Halo Infinite multiplayer: How to download the beta on Xbox or PC

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Want to know more? For all the key details on the Halo Infinite multiplayer beta, keep on reading and we'll break it all down for you! We've got all the info you need on how to download the Halo Infinite beta, as well as in-depth facts about the Halo Infinite ranks and Halo Infinite controller settings.

Halo Infinite multiplayer release date

The Halo Infinite multiplayer release date took place on Monday 15th November 2021 - that's the day on which players could jump into Halo Infinite's multiplayer modes for the first time.

This was one of those instances of the online rumours being totally on the money - the Halo fan base predicted this launch would coincide with the 20th anniversary of the Halo franchise, and they were right!

What time did Halo Infinite multiplayer launch?

The Halo Infinite multiplayer launch time occurred not long after 6pm GMT on 15th November, from a UK time zone perspective. In the USA, that means the Halo Infinite launch time took place at 1pm ET or 10am PT depending on your time zone. All those times are in the past, though, so what are you waiting for?

How to get Halo Infinite beta

If you're wondering how to download the Halo Infinite beta, it really is simple to get it - head to the Xbox Store on your Xbox One, Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console and you should be able to find it simply by searching for 'Halo Infinite'.

If you want to experience the Halo Infinite beta PC version, you can go through Steam or the Xbox for PC app. On either platform, you should find the game with a simple search. Get it downloaded and start playing!

Halo Infinite ranks

If you're wondering how Halo Infinite ranks work in the multiplayer mode, there are currently five sets of ranked progression levels for you to work through. From lowest to highest, the Halo Infinite ranks are:

• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum
• Diamond
• Onyx

Within each of those sets are six ranks, numbered in roman numerals. In ascending order, they are I, II, III, IV, V and VI. An Onyx XI is the highest possible rank in the game at the moment, then!

Halo Infinite controller settings

From the main menu on the Halo Infinite home screen, press the menu button on your controller and you will be taken to the Control Panel. Click the Settings option, and you will be taken to the settings area.

One of the many things you can tinker with here is the Halo Infinite controller settings. Of course, in competitive multiplayer scenarios, you won't want to be forgetting which button does what.

The default Halo Infinite controller settings are shown in the image below, but feel free to customise them if you want things set up differently! How will you choose to set up the Halo Infinite controls?

Is Halo Infinite multiplayer free with Game Pass?

Joseph Staten, Head of Creative for Halo Infinite, confirmed in an Xbox Wire blog post back in June that Halo Infinite multiplayer is free-to-play.

"What gets me the most excited about this journey we’re starting together is the fact that multiplayer is free to play," he said, "and how that gives us the opportunity to build the biggest Halo community ever."

This makes it sound like Halo Infinite multiplayer is free for absolutely anyone to play, even people that aren't members of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass club.

• Read more: Where to buy the Xbox Series X Mini Fridge

Is Halo Infinite cross-play?

Halo Infinite multiplayer will support cross-play and cross-progression, meaning you can play with pals even if your friendship group is spread across PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Staten confirmed this in the aforementioned blog post, saying: "With cross play and cross-platform progression, there are almost no barriers to enjoying the game with friends, regardless of where they play. It feels extra special to be able to grow the community and bring it together in this way."

Halo Infinite multiplayer gameplay

In terms of your Halo Infinite multiplayer gameplay options at launch, there are four modes to choose from currently: Bot Bootcamp, Quick Play, Big Team Battle and Ranked Arena.

If you want to see Halo Infinite multiplayer gameplay in action, take a look at the official 12-minute deep dive video here:

"When it comes to gameplay," Staten said in his aforementioned blog, "our goal is to deliver a multiplayer experience that honors classic Halo combat while also offering new players the support needed to jump in and have a great time.

"To that end, we’re introducing the Spartan Academy and Spartan Commander Laurette who will help players familiarize themselves with maps, weapons, and equipment.

"We’re also introducing bot matches so players new and old can warm up before they hit the battlefield. We’ve got more in store for bots and Academy content over time that we look forward to rolling out as the game evolves."

Halo Infinite multiplayer trailer

If you really want to get a feel for Halo Infinite multiplayer, before you jump in and play it, the best thing to do is watch the Halo Infinite multiplayer trailer below. The release date has passed, though, so you could just try it out instead!

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