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343 Industries Abandons Public Content Update Beta To Get Patches Out Faster
Last month, we reported that 343 Industries was going to be beta testing content updates with a select group of players. The studio has abandoned that course of action in favor of getting updates out faster.
“After further evaluation, the team has determined that that final testing for the content update will be completed internally, and we will not be conducting a beta test for the next CU,” writes community manager Andy Dudynsky. “Also, it was determined that the additional time and work devoted to the beta would’ve actually postponed the public availability of the content update. Lastly, there were some added challenges surrounding the CU beta – including an extra series of required updates and rollbacks - that made us take a step back and reexamine the CU beta.”
No date or release window has yet been announced for this content update, but 343 Industries reiterates that the focus is on matchmaking and party improvements. The studio also provides an update on the previously announced remake to Relic, a Halo 2 map.
Certain Affinity, the developer that handled Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, is working on revamping that battleground. Right now, the update is in the concept art stages (above).
[Source: 343 Industries]
Our Take
Given the ongoing struggles with matchmaking and other social features, getting fully tested updates done and in the hands of players faster is the right call. While The Master Chief Collection has its share of stumbles, I remain optimistic that the lessons learned will be applied successfully to Halo 5.
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