That sweet Halo Infinite Helldivers 2 mode is closer than ever — here’s how it works and when a release date is coming

That sweet Halo Infinite Helldivers 2 mode is closer than ever — here's how it works and when a release date is coming

What you need to know

  • Helljumpers is an upcoming community-made game mode for Halo Infinite that uses its Forge mapmaking tool to create a PvE experience similar to Arrowhead Game Studios’ popular co-op shooter Helldivers 2.
  • The mode was originally scheduled to launch in June, but its creators delayed it in order to rework some aspects of the mode and free up more Forge budget (there are limitations for objects and scripts).
  • Now, its developer — a team of Forgers under the banner of The Forge Falcons — has released a new overview video that goes over the mode in detail. It, along with a summary of that video, can be found below.
  • The Forge Falcons will have a panel at the Halo World Championship 2024 esports tournament running from October 4-6, and plans to share Helljumpers gameplay and a release date during the event.

As someone who has been following Halo games since their early days, I must say that the upcoming community-made game mode, Helljumpers, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The level of ambition and creativity shown by The Forge Falcons is truly remarkable, especially considering they’re pushing the limits of Halo Infinite’s Forge editor with over 4,000 scripting nodes.


Originally revealed back in February, one captivating Halo venture to watch out for is Helljumpers – an innovative game mode drawing heavy influence from the massively successful cooperative shooter Helldivers 2, set to launch in 2024. The Forge Falcons, a gifted team of community mapmakers responsible for hits like Halo Battle Royale and Survive the Undead (released in official matchmaking during late May), are developing this new game mode using Halo Infinite’s robust Forge mapmaking tool.

For over seven months, the game Helljumpers has been under development, similar to Helldivers 2 in terms of features such as procedural objectives, character progression, upgrade systems, boss battles, extraction missions, drop pods, and more. Initially planned for launch in June, The Forge Falcons decided to postpone the release to revise certain aspects of the project and secure additional funding for the level editor (which has limitations on the number of objects and scripts it can manage). Recently, they have shared an official video previewing all Helljumpers’ features and hinting at a new estimated launch date.

You have two options to view the video: Click on the link provided in the previous paragraph or watch the embedded video below this text. Although I’ll provide a summary of the overview that follows, I strongly suggest watching the detailed explanation since it offers insights into Helljumpers, includes visuals for clarity, and ends with a cinematic trailer for the mode.

Due to Halo Infinite and Forge not allowing progression across different gaming sessions, the Forge Falcons have created Helljumpers as an extended campaign-style experience featuring numerous missions in one playthrough (roughly 3-5 hours). When starting, players will select a leader for their group who can mark a map to decide landing locations and choose a faction to engage. At its release, there will be two factions available: the Covenant, composed of Elites, Grunts, and Hunters, and the Banished, featuring Brutes, Jackals, and Skimmers. Regardless of your chosen enemy, you’ll also encounter rogue Spartans determined to defeat you.

Prior to embarking on a mission, players have the option to spend points to acquire stat-enhancing perks, tactics, and weapons for their equipment. These tactics in Helldivers 2 are similar to stratagems, with Helljumpers stratagems being utilized to eliminate large numbers of enemies or aid teammates through assistance or crowd control. It’s essential to note that some of these tactics can potentially harm you and your team if not used carefully, much like an ill-placed Eagle Cluster Bomb beacon in the game could prove disastrous.

Benefits can elevate your damage output, health, and movement speed up to four levels, providing you with various advantages during gameplay. Your loadout choices decide which weapons you’ll start and respawn with throughout the game. Unlike Helldivers 2, Helljumpers offer an exciting feature: swapping your chosen weapon for arms dropped by defeated opponents – a thrilling aspect of the Halo combat system that will differentiate the mode from Arrowhead Game Studios’ title.

After everyone jumps down into the vast urban landscape beneath your spaceship, you’ll need to accomplish a story goal and two main objectives before being rescued by a Pelican. Story goals are randomly generated but maintain a consistent level of difficulty throughout the game, whereas main objectives also vary but become progressively harder as you continue playing. Once all three tasks are completed, you can request extraction, return to your ship, pick new upgrades, and then jump back in for another round. As you advance, there will be an increased chance of tougher enemy units appearing, and you’ll need to adjust to Skulls that alter the gameplay in real-time.

That sweet Halo Infinite Helldivers 2 mode is closer than ever — here's how it works and when a release date is coming

The Forge Falcons are crafting something truly extraordinary, a project so ambitious that it necessitates more than 4,000 scripting nodes and the entirety of their budget. This mode is testing the boundaries of the level editor to its utmost extent. In their own words, Helljumpers promises to be “the most sophisticated, feature-rich Forge experience ever created,” boasting approximately double the number of scripts as their Battle Royale and Survive The Undead modes combined. The team at Forge Falcons are committed to enhancing Helljumpers with additional content and updates right up until and beyond its launch, striving to make this experience the best it can possibly be.

Counting the days until I get my hands on Helljumpers! The Forge Falcons are set to reveal more about it at the Halo World Championship 2024 esports event, happening from October 4-6. They’ll be sharing gameplay footage and announcing its release date during their panel there. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait much longer, but I appreciate that they’ve taken the necessary time to perfect the game and bring their vision for it to life.

When it’s released, Halo Infinite will be entirely free-to-play, unlike its story campaign which requires payment to access (it is available on Xbox Game Pass). The custom games multiplayer and Forge creations have no entry requirements, enabling Xbox One and Series X|S players to enjoy an experience similar to the PS5 and PC-exclusive Helldivers 2 without spending a single penny. Forge, in particular, makes Halo Infinite one of the top choices for Xbox and PC gamers who appreciate community-created content, as fans have crafted thousands of incredible maps and modes with it.

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2024-09-21 00:09