The upcoming Halo Infinite is officially bringing back classic multiplayer announcer Jeff Steitzer. He has been with the franchise since the beginning, so longtime fans will see this as a welcome taste of nostalgia.
The news came in an Ask 343 Q&A video, which focused on the game’s design. The question first emerged after Halo 5 introduced several multiplayer announcers, but Infinite seems to backtrack on this. The game’s marketing focuses on returning to the franchise’s roots, and this is the next step of that move.
Steitzer first appeared in Bungie’s Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001, and his return is sure to delight fans. Also prevalent are more simplistic visual designs. The iconic Master Chief’s design is a lot more reminiscent of Bungie’s interpretation of the character than in recent games, with more distinctive green armor.
Also among the announcements, which focused on audio design, were details of gun sounds. The fan-favorite Plasma Pistol, whose distinctive ‘charging’ sound changed in previous games, seems set to go back to the original sound. Equally, the introduction of a dynamic soundtrack—that will grow more intense during the end of multiplayer matches—looks set to recreate the epic feel of Bungie’s original games.
Details are still thin on Infinite’s plot, though it seems distinctive from 2015’s Halo 5: Guardians. That game moved away from Master Chief, focusing on Spartan Locke and Fireteam Osiris. The franchise’s iconic masked hero, however, seems to place Master Chief at the center once again. Announced at E3 2018, the game pits Master Chief against the Banished, a group of former Covenant alien rebels. Little is known plot-wise, but with the game launching in late 2021, a new trailer should release soon.
Halo Infinite’s multiplayer mode is due to launch as free-to-play, meaning franchise fans can hear the nostalgic voiceover without paying for the game. Despite lacking a specific release date, anticipation for the game will certainly shoot up now.
