For most ofHalo’s 23-year-long history, gameplay has primarily been restricted to the view of first-person. While players were able to play in third-person when utilizing vehicles, turrets, hijackings, assassinations, and in some boss battles, most players only saw the game through the eyes of Master Chief, Arbiter, and multiplayer Spartans. SpinoffHalogames did change perspective occasionally with the real-time strategy gamesHalo Wars 1and2as well as the twin stick shooter gamesHalo: Spartan AssaultandHalo: Spartan Strike, but these were the only perspective exceptions. This restriction to first-person in mainlineHalogames changed, however, when Halo Studios recently introduced a third-person option toHalo Infinite’s multiplayer.
Halo Infinite’s Third-Person Mechanic Explained
In coordination withHalo 2’s 20th anniversaryandHalo Infinite’s Operation: Great Journey update, Halo Studios released an experimental third-person Firefight gamemode intoHalo Infinite’s multiplayer. According to Halo Studios Senior Community Manager John Junyszek, third-person was originally developed as just a fun feature used in Forge creations based on a debug third-person camera, but developers realized the feature could be fun in official multiplayer modes, starting with Firefight. While third-person is currently only accessible in Firefight playlists onInfinite’s matchmaking, players can still use the feature in custom games by toggling the third-person camera on under match overrides.
Similar to thethird-person perspective seen in theGears of Warseries,Halo Infinite’s third-person camera is situated directly behind Spartans’ backs, allowing for players to finally see their customized armor in its near entirety. Players can additionally see their own special armor effects in game for the first time with this feature. Despite the third-person view, players are still able to clearly see their weapon’s reticle, radar, weapons, grenades, and equipment just as they can by looking through their helmet’s HUD. However, zooming in with a weapon will return the player to first-person temporarily while scoped in, just asGearstroops are when zooming in with a Longshot Sniper Rifle.
Halowas originally designed as an RTS for Apple’s Mac computers and later a third-person action game before it was acquired by Microsoft.
Halo’s Potential Future With Third-Person
Now thatHalo Infinite’s third-person modehas emerged, Halo Studios can experiment with the feature in PVP gametypes such as Slayer and Big Team Battle. Third-person isn’t expected to be brought over to competitive gametypes because the feature can make some fights unfair by enabling players to look around corners without stepping into the line of fire. The new feature could be used in other gametypes, campaigns, and entirely new games to increase the player population. Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard noted in a community livestream that some gamers are adverse towards first-person games and only play in third-person. Including this feature in more modes and futureHalotitles could bring in new fans.
However, the new third-person feature hasn’t been universally praised. Some players viewed the third-person perspective as notHalo-like and saw its implementation as a step towards going away from the franchise’s core values and gameplay. As both single and multiplayer third-person games become increasingly popular, such asHorizonandFortnite, many are concerned that Halo Studios may deviate too much towards third-person in mainlineHalogames in order to try to get younger players to try the series. While mainlineHalogames could perfect the implementation of third-personin social playlists similar to theStar Wars: Battlefrontgames, it may be best to restrict third-person to spinoffs or have it be optional.
A Third-Person Halo Spinoff
To work around the divisive responses with third-personHalo, Halo Studio could develop a new spinoff title with third-person intended as the main gameplay perspective. This hypothetical third-personHalogame could be based onthe long-desired Flood centricHalogameand be structured similar toDead Spacein terms of gameplay. Halo Studios could also make a third-person game centered on playing as Elites to help differentiate the game from common first-person games that typically have fans play as humans. While these games could be designed to play in third-person, Halo Studios could implement a toggle function allowing players to seamlessly switch to first-person to ensure that signatureHalofeel remains in the game.
Halo Infinite
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
