After receiving criticism for featuring the Sidekick pistol in the starting loadout of the Halo 3 Refueled playlist, 343 Industries has quickly responded by replacing it with the Battle Rifle. In a recent update, the playlist also received other improvements such as symmetrical power equipment spawns on Banished Narrows and performance enhancements for Sylvanus.
The demand for the Battle Rifle is understandable, as it was the most iconic weapon in Halo 3 multiplayer. Many players associate Halo 3 with Battle Rifle starts, so its absence in Infinite’s Refueled playlist was disappointing for those seeking a nostalgic experience.
Additionally, some players believe that the Sidekick pistol, in its current state, negatively impacts the game modes it is used in due to factors like bloom and time-to-kill. This sentiment was further discussed in a Reddit thread, prompting a call for changes to Infinite’s starting loadouts in casual playlists. While it’s unclear if today’s update directly addresses this outcry, it shows that 343 Industries is listening to player feedback.
The other updates in today’s release are also welcomed. The optimization efforts for Sylvanus address technical issues that occasionally caused visual glitches in the Forge map. This fix will alleviate concerns about improperly rendered Forge pieces obstructing gameplay.
The Halo 3 Refueled playlist will be available in Halo Infinite for one more week. After the promotional event ends on November 28, some of the classic maps featured in the playlist will be added to Infinite’s other unranked playlists.
| Changes Made | Date |
|---|---|
| Players now spawn with an MA40 Assault Rifle and BR75 Battle Rifle in all modes | November 21, 2023 |
| Banished Narrows now has symmetrical power equipment spawns | November 21, 2023 |
Source: DOTESPORTS
