Microsoft and Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries were left with a polarized audience following the gameplay debut of their forthcoming title at the Xbox Games Showcase. In fact, Halo Infinite's controversial last-gen visuals have kindled seething contempt among certain fans. The game is one of Microsoft's biggest titles to release for the Xbox Series X this holiday, hence the high level of scrutiny it is currently facing. Fans were anticipating the game to possess the same visual standard as many of its aesthetically pleasing PS5 competitors, yet Halo Infinite's gameplay footage disappointed many with rough textures and unworked character designs.
While responding to the criticism around Halo Infinite's graphics, Xbox Marketing GM Aaron Greenberg pointed out that there are currently several factors at play. Most importantly, the pandemic has slammed the brakes on video game production and development. Greenberg argues that the showcased footage only represents the game's preliminary footwork. There are several months until the game's holiday launch, and the production team is using the time to enhance the photographic aspects of the game. Furthermore, Halo Infinite is aiming for a stylized presentation that does not depart the franchise's nostalgia. Some aspects of the game have hence been tailored to suit the developers' creative ambitions.
Another aspect of note is that Halo Infinite will also be compatible with Xbox One, despite being an Xbox Series X title. As a first-party game, the first-person shooter will not immediately take full advantage of its new console's potential. Nevertheless, there will be an exclusive free update for those running Halo Infinite on Xbox Series X, but it's unlikely that it will contain a graphical spruce-up. After all, Greenberg did mention in his Inside Gaming interview that he himself did not find a problem with Infinite's imagery. In fact, for him, the footage had manifested the "OG Halo Infinite" essence that many had hoped for.
Unlike Xbox, developer 343 Industries has been more tactful about the predicament. Recently, making light of the situation, the gaming community memeified Halo Infinite's unexpressive Brute. Fans assigned Brute a new comedic identity as Craig, and started running challenges online centered at making the best meme of the despondent monster. Even 343 Industries hopped on the bandwagon, encouraging fans to send their best Craig memes – and the response has been overwhelming.
Although Greenberg has promised better visuals for Halo Infinite, it's clear that fans should not keep their expectations very high. Cross-gen support and ritualistic visual styles are a priority for Halo Infinite, so even with the best of fine-tuning, the game is unlikely to fully liberate itself from its current schematic clichés.
Source: YouTube