Halo Infinite multiplayer is free-to-play, runs up to 120fps
Update: The official Halo Twitter account has now confirmed earlier reports that Halo Infinite’s multiplayer will be free-to-play and support frame rates of up to 120 fps. That was relatively quick!
Original story: You might not have to pay a cent to shoot it out with your friends in the next chapter of the Halo franchise.
Following a leak from an Irish retailer that referred to the multiplayer component of Halo Infinite as a free-to-play experience, reports have emerged backing up that claim and providing some additional detail on what 343 Industries has planned.
The story began when fans noticed a new bit of text on the Xbox Series X listing at the Ireland-based retailer Smyths Toys. Though it’s since been pulled offline, numerous backups have preserved the content of the section. “The legendary Halo series returns with the most expansive Master Chief campaign yet and a groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience. Enjoy up to 120 FPS and greatly reduced loading times creating seamless gameplay on Xbox Series X,” the page read.
The specificity of this ad copy already made it highly unlikely that the retailer posted it in error, but follow-up reports from Windows Central’s Samuel Tolbert and Xbox insider Klobrille on Twitter, among others, have reinforced the idea that Infinite‘s competitive component will be free to play.
Klobrille adds on a few additional claims, as well. First, the 120 frames per second target allegedly refers to Arena mode on Xbox Series X—not all modes, and not on all platforms. (We already knew that Infinite’s campaign would be locked at 60fps.) Next, there will be a battle pass system of some kind and “customization options completely new to Halo.” Those last two points likely speak to 343’s need to monetize the game beyond simply encouraging people to pay for the campaign content.
Halo Infinite will launch alongside the Xbox Series X this holiday season, with recent comments during a Microsoft earnings call pointing towards a November launch for the system.
