'Halo Infinite' release delayed: five video games to play instead


Evelyn Lau
  • English
  • Arabic

Gamers were certainly disappointed when news came out last week that the release of highly anticipated Halo Infinite would be delayed until 2021.

This means the popular video game won't be available when the Xbox Series X launches later this year.

Halo, a military sci-fi first-person shooter game is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, and its latest iteration was set to be the sixth installment.

Here's a look at five other video games that Halo fans might enjoy giving a go while dealing with the delay:

'PlanetSide 2' (2012)

Available: PC, PlayStation 4

The free-to-play multiplayer online first-person shooter game sees thousands of players split into factions to try and fight for control over the planet Auraxis. Its large-scale battles are similar to that of Halo's, and gamers often note that the two games resemble each other (from the alien-like vehicles to armor worn by players).

However, despite these similarities, the games do feel different when playing. In  March 2020, PlanetSide 2 broke its own Guinness World Record for the biggest first-person shooter battle in a single game with 1,283 players (remember, Fortnite has the number of players in an actual battle capped at just 100). These days, PlanetSide 2 averages more than 2,000 players a day, meaning the community is still quite active years after its original release.

'Half-Life 2' (2004)

Available: PC, Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

Once described as "the European arthouse answer to Halo and Call of Duty," players take on the role of Gordon Freeman in this game and must help save Earth from an alien force that has overtaken the planet. The single player, first person perspective game has similarly paced storylines and the same ramped-up challenges as Halo. While the graphics are a little outdated compared to the others on the list, Half-Life 2 is still regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, and for good reason.

'Destiny 2' (2017)

Available: PC, Playstation, Xbox

In this free-to-play online-only multiplayer game, players assume the role of a Guardian, tasked with protecting Earth's last safe city against different alien races. When footage from Halo Infinite was released, some gamers couldn't help but notice the similarities between both games, including the player's abilities as well as the behaviour of different enemies. But that shouldn't be too much of a surprise as Bungie (the developers of Destiny) also developed the original Halo video games before splitting from Microsoft and losing the rights to the franchise in 2007.

'Doom Eternal' (2020)

Available: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

The Doom series returns with its last release Doom Eternal. Players once again take on the role of Doomguy, and through a first-person perspective must battle demonic creatures who have overtaken Earth, wiping out 60 per cent of the planet's population. The game is more gory and violent than Halo and it's a bit more hectic in its gameplay. However, for those who don't mind a change of pace, it's a good one to try while waiting for the next Halo installment to come out.

'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare' (2019) 

Available: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare takes place in a realistic and modern setting in the fictional country of Urzikstan. Unlike in Halo, the game sees players deal with tactically-based moral choices while trying to stop Russian forces who have invaded the country. Characters respond to a player based on their actions throughout the game. But if you're looking for another first-person shooting game to try, you can't go wrong with Call of Duty. The debate still rages about whether this or Halo is the better game, so this is probably your best substitute.

Company profile

Date started: January, 2014

Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe

Based: Dubai

Sector: Education technology

Size: Five employees

Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.

Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”

Omar Yabroudi's factfile

Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah

Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University

2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship

2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy

2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment

2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment

2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager

 

 

 

 

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Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Rating: 4/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega

Director: Tim Burton

Rating: 3/5

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier

Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August

 

Group A

Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar

 

Group B

UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Profile of Whizkey

Date founded: 04 November 2017

Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani

Based: Dubai, UAE

Number of employees: 10

Sector: AI, software

Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million  

Funding stage: Series A

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

Europa League group stage draw

Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar

2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

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