Craig: Difference between revisions

'''Craig''' is an internet meme originated from an infamous screenshot of a [[Jiralhanae Berserker]] from the ''[[Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere]]''. A series of Easter eggs that reference Craig can be found in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.

Following the release of the ''Halo Infinite Campaign Gameplay Premiere'' on July 23, 2020, a screenshot from the trailer, depicting a Jiralhanae with a deadpan expression moments before being meleed by [[John-117]], began circulating on Twitter.{{Ref/Twitter|KEEMSTAR|1286364446424735745|KEEM}} Users started calling the Jiralhanae in the screenshot "Craig",{{Ref/Site|https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1876955-craig-the-halo-infinite-brute|Site=Know Your Meme|Page=Craig the Halo Infinite Brute - True origin of Craig, Halo Plasmaposting|D=17|M=1|Y=2021}} with [[343 Industries]] Community Director [[Brian Jarrard]] endorsing the meme on the next day.{{Ref/Twitter|ske7ch|1286491170999169024|Brian Jarrard|Quote=So are we in agreement the poor deadpan Brute is named Craig? I now really want to know more about Craig. What’s he up to? How has his time on the ring been? When he’s not getting smacked in the face what does he do for fun?}} Phil Spencer, the head of [[Xbox]], jokingly called Craig the "new official Xbox mascot" on Twitter in response to another user's query.{{Ref/Twitter|xboxp3|1289312287094747136|Phil Spencer|Quote=Our new official Xbox mascot :-) love the community and their ability to just take something fun and run with it.}}

After 343 Industries announced that the release of ''Halo Infinite'' would be delayed from 2020 to 2021, Craig was again brought up in the October 2021 issue of ''Inside Infinite'' on [[Halo Waypoint]]. Character & Combat Director Steve Dyck cited "Craig" as representative for "some content and systems that were not ready" for the showcase, and noted that the delayed release allowed the Character Team at 343 Industries to make improvements to the facial design. In the same post, Character Art Lead Bryan Repka mentioned that Craig has "picked up a new hobby and has done well for himself",{{Ref/Site|Id=InsideOct|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/inside-infinite-october-2021|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Inside Infinite - October 2021|D=17|M=1|Y=2021}} alluding to the Easter egg at the top of Tower, which shows a poster on Craig as a rock star on a concert tour between the Banished outposts and bases. The comparison between the original screenshot and an updated face of a Jiralhanae from the ''Inside Infinite'' post was later posted on the official Xbox Twitter account as a "How It Started vs. How It's Going" meme.{{Ref/Twitter|xbox|1453871408023547914|Xbox|Quote=How it started: How it's going:}}