(Image: Halo Infinite - 343 Industries)

Even though Halo Infinite had a pretty successful launch, it goes without saying that the dearth of content since its release has left fans feeling deserted. The cancellations of features, delays on game modes, like the long-awaited map editor/creator Forge, and the shake-up of staff at 343 have come at the expense of Infinite's road map appearing without either a road, nor a map. Even a hitchhiker would at least spice up some of the lull in content. The multiplayer remains fine, it's still Halo. But can 343 patch up its own internal issues to provide any direction?

In an interview with SkillUp's Friends Per Second podcast, head of Xbox Studios Matt Booty spoke about a lot of Halo Infinite's shortcomings, stating the team did not have a good plan to support Halo post-launch, and that the team has "retrenched" and is focusing on righting the ship.

“These days with a game like Halo Infinite, shipping the game is just the beginning. There's gotta be a plan for content [to] sustain, there's gotta be a plan for continuing engagement, and we just fell short on the plan for that. We've really retrenched, we've got some changes in how the team is set up, we've got some changes in leadership, and just have to really get refocused around that sustained content plan.

And just, thank you to the players for sticking with us through this. We know there's way more demand and so much more we could be delivering. We appreciate the players sticking with us and that is our focus right now. On quality-of-life for the game and getting on a regular cadence of content. If was a little bit of, good finish across the finish line, and then, kind of the classic runner's mistake of tripping and stumbling [...] and we've gotta recover. So, the burden is on us, the team is very focused on that right now. [...] The phrase of "gone gold" or "we shipped the game," I don't know if that has as much meaning today as it did five or six years ago.”

With the sizable Winter update, that will include campaign co-op and the very much demanded Forge mode, coming November 8, many staffers and fans hope it's the mark of a turning point for Halo Infinite. While it's maintained a dedicated fanbase throughout the series' tenure, 343 Industries has been viewed by many as a team that has mishandled the franchise. With a settling down in the staff department and departures remaining far enough in between to establish consistent creative vision, could this be what 343 Industries needs to restore faith in the direction of Halo?