Halo Infinite Season 4 Patch Notes: All Latest Features

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter game developed by 343 Industries and published by Xbox Game Studios. It serves as the sixth mainline entry in the Halo series, following Halo 5: Guardians. The game features a campaign mode and a free-to-play multiplayer mode.

In the campaign, players assume the role of the human supersoldier Master Chief, who is engaged in a battle against the Banished on the Forerunner ringworld known as Zeta Halo or Installation 07. The story follows Master Chief’s efforts to thwart the plans of the Banished and protect humanity.

One notable aspect of Halo Infinite is its open world design, allowing players to explore the vast environments of Zeta Halo freely. This departure from the more linear structure of previous Halo games provides players with more freedom and opportunities for exploration.

Originally slated as a launch title for the Xbox Series X/S consoles, Halo Infinite faced a delay after its initial gameplay reveal in July 2020 received negative feedback from critics and fans. The developers took the extra time to address the concerns and make improvements to the game.

On November 15, 2021, an open beta release of the multiplayer component coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Halo franchise. The campaign mode was subsequently released on December 8, 2021, for Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Halo Infinite has received generally favorable reviews from critics, with many considering it a return to form for the series. The game has been praised for its impressive visuals, engaging gameplay, open world design, captivating soundtrack, and an immersive story.

Halo Infinite Season 4 Patch Notes

• New progression system based on accumulated Personal Score.
• Players can progress from Recruit to Hero rank.
• Personal Score earned in matchmaking playlists contributes to Career Rank.
• New Nameplates and Emblems awarded at certain ranks.

• New Battle Pass and Armor Core:

• Season 4 introduces a 100-tier Battle Pass with over 180 rewards.
• Premium Battle Pass required for all rewards, but free tiers available.
• HAZMAT Armor Core available for free to all players.
• Several Armor Coatings unlocked by default for HAZMAT Armor Core.
• Premium Pass Bundle includes 100 XP Grants for immediate Battle Pass level unlocks.

• New Premium Battle Pass Perks:

• Bonus Match XP for every Multiplayer match completed during Season 4.
• MA40 FLASHBLIND weapon model and Genesis Bloom Armor Coating unlocked instantly.

• New Weapon Model Customization Items:

• Multiple new Weapon Models available for customization.
• Includes MA40 FLASHBLIND, CQS48 MODE MS, and others.

• Armor and Weapon Coating Changes:

• All Coatings from Battle Pass and Shop include versions for all Armor Cores and Weapons.
• Pre-Season 4 Shop bundles and earlier Season Battle Pass rewards not cross-compatible.
• Weekly and Ultimate Challenge Coatings specific to individual Armor Cores or weapons.

• Quantum Translocator:
  • Creates teleportation points for players to move around the map.
  • Limited time usage and cooldown after each teleportation.
  • Available in Multiplayer, Custom Games, Forge, and Training Mode.
• Threat Seeker:
  • Reveals enemy players within range by emitting a pulse.
  • Works in Ranked playlists and competitive gameplay.
  • Available in Multiplayer, Custom Games, Forge, and Training Mode.

NEW MULTIPLAYER GAME MODE: INFECTION

• Infection multiplayer mode now available in Matchmaking and Custom Games.
• Players compete as Infected or Survivors.
• Infected aim to infect all Survivors, while Survivors try to survive without getting infected.
• Some existing maps have Infection-specific variants.

NEW MULTIPLAYER MAPS:

• Abandoned, asymmetrical Forerunner temple in a dense woodland.
• Available in Custom Games and various Matchmaking playlists.

• Big Team Battle (BTB): Scarr

• Symmetrical Banished compound built around a volcanic pit.
• Available in Custom Games and various matchmaking playlists.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Events offer free customization items via the Event Pass.
• Event Challenges must be completed to progress through the Event Pass tiers.
• Infection Narrative Events: Hazmat and Containment.
• Hazmat event scheduled from June 27 to July 10, 2023.
• Stay tuned for updates on the Containment event.
• Tenrai II and III: Two-part event with separate Event Passes.
• Tenrai II scheduled for July 18-31, 2023, and Tenrai III for September 19-October 2, 2023.
• Cyber Showdown II: Event with new rewards running from August 8-21, 2023.

RANKED SLAYER MATCHMAKING PLAYLIST:

• New Ranked Slayer playlist available in matchmaking.
• Teams of four compete to reach 50 kills.
• Spawn with MA40 Assault Rifle and M392 Bandit.
• Motion Tracker and Friendly Fire enabled.
• Grenade hit markers disabled.
• Playlist includes various maps like Aquarius, Argyle, Bazaar, Behemoth, and more.

NEW FORGE FEATURES:

• Minigame Mode, Objects, and Nodes:

• Minigame mode available in Custom Games for creating unique game modes.
• Access to Generic Game Mode Objects for more flexibility.
• 25 new nodes to enhance object implementation.

• Scalable object allowing the addition of a 2D plane of water to Forge maps.
• Provides the ability to change the environment of Forge maps.

• Additional Forerunner Objects and Visual FX:

• New Forerunner-themed Forge assets and visual FX.
• Includes structure pieces, accent pieces, decals, and visual FX.

• Universal Blocker Objects:

• Efficient means of preventing player exploitation of map boundaries.

• FX Scale option to adjust the size of visual effects.
• Control over damage and audio output options for visual effects.

• Budget Menu Improvements:

• Updated Budget meter with new categories.
• Distinguishes the number and type of Forge objects placed on the map.
• Object Limits for dynamic and static objects, movers, animations, physics, collision, and more.

These new Forge features enhance customization options, allow for the creation of unique game modes, and provide improved visual effects management and budget tracking.

RAYTRACED SUN SHADOWS FOR XBOX SERIES X|S CONSOLES:

• Raytraced Sun Shadows can be toggled on Xbox Series X|S consoles.
• Enables more detailed sun shadows in multiplayer gameplay.
• Option not applicable to the Halo Infinite Campaign.
• Enabling this option may cause framerate dips below the Target Frame Rate value.

MENU IMPROVEMENTS:

• Completing a mission on Legendary with all Skulls on marks it as “Completed+”.
• Earn the Headmaster achievement by completing all Campaign missions as “Completed+”.

• Campaign Installation Changes:

• Backend changes made to separate Campaign and Multiplayer files.
• Increases overall installation size of Halo Infinite.
• Requires a loading screen when accessing or leaving the Campaign menu.

• New Zoom Reset Behavior Option:

• Choose the starting zoom level when zooming in with a scoped weapon.
• Infinite Zoom Reset: Returns to the last used zoom level.
• Legacy Zoom Reset: Always starts at the first zoom level.

• New Reporting Categories for Forge Content:

• Select specific categories for reporting offenses in Forge content.
• Specify where the harmful content is seen: Associated Images, Associated Text, Map Design or Objects.

• More bundle tiles in the Shop tab.
• Larger tile sizes to showcase bundled items.
• “Super bundles” listed alongside smaller bundles.

• Indicator for New Customization Items:

• Yellow triangle icon in the top right corner of recently unlocked customization items.
• Yellow triangle icon in menu options with new unlocks available.

RESOLVED ISSUES AND BUG FIXES:

GLOBAL:

• Changes made to improve loading game settings for future updates.
• Alignment of left and right Outer Deadzone trigger settings indicators fixed.
• Loading screen tips now maintain consistent size and formatting.
• Unplugging a wired mouse from an Xbox console now results in the cursor disappearing.
• Improved stability after using Quick Resume or when the game is suspended.

CAMPAIGN:

• Plasma Cannon Turret consistently spawns in the mission Banished Warship Gbraakon.
• Door to the Chak ‘Lok boss fight in the mission The Tower no longer gets stuck.

MULTIPLAYER: Gameplay:

• Perfect medal can be consistently unlocked with the VK78 Commando Rifle.
• Reduced likelihood of getting stuck on a loading screen when joining in-progress matches.
• The 3-capture variant of Capture the Flag (CTF) re-added to Ranked Arena playlist.

Menus:

• Improved connection to Halo services upon launching the game.
• Ranked Rewards images consistently appear on the Rank-Up screen.
• Purchase Rewards screen shows correct Battle Pass title and insignia.
• Correct Rewards screen displays after purchasing a Premium Battle Pass.
• Correct number of XP Grants displayed when purchasing a Premium Battle Pass.
• Purchased items immediately reflected as unlocked after bundle purchase.
• Map thumbnails in Custom Game Browser and Forge menus load consistently.
• Using the Repulsor no longer affects Accuracy stat in Post-Game Carnage Report.
• Forge menu displays missing content warning during installation.
• Error message appears when Forge mode is inaccessible due to privacy settings.
• Navigating back to Match tiles in Theater mode’s Match History menu is possible.
• Previous Fireteam leader loses access to Fireteam leader settings.

Custom Games:

• Shield recharge sound volume behaves according to settings in Custom Games.
• Custom Game menu shows correct map and mode selections after switching sessions.
• Functionality of weapon racks, vehicle, grenade, and Equipment pads improved in Custom Games.
• Scoreboard lists correct Gamertags when players leave and rejoin on opposite teams.
• Changes made in Custom Game Mode Editor are listed correctly in the Custom Game lobby.

Customs Browser:

• Thumbnail images load consistently in Customs Browser session details menu.
• Selected Tags no longer appear in Filters menu unless confirmed.
• Filtering by Gamertag lists uppercase and lowercase Gamertags in alphabetical order.

Customization:

• Equipping helmet attachments to the Chimera Armor Core displays correct helmet.
• Audio previews for Voiceprints play consistently in Spartan ID menu.
• Previewing Helmet Attachments in Shop bundles shows them on compatible helmets.
• Access to customization items unlocked in previous Seasons is consistent.
• Nameplate palettes restored to original colors (some exceptions).

FORGE: Edit Mode and Creation Tools:

• Simulation Memory Budget and Dynamic Object Limit meters display 100% when maximum objects placed.
• Forge sessions no longer crash after duplicating a Script Brain with many Node Graphs.
• Different accounts on the same Xbox console cannot enter a Forge session together in split-screen.
• Editing or deleting Script Brains being worked on by other players is restricted.
• Undo and redo commands work after deselecting a modified object.
• Magnet tool behaves according to object rotation.
• Magnet wires connecting objects are consistently visible.
• Reflective Forge objects reflect light based on map’s light sources.
• Teleporting behavior in Forge corrected.
• Selected Scratches and Grime values for Banished Wall Corner object appear consistently.
• Winning Team Outro object no longer visible during Spartan Play mode on Catalyst map.
• Forerunner Primitive objects scale correctly when adjusting their Scale values.
• Object color no longer cycles between two colors when selecting a new color.
• Material changes to a prefab object affect all included objects.
• Holding down selection button in Node Graph menu selects individual

• Node Graphs.
• Improvements to flickering Nav Mesh visuals in Edit mode.

File and Map Publishing:

• Exiting a Forge session without saving no longer creates a new version in Version History.
• PC players can access Bookmarked maps without reverting to previously selected map.
• Published Forge files immediately reflect their published status in the Details menu.
• Player-created and saved Forge maps consistently appear in My Files menu.
• Bookmarked maps update when the creator publishes a new version.
• Autosaves trigger more consistently after unexpected Forge session ends.
• Disabling Copy Protection on a Forge Asset no longer encounters “Call Failed” error.
• Notes can be added to each saved version of a Forge map from the pause menu.

TRAINING MODE:

• BR75 Battle Rifle consistently available in Primary and Secondary Weapon settings.
• Duplicate weapon names in Training Options menu fixed for specific weapons.

TRENDING

Halo Infinite Plot

In Halo Infinite, the game takes place in December 2559. The UNSC ship Infinity arrives at Halo Installation 07 and is ambushed by the Banished, who are operating several dreadnoughts. During the attack, Master Chief defends the ship’s hangar bay but is defeated by Atriox, the leader of the Banished, in a one-on-one duel. He is thrown into space but is later rescued by a UNSC pilot.

Six months later, the Chief and the pilot travel to Zeta Halo, which has been damaged by an unknown calamity. On the ring, the Chief encounters an AI called the Weapon, designed to imitate Cortana. The Weapon informs him that she successfully captured Cortana but failed to delete herself as intended. The Chief retrieves the Weapon and experiences visions of Cortana’s memories.

Zeta Halo is controlled by the Banished, now led by Escharum after Atriox’s apparent death. Master Chief, the Weapon, and the pilot rally UNSC forces while searching for surviving Spartans. Inside the Conservatory, a Forerunner installation, the Chief encounters Despondent Pyre, the AI caretaker of Zeta Halo, who warns of a threat on the installation. Despondent Pyre is destroyed by the Harbinger, an alien allied with the Banished, seeking to free her people, the Endless.

The Chief defends the pilot and disables the repair process on Zeta Halo, but a section of the Auditorium is rebuilt. The Harbinger attempts to hack the Weapon, but the Chief activates a failsafe, angering the AI. The Chief saves the pilot from captivity and confronts Jega ‘Rdomnai and Escharum, killing them both.

The Chief and the Weapon rush to the Auditorium to stop the Harbinger. They discover that Cortana was captured by Atriox, and she destroyed herself to prevent Atriox from accessing the ring’s secrets. In a recorded message, Cortana encourages the Chief to trust the Weapon. The Chief defeats the Harbinger but is unable to prevent her from contacting someone regarding the Endless. The Weapon and Chief reunite with the pilot, who reveals his name as Fernando Esparza. The Weapon decides to choose a name for herself.

In a post-credits scene, Atriox is shown alive and unlocking a sealed door leading to the Endless. In the Legendary difficulty ending, Despondent Pyre and a Forerunner official discuss the imprisonment of the Endless, with Offensive Bias deployed to assist Pyre in studying them.

Halo Infinite Development

Halo Infinite, developed by 343 Industries with assistance from various studios including SkyBox Labs, Sperasoft, The Coalition, Certain Affinity, and Atomhawk, is the latest installment in the Halo series. The game follows the “Reclaimer Saga” trilogy, which includes Halo 4 (2012) and Halo 5: Guardians (2015).

The development team at 343 Industries wanted to explore the concept of an open-world Halo game, taking inspiration from titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. They aimed to create a large open area where players could freely explore and complete the game in any order they desired.

While Halo 5 received positive feedback overall, it faced criticism for not featuring enough of the iconic character, Master Chief. In response, 343 Industries promised to refocus on Master Chief’s story in future games.

Halo Infinite utilizes the new Slipspace Engine, providing enhanced graphics and gameplay mechanics. The campaign was written by Paul Crocker, who also served as the associate creative director. The multiplayer component was directed by Tom French and Pierre Hintze, who played key roles in its development.

During development, Halo Infinite faced several challenges. The studio experienced creative instability, with conflicting decisions and a split development approach resulting in multiple versions of the game being worked on simultaneously. By summer 2019, two-thirds of the initial game vision had to be cut, leading to a significant change in the game’s direction. Meeting the planned deadline of November 2020 as a launch title for the Xbox Series X/S was deemed impossible.

The game’s visual quality also faced criticism following its gameplay reveal in July 2020. As a result, the development team made further changes to improve the game. In August 2020, Joseph Staten, a former lead writer and cinematic director of the Halo series at Bungie, joined 343 Industries as the Campaign Project Lead, later transitioning to the role of Head of Creative.

Staten convinced Microsoft to delay the game to 2021 in order to ensure a stable and polished launch. During the delay, various features were added and improved, including the graphics. However, the project also faced setbacks, as Studio Head Chris Lee departed in October 2020.

Halo Infinite was initially planned to include split-screen campaign co-op, addressing the community backlash over its removal in Halo 5. However, the feature experienced delays and was ultimately canceled by September 2022. The game does support cross-platform play and cross-platform save progression between Xbox and Windows versions.

Campaign network co-op was eventually added as part of the Winter Update in November 2022, along with other features such as the ability to replay old missions through the in-game TACMAP

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