Halo Infinite: World PRemiere

Microsoft . 343 Industries . June 2018

Make a composition that you want to get lost in.

Make this world a place you want to go.

The crucial aspect was that individuals experienced a sense of hopefulness upon reaching the conclusion. For the audience member, our objective was subconsciously graft the role of an intrepid explorer or a curious onlooker. Each frame served a purpose, narrating either the tale Halo Infinite or unveiling the potential of Halo’s "Slipspace" engine. Every shot was crafted to pose a question or leave ample space for the audience to immerse themselves and cultivate their own narratives. It was a delicate balance to reveal certain fan-known elements while withholding key, iconic, Halo shape language.

From Darkness To Light

E318 encompassed several key aspects. Firstly, it acted as a reset button for audience expectations. The aim was for viewers to watch the demo and be overwhelmed with a wave of nostalgia, intrigue, and a renewed sense of optimism for the components displayed on screen. It was our intention to present an expansive, boundless world brimming with untapped potential and undisclosed secrets that we could subsequently explore and expand upon.

Each shot embodied a self-contained narrative, subtly hinting at additional stories lurking just beyond the frame—whether through explicit references or more subtle allusions. We wanted the viewers to experience the sensation of being a passenger who always arrived a moment too late. The progression curve had to ascend from abstract and mysterious darkness to vivid clarity and unwavering hope. The quintessential archetype for the viewer in this journey was that of the intrepid explorer. We continuously bore this archetype in mind, championing the viewer's desire to escape into our world and eagerly anticipate the adventures yet to unfold in their own unique experiences.

Director: Dan Chosich
Producer: Mabel McGrail
Art Director: Nicolas Bouvier
Art Lead: Matt Aldridge
Principle Engineer: Andy Luedke
Marketing Director: Bryan Koski
Marcom Director: Ryan Cameron
Audio Director: Sotaro Tojima
Composer: Kazuma Jinnouchi
Sound Design: Kyle Fraser

The Making of The Halo Infinite Announce Trailer

I sat down with Brian Jarrard from 343 Industries to break down the making of the Halo Infinite E3 2018 Announce trailer. From ideation to storyboard to execution.

Fan Reactions

This short video that highlights fan reactions was put together for an event that was held at PAX 2018. I could not mean this more sincerely: Seeing fans react like this, and knowing whole-heartedly what it is like to feel like them in that moment, makes ever day of lost sleep or every unforeseen hurdle worth it. These kinds of reactions are rocket fuel to passion and the dev-team.

Original Pitch Document

Make people miss the franchise because it stirs in them something forgotten.

Make people curious who never considered playing or investing in Halo.

O'Pioneers

Upon searching for a codename for this endeavor there was only one name on the list. It was Pioneer. There is this Vonnegut quote that I’ve always loved and ties in:

“Americans... are forever searching for love in forms it never takes, in places it can never be. It must have something to do with the vanished frontier.”

The notion has persistently intrigued me - the notion of the "vanished frontier." From the moment I laid eyes upon these words, they seemed to perfectly capture the essence of Halo. Out there in the vast expanse of the world, we are tasked with comprehending its meaning, yet we are presented with scant clues. Venturing into the depths of the cosmos resonates deeply with our innate longing to discover our place amidst the enigmatic realms that lie beyond.