I know you‘ve been eagerly awaiting the release of Halo Infinite‘s Forge mode. And one big question on your mind is likely "Will the Forge be free?" After some delays, Forge finally launched in beta form in November 2022. But will it stay free to use? Or involve monetization like other parts of Halo Infinite?
As a fellow Halo fan, I‘ll walk you through everything we know so far about what to expect. After lots of researching, testing, and talking with others in the community, here‘s my detailed take on the Forge‘s pricing.
A Quick History of Halo‘s Powerful Forge Tools
To understand Infinite‘s Forge, it helps to know how Forge modes first came about. Halo has included creation tools since 2007 with Halo 3. But these early versions were pretty limited compared to today. You could only place certain objects like crates and turrets on a few maps.
Over time, the Forge grew into something far more powerful across later games:
Halo Reach – Added way bigger spaces, more objects, and finer controls. This is when you could really start shaping unique designs.
Halo 4 – Introduced handy magnets and grouping to link objects. Also improved visual polish.
Halo 5 – Launched the first canvas-style map spaces without set boundaries. Increased the object count drastically.
Each version expanded what was possible. But Infinite‘s Forge takes it to a whole new level. Keep reading to see all it can do!
Yes – Infinite‘s Core Forge Tools Are Free!
The great news is that 343 has confirmed the basic Forge tools and functionality will remain free for all players as part of Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer. No need to pay anything to start building and sharing your own maps and modes!
Accessing the Forge and using its editing features, props, environments, weapons, vehicles, and settings doesn‘t cost a thing. Consider it bundled baseline content included with Infinite‘s free-to-play offering.
This makes total sense given Forge‘s status as a community-focused toolbox. Limiting or paywalling it would kill what makes it so special.
But… Monetization for Extra Forge Goodies Seems Likely
Here‘s the catch though – while the Forge tools are free, don‘t be surprised if there are optional premium cosmetics, objects, or effects available for purchase.
Knowing how Infinite‘s multiplayer already operates, they will likely monetize the Forge in certain ways:
- Special themed decoration packs
- Unique texture options
- Custom audio clips
- Visual effects unlocks
- Exclusive soundtracks
- AI personality packs
- Holiday or event-themed items
Things that let you take your creations to the next artistic level. Entirely optional, but part of Forge‘s future monetization strategy.
Halo dataminers have already uncovered evidence of store packages tailored for Forgers. So buyable add-ons are definitely coming.
Does this dampen the creativity though? I‘d argue no – as long as the core editing experience stays free, extra visual flair isn‘t essential. But the option will be there for those wanting to deck out maps further!
Here‘s All the Awesome Things Forge Can Do in Halo Infinite…
Even without premium extras, Halo Infinite‘s basic Forge capabilities are incredibly robust. Here‘s a quick rundown of what it can do:
Massive Spaces – Maps can be a gargantuan 400x400x150 units in size – way bigger than past games. More room for activities!
Dense Objects – The object count budget has expanded massively. Fill these bigger spaces to the brim with detail.
Visual Scripting – Easily add behaviors and logic with a simple drag-and-drop scripting system. No coding needed!
Built-in Bots – Add AI bots as enemies or allies to test gameplay pacing and balance against.
Better Editing – More precision, undo/redo, copy/paste of sections, and grouping streamlines building.
Custom Rules – Change core settings like gravity, damage, movement speeds, despawn timers, and more via modifiers.
Detailed History – Forge saves every one of your map versions as you build. Revisit or revert anytime.
Share Online – Other players can browse, search, download, and play your creation. Become a community star!
And that barely scratches the surface. The tools let you make almost ANY type of experience you can think up. Seriously impressive stuff.
Forge Opens up Endless Creativity – Here are Some Early Standouts
Even only a month after release, players have already used Forge to make some insanely creative and fun designs. Here are a few remarkable examples:
Warthog Soccer – Full soccer field with goals and a working ball. Use warthogs to dribble and bump the ball in! Addiction danger…
Slippery Slope – A giant spiraling slide map filled with icy sections, speed boosts, and huge jumps. Extreme sports in Halo!
Prop Hunt – The party favorite recreated complete with shrinking powerups, sly prop disguises, and seeker/hider roles.
Doom 2 – The first level of the classic Doom 2 game rebuilt with amazing accuracy. Demons and all!
Battleship – Hop aboard movable battleships and take to the seas! Features working cannons, sinks, repairs, boarding and more for true naval warfare.
Mario Kart – Rainbow road, racetracks, powerups, lap counters, karts, the whole shebang! A masterclass in game merging.
The creativity blows my mind. And it‘s still early days for Forge with way more awesome ideas on the horizon!
Why a Strong Forge is Vital to Halo Infinite‘s Future
Halo Infinite got a fair bit of criticism at launch around lack of content variety, progression issues, missing features, and more.
But a well-supported Forge mode helps resolve a lot of those concerns:
Endless New Maps & Modes – The community pumps out new gameplay experiences faster than 343 can ever produce alone. Tons of value.
Fills Gaps – Forgers add missing settings, weapons, and features that fans want via scripting. Self-fixing!
Extended Life – Forge maps and the social connections they create ensure players stick around for way longer.
More Customization – Tailor the modes, rules, and styles you enjoy instead of relying on preset playlists.
Forge acts as a force multiplier that takes Infinite‘s solid base gameplay and amplifies it exponentially through limitless community expansion.
If 343 continues supporting Forge with steady improvements and features, it could elevate Halo to new heights and keep it thriving for years. Which all fans surely want to see!
How Forge Stacks Up to Other Creation Platforms
How does Halo‘s Forge compare to other popular creation tools out there? Pretty favorably! Here are a few key comparisons:
Minecraft – More flexibility with completely freeform building, but less focus on polished FPS gameplay. Playstyles are vastly different.
Roblox – Caters more to a younger demographic. Powerful but less serious than Forge‘s hardcore dev tools.
Far Cry 5 – Map Editor is great for landscapes but lacks Forge‘s mechanical depth and gamified features. Much simpler.
Fortnite Creative – Surprisingly capable but very locked to Fortnite‘s art style and mechanics. More limiting.
Forge strikes a great balance between deep editing tools and satisfying moment-to-moment gameplay. All while fueling a thriving community ecosystem.
It fills a unique niche that builds on two decades of rich Halo gameplay foundations. That‘s hard for other platforms to replicate!
Top Forge Tips for New Creators
If you‘re eager to dive into Forge for the first time, here are some tips I highly recommend keeping in mind:
Start simple – Get used to the basics by remixing existing maps first before going too big. Walk before you run!
Focus the core – Nail down your map‘s core gameplay loop before decorating it up. No use polishing a bust.
Test frequently – Add bots or friends and playtest often. This catches issues early.
Study the classics – Playing well-designed legacy maps teaches you what works layout and encounter-wise.
Watch tutorials – So many great Forge introduction videos on YouTube that teach essential skills quickly.
Utilize symmetry – Use mirror mode, grid snap, and duplication to easily create symmetrical structures faster.
It does have a learning curve. But with some patience and the right approach, you‘ll go from Forge novice to master creator in no time!
What Does the Future Hold for Forge?
As amazing as the Forge is right now, where could 343 take it next? Based on community requests and looking at other games, some possibilities include:
Larger spaces – Support even bigger map sizes and higher object counts to remove all limits.
Script sharing – Allow easy importing and exporting of scripts and logic between creators.
Nested prefabs – Group multiple prefab buildings into a single prefab. Building block meta!
Custom models – Let players import their own 3D model creations from programs like Blender. Next level customization.
World building – Transition to MMO-style world persistence and more meta/social systems. A true virtual Halo world.
If Forge keeps rapidly evolving, the future looks insanely bright. Today‘s tools will seem basic by comparison!
The Verdict? Forge Makes Infinite Far More Than Sum of Parts
At the end of the day, Forge makes Halo Infinite much more than just another FPS title.
It empowers endless community creativity. And it adds immeasurable long-term value by removing content bottlenecks.
For me, that creative outlet combined with Halo‘s unmatched gameplay is what sets it apart. The Forge helps recapture that classic custom game magic – and introduces it to whole new audiences.
So while certain extra cosmetic purchases may gradually enter the mix, I believe that‘s a perfectly fair tradeoff. After all, the Forge itself remains freely open to all.
As a passionate Halo fan for life, I can‘t wait to see the future this team and community build together!
So get in there, start Forging, and create something amazing that others will love. That special spark that made Halo customs so memorable lives on – now more than ever thanks to Infinite‘s incredible tools.
The only limit is your imagination. Now get Forging, Spartan!
