Xbox news leaker Timdog decided to ask Xbox boss Phil Spencer directly about the viral Halo Infinite Brute. To everyone’s surprise, Phil Spencer actually responded to the question. When asked, “What’s your take on Craig?” Phil Spencer replied that he’s, “Our new official Xbox mascot :-).”
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Spencer goes on to say that he loves the Xbox community’s ability to “just take something fun and run with it.” That might be a mischaracterization of the situation, but no one will begrudge Spencer for trying to make a positive and constructive situation out of a complex and controversial one. There absolutely is a subset, if not a majority, that sees Craig as a fun and positive meme, of course, but there’s also a subset that’s only using Craig in a critical or mocking way of Halo Infinite.
While Spencer’s comment about Craig being an official Xbox mascot is fun, it doesn’t necessarily imply anything. Craig isn’t going to start being sold in merchandise alongside Master Chief, for example. At least he won’t, yet. There’s no official “Xbox mascot” position and Spencer saying Craig is one doesn’t mean anything material. Nevertheless, it’s fun to have the head of Xbox approve of a popular meme.
That doesn’t mean that Craig won’t be making an appearance in the future. While Spencer himself likely doesn’t have any sway, or wouldn’t use it if he did, 343 Industries could certainly add Craig to Halo Infinite in a bigger way if it wanted to.
For fans of Craig, the Halo Infinite Brute, this is just the beginning. With the release of Halo Infinite this holiday season fans will be scouring the entire game for Easter eggs featuring his grimacing face. And woe to 343 and Phil Spencer if there’s nothing to find.
Halo Infinite releases holiday 2020 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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