It was not that long ago that we thought Halo Infinite would be one of the key launch titles to Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and S this holiday season. But after a showing that saw mixed reception, the game was shockingly delayed until some point next year (though you can still get Halo Infinite-themed Monster Energy Drinks this year, so… there’s that). It left Microsoft without a huge killer app for the launch. But it seems the company is hoping the backlog can be their selling point.
Talking to The New York Times about the upcoming clash between Microsoft and Sony this holiday season, Xbox Spokeswoman Cindy Walker commented on the delay of Infinite, admitting that it was regrettable the game would miss the Series X/S launch. But Walker said that Xbox isn’t focused on massive exclusives to drive console adoption, instead pointing to the impressive backlog that will come day 1 to the system between both Game Pass as well as extensive backwards compatibly going all the way back to the original Xbox.
“Having Halo at our launch would have been tremendous,” said Cindy Walker. “[But] we are not reliant on massive exclusive titles to drive console adoption. Our players will have thousands of games from four generations of Xbox available to play on launch day.”
Of course, the cynic would say that’s about all she can say in regards to the situation, but she’s not wrong. Microsoft has worked to bolster the amount of titles available at launch in a way Sony seemingly has not (as of now, we only know of the PS5 being backwards compatible with most PS4 titles, and nothing beyond). Will it make a difference? Only time will tell. The Xbox Series S and X launch on November 10th.
