Halo co-op has been a staple of the franchise, and unfortunately - at least at launch - Halo Infinite is an exception.

Campaign co-op isn't available in Halo Infinite right now, but developer 343 Industries has confirmed it is coming - and has given us an estimated release date and a beta release date to work from.

This means - eventually - you and a friend to play the campaign in co-op, and not just rely on regular multiplayer to save the galaxy together.

Halo Infinite co-op release dateHow to get the Halo Infinite co-op beta on XboxHow to play Halo Infinite co-op beta on PCHalo Infinite split-screen co-op release date estimateHow will co-op work in Halo Infinite?

Halo Infinite co-op release date, co-op flight 'beta' release date

Let's cut to the chase: There is no campaign co-op at launch in Halo Infinite.

Yes, we agree that this is a bit of a bummer. The promise of playing the campaign in co-op alongside a friend or online stranger is always enticing, but you will have to wait.

As part of a 2022 roadmap, developer 343 confirmed it is targetting late August as a release date for network co-op play.

Until then, you can sign up to Halo Infinite's co-op beta, which will run the week beginning Monday, July 11th until Friday, July 22nd through the Xbox Insider program.

To clarify, the "target" was sometime during the week and not on the 11th itself, 343 said - with it eventually going live on the 15th.

Players have already been putting it through its paces - with similar hijinks involving the grappling hook as in single player:

Halo Infinite Co-Op Changes EVERYTHING https://t.co/v6tUj4R1aQ pic.twitter.com/EVqaBwZvQg

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Halo Infinite Xbox Insider flight access: How to get the Halo Infinite co-op beta on Xbox

During the week of July 11th, the Halo Infinite co-op flight is open to those who have signed up to the Halo Insider program and have access to Halo Infinite's campaign (whether purchased or through Xbox Game Pass). You should receive an email when you have confirmed access.

Note that progress from the flight will not carry over to the full game, as it will be a seperate client to the main game itself ahead of the full August launch.

Access to the Halo Infinite flight requires you download the Xbox Insider Hub app on Xbox consoles, which is Microsoft's way of allowing users to download pre-release software.

To download the Xbox Insider app on Xbox platforms, perform the following steps:

1. Scroll down the home screen of the dashboard and open the store.

2. Search for "Insider" (for us, it also appeared in the 'trending' bar automatically, which will be quicker).

3. Download the Xbox Insider Hub app.

4. Once downloaded, navigate to the Previews section and download the Halo Infinite - Insider client.

From there, the Halo Infinite flight will begin downloading.

Halo Infinite PC flight access: How to play Halo Infinite co-op beta on PC

During the week of July 11th, the Halo Infinite co-op flight is open to those who have signed up to the Halo Insider program and have access to Halo Infinite's campaign by purchasing the game or through an Xbox Game Pass PC subscription.

Note that progress from the flight will not carry over to the full game, as it will be a seperate client to the main game itself ahead of the full August launch.

Once you have signed up, a unique code will be sent via the Halo Insider portal for you to download and access the flight.

An invite from a previous Halo Infinite Flight.

Based on previous flights, it's worth checking both the Halo Insider portal as well as your email inbox during the week to ensure you have access!

Halo Infinite Winter Update is here, ushing in the Halo Infinite co-op release date. Starting the story? Learn how to download and install the Halo Infinite campaign and lists of skull locations, Mjolnir Armor Lockers and Spartan Cores.including those for the commando rifle, fusion coil and a killing spree.If you're looking to step up the challenge, then Halo Infinite's ranking system is waiting.

Halo Infinite split-screen co-op release date estimate

Those looking to play locally on split-screen co-op, meanwhile, will have to wait until Season 3 at the earliest. This begins November 8th, 2022, and even then the mode itself has a TBD target - meaning it's likely going to also appear mid-season.

Both of these can, of course, be later than that, with co-op originally targetted for the start of Season 2 in May 2022.

Halo Infinite Winter Update is here, ushing in the Halo Infinite co-op release date. Starting the story? Learn how to download and install the Halo Infinite campaign and lists of skull locations, Mjolnir Armor Lockers and Spartan Cores.including those for the commando rifle, fusion coil and a killing spree.If you're looking to step up the challenge, then Halo Infinite's ranking system is waiting.

How will co-op work in Halo Infinite?

Halo Infinite introduces a big map with more exploration freedom than we're used to from the series, and this is can be enjoyed at its fullest with campaign co-op.

Developer 343 has confirmed the following features will be available:

Up to four players can play togetherAll progress and unlocks will be retained for each player in their own savesEveryone will play as Master ChiefAbility to replay missions, and revisit previous missions with later unlocks and upgrades, such as Spartan CoresCross-play between all platforms - including Xbox, PC and Xbox Cloud GamingDedicated serversNew Achievements around the addition of co-op and mission replay

In other words - everything in the solo campaign will be in co-op, and progress will carry back across to later sessions, solo or otherwise. And for those who have completed the campaign already, the introduction of new Achievements will give you an incentive to return.

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