Halo Infinite: The Disappearing Act of 98% of Steam Players

A whiff of apprehension is blowing through the Halo Infinite community as the game’s virtual battlefields seem to be growing eerily quiet. To put it plainly, about 98% of its original Steam player base have hung up their Spartan armour since the multiplayer facet was unveiled back in November 2021. The initial fervour around the launch has fizzled out, leaving die-hard Halo fans mulling over the game’s long-term prospects on both PC and Xbox platforms.

Halo Infinite: The Rise and Fall on Steam

The Halo Infinite journey has been a roller-coaster of a ride from the very start. Back in the day, it was slated to be a shiny new bauble for the Xbox Series X|S at launch in 2020. Yet, the road to perfection is often a winding one and Xbox and 343 Industries needed more time to hammer out their vision for the title.

The multiplayer portion stepped into the limelight first as an open beta on November 15th, 2021, and the curtains were finally raised on the full spectacle of Halo Infinite on December 8th, 2021. The launch was met with cheers, and accolades poured in for both the multiplayer and campaign modes. However, fans’ smiles began to falter as concerns about the multiplayer mode’s immediate future crept in. The first season of Halo Infinite drew to a close in May 2022, leaving many feeling that their criticism hadn’t been adequately addressed in the subsequent updates and seasons.

Where Have All the Halo Infinite Players Gone? A Look at the Numbers

TIL Halo Infinite has lost nearly 98% of its initial player base on Steam
by u/Full-Plastic7324 in Steam

A digital canary in the coal mine, a post by the Halo devotee known as Full-Plastic7324 has raised a few eyebrows. A snapshot from SteamDB’s player charts shows a stark picture: the player base of Halo Infinite on Steam has shrunk alarmingly, with around 98% of the initial players calling it quits. At its zenith, Halo Infinite boasted an impressive 272,586 users, but recent figures show that a mere 5,732 players were dipping their toes in. Since then, the 24-hour peak has bumped up a bit to 6,151 players, but the overall current player tally has plummeted further to a paltry 3,880. This trend has left roughly 2% of the original faithful clinging on, sparking unease about the game’s future prospects.

The finger of blame is being pointed squarely at 343 Industries and its approach to live service gaming. Critics argue that the game’s steep decline is due, in part, to monetisation practices which have scared away fresh faces. Furthermore, the dearth of exciting new features and maps is seen as a primary reason why even the most die-hard players are exiting the stage.

While this drought in players doesn’t mirror the situation on Xbox platforms directly, it does raise concerns about a potential overall dwindling in Halo Infinite’s player base. The fact that the game has seen such a decline in numbers on Steam despite Microsoft and 343’s ambitious 10-year content plan, has left the community disheartened. The fun gameplay mechanics of Halo Infinite, sadly, seem to be overshadowed by the various issues plaguing the game.

That said, Halo Infinite’s multiplayer continues to be up for grabs for those eager to take it for a spin. Furthermore, Season 4: Infection is currently underway, offering free multiplayer content. For those intrigued by the campaign, a generous discount offers an affordable chance to jump into the fray.

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Halo Infinite remains available for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, waiting for would-be Spartans to answer the call.