Halo: Campaign Evolved will receive a free update this winter adding the four-player cooperative Firefight mode. Halo Studios announced this on Thursday for the title released on July 28.
The game is available on PlayStation 5, XBOX Series X|S, PC via Steam, the Microsoft Store, and XBOX Game Pass. It launched earlier this year without multiplayer support. Some players criticized this decision, feeling the omission limited the game’s replayability.
The Firefight—a mode where players must hold their ground against escalating waves of enemies—is the first multiplayer component to reach the remake.
Halo launched alongside the original XBOX. Today we're announcing Firefight for @Halo: Campaign Evolved, coming as a free update this winter. pic.twitter.com/gwNdKm2mQa
“For nearly two decades, Firefight has been a Halo favorite, challenging Spartans to team up, hold the line, and survive wave after wave of enemies,” said Tahir Hasangjekaj, director of competitive engagement for Halo Studios. “The tradition continues this winter as we add the four-player cooperative [player-versus-environment] mode to Halo: Campaign Evolved in a free update.”
The update will introduce new maps. It also brings an arsenal of weapons to help players contend with enemy forces.
“We’re kicking things off tonight at XBOX FanFest,” Hasangjekaj said. “Attendees will be the first to jump in and experience Firefight across new maps and armed with plenty of weapons to help even the odds.”
Halo Studios scheduled a follow-up appearance at Halo Fest. It will take place in Seattle from December 12 to December 13, 2026. The developer intends to share further details during this event, and attendees will have additional opportunities to play the mode throughout the weekend.
Microsoft reduced staff at Halo Studios, and this announcement is part of a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Halo franchise and the XBOX brand. Microsoft moved development of the next mainline entry in the franchise to Activision. Activision is spinning up a new team to manage the series.
Halo: Campaign Evolved received criticism for its lack of multiplayer options at launch. The four-player cooperative Firefight mode is expected to add value to the game as a free update this winter.
The update acts as an expansion to the initial, campaign-only release. Will further multiplayer modes, such as Team Deathmatch, follow?
