It’s a crossover, and then everybody talks about it, but this one is probably going to be one of the biggest. At the end of the newest Helldivers 2 trailer, fans caught just a few seconds of music, which could be more than a little like the eerie tones from Halo ODST. That tiny little tease has caused everyone to speculate as to a possible collaboration involving Arrowhead Game Studios, Microsoft, and Sony. I watched the trailer myself, but had to play it a couple of times to really check it out. It really does sound like some hint from Capcom.
Helldivers 2 is already big when it’s released for its fast-paced co-op action. The game will be out on Xbox in a few weeks, and fans are ecstatic. But what has both PlayStation and Xbox players on the tip of their seats is the possible Halo-themed content. This crossover was almost unthinkable a few years past; for Halo was an exclusive flagship title for Xbox, while Helldivers is a franchise owned by Sony. If true, this could be a historic, rare moment where two major brands come together.
Arrowhead has made crossovers before; it was with the Killzone series, and fans liked it. But Halo is in a whole different league. The tone of that armor, aliens, and military sci-fi seems so well-fitted with Helldivers that if Sony wished to catch Xbox players’ attention with Helldivers 2, maybe a Halo crossover could be just the ticket.
This is stirring more rumors from the part concerning Halo. Gaming leaks seem to prove that there are indeed two new games related to Halo in the making. Some API data, however, also suggests a possible future compatibility with Sony’s PlayStation. This would mean cross-compatibility in matchmaking and online services, and tracking progress across platforms. There is also a beta build found for one of these unnamed Halo titles. Most think it is the multiplayer beta, while the second title may well refer to the full game. None of these refer to the Halo: Master Chief Collection, and it has made fans wonder if Microsoft is saving that reveal for a later date.
Good timing is everything. The Halo ODST tease in the Helldivers 2 trailer fits well into the months-long rumor mill about the Master Chief Collection coming to PlayStation 5 before the year’s end. If true, such a move would not be something small; some big names in games might finally get played across platforms.
This would be a massive shift in gaming culture. Halo has always been that cornerstone Xbox title to help sell consoles and delineate the brand; players, including a few years ago, would never have imagined playing Halo without getting access to an Xbox console by borrowing it. Now, exclusivity is starting to blur. Other Xbox titles, such as Forza Horizon and the upcoming Gears of War projects, have already started bridging the gap, and Helldivers 2 could push it even further.
There are still lingering doubts: whether Halo content will only be a part of Helldivers 2 or will be the starting point of a wider approach to cross-platform releases; would Helldivers 2 hold greater appeal for Xbox users if Master Chief and ODST armor sets were included; can these changes be interpreted as the very first seeds of a shared gaming ecosystem in which iconic franchises cross brand boundaries?
There is no doubt that everyone is watching. For Xbox fans, seeing Halo in a Sony video game is new and exciting, while for PlayStation gamers, it is a grand, huge deal to have Halo within their grasp without the need for an Xbox.
If this is indeed a precursor to more collaboration between the big gaming companies, the revelation may come a lot sooner than we expect. The end of the year is filled with all sorts of big events within the industry, and any of them could become the grandiose stage for revealing this information. Until then, however, fans will be dissecting every second of the Helldivers 2 trailer, every line in the leaked APIs, and every rumor coming from the mouths of trusted insiders.
Expectations are already that the upcoming Helldivers 2 Xbox release will increase its player base; however, with Halo ODST Content and possible cross-platform Halo games, this might be much more than just a trendy co-op shooter. This could become heralded as the game that finally brought two of the major sides of gaming together.
Is it just a great marketing scheme, or will it become the first step toward a gaming alliance never seen in the industry? Time will tell. You may also be interested in: Resident Evil 9 Gamescom Reveal Brings Darkest Horror Rumors Yet
