Just days after launch, 343 is already addressing issues players have with Halo Infinite's Battle Pass. On Twitter, Halo Community Manager John Junyszek said changes are already coming later this week.
For starters, 343 is adding "Play 1 Game" challenges which will reward player simply by playing games. They are also adjusting or removing some weekly challenges based on player feedback, designed to help speed up progress through the Battle Pass.
To address the feedback on Battle Pass progression we will be making targeted tunings to our model later this week.
To start, we'll be adding "Play 1 Game" challenges to help make sure you consistently progress through the Battle Pass by playing matches the way you want.
— John Junyszek (@Unyshek) November 18, 2021
The developers are also doubling the duration of double XP boosts from 30 minutes to an hour, after complaints that the boosts weren't very valuable, especially when playing Infinite's big team battle matches that can last upwards of 20 minutes. Junyszek adds that this is just the first set of changes, and the game will continue to evolve based on player feedback.
Halo Infinite's Battle Pass rewards players with cosmetic items, a system popularized in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty. However, in Halo, the main issues players have is that XP is only rewarded by completing very specific daily and weekly challenges in the game, rather than accumulating simply by playing matches.
Just hours after Halo Infinite's multiplayer went live, fans were already complaining about the progression system. Fans took to Reddit and Twitter to call the Battle Pass a "slog" and an "unenjoyable grind." Yesterday, Halo Community Director Brian Jarrard said the team was already evaluating Battle Pass progression, taking user data and player feedback into account.
Thank you to everyone who has jumped into the #HaloInfintie beta so far! FYI the team is looking at Battle Pass progression and gathering data from yesterday's sessions and we'll share updates as we have them. Please continue to share feedback and raise flags as you see them. 1/3
— Brian Jarrard (@ske7ch) November 16, 2021
While these changes are already coming this week, Junyszek says it does mean the developers need to reset player's Challenges, including progress towards Weekly Challenges. So, they're granting all players that log in between November 23 and 30 this week's Ultimate Reward, the Sigil Mark VII Visor.
Spartans will have plenty of time to make it through Halo Infinite's first season, as the Battle Pass will run until May 2, 2022, which is much longer than the three month period 343 originally announced.
Besides qualms with the game's progression mechanics, Halo Infinite is already seeing a lot of success, with over a quarter of a million concurrent players during its opening 24 hours. If you want to get in on the action, check out how to access Halo Infinite's multiplayer beta.
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.