Xbox slammed for NO Halo Infinite release update as Microsoft console bungle Gamescom event

GAMESCOM is on this week, and all eyes were on Microsoft’s Xbox show for Halo Infinite news – but there was nothing to see.

Instead, the Xbox presentation touched on a number of already-announced titles, but one of the more questionable choices was the spotlight on trebuchets. Yes, the medieval siege engine – not to be confused with the common catapult.

The three minute-long video was related to Age of Empires 4, with the game boasting 28 unlockable Hands on History segments that wouldn’t be out of place on the History Channel.

It may, however, stick out like a sore thumb when jammed into the middle of a Gamescom show. Especially when gamers are champing at the bit for Halo Infinite news.

I’m sure the bite-sized segments will be a hit with Age of Empires fans, but choosing to drop one in the midst of the Xbox Gamescom event was just a really weird choice.

Happily, fans responded with memes and gifs rather than turning rabid and spewing vitriol at the devs.

The Xbox Twitter account is leaning into it, as it often does when the brand finds itself at the centre of a meme whirlwind. Even Obsidian, and Age of Empires Twitter accounts are hopping on board the trebuchet bandwagon.

Of course, Halo fans are still frustrated that there’s been no news on Infinite, which was supposed to be a launch title for the Xbox Series X. But we still don’t know when 343 will be releasing the game.

It hasn’t helped that campaign co-op and Forge won’t be ready at launch (whenever that is), and opinion is split amongst fans who want Halo Infinite to release as soon as possible, and those who would prefer to wait out further delays so that it’s not missing any features at launch.

There is hope that Xbox is saving Halo Infinite news for Gamescom Opening Night Live hosted by Geoff Keighley, so stay tuned for that.

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