Halo: MCC to stop getting seasonal updates once Halo Infinite launches

Halo 3
Halo 3 (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

What you need to know

  • 343 Industries has announced that it plans to halt seasonal updates to Halo: MCC once Halo Infinite launches.
  • Explaining this decision, the developers said that trying to keep two games updated with content on a seasonal basis is not ideal for the studio.
  • Halo: MCC will still receive content, feature, and stability updates in the future, but on a "ready when it's ready" basis.
  • Additionally, it was announced that the Halo: MCC Season 8 coming in Fall 2021 is the game's final update for the year.

Halo developer 343 Industries has announced in a new blog post that once Halo Infinite launches on Dec. 8, 2021, seasonal updates for Halo: MCC will stop as the studio shifts its focus to the new title. In the post, the developers explain that keeping both games updated with seasonal updates and content offerings is not ideal for the studio. Therefore, 343 Industries is adopting a new approach.

Under this new plan, Halo Infinite will receive seasonal updates while content, feature, and stability updates for Halo: MCC will "land when they're ready based on development status and studio roadmap alignment." The developers have confirmed that future updates will continue to be free for all players.

The post also confirms that the release of Halo MCC: Season 8 later this Fall will mark the final official update for the game that's coming this year. This new update is expected to include a brand new Halo 3 map as well as several new "out there" armor sets for Halo 3 inspired by mythology and fantasy. You can basically make Spartans look like Skyrim characters with the new gear, which is something we definitely haven't been able to say about Halo customization before. The Season 8 update is also expected to include fixes for several MCC bugs and exploits.

Overall, it's a bummer to hear that seasonal updates for the MCC are ending, although the game has had an incredible Great Journey in 2020 and 2021. It's one of the best Xbox shooters available, and you should definitely check it out if you haven't already.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.