Fans of Halo can now have the Master Chief direct them to their destination thanks to a new promotion from the Waze navigation app. The GPS app has introduced Halo-themed content, allowing drivers to select Halo vehicles in the first-ever Waze video game crossover. The partnership between Waze and the 343 Industries franchise celebrates the upcoming release of Halo Infinite, which is scheduled to launch later this year.
Halo Infinite's exact release date has yet to be confirmed, but that hasn't stopped Microsoft and Xbox from gearing up for the launch of the next addition to the beloved franchise, with recent events including a playable weekend. Select players were able to test out the game's multiplayer for the first time thanks to the technical test beta event, with more playable betas planned for the future. As well as the preview, Xbox has begun to collaborate with big-brand names to help to advertise the game, including a Krispy Kreme and Halo collaboration.
The partnership between Xbox and Waze will bring Halo content to the navigation app starting today, August 3, with users able to side with the UNSC or the Banished via the app's new Halo hub. After picking their side, fans will have their in-app car replaced with vehicles known from the series, with the option of the Warthog or a Ghost depending on their choice of faction. Choosing the side of good will see the Master Chief navigating users' journeys, while choosing the side of the Banished will provide navigation audio from the war chief Escharum. Waze profile "Moods" can also be set to the characters chosen for an even deeper Halo experience. The Waze app is available for iOS and Android devices.
While the promotion should liven up the daily commute, it won't be a permanent feature of the Waze app, so Halo fans looking to test-drive the new content are advised to try it out as soon as possible. Xbox hasn't confirmed the end date of the promotion, which could mean it's scheduled to continue past the release of Halo Infinite. The upcoming shooter has been given a release window of the 2021 holiday season, which places its launch anywhere from October to December this year. Halo Infinite is reportedly on track to make its release window, with further delays looking unlikely at this point. The game was originally due to release alongside the Xbox Series X/S consoles in 2020, but was delayed to allow further time in development.
It's likely that Microsoft and Xbox will announce more promotional content for Halo Infinite during the run-up to its launch, with later collaborations possible due to the game's multiplayer. Halo Infinite will be the first game in the Halo series to include free-to-play multiplayer, which can be a big moneymaker with the right advertising and monetization model behind it. Advertising will likely be a high priority not just at release, but for the entirety of the game's lifecycle. With a new game and a Halo TV show to look forward to, the Waze and Microsoft partnership could be just one of many new promotions fans will be seeing before Infinite's release.
Halo Infinite is due to release on Xbox consoles and PC later this year.
Source: Xbox
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