Halo Infinite may offer free, 120fps multiplayer on Xbox Series X - Android

Microsoft might have one way to ensure a thriving Halo Infinite multiplayer community: make the online modes free to play.

A briefly available Smyths Toys Superstores listing (via The Verge) touted a “groundbreaking free-to-play multiplayer experience,” suggesting that you’ll only need to pay if you want to play the campaign. While there weren’t additional details, well-known leaker Klobrille both corroborated the report and claimed there would be a “Battle Pass system.” Much like Fortnite, then, Microsoft would rake in money from players looking to unlock the latest character and weapon skins.

Smyths and Klobrille also touted “up to 120fps” gameplay (specifically in Arena mode) on Xbox Series X consoles. Klobrille went on to hint at customization choices “completely new to Halo,” although that’s in line with 343 Industries’ promises of offering expansion “well beyond launch.”

The leak comes just as 343 said in a blog post that it would tune Halo Infinite’s graphics. While most people liked the graphics, the studio acknowledged that there was “work to do” in improving both the visual detail and “overall presentation” of the game. Gamers were concerned that objects and lighting were too flat, and that distant objects were popping in too conspicuously.

Read more: What we know about PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X

Thankfully, this might change soon. The developer stressed that the game build used for the campaign demo was “several weeks” old, and that some of the feedback reflected changes already in the works. There weren’t any firm answers on how things would change, but what you saw in the gameplay video won’t necessarily reflect the finished product.

A lot is riding on Halo Infinite. It’s undoubtedly the Xbox Series X’s marquee title for the holidays, and might determine whether or not Microsoft’s console competes well with the PlayStation 5. The more polish 343 can add, the more it does for both the Halo franchise and the Xbox’s long-term future.