Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • GTA 6 cover art revealed
  • Summer Preview
  • Prime Day deals
  • Best gaming tech
  • New Games 2026
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. FPS Games
  3. Halo
  4. Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite becomes most-played Xbox game on Steam ever in under 24 hours

News
By Hirun Cryer published 16 November 2021

That's 272,586 players, to be precise

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

halo infinite multiplayer test flight team arena sidekick pistol
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Halo Infinite is already the most-played Xbox Game Studios title of all time on Steam.

In case you missed it yesterday on November 16, Xbox stealth-launched Halo Infinite's multiplayer component into open beta with immediate effect, across PC and Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One. As industry analyst Daniel Ahmad notes below, Halo Infinite surpassed the highest concurrent player count for an Xbox Game Studios title in just two and a half hours.

Halo Infinite multiplayer, which launched *looks at watch* about 2.5 hours ago, has already surpassed 162k peak concurrent users on Steam. This makes it the most successful Xbox Game Studios title of all time on SteamHalo MCC hit 161k PCCUForza Horizon 5 hit 81k PCCU. pic.twitter.com/lgMLNISeawNovember 15, 2021

Halo Infinite would only go up from there however, and as SteamDB reports, the all-time concurrent peak player count for 343's sequel now sits at a grand 272,586 players. This peak figure came at roughly 7PM PT/10PM ET last night on November 15, just a handful of hours after Xbox first announced that Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode would be going live that same day.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

Right now, Halo Infinite's open multiplayer beta continues to roll on, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of both the original Xbox and Halo: Combat Evolved. Although the multiplayer mode is in beta right now for everyone, all progress made during the beta will carry over to the final game when it launches next month, so you don't need to worry about Battle Pass progress going to waste.

Halo Infinite launches in just a few weeks from now on December 8, and it'll be available as a day one launch through Xbox Game Pass on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. Additionally, as 343 previously announced, the multiplayer mode will actually be launched in a free-to-play model for all, so you don't even need to own the full game or be an Xbox Game Pass subscriber to jump into Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode.

You may like
  • Screenshot from Halo Infinite's Firefight: Gauntlet mode, showing four spartans sprinting toward a group of armored brutes inside a shiny, alien interior. Months after Halo Infinite's final major update, Halo Studios releases a surprise PvE mode
  • Forza Horizon 6 gameplay screenshot Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with over 130,000 concurrent players
  • Subnautica 2 character with horrified expression Subnautica 2 Steam player peak is 9x bigger than the original and gaining on Slay the Spire 2 for biggest launch of 2026

Check out our Halo Infinite weapons guide for a complete walkthrough of every gun before you jump into the beta.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Xbox Series X Xbox One PC Gaming Platforms Xbox
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Screenshot from Halo Infinite's Firefight: Gauntlet mode, showing four spartans sprinting toward a group of armored brutes inside a shiny, alien interior.
Halo Months after Halo Infinite's final major update, Halo Studios releases a surprise PvE mode
 
 
Forza Horizon 6 gameplay screenshot
Racing Games Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with over 130,000 concurrent players
 
 
Subnautica 2 character with horrified expression
Survival Games Subnautica 2 Steam player peak is 9x bigger than the original and gaining on Slay the Spire 2 for biggest launch of 2026
 
 
Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon Forza Horizon 6 sells 4.9 million copies despite Xbox Game Pass "cannibalizing" revenue
 
 
Halo: Campaign Evolved screenshot shows Master Chief.
Halo New Halo: Campaign Evolved trailer uses PS5 Pro footage, leaving fans in disbelief
 
 
Marathon Triage runner
FPS Games Marathon sold just 1.2 million copies with nearly 70% on Steam, analyst estimates
 
 
Latest in Halo
Master Chief running across a frozen bridge with dead Covenant aliens on the ground in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Halo Halo: Campaign Evolved reignites Halo's longest-running argument
 
 
Halo 2
Halo "I look at AI almost like a toddler": OG Halo artist says devs relying on AI face "a rude awakening"
 
 
A screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved showing Master Chief firing an assault rifle
Halo I had a blast playing Halo: Campaign Evolved, but it's not the remake Halo deserves
 
 
Halo: Campaign Evolved screenshot shows Master Chief.
Halo New Halo: Campaign Evolved trailer uses PS5 Pro footage, leaving fans in disbelief
 
 
Halo Campaign Evolved Collector's Edition on a green background with pre-order badge
Halo Halo: Campaign Evolved pre-orders have hit the shelves, but that Collector's Edition is difficult to catch
 
 
Halo: Campaign Evolved screenshot shows Master Chief.
Halo Halo: Campaign Evolved's digital game manual is exclusive to its Premium and Collector's Editions
 
 
Latest in News
A hat-wearing, bike-riding tanuki delivers mail in Tanuki: Pon's Summer
Platforming Games My favorite Steam Next Fest demo is Tony Hawk's Pro Skater but make it a tanuki courier sim
 
 
Elden Ring
Action RPGs What it's like beating Elden Ring twice a week for 4 years: "The greatest game that's been made"
 
 
Nathan Drake in Uncharted 4.
Games PlayStation CEO seemingly confirms big single-player games will be PS5 exclusives forever
 
 
Persona 6 title art white text
Persona Persona 6 appears on Steam, Atlus and Sega accidentally say something interesting for once
 
 
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 lies about its RNG, rabid fan declares in 6,600-word essay
 
 
GTA 6 key art showing Jason and Lucia against a sunwashed Vice City backdrop
Grand Theft Auto GTA 6 cover art continues a 25-year-old Rockstar tradition
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Elden Ring
    1
    What it's like beating Elden Ring twice a week for 4 years: "The greatest game that's been made"
  2. 2
    PlayStation CEO seemingly confirms big single-player games will be PS5 exclusives forever
  3. 3
    Persona 6 appears on Steam, Atlus and Sega accidentally say something interesting for once
  4. 4
    Does Toy Story 5 have a post-credits scene?
  5. 5
    The 6 best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more (June 19-21)

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...