen in <em>Halo 5: Guardians</em>. Featuring Franchise family members Corrinne Robinson and Kenneth Peters to add in some fiction flavor, the video showcases what it takes to use creative modern-day techniques to recreate a set of 26<sup>th</sup> century power armor for us to use at events, promotions, and other memory-making moments.</p>



<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="Building a Spartan: Making Master Chief's Armor | 343 Industries" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VE4pOKJFRyk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">COMMUNITY CALLOUTS</h2>



<p>We understand that sometimes there are dryer periods when it comes to the Halo information you might crave the most (like where is my Halo pinball machine already?!). That being said, there are always a host of incredible community outlets discussing and dissecting the Halo story and universe. Here are a couple of recent ones that come to mind:</p>



<ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/BrendanLorLowry"><strong>Brendan “Lor” Lowry</strong></a> always does a bang-up job taking a deeper look at a variety of Halo topics on his blog, but I noticed one recently that had originally slipped past my motion tracker – one that I really enjoyed reading, especially with the recent addition of Noble Team’s efforts to the MCC. Make sure you check out his <a href="https://lortarkam.wordpress.com/2019/12/13/constructing-our-downfall-an-analysis-of-halo-reachs-exodus/"><strong>analysis of the <em>Halo: Reach </em>level “Exodus.”</strong></a> So good!</li><li>The awesome folks at Podcast Evolved released a great episode where they interview the long-time voice of Halo audio books, Scott Brick. Make sure you <a href="https://halopodcast.com/shows/podcast-evolved/episodes/episode-202"><strong>give it a listen</strong></a>!</li><li>We highlight a lot of great Halo fiction-focused YouTube channels around here, but here’s another one. Installation 00 always has cool videos coming out that take a closer look at different elements of the universe. One of their most recent videos is an audio reading of an excerpt from <em>Halsey’s Journal</em>, read by another very talented community member, Kat Peterson (<strong><a href="https://twitter.com/CxeeFoxx">@CxeeFoxx</a></strong>). The result is a really awesome enhancement of an already rad experience – give it a watch!</li></ul>



<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="01 - Halseys Journal - August 8th 2510 pt.1 - Classified Materials" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlExKl9SdrU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>And with that, I must sneak off back to my other duties. Trust me, you’ll hear more about <em>those</em> eventually.</p>



<p>Thanks for joining us for another edition and hope to see you soon! Well, soonish.</p>



<p>Until next time… Live well, play Halo, and wash your hands.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://twitter.com/grimbrotherone"><3 Grim</a></strong></p>
