Games

343 INDUSTRIES

Closer Look: Halo Infinite’s Online Experience

Canon Fodder

Community

Alex Wakeford

Issue 124

Canon Fodder: Shippin’ Out

Esports

Official HCS

HCS NA Regional Finals at DreamHack Anaheim 2022

Debrief 001

Silver Debrief: A New Beginning

Cyber Showdown Press Kit


<p>Y’know, we have often asked ourselves how we can make Spartans even cooler than they already are. We’ve come up with a few different answers to that over the years, one of our most recent being “What if they were samurai from an alternate, non-canonical universe?” Our next Event in <em>Halo Infinite</em>’s free to play multiplayer considers what if Spartans had some kind of holographic neon mohawk? What if a digital visor could burst out from your helmet to visually accent your tactical (and stylish) acuity?</p>



<p>Get ready for a synthwave showdown, Spartans. Go forth into matchmaking in all your heliotrope luminance. The Cyber Showdown Event is live!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo Infinite | Cyber Showdown Launch Trailer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXifTPUqjJM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Running across two weeks from January 18 to February 1, the Cyber Showdown Event invites you to jump into the new Attrition mode to earn free, limited-time customization rewards.</p>



<p>Attrition is a frantic new Slayer mode where lives are shared across your team. Each team has a limited number of lives—revive your teammates when they fall and work together to deplete the enemy’s lifepool to finish them off. Last team standing wins! It’s classic, competitive 4v4 action with a unique spin on how you operate as a team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-1024x576.jpg" alt="Cyber Showdown image of two Spartans and the personal AI Fret between them." class="wp-image-25586" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/Cyber-Showdown-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Cyber Showdown also features a unique reward track with themed items, similar to what you’ve come to expect from Fracture: Tenrai.</p>



<p>There are 10 Event Challenges overall, spread evenly through your pool of Weekly Challenges, while the Event is live. For each Event Challenge completed, you will earn the next reward from your Event Reward track and unlock more cyber-themed goodness.</p>



<p>Check out some of the rewards you’ll be getting below!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-1024x576.jpg" alt="Event Rewards for Cyber Showdown." class="wp-image-25572" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption><a href="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/HIS1MP_Event_Cyber_Showdown_VisID_Rewards_3840x2160-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Click here for high-res image. (opens in a new tab)">Click here for high-res image.</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Those who jump in during the event will also receive the New Heights backdrop for your Spartan ID, and be sure to keep an eye out for other effulgently extravagant Event items in the Store as well.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-1024x576.png" alt="A preview of the New Heights backdrop. " class="wp-image-25600" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/01/CyberShowdown_Emblem_Gift_1920x1080.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Well, we’d better not keep you any longer. Jump into <em>Halo Infinite</em>’s free to play multiplayer and start searching Cyber Showdown – Attrition.</p>



<p>See you on the battlefield!</p>




Cyber Showdown Event Launch

Tashi

HCS Update – January 2022

Issue 123

Canon Fodder: Foundations

Winter Contingency Press Kit 


<p><em>“WINTER CONTINGENCY has been declared. All units are mobilized and merry!”</em></p>



<p>Multiple slipspace ruptures have been detected as Spartans across the galaxy are coming together to celebrate the Holidays! If you listen closely, you can hear them singing…</p>



<p><em>“Dashing through Bazaar, dodging the grenades. To the flag we go, grappling all the way. One-shot Spartan ping, keep that teamwork tight! Oh, what fun it is to fight and sing a slaying song tonight!”</em></p>



<p>The Winter Contingency celebrations begin December 21 and offer ten unique Holiday-themed rewards that will roll out one-per-day until December 30. All you have to do is jump into <em>Halo Infinite</em>’s free to play multiplayer and complete a match of Arena or Big Team Battle.</p>



<p>Let’s take a closer look at the action…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo Infinite | Winter Contingency Trailer - Now Live" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uvWOF0PDVTQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<p>Rewards will be unlocked over time, meaning they will not all be available to grab on day one. Think of Winter Contingency like your in-game <em>Halo</em> advent calendar: you’ll unlock one reward each day, with the event running through the morning of January 4, 2022.</p>



<p>To be clear: While the daily rewards conclude on December 30, what this means is you’ll have several extra days to catch up on any items that you may have missed!</p>



<p>These rewards include the festive ‘Peppermint Laughter’ coatings for your armor and weapons (depicted in our festive key art), along with new shoulder pieces, emblems, and more!</p>



<p>Here’s a look at the rewards you’ll be getting.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-25275" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/Winter-Contingency-Rewards-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p> See you on the battlefield and happy Holidays!</p>




Winter Contingency Event Launch


<p>Modding tools for Halo: CE, Halo 2, and Halo 3 can be downloaded via Steam. When the tools are updated, be sure to re-extract the latest tags.zip file. When the tools are updated, mods should remain  compatible though any tags modified in a previous version of the tools will require merging.  </p>



<p>These tools are being provided <strong>as-is. </strong></p>



<p>Licensing for the Halo: CE mod tools remains open to anyone who is interested in creating content for Halo: CE. For Halo 2 and Halo 3, you will need to own a license to the base game in Steam to gain access  to the tools. The Halo: CE mod tools are available to anyone, regardless of which titles they own in Halo: MCC. To acquire the current mod tools, you can click the following links to install them if you own the  DLC that matches the Toolset (ex. Halo 3 DLC for MCC would be entitled to Halo 3 Mod Tools): </p>



<ul><li><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1532190">Halo: Combat Evolved</a></li><li><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1613450">Halo 2</a></li><li><a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/1695791">Halo 3</a></li></ul>



<p>Or, alternatively, within the Steam app,  in your Library, you can locate “Halo: CE Mod Tools – MCC” “Halo 2 Mod Tools – MCC” or “Halo 3 Mod Tools – MCC” and select to install with your Library filter set to  include “Tools” as shown below. </p>



<p>With this download, there are several programs that everyone will have access to. If you’ve modded in the Halo community before, some may be easily recognized. We also created an entirely new one to  make modding Halo even easier. The screenshots below are specific to Halo: CE modding tools, though these tools function similarly in Halo 2 and Halo 3 as well.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="826" height="1229" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/MOD2.png" alt=""Guerilla" - viewing the scenario tag for "The Silent Cartographer"" class="wp-image-25170" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/MOD2.png 826w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/MOD2-202x300.png 202w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/MOD2-688x1024.png 688w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2021/12/MOD2-768x1143.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px" /></figure>



<p>“Guerilla” – Viewing the scenario tag for “The Silent Cartographer” This program is used to edit the values of game content, which are files collectively called “tags.” There are tags for AI, bipeds, textures (aka, bitmaps), etc. You can use this program to update and alter these. </p>



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



<p>“Sapien” – Viewing the level for “The Silent Cartographer” This one is the world or level editor for the game. Internally, levels are referred to as “scenarios.” This program allows you to populate data related to the level itself including things such as weapon placement,  AI squads, and more.</p>



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



<p>Though basic in its name, this one is a command-line-only Swiss Army knife for very specific changes. This is used to perform all the tasks related to importing source content into tag files or even to building  map files. These map files are internally referred to as ‘cache files.’ But this tool will help perform all these adjustments. </p>



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



<p>This entirely new program is basically a development build of the game itself. It runs directly off tag files instead of cache files. This is largely meant to help improve iteration times for people who are building  and modding content. This program is meant for advanced modification only. It is also targeted for non-multiplayer development only. You can’t use it to test multiplayer levels with others and it won’t even load  multiplayer levels at this moment. You could load multiplayer levels as campaign levels, but it may or may not help you in your endeavors for it.  For this tool, do not expect all the bells and whistles. This is very much a what you see is what you get sort of tool. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Additional Tools</h2>



<p>In addition to these programs, we are also including zip files of level scripts and all the tag files which go into building the campaign and multiplayer levels. To access these, you will need to extract these files to  begin editing these files or building existing levels. Part of the reason for using zips is so the final tools package is smaller to download, but also so tool updates don’t inadvertently replace files you edit. These tools are being provided <strong>as-is. </strong>While we plan to make updates over time to address issues we see the community talking about, the level of support these tools get should not be expected to match MCC  itself. These are the tools which developers used or are using. They were originally developed with the expectation that a programmer was never too far away to fix or help someone work around an issue. They  can be used in many ways, but not all workflows may work as expected on your machine. Future updates made to MCC may require you to rebuild your maps to play properly. However, we do not intend to  break compatibility of tag files with tool updates, at least not without fair warning where possible. Halo: Combat Evolved, specifically, does not have a flexible tag system that can handle format changes  gracefully. Later games improved this aspect. So, if such times come, all you should need to do is have the latest tools and rebuild your map. In order to take advantage of changes we make to the games; you  may also need to update tags you use. Especially if you are using stock tag files (ones which are used to make the stock campaign and multiplayer levels), as these may have been changed to address bugs or  other support items. We hope you enjoy these new ways to interact with Halo and we look forward to hearing from the community on your modding endeavors. Happy Modding all!</p>


Halo: MCC Creator Hub


<p>The Halo Championship Series returns this weekend bringing United States Marine Corps reinforcements to the highly anticipated kickoff event in Raleigh.</p>



<p>For two decades, Marines have played a significant role throughout the Halo franchise, protecting and serving alongside Master Chief. Their fighting spirit spans generations where battles are won on behalf of humanity in the face of uncertainty and adversity. As a predecessor of the United Nations Space Command, today’s Marine Corps serves as America’s expeditionary fighting force, remaining the most ready when our Nation is least ready to fight and win across every domain.</p>



<p>To celebrate the fighting spirit exhibited by teams and
individual players at all levels, the United States Marine Corps is partnering with
the Halo Championship Series to recognize and reward excellence on the road to
the Halo World Championship.</p>



<p>“Competing at the highest level requires grit, self-determination
and the will to succeed despite all odds,” said Director of Esports and Gaming,
Captain Michael Maggitti. “We are truly humbled to support the competitors and
larger Halo community as they fight with the same tenacity and resolve exhibited
by both the Marines of today and of the future. We are equally honored to take
part in the long and storied history as the Halo Championship Series redefines
the competitive landscape starting in Raleigh.” </p>



<p>We’re very thankful for the U.S Marine Corps and their supporting partners at Mindshare and Wunderman Thompson for their support of the Halo community!</p>



<p>For more information about how Marines are trained and equipped to lead with confidence in themselves and their teams, head to <a href="https://www.marines.com/life-as-a-marine/standards/battle-ready.html">Marines.com</a>.</p>


U.S. Marine Corps Joins Forces with Halo Championship Series