The year 2024 marked a pivotal chapter for Xbox’s renowned Halo franchise, particularly with the release of Halo Infinite. Following a significant reorganization, 343 Industries transitioned into Halo Studios and announced the next installment of the Halo series, which will be powered by Unreal Engine technology. Additionally, the franchise witnessed the launch and subsequent cancellation of the second season of Paramount’s Halo series, the return of Master Chief to Fortnite, and celebrated two major anniversaries – the 15th anniversary of Halo 3: ODST and the 20th anniversary of Halo 2. In terms of gameplay, Halo Infinite introduced a fresh weapon, the MA5K Avenger, further enriching its arsenal. While the past year held its share of challenges and triumphs for the Halo universe, enthusiastic fans can look forward to more thrilling developments slated for 2025.
Expanding Halo’s Media Landscape in 2025
In 2024, Halo Waypoint launched numerous Waypoint Chronicles, which are concise audio dramas that delve into various aspects of the Halo universe beyond Master Chief’s adventures. These chronicles introduced intriguing characters, such as the first Banished Spartan, Ilsa Zane, and explored narratives involving a Promethean Knight and an imprisoned Elite Councilor from Halo 2. Community Writer Alex Wakeford confirmed that fans can anticipate new Waypoint Chronicles in 2025, though details on their content remain limited. Speculations suggest that upcoming stories may delve into the escalating threat posed by Venezian super soldiers, a plot that garnered increasing attention in 2024, particularly with ONI Agent Veronica Dare’s investigations.
The anticipated novella, Empty Throne, will be set during the six months following the UNSC Infinity’s defeat at Zeta Halo in 2559. This narrative will chronicle the unfolding conflict among the UNSC, The Created, and The Banished as they vie for control of the ever-elusive Domain, a creation of the ancient Precursors. Additionally, readers can expect a new formidable Banished warrior to emerge, seeking dominance in a tumultuous galaxy.
The Impact of Halo: Empty Throne
While detailed insights about the events and characters in Halo: Empty Throne remain under wraps, 343 Industries teased the inclusion of several beloved characters during the 2024 Halo World Championship. Some notable figures expected to make appearances include Atriox, Escharum, Admiral Lord Hood, Spartan 2 Gray Team, Rtas ‘Vadum, and the “Didact’s Hand,”Sali ‘Nyon, known from the Halo: Escalation comics. Although the core campaign of Infinite focused primarily on Master Chief, Empty Throne may shed light on the broader galaxy’s events, setting the stage for how remaining UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios forces might support Master Chief in the forthcoming Halo 7.
New Updates Coming to Halo Infinite in 2025
As we enter early 2025, Halo Infinite is set to receive its third and possibly concluding Winter update – Operation Brute Force – lasting from January 7 to February 4. This update will grant players access to a free 20-tier Operation Pass, featuring new Spartan armor with a Brute-inspired aesthetic, including a set specifically mirroring Spartan Killer Tovarus’s gear from the campaign. Additionally, fans can revel in the nostalgic Capture the Flag variant, Castle Wars, in Infinite’s official multiplayer, with an Action Sack game mode expected later in January. Looking ahead, Halo Infinite may introduce another operation in February to herald the game’s spring season, aiming to deliver long-awaited content to its multiplayer experience.
Late 2024 also saw the release of a new weapon, the MA5K Avenger carbine, in conjunction with Halo 2’s 20th Anniversary celebrations. Preceding this launch, leaks hinted at the MA5K alongside various unreleased assets found within Infinite’s files, including the gravity hammer-bayoneted double-barrel shotgun, the Mutilator, the Covenant Fuel Rod Cannon, and the Falcon UNSC air vehicle from Halo: Reach. With the MA5K’s successful integration, it’s plausible that these additional weapons and vehicles may soon follow in 2025, potentially debuting in a celebratory update in October.
Anticipated Halo 5: Guardians 10th Anniversary Update
This October will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Halo 5: Guardians, which was exclusively released on Xbox consoles, with Halo 5: Forge launched for Windows 10 in 2016. While not universally acclaimed, the game has its share of enthusiasts who appreciate its campaign and multiplayer features. To honor this milestone, Halo Studios might consider rolling out an update reminiscent of the Halo 2 Anniversary celebrations, potentially introducing the GEN2 armor and a new armor core, showcasing Blue Team and Fireteam Osiris. Additionally, Halo Waypoint may publish a new Waypoint chronicle elaborating on the status of Spartans Locke and Tanaka, both of whom have received minimal narrative follow-up since Halo 5’s launch.
While Spartan Buck’s story found a continuation in Halo: Bad Blood and Halo: Venezian Sonata, and Spartan Vale’s journey progressed through Halo: Outcasts, Spartan Locke’s storyline has largely remained unresolved since Halo Infinite.
Exciting New Halo Game Announcements for 2025
The whispers of a potential remake for Halo: Combat Evolved seemed to gain traction throughout 2024, particularly following the announcement of 343 Industries rebranding as Halo Studios and its upcoming project utilizing the Unreal Engine 5. This rebranding showcased the engine’s capabilities with new Master Chief animations, depicting him in his iconic GEN1 Mark 5 armor. Speculations have emerged that this remake might not only arrive merely for Xbox consoles but also simultaneously for PlayStation 5, signaling the kickoff of a series of remakes of the original Halo trilogy. As captivating as these rumors are, no formal announcement regarding the next mainline Halo game has been made yet.
Even amidst the buzz surrounding the remake, there remains the possibility that Halo Studios is still working on Halo 7, the sequel to Halo Infinite’s narrative. The conclusion of Infinite left fans with many questions, including Atriox’s awakening of the Endless and the online activation of Offensive Bias, with Master Chief still stranded on Zeta Halo. Drawing parallels with Gears of War’s The Coalition, which has developed both franchise prequels and sequels, there’s potential for dual development streams— a Combat Evolved remake dominating the headlines first, paving the way for the eventual release of Halo 7.
Anticipated Timeline for New Halo Game Announcements
Halo Infinite’s announcement came during E3 2018, three years post the release of Halo 5. As Halo Infinite approaches its fourth anniversary in late 2025, it presents an opportune moment for an official reveal of the next installment in the Halo saga. Furthermore, 2026 will mark the franchise’s 25th anniversary, and if Halo Studios aims for a launch aligned with this landmark occasion, marketing initiatives will need to commence in 2025. A formal announcement regarding the next Halo game—be it a remake of Combat Evolved or the highly anticipated Halo 7—could be unveiled during the 2025 Xbox Showcase, reminiscent of how Gears of War: E-Day was introduced at the 2024 Xbox Showcase.
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