Upon its release, Halo Infinite received a mixed reception, with fans loving the smooth feel of the gameplay, but lamenting its incomplete nature. Despite launching its multiplayer in Nov. 2021, Halo Infinite's campaign co-op is still not ready, and its multiplayer is still missing some fan-favorite modes. Where Halo used to be at the forefront of FPS gaming, it seems Infinite hasn't been able to return the franchise to its heights, with gamers looking to other titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch and Fortnite.
In an attempt to win players back and reward those who have stayed, Xbox has recently announced a new incentive: Halo Gear Rewards. This offers exclusive access to certain items in the Xbox Gear Shop for players who complete associated in-game challenges. Although this idea is undoubtedly a cool one that could entice some of the fanbase back, its starting point is a little overpriced, which could, unfortunately, put a lot of players off.
The first Halo Gear Reward is available to players who complete Infinite's Fracture: Entrenched Event Pass by Nov. 1, 2022. This is a free, 30-tier battle pass that will be available for roughly a week at a time, on six separate occasions across Season 2 of Infinite's multiplayer. Players will need to complete specific challenges to work their way towards the top tier. However, one week's worth of challenges won't be enough to complete it, so players are encouraged to get involved in several sessions. The first three weeks have already taken place, with the fourth taking place between Aug. 16 and Aug. 22, 2022.
The Halo Gear Reward for players who complete this Event Pass is the exclusive Fracture: Entrenched Tanker Jacket from the Xbox Gear Store, which can be personalized with the player's Gamertag. The jacket is 100% cotton with a custom, screen-printed lining and embroidered patches on the sleeves. It's available to claim until Nov. 15, 2022 and will be shipped early in 2023. It certainly looks pretty cool and will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the franchise. However, the jacket is still priced at $125, which could be a little too steep.
Of course, the jacket does appear to be a premium product and, as such, it's arguably worth $125, especially as other, non-exclusive jackets in the store are priced at around the same price. There are also plenty of fans who would love to show off their pride and support for a franchise they love through exclusive merchandise, so tying this idea to in-game challenges definitely has legs. If implemented well, this idea could branch out into other franchises and could help players feel rewarded for spending time in their favorite games.
However, having this item as the only reward option could be extremely disappointing for many fans who simply can't afford it. Instead, the program would be better served by offering a few different rewards at various price points to ensure all participating players are included. For example, the Xbox Gear Store has several T-shirts on sale for roughly $20-$30 which, even with an extra $5-$10 for the exclusivity, would be far more affordable for the average player. It may even entice some to complete the Event Pass for a chance to get a prize. If implemented well, with the consumer at the forefront, Gear Rewards could be an excellent way to make fans feel rewarded, appreciated and connected to their favorite video game franchises.