Halo Infinite Beta Times, Modes, How To Download, And Full Schedule

Halo Infinite multiplayer beta tests have been happening as we approach the game's full release date. The latest happened this past weekend for 4v4 Slayer and another one is coming for Big Team Battle this upcoming weekend. 343 Industries ran through all the specifics in its latest installment of the Inside Infinite series, and we're rounding up the key dates and details below. That includes the dates for the beta, how to download the beta client, what you can play in it, and the exact times you can play.

How to access the Halo Infinite beta

To play the Halo Infinite beta, you'll want to keep an eye out for an email from Halo Waypoint, which you'll only receive if you had previously signed up for the Halo Insider program. For the second weekend, being in this program guarantees you access. You don't need to be in the program for Xbox consoles, though PC players do still need to register--but should get automatic access.

Once you get that email, you'll see it will mention the Halo Waypoint website, and if you're on PC, copy the key available on the site and enter it via Steam. If you're on Xbox, ignore that message and open the Xbox Insider Hub app on your Xbox console, where you'll see Halo Infinite listed in the Previews section. Here's a step-by-step rundown for that:

• Go to the Store on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S
• Install Xbox Insider Hub app
• Choose "Previews" section in app
• Choose Halo Infinite - Insider
• Accept terms and conditions once you've joined
• Download the Halo Infinite - Insider client
• Launch the client like any other standard game

Dates

• Weekend 1 (Finished): 4v4 Slayer (September 23-26)
• Weekend 2: Big Team Battle (September 30-October 3)

Specific Times

The Halo Infinite betas will only be available for a set period of hours on each day. "Matchmaking will only be up for a set amount of time each day in order to help us test our servers against the highest concurrency possible," 343 said. "While this does mean shorter time for players to go hands on, it's critical to our primary goal of ensuring that our online services are ready for launch."

Here is the schedule, with the concluded first weekend removed:

WEEKEND 2 (BIG TEAM BATTLE & ARENA)

• Thursday evening, September 30:
  • Flight access turns on
  • Training Mode and Weapon Drills become available
• Friday, October 1 @ 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm PT: Matchmaking available
• Saturday, October 2 @ 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm PT: Matchmaking available
• Sunday, October 3 @ 10am-2pm & 5pm-9pm PT: Matchmaking available
• Sunday, October 3 @ 9pm PT: Surveys go out to a portion of Halo Insiders
• Monday, October 4 @ 10am PT: Flight access closes
• Wednesday, October 6 @ 10am PT: Halo Support site closes

Halo Infinite's training mode, weapon drills, battle pass, and customization options will be available when matchmaking is offline.

How To Get In

You will need a code to get into the PC beta, assuming you previously registered. On Xbox, everyone has access for the second weekend. You also do not need Xbox Live Gold to play the beta.

Squashing Bugs

In addition to testing the servers, the beta test will help 343 find bugs--by turning to the community. The studio encouraged people to file bug reports with the developer if they encounter any issues. The studio said it will also keep an eye on social media to track down bugs that the community is reporting. For these flights, testing PC hardware configurations and gathering information on large-scale service effectiveness will be the focus.

Game Content

Here is a quick snapshot of what will be included in the upcoming Halo Infinite multiplayer tests:

• Social Arena (including objective modes and a new map on Sunday, September 26)
• Bot Arena (including objective modes)
• Big Team Battle (debuting September 30 - October 3)
  • Three modes on Fragmentation
• Training Mode
• Weapon Drills
• Customization
• Battle Pass
• New Halo Waypoint app & web experiences

The battle pass specifically has already undergone some changes based on players' feedback, with the levels increasing from 20 to 30, and bugged challenges have been fixed.

The first Halo Infinite multiplayer beta test took place in July, and it was mostly focused on playing matches against bots. These new tests are bigger and more exciting because they feature live matches against other human players and, in the case of BTB, provide a first hands-on with the mode, which increases the player cap to 12v12.

Halo Infinite is scheduled for release on December 8. The multiplayer element is a free-to-play standalone game, while the campaign is included with Xbox Game Pass.