Editing Cliffhanger

{{Status|Gameplay}}
{{New content|[[Halo Infinite]]}}
{{Disambig header|the multiplayer map|the medal|Cliffhanger (medal)}}
{{Multiplayer map infobox
|name=Cliffhanger
|pagegamelabel=HI
|image=[[File:HINF Cliffhanger.png|300px]]
|game=''[[Halo Infinite]]''
|devname=
|map=
|location=[[ONI]] [[Wikipedia:Black site|black site]] on an icy mountaintop{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Site|Id=S3MapModePreview|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/echoes-within-maps-modes-preview|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Season 3: Maps & Modes Preview|D=01|M=03|Y=2023}}
|date=
|playernumber=8 (4v4){{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}
|gametypes=*[[Strongholds]]{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
*[[King of the Hill]]{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
*[[1 Flag CTF|One Flag CTF]]{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
*[[Slayer]]{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}
*[[Escalation Slayer]]{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
|terrain=Rocks, snow, ice, human structures{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
|symmetry=Asymmetrical{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
}}

{{Article quote|High altitude. Highly classified.}}

'''Cliffhanger''' is a [[multiplayer]] arena map that was included in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''{{'}}s [[Season 03: Echoes Within]].{{Ref/YouTube|Id=YTSept22Update|Ramqlt7vxJ8|HALO|Halo Infinite <nowiki>|</nowiki> Update - September 2022|D=21|M=11|Y=2022}}{{Ref/YouTube|Id=S3LaunchTrailer|a3K-SCCkWBQ|HALO|Season 3: Echoes Within Launch Trailer <nowiki>|</nowiki> Halo Infinite|D=24|M=02|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}

==Universe and lore==
Cliffhanger is set in and around an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] [[Wikipedia:Black site|black site]] atop an ice-covered mountain on an unknown [[planet]].{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}} This ONI facility was established as early as [[2555]] with the launch of the [[Zeta Halo project]] and it is dedicated to the study and analysis of [[UNSC]] findings brought back from [[Installation 07]]. Particular attention has been invested in attempting to reverse engineer [[Forerunner]] architectural structures, as well as construction and [[Reformation|remediation]] techniques utilized within the species various facilities. However, in order to replicate such systems, it would require immense amounts of power and creative solutions on an equally immense scale.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFEchoes|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-echoes-with-dinh|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Echoes With-Dinh|D=24|M=03|Y=2023}}

Another ''Halo Infinite'' map, [[Illusion]], is set in the same facility as Cliffhanger.

==Overview==
===Layout===
{{Expand-section}}

===Callouts===
The following are locations on the map that are so named on the player's [[heads-up display]] during gameplay:
*'''Cliffside Trail'''
*'''Platform'''
*'''Antenna'''
*'''Deck'''
*'''Pipes'''
*'''Hex Roof'''
<gallery>
File:HINF CliffhangerRoof.jpg|Hex Roof from Horseshoe.
</gallery>
*'''Horseshoe'''
*'''Enclave'''
*'''Icicles'''
*'''Tanks'''
*'''Hex Basement'''
*'''Radiator'''
*'''Sanctuary'''
<gallery>
File:HINF CliffhangerSidePlat.png|Sanctuary.
</gallery>
*'''Creek'''
<gallery>
File:HINF CliffhangerCannon.png|The [[man cannon]] at Creek.
</gallery>
*'''Red Hallway'''
<gallery>
File:HINF CliffhangerONIHall.png|Where Red Hallway and Hex Basement connect.
</gallery>

==Production notes==
*Biome diversity was a major consideration for the art team when designing Cliffhanger. The team wanted it to feel different from other maps based around human structures.{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}}
*Cliffhanger was first designed with zone control modes like [[King of the Hill]] and [[Strongholds]] in mind, which led the design team to ensure that each "zone" has a unique look and feel.{{Ref/Reuse|S3MapModePreview}} Another goal when designing the map was the emphasis of environmental control and ownership of power positions.{{Ref/Reuse|YTSept22Update}}

==Easter eggs==
*Several cave paintings can be found on the map.
**In the tunnel between Tanks and Radiator, a cave painting can be found depicting a stick figure of [[John-117]] defending a herd of sheep from two wolves.
**At Cliffside Trail across from the power weapon spawn pad, a cave painting can be found depicting two pigeons rendered in the style of the [[Wikipedia:Nazca Lines|Nazca Lines]]. The left pigeon features the symbol representing the mysterious organization [[Evangelion:SEELE|SEELE]] from the ''[[Wikipedia:Neon Genesis Evangelion|Neon Genesis Evangelion]]'' franchise, possibly intending to draw connections between SEELE and ONI. The right pigeon wears a hard hat and a safety vest, referencing the pigeon-themed art on the map [[Streets]].
***In one of the concept arts for Cliffhanger, it shows one of the pigeons screaming "Zenkoku na tenshi no you ni", this being the first line of "Zankoku na Tenshi no These" ("A Cruel Angel's Thesis"), ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''{{'}}s theme song.
*On the ledge with the sleeping bag on Cliffside Trail, [[Wikipedia:Pixel art|pixel art]] of a pigeon wearing a [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|MJOLNIR Mark VI]] helmet can be found. This pixel art was [[:File:HINF Concept StreetsPigeon.jpg|originally created]] for the map Streets.
*At the top of the central spire, there is a [[Wikipedia:Weather vane|weather vane]] in the shape of a rooster.

==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:HINF Cliffhanger Explorations Concept 1.jpg|Early concept exploration of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Cliffhanger Explorations Concept 2.jpg|Early concept exploration of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Cliffhanger Explorations Concept 3.jpg|Early concept exploration of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Cliffhanger Explorations Concept 4.jpg|Early concept exploration of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerStudy.jpg|Early concept exploration of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerSkybox1.jpg|Concept art of the skybox of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerSkybox2.jpg|More concept art of the skybox.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerMountain.jpg|Concept art of part of the mountain.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerVistas.jpg|Concept art of two vistas on the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerTerrain.jpg|Concept art of terrain detail.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerStream.jpg|Concept art of the stream.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerStream2.jpg|More concept art of the stream.
File:HINF Cliffhanger ONIAtmosphericTower Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the ONI atmospheric tower.
File:HINF Cliffhanger ONIAtmosphericTower Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the ONI atmospheric tower.
File:HINF Cliffhanger ONIAtmosphericTower Concept 3.jpg|Concept art for the ONI atmospheric tower, envisioned by concept artist [[:Category:Images by Sergey Snegirev|Sergey Snegirev]] as a large lightning rod/ capacitor.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/39wqLA|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo Infinite S03 - Cliffhanger MP map concepts|D=06|M=05|Y=2023}}
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerSpire1.jpg|Concept art of the central spire.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerSpire2.jpg|More concept art of the central spire.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerSpire3.jpg|More concept art of the central spire.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerTower1.jpg|More concept art of the central spire.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCenterStructure.jpg|Concept art of the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCenterStructure2.jpg|More concept art of the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCenterStructInterior.jpg|Concept art of the interior of the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCenterStructInterior2.jpg|More concept art of the interior of the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerDevices.jpg|Concept art of the pillar-like devices in the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerHall.jpg|Concept art of a hallway within the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCenterStructExterior.jpg|Concept art of an exterior area adjacent to the central structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerMountainStructure.jpg|Concept art of the structure built into the side of the mountain.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerBasePath.jpg|Concept art of the path along this structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerBunker.jpg|Concept art of the structure on the edge of the cliff.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerBunker1.jpg|More concept art of this structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerBunker3.jpg|Concept art of this structure from above.
File:HINF Concept CliffsideBunker2.jpg|Concept art of details on this structure.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerConduits.jpg|More concept art of this structure and its surrounding terrain.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCatwalk.jpg|Concept art of a catwalk on the edge of the cliff.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCannonAndCave.jpg|Concept art of the man cannon structure and adjacent cave.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerTunnel.jpg|Concept art of a tunnel on another edge of the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerTunnel2.jpg|More concept art of the tunnel.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerCliffPath.jpg|Concept art of the central cliffside path.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerLedge.jpg|Concept art of a climbable ledge.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerLedge2.jpg|Concept art of another ledge.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerLedge3.jpg|Concept art of another ledge.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerLedge4.jpg|Concept art of the previous ledge from a different angle.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerHVAC.jpg|Concept art of a ventilation unit.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerPlatform.jpg|Concept art of the separated platform.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerWallDetails.jpg|Concept art of wall details on the separated platform.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerWallDetails2.jpg|Concept art of more wall details in this area of the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerTanks.jpg|Concept art of the tanks near the center of the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerRadios.jpg|Concept art of [[radio]] equipment props for the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerRadios2.jpg|Concept art of the previous radio equipment on the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerPipes.jpg|Concept art of pipes on the map.
File:HINF Concept CliffhangerPaintings.jpg|Concept art of cave paintings on Cliffhanger.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:HINF MountainMap.png|A view of the central structure of Cliffhanger.
File:HINF CliffhangerCenter.png|A view of the roof of the central structure.
File:HINF CliffhangerStructure.png|The structure that the man cannon leads to.
File:HINF CliffhangerBirdseye.png|A bird's eye view of a large portion of the map.
File:HINF CliffhangerMatch.jpg|A multiplayer match on Cliffhanger.
File:HINF CliffhangerFight.png|[[Spartan-IV|Spartan]]s in combat on Cliffhanger.
File:HINF-CliffhangerGungoose.jpg|A Gungoose on Cliffhanger.
File:HINF CliffhangerFull.png|A view of Cliffhanger from a distance.
</gallery>
===Easter eggs===
<gallery>
File:HINF ShepherdChief.png|The cave painting of John-117 defending a herd of sheep from two wolves.
File:HINF NazcaPigeons.png|The cave painting of pigeons in the style of the Nazca Lines; one features the logo of SEELE from ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'' and the other wears construction gear.
File:HINF ChiefPigeon.png|The pixel art of a pigeon wearing a MJOLNIR Mark VI helmet.
File:HINF CliffhangerWeatherVane.png|The weather vane atop the map's central spire.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Levels|HI|mode=yes}}
[[Category:Halo Infinite multiplayer maps]]