Community

Community Update

Remember, remember the month of November… because it’s Halo’s anniversary month and marks the release of Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo 4, and Halo Infinite!



It’s been an incredibly exciting time recently, with Season 5 having been out in the wild for a few weeks now and folks have gotten to grips with all its new additions—from new maps to the Forge AI Toolkit, and beyond. There’s plenty more to look forward to, but for now let us reflect on all the latest happenings of the last month…



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO INFINITE</h2>



SEASON 5: RECKONING



Unless you’ve been imprisoned within a Cryptum or cylix, or something, you’ve probably heard that Season 5 of Halo Infinite launched on October 17.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-83546" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/S5Roadmap-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



It’s quite possible that since then you’ve been learning the layout of the new maps, Prism and Forbidden, and searched for various Easter eggs, sought to master the new Bandit Evo, or simply stared up at the stunning skyboxes. No doubt, you have spent a good amount of time in the Armory deciding which outfit you feel like wearing for your next match now that multi-use helmets have come to the game, and seeing just how gross you can make your Spartan look with the new Flood-infected customization pieces.



Perhaps you’ve already cleared that 50-tier Battle Pass and have been looking to reach FTL speeds in your journey to the maximum Hero rank, where that coveted Infinite Mark VI armor kit awaits… or maybe you’ve jumped into Forge to try out the new AI Toolkit to create new maps on the new canvases featuring Banished enemies, then headed over to the Custom Game Browser to try out the jaw-dropping creations from other community cartographers (and earning Custom Game XP for it!)



All that is to say, if you haven’t yet dived into Season 5 of Halo Infinite, the time to do so has come! Our first Operation (Combined Arms) is due to go live on November 14, bringing with it a new 20-tier Operation Pass with free customization rewards for you to earn by progressing with Match XP.



FORGE FEATURES



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-features-020"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of (from left-to-right) a Brute, Hunter, and Jackal on a dark map" class="wp-image-84630" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Season 5 brought the next evolution of Forge with the AI Toolkit, well and truly changing the game by empowering players to add AI units to the maps you create.



We’ve already seen classic campaign mission spaces recreated, populated by Banished baddies. We’ve seen altogether new missions for you and your friends to try out together, PvPvE experiences, tower defense maps, and so much more.



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-features-020" target="_blank">Check out our latest issue of Forge Features</a> to bookmark a selection of these new maps and take a look at some developer and community-made tutorials for how to utilize this new toolkit.



WAYPOINT CHRONICLES



Two new Waypoint Chronicles have arrived! For those not in the know: Waypoint Chronicles are canonical short stories that typically accompany certain in-game elements and events, released on Halo Waypoint, as a free PDF, and in audiobook format on YouTube.



When we learned that we would be joined not only by Steve Downes and Jen Taylor for this year’s Halo World Championship event, but Keith David as well, for the very first time these three would be in the same room together… we knew we had an opportunity to do something special. These three titans of the Halo universe performed a new scene together, set immediately after the events of Halo 5 (and concurrently with events depicted in Halo: Bad Blood) where the Arbiter, the Master Chief, and Dr. Halsey are all in the same place.



Read Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-sunrise-on-sanghelios" target="_blank">here on Halo Waypoint</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://aka.ms/SunriseOnSangheliosPDF" target="_blank">download a free PDF version</a>, or <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heeAkDRuf5g&ab_channel=HALO" target="_blank">watch the live performance by Steve, Jen, and Keith on YouTube</a>!



<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: Sunrise on Sanghelios | HaloWC 2023 Community Stage" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/heeAkDRuf5g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Last week, we also released a new short story for Halloween that centers around a Flood outbreak which culminates in the first known instance of a Spartan succumbing to the parasite.



Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son can be read <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-saturn-devouring-his-son" target="_blank">here on Halo Waypoint</a>, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://aka.ms/SaturnPDF" target="_blank">as a free PDF version</a>, and <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://aka.ms/SaturnAudio" target="_blank">as an audiobook on YouTube</a>.



<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: Saturn Devouring His Son | Audiobook" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9H9Pj2YhpyQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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And there are still two more Waypoint Chronicles to come before the end of the year…



SHOP & ULTIMATE REWARD



“Bred for combat, built for war, you are the master of any weapon, pilot of any vehicle, and fear no enemy.”



In the Shop this week is the Combat Evolved Mark V bundle, starting the celebrations of Halo’s twenty-second birthday a little early with this recreation of the classic and iconic Mjolnir Mark V armor worn by the Master Chief in Halo: CE.



This bundle includes:



<ul><li>Combat Evolved Mark V armor kit</li><li>Cinder Ring armor coating</li><li>Viridescent Ring armor coating</li><li>Autumn Evolved visor</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/2023/10/CEMarkV1.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the CE Mark V armor kit" class="wp-image-83294" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/CEMarkV1-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



And complete all of your Challenges this week to acquire the latest Ultimate Reward: the Queen’s Gambit weapon charm.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite image of the Queen's Gambit weapon charm" class="wp-image-85698" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/ULTQueensGambit-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



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



We’ve seen your memes. Your crumpled and faded bottles on your trophy shelves. We’ve heard your secret dreams whispered into your pillow. Okay, maybe not that, but I’m probably not far off. Point is, we’ve heard you, we understand you…



Something amazing happened in 2007 and we’ve all been chasing that dream ever since. That’s right. Once again, Mountain Dew and Halo are back together for a limited time this holiday season to bring you Mtn Dew Game Fuel Citrus Cherry. The iconic flavor that has fueled some of your favorite Halo memories is back and in stores in 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and single 20 oz. bottles, and fun fact: the very special label was designed by our own community-member-turned-Halo team-member, William “Pixelflare” Cameron.



We’re not just bringing you your favorite memories in drink form. As we do, we teamed up with Mtn Dew to create a suite of eye-catching in-game content with a striking armor coating, two Mtn Dew-inspired visors, a weapon charm (the Halo 3 Chief helmet), and an emblem pack featuring four Halo 3 map blueprints. I’ve said it before, but please, look at the incredible detail of the condensation and ice in those visors… our customization team has once again done an amazing job.



Points earned by entering the codes found on specially marked Mtn Dew, Doritos, and Rockstar products in the US will get you these and other Xbox gaming rewards. You can also enter to win grand prizes like a Halo-inspired Super 73 e-bike (it’s insane, we all want one!), a Starfield-themed Corvette, and more.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-85670" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/MtnDewxHalo-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



And for fans everywhere, we’ve created a limited-edition Halo x Mtn Dew merch collection <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://gear.xbox.com/collections/haloxdew" target="_blank">available now on the Halo Gear Shop</a>.



You’ll find an updated re-issue of a classic Halo 3 x Mtn Dew tee, a jersey inspired by the new Mtn Dew Game Fuel design, a classic hoodie that glows in the dark, a trucker hat to show you’re a person of taste and style, and a koozie so you can make any drink look like a can of Mtn Dew Game Fuel. All of these will go fast, so get yours ASAP.



Feeling nostalgic yet? Ready to jump into the game? That’s the point. We wanted to relive the glory days of drinking Game Fuel Citrus Cherry and playing Halo 3 with you, so we’re doing something we’ve never done before…



Halo and Mtn Dew have teamed up with ArturBloodshot, community Forger, to create a brand-new custom Dew-themed map called Critical Dewpoint, and we’re putting it in an official playlist called ‘Halo 3 Refueled’ which features seven more remade and reimagined Halo 3 maps created by other talented community Forgers. It’s coming on Nov 14th, so join us in this nostalgic adventure—we hope you enjoy it!



This partnership is all about celebrating and involving our community, and we have more to come! Keep your eyes peeled and <a href="https://twitter.com/MTNDEWGaming">follow @MtnDewgaming for more news and giveaways</a>, and we’ll see you out there in your Mountain Tiger armor coating in the Halo 3 Refueled playlist on November 14.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE ARTIST’S CORNER</h2>



Because the Flood has taken center stage for the launch of Season 5, it seemed only fitting that we should feature some Flood-themed artwork from the vault for this Community Update.



This wonderfully grotesque piece comes from artist Tsutomu Nihei, featured in the Halo Graphic Novel that originally released in 2006, depicting a Flood-infected Sangheili combat form.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1654" height="2560" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-scaled.jpg" alt="Halo Graphic Novel artwork by Tsutomu Nihei of a Flood-infected Sangheili combat form" class="wp-image-85656" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-scaled.jpg 1654w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-194x300.jpg 194w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-662x1024.jpg 662w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-768x1188.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-993x1536.jpg 993w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-1323x2048.jpg 1323w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/11/HGN_Flood_TsutomuNihei-1568x2426.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1654px) 100vw, 1654px" /></figure>



The Halo Graphic Novel features four fantastic short stories and additional supplemental art pieces set around the events of Halo: CE and Halo 2.



<ul><li>The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor: Spec-Ops Commander Rtas ‘Vadumee and his squad are deployed to the agricultural support ship Infinite Succor, where a far deadlier threat than the humans has been unleashed… (Written by Lee Hammock, art by Simon Bisley)</li><li>Armor Testing: Maria-062 puts the Mjolnir Mark VI armor through live testing trials before it is shipped off to John-117. (Written and illustrated by Ed Lee, Jay Faerber, and Andrew Robinson)</li><li>Breaking Quarantine: Trapped within the Flood containment facility on Alpha Halo, Avery Johnson fights his way out of hell itself. (Illustrated by Tsutomu Nihei)</li><li>Second Sunrise Over New Mombasa: Journalist and war photographer Benjamin Giraud (yes, that Benjamin Giraud!) experiences the devastating events of the Covenant’s arrival at Earth. (Written by Brett Lewis, illustrated by Jean “Moebius” Giraud)</li></ul>



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678544/halo-graphic-novel-new-edition-by-by-lee-hammock-simon-bisley-ed-lee-jay-faerber-and-andrew-robinson/" target="_blank">The Halo Graphic Novel received a reprint in December 2021, so you should absolutely pick it up!</a>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE HOUSE THAT MASTER CHIEF BUILT</h2>



Follow Steve Downes, the voice of Master Chief, on a personal tour of his Chicago condo overlooking Lake Michigan.



Check out his home studio where he brings the legendary lines of Halo to life, and even get a peek at the Halo Infinite script! You’ll also get to see some of the fan art he’s collected over the years, and meet his dog Ginger!



<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="The House that Master Chief Built: Tour of Steve Downes' Chicago Condo, Voice Over Studio" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bGB6yEe-XhM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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That brings us to the end of this Community Update, which is good news because I’ve got a few more levels of my Season 5 Battle Pass to finish up before the Combined Arms Operation kicks off next week—and I’m sure to be waylaid by some custom games as well…



We’ll be back next month for our end-of-year update before we look ahead to the year of our Didact 2024. See you then!

Alex Wakeford

Flood of Flavor

Endurance-of-Will by @iso_didacta

Community Spotlight

Spotlight: November 2, 2023

Fiction

343 INDUSTRIES

Halo: Saturn Devouring His Son

Esports

FaZe Clan are your 2023 Halo World Champions!

Forge Features

Games

Forge has evolved.



With the arrival of Season 5 of Halo
Infinite, players have now got their hands on the Forge AI Toolkit which
has well and truly changed the game, as you can now add AI units to the maps
you create.



Already, we have seen PvPvE experiences
populate the Custom Game Browser, along with recreations of classic campaign
missions and even brand-new ones. As we hit our twentieth issue of Forge
Features, that seems like a nice round number to start showcasing some of these
incredible new experiences that you can jump in and play right now.



For a more comprehensive breakdown of the additions made to Forge in Season 5, <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/forge-overview-season-5">check out our Forge Overview blog</a>.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FIREFIGHT CUSTOM GAME MODE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of (from left-to-right) a Brute, Hunter, and Jackal on a dark map" class="wp-image-84630" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-FF-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



When setting up a custom game for
Firefight, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the right mode set up to
have the optimal experience. Sometimes you can use one that’s more “general,”
but sometimes there will be maps that use their own specific mode variant(s).
Some even come with difficulty levels.



For a good general Firefight mode where
the player simply needs to survive ten rounds, be sure to bookmark the
following:



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/0c02c58e-dea7-4e73-82c5-4a244602209b">FIREFIGHT
– WoodComet673577</a>



For others which are more map-specific,
you will find these included below.



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/feab8eb6-c485-42ba-84dd-d754fdcd63cb">INCLEMENCY</a> Credits: MadmanEpic Mode: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/4b2708ac-e929-479e-9667-8516a8a396bc">Inclemency Campaign</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/feab8eb6-c485-42ba-84dd-d754fdcd63cb"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the Inclemency Forge map" class="wp-image-84546" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-0-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



An early example of what a “custom
campaign mission”-type experience using Forge AI looks like, where you’ll be
fighting Banished in the snow.



There’s a vehicular section as you
navigate through several Banished checkpoints; there are some narrow bridges
and walkways; you’ll storm a Banished facility and fight a hammer-wielding Chieftain
in close-quarters, before heading to the extraction point and fighting off
several waves of tough enemies.



Either jump in solo or grab a couple of
friends and try it out!



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/f36bfa5c-6654-4a4d-b9c2-7fc88c7ff587">FIREFIGHT HALO REVAMPED</a> Credits: JAYZEN0009, ghostlyswat12



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/f36bfa5c-6654-4a4d-b9c2-7fc88c7ff587"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the Firefight Halo Revamped Forge map" class="wp-image-84560" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-1-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Battlecruisers and corvettes are inbound
with enemy troops! Survive five rounds against an onslaught of enemies and hold
the line to claim victory.



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/59476aa0-1a37-4f20-bb94-fe3d3870e52d">H2 OUTSKIRTS FIREFIGHT</a> Credits: Ju Jitsu X, Squishiop9, tttwyson Mode: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/2a3f2858-6713-4d9c-8dac-fc831bfae9d8">Easy</a> | <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/9aaccaf7-df6f-4bcc-b611-500b6b64ff84">Normal</a> | <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/3d3d4314-f6c1-4efe-a435-b8895a5f4709">Heroic</a> | <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/modes/b141e55e-8e0f-433e-9644-4e0c5802e536">Legendary</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/59476aa0-1a37-4f20-bb94-fe3d3870e52d"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of Jackals, Skirmishers, and Elites in the Halo 2 Outskirts courtyard created in Forge" class="wp-image-84588" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-3-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



“We’ve got Jackals in the courtyard!”



It’s the holdout section from Halo 2’s
Outskirts mission, featuring some adjustments to the overall layout. You can
bookmark different modes which scale the AI difficulty, so maybe you’re looking
for an easy time ploughing through enemy waves, or perhaps you’ve gathered a
group of friends and you’re looking for a challenge to test your mettle on
Legendary.



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/85a81bf5-4b11-402d-b952-b08f4ba9274c">INFINITE FIREFIGHT REFUGE</a> Credits: Cousin Tim, InfiniteForges, Michael B 2K8, NightAvenger01, I Crush All, CertifiedChamp, ItzSkittz3964



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/85a81bf5-4b11-402d-b952-b08f4ba9274c"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of a Phantom on the Infinite Firefight Refuge Forge map" class="wp-image-84574" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Just when you thought you couldn’t be
more in awe of the maps this crew puts together, they deliver this…



Abandoned and overgrown, Halo 2’s
Headlong has become a battleground for the Banished.



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/6ad1375f-b425-4b73-ae26-ef5a9efd6fd0">INSTALLATION 07 FIREFIGHT</a> Credits: TJtheForger



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/6ad1375f-b425-4b73-ae26-ef5a9efd6fd0"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the Installation 07 Firefight map created in Forge" class="wp-image-84602" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-4-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



One of the encounters that Firefight
naturally ended up evolving out of were the holdout sections in Halo: CE’s
second mission, where the Master Chief must seek out and protect Marine
survivors from several waves of Covenant dropships while exploring the
Forerunner structures and beam towers that almost serve as “lighthouses” for
these encounters.



It is only natural, then, that this experience
has been recreated with Forge AI in Halo Infinite.



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<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/07ab2435-ba9f-42f3-8374-f6bfc1cab5e3">PVPVE BLOODGULCH</a> Credits: ghostlyswat12, DaringMacil, AlphaEpsilon



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/07ab2435-ba9f-42f3-8374-f6bfc1cab5e3"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5.jpg" alt="Halo Infinite screenshot of the PvPvE Bloodgulch map created in Forge" class="wp-image-84616" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/FF20-5-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



Many years ago, I remember one of the
first videos of Halo modding that I ever saw was of a big AI battle on
Blood Gulch where Hunters were sat on Scorpion tanks and all manner of
explosive green chaos ensued.



That was well over fifteen years ago, and
now you can actually create this experience for yourself in Halo Infinite.



This PvPvE experience offers 12v12 for players
and 16v16 AI—with some being aligned to your team, and others on the enemy’s.
It is, perhaps, one of the purest possible expressions of Halo
imaginable.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TUTORIAL
TRAINING</h2>



Interested in making maps that utilize the Forge AI Toolkit for yourself? Well, there’s a variety of video guides you can watch to get a greater understanding of the systems and options that are at your disposal.



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/6NLZw-BL8hg?si=z1kpOaYZ8ozvUPBK&t=4720">FORGE
FUNDAMENTALS: SEASON 5 & AI TOOLKIT</a>



First up, we did our own showcase of the Forge AI Toolkit during a Community Stage panel at the 2023 Halo World Championship.



<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="HaloWC 2023 Community Stage – Day 1 (Forge, Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, Keith David, Lore, Digsite +)" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6NLZw-BL8hg?start=4720&feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Join 343 staff John Junyszek (Sr.
Community Manager), Michael Schorr (Forge Lord), and Connor Kennelly (Forge
Technical Designer) as they dive into the details of what’s new to Forge in
Season 5 and how you can use it.



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K29fMJodXP0">HOW TO SPAWN AI IN FORGE |
BEGINNER TUTORIAL</a>



Ducain23 has been putting together a series of tutorials on the Forge AI Toolkit, and this is a great place to start—how to spawn AI on your map and make them move around.



<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="How To Spawn AI In Forge | Beginner Halo Infinite AI Tutorial" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K29fMJodXP0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



This video will give you a good
understanding of things like nav mesh and move zones (how AI movement on the
map works), the various methods of spawning (like whether they arrive by drop
pod, Phantom dropship, or fade in), and how to put these things to the test.



<a href="https://youtu.be/mDdTG9z1ic4?si=j7Kkm5T0jAo5ar98">HALO INFINITE FORGE PVE
CAMPAIGN SCRIPTING GUIDE</a>



For something a little more advanced and
long-form, check out MadmanEpic’s video on how he put together the scripting
for his Inclemency campaign-style mission experience.



<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="A Rambling Halo Infinite Forge PvE Campaign Scripting Guide (Inclemency)" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mDdTG9z1ic4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



As MadmanEpic puts it himself, the
Inclemency map isn’t copy protected and he encourages players to jump into
Forge to fiddle around with the map and see how he put it all together.



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That rounds us out for this issue of
Forge Features, which has now become even more exciting with the new kinds of
maps and experiences that players are able to create using these new tools.



It’s not even been two weeks since Season 5 launched and we’re already seeing some incredible creations from the community—we can’t even begin to imagine just how much farther there is to push the envelope, which just means that we’re every bit as excited as you are.



Now, if you’ll excuse me, the next wave’s
droppin’ in and it’s about to get hot!

Community Cartography 020

Forge Features: October 27, 2023

Welcome back to our latest issue of the Community Corner, where we spotlight and interview individuals about what they get up to in the Halo community—art, cosplay, animation, streaming, Forge, and beyond.



Last time, <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/community-corner-entransing">we were joined by Entransing</a> to learn about her journey with Halo as a long-time fan and as an artist.



For this issue, we’re joined by Aimee Saturne, who dabbles in cosplay, streaming, performance, and more!



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Welcome, Aimee! Thank you very much for joining us for this month’s issue of the Community Corner. Tell us about yourself—who are you, what do you do as part of the Halo community, and where can we find you?



Thank you so much for having me—it’s truly an honor! My name is Aimee Saturne, and within the Halo community, I’m a very, very long-time fan of the games and all that they encompass.



I stream Halo Infinite on Twitch, and I also cosplay as our beloved Cortana! <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/aimeesaturne">You can find me on Twitch</a> (and pretty much every other social media platform) <a href="https://twitter.com/AimeeSaturne">@AimeeSaturne</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="2160" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-84487" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-267x300.jpg 267w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-910x1024.jpg 910w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-768x864.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-1365x1536.jpg 1365w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-1820x2048.jpg 1820w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee3-1568x1764.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



What’s your origin story with Halo? How did this great journey begin for you?



Oh yes, the Spartan origin story… It happened long ago one fine evening. My friends and I were bored out of our minds and one of them suggested we play Halo: CE. I was about 8 years old and had no idea what that was. When we finally got to play it, I was horrific at it, but it was the most fun I’d had in a long time.



What piqued my interest too was that it was not only amazing sonically and visually, but the storyline captivated me all at once. The Halo games quickly became my favorite, and that carried on with me through the years. It didn’t matter who I hung out with or what anyone usually played, Halo was always the game everyone could agree on and have a great time with.



Are there any particular areas of the series that you find yourself gravitating towards—are you drawn towards campaign, multiplayer, Forge, expanded universe stuff, cosplay, events, or a mix of various things?



It’s definitely a mix of things! I am typically a campaign girl through and through, but more recently, especially with streaming, multiplayer has garnered a special place in my heart too. It’s such a fun, competitive area to be a part of, and getting those medals when you make a great play is such a rush.



Generally, though, getting wrapped up in the lore of Halo is so intriguing and I’m always champing at the bit to learn more. The universe is so extensive between the games and novels, and now with the TV series as well we get a look into the characters we know and love in a different light, which I happen to appreciate! While I’d always been obsessed with the games, HaloWC ‘22 is really what set off my desire to fall into my obsession and do all I could to share my love of Halo with the world, from streaming to cosplaying as Cortana.



<figure class="wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">tell me you’re a <a href="https://twitter.com/Halo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Halo</a> fan without telling me you’re a Halo fan. 😂🦾💫 <a href="https://t.co/KDqMCefVWI">pic.twitter.com/KDqMCefVWI</a>— 𝓐𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒆 🪐 𝓢𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆 (@AimeeSaturne) <a href="https://twitter.com/AimeeSaturne/status/1698799175775994008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2023</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



Who are some of your favorite Halo characters (and why)?



I’m sure most can agree when I say Chief, Cortana, and the Weapon are my absolute favorites. It’s so hard to pick just a handful of these complex characters when there are so many to choose from across the entirety of Halo, but I also love Kelly-087, Avery Johnson, Dr. Halsey, Exuberant Witness, and Kai-125 from the television series. I think they all bring something different to the table when it comes to the storylines they’re a part of.



The novels really bring out deeper aspects of some of the aforementioned characters that we don’t get to see as much in the games, and you really get to learn a lot about the method behind their madness—especially Dr. Halsey. It’s just fun to follow them and to learn about the person behind the Mjolnir or uniform.



And Exuberant Witness is adorable, I just love her voice and personality!



Tell us a bit about how you got into streaming and what you’ve been up to on that front!



I have to thank HaloWC ‘22 for my journey in streaming! Before I attended the event, I had only ever streamed about twice in my life and both times were the Halo Infinite campaign. When I attended Worlds, I sat in on some of the panels, the “Women in Streaming” one in particular, and was immediately inspired to really start streaming Halo and sharing my love of the game with others who felt the same.



I didn’t realize what a large community Halo had, especially online! So, when it was all said and done, I got my set-up together the best I could and started grinding Infinite’s multiplayer. I played bots for the longest time because I was so horrible at it, I didn’t want my teammates to hate me!



Eventually, I felt confident to move on to playing actual humans, and the rest is history. In March 2023, I became a Twitch Affiliate streaming Halo and that was pretty huge for me because I never expected nor intended to get there. I still stream all the time and I’ve gathered such a fun little community that I could not be more grateful for. My viewers really make my world go round, and I’ve made such good friends who actually understand the obsession!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://youtu.be/FOh5qIKt8eQ?si=3kts-3SOeIpmMNuh&t=24022"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2558" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-84515" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5.jpg 2558w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-2048x1153.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee5-1568x883.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2558px) 100vw, 2558px" /></a></figure>



After your marvelous performance as the Arbiter in our HaloWC 2022 Scene Reading panel, I wanted to ask whether there are things like voice acting or singing that you do?



Being the ‘22 Arbiter was the best role of my life! I am a singer and actress/voice actress—really just an all-around creative as I wear a bunch of hats in different mediums. I’ve been singing and acting since I was a kid though, and actually have music out now on all the usual streaming platforms. I’d always wanted to voice an AI or a big bad in Halo, though… so thank you for having me on-stage to do just that!



Do you have a favorite Halo soundtrack? What aspects of music resonate with and inspire you most?



Trying to pick a favorite soundtrack is so complicated! There are beautiful pieces within all of them, and of course I own them all as well. Halo 4 and Halo 2 are ones that I’m consistently turning back to.



I love when a song creates a feeling and atmosphere, and that carries into video game scores as well. Rather than just being background noise to a cutscene or a fight, all of the tracks heighten each moment sonically. I haven’t heard a Halo soundtrack I haven’t liked, and I can confidently say they each evoke emotion of some kind. And then of course you have bangers too, like Impend (Halo 2) or Covenant Dance (Halo: CE).



Speaking of HaloWC, we just had the 2023 event a few short weeks ago! Which team were you rooting for?



I was rooting for OpTic Gaming and feel so lucky to have seen them compete again this year! Lucid is my favorite player, though they’re all amazing. I could not even begin to imagine being so good at Halo.



We got iced pretty bad by FaZe Clan in the end, but I know we’ll come back strong!



Did you have any other memorable moments and highlights throughout HaloWC 2023?



Oh, plenty! Speaking of Lucid, I got a fist bump from him when the team was making their way onto the stage for the final tournament—that was huge for me.



I also got to see Steve Downes and Jen Taylor again, and meet Keith David for the first time, too! It’s still so crazy to hear and see your childhood right in front of you.



Meeting up with fans and friends was also a major highlight for me. It’s such a warm and fuzzy feeling to have such a welcoming and awesome community, and the Halo World Championship always brings that.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1210" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-84459" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1-300x189.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1-1024x645.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1-768x484.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1-1536x968.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee1-1568x988.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Tell us a bit about cosplay. Do you have a favorite character to cosplay, and are there others you want to do in the future? What is it that draws you to those characters?



My favorite character to cosplay is Cortana, but I’ve dabbled in other franchises before (like Harley Quinn) without realizing I was cosplaying. I wish I had a cooler story, but I’ve just always been into escapism, and I’ve always wanted to be Cortana, crazy as that sounds. The storyline between her and the Master Chief really captivated me and tugged at my heartstrings, especially once we got around to Halo 4 and realized just how deep their companionship ran.



After watching the HaloWC ‘22 cosplay contest, I realized that I kind of could be her! It didn’t take long before I was gathering all the elements I needed to do so, and figuring out how to edit photos to feature my cosplay in some iconic stills from the game itself.



Down the line, I would really love to cosplay the different variations of Cortana as well—like Halo 5’s version, the Weapon, and even Dr. Halsey, considering she was the model for Cortana to begin with.



What’s your favorite Halo game (or, if it’s too hard to pick one, I suppose we can let you have two!) and why?



The ultimate question! My favorite is Halo 4, but it is very hard to choose just one, and so I’ll have to pick Halo Infinite as well—both for different reasons.



Halo 4 was just so deliciously Halo in my opinion, and it focused so much on the bond between our favorite Spartan and his AI, which had always fascinated me to begin with. Seeing Cortana fall to rampancy and the Chief so desperate to help her, all while fighting the ultimate battle against the Didact? I loved every second of it.



As for Halo Infinite, I loved the storyline as well, the kind of sadness that the storyline held from the aftermath of Halo 4 and Halo 5, and going through it with the Weapon, who begins trying to find herself as well. However, Infinite’s multiplayer was huge for me, and it brought me my streaming journey, as well as so many amazing friends and opportunities. It’s given me some of the best moments of my life so far to date, so I love Infinite on a more personal level.



What are some of your biggest inspirations in life?



The desire for something more; to do what I love and do it unabashedly. I do still have specific inspirations such as certain people, places, or the dreams and aspirations I have, but generally, my drive to make the most of my life is what keeps me going and always chasing the next thing and looking for the next opportunity.



I’m a big advocate of doing all the things you love to do, because life is short and you never want to regret not doing something. If it doesn’t work out the way you want to, at least you tried. That’s further than some people get at all!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-84473" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2023/10/Aimee2-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



What does being part of the Halo community personally mean to you?



Being part of the Halo community means family—connection. We all have this immense love of a video game that is far more than just a video game to us when it comes down to it. I have never felt more connected with a certain group of people, or more welcomed, especially when I first dipped my toes into the water that is this community. Near or far, we can all get together and play this game and have a good time (or tilt!) and it reminds me of the days when we only had LAN parties and couch co-op.



Having a sense of community around something that I had never realized I could before is enlightening, and I feel proud to be part of such a wide variety of gamers who know exactly how I feel about the series without even having to explain it. We Halo fans go hard!



Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.



I’m actually a marine corps brat, born and raised in Japan. I always say USNC is just in my blood! It’s just too bad Dr. Halsey didn’t turn me into a Spartan. ONI here I come…



There was some heated debate about this between Steve Downes and Jen Taylor on-stage at HaloWC this year, so I thought I would put it out there to folks in the community: Pineapple on pizza—yay or nay? And how about anchovies?



I remember that! Don’t judge me (or do), but absolute yay. Pineapple is actually my favorite! I love a good Hawaiian pizza, and now I feel like I’m probably going to order one tonight. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anchovies on it…but it doesn’t particularly sound like something I’d want to try, either.



Thank you so much again for joining us, Aimee! Do you have any parting words to share?



Thank you so much for having me! This was so fun and really such a dream. Halo is forever, and I would just love to thank everyone involved in making it exactly what it is today, from Combat Evolved to Infinite.



I’ve already mentioned it’s become much more than just a video game, and it’s got such a special place in my heart—and in many others. I can’t wait to attend more events and continue to dive deeper into all that the wonderful universe of Halo offers.



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You can follow Aimee Saturne on <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/aimeesaturne">Twitch</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/AimeeSaturne/">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/AimeeSaturne">Twitter</a> to keep up with her streaming and cosplay!

Issue 010

Community Corner: Aimee Saturne

Canon Fodder

Issue 146

Canon Fodder: Championship Chronicles

Experience the legendary moment from HaloWC 2023 where Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, and Keith David performed a brand new scene together as the Master Chief, Dr. Halsey, and the Arbiter.



Read it here on Halo Waypoint, <a href="https://aka.ms/SunriseOnSangheliosPDF">download a free PDF version</a>, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heeAkDRuf5g&ab_channel=HALO">watch it performed by Steve, Jen, and Keith on YouTube</a>!



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HISTORIAN’S NOTE



Sunrise on Sanghelios takes place in the immediate aftermath of Halo 5:
Guardians and concurrently with moments depicted in the novel Halo: Bad
Blood.



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SANGHELIOS OCTOBER 28, 2558 (UNSC Military Calendar)



The Pelican landed in
the Swords of Sanghelios camp, lit only by the fire of two braziers. A moment
later, several Sangheili warriors clad in copper-crimson armor emerged from the
main tent, and alongside them, Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer, Dr. Catherine
Halsey, and Arbiter Thel ‘Vadam himself.



Gathering at the
landing site, they watched with anticipation as the rear ramp of the Pelican’s
troop bay descended. The unusual welcome committee quickly lowered their
weapons as they saw who was disembarking alongside Spartan Jameson Locke.



Dr. Halsey approached,
her expression a mix of so many conflicting emotions all at once—pride, relief,
horror, guilt . . . but she held these feelings back as she approached the Master
Chief, and simply said:



“It took you long
enough.”



As the moment passed, Palmer snapped into action and ordered the Pelican’s lights to be shut down, as the rest of Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris exited the Pelican.



“Welcome,” the Arbiter
addressed the gathering. “You have my thanks for all you have done. The
Sangheili people owe you a great debt. Although none of us is in a position to
repay it, we will do what we can. You must all be hungry and exhausted. I
insist you join us for a meal and a rest before you depart.” 



“We’re not leaving
tonight,” Dr. Halsey interjected, ignoring the Arbiter tightening his mandibles.
“I didn’t think we’d be able to make this work, but with your Pelican, it’s
possible. I’ve already received a message from Infinity. They’re going
to appear off the far side of Suban—this planet’s nearest moon—tomorrow at
eighteen hundred hours military standard, noon local time.”



Dr. Halsey stepped
away to coordinate further with Palmer and Locke, eventually agreeing on a plan
for the rendezvous.



“We’re here for the
night. We’ll fly out first thing tomorrow,” said the Master Chief. 



“We have butchered and
roasted a number of colo and kuscatu to celebrate our victory over the last of
the Covenant and the end of our civil war.” The Arbiter turned to face the
Master Chief directly. “We would be honored by your presence.”



As the night went on, the
Arbiter took the Master Chief aside while the allied humans and Sangheili
toasted to the victory they had shared against the Covenant.



“I was relieved when I
heard that you had returned, Spartan. Even when our ship was severed in half as
we escaped the great foundry of the Forerunners all those years ago, I had
faith that you were not lost. I have heard many stories, but I would like to
hear the tale from you.”



“Cortana and I were
adrift in space for over four years. We ended up at a shield world called
Requiem where we were led to awaken the Didact.”



The Arbiter’s eyes widened.
“A Forerunner survived?”



“We fought. He
lost,” said the Master Chief. “But now the galaxy is overrun with his
Prometheans, and our victory came at a price . . .”



“Your companion—the
AI. I remember you trusted her with the fate of all when last we fought
together.”



“She . . . changed. I
don’t know exactly what happened, I just know I failed her.”



In his mind, the
Master Chief could still recall Cortana’s parting words to him after they
defeated the Didact together.



“I’m not coming with
you this time . . . Welcome home, John.”



But then, inexplicably,
he had found her again—but not as she once was. Cortana had claimed that
accessing an ancient quantum network known as the Domain had cured her
rampancy, but she had somehow become driven by the same misguided logic that
the Didact himself had sought to impose upon the galaxy.



“Our strength shall
serve as a luminous sun toward which all intelligence may blossom. And the
impervious shelter beneath which you will prosper. However, for those who refuse
our offer and cling to their old ways . . . for you, there will be great wrath.
It will burn hot and consume you, and when you are gone, we will take that
which remains, and we will remake it in our own image.”



There was much he had
to process, but the Master Chief was brought back to the present as the Arbiter
spoke once more, his voice carrying hard-won wisdom.



“We all fail, Spartan.
We all make mistakes.”



The Arbiter paused for
a moment, a silent war raging inside him as to whether he should continue.



“I served the Covenant
as a destroyer of your kind. I have killed more than can possibly be counted,
and though I now fight for peace and unity among our peoples, I know that there
shall come a day where I must count the lives that have been lost because of my
actions. You helped to turn me from that path. Perhaps there is still yet a
chance you can do the same for your companion.”



The Master Chief
recalled the first thing the Arbiter had said to him when they met on Earth,
still uncertain about the nature of their alliance—still seeing this Sangheili,
who had destroyed his home and that of countless others—as an enemy.



“Were it so easy.”



They continued their
discussion long into the night, as the Arbiter recalled to the Master Chief all
that had transpired over the years from his perspective—songs of loss and
sacrifice, but also of victory and unity.



He concluded his tales
with the hope he felt for the future, a grand project that would lift the
species of the galaxy from their conflicts and bring about a prosperous new era.



“An alliance of
species built upon a foundation of strength and unity that comes from honor and
acceptance, mutual trust, respect. A Concert of Worlds in an age of peace.”



The Arbiter slumped
slightly, knowing that an age of peace was a long way off. There were many
factions and threats still out there, Cortana and her Created were just one of
many. Were it so easy, indeed.



An hour before
sunrise, preparations were made for departure aboard the Pelican as the UNSC Infinity
arrived out of slipspace to make a quick pick-up.



“Farewell, Spartan.
When we first met, we were enemies fighting to end each other. Now, as allies,
I am confident we can face this new threat together once more.”



Dr. Halsey passed them
and the Arbiter gave her a pointed glance, to which she returned a haughty
sniff.



The Spartan and the
Sangheili reached out to clasp forearms.



“Thank you.”



Though the Master
Chief was never one for words, he found some resolve and semblance of hope in parting
ways like this, and not through an act of sacrifice or betrayal.



The Pelican lifted off
the ground and blazed through the atmosphere of Sanghelios at incredible speed
as the light of Urs shone over the horizon, leaving the world to face an
uncertain, perilous new dawn.

Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios

Season 5: Reckoning Launch

Customization Overview | Season 5