Which Halo Game Introduced Infection?
Introduction
Infection is one of the most popular multiplayer gametypes in the Halo series, where surviving players must fend off hordes of infected enemies. But which game introduced this thrilling mode? This article will delve into the history of Halo and explore the origins of Infection in the series.
Halo 2: The Birth of Infection
Contrary to popular belief, Halo 2 did not have an official Infection game type. However, custom games and community creativity led to the development of a zombies-like mode, where players would manually kill each other to spread the infection. Despite not being an official gametype in the game, this early iteration set the stage for the Infection mode as we know it today.
Halo 3: The First Official Infection
Halo 3 marked a new era for Infection, as Bungie, the developers behind the game, officially introduced the gametype. Infection was played on the Slayer gamemode with a twist: when players died, they would become infected zombies, tasked with killing the surviving players. This game type was part of the game’s multiplayer mode, including online play.
Halo: Reach and Halo: ODST – The Evolution of Infection
Inhalation of Infection continued and evolved in Halo: Reach and Halo: ODST. InReach, the game’s multiplayer mode, the Infection gametype was replaced by a new mode called "Firefight," which was a cooperative mode in which players fought against waves of enemies. In ODST, the firefight mode was replaced by a new iteration of Infection, where players could experience the gametype in a new story-driven context.
Halo Infinite – The Latest Chapter in the Infection Saga
In Halo Infinite, the Infection gametype receives a new lease on life. After a successful reboot of the Slayer gamemode, the Infection was reimagined as "Zombies," a social experiment gone wrong. In the 10th anniversary of the Infinity, the Infection gametype has been reimagined by 343 Industries, the successor to Bungie, into a new mode called "Invasion," where players can experience infection in a new way.
When Did Infection Become So Popular?
Infection’s Popularity Timeline:
- Before Halo 2: Custom maps and community creativity led to the evolution of zombies-like modes.
- 2007: Halo 3 and the introduction of Infection as an official multiplayer gametype.
- 2011: Halo: Reach and a new iteration of Infection in fire fight mode.
- 2016: Halo: ODST saw the return of Infection in a new Story-driven context.
- 2022: Halo Infinite and the re-release of Infection as "Zombies", and the introduction of "Invasion mode".
Conclusion
Infection may have started as a custom creation in Halo 2, but over the years, it has evolved into one of the most popular multiplayer gametypes in the Halo series. From its humble origins to its current iteration in Halo Infinite, Infection has become an integral part of what makes Halo so beloved. And who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see a new iteration that will take the gametype even further.