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Halo: The Master Chief Collection Problems Prompt 343 Industries To Delay Spartan Strike
In the wake of still unresolved problems with Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Microsoft and 343 Industries are delaying the next game in the series. Halo: Spartan Strike, the sequel to Halo: Spartan Assault, will not make its 2014 release.
The title was scheduled to arrive on December 12. It will now be released for Windows Phone and Windows 8 at an undetermined time in early 2015. Other platforms have not yet been mentioned.
“While we’re excited about this all-new Halo experience, our commitment to resolving the current matchmaking issues in Halo: The Master Chief Collection remains the top priority,” the developer writes. “As a result, we have decided to move the release of Halo: Spartan Strike to early 2015.”
Despite a number of patches that have improved The Master Chief Collection’s matchmaking and performance, users are still reporting uneven teams and the entire roster of playlists have not yet been restored. Problems prompted an apology from 343 Industries studio head Bonnie Ross, in which she promised that this would be made right for fans. For more, check out our recent coverage.
[Source: 343 Industries]
Our Take
This is the right move for Microsoft and 343 Industries. Releasing another game in the franchise, even if under development by a different team, completed, and through certification would be bad optics. Any appearance of moving forward before the problems with The Master Chief Collection are fully repaired would only harm the brand.
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