Later this week, a new generation of UNSC adventurers will exit slipspace over Alpha Halo during Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Early Access launch.
To prep you for storming the sacred ring, we’re issuing mission-critical intel on the Early Access schedule, platform-specific pre-load timelines, and a few pro tips from Halo Support to streamline your first foray into Halo: Campaign Evolved!
Early Access Launch Schedule
If you pre-ordered the Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved, you can enjoy Early Access play starting Thursday, July 23 (8:00 a.m. PDT). For quick reference, you can find that time localized to major cities around the world below:
Seattle: Thursday, July 23 (8:00 a.m. PDT)
Mexico City: Thursday, July 23 (9:00 a.m. CST)
New York: Thursday, July 23 (11:00 a.m. EDT)
São Paulo: Thursday, July 23 (12:00 p.m. BRT)
London: Thursday, July 23 (4:00 p.m. BST)
Berlin: Thursday, July 23 (5:00 p.m. CEST)
Riyadh: Thursday, July 23 (6:00 p.m. AST)
New Delhi: Thursday, July 23 (8:30 p.m. IST)
Hong Kong: Thursday, July 23 (11:00 p.m. HKT)
Tokyo: Friday, July 24 (12:00 a.m. JST)
Sydney: Friday, July 24 (1:00 a.m. AEST)
Auckland: Friday, July 24 (3:00 a.m. NZST)
There’s still time to pre-order the Premium Edition to unlock the Foundry Armory Pack and enjoy up to five days of Early Access starting July 23. (Pre-order bonuses are available now through July 28, 2026.)
Global Launch
Starting July 28 (8:00 a.m. PDT), all editions of Halo: Campaign Evolved will be available to install and play on any supported platform.
Microsoft Accounts
Halo: Campaign Evolved supports shared story checkpoints, collectibles, and customizations across all your preferred platforms. To keep track of your campaign progress, Skulls, and more, Microsoft accounts and Gamertags are required to play Halo: Campaign Evolved.
If you already have an XBOX Gamertag, simply log in with the affiliated Microsoft account when prompted during the first time you play Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Halo newcomers can ensure the smoothest start to their campaign experience by creating a free Microsoft account today online or from a mobile phone. You’ll also get to choose a suitable Gamertag to share with your IRL friends for cross-platform party invites!
Linking Cross-Platform Accounts
Upon loading into Halo: Campaign Evolved for the first time, Steam players will be prompted to link their Steam ID to their Microsoft account. This step is required to access your existing friends lists so you can campaign together.
To get you into the action, Halo Support has prepared a short, step-by-step guide on linking cross-platform accounts to your Microsoft account:
Whether you play on Steam or elsewhere, you’ll find friends playing Halo: Campaign Evolved on the same platform in the “Platform Friends” pane of the “Play Co-Op” menu.
Adding Cross-Platform Allies
To add friends who play on other platforms, you’ll simply need to know their Gamertag (registrants of new Microsoft accounts will choose one during setup). You can then search for and add your friends’ Gamertags to your XBOX friends list in a variety of ways:
Online at XBOX.com
From the XBOX Game Bar (on Windows PC)
In the XBOX mobile app
Once successfully added to your XBOX friends list, cross-platform friends will appear in the “Cross-Platform Friends” list of the “Play Co-op” menu whenever they’re online.
Joining a Fireteam
Whenever friends are online, you’ll see a blinking indicator beside the “Play Co-op” option in the main menu. Find a friend on the “Platform Friends” or “Cross-Platform Friends” lists to join up on their session or invite them to your Fireteam as session host.
PC Specifications
To confront the challenges that await you on Alpha Halo, you’ll need at least these minimum PC specs:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i7-10700K
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Super / AMD Radeon RX 6600 / Intel Arc A580
VRAM: 8 GB
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 100 GB SSD
OS: Windows 10 22H2 64-bit or Windows 11
For more info on recommended specs for higher graphics settings and quick links to update NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel drivers, please visit Halo Support’s full PC specifications guide.
PC Optimization
Bred for combat, built for performance. Turn your rig into the meanest, greenest Covenant-slaying machine possible with the official Halo Support guide to advanced PC optimization, featuring pointers on adjusting graphics quality, upscaling, resolution, GPU async, load, frame generation and limits, and more.
Accessibility Settings
Halo: Campaign Evolved invites heroes to defend humanity on their own terms, with their preferred play configurations. Customize your experience with a wide range of accessibility settings, including input management, aim settings, custom control bindings, audio narration, HUD look and feel, UI language, menu animations, and much more.
Read more: Accessibility in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Twitch Drops
Speaking of “hot drops,” be on the lookout for a chance to earn the exclusive Stream of the Crop Mark V Armor Style through Twitch Drops. We’ll have more info to share on our social channels soon!
In the meantime, it’s a good idea to link your Twitch account ahead of time, so you can claim your customizations through Halo Waypoint.
Modding Guidelines
With Halo: Campaign Evolved, our intention from the start was to leave the door open to the modding community. We will not be offering official modding tools, support, or Steam Workshop integration, but the team deliberately avoided putting any blockers in place that would prevent modders from working in and with this content. We look forward to seeing, and playing, modded creations, but we also want to make sure nobody finds themselves in a problematic situation.
If you are interested in modding Halo: Campaign Evolved, please be mindful of the following:
Halo Studios and Microsoft do not approve, endorse, nor accept any liability for modded content or experiences.
You may not distribute mods that contain a substantial part of our copyrightable code or content, nor may you distribute modded versions of Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Mods must not circumvent game entitlement checks, account authentication requirements, or otherwise permit access to official locked, unreleased, or premium in-game content.
Only non-commercial mods are permitted for Halo: Campaign Evolved. You may not sell or otherwise monetize Halo content or experiences built with Halo IP or underlying technology.
Microsoft reserves the right to shut down modded experiences that are a conflict of interest.
Do not make inappropriate or offensive content or experiences.
Do not use 3rd party IP without IP holder permission.
Abide by the XBOX Game Content Usage Rules.
We are excited to see the types of creations the Halo modding community comes up but please make sure to follow the rules. Failure to comply with Microsoft, 3rd Party, platform, and legal requirements may result in legal action.
Additional Support
Follow @HaloSupport on X for the latest updates. If you run into issues while playing Halo: Campaign Evolved, visit the Halo Support site to browse for more helpful how-to resources or submit a support ticket.
Brace for Impact
“The object we found. I’m going to try to land the Autumn on it.”
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a legendary adventure 25 years in the making. Whether you’re a battle-hardened Spartan or a Halo newcomer, we’re so excited to fight beside you.
If you’re looking for the latest intel (or something to read while your game installs), check out these recent Halo Waypoint posts for a glimpse at all that awaits on Alpha Halo:
Featuring the timeless and lovingly rebuilt Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, Operation: METEORITE’s riveting new recon missions, 42 Skulltacular collectibles, the endless possibilities of Campaign Remix, two-player split-screen co-op on consoles, four-player cross-platform co-op, and the most humbling LASO challenge yet, Halo: Campaign Evolved is the definitive return trip through one of gaming’s greatest journeys.
Pre-order the Digital Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved to receive the Foundry Armory Pack and up to five days of Early Access play starting July 23, 2026.