New Halo Infinite update adds Noble Intention event, Forge matchmaking playlist
Some of the best community-made Forge maps are now playable in matchmaking.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
What you need to know
Update 2:41 p.m. ET:Previously, we reported that the update only added a Forge playlist to matchmaking, asa Halo Infinite technical issueprevented the Noble Intention event from appearing properly in-game. We’ve since updated the article with the event’s details.
A surprise Halo Infinite update has begun a new free event titled Noble Intention, complete with a 10-tier event pass that players can earn a variety of new rewards from. The event has been paired with a Community Collection playlist in matchmaking that includes several Forge maps made by the game’s community.
Since it launched with the Winter Update in late 2022, Halo Infinite’s Forge level editing and creation tool has taken the game’s community by storm. Fans have been hard at work creating incredible maps, with many asking developer 343 Industries for a matchmaking playlist that features the best of them. Now, that wish has been granted.
The playlist features the Slayer, Strongholds, Oddball, King of the Hill, CTF, and One Flag CTF Arena modes across a variety of community-made maps, including Perilous, Starboard, Salvation, and Absolution.Perilousis an overgrown UNSC facility that gets players right into the action with a layout that evokes Halo 3’s Guardian, whileStarboardis a beautifully detailed UNSC-themed reimagination of the classic three-lane map Midship.Salvationis a Banished and Forerunner-themed remake of the popular Halo: Combat Evolved map Damnation, andAbsolutionis an original stage inspired by the aesthetic of the Delta Halo location from the Halo 2 campaign. You can see images of the maps below.
The Noble Intention event itself is themed after two conceptual characters for Halo: Reach: Rosenda-A344 and Thom-A293 (the latter appeared in the fan-favoriteDeliver Hope trailer). By completing gameplay challenges and accruing XP during Noble Intention, players can earn armor kits that look exactly like the MJOLNIR suits worn by Rosenda and Thom. Several Recon and CDO armor pieces, Rosenda and Thom-inspired armor coatings, and a new Noble Rose pose are available from the event pass as well. These rewards will remain accessible until February 21, which is when Noble Intention ends.
Overall, it’s great to see theHalo Infinitedevs spotlight some of thebest Forge mapsthat the community has made thus far, and the new cosmetics added in this event are great, too. I do wish that a wider variety of levels and alternative game modes were included in the Forge playlist, though. Some of the most popular maps made with Forge so far have been ones developed for hilarious and unique minigames, such as the amazingDiglettswhack-a-mole mode inspired by Pokemon. Perhaps 343 will create a social playlist for maps and modes like this in the future.
Halo Infinite is available now on Xbox and PC. Despite its issues, it’s one of thebest Xbox shooterson the market right now for fans of arena-style FPS combat, and since the multiplayer is free-to-play, there’s zero barrier to entry. The campaign is fantastic, too, as it features exhilarating gameplay and an excellent story.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Halo Infinite
Despite its issues, there’s plenty to like about Halo Infinite. The core multiplayer gameplay is great, and since it’s free-to-play, there’s no barrier to entry. The campaign is fantastic, too, as it features an excellent story, fun open world gameplay, and plenty of action-packed levels to play through.
See at:Amazon|Microsoft
Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you’ll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he’s not writing or gaming, there’s a good chance he’s either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once.Follow him on X(Twitter).
