Halo Infinite Has Been Missing One Obvious Opportunity For…

Summary

Halo Infinite has had its highs and lows, with controversies surrounding the lack of co-op and insufficient content.
A crossover with the beloved web series Red vs. Blue could be a game-changer to win back players and attract new ones.
343 Industries has shown love for Red vs. Blue in the past, and partnering with Rooster Teeth for a season of content would be a perfect match, as it could include themed maps and exciting cosmetics. In particular, having Church as an AI option could be a lot of fun.

Halo Infinite has had its ups and downs. While the campaign was strong, a lack of co-op immediately resulted in controversy. Similarly, though the core multiplayer gameplays was phenomenal, fans quickly grew frustrated with the lack of content. For every smart decision like Halo Infinite battle passes not expiring, there was a controversial one like Halo Infinite’s absurdly long seasons. While the game’s reputation has started to improve, it needs something big to win players back, and a crossover with one of the most beloved web series of all time could do the trick.

Halo Infinite’s forge mode has allowed the community to solve the game’s content problem, but there is still a need that for the game to offer more intriguing seasons. Crossovers are one of the most common ways for live service games to make an impact, as they can attract fans of other properties to a title. Fortnite has thrived on this model, with its seasons offering everything from Rick and Morty to The Witcher cosmetics. Though Halo players would likely not want to see over-the-top crossovers within the franchise, a perfect middle ground exists in Red vs. Blue.

A Red vs. Blue Crossover Season Could Win Back Halo Players and Attract New Ones

Debuting in 2003, Red vs. Blue is a web series created by Rooster Teeth. Initially beginning as a parody of the Halo franchise’s multiplayer, the series evolved from a purely comedic focus to a proper show full of character development and intriguing story moments. While Red vs. Blue has always maintained a sense of humor, the action scenes and overarching narrative of the Freelancer saga were truly special. With Red vs. Blue approaching its final season, and bringing back the original creative team to deliver it, now feels like the perfect time to celebrate the show. Further, considering that some people simply love Rooster Teeth and Red vs. Blue while having no interest in Halo itself, this content could attract some new players to Infinite.

Halo has never shied away from showing love to Red vs. Blue. Whether it was Bungie working with Rooster Teeth on an ODST series, or in-game Easter eggs like the lightish red armor color, fans can find numerous tributes across the franchise. Halo Infinite in particular has several, like nods to Grifball, the “why are we here?” Quote appearing as a loading screen tip, and an Xbox achievement mentioning Shiela the tank. With 343 Industries clearly having a deep love for the Rooster Teeth series, going a step further and partnering with the company for a season of content seems like a match made in heaven.

One obvious opportunity for this hypothetical season would be some Red vs. Blue-themed maps. Since Red vs. Blue is filmed within Halo games, this would only require 343 Industries to remaster iconic maps with an RvB twist. A new version of Blood Gulch could be filled with some clever nods to the early days of the show, such as Lopez’ severed head or Shiela the Tank. Both could talk, uttering some hilarious lines from the series, and the community could have to put together what Lopez is saying just like the Reds and Blues. A Chorus map could also work, featuring Freckles, Grif’s poorly kept room, and so on.

Outside of maps that are packed with Easter eggs, a Red vs. Blue season could be full of terrific cosmetics. Weapons like the M41 Spnkr could be temporarily renames to Simmons’ Blaster as a way to reference the show, while RvB weapon skins could be added. Armor sets could be released like Tucker’s meta armor from season 13, while charms could range from a photo of Tucker and his alien son to a tiny copy of Epsilon. Speaking of Epsilon, AKA Church, an AI option that lets him follow the player and comment on the game would undoubtedly be exciting. Church roasting the player for their poor gameplay or complaining that he was picked for the mission could be genuinely hilarious, so long as Burnie Burns provides the voice.

This content could even come with a teaser for Red vs. Blue’s final season, with a secret message or video hidden for players to find. Ultimately, a lighthearted season focused on celebrating Halo’s best fan creation could be just what Halo Infinite needs right now. Players need to be reminded why Halo is special, and though Forge is a step toward that, more steps should be taken. With Red vs. Blue still having lessons to teach Halo, it deserves to have a bigger presence within the latest game.