Daily Briefing: Thursday 24th June

Halo Infinite's holiday 2021 release window has apparently been narrowed down

One of the biggest disappointments of Xbox's E3 showcase was Halo Infinite not getting a specific release date - a feeling that was exacerbated by the fact that Starfield did and it isn't even out until next year. But, speaking on a podcast this week, Phil Spencer confirmed that the game's Holiday 2021 release window has been narrowed down to "a few weeks."

• It's not the most reassuring statement in the world and rather gives the impression that development is still flat-out and any Holiday 2021 release date is hopeful as opposed to definite. Spencer's rationale behind this was the team not wanting to announce a date and then having to move it due to "other game timing" but did at least confirm that Xbox will offer some clarity on a launch date sometime during the summer.

Nintendo to discontinue Splatoon 2's handiest online feature

Nintendo will be axing support for the Splatoon 2 Online Lounge feature in the Nintendo Switch Online app next month. The Online Lounge was a system whereby players could send URL links to their friends to make it quick and easy to join matches, so it really was a useful tool to have in a multiplayer game - especially one with such a finicky friend process.

• Nintendo confirmed this week that support for the Online Lounge will end on July 28th though the other sections of the Nintendo Switch Online app - like voice chat and general online play - will continue beyond that. Nintendo didn't actually give a reason for the winding of the service, though it is possible they have something in the works to replace it with Splatoon 3 set to release next year.

Sonic Symphony concert celebrates 30 years of going really fast

Sonic the Hedgehog's 30th Anniversary celebrations have been in full swing for a while but the franchise's actual 30th birthday was this week - and SEGA celebrated with a special orchestral concert that has gone over very well with fans. It originally streamed on Friday but an archived version of the performance went live on YouTube yesterday, and makes for some lovely watching and listening.

• The 90-minute concert, which was available for free, was the culmination of two-years work for SEGA. It featured a 50 minute symphony from the FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague performing greatest hits from across the series, followed by performances from Crush 40 and Tomoya Ohtani. It really was lovely, and a fitting way to mark a big anniversary for one of gaming's most iconic characters.

Xbox are ending no quibble Cyberpunk 2077 refunds

A lot is made of the fact that Sony dramatically de-listed Cyberpunk 2077 following its disastrous December launch but, while Microsoft continue to sell the game with a performance issues warning, they also launched their own no questions asked refund scheme for the game. That scheme will end on July 6th, with Microsoft reverting back to their standard digital refund policy from that date.

• That standard policy reads that all digital sales are considered final except in "extenuating circumstances." Xbox consider a "variety of factors" when deciding whether to grant a refund - including time since purchase, time since release, and hours played. It's a pretty airtight policy, which just goes to show how much of an upheaval Cyberpunk 2077 caused. At any rate, Xbox players have until July to get their refunds in.