Halo Infinite Forge mode: How the game mode works, gameplay footage, basics & more

James Busby
Halo Infinite Master Chief

Halo Infinite’s Forge mode is finally here. Players will now have the chance to customize and create their very own maps, game types, and much more. Here’s everything you need to know about Halo Infinite Forge, including details on customization options and how to access the mode. 

Halo Infinite Forge has been a highly anticipated feature ever since the game was released. Not only does it enable Spartans to make their very own maps and game modes, but it creates even more opportunities for the community to showcase their creativity. 

Following on from the recent Forge leaks, the game’s player base has been patiently waiting for further news on the upcoming mode. After months of waiting, Forge’s beta has finally arrived with the Halo Infinite Winter Update. Continue reading for our full breakdown of the mode and how to make the most of it.

Contents

How to access the Halo Infinite Forge beta?

In a roadmap video released by devs 343 on September 1, 2022, the dev team revealed that the Forge beta would finally be arriving with the Winter Update.

This release date comes after the mode was majorly delayed – likely due to technical difficulties and big enhancements, with Halo Infinite’s Forge having “huge potential to be amazing.” Now that the Halo Forge beta has finally arrived, here’s a rundown of how to access the game mode. The following steps can also be found on a recent Halo Forge blog post.

To start a Forge session, follow the steps below:

  1. Navigate to the Play tab on the main menu. This is the default tab after launching Halo Infinite.
  2. Select Forge to start a Forge lobby.
    1. Forge lobbies are hosted on dedicated servers and require an online connection.
  3. In the Forge lobby, select your preferred Forge canvas or load an existing Forge map to edit.
    1. Canvases, Detachment, and Argyle are listed in the 343 Industries map list.
    2. Saved maps are listed in the My Files map list.
  4. When ready, press the Play button to launch the session.

Halo Forge: How to share your Forge creations & join other maps

Halo Infinite Forge map header
Halo Forge brings with it new maps for players to explore.

Part of the fun of Halo Forge is creating maps that you can then share with friends or other Halo players via Multiplayer.  As found on the Halo Forge blog post via the Halo Waypoint site, here’s 343’s step-by-step guide on how to share your Halo Forge creations with others:

After creating a map in Forge and saving it, the file will become available for publishing. Once published, the map will become available for other players to bookmark, play, and clone. To prevent players from cloning a published map, the owner or co-owner must enable the Copy Protection setting in the file’s Details menu.

Follow the steps below to locate saved Forge maps in-game and publish them:

  1. On the main menu, navigate to the Community tab.
  2. Select the My Files option on the left side of the Community tab.
  3. From the grid of Forge files, select the file that’s ready to be published.
  4. In the Details menu, select Version History.
    1. If the Version Details section of the Details menu is not visible, confirm that the account is listed as an Admin or Co-Owner for the selected file.
  5. In the Version History menu, select the version of the map to be published then select the Publish option on the right side of the screen.
    1. Only one version of a file can be published at a time. If new changes are made on a map, they will not be visible to others until the new version is published.

When publishing a Forge map, file Admins and Co-Owners will be able to manage the following elements of the map’s details:

  • Name
  • Description
  • Tags
  • Screenshots
    • At launch, uploading screenshots for a published Forge file is only available on Xbox consoles. To upload images for Forge files created on a PC, an owner or co-owner can upload screenshots on an Xbox console.
  • Delete file
  • Enable/disable Copy Protection
  • Manage Collaborators

Want to enjoy the creations of other Halo players? The dev team has also put together an easy-to-use community section so that you’re able to hop in and out of Forge game’s from other players whenever you like. The community tab in the main menu has a few different sections to choose from that include the following:

  • Recommended: shows a selection of files that the development team here at 343 Industries has selected to highlight.
  • Popular Maps: the most played Forge maps in the last 7 days.
  • Popular Modes: the most played modes in the last 7 days.
  • Popular Prefabs: the most bookmarked Prefabs in the last 7 days.
  • Browse All: search for specific file names, tags, or keywords.

Halo Infinite Forge gameplay footage & early creations

343 recently spoke out about some of the biggest changes and improvements with regard to Halo Infinite’s Forge mode. One specific element that the dev team is excited for players to get their hands on is the new object scaling mechanics.

Now in Forge, players will be able to scale objects to also limitless sizes, with some leaks even showing off how players can create giant Master Chief statues and place them right in the middle of a map. As well as this, players can create whole new game types and will have access to Halo Infinite’s complete roster of weapons. These include the specialty ones found during Infinite’s campaign.

As well as new object scaling, Forge will include a weapon combo system wherein players will be able to splice together two guns. For example, the design of a Battle Rifle could actually shoot out rockets for bullets from another weapon.

This system is something that was first introduced in Halo 5 as a glitch but will now be getting an overhaul and proper inclusion thanks to 343 finding the idea something worth implementing in a more official way.

Another new leak from Forge shows off how one user was able to recreate the whole of Kokiri Forest from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The build came from Content Creator Red Nomster on YouTube, with the video also breaking down the process he went through to recreate the location using Halo’s Forge feature.

Halo Infinite: Forge Fundamentals series

One thing is for sure, Forge in Infinite is shaping up to be the best version to date. Many videos have been leaked online, with users recreating iconic maps and locations from other popular games, TV shows, and even movies. Just to give fans an idea of the freedom Forge offers up, one user has even re-created The Nether from Minecraft in Halo Infinite’s new Forge mode.

Members of Halo Infinite’s devs team have been discussing the new mode in a series of 30-minute videos on the official Halo YouTube channel. The videos – called “Forge Fundamentals” – offer up a thorough rundown on how the game mode will play out.

And while players can of course just jump straight in and give the feature a go, these videos are a great crash course for how to get the basics of Forge.

The first video in the four-part series serves as an introduction to the new game mode, giving players a summary of what they can expect as well as what the next three parts of the Forge Fundamentals series will look like.

The second video – all about scripting & bots – can be watched here:

As well as new gameplay possibilities, Forge will also introduce a whole new audio and lighting system for players to sink their teeth into and get creative with. The third instalment of the Forge Fundamentals YouTube series breaks down what players can expect from Forge in regard to its audio and visual design. That video can be accessed here.

Players will be able to do almost anything when it comes to light design. From flickering lights, reflective images, complete darkness, and more, Halo Infinite’s Forge will offer up the chance to completely transform the lighting of pre-existing maps as well as create a unique atmosphere for new ones.

The fourth and final video in the Forge Fundamental – Canvases and file sharing – just dropped on October 18.

This video explains that when Forge does arrive, it will do so with six canvases for players to play around with and shape however they like. Four of the canvases players will have access to in Forge are:

  • Arid – A dessert setting
  • Institute – A UNSC Academy setting
  • Seafloor – An underwater setting
  • Void – A blank canvas

So, there you have it, everything you need to know about Halo Infinite’s Forge mode. Given that Forge is still in beta, there are likely to be more updates and fixes in the way so we’ll be sure to keep you updated here when that information is released.

In the meantime, head over to our Halo Infinite page for further news. 


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About The Author

James is Dexerto's Associate Games Editor who joined the website in 2020. He graduated from university with a degree in Journalism, before spending four years freelancing for GamesRadar+, PCGamesN, RPS, LoL Esports, Red Bull Gaming, and many more. You can find him covering everything from CoD, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, and Monster Hunter. Need to get in touch? Email James at james.busby@dexerto.com.