In a surprising move that's shaking up the Halo community, 343 Industries has announced a groundbreaking update for Halo Infinite. For the first time in the franchise's history, players will be able to experience the game from a third-person perspective.
The announcement came during a Forge panel at the 2024 Halo World Championship, where Senior Community Manager John Unyshek Junyszek and Skybox Labs Senior Software Engineer Colin Cove shared details about the upcoming feature.
Key points of the third-person mode include:
- Planned release in November 2024
- Initially available in Firefight mode
- Potential expansion to PvP and Forge-controlled environments
- Ability to switch between first and third-person views at the mode level
This unexpected development has sparked mixed reactions from the Halo community. While some fans are excited about the new perspective, others express concern about potential Fortnite-ification of the classic first-person shooter.
It's worth noting that third-person elements aren't entirely new to Halo. The series has featured third-person views for heavy weapons for 17 years, and modders have previously added third-person cameras to Halo Infinite's campaign.
The addition of an official third-person mode raises questions about its implementation:
- Will it be restricted to multiplayer, or extend to the campaign?
- How will it affect gameplay balance, particularly in competitive modes?
- Could this lead to specialized third-person game modes?
As the November release approaches, 343 Industries may provide more details on how this feature will be integrated into the Halo Infinite experience. This update could breathe new life into a game that some fans felt was lacking in content, potentially attracting both new and returning players to the Halo universe.
Whether this change represents a bold new direction for Halo or a temporary experiment remains to be seen. One thing is certain: come November, Halo fans will have a fresh perspective on their favorite Spartan-filled battlegrounds.