Is Halo Infinite 6? – The Truth Behind Microsoft’s Latest Halo Release
The answer to the question "Is Halo Infinite 6?" is a bit more complex than a simple yes or no. For those unfamiliar, Halo is a first-person shooter franchise created by Bungie, which was later acquired by Microsoft in 2001. Over the years, the series has spawned various games, including Halo 2 (2004), Halo 3 (2007), Halo: ODST (2009), Halo: Reach (2010), Halo 4 (2012), Halo 5: Guardians (2015), and most recently, Halo Infinite (2021).
To answer the question directly: No, Halo Infinite is not part of the mainline trilogy, nor is it labeled as "Halo 6" by Microsoft.
History of Halo and its Spin-Offs
- Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) – Marked the beginning of the franchise with a critical success.
- Halo 2 (2004) – Built upon the success of the first, introducing online multiplayer and received positive reviews.
- Halo 3 (2007) – Finishing the original trilogy on a high note, selling over 15 million copies.
- Halo: ODST (2009) – A spin-off focusing on a unique multiplayer experience and a story side-quel.
- Halo: Reach (2010) – Exploring the events leading up to the original game’s first mission, received high scores.
- Halo 4 (2012) – Introduced the Chief to new enemies, alliances, and a deeper backstory.
- Halo 5: Guardians (2015) – Revolutionized multiplayer with its Halo: Firefight and an expanded co-op mode.
Is Halo Infinite Worth the Name "Halo 6"?
Why not consider Halo Infinite Halo 6 if it continues the legacy, you may ask. Despite being developed by 343 Industries (formerly Ensemble Studios and Bungie’s replacement), which has created multiple Halo titles, there seems to be a consensus regarding the significance of "mainline" and "6" to the series:
- "Mainline" refers to the numbered sequential titles of the original franchise, from Halo 2 to Halo 5, which build upon the storytelling and overall narrative of each game. Halo Infinite cannot be included in this narrative as a direct continuation.