Xbox Series X, Halo Infinite Releases Still On Track; 15 First-Party Studios Working On Games

As part of Microsoft's announcement of its new monthly Xbox 20/20 series, the company also shared important updates about the Xbox Series X, Halo Infinite, and its wider development pipeline.

Starting off, Microsoft confirmed that it still believes it will release the Xbox Series X and Halo Infinite as a launch title this holiday, despite concerns around COVID-19. Xbox boss Phil Spencer previously commented that he's confident the hardware will launch on schedule, though he warned games could be delayed due in part to complexities related to development teams working from home.

But for now, Microsoft sounds confident that Halo Infinite remains on schedule. That's a big deal, because Microsoft has not released a new Halo game as a launch title for Xbox hardware since Halo: Combat Evolved for the original Xbox back in 2001.

Microsoft also confirmed that all 15 of its internal studios are working on Xbox Series X games, and these will be made available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers at no extra cost (as is the case for all first-party titles from Microsoft). Not all of these games have been announced, but Microsoft teased that it will reveal some of these during its Xbox 20/20 event in July.

PC players aren't being forgotten, either, as Microsoft confirmed that all of its "major" games will be available on PC through Xbox Game Pass for PC simultaneously with the console version. This applies to Halo Infinite, Wasteland 3, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and others.

The first Xbox 20/20 event is the May 7 Inside Xbox livestream that will focus on third-party Xbox Series X games, including Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.