Canon Fodder

Community

Games

Alex Wakeford

Issue 142

Canon Fodder: System Shocks

Suit up, Spartans. It’s time for some hazard pay!



Season 4: Infection released last week, which means it’s time to kick off its first event, which features a free Event Pass with 10 tiers of customization rewards for your HAZMAT armor.



Let’s get you a full debriefing…



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HAZMAT EVENT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2160" height="2160" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards.jpg" alt="Image of the HAZMAT Event's Reward Track" class="wp-image-70444" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards.jpg 2160w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HAZMATRewards-1568x1568.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px" /></figure>



From June 27-July 11, the HAZMAT event will be active. This is a free event that anybody can jump into, featuring a 10-tier Event Pass full of customization items to outfit your Spartan’s new HAZMAT armor.



 You know the drill: complete Event Challenges to earn tiers in your Event Pass and outfit your HAZMAT armor with your rewards!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAYLISTS ‘N’ PLAZA</h2>



A new season means new content—new maps, modes, and more! You can jump right into the latest and greatest seasonal action with the New Arena Unlimited and New BTB Unlimited playlists. 



<ul><li>WEEK ONE – New Arena Unlimited: June 27-July 4 </li><li>WEEK TWO – New BTB Unlimited: July 4-11</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="Solitude Map Preview | Season 4: Infection | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_7dgdhM7Eqk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



In addition to all the new Season 4 goodness included in the New Arena Unlimited playlist will be Solitude, our remake of the fan-favorite map Plaza from Halo 5: Guardians created in Halo Infinite’s Forge.



For a closer look at Solitude with some of our multiplayer designers, check out our Q&A blog below!



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/solitude-preview-season-4">SOLITUDE PREVIEW | SEASON 4</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HAZMAT ARMOR</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the HAZMAT Armor Core" class="wp-image-69912" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Built to stand against all manner of threats and dangerous conditions, designed to be used by both super-soldiers and unaugmented personnel, HAZMAT armor comes to Halo Infinite in Season 4.



OSTEO combat engineering suits incorporate an array of contingency systems focused on surviving extended operations in extraordinarily harsh working and combat environments. HAZMAT armor is for those who specialize in delving into the heart of dying Forerunner facilities, for hunters operating in blighted waters and poisoned winds, search teams exploring sites scarred by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons used in the Covenant War, and even more insidious threats the galaxy has to offer.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHOP & ULTIMATE REWARD</h2>



SHOP: SECOND CHANCE BUNDLE



Available in the Shop this week is the Second Chance bundle, which features:



<ul><li>Second Chance chest attachment (HAZMAT)</li><li>FAM-90 Stabilizer shoulder pads (HAZMAT)</li><li>Can Do stance</li><li>Jacknife armor coating (for all Armor Cores)</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the Second Chance bundle" class="wp-image-70458" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SecondChanceBundle-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



ULTIMATE REWARD



Complete all your challenges for the week and you’ll unlock this week’s Ultimate Reward: the Solarian Legend weapon coating for your M41 SPNKr.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the Solarian Legend weapon coating for the M41 SPNKr" class="wp-image-70472" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolarianLegendSPNKrUlt-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



FREE GIFT!



Log in at any time during the HAZMAT Event and you’ll unlock the War Storage backdrop for your Spartan ID.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-1024x576.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the HAZMAT Event's free gift: the War Storage backdrop" class="wp-image-70548" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Hazmat_Gift_WarStorage_Social_16x9.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



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



The HAZMAT Event is now live! Jump into Halo Infinite and complete your challenges to progress that Event Pass and unlock free HAZMAT-themed rewards.



The Containment Event will arrive later in Season 4, starting on August 29, which will also run for two weeks (through September 12) and offers an additional 10 tiers of free HAZMAT-themed rewards.



See you out there, HAZMAT honchos!

HAZMAT Event Launch

Season 4: Infection was released just last week, bringing a plethora of new content to Halo Infinite, and we’ve got a little something extra to share with you all in the form of Solitude—a remake of Plaza from Halo 5: Guardians—which you’ll be able to jump into… tomorrow! 



To help celebrate the arrival of Solitude for tomorrow, we’ve sat down with multiplayer designers Cayle George (Lead Level Designer), Cliff Schuldt (Level Designer), and Ryan Bergstrom (Level Designer) to learn a little bit more about the creation of this new take on a fan-favorite map. 



<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="Solitude Map Preview | Season 4: Infection | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_7dgdhM7Eqk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



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Let’s kick things off with some Plaza appreciation: what are some of the elements of this map that you think make it such a fan-favorite?



The first thing to say here is that Plaza really was one of the best Strongholds maps in Halo 5. Contesting and controlling zones on Plaza was incredibly fun, in no small part because traversal of the map was so interesting—there were lots of different flanking routes that always kept players on their toes while on the defense and open to a lot of engagement opportunities while on the offense. That made it work well for a bunch of different modes and gave it a lot of replayability.



Out of all of that, we really saw a lot of cool trick jumps emerge out of Halo 5’s movement on Plaza, which added a whole new layer of competitiveness that made it an instant favorite.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of Solitude" class="wp-image-70515" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview1-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



In Halo 5, Plaza is a neon-lit city street. In Halo Infinite, we see that Solitude looks very different. What inspired this new visual direction?



From the outset, our philosophy with remakes is that we want to explore these familiar spaces with alternate themes.



Part of that is just because it’s fun and interesting from an artistic standpoint, especially when we’re working with the new assets and palettes of Halo Infinite’s Forge mode, but it also makes it easier for players to parse some of the adjustments and tweaks to sandbox, scale, and other factors that inevitably happen across games.



If you go into a remake of a map and it looks exactly the same but the game plays differently (which Halo Infinite does compared to Halo 5), your brain can run into some “uncanny valley” territory where it just doesn’t quite feel right.



As a result of all those things, we thought it would be interesting to explore what Plaza would look like in a more desolate, abandoned setting.



Visuals aside, are there any notable differences in geometry between Plaza and Solitude, or is this a 1:1 remake?



Solitude is very close to being a 1:1 remake in terms of spacing, but the height and overall verticality of the map has been adjusted. There are some pieces of gameplay that inevitably won’t translate between Halo 5 and Halo Infinite because they play quite differently, but this is a map that aims to be true to the original with lots of cool new gameplay opportunities afforded by Halo Infinite’s sandbox toys.



Like Empyrean (the remake of The Pit), Solitude was made using Halo Infinite’s Forge. What are some of the advantages we’ve found internally that come with using this tool to create new multiplayer maps?



Forge is a tremendously useful tool when it comes to playtesting maps and making quick adjustments, which has definitely been a great advantage to have. If something isn’t feeling quite right or we want to experiment with an idea, Forge can simply make that process of ideation and iteration happen with greater speed than you’d have with a more “traditional” dev-made map.



How have we been finding that Solitude plays with Halo Infinite’s sandbox? Any fun playtesting stories to share?



At the very beginning, we put the Stalker Rifle where the Lightrifle used to be in Halo 5. As it’s so open in that middle area, the Stalker Rifle actually ended up annihilating anyone and everyone who walked into that space—especially in-combination with the Sniper.



That’s all part of the fun when it comes to creating remakes in a new game with a new sandbox. The Stalker Rifle seemed like a reasonable weapon to put in the Lightrifle spot, only for us to end up discovering that we’d basically created a new power weapon.



We pivoted that to the M392 Bandit, which players got their hands on as a new sandbox toy in Season 3.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of Solitude" class="wp-image-70529" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/SolitudePreview2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Which modes have we found are particularly fun to play on this map?



Just like Halo 5, we found that Strongholds is a really good time on Solitude. King of the Hill is a close second, and we hope players will find this map to overall be just as versatile and fun as its Halo 5 counterpart.



Are there any cool Easter eggs that fans should keep an eye out for on this map?



Yes? 😉



With Empyrean in last year’s Winter Update and now Solitude, can you share anything more about future Forge maps from the dev-side?



We are working on maps in the Forge tool to release to players. What that means is that we’re constantly playtesting and internally reviewing what maps we think will resonate with fans, and we’re also keeping our eyes on what the community is making in Forge to be featured in the Community Collection playlist.



We have to really weigh what the biggest bang for our buck is in terms of the value that we can add to the constantly growing content pool, and those are plate tectonics that are constantly shifting.



Thank you for joining us once again to tell us more about the process of creating these awesome maps. Do you have any parting words to share?



We hope you’ve all been enjoying Season 4 so far. It’s been great seeing people share their clips online of amazing plays in Infection or looking under the bridge on Forest (despite our warnings not to!)



Keep creating, keep sharing, and we hope you have a good time on Solitude.



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



New Arena Unlimited will be arriving tomorrow as the featured playlist for the next week, featuring a range of modes that will be playable on Forest and Solitude, so you’ll have the opportunity to jump straight into this new map and start slaying.



Let’s see how well you remember this dance…

Solitude Preview | Season 4

Season 4: Infection Launch

Since the beginning of the year we’ve been collecting
feedback from ranked players and working on updating our strategy to start
addressing some of the biggest topics. Today, we’re going to shed light on some
key updates that we’re making to Ranked Rotationals specifically and what you
can expect from them for the rest of the year. As always, our goal is to
deliver the best experience that we can to you, the players – and so we will be
continuing to monitor feedback and make adjustments as we go. 



Note that today we’re NOT going to be talking about the Ranking System and Ranked Matchmaking, this will be mostly focused on the experience offerings and content. 



To start, here are the key themes around feedback that we’ve
been seeing:



<ul><li>“Rotationals are too short, I barely even have
time to finish my placement matches and play a few games before it’s gone.”</li><li>“These playlists should just be permanent.”</li><li>“We want [Insert Playlist Here]”</li><li>“Ranked Arena should not be just HCS maps and
modes”</li><li>“When are we going to see more Community maps in
Ranked”</li></ul>



When we looked at all this feedback we knew that we weren’t going to be able to address everything all at once. We can’t just add 10+ more playlists, have them all be permanent, and then also instantly just add more maps to everything. So, in order to address as much of this feedback as possible, we’ve gone ahead of reworked our Ranked Rotational strategy in order to deliver the best experience that we can to players. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updated Rotational Length</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70066" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576-1.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_Ranked_TeamDoubles_1920x1080-1024x576-1-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Starting with Season 4, we’ve updated the length of rotationals from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. What we hope to do with this change is provide more time for folks to sink their teeth into the experience, actually get placed and have plenty of time to rank up. Ideally by the end of the month, players feel like they got their fill with this experience, they’ve reached a high rank that they’re satisfied with, and are ready for the next rotational to be slotted in. Ranks will still reset with each game season.



Due to the length of rotationals, this also means that you’ll be seeing your favorite rotationals less often. We know this is already something are players are passionate about (see feedback above around more permanent ranked playlists). However, again, we hope 4 weeks is enough time to get your fill and then we can bring it back later once you’ve grown hungry for that experience again. And when we do bring it back, we are committed to ensuring there is always going to be fresh content for you to play so that the playlist offering is evolving over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Updated Rotationals</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70010" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/Playlist_RankedSlayer_4K-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As part of our strategy update, we’re going to bring in some new rotationals into the mix and we are going to be saying goodbye to others. 



Our first new addition will be
Ranked Slayer.



Ranked Slayer: First to 50
kills wins. Assault Rifle primary, Bandit Rifle secondary. Radar is enabled.
Friendly fire is enabled.



Maps:



<ul><li>Forest (New Map for Season 4)</li><li>Aquarius</li><li>Argyle</li><li>Bazaar</li><li>Behemoth</li><li>Detachment</li><li>Empyrean</li><li>Live Fire</li><li>Recharge</li><li>Streets</li><li>Starboard</li><li>Catalyst</li><li>Cliffhanger</li></ul>



This playlist has been requested for a while and we’re excited to announce that not only is this playlist on the way but is also the first rotational to start Season 4 starting on June 20. Our hope is that this playlist provides a fair and balanced home for players who like to compete but don’t feel like Ranked Arena is quite the experience they’re interested in. At the same time, we wanted the experience to scale up for when high skilled players are playing against other high skilled players.



Finally, many players just like
to focus on getting kills and that’s why this playlist will only feature Slayer
on a variety of 343 and community-made maps, which will expand over time.



Returning rotationals:



<ul><li>Ranked Doubles</li><li>Ranked Snipers</li><li>Ranked Tactical Slayer (SWAT)</li></ul>



Retired Rotationals:



<ul><li>Ranked FFA</li><li>Ranked Survivors</li><li>Ranked Lone Wolves</li><li>Ranked Elimination</li></ul>



Why are
these being retired? There were a couple main reasons that went into our
decision to retire these rotational playlists. 



<ol><li>From a population and engagement standpoint, these performed significantly worse than the others. And while we know there’s a passionate community that enjoys playing these, we need to ensure that there’s enough interest to maintain a strong matchmaking experience where players can find matches in a timely manner, play on lower ping, and against opponents of similar skill. </li><li>At the moment, our strategy remains that there will be Ranked Arena and then 1 Ranked Rotational live at all times. Because of that and because of our increase from 2 weeks to 4 weeks in terms of length, we simply had to remove some in order for the most popular rotationals to come back around more often. </li></ol>



At the same time, we are working on ways where some of these playlists and experiences with cult followings can return, but do so in a way that brings more excitement to them than in the past (and thus more players) and fits into this updated rotational strategy. Stay tuned for more information later this year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Community Maps</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="560" height="320" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/thumbnail.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-70052" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/thumbnail.jpg 560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/thumbnail-300x171.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /><figcaption>Starboard by PWN Jones</figcaption></figure></div>



With regards to Community maps specifically, we are integrated into the main playlists processes so that we can also see what maps are being considered already for social matchmaking (like Starboard, for example). This will help us identify even more good ranked candidates, not just for Ranked Arena, but other playlists like Doubles, Snipers, and more. Over the course of the year, you should start to see more and more Community made maps entering the Ranked Playlists. 



Be sure to follow all of the guidelines already established for social playlists <a href="https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us/articles/14796740242708">HERE</a> but also be sure to tag <a href="https://twitter.com/RichieHeinz">@RichieHeinz</a> on Twitter who will be working on bringing more Community maps into Ranked.  



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



If you weren’t watching the Halo Infinite Season 4 Preview livestream on Friday, you may have missed that we just launched Ranked Leaderboards right here on Waypoint. Head to <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/leaderboards/csrseason3-1/edfef3ac-9cbe-4fa2-b949-8f29deafd483">Halo.gg/Ranked</a> to see it in action. 



Some key pieces of info:



<ul><li>All Ranked Playlists will be tracked each on a per season basis. </li><li>At the moment, only Onxy players will appear on the leaderboards. </li><li>Each leaderboard will “refresh” on a weekly basis on Thursdays. This means that if you’re in Onyx, you will not appear on the leaderboards until you play at least one game after each Thursday refresh. This is to ensure that people aren’t squatting on the leaderboard but rather have to continue to play. </li><li>Sign in is not required to view the leaderboards</li></ul>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="592" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/image-1024x592.png" alt="" class="wp-image-70038" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/image-1024x592.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/image-300x173.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/image-768x444.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/image.png 1516w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Best of luck to all players!



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



We’re very excited about the
direction that Ranked will be going in starting with Season 4 and beyond,
including a meta shift coming after the Halo World Championship 2023. As
always, we here to listen to players and deliver the best experience that we can
so your feedback throughout this year is very much appreciated. 



See you online!



Thanks,



Tashi

Tashi

Ranked Rotationals Update

It’s the final countdown! Season 4: Infection releases tomorrow, bringing a plethora of new customization content and updates to Halo Infinite.



HAZMAT armor, a fresh 100-tier Battle Pass, enhanced weapon customization, five exciting events, an overhaul of the Shop, and more await you to level up your customization game. Let’s take a closer look at what’s coming with Season 4…



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2160" height="2160" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the Season 4 Premium Battle Pass with a selection of customization items and 1000 earnable Credits" class="wp-image-70024" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP.jpg 2160w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4BP-1568x1568.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2160px) 100vw, 2160px" /><figcaption>NOTE: Battle Pass reward track image updated with correct asset 6/19*</figcaption></figure>



Season 4 delivers a new Battle Pass for you to earn 100 tiers of customization rewards (featuring more than 180 individual items).



The Infection Premium Battle Pass will be available for 1000 Credits, never expires, and includes:



<ul><li>100-tier reward track (including 1000 Credits).</li><li>Bonus Match XP throughout Season 4.</li><li>Fourth Challenge slot (while the Battle Pass is active).</li><li>Instantly unlock the Premium Battle Pass-exclusive FLASHBLIND Weapon Model for the MA40 Assault Rifle.</li><li>Instantly unlock the Premium Battle Pass-exclusive Genesis Bloom armor coating for all Armor Cores.</li></ul>



For even better value, the Infection Premium Battle Pass Bundle will be available for 2800 Credits, never expires, and includes everything from the Infection Premium Battle Pass list above along with twenty-five level grants in the reward track (64% discount).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans.jpg" alt="An infected Spartan sprinting towards two Spartans with an energy sword" class="wp-image-69968" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4InfectionSpartans-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



The fourth Challenge slot will be active whenever the Infection Premium Battle Pass is equipped. Owners of the Premium Battle Pass will also earn bonus Match XP throughout Season 4, no matter what Battle Pass you have equipped. And, as ever, once purchased, the Premium Battle Pass is yours to keep and complete at your leisure.



For players looking to jump into Season 4 of Halo Infinite without purchasing the Infection Premium Battle Pass, there is a free reward track which offers a selection of customization rewards, XP Boosts, and Challenge Swaps.



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the HAZMAT Armor Core" class="wp-image-69912" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatCore-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Built to stand against all manner of threats and dangerous conditions, designed to be used by both super-soldiers and unaugmented personnel, HAZMAT armor comes to Halo Infinite in Season 4.



OSTEO combat engineering suits incorporate an array of contingency systems focused on surviving extended operations in extraordinarily harsh working and combat environments. HAZMAT armor is for those who specialize in delving into the heart of dying Forerunner facilities, for hunters operating in blighted waters and poisoned winds, search teams exploring sites scarred by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons used in the Covenant War, and even more insidious threats the galaxy has to offer.



Play matches, earn Match XP, progress through your Battle Pass, and unlock customization rewards. And on that note, we’ve got two free events coming up—HAZMAT and Containment (more on them below!)—where you’ll be able to earn up to twenty free customization rewards to further outfit your HAZMAT armor.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ENHANCED WEAPON CUSTOMIZATION</h2>



Season 4 introduces new weapon customization to Halo Infinite.



Thus far, Weapon Models in Halo Infinite have enabled you to change some smaller details on the MA40 Assault Rifle, Mk50 Sidekick, and BR75 Battle Rifle. Maybe you wanted to change your weapon’s barrel or add a cool metallic eagle to the cowling… but we’re expanding that much further in Season 4, so you’ll be able to more extensively change the look of your arsenal.



Purchasing either the Premium Battle Pass or Premium Battle Pass Bundle will immediately give you the FLASHBLIND Weapon Kit for your MA40 Assault Rifle, which you can see in the image below. An alternate model for the BR75 is offered within the Battle Pass, and another can be acquired as a bonus offer with the purchase of any HCS weapon skin bundles.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of two Spartans outfitted in Premium Season 4 customization items" class="wp-image-69954" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4PremiumBPSpartans-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Attentive fans have already spotted that the CQS48 Bulldog on the season’s cover art has some interesting differences to the base model, and you can definitely expect to see us expand on these offerings in future events and future seasons.



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



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



Season 4 will play host to a total of five events. Each of these events are free, meaning that anybody—whether you own the Premium Battle Pass or not—can jump in and earn the items in the Event Reward Track.



HAZMAT & CONTAINMENT



Kicking off the week following Season 4’s release is the Hazmat Event. From June 27-July 11, you can earn 10 tiers of free rewards to outfit your new HAZMAT armor.



The Containment Event will arrive later, on August 29, which will also run for two weeks (through September 12) and offers another 10 tiers of free HAZMAT-themed rewards.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the returning YOROI armor in Season 4's Tenrai events" class="wp-image-69996" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4TenraiSpartan-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



TENRAI II & III



Tenrai was the first multiplayer event of Season 1 that came with the release of Halo Infinite back in November 2021, bringing the fan-favorite samurai-themed YOROI armor to the game… and the time has come for it to return in Season 4.



Tenrai II and III both offer their own unique (and free) Event Passes, each featuring 10 tiers of customization rewards, which means there will be 20 free rewards total across two Event Passes.



The Tenrai II Event will span two weeks, beginning on July 18, and Tenrai III will launch September 19.



CYBER SHOWDOWN II



Neon lights and epic fights once more combine in Season 4 with the Cyber Showdown II Event!



A thematic successor to the original Season 1 event, Cyber Showdown II will run for two weeks and feature a free 10-tier Event Pass packed full of retro-inspired customization items. This event will begin on August 8.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CUSTOMIZATION FLEXIBILITY</h2>



In a recent episode of Spartan Chatter, we gave an update on progress being made to support more customization flexibility across different armor cores starting in Season 4.



You can watch the relevant section of that 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="Spartan Chatter: Infection, Season 4 & Career Rank" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4SWLEPaTx4c?start=2038&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



In Season 4, new premium coatings arriving in the Season 4 Premium Battle Pass and the Shop will have more versatility: All armor and weapon coatings new to Season 4 from the Premium Battle Pass and the Shop will include versions for all armor cores and weapons.



This season, each new premium coating for a specific armor core or weapon is represented as an individual item (in the Premium Battle Pass and Shop bundles) due to the way the current system operates. In future seasons, we expect this to be more streamlined with a single coating icon/item being able to accommodate all applicable models.



Coatings included in returning legacy Shop offers and those earned as Ultimate Rewards for completing your weekly set of Challenges in Season 4 will still only be available for the armor or weapon it was originally intended for. But, as we look ahead beyond this season, we are aiming for more improvements to better represent cosmetic content in Halo Infinite’s UI and potential further ways to add more value and flexibility in the ways you customize your Spartan.



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



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



The Shop continues to evolve in Season 4.



SCROLLABLE STORE & RETURNING ITEMS



The Shop has hitherto taken the form of a single screen composed of a single “hero” bundle, several smaller bundles, a daily offering, and a pack of XP boosts and Challenge Swaps. This is expanding in Season 4 to become scrollable, where players will be able to see even more items that are on offer every week.



Items from previous seasons will return to the Shop with more frequent discounts as well.



SUPER BUNDLES



In Season 4, we are expanding bundles in the Shop to offer even more customization content for players, further building on the “super bundles” that arrived in Season 3.



There will be two of these super bundles in Season 4, which contain three smaller bundles that can be purchased individually. If you wish to purchase any of the smaller bundles, you will simply be able to scroll across to them in the Shop, but purchasing the super bundle will come with some additional exclusive items and costs less than purchasing the three bundles separately.



Like with Season 3’s super bundles, getting it all at once means that you ultimately get more customization content for less.



If you do choose to purchase an individual bundle, an additional offer will be presented to you when you reload the Shop (either by playing a match or by restarting the game) with everything else from the super bundle—excluding what you’ve already purchased, which means that you are obviously not effectively paying twice for items you already own.



When Season 4 launches tomorrow, you’ll find the HAZMAT Haven bundle available in the Shop.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the Hazmat Haven bundle" class="wp-image-69926" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4HazmatHavenShop-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



The Hazmat Haven bundle contains three full bundles that can be purchased individually: Courier (1600 Credits), Toolmaster (1400 Credits), and Warning Signs (1500 Credits), and it additionally includes an exclusive Mythic Effect Set and weapon charm.



Purchased individually, each bundle adds up to 4500 Credits. But when purchased together in the super bundle for 3400 Credits, players save 1100 Credits (24% discount).



On July 18, coinciding with the return of the Tenrai event, the Dragonborn bundle will be available. As with Hazmat Haven, this bundle will package together three individual bundles at a discount, along with a special Mythic Effect Set and the Dragonborn Noble shoulders for getting it all together. Stay tuned for more details next month!



As we stated when Season 3 launched, we are continuing to experiment with different formats for the Shop, and we are keen to hear your feedback to guide future adjustments.



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



That concludes our look at the customization elements coming in Season 4. The final countdown is here, as Season 4 is now just a day away from release—we’ll see you tomorrow and can’t wait to see how you’ll be outfitting your Spartans and weapons!



For a closer look at some of the major elements of Season 4, take a look at our other blogs below.



<ul><li> <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/career-rank-overview-season-4">CAREER RANK</a> – Learn more about Halo Infinite’s new progression system.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-update-overview-season4">FORGE UPDATE OVERVIEW</a> – Find out about new objects, palettes, options, and more coming to Forge.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sandbox-overview-season-4">SANDBOX OVERVIEW</a> – All you need to know about the Quantum Translocator, Threat Seeker, and other sandbox balancing changes in Season 4.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-overview-season-4">INFECTION OVERVIEW</a> – Everything you need to know about the return of the fan-favorite mode.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/maps-overview-season-4">MAPS OVERVIEW</a> – Take a guided tour of Scarr and Forest with our multiplayer designers.</li></ul>

Customization Overview | Season 4

Season 4: Infection, and your chance to hunt down the Survivors (or fight to survive!) is just around the corner.



Along with new maps, Career Rank, new equipment, Forge improvements, and more, Season 4 of Halo Infinite is chock-full of content for everyone. Today’s livestream illuminated even more about this exciting new season with closer looks at each of the upcoming additions. Watch the full video to get an overview of what’s on the way!



<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="Season 4: Infection Preview Livestream | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mkTXZWFVUu0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



A brand-new Battle Pass, hundreds of new customization options, Shop improvements, and more will arrive when Season 4 launches on June 20. For a deeper dive into some of the features we’ve already discussed, check out the following:



<ul><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-overview-season-4">Infection Overview</a></li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/career-rank-overview-season-4">Career Rank</a></li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-update-overview-season4">Forge Updates Overview</a></li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sandbox-overview-season-4">Sandbox Overview</a></li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/maps-overview-season-4">Maps Overview</a></li><li>Customization Overview – Coming Monday, June 19!</li></ul>



Whether you prefer Arena or Big Team Battle (BTB), the new maps and equipment add fresh ways to play. Set in a lush, green jungle, the aptly named Forest is a gorgeous 4v4 Arena map while Scarr takes you to a Banished mining facility repurposed for some BTB action. <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/maps-overview-season-4">You can read more about them in our Maps Overview</a>.



 This season’s new equipment will also be changing things up a bit. Grab the Quantum Translocator and beat a hasty retreat to safety if you find yourself in a jam, or jump into Ranked and use the Threat Seeker to locate your opponents. <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sandbox-overview-season-4">To learn more, you can check out the Sandbox Overview</a>.



Forge is also getting some love. Players have long dreamt of being able to add water to their maps and we’re very excited to finally have that ability in Season 4. There’s a placeable and scaleable water plane, a whole host of new Forerunner objects, Minigame Mode, Visual FX improvements, and many more updates—all allowing players to create like never before! <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-update-overview-season4">Get a more in-depth overview in the recent Season 4 Forge Update Overview</a>.



Here’s a roadmap of what you can expect to see during Season 4. From Infection, to new maps, to the return of the fan-favorite Tenrai and Cyber Showdown, there’s plenty to do all season long!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap4K.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap.jpg" alt="The Season 4 Roadmap " class="wp-image-69003" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Roadmap-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Thank you to everyone who tuned in to the livestream and to for being with us on this journey. Find out when the update rolls out in your region here:



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4Rollout_4K.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout.png" alt="A map showing when the Season rolls out across the globe." class="wp-image-69046" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/S4_Rollout-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Season 4: Infection kicks off on June 20 – we’ll see you then!

snickerdoodle

Livestream Overview | Season 4

Season 4 of Halo Infinite arrives on June 20, bringing with it two new maps—Scarr and Forest.



Scarr takes us to the mechanized heart of a massive Banished mining operation that will serve as a new space for BTB chaos, while Forest is an arena map set amongst the weathered ruins of an ancient temple complex.



We’re joined by multiplayer designers Cayle George (Lead Level Designer), Cliff Schuldt (Level Designer), and Ryan Bergstrom (Level Designer) to explore the making of these maps, but first let’s give you a closer look at them in our new flythrough video.



<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="Scarr and Forest Map Preview | Season 4: Infection | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YjBlVOtiJ6s?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



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



New season, new maps—it’s always exciting to have new spaces to learn and explore. How would you summarize Scarr and Forest to give Halo fans out there a sense of what they’re in for?



Scarr is the new BTB map in Season 4. Put simply: it’s a Banished mining facility in a volcanic setting—one side has a very molten kind of look to it, the other is colder and emphasizes more of the Banished aesthetic.



Forest is a new Arena map, and you’ll immediately get some Delta Halo vibes from it—though it’s not actually set on a Halo ring (you’ll find out exactly where in good time!) It’s got this gorgeous woodland aesthetic that will probably make you want to live there as much as you want to fight there.



I’m particularly excited about these being more alien-themed environments, the ancient and Banished aesthetics of Halo Infinite really look fantastic. What are some of the opportunities and differences that working with those palettes gives us compared to human-themed maps?



Ancient ruins in Halo naturally tell the story of another species and another time as you look at the architecture and design nuances. And then, on the Banished side of things, Scarr really shows the grittier industrial complex that feeds their war machine—it’s an interesting contrast to some of the human-themed industrial spaces we’ve seen.



These themes really give us some cool storytelling elements to work with for these maps. Walking around them really makes you feel like you’re in a living space in the universe, and that’s an important element of what a Halo map should feel like.



Forest feels like it takes us right back to Delta Halo from Halo 2 with its buildings made of weathered stone. Was that the main inspiration for this map?



No doubt this’ll be detailed further in Canon Fodder, so we won’t give too much away, but this map shows a bit of a relationship between humans and Forerunners from a unique period of history.



Artistically, Forest is different to the Pacific Northwest theme of Zeta Halo, as this has more of a jungle vibe to it. And then there are some cool gameplay aspects to it as well. There’s a massive hollow tree base, there’s a waterfall where you can grab the sniper and—if you’re channeling your inner Linda-058—attempt to snipe players through it.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked.png" alt="Halo Infinite image of Spartans battling on Scarr" class="wp-image-68927" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Scarr_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



What are some of the unique features that Scarr has as a BTB map?



One of the things we decided to do for power weapon placement on Scarr is, instead of a gravity hammer, we put the Diminisher of Hope on there for players to fight over. Its area-of-effect damage is larger, and the wielder can run faster while holding it, which can make a big difference on a BTB map.



There’s a kinetic launcher and teleporter, which both change up the dynamic of the map to make it distinct amongst the other BTB maps. The kinetic launcher will send you flying over to the other side of the map, but you have to go through vehicle territory to get to it; you can alternatively take side lanes where there’s more of a focus on infantry engagement, but Ghosts and Warthogs can get into those spaces as well. So traversing this map is something that presents some interesting choices.



We’ve got some cool new equipment arriving in Season 4—namely the Quantum Translocator, which adds some interesting dynamics to traversal. How does it feel to use this tool on a larger BTB map like Scarr and a smaller one like Forest?



The cool thing about using the Quantum Translocator on Scarr is that you can play with the kinetic launchers in an interesting way. Activate the QT before you go in to create your jump-back point, then soar over to the enemy base to make your play, and if you find yourself taking too much fire then you can blink back and reposition and wait for your shields to recharge before trying again. With thoughtful planning, it’s a piece of Power Equipment that can enable you to spread yourself out further, which can be useful on a larger map.



On Forest, let’s say you’re playing Strongholds. If you play smart, you can activate the Quantum Translocator at one capture point and head over to defend another. Then, if the first point is being attacked, you can warp back to it—it’s not quite being in two places at once, but you can use it to a similar kind of effect.



It’s also fun to fake your death by activating it before jumping off a cliff, then blinking back to potentially land a backsmack, or at least surprise an enemy player who thinks you’ve just tumbled to your death!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked.png" alt="Halo Infinite image of Spartans battling on Forest" class="wp-image-68913" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_Forest_ActionShot_1920x1080_Watermarked-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Which modes are your favorite to play on these maps?



Infection on Forest is great fun! There are some good camping spots, and fighting Infected in a shadowed forest feels a bit like you’re in Predator.



This is probably a good point to say that we’ve reworked all of the maps for Infection. These map variants have dead Spartans on the ground, blocked off areas, and other little additions which make it feel like a more bespoke experience for the mode rather than running around the exact same space you’d play any other match on.



CTF on Scarr is another one we’ve enjoyed a lot as well. Lots of tense moments to be had on that map as players get creative with how they make their plays!



Do you have any fun stories from playtests on these maps?



On Scarr, we had a tied game of CTF—both teams had 2 points, so whoever got the next capture was going to win. I got in a Ghost and managed to take down the flag carrier, but then I got killed and the enemy team rallied on that position to escort the flag back to their base. I thought we’d lost then and there… but then Cayle, who has a rocket launcher, grabs the active camo and makes it back to their base, and he kills every. single. one. of the enemy team as they’re inches away from winning. Cue a whole lot of yelling in the playtest lab!



For Forest, here’s a silly one. There’s an eagle’s nest you can get up to, and seeing other players jump up trying to melee you but failing is just quite funny.



Are there any Easter eggs or secrets that players should keep their eyes open for on these maps that you can hint towards?



I’m still trying to find my lunch. And don’t look under the bridge!



Thank you for helping us dive into these awesome new maps! Do you have any parting words?



First of all, a huge thank you to our partners over at Certain Affinity and Sperasoft for the collaboration that went into making these maps. We’re thrilled with how these turned out and we can’t wait for you to get to play them.



Secondly, be sure to share your clips! Tag us, we love seeing them and all the chaotic things you get up to.



And thirdly… really, don’t look under the bridge!



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That wraps things up for our Season 4 map preview. We can’t wait for you to get to play them for yourselves, so mark those calendars for Season 4’s release on June 20.



For a closer look at some of the major elements of Season 4, take a look at our other blogs below.



<ul><li> <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/career-rank-overview-season-4">CAREER RANK</a> – Learn more about Halo Infinite’s new progression system.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-update-overview-season4">FORGE UPDATE OVERVIEW</a> – Find out about new objects, palettes, options, and more coming to Forge.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sandbox-overview-season-4">SANDBOX OVERVIEW</a> – All you need to know about the Quantum Translocator, Threat Seeker, and other sandbox balancing changes in Season 4.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/infection-overview-season-4">INFECTION OVERVIEW</a> – Everything you need to know about the return of the fan-favorite mode.</li></ul>

Maps Overview | Season 4

A trip down memory lane...

Season 4 of Halo Infinite arrives in just a few days on June 20 and brings with it the highly anticipated fan-favorite Infection mode.



The Academy has been compromised. Iratus has taken control, and mayhem is about to be unleashed. Will you succumb, or survive?



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



Once upon a time, Infection was an unofficial custom game played with honor rules in Halo 2—a game that released in the periphery of 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, and Resident Evil, and so it was little wonder that Halo fans had zombies on their collective minds.



The precise origin of this particular game mode is difficult to determine, perhaps even lost to time, but it is undoubtedly a very early example of the kind of impact that community creativity has had on Halo.



In its original form, Red Team were the humans and Green Team were the Energy Sword-wielding zombies. You would manually switch teams using the pause menu if you got killed by a zombie to join the infected horde (and hell mend you if you didn’t honor that rule). All sorts of variations and allowances and compromises would be debated, agreed upon, and inevitably broken.





These were the early days of online multiplayer gaming on Xbox Live. During this time, the maps Foundation and Headlong became a fiery crucible in which lifelong friendships were forged amongst clan mates gathering to play a few rounds of Zombies—until they realized through bleary eyes that it was 3AM. Thus, the foundations were set for what remains one of the most beloved modes in Halo.



Infection has returned as an official mode in each successive title, bringing some updates and variations along the way to its settings and aesthetics.



And now it returns once more to Halo Infinite.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IRATUS UNLEASHED</h2>



In Season 3: Echoes Within, we saw our Spartan descend into a hidden area of the Avery J. Johnson Academy with Spartan Dinh—a black site built early in the Covenant War where the Office of Naval Intelligence have buried some of their secrets.



After the Banished AI Iratus scoured Dinh’s memories, he seized on the opportunity to take control of the Academy’s systems, appearing over a disassembled suit of MIRAGE IIC armor held in a Brokkr armor mechanism.



As noted earlier, each iteration of Infection over the years has had some variations to its aesthetics. In Halo 4 and Halo 2: Anniversary, the infected player model was a Flood-infected Spartan, while in Halo 2 through Halo 5: Guardians it has been elements of customization (such as armor color and effects) that separated the survivor from the horde.



Halo Infinite is no different, as Iratus brings a new visual flair and flavor to the Infection experience, as you can see in some of the stunning concepts our Art Team has cooked up.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1284" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite concept art of Alpha and Beta Infected showing the different Iratus effects" class="wp-image-68841" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-300x201.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-768x514.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_InfectionConceptArt_AlphaBeta_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1568x1049.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Alpha Infected will see more prominent effects on their Spartan, with Iratus covering their helmet and other red holographic effects over their armor. Beta Infected will also have Iratus-themed effects applied, but more subtly to differentiate them from Alphas.



Some of you may have noticed certain peculiarities in the Academy background as you navigate various menus throughout Season 3, such as power surges in UNSC equipment and red flickering. Upon entering the simulated environments of the multiplayer maps, you will see some very noticeable changes to these spaces because we’ve got Infection-specific map variants that will be played with this mode.



Maps will be overtaken with distortions and digital lightning to convey the thematic aspects of this incarnation of Infection, but they’ll also have dead Spartans on the ground, new areas to hide or find temporary shelter, and other paths that might be blocked off by crates that could leave you at a dead end.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1247" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite concept art of the Infected Energy Sword" class="wp-image-68855" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-300x195.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1024x665.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-768x499.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1536x998.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/06/HI_S4_InfectionConceptArt_InfectedSword_JEFFS_1920_Watermarked-1568x1018.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">RULES OF ENGAGEMENT</h2>



With that groundwork established, let’s talk about the rules of how Infection is played in Halo Infinite—for many of you, the music to this particular dance is undoubtedly well known.



<ul><li>Infection is a round-based mode where one team (Infected) converts enemy players (Survivors) to their team upon killing them.</li><li>Each round, a limited number of players are selected to be Infected—these are Alpha Infected, and the Survivors they kill are converted to Beta Infected.</li><li>Survivors start out with limited supplies and will need to acquire additional weapons, equipment, and ammunition from the map.</li><li>The goal is for the Infected to eliminate all Survivors. The last Survivor (the Last Spartan Standing) will have special traits applied to them (such as Overshield and unlimited ammo), but a nav-point will reveal their location to all Infected.</li></ul>



And there you have it. Scout, scavenge, survive—or succumb to the Infected…



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Season 4 is almost here and Hell needs a new janitor, so get ready to dust off that shotgun and prepare to face Iratus as he goes viral.



For a closer look at some of the major elements of Season 4, take a look at our other blogs below.



<ul><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/career-rank-overview-season-4">CAREER RANK</a> – Learn more about Halo Infinite’s new progression system.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-update-overview-season4">FORGE UPDATE OVERVIEW</a> – Find out about new objects, palettes, options, and more coming to Forge.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/sandbox-overview-season-4">SANDBOX OVERVIEW</a> – All you need to know about the Quantum Translocator, Threat Seeker, and other sandbox balancing changes in Season 4.</li><li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/maps-overview-season-4">MAPS OVERVIEW</a> – Take a guided tour of Scarr and Forest with our multiplayer designers. </li></ul>