When Is Halo Infinite Coming Out? (
When Is Halo Infinite Coming Out?
Update: This article was using Halo data since 2001 to theorize a release date for Halo Infinite. Since then, Halo Infinite has been given a release date from Microsoft and we weren’t far off but read on if you want to see how close we were and how we got there. Thanks!
One of the big surprises of the Microsoft & Bethesda Games Showcase was where Halo Infinite was placed, right in the middle. The free to play multiplayer pillar of Infinite was shown and it harkened back to classic Halo with huge sandbox battles as well as showing off new abilities and mechaincs that will help try to keep the series relevant without losing its identity like the grapple hook.
Halo Infinite didn’t come with a release date other than holiday 2021, however we are going to try to hypothesize a date when Halo Infinite will be released based on what information is currently available to us. Most of the information can be broken down into two areas: precedent and 2021 Game Pass releases.
Halo Precedent
Halo: Combat Evolved was released on November 15, 2001 alongside the original Xbox and while it would be amazing to see Halo Infinite release twenty years to the day of the original it doesn’t seem likely. First, it would give Forza Horizon 5 less than a week to capture attention and build the foundation of a strong community.
Second, November 15, 2021 falls on a Monday which goes against the history of the series. Since 2001, there have been nine core FPS Halo entries and from those nine, 89% have been released on Tuesday, 56% have been released in November and 89% have been released in fall between September 21 and December 21. A quick side note, many games are released on Tuesdays so that the studio has time to fix bugs before the onslaught of players get on Friday and Saturdays
Game Pass 2021 Additions
For the remainder of 2021, Microsoft highlighted their remaining Game Pass releases. First will be the console edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator on July 27, Psychonauts 2 on August 25, Back 4 Blood on October 12, Age of Empires 4 on October 28, however that is PC exclusive at the moment which is a slight letdown as they could have just made it require a keyboard and mouse on console, Forza Horizon 5 on November 9, and this leaves Halo Infinite with the holiday release date.
Forza Horizon 5 will be released on November 9 and you can assume they want to give that title some room to breathe but you can also look at the history of Halo releases to narrow down the window as well. Based on the information we have, we are left with 5 potential release dates for Halo Infinite.
November 16, 23, 30 December 7 and 14
I would eliminate the December dates, even though it would give 343 Industries more time to fine tune and polish the game, Halo has never released a core title in December. Releasing in December would also eliminate it from eligibility for many end of year awards and for best of lists as well as it wouldn’t leave much time for big fixing before many employees of 343 take their holidays.
This leaves us with three Tuesdays in November that would be realistic. Looking at their six Xbox titles in six months, there is a minimum of two weeks between Game Pass releases and giving Forza Horizon 5 some room to breathe not only is good for Forza to acquire a larger community but it also provides more value to gamers who are able to enjoy FH5 before Halo Infinite gets released.
We are now left with November 23 and November 30 for potential release dates for Halo Infinte. The latest Halo has ever been released in the month of November was on the 15th back in 2001 when the first entry in the series was released. As we are already in uncharted waters for Halo releases, I would expect Halo Infinite release date announced for November 23, 2021.
Our Anticipated
Halo Infinite Release Date Announced: November 23, 2021
Core FPS releases
Halo - November 15, 2001 (Thursday)
Halo 2 - November 9, 2004 (Tuesday)
Halo 3 - September 25, 2007 (Tuesday)
Halo ODST - September 22, 2009 (Tuesday)
Halo Reach - September 14, 2010 (Tuesday)
Halo 4 - November 6, 2012 (Tuesday)
Halo MCC - November 11, 2014 (Tuesday)
Halo 5 - October 27, 2015 (Tuesday)
Halo CE Anniv - November 15, 2011 (Tuesday)
9 Total ore FPS Halo Releases
8 Tuesdays (89%)
1 Thursdays
5 Novembers (56%)
3 September
8 Fall releases post September (89%) expected before December 21
Game Pass Additions
Flight Simulator July 27 (Tuesday)
Psychonauts 2 Aug 25 (Wednesday)
Back 4 Blood October 12 (Tuesday)
Age 4 October 28 (Thursday)
Forza Nov 9 (Tuesday)
Window is post Forza Horizon 5 on November 9 and December 21 Start of winter