Halo Infinite's multiplayer, while receiving its fair share of criticism, is still pretty popular several months after release. But it might have been an entirely different game if one of 343's earliest plans pushed through.
halo infinite steam
According to DotESports, 343 Industries experimented with a hero-based multiplayer system, not like Overwatch or Apex Legends. This information comes from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, who has earned a reputation as one of the most credible game journalists in the world.
Schreier mentioned this in reply to a tweet that alleged that Budget issues marred Halo Infinite's early development. The apparent reason was the game was being developed as an alleged "Overwatch clone."
But while Schreier stated that this claim is exaggerated, it is, in fact, true. Here is his comment to a recent post on the subreddit Gaming Leaks And Rumors:
According to him, the team did prototype a hero-based system for a while. But he doesn't remember when they eventually switched to what was delivered last November. He also stated that both PvP and PvE prototypes of the system were already built, but obviously, these didn't push through.
As a result, Halo Infinite still turned out to be a pretty standard Halo multiplayer experience. There are no unique heroes, each with their own abilities, which are punctuated by Ultimates - game-changing powers that make games like Overwatch or Apex Legends the way they are.
Schreier's claims come after so many Halo community players started discussing the potential reasons why updates to Infinites multiplayer have come slow. And slow, they are, indeed. The second season, called Lone Wolves, is not due until May 3rd.
Either way, this is perhaps definitive confirmation that Halo Infinite could have been an extremely different game from the start.
Read also: The 'Halo' TV Show Is Now Paramount+'s Most-Watched Original Series Debut Ever
Hero-Based Shooters And Why It Might've Failed In Halo
There's a reason why Overwatch, Apex Legends, and even newcomers like Valorant have stayed relevant these past few years since the 2016 heyday of this genre. Having a roster of unique characters, each of them with their own abilities forces players to specialize in roles and prioritizes teamwork.
Overwatch 2 trailer screencap - YouTube
Halo Infinite is just another team-based multiplayer shooter: if you want to win, you need to work with your teammates. But if it did push through with its early hero-based prototyping, then it would have had extremely specialized playable characters who would fill specific roles on a team: a healer, a damage dealer, a tank, or anything else, as written by PCGamer.
It also might have strayed a bit from what made the Halo franchise iconic. When you say Halo, you always think the Spartans. Master Chief, of all people. A hero-based multiplayer would have had Master Chief joined by other characters whose personalities, abilities, and playstyles would need to at least match Chief's iconic status. Otherwise, players would just play as him because the other characters are too boring.
And if they do outduel Master Chief in terms of being recognizable, well, that won't be Halo anymore, would it?
halo tv show screencap
Related: Halo TV Show Reveals Another 'Intimate' Part Of Master Chief's Body, And Fans Are Still Not Pleased
Story posted on GameNGuide
Written by RJ Pierce