Sweet Sixteenth
September comes to a close with a celebration of some Halo birthdays (namely Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach) to make us all feel old...
But do not fear the unceasing passage of time because we’re about to head into October which means we are just a few short weeks away from the 2023 Halo World Championship and the launch of Season 5 of Halo Infinite.
Before then, let us look back on the month that has come and gone in a blink of an eye. It’s time to dive into the latest edition of the Community Update!
HALO INFINITE
HUSKY RAID RETURNS
The Husky Raid playlist has returned, and it now includes the Super Husky Raid mode featuring the special weapon variants from the Halo Infinite campaign which make for an even more chaotic time.
The Husky Raid playlist will remain in matchmaking without a rotation date for now, however, the team will be monitoring its population and feedback.
TENRAI III
Tenrai III is live in Halo Infinite, running until October 3, which means you still have plenty of time to jump in and complete your free 10-tier Event Pass, which features the new Hatamoto helmet.
Oh, and did we mention that there are eight new community-created maps for you to play on in the Tenrai Social playlist, featuring ninja-styled variants of Slayer, King of the Hill, Strongholds, and other modes?
Jump in, complete Event Challenges to level up that YOROI armor drip, and study the art of the blade!
STORY SHARD: DUALITY
Alongside Tenrai III, Duality is a standalone Story Shard that takes the form of a Tenrai-themed retelling of the Halo Legends episode "The Duel," featuring art from William "Pixelflare" Cameron and Duncan Shaffer.
FORGE FEATURES
Our latest edition of Forge Features takes a look at another round of 343-recommended community-made maps—from Forerunner sky constructs and stone temples built into mountainsides, to a medieval-inspired fortress, and beyond.
INTEL
Our latest Intel drop for Season 4 of Halo Infinite takes the form of a journal entry from Dr. Halsey concerning the data recorded of the mysterious ruins on Heian, as seen in the Halo Legends episode “The Babysitter.”
HALO ESPORTS
The 2023 Halo World Championship draws ever closer, bringing Year 2 of HCS to a climactic conclusion with a $1,000,000 prize pool that will see the ultimate clash of titans take place from October 13-15.
With the return of the Community Stage, the cosplay contest, partnered team booth activations, and some special guest appearances, let’s get you a debrief on everything happening that’s going to make this the biggest year of HCS yet! Keep an eye on our Road to HaloWC 2023 blog, which will be updated over the coming weeks with new information about the event.
RADAR BLIPS
- CANON FODDER: CONCERT OF WORDS – Our latest issue of Canon Fodder celebrates the sixteenth birthday of Halo 3, answers community questions about Halo: Outcasts, shows off a new Swords of Sanghelios ship, and more.
- ARNO KISS x TENRAI ART – We collaborated with illustrator Arno Kiss on an exclusive Tenrai III digital poster featuring details from the Event Pass. Be sure to check out the event press kit HERE to get your copy in all its HD glory. And for the chance to win one of ten exclusive prints, make Arno's poster in your style and submit it by September 29!
Let's take a look at some of the incredible submissions thus far.
THE ARTIST’S CORNER
This month’s Artist’s Corner piece, naturally, was chosen in celebration of Halo 3’s sixteenth birthday.
Illustrated by Leonid Kozienko for Halo Mythos, this piece depicts the Master Chief, Arbiter Thel ‘Vadam, Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, and 343 Guilty Spark at the start of Halo 3’s final mission—on approach to the control room of Installation 08 where they intend to activate the ring to destroy the local Flood forces that have traveled outside the galaxy (thus ensuring that this installation’s firing does not set off the other rings).
Perhaps you fondly recall the first time you played through this mission, be it by yourself or with your friends or family. For me, I am instantly transported back to 2008 when the Vidmaster: Annual achievement went live (exactly a year after the game’s launch)—a challenge that would otherwise reward you with zero gamerscore, but was one of your first steps on the road to unlocking that coveted Recon armor.
I vividly recall getting to the top of the control room by use of strategic Brute Shot grenade jumps, trying to keep everyone together in the Ghosts, the countless checkpoint restarts when one of us got a little overconfident... and the relief of making it to the end, the achievement popping for everyone as we escaped extragalactic space.
Incredible, unforgettable times. Happy birthday, Halo 3!
Do you feel it? October is coming, which means crunchy autumn leaves on the ground, crisp and cold morning air, peak pumpkin spice latte season, and an unforgettable time of more Halo to come.
Champions shall be crowned, seasonal updates installed, and good times all around! We’ll see you on the other side.