When 343 Industries was developing Halo: Infinite, it had ambitious plans to expand the game’s campaign with future DLCs. It was because the game was originally rumored to be a hub for all future Halo content.
The developer looked to other successful open-world games for inspiration, but this never fully came to fruition in the final product. An expansion to the campaign had been rumored, but it had been previously canceled.
Halo Infinite Had a Much Better Original Campaign That Was Unfortunately Canceled
Halo: Infinite, while praised for its return to the series’ roots of the original art style and more focused combat reminiscent of the original trilogy, was supposed to have a much more expansive and dynamic campaign. The canceled expansion aimed to expand on what the initial campaign was supposed to be, and make it more in line with the original vision.
The expansion was apparently going to integrate elements from Breath of the Wild, known for its open-world exploration and freedom, Far Cry 5, with its strongholds with various leaders, and Ghost Recon, which excels in team-based combat. The details of the canceled expansion have arrived and mention a UNSC Infinity Hub as a concept.
It was supposed to be a bustling hub world teeming with soldiers, scientists, and quests. This would have provided a sense of purpose and community within the seemingly desolate Zeta ring. Far Cry 5’s influence is evident in the scrapped concept of Factions controlling certain areas of the map.
Imagine warring Banished factions vying for control of territories, offering players opportunities to choose sides, disrupt power struggles, and potentially manipulate the factions against each other. This would have made sense with the multiple Banished Warlods that you encounter in the game.
Why Exactly Was the Campaign Expansion Canceled?
The decision to cancel this ambitious expansion has left many fans puzzled. The current campaign, while good, lacks the depth and variety that was originally promised. Infinite’s existing open-world elements are somewhat limited, with a focus on small-scale skirmishes and a handful of side activities.
These are fun, but they don’t match the level of freedom and complexity that games like Breath of the Wild offer 343’s choice to maintain a more traditional Halo structure, with linear missions mixed with open-world segments, was likely influenced by several factors.
Development challenges, time constraints, and the need to ensure a cohesive narrative might have played a role. The game went through some trouble developing and a lot of major revisions over its long development period. However, this has resulted in a campaign that feels more like a series of interconnected arenas rather than a truly open-world experience.
While the scrapped expansion is no longer a possibility, it definitely is a sour reminder of Infinite’s actual potential. Perhaps future installments will embrace a more open-world structure and incorporate elements like player choice and faction dynamics. The groundwork laid by these scrapped ideas could help the future of the franchise, offering a more dynamic Halo experience.
What did you think of Halo Infinite‘s campaign? Let us know in the comments below.
