Halo Infinite is getting two ‘even bigger’ multiplayer test weekends in September

Halo Infinite will have two more multiplayer test events before the end of September.

The game’s first technical preview took place between July 29 and August 1, and now developer 343 Industries has two more tests planned for this weekend and the next.

343 Industries confirmed the news in its latest blog post, with community manager John Junyszek stating: “It feels like just yesterday we were battling against Bots during our first multiplayer tech preview. Now, as launch approaches, it’s time to look forward to our second – and even bigger – tech preview.

The new events will run from September 23-26 and September 30 – October 3, and will focus on “full-blown multiplayer”, with all Halo Insiders with eligible accounts as of September 13 invited to participate.

The event taking place from September 23-26 will focus on 4v4 Arena battles, while the event on September 30 – October 3 will look at 12v12 Big Team Battle contests.

In order to ensure enough players will be taking part to test the game’s online services, the test will only be active during certain time periods each day.

Players who haven’t yet registered as Halo Insiders will also get another opportunity to do so before the Big Team Battle tests start, Junyszek has confirmed.

The full list of content included over the two weekends includes:

• 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

343 has also provided details on the time periods when the test events will be live.

Players looking to take part in the tests will only be able to connect during these times:

Last month Microsoft confirmed a Halo Infinite release date of December 8, 2021.

Developed by 343 Industries, the game was originally planned as an Xbox Series X/S launch title in 2020 but was delayed due to quality concerns.

While Halo Infinite’s campaign and multiplayer will be released this holiday, the game won’t be launching as the complete package previously expected. Last week, 343 Industries confirmed it had delayed two Halo Infinite launch modes to next year in order to make the game’s 2021 release.

Head of creative Joseph Staten revealed in a development update that 343 is now planning to release campaign co-op in Infinite’s second post-launch season, which will start around three months after launch, and Forge in Season 3, which is planned for around six months after launch.

Staten also confirmed that split-screen multiplayer will be held back on PC until post launch due to technical challenges.