343 Industries has released further information on Catalyst and Breaker, Halo Infinite’s newest maps set to debut in Season 2 “Lone Wolves,” as well as a video flythrough of both. The map previews you can see below show more about “the ancient and weathered ruins of Catalyst and the huge, sand-blasted scrapyard site of Breaker,” which were also published on Halo Waypoint.
Tyler Ensrude, the multiplayer level designer for Halo Infinite, also came by to chat about the process of building these new maps and tease some of what Spartans may anticipate when Catalyst and Breaker premiere on May 3, 2022, alongside Season 2 “Lone Wolves.”
To begin, Ensrude explained how the team creates a map’s base and begins to transform an idea into reality, for the new Halo infinite season contents.
“We like to start with an idea that just gets us excited first and go from there,” Ensrude said. “That idea could range from a location in the Halo universe, to an art palette, game mode, or encounter. Every time we start something new though, it is important to consider what will make it stand out from the current selection of maps we already have.
“The context of experiences that players have already had in the game is definitely something we keep in mind when we look to deliver something exciting and new, and that extends across all of those factors—aesthetics, layout and design, and gameplay.”
According to Ensrude, Catalyst and Breaker suit this template, and he went on to clarify what fans might expect from them.
“Catalyst is a symmetrical arena map nested high up inside of an expansive, tunnel-like Forerunner structure,” Ensrude said. “You’ll find waterfalls pouring down around suspended catwalks, overgrown cathedral walls, and a light bridge connecting the sides of the map together.
“Breaker is a pseudo symmetric BTB map set in a Banished scrapyard where each team’s base is a huge chunk of ship debris, divided by the plasma cutting beam structure in the middle. And yes, that beam is absolutely a dynamic element of the map that presents both opportunities and challenges in gameplay.”
New maps will be inspired from earlier Halo Infinite maps
While these maps in Halo Infinite will be all-new experiences, they will retain a lot of the Halo “DNA” from earlier ones. Catalyst, for example, borrows heavily on Halo 3’s Epitaph map and “many legacy Forerunner locales.”
Breaker, on the other hand, was designed to be “one of the most ambitious BTB maps ever.” It’s also a game that rewards those who can take control of a map at key points.
“We designed this map to embrace base versus base combat where territorial ownership is key to success,” Ensrude said. “We love mixing environmental hazards with the Halo sandbox and Breaker offers an exciting variety of ways to meet your enemies. We’re also big fans of sniper battles, and Breaker’s sightlines and centre lane offer risk and reward over key objectives.”
Spartans must also keep an eye out for the massive laser that sweeps over the landscape, causing harm to both friends and foes. Halo Infinite Season 2 “Lone Wolves” will also include a new Battle Pass, King of the Hill, Land Grab, and Last Spartan Standing modes, as well as other new features. 343 will delve deeper into these modes next week.
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