Since E3 2021, we finally know more about the multiplayer of Halo Infinite. MeinMMO summarizes all important information for you about the release, the content, the beta, and the new features that are known so far.
What is Halo Infinite? This is the latest installment in the legendary Halo series. As usual, this shooter consists of a story campaign and a multiplayer component.
- The multiplayer aims to deliver the classic online battles that fans of the earlier games love so much.
- Developer 343 Industries states on its own website (via halowaypoint.com), they wanted to provide the “essence of Halo”. Some core points are mentioned that have defined Halo for 20 years: “Sandbox-focused, exciting gameplay that offers players a wide variety of weapons, vehicles, and toys […]”.
- However, there will be a significant difference in Halo Infinite compared to previous installments.
What changes with Halo Infinite? Unlike previous Halo games, where story and multiplayer were released together as a package, developer 343 Industries is treating both areas separately for the latest installment.
With E3 2021, there was a plethora of new information, including release date and many more details. In this article, however, we will mainly focus on the multiplayer of Halo Infinite and give you an overview. The post will be updated by us at MeinMMO so that you are always up to date.
Here you can watch a video overview of the multiplayer:
Halo Infinite – Free2Play, Beta, Release, Crossplay
Currently, there is no exact release date, but the multiplayer and story are expected to release in ‘Holiday 2021’. So the shooter will be released sometime between fall and New Year.
Yes. There will be at least one beta test for the multiplayer. You can read how to sign up shortly.
The multiplayer will be available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and on xCloud, just like the story.
Yes, upon release, the shooter will be included in the Game Pass (Day 1 on Xbox Game Pass).
No. While the campaign will be the usual full-price game, the multiplayer will be released as a free-to-play version and will be free for everyone to play.
Yes, you can play together on all platforms where the multiplayer appears.
Yes. You can take your Spartan across all platforms.
Yes. You can play Halo Infinite in splitscreen on Xbox consoles. Additionally, you can host local games via LAN on PC.
There will at least not be a classic in-game shop where you can buy items for real money. Halo Infinite will adopt a seasonal model with battle pass.
MeinMMO will delve deeper into the points mentioned in the overview.
Free2Play with Crossplay and Cross-Save
Why is the Halo Infinite multiplayer Free2Play? The developers justify Free2Play by saying they want to constantly bring new players to Halo. A major factor is that they are offering the multiplayer as a free-to-play game on all platforms, along with the crossplay feature.
This could bring significantly more players together than before. This is also how they want to attract new players to the Halo universe.
How does it work? You can play Halo Infinite cross-platform on all devices where it is released, that is, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and on xCloud.
Additionally, you can use your game progress across devices, so you are not limited to a single platform.
Halo Infinite Multiplayer Beta
When will the beta take place? Details are not available yet. From the developers’ blog post, it appears that one or possibly several tests will take place over the summer.
How can I participate? You must sign up for the “Halo Insider Program” on the official website (via halowaypoint.com). If you are lucky, you will then have the opportunity to participate in one of the tests.
Customize your personal Spartan
Here is how you can customize your Spartan: In addition to the visual customization of your character, players can choose and modify their own AI.
- These AIs will provide information during matches about the team’s status or the current objective and whisper different things in your ear depending on the AI.
- The visual modification of your Spartan should be as extensive as it has ever been in any Halo before. Helmets, armor pieces, visors – you will be able to unlock these in numerous variations.
- In Halo Infinite, not only individual parts of the armor can be modified. You can also change the body type, and you can even replace limbs with prosthetics.
Here is an overview of the various elements that can apparently be modified:
There is now a greater selection of visual customization options for weapons and vehicles as well.
How will all this be unlocked? According to 343, they pursue a “player-first” mentality. There will be no random elements like loot boxes in unlocking visual customization options. You can earn these things for free and also through seasonal battle passes.
Battle Pass of Halo Infinite does not disappear after purchase
This is how the battle passes work in Halo Infinite: You can buy a battle pass for each season, as one is familiar from other multiplayer shooters. However, unlike other games like Fortnite or CoD Warzone, the battle passes of Halo Infinite do not disappear when the season ends.
- Once you have bought the pass, it belongs to you, and you can activate and deactivate it as you wish, thus deciding which battle pass you want to complete at any given time.
- Items unlocked through the battle passes are purely cosmetic.
- You unlock them through the battle pass; direct purchase is not possible.
- Each season has its own theme, which the items are based upon.
Will there also be free items, outside of the battle pass? Yes, there will be various events where you can unlock items for free. As an example, the developers showcase this samurai armor:
The reactions from the fans to the model are so positive that even players from Destiny 2 are envious of the fair battle pass of Halo Infinite.
Gadgets from Halo 3 return
What are these gadgets? You can find various tools on the maps of Halo Infinite that will help you in combat. Some of these may already be familiar to veterans from Halo 3. These include super shields that reduce enemy damage until they are used up. This time, however, you can decide when the shield becomes active.
New tools include the grappling hook. With this, you can swing across the maps or pull weapons towards you. However, you will lose these tools if you die.
This way, you can also take the tools of other opponents and use them against them. These tools are supposed to bring new tactical opportunities to the multiplayer.
Game modes and maps in Halo Infinite
This is what we know so far about maps and modes: No specific multiplayer maps have been presented yet. However, there are already some images and information. Classic arenas are expected to return, where weapons and gadgets can be found at specific points, allowing battles in relatively confined spaces.
But there will also be some large maps in the game, as the sandbox plays an important role according to the developers. Unlike before, vehicles will no longer simply spawn anywhere on the map. Instead, they will be delivered by Pelican jets and visibly dropped at specific locations on the map.
Weapons will also now be dropped in proper containers and will not suddenly appear. This should create the feeling of being on a real battlefield.
These modes have been mentioned so far:
- Big Team Battle with 24 players
- Ranked and social playlists
Additionally, there is now the “Academy”, where new players can learn the mechanics of Halo. Here, you will train with AI and even bots.
Spartan training in multiplayer against bots
What is this? In the new Academy mode, you can complete tutorials and test your skills against bots. This is a good way for newcomers to learn the controls and get familiar with the Halo experience. Bots play a significant role.
How do these bots work? You can determine the number of bots that face you in the Academy mode. You can also set their strength.
They should give you the opportunity to prepare for the actual combat against other players.
Halo Infinite system requirements and up to 120 FPS
What hardware is needed on PC for Halo Infinite? This is currently hard to say. 343 Industries has not yet provided official system requirements for PC. Even Steam does not have a listing of the requirements yet, only mentioning Windows 10 as a single detail.
However, since Halo Infinite will also be released on Xbox One, the game should not be too hardware-hungry. Some websites like game-debate.com (via game-debate.com) list the following specs:
Minimum:
- OS: Win 7 64
- Processor: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz / AMD FX-8320
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R9 380 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 2GB
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 50
- DirectX 11
Maximum:
- OS: Win 7 64
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K 4-Core 4.0GHz / AMD Ryzen R5 1600
- Graphics Card: AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 50 GB
However, these should be taken with caution, as they already contradict the Steam specifications with Windows 7 as the OS. In any case, there should be some configuration options on PC. Additionally, Halo Infinite will offer a graphics mode on Xbox Series X where the shooter runs at 120 FPS.
