Why 343 Industries Opted for Slipspace Over Unreal Engine for Halo Infinite to Maintain Creative Vision

343 Industries’ Engine Decision for Halo Infinite

In the development of Halo Infinite, the renowned studio 343 Industries evaluated the potential use of Unreal Engine. However, they ultimately chose to employ their proprietary Slipspace Engine, primarily due to various challenges that could have altered their vision for the game.

Revelation from a 2017 Documentary

Recent investigations led by Rebs Gaming uncovered a private documentary about Halo Infinite created in 2017. This documentary, which was meant to reframe 343 Industries’ vision and secure funding from Xbox leadership, was discovered on the Vimeo profile of a former developer at the studio. It features a presentation by studio head Chris Lee, confirming earlier rumors that the team had seriously considered switching to Unreal Engine for the game.

During May 2017, members of 343 Industries visited The Coalition, where they spent two days evaluating the Unreal Engine’s capabilities. This period was marked by significant tension within the studio; according to reports, the art team even threatened to resign if leadership did not explore a potential switch to Unreal Engine.

Decision-Making Factors

After extensive evaluation, the results leaned towards maintaining the Slipspace Engine. While Unreal Engine showcased strengths in specific areas, 343 believed that their proprietary engine offered superior capabilities in other aspects. Additionally, the logistics of completely rebuilding the game’s engine were daunting; such an undertaking would require an estimated two years to complete, which could jeopardize the project’s overall vision.

A leadership vote ultimately tipped the scales in favor of the Slipspace Engine, with a decisive 85% of decision-makers supporting this choice. Consequently, the team moved forward with Slipspace for the development of Halo Infinite.

Future Developments with Unreal Engine 5

Looking ahead, 343 Industries, now known as Halo Studios, has shifted gears. As of late 2022, the studio began utilizing Unreal Engine 5 for the next instalment in the Halo series. This change in direction followed a leadership reshuffle on September 22 and resulted in the discontinuation of the Slipspace Engine for future projects. The upcoming titles may even include a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, showcasing a renewed vision for the franchise.

As the studio transitions to Unreal Engine 5, fans and industry observers alike are eager to see how this change will influence the future of the Halo franchise and whether it will elevate the series to new heights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBzHWRbQYcg

Why Halo Infinite Wasn't Developed in Unreal Engine (Exclusive Report) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBzHWRbQYcg)

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