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Halo Fest

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Halo franchise and the game started it all – Halo: Combat Evolved. A momentous occasion such as this calls for a celebration!



Today at the Halo World Championship we announced the return of Halo Fest – a community event for you and all of your Halo-loving friends to celebrate the franchise and for any reason you may love it. If you’re a fan of the campaigns, the universe, the rich characters – Halo Fest welcomes you. If you love the music and anytime you see a saxophone you think of Halo 3: ODST – Halo Fest welcomes you. If you love all forms of multiplayer including cooperative and competitive – Halo Fest welcomes you. And if the community at large is a big part of why you continue to love this franchise – Halo Fest welcomes you all.





Over the course of the next year, we’ll be providing monthly updates on Halo Fest where you can learn more, but here are the initial details.



Halo Fest is a three-day event spanning December 11-13, 2026, and is comprised of two components: the Concert and the Convention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONCERT</h2>



Music plays a critical role in the Halo franchise and in the hearts of fans around the world. If you’re like us, the first few monk chant notes alone are enough to give you goosebumps. For the first time ever, Halo will be hosting an official full-length concert celebrating 25 years of the iconic scores that played a part in making Halo the cultural touchstone it is today. The Concert will take place at the beautiful Benaroya Hall and performed by the legendary Seattle Symphony – you won’t want to miss this!



The basics:



<ul>
<li>December 11</li>



<li>Benaroya Hall</li>



<li>200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONVENTION</h2>



If you’ve ever been to the Halo World Championship you’ll have noticed that the event offers more than just an esports competition, but rather acts as an annual pilgrimage for the whole community with the Community Stage, voice actors in attendance, cosplay contest, meetups, and more. Halo Fest will be the realization of that vision. In the Summit building of the convention center has a larger footprint than the Arch where HaloWC has been historically held and we plan on offering twice as many tickets compared to this year’s HaloWC.



No matter why you love Halo, we want you to feel at home at Halo Fest and have plenty to do with your fellow community members.



<ul>
<li>The basics:</li>



<li>December 12-13</li>



<li>Seattle Convention Center (Summit Building)</li>



<li>900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETS</h2>



Halo Fest tickets will be going on sale in just two months on December 10, 2025. In the November blog we will provide a full deep dive on the ticketing packages and what to expect. We will be offering tickets for both components on one ticketing platform, and fans will have access to both the Concert and the Convention on the same day. Please note that the capacity at Benaroya Hall of the Concert is significantly less than the capacity at the Convention. We expect the Concert tickets to sell out first and foremost so please keep that in mind as you’re determining your Halo Fest plans.



CONCLUSION



We are very thankful to have such a vibrant community who loves Halo from Year 1 to Year 25. And at Halo Fest, you will be able to take part and celebrate with the community like you never have before. Be on the lookout for next month’s blog where we’ll share more about the event and ticketing information.



Thanks,



Tashi



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<a id="_msocom_1"></a>

Tashi

Halo Fest Announced

Earlier in the summer we announced that Year 4 would be the final year for Official HCS competition on Halo Infinite, and today at HaloWC we announced some more information about what competitors can expect in 2026.



Competitive Halo is important to you, the community, and it’s important to us as well. For 2026, we’re partnering with key members of the esports ecosystem and community to host Halo Infinite competitions and even one of our own. Let’s jump into the details.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DREAMHACK</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="878" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/DH_Halo_Birmingham_Black-1024x878.png" alt="" class="wp-image-153597" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/DH_Halo_Birmingham_Black-1024x878.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/DH_Halo_Birmingham_Black-300x257.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/DH_Halo_Birmingham_Black-768x658.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/DH_Halo_Birmingham_Black.png 1078w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Halo has had a long history with DreamHack at this point and they’ve been great hosts for the entire Halo community. We’re excited and thankful to announce that Halo will be coming to DreamHack Birmingham on March 27-29 in the UK. There will also another event at a US-based DreamHack event in 2026 to be announced by DreamHack later this year.



With a prize pool of $100,000, travel awarded for the top teams, and featuring an open bracket – these events across both NA and EU are ones you will definitely want to be a part of!



We will be loaning DreamHack tournament equipment from HCS including consoles, monitors, and headsets, as well as providing the prize pool and travel funding for teams. Both parties are making significant investments in bringing Halo to the amazing DreamHack events.



These events will be owned and hosted by DreamHack with HCS as partners, so you can expect to hear official updates from them on the competition, ticketing, etc.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Partnered Team Support</h2>



The HCS Partnered Teams are also stepping up to support the Halo Community in 2026. We are still working on the details and tournament sizing but can confirm that the following teams are committed to partnering with us:



<ul>
<li>Cloud9</li>



<li>FaZe</li>



<li>Shopify</li>



<li>Spacestation</li>
</ul>



HCS will continue to support the teams by contributing to prize pools and ensuring cohesion from a scheduling perspective across the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HCS Grassroots</h2>



We will also be partnering with legends from the community and HCS Grassroots partners, LVT as well European Halo League to support them in their Halo events. HCS will be contributing prizing for them to host more Halo online competitions throughout 2026.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Halo Fest 2026</h2>



And, in case you missed it, we also announced that Halo Fest will be coming to Seattle to celebrate 25 Years of Halo. This community event will be home to Halo fans no matter why they love Halo, and esports is certainly a part of that.



At Halo Fest 2026, we will be hosting an HCS Invitational for the top invited teams to participate in, which will be put on stage for the fans in attendance and broadcasted for fans at home to watch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="800" height="450" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCS-2026-Partners-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-153611" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCS-2026-Partners-1.jpg 800w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCS-2026-Partners-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCS-2026-Partners-1-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



We’re very thankful for the amazing community and ecosystem partners who will continue supporting Halo, and we’re excited to partner with them to bring more competition and content for fans.



Thank you once again for supporting the Halo Championship Series and we will see you in the New Year.



Thanks,



Tashi



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />

Halo Esports 2026 Update

Games

Halo: Campaign Evolved

We’re pleased to announce that our next game, Halo: Campaign Evolved, will be a ground-up remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s genre-defining campaign coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation®5 in 2026.



Featuring new missions, expanded gameplay, two-player split-screen on consoles, online and networked co-op for up to four players on console and PC, and seamless cross-platform play with shared progression, it will be the definitive return trip through one of gaming’s greatest journeys.



Enjoy our first released concept art above, and watch our <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEReveal">roundtable reveal</a> for a look at gameplay from Halo: Campaign Evolved and in-depth commentary from the Halo Studios development team.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo: Campaign Evolved | Roundtable Reveal" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e-tXi1NC_aU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Wishlist Halo: Campaign Evolved now: <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistX">Xbox</a> | <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistS">Steam</a> | <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistPS">PlayStation®</a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A RING REFORGED</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked.png" alt="The Silent Cartographer campaign mission. A gleaming Forerunner installation juts from a cliff facing a beachfront and calm waters. The Halo ring curves from the horizon in front of a gas giant planet." class="wp-image-153040" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Environment-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Halo: Campaign Evolved invites you to explore reverently realized environments and enhanced missions that capture the wonder and mystery of the original Halo tale.



The vistas and monumental set-pieces you’ll encounter in Halo: Campaign Evolved faithfully evoke the grandeur of Halo: Combat Evolved’s narrative and scenery, completely rebuilt with high-definition visuals, improved controls, and refined level design.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">EXPANDED GAMEPLAY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo: Campaign Evolved | The Silent Cartographer Trailer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/efThjRym-ks?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Halo: Campaign Evolved expands the Master Chief’s original adventure with new missions, enhanced cinematics, more weapons, vehicle improvements, and more Skulls than ever.



<ul>
<li>New missions: Fight beside Sergeant Avery Johnson, one of the Master Chief’s most beloved and stalwart allies, as you encounter new characters, enemies, environments, and dangers in three new missions set before the events of Halo: Combat Evolved.</li>



<li>Stunning cinematics: Battle through all of Halo: Combat Evolved’s iconic moments with enhanced cinematics featuring new motion-capture animations and freshly recorded dialog from returning cast members.</li>



<li>Enhanced audio: Immerse yourself in heroic exploits with a remastered soundtrack and fully rebuilt sound design that brings Halo’s unmistakable weapons and vehicles to life in stunning fidelity. Just listen to those glorious Hunters shoot!</li>



<li>Expanded arsenal: Wield nine additional weapons from the Halo universe for the first time in Halo: Combat Evolved! Battle the Covenant with the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, Needle Rifle, and more instantly recognizable Halo weapons, alongside tried-and-true standbys from the Master Chief’s first journey.</li>



<li>Vehicle upgrades: For the first time in Halo: Combat Evolved, the Master Chief can hijack nearby enemy vehicles and add range to his repertoire at the helm of a Wraith tank. Better still, the dependable Warthog now boasts an additional seat on the rear bumper—so your whole four-player Fireteam can ride out together!</li>



<li>Dozens of Skulls: Return to any mission in Halo: Campaign Evolved and remix your experience with the most gameplay-modifying Skulls of any Halo campaign. Activate Skulls for randomized weapons, altered enemy behavior, player attributes, environmental effects, and more!</li>
</ul>



All you greenhorns who wanted to see Covenant up close: this is your lucky day.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAY TOGETHER, WHEREVER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3200" height="1800" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A.png" alt="Two gamers sit in armchairs playing split-screen co-op in Halo: Campaign Evolved." class="wp-image-153110" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A.png 3200w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-CoOp-R01A-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px" /></figure>



Everyone’s invited to this mission. For the first time in Halo history, Halo: Campaign Evolved allows players to seamlessly squad up with friends playing on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 in both online and networked co-op for up to four players.



Experience the legendary story together from anywhere, at any time, with shared progression between all platforms.



Console versions will support two-player split-screen for a fully immersive nostalgia factor. Conquer all 13 campaign missions with a friend from the classic confines of your favorite couch on both Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation®5.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GAMEPLAY PREVIEW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo: Campaign Evolved | The Silent Cartographer – 13 Minute Gameplay Demo" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSjbIM0iegY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Ready to see the game in action? Check out these highlights from “The Silent Cartographer,” the fourth mission of Halo: Combat Evolved, and the setting of the playable pre-release build available to fans at this weekend’s Halo World Championship.



The 4K footage in the above gameplay demo was captured in-engine on Xbox Series X.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A TIMELESS CAMPAIGN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked.png" alt="The Master Chief stands in the rear hatch of a Pelican as it and two other Pelicans soar over an ocean." class="wp-image-153096" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HCE-Cinematics-1920x1080-02-Watermarked-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



After crash landing on a mysterious ringworld known as Halo with his AI companion, Cortana, the Master Chief must defend his stranded shipmates against Covenant forces and uncover a dark secret that threatens the annihilation of all life in the galaxy…



Return to the ring that started it all, with a fresh look at a timeless campaign.



Whether you’re discovering Halo for the first time or returning to Alpha Halo after 25 years, Halo: Campaign Evolved retells the legendary story of Halo: Combat Evolved with an expanded narrative and gameplay enhancements that broaden the scope of our first encounter with the Covenant.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB.jpg" alt="Halo: Campaign Evolved key art. The Master Chief John-117 stands ready for action in a beautiful pinelands on Halo." class="wp-image-153054" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Halo_CampaignEvolved_Wallpaper_1920x1080_RGB-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



We can’t wait to share more information with you next year. Stay tuned to Halo Waypoint for updates on Halo: Campaign Evolved, coming to Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation®5 in 2026.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PRESS KIT</h2>



<a href="http://aka.ms/HCERevealPK" data-type="link" data-id="aka.ms/HCERevealPK">Download the official Halo: Campaign Evolved press kit. </a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>







Wishlist Halo: Campaign Evolved now: <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistX">Xbox</a> | <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistS">Steam</a> | <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEWishlistPS">PlayStation®</a>

Mutinous Core

Coming to Xbox, PC, and PlayStation in 2026.

Introducing Halo: Campaign Evolved

Click here to see more details on the Halo World Championship.

Click here to view the Open Bracket results from the HCS Charlotte Major 2025

HCS SLC 2025 - Halo Infinite FFA

HaloWC

Official HCS

Rebellion goes back-2-back! Congrats to your HCS Charlotte Major Champions!

Halo: Ascension on Atropos

Halo Infinite

Run for your life now through November 18.

Operation: Haloween II Now Undead

<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Update: October 7, 2025</h2>



The nightmare returns. Back from the grave and more gruesome than ever, Survive the Undead claws its way back into Halo Infinite. First introduced last Haloween, the Forge Falcons’ labor of love made the jump from Combat Workshop to playlist just in time for the spooktacular season. And now, it’s back with a new map!



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Strategic Survival</h1>



At its core, Survive the Undead is an Infection-based Firefight survival mode where you, the player, are trying to avoid dying. However, unlike the “regular” Infection modes you may be thinking of where everyone is looking out for themselves, you are in a team of 4 trying to survive the onslaught of infected enemies. Think of it as a horde mode. You can learn the finer points and read more about how this playlist came to be down below.  



The return of the playlist, as part of the Operation: Haloween II offering, comes with everything you know and love from before and adds one brand new map:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Station of the Lost</h2>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/cbf475d5-19a2-4fe4-bd1a-350902f931e5">Bookmark</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012.jpg" alt="Station of the Lost, a new Survive the Undead map created in Halo Infinite's Forge." class="wp-image-152272" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/station_012-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Abandon all hope, all ye who enter this abandoned station. Remember, there’s safety in numbers so stick together.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Survive the Undead is the first Community created playlist to go from <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/combat-workshop-survive-the-undead">Combat Workshop</a> to Playlist and it’s just in time for Haloween!



You can <a href="https://aka.ms/HaloweenOperationLaunch">read a bit more about the Forge Falcons and how Survive the Undead came to life over here</a><a>. </a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Objective: Survive</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6.jpg" alt="Survive the Undead map for Halo Infinite, created in Forge" class="wp-image-120517" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_002-6704753e15fd6-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



By now, we all know what Infection is. You vs the horde that’s trying to infect you so you become one of them. Usually round based, the game ends once all Spartans are infected or until there’s a lone survivor able to fend off the constant attacks.



Survive the Undead puts a slight twist on the typical Infection and makes it a more linear experience. And, as the name implies, the idea is to beat the waves of infected and simply survive as long as you can. The rounds start off simple and get progressively more difficult, with points awarded for each round cleared and each kill. Spend your earned points wisely…or go ham on the mystery box (my personal favorite – who doesn’t love surprises?) and then regroup and get ready for the next round!



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Survival Handbook</h2>



Looking for some pointers? Straight from the Forge Falcons comes this guide to ensure you have the best chance possible to survive the undead.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007.jpg" alt="Survive the Undead map for Halo Infinite, created in Forge" class="wp-image-120531" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_007-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



PERKS



The three perks are Health, Damage, and Speed. There are 4 tiers per perk and each tier costs 600 points. All perks reset upon death and must be repurchased.



Health Perk



<ul>
<li>Tier 1: 25% Health Increase</li>



<li>Tier 2: 10% Health Increase</li>



<li>Tier 3: 5% Health Increase</li>



<li>Tier 4: Vampirism</li>
</ul>



Speed Perk



<ul>
<li>Tier 1: 100% Reload Speed Increase + 10% Movement Speed</li>



<li>Tier 2: 50% Melee Recovery + 10% Movement Speed</li>



<li>Tier 3: 10% Movement Speed + 10% Slide Speed</li>



<li>Tier 4: 10% Movement Speed + 10% Sprint Speed</li>
</ul>



Damage Perk



<ul>
<li>Tier 1: 100% Damage Increase</li>



<li>Tier 2: 100% Damage Increase</li>



<li>Tier 3: 100% Damage Increase + 100% Melee Impulse</li>



<li>Tier 4: 100% Damage Increase + 50% Melee Damage</li>
</ul>



BONUS DROPS



There are four bonus drops that have a chance to appear when killing enemies: Boom, Spray & Pray, Mounted & Loaded, and Score Attack. These drops are announced by voice lines matching their names.



Boom



<ul>
<li>Effect: Instantly kills all AI, granting each player 400 points. Benefits from Score Attack.</li>



<li>Strategy: Use when in dire need.</li>
</ul>



Spray & Pray



<ul>
<li>Effect: Removes shields from all enemies, making them one-shot kills for 30 seconds.</li>



<li>Strategy: Ideal against bosses.</li>
</ul>



Mounted & Loaded



<ul>
<li>Effect: Refills ammo for all players.</li>



<li>Strategy: Use when team ammo is critically low.</li>
</ul>



Score Attack



<ul>
<li>Effect: Doubles points from kills for 30 seconds; effects stack. Also, keep in mind that this drop affects the points granted from the Boom drop.</li>



<li>Strategy: Collect immediately for maximum benefit.</li>
</ul>



PLAYER BUY BACK



The Player Buy Back (650 points) is located in the spawn room and revives fallen allies, granting the activating player an overshield. It only works if allies are down.



AMMUNITION WALL BUY



The Ammunition Wall Buy (350 points) is in the spawn room on all maps, it has the ‘ammunition’ nav marker and refills the activator’s ammo. It can be used even with full ammo, so check before buying.



POINT SHARING WALL BUY



The Point Sharing Wall Buy is located in the 2nd territory on all maps, it has the ‘points’ nav marker and allows players to share points. It costs 2,000 points to use and it will split the 2,000 points between all players in the game. For example: A team of 2 players receives 1,000 points each. A team of4 players receive 500 each.



RANDOM WEAPON BOX



The Random Weapon Box is located in either the 2nd territory or 3rd territory depending on the map, it is the red banished looking box. It costs 300 points and will grant players a random weapon.



WEAPON UPGRADE MACHINE



The Weapon Upgrade Machine has received an overhaul since the combat workshop, it will now take the weapon you have and upgrade that weapon with other combinations. It costs 1,000 points and can be found in the spawn room on all maps. It will also have the ‘Upgrade’ nav marker.



WEAPON & EQUIPMENT WALL BUYS



Wall buys offer weapons or equipment at displayed prices. Ammo can be refilled via the ammunition wall buy, the Mounted & Loaded drop, or by rebuying the weapon.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009.jpg" alt="Survive the Undead map for Halo Infinite, created in Forge" class="wp-image-120545" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2024/10/hw_map_009-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



In the Combat Workshop, there was only one map available to you. Now that the playlist has hit the big time, there are multiple options in the playlist:



<ul>
<li>Installation of the Dead</li>



<li>Night of the Undead</li>



<li>Countdown of the Dead</li>
</ul>



Squad up, watch each other’s backs, and maybe you’ll survive the undead.

snickerdoodle

Survive the Undead

Join the #audio-book-club channel of our <a href="https://discord.gg/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official Discord server</a> to listen along to this month’s audiobook club selection, discuss your favorite Halo moments with fellow fans, and enter to win free audiobooks from Simon & Schuster!



Our final audiobook club title of the year is Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, a gritty story that follows intrepid Spartans and other surviving crew members of the UNSC Infinity, from the fall of their flagship through subsequent ground actions against the Banished in the months leading up to the start of Halo Infinite’s campaign.



Halo: The Rubicon Protocol is written by USA Today bestselling author Kelly Gay, who has also authored many other Halo universe novels and shorts. The audiobook edition is narrated by acclaimed actor and writer Scott Brick.



Listen to an exclusive excerpt from the audiobook below!



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Rubicon Protocol | Audiobook Preview | Available Now from Simon & Schuster" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrCPlDUH6s0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<a href="https://www.bit.ly/485gDEh">Purchase your copy of Halo: The Rubicon Protocol from Simon & Schuster.</a>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLOT PREVIEW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="2560" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-scaled.jpg" alt="Halo: The Rubicon Protocol cover art. "The New York Times bestselling series. Read by Scott Brick. Kelly Gay, acclaimed author of Halo: Renegades and Halo: Point of Light." class="wp-image-151891" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-768x768.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Rubicon-Protocol-1568x1568.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



December 2559. The UNSC Infinity is ambushed and boarded by the Banished. As the defenders are overwhelmed, the crew is forced to abandon ship and flee to Zeta Halo.



Spartans Bonita Stone and Nina Kovan make a narrow escape to the surface and help shepherd survivors—both regular marines and civilian personnel—to a makeshift base around the wrecked UNSC Mortal Reverie. Lost, outnumbered, and severed from leadership, the UNSC’s only hope may lie in turning the inexperienced non-combatants of the “boat crew” into an effective guerilla unit.



Elsewhere, Spartan Tomas Horvath pursues a Banished Bloodstar warrior and unexpectedly learns of a hidden network that could help them find a way to get a message back home.



In the months that follow, duty compels these heroes to enact the Rubicon Protocol, a wartime directive to deny the Banished from gaining new assets by any means necessary.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CHARACTER GUIDE</h2>



Learn more about the cast of Halo: The Rubicon Protocol with these brief character bios.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Horvath.jpg" alt="Spartan Horvath" class="wp-image-151849" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Horvath.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Horvath-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Horvath-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Horvath-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">TOMAS HORVATH</h3>



Separated from his squadmates on Fireteam Intrepid, Spartan Tomas Horvath encounters Bloodstar Gorian while stranded on a fragment of the ruined Halo ring. To escape, they form an unlikely and short-lived alliance. After Gorian betrays him, Horvath pursues the Bloodstar for months looking to settle the score.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">BONITA STONE</h3>



Spartan Stone is a member of Fireteam Shadow, one of the longest-serving Spartan-IV units. After piloting a Bumblebee to the surface, Stone saves a stranded marine unit and aids a second group of non-combatants (soon to be known as the “boat crew”). She soon rejoins her squadmate, Spartan Nina Kovan, and escorts survivors to an impromptu forward base at the wrecked UNSC Mortal Reverie.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">NINA KOVAN</h3>



Known to her comrades on Fireteam Shadow as “The Stoic,” Kovan’s icy demeanor is matched only by her unwavering aim. After escorting the boat crew to relative safety alongside Stone, Kovan conducts field recon and provides overwatch to fellow Spartans.



She is on the front line during the desperate defense of the Mortal Reverie, and proves instrumental in the boat crew’s effort to transmit Zeta Halo’s current coordinates to friendly forces after it is moved through slipspace.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">HUDSON GRIFFIN</h3>



As the UNSC Infinity fell, Spartan Griffin gave the order for all Spartans to abandon ship. Having since established a forward base at the wrecked UNSC Mortal Reverie, Griffin now acts as the de facto leader of the marooned Spartans. Acting on the suspicions of his colleagues, he mounts a doomed mission to assassinate War Chief Escharum.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">LUCAS BROWNING</h3>



A UNSC field medic stranded following the Infinity attack. Though initially rescued from a crashed lifeboat by Stone, Browning gives himself up to Banished patrols to allow his fellow survivors to escape their wrath. As he is processed through the Banished internment facilities, Browning is forced to unlock a cylix containing the enigmatic Harbinger.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Harbinger.jpg" alt="The Harbinger" class="wp-image-151835" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Harbinger.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Harbinger-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Harbinger-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/Harbinger-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">THE HARBINGER</h3>



One of the Endless imprisoned by the Forerunners countless millennia ago, after the firing of Halo cleansed the galaxy. Upon being freed by Browning, the Harbinger enjoins herself to the Banished, evidently finding that their aims are aligned. She vows that the Endless shall return, and tortures Browning, imprinting him with knowledge that breaks his sanity.d tortures Browning, imprinting him with knowledge that breaks his sanity.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1280" height="360" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/JegaRdomnai.jpg" alt="Jega 'Rdomnai" class="wp-image-151863" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/JegaRdomnai.jpg 1280w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/JegaRdomnai-300x84.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/JegaRdomnai-1024x288.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/JegaRdomnai-768x216.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">JEGA ‘RDOMNAI</h3>



A Sangheili blademaster and renowned Spartan Killer. As a close confidante and top enforcer for War Chief Escharum, Jega is fiercely loyal to the Jiralhanae leader. With his uncanny stealth and deadly blade, Jega fortifies the Banished occupation of Zeta Halo by hunting surviving Spartans from the shadows.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GORIAN</h3>



A Jiralhanae Bloodstar, from a class of spec-ops soldiers renowned for their battlefield prowess. During the Battle of Zeta Halo, Gorian led a Bloodstar unit to the surface to search for Forerunner artifacts. When his Phantom is waylaid by the ring’s autonomous sentinels, he forges a temporary alliance with Horvath just long enough to return to his dirty work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GAME CONNECTIONS</h2>



Though the novel begins during the raid on the UNSC Infinity, the majority of Halo: The Rubicon Protocol’s narrative occurs during the six-month period in which the Master Chief remained adrift in orbit around Zeta Halo.



As the heroes of The Rubicon Protocol battle the Banished occupation forces, they encounter several enemies and allies from Halo Infinite, adding important character exposition and helping to bridge the gap between the game’s opening flashback and the full campaign set in May 2560.



(Spoilers for Halo: The Rubicon Protocol and Halo Infinite below!)



Some heroes of The Rubicon Protocol can be encountered in Halo Infinite as fallen allies (such as Spartan Stone, whose recovered Spartan Cores aid the Master Chief), in cutscenes (as with the tortured Spartan Griffin), or as recurring characters in Halo Infinite’s hidden audio logs.



Several locations from the novel can also be found throughout Halo Infinite’s campaign. After defeating the UNSC survivors, Chieftain Tremonius establishes a Banished outpost around the wrecked Mortal Reverie. Lucas Browning is brought to the Redoubt of Sundering for bodily inspection, conveyed to Chak ‘Lok’s tower for interrogation, and finally forced to release the Harbinger from her cylix at the Silent Auditorium.



In Halo Infinite, Master Chief John-117 raids all four locations, toppling Outpost Tremonius to establish his first Forward Operating Base, freeing captured marines from the Redoubt of Sundering, defeating Chak ‘Lok in his tower while trying to rescue Spartan Griffin, and finally thwarting the Harbinger at the rebuilt Silent Auditorium as she attempts to complete the Reformation of Zeta Halo.



To learn more about the Halo novels, visit our <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/official-halo-book-guide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Official Halo Book Guide</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABOUT THE AUTHOR</h2>



Kelly Gay is a USA TODAY bestselling author and the critically acclaimed creator of the Charlie Madigan urban fantasy series. Within the Halo universe, she has authored the widely lauded novels Halo: The Rubicon Protocol, Halo: Point of Light, and Halo: Renegades, the novella Halo: Smoke and Shadow, and the short story “Into the Fire,” featured in Halo: Fractures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ABOUT THE READER</h2>



Actor, writer, and award-winning audiobook narrator Scott Brick has narrated almost 900 audiobooks, including over a dozen Halo-universe titles. To date, his narrations have earned him over 65 Earphones Awards, five Audie Awards, five SOVAS Awards for voiceover, and a Grammy nomination for the multi-cast recording of The Mark of Zorro (2011).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY</h2>



Enter to win an audiobook copy of Halo: The Rubicon Protocol! To participate, react to the Halo: The Rubicon Protocol post in the #giveaways channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official Halo Discord server</a> before October 10.



Stay tuned to <a href="https://www.x.com/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@Halo on X</a> for more ways to enter later this month. <a href="https://www.aka.ms/AudiobookClubGiveaway" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See contest rules.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">JOIN THE BOOK CLUB</h2>



Listen to Halo: The Rubicon Protocol along with us in our Discord audiobook club! To participate, simply join the #audio-book-club channel of the <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official Halo Discord server,</a> where we’ll discuss the book, share favorite moments, and meet fellow Halo fans.



Drop a reaction in the topic thread for a chance to find your words featured in an upcoming Halo Waypoint post! At the end of the month, we’ll also host a special Spartan Chatter episode on Discord to discuss the book and answer questions from the Halo community.



<a href="https://www.bit.ly/485gDEh">Purchase your copy of Halo: The Rubicon Protocol from Simon & Schuster.</a>

Audiobook Club: The Rubicon Protocol

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