Esports

We’re excited to announce our renewed partnership with ZOWIE as the official monitor for the Halo Championship Series 2023 season. ZOWIE is known to deliver one of the best competitive experiences and this was proven throughout the 2022 season. We’re excited to bring players the same great experience they’re familiar with. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="975" height="548" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-57432" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/image.png 975w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/image-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/image-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 975px) 100vw, 975px" /></figure>



The XL2540K 24.5-inch esports gaming monitor delivers a 240Hz refresh rate with 1080p resolution. It’s built with a fast TN panel to ensure consistent fast-motion clarity with every fight you take, and features <a href="https://benqurl.biz/3XWbR37">XL Settings to Share™</a> which allows players to share their settings with teammates.



For fans and players interested in playing with the same equipment that will be used at all official HCS events this year, click <a href="https://benqurl.biz/3IvswFc">here</a> to learn more! The XL2540K esports gaming monitors will be used in the Open Bracket, Pool Play, and Championship Bracket.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57460" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/ZOWIE-Monitor-Announce-1568x1046.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



The Kickoff Major in Charlotte begins in just a few days, and we can’t wait to bring you all the amazing action. To learn more about the event, be sure to check out our <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/charlotte2023">event</a> page. 



Thank you ZOWIE for the continuous support and we can’t wait to have another successful season together!



Make sure to follow ZOWIE on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/ZOWIEbyBenQUSA">@ZOWIEbyBenQUSA</a>) and Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zowiebybenqusa/">@zowiebybenqusa</a>) to keep up with the latest news! And for the latest on the Halo Championship Series be sure to follow HCS on <a href="https://twitter.com/hcs">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hcs/">Instagram</a>.

Official HCS

HCS and ZOWIE Partnership

Community

Community Update

Alex Wakeford

February Flavors

Canon Fodder

Issue 138

Canon Fodder: Phoenix Blog

Fiction

Games

Halo Infinite‘s Winter Update concludes very soon, with Season 3: Echoes Within right around the corner.



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-infinite-lone-wolves-intel">As with Season 2</a>, you can find all of the additional Intel drops from the last few months (which have appeared both on Halo Waypoint and in-game) archived here.



Looking ahead, Season 3’s Intel will be published in a central Halo Waypoint blog (instead of the Halo Infinite page) which we will update with each new monthly entry, and you can continue to expect to see it published in-game in the MOTD carousel of Halo Infinite as well.



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



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



HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a communication between Jun-A266 (COSSPAR) and [REDACTED] (EXTUSR) concerning the seemingly contradictory nature of several reports regarding the Spartan’s escape from the fall of Reach.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress.jpg" alt="Intel image of Jun-A266" class="wp-image-57003" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel1-Egress-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



OFFICE BLOCK: 9H7B.10 COMMREF: 572OP4MD3-H-11 SND: EXTUSR | REC: COSSPAR



RE: Nine lives?



Jun,



I took your advice about those reports. Problem is, there are several—and they don’t exactly line up. Take ITEM/466F41.LV for example, which has you crossing paths with elements of WHITE GLOVE. It notes here the loss of several personnel to a Hunter pair and squad of SpecOps Sangheili, but somehow Charlie Hotel was still able to complete her objectives at CASTLE. Of course, Covenant artillery and orbital impacts in that area make some of these details seem… debatable at best.



But a second report has you rendezvous with Beta-Red for an exfil run that only shows up on a few random manifests. And the other account I pulled honestly seems too absurd to even entertain, but I can send it along anyway if you’re interested in the comedic value.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TORCH & BURN</h2>



 HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is an after-action report concerning Operation: WHITE GLOVE, flagging the activities of Noble Team, Jun-A266, and Dr. Catherine Halsey.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn.jpg" alt="Intel image for Torch and Burn showcasing a figure in an ONI facility" class="wp-image-57017" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel2-TorchAndBurn-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



UNSC COMMREF: 20PU78MB2-Y-31 RE: AFTER-ACTION REPORT, WHGL.037



[FLAG 0002] – Operation: WHITE GLOVE enacted. 76113-30529-UH reassigns NOBLE Team to SWORD Base. Mission confirmed with A259 at [REDACTED] Hours.



[FLAG 0009] – SWORD Base demolition confirmed. A266 assigned to escort CC-409871 to CASTLE Base.



[FLAG 0014] – CC-409871 and A266 arrive at CASTLE Base.



[FLAG 0016] – A266 evacuates CASTLE Base personnel. CC-409871 remains behind.



[FLAG 0019] – CC-409871 enacts Operation: WHITE GLOVE at CASTLE Base.



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



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



 HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a formal communique concerning the formation of Spartan-III “Headhunter” units prior to Operation: PROMETHEUS, which would see Alpha Company wiped out.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter.jpg" alt="Headhunters Intel image showing Hazel-A302 with Jun-A266" class="wp-image-57031" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel3-Headhunter-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



UNSC COMMREF: J822D01ML-B-31 DATE: [REDACTED], 2537 SND: [045888947] REC: [103771692]



RE: REALLOCATING RESOURCES



With PROMETHEUS drawing close, we’ve had to move fast to reallocate A266, A282, and A302. I think we might be pushing our luck with A019, but we all know the odds Alpha Company is up against. We need to press Ackerson for as much as we can get while keeping ahead of the probability threshold for operational success.



Still trying to sell him on our little covert initiative. Settled on two Spartan units dedicated to high-priority recon, sabotage, and assassination. Hell, I don’t care if he reassigns them as his private grim reapers. We just need to pull these candidates out of the meat grinder before it’s too late.



Kurt Ambrose



LT, UNSCN / SPECWARCOM



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DEEP WINTER</h2>



 HISTORIAN’S NOTE: The following is a “deathbed confession” by the artificial intelligence known as Deep Winter, who transferred Kurt-051 a series of files in 2551 concerning alterations to the augmentation procedures for SPARTAN-III Gamma Company.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter.jpg" alt="New Intel Available image" class="wp-image-57045" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Intel4-DeepWinter-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



You are wondering how I lasted this long—practically double the original estimation of my operational life. Impressive, no? Alas, this is not about my longevity, which I fear has come to an end.



I know that you and Ackerson will have these files purged. I don’t know if you will even look at them, for I suspect we have both kept secrets from each other that we fear to know, and therein lies my own confession…



I have loved every one of these Spartans as you have. I sought to protect them, and I operated beyond my orders to protect those that I could. I am not the first of my kind to make such obfuscations, and I certainly don’t expect to be the last. There is another file attached here, one that you would no doubt be confused to find your name attached to. I needed to ensure the reassignment of several members of Alpha Company to give momentum and purpose to parallel initiatives, and invoking your attribution would cause enough of a stir to set those wheels in motion.



I make no apologies for this deception, and I tell you this so that there is no doubt in your mind that—like yourself, like Mendez—we were each as fathers to these children. I may only be mind, but I am not without heart. 



Farewell, Zero-Five-One.

343 INDUSTRIES

Winter Update

Halo Infinite | Winter Update Intel

Community Spotlight

Spotlight: February 14, 2023

The Team Partnership Program is a critical component of the HCS and our esports strategy overall. Today, we wanted to shed more light on the overall goals and philosophy, list out the partners joining us in 2023, share what you can expect from Partnered Teams in 2023, and then close with a brief look at our strategy for the partnership program in the near future. Let’s dive in! 



At a high level, we believe that teams are crticial to the Halo esports ecosystem. They provide salaries to players, bring in fans who watch, give fans an anchor point to root for and engage in the ecosystem around, and can also help cultivate deeper connections between fans and the league. At the same time, it’s important for HCS, as well as for our partnered teams, that we do things in a way that’s sustainable. At the end of the day, this is a business for teams, and we understand that revenue is what’s required from an ecosystem in order to sustainably afford their participation in the league. Because of that, during Halo Infinite’s development we learned as much as we could from teams in order to design a program and features with that in mind. Across all teams combined, Year 1 was a massive financial success for the program and we were excited to open up applications for Year 2. The program is a built in a way that gives teams some control over their own destiny. They design the skins and they control their ability to promote and market the skins. While the freedom is great, it also means that not all teams had the same level of success which is important to note. 



 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56581" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3-1568x1046.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/i-DcPjD3f-X3.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>







In terms of how we measure success for the program, revenue directly to the teams is the most important because it’s most important to the teams. Next, we look at fan engagement on social media, content creation, fan engagement at events, and more along those lines. Finally, it’s important that our partners are just that – partners. We expect them to be philosophically aligned with us in supporting the game and league, putting in the effort to build a fanbase, and often asking, “what we can do to support Halo?” rather than just “what can Halo do to support me?”. How that last part manifests is in the different ideas brought to the table, teams taking advantage of the various opportunities we provide, teams bringing opportunities to us, supporting the game and league beats directly, and generally the attitude and approach when working through issues together.  



In the long term, we see teams growing more and more integrated with the Halo ecosystem, and not just the core HCS league (though that will always be at the center of the partnership). We think the teams that are more than just player managers will be the ones who will fit best in Halo, as the franchise has a wide breadth of experiences to offer and ways to entertain Halo fans.  



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 TEAMS </h2>



We’re excited to officially confirm the 8 partnered teams that will be joining us for the 2023 Season. Please welcome, and welcome back: 



<ul><li>CLOUD9</li><li>COMPLEXITY </li><li>FAZE CLAN </li><li>NAVI </li><li>OPTIC GAMING </li><li>QUADRANT </li><li>SENTINELS </li><li>SPACESTATION GAMING </li></ul>



G2, FNATIC, and EUNITED, we want to say thank you for being part of a historic year in Halo esports.  



We’re very thankful for the teams that are participating this year and we’ve already begun working together closely to deliver even more for Halo fans than last year. Keep reading to see what I mean! 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2023 PROGRAM </h2>



For 2023 (as well as beyond) we thought deeply about what a team’s involvement in the Halo ecosystem could look like. First and foremost, we felt it was most important that teams focus on cultivating a fanbase in Halo. And then we thought about, what are the things that teams can do in order to cultivate a fanbase. Finally, we thought about how teams can generate revenue off of those things either from fans or from us. Obviously, the skin bundles sold in the game and Waypoint are the “hero” offerings and ones that fans seem to love the most. However, we thought it was critical for the long-term success that teams not solely rely on the skins for their sustainability.  



While we’re on the topic of skins, we’re excited to say that each team will receive 4 bundle drops in 2023 compared to 3 last year. And, while we can’t share the specifics quite yet, we’ve given teams access to more options in terms of design, and more new pieces of content to customize compared to last year. Finally, the team that wins the Halo World Championship will also have an event bundle, and we will share revenue with that team exclusively just as we did in 2022. 



Fans have asked for more transparency around what they should expect from Partnered Teams in the Halo ecosystem and today we’re going to provide even more insight than ever before. First, the business terms are the same across all teams and that’s how we approached it in Year 1 as well.  



Next, the teams have opportunities to earn additional bonus revenue directly from their skin sales by promoting the game and league more on social media, as well as creating content on YouTube.  



On top of that, teams are accountable for engaging and supporting the community in various ways including hosting various tournaments or show matches, and hosting various activations either online or in-person.  



<figure class="wp-block-gallery columns-1 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex"><ul class="blocks-gallery-grid"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-1024x683.jpg" alt="" data-id="55913" data-full-url="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC.jpg" data-link="https://waypoint-cms-prod-01.azurewebsites.net/?attachment_id=55913" class="wp-image-55913" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-768x512.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC-1568x1046.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/SSG-Booth-HaloWC.jpg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></li></ul></figure>



Finally, teams will also have the opportunity to create merch collabs with us just as they did in Year 1, but this time two drops instead of one. 



Our ambition is that if you’re a fan of any of the partnered teams, then they’re going to give you a lot more reasons to love them. And if you’re not a fan of any of the partnered teams and you’re new to the scene, then the partnered teams have the freedom and incentives to make you a fan. 



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



We know there’s a lot of interest from other teams in HCS that are not partnered, and we want to say thank you for your continued support, it does not go unnoticed. At the moment, the biggest impact that we can have is to focus on Halo Infinite, the platform that HCS resides on. It’s important that we continue to create and release more content for players, deliver on the features fans expect, and build a strong platform for the HCS to build upon. With the Winter Update and recent update having released, we feel we’re moving in the right direction but there’s still more work ahead of us. We’re excited to share more about what’s coming with Season 3 as well as future Seasons and updates that fans can expect. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="615" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-1024x615.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56567" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-1024x615.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-300x180.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-768x461.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-1536x922.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548-1568x941.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FaZe-Halo-Sword-63e6d91cc3548.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



On the HCS side, it’s important that we work to deliver a great experience for the teams that we have now today before we expand again. This is because we want to ensure that when we bring new partners in, we’re confident that the program will deliver based on their expectations. Our strategy at the moment is to be heads-down focused on the game and delivering the best experience to fans and players everywhere, and then we will pick our heads back up in the middle of the year to re-evaluate when the right time to bring in more partnered teams will be. The HCS and its partnership program are important parts of the Halo Infinite ecosystem and strategy, and we will continue our mission to deliver epic entertainment to Halo fans around the world. Thank you to everyone for all of the support – we absolutely cannot wait for the season to start and to see you all in Charlotte. To learn more about our HCS Kickoff Major in Charlotte, head <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/charlotte2023">here</a> for the full event breakdown.  



Thanks,  Tashi

Tashi

Team Partnership Program 2023

Season 3 is just around the corner, landing on March 7, but an additional update that should improve your experience in a few targeted areas will also be arriving this upcoming Wednesday, February 15. The updates in this patch are the direct result of player feedback online and community reported issues on the Halo Support site.  



We’ll be touching on some of the updates in this preview blog but please stay tuned for full patch notes on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us" target="_blank">the Halo Support site</a> when it releases next week. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint.jpg" alt="A Spartan with an MA40 AR is being flanked by an opponent holding a Disruptor." class="wp-image-56538" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/HaloInfinite_2021_Season2_09_Watermarked_1920x1080_Waypoint-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">UXUI </h3>



<ul><li>The Ranked CSR widget should now communicate increases and decreases in CSR more clearly </li></ul>



The Winter Update introduced some additional UXUI messaging to help communicate increases and decreases in CSR after each ranked match. However, we understand that the format did not always communicate these changes in a manner that was easy to understand. Next week’s update should address this feedback making it even easier to tell how much your CSR went up or down after each match. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sandbox </h3>



<ul><li>In the Ranked Arena playlist and HCS, each Weapon Rack will now be set to a “Red Rack” state after the weapon is picked up. This means once a weapon is picked up, the Weapon Rack won’t spawn another weapon until the original has despawned. </li></ul>



Sandbox Team Dev Note: We’ve seen the feedback around there being too much power on the map in Ranked Arena, with many players calling out the respawn rate and ammo count on weapons. To help address this, we’ll be updating all Weapon Racks in Ranked Arena to provide only one weapon at a time. We expect this to help reduce the overall power and ensure a more competitive environment. As for ammo reductions on the weapons themselves in Ranked, ranked players should expect those to come for the Heatwave, Stalker Rifle, CQS48 Bulldog, and Shock Rifle with the launch of 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/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked.jpg" alt="A Spartan with a Frag Grenade is winding up to throw it at an opponent." class="wp-image-56510" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_02_1920x1080_Watermarked-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<ul><li>Frag Grenade damage radius will be slightly reduced  </li></ul>



The specific tuning changes are: 



<ul><li>Radius reduction from 2.7wu to 2.5wu (world units)</li></ul>



Sandbox Team Dev Note: After listening to community input and doing in-house tuning, we’re happy to be rolling out a change that slightly reduces the damage radius on Frag Grenades. The update should help reward skilled Frag Grenade placement while also addressing the concerns around grenade spam effectiveness in gameplay. 



<ul><li>Drop Weapon mechanic will now have the same speed as normal weapon switching </li></ul>



Sandbox Team Dev Note: The Drop Weapon meta was becoming very prominent in competitive play, to the point where nearly every top player was doing it. Many players shared their concerns about it becoming too prominent at the highest level of competition, so we’ve made sure the weapon ready up time after a dropped weapon matches the speed of swapping between weapons normally.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked.jpg" alt="A Spartan holding an S7 Sniper stands at the ready." class="wp-image-56524" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/FebUpdate_01_1920x1080_Watermarked-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<ul><li>S7 Sniper will have its error angle reduced when no-scoping </li></ul>



The specific tuning changes are: 



<ul><li>Error angle max reduced by 30% </li><li>Error angle minimum reduced by 55% </li><li>Time to reset bloom reduced by 20%  </li></ul>



Sandbox Team Dev Note: Halo Infinite’s S7 Sniper no-scope error angle properties were in line with previous Halo titles, but we’ve seen the requests to make it even more accurate when firing from the hip. When this update lands next week, the sharpshooters out there should notice some improvements when going for kills in which no scope was involved.  



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bug Fixes </h3>



<ul><li>Various client and server stability improvements </li><li>Improvements to reduce the gun jamming on semi-automatic weapons </li><li>Improvements to reduce a visual glitch that made semi-automatic weapons appear as if they were double-firing from a third-person point of view. </li></ul>



A full version of the patch notes with additional details will go live on <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://support.halowaypoint.com/hc/en-us" target="_blank">the Halo Support site</a> next Wednesday when the update drops, so be sure to give <a href="https://twitter.com/HaloSupport" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="@HaloSupport (opens in a new tab)">@HaloSupport</a> a follow on Twitter. There will also be additional sandbox balance changes when Season 3 goes live on March 7, so please keep an eye out for news on those as we get closer to its release as well.



We’ll see you online!

Unyshek

February Update Preview

Halo: Winter Contention

Forge Features

Long before the Halo Infinite Forge Beta launched with the Winter Update back in November, we knew we were going to have our collective minds blown by the things the community would make and share when we handed over the tools of map and mode creation. Three months later, we are still seeing that creativity pushed to new heights every week! 



We delivered the Custom Games Browser to Halo Infinite ahead of schedule in December, giving you the ability to make every night a custom games night with friends and foes you just haven’t gotten acquainted with yet. 



And now, on the cusp of Season 3, we’re answering the highly requested call to bring community-made Forge maps to their own unique matchmaking playlist. 



Let’s take a look at what awaits you in the Community Collection playlist, available now!



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ABSOLUTION Credits: Anvil Prime 52, Savesme6464, b0b is here Bookmark: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/2182e9f8-7555-4955-874d-1afa6053ea62" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Absolution (opens in a new tab)">Absolution</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/2182e9f8-7555-4955-874d-1afa6053ea62"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-53941" width="1920" height="1080" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/12/Absolution-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



A map we previously showed off in <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-features-3" target="_blank">our third issue of Forge Features</a>, Absolution has some familiar aspects of a few different maps—from Halo 2’s Sanctuary to Halo 3’s Guardian, with that weathered, stone-based Forerunner aesthetic that defined the look of Delta Halo. 



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PERILOUS Credits: Sikamikanico, Whos Blaze, UnknownEmerald, tdubfed1, Bubba Bookmark: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/5ce22703-8ce9-41a2-976e-db932bd2f2eb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Perilous (opens in a new tab)">Perilous</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/5ce22703-8ce9-41a2-976e-db932bd2f2eb"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54743" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Perilous-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



While not a direct remake of the iconic Lockout from Halo 2, many areas of this map carry elements of that beloved classic that lend a hint of familiarity to this new space.



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SALVATION Credits: Black Picture, InfiniteForges, Hofsta, tdubfed1 Bookmark: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Salvation (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/e1d4a838-d686-4ccb-88b5-02faf2223927" target="_blank">Salvation</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/e1d4a838-d686-4ccb-88b5-02faf2223927"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-54757" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/01/Salvation-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Damnation from Halo: Combat Evolved sees a fresh coat of Banished paint and a beautifully revamped industrial aesthetic within a vast cavern.  



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STARBOARD Credits: Pwn Jones, TheHoodedManZ, bissuetox, The MetaChief, Hitbox unKnown, Max Extra  Bookmark: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Starboard (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/905e7c0b-c453-4a46-a1e6-5f1d375d9529" target="_blank">Starboard</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/905e7c0b-c453-4a46-a1e6-5f1d375d9529"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56403" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/Starboard-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



All hands have been summoned to battle stations on this stunning UNSC-ified spiritual remake of Halo 2’s Midship.



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This is just the beginning for the Community Collection playlist, which will go on to be updated with further community content in the future—we’ll have further details to share with you on that front down the road.

Community Collection Playlist Launch

Noble Intention Press Kit

We’ve got one last thing for you before Season 3 arrives…



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents.jpg" alt="Noble Intention event art featuring Thom and Rosenda armor kits." class="wp-image-56218" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Branded_xEvents-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Once upon a time, there were to be seven members of Noble Team—the seven samurai, the magnificent seven… but two of them didn’t make it into Halo: Reach.



Thom-A293 perished in the aforementioned game’s live-action
“Deliver Hope” trailer, blowing up a Covenant vessel from the inside with a
tactical nuke. Rosenda-A344 remained in obscure background fiction, cited as a
potential replacement on the team for Emile-A239.



And now, these two Spartans return in the Noble Intention Event for Halo Infinite, along with additional Halo: Reach-themed cosmetics for your MARK V [B] Armor Core in a free 10-tier Event Pass to bring the Winter Update to a close. Alongside the event, we’ve also launched <a href="https://aka.ms/CommunityCollection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="the Community Collection playlist (opens in a new tab)">the Community Collection playlist</a>, which features four community-made Forge maps in matchmaking.



Running from February 7 through February 21, this limited event rewards you for playing however you want—simply complete Challenges and you’ll progress the Event Pass!



So get out there and Remember Reach one last time as we give the Winter Update its send-off!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents.jpg" alt="Noble Intention Event Pass outlining the 10 free rewards" class="wp-image-56190" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/NobleIntention_Rewards_xEvents-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Oh, and don’t forget to complete all of your Challenges this week, which will unlock the Wedgewood Spriggan armor coating for your MARK V [B].



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating.jpg" alt="The blue toned Wedgewood Spriggan coating for the MARK V [B] armor core." class="wp-image-56204" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/WedgewoodSpriggan_ArmorCoating-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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In Season 1 and the Winter Update, the armor and
aesthetics of Halo: Reach have been brought back into the spotlight, and
it seemed fitting that the natural culmination, before we return to the events of
Season 2, was to revisit Noble Team in a new story.



You’ve unlocked their Armor Kits. You’ve rebuilt some of your favorite custom Spartan looks. And now, with the arrival of Thom and Rosenda, it’s only fair that you get to see them in action.



Enter Halo: Winter Contention, a new short story
that you can read online or listen to in audiobook form on YouTube on Wednesday,
February 8. Soon™!



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">December 2551. Though the Covenant invasion of Concord has seen a rare UNSC victory, the Spartans of Noble Team find themselves stranded in a remote hinterland town. While the Covenant’s orbital presence has been neutralized, the remaining alien survivors have regrouped and prepare to make a devastating final stand.‎ With dwindling time and no reinforcements, Kat-B320 comes up with a daring plan to do what Spartans do best and turn the tide – and it’s up to Thom-A293 and Rosenda-A344 to make it happen.</blockquote>



<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: Winter Contention | Audiobook" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z03t1RQVh_U?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>





As a bonus, you can <a href="https://aka.ms/NobleIntentionPressKit">grab our Noble Intention press kit right here</a>!



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Community Collection</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-56417" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/02/CommunityCollection_Waypoint.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Learn more about today’s launch of the Community Collection playlist, the maps, and the Forgers behind it all, by heading over to <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="aka.ms/CommunityCollection (opens in a new tab)" href="https://aka.ms/CommunityCollection" target="_blank">aka.ms/CommunityCollection</a>.

Noble Intention Event Launch