The next duo of Halo Infinite multiplayer technical previews (the game's name for alpha playtests) have been dated for September and will include new features and modes, including Halo favorite Big Team Battle. Developer 343 Industries has only held one Halo Infinite tech preview, which gave players an early chance to take the Xbox console exclusive for a test run and provide feedback in the summer ahead of Halo Infinite’s full launch.
The first Halo Infinite multiplayer technical preview gave a clear indication of how much the game has improved visually since its divisive initial showing at its divisive 2020 gameplay debut. Players were able to try out Halo Infinite’s refined multiplayer gameplay for themselves, as well as sample some of the new and returning weapons Master Chief will be adding to his arsenal this winter. 343 Industries promised bigger Halo Infinite tech previews were coming after the initial one, and it appears the studio is making good on that oath very soon.
Halo Infinite's Story So Far Completely Detailed In Massive Summary
Late Monday night, 343 Industries unveiled its plans for the rest of September in a blog post on Halo Waypoint, announcing a pair of new Halo Infinite multiplayer tech previews will take place over the next two weeks. The first session will take place between September 23 and September 26 and focus primarily on the 4v4 Arena mode. The second will occur between September 30 and October 3 and will up the ante by diving players headfirst into Halo Infinite’s 12v12 Big Team Battle mode. These tests will be open to all Halo Insiders with an eligible account as of September 13. While the first tech preview allowed matchmaking at all times of day with peak playtimes suggested by 343, this time the developer is limiting the Social Arena, Bot Arena, and Big Team Battle matchmaking times to 10 AM - 2 PM PDT and 5 PM - 9 PM PDT for both preview sessions.
Halo Infinite will finally launch this December after a lengthy development cycle and a major delay. The full Halo Infinite experience won't be available upon release, though, as it was announced that it will launch without Forge and campaign co-op, each of which will be added in updates in 2022. On the other hand, 343 seems to be taking player feedback seriously on several fronts, mirrored in its decision to change Halo Infinite’s radar to more closely match its function in older Halo titles rather than the Halo 5: Guardians-era Threat Sensor system that was used in the first multiplayer preview.
The first Halo Infinite technical preview appears to have been a success from both data and marketing perspectives, and the next playtests will provide a sampling of how Xbox Series X/S consoles handle the sequel's larger-scale multiplayer fights. The next Halo Infinite multiplayer tech preview will start Thursday, September 23 at 10 AM PDT/1 PM EDT for all eligible Halo Insiders.
Halo Infinite will be available for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC on December 8, 2021.
Source: 343 Industries