Developer 343 Industries has released a preview trailer for the Halo Infinite Season 2 maps Breaker and Catalyst. In the nearly 3-minute video, the flythrough trailer shows off the verticality for both the Forerunner-inspired symmetrical arena map Catalyst and the pseudo-symmetric Big Team Battle (BTB) map Breaker. The Halo Infinite community has been clamoring for fresh content in the game for quite a while, so the developer hopes that these two maps are a welcome step in the right direction.
How were the Halo Infinite Season 2 maps Breaker and Catalyst designed?
A Halo Waypoint Q&A with Tyler Ensrude, the multiplayer level designer for Halo Infinite, details how both maps developed over time. Both Catalyst and Breaker were created to ensure that the maps offer something different to the current selection of maps in Halo Infinite. Interestingly, the design for these two maps were intended to be Capture the Flag (CTF) maps at the beginning, with Catalyst also being the first map that Land Grab was implemented on, but they both began to evolve as they were developed further.
Starting with Catalyst, the symmetrical arena map is situated within a Forerunner structure with tunnels, waterfalls, and cathedral walls. A light bridge connects the various sides of the map together. This map is meant to evoke similar vibes to the competitive action of Coliseum in Halo 5 and the architectural styling of Epitaph from Halo 3.
On the flipside, the pseudo-symmetric BTB map Breaker takes place on a Banished scrapyard with a plasma cutting beam that moves back and forth, effectively dividing the field in the middle. The beam is meant to present a “dynamic element of the map that presents both opportunities and challenges in gameplay.”
The designers wanted to mix environmental hazards with interesting sightlines for snipers and ramps over a death pit for memorable vehicle runs where you may have to avoid the beam. Stylistically, the developers wanted to show that the Banished frequently scavenge parts from the UNSC and Covenant. That explains the huge chunks of ship debris embedded within the map.
Both Breaker and Catalyst will be featured in Season 2 of Halo Infinite called “Lone Wolves” which will release on May 3 for Xbox Series consoles, Xbox One, and PC.
In other news, Bandai Namco has sparked rumors of an HD remaster for Kid Icarus or Star Fox, and Xbox Free Play Days are currently live until April 17 for fans to try Control, Hunting Simulator 2, and specific content in The Elder Scrolls Online.
