The officially supported way to play Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer online with friends today is through Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC): choose Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer, add your friends on the Xbox network, then invite them from MCC’s Roster. Xbox and PC players can play MCC multiplayer together. The original Xbox and older PC releases are separate versions with different online-service histories.
Play Combat Evolved multiplayer through MCC
MCC includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and is available on Xbox and Windows through direct purchase or some Xbox Game Pass subscriptions. Each player needs access to MCC and an Xbox network account, including players on Steam. Ensure the Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer content is installed and available before starting.
- Add each other as Xbox network friends. MCC’s online invitations use the Xbox network friends list, so add one another there before inviting.
- Open MCC and choose Multiplayer. Select the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer content you want to play.
- Open Roster from the main menu. On Xbox, press X; on PC, click the Roster button.
- Invite your friend. Select their name and choose Invite Player. They should accept the invitation and join your roster or session.
- Repeat the invite after restarting the game. MCC does not retain the invited roster between game launches; invite friends again after closing and reopening MCC.
Accounts and subscriptions depend on platform
All MCC online players need an Xbox network account. The additional access requirements differ by platform and storefront:
| Where you play MCC | Online access requirement |
|---|---|
| Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S | An active Game Pass subscription is required, according to Halo Support. |
| Microsoft Store on PC | A direct purchase does not require active Game Pass. Playing through Game Pass PC requires an active subscription that includes MCC. |
| Steam on PC | An Xbox network account is required; Halo Support says an active Xbox Live Gold subscription is not. |
Subscription terms can change, so check the current platform and storefront requirements if you are arranging access.
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Xbox-PC cross-play: what works and what does not
Xbox and PC players can play MCC multiplayer together, including Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer. Do not assume that cross-play also applies to every MCC mode: Halo Support says Campaign and Campaign Playlists currently cannot be played cross-platform.
Does the original Halo: Combat Evolved still work online?
Original Xbox and Xbox 360
The older Xbox releases are not the same online route as MCC. Halo Support says Xbox 360 online services for listed Halo games were shut down on January 13, 2022, and that MCC was not affected by that shutdown. Its legacy-service notice discusses Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary campaign, split-screen, and LAN availability in that legacy context. It should not be read as saying that the original Xbox release has native Xbox Live matchmaking or that the old Xbox service is still available.
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Original PC release
The historical PC manual documents Internet and LAN multiplayer and an Internet browser that relied on GameSpy servers. That period documentation does not establish that the browser works today, or that any community-run matchmaking service is currently available or safe. If you specifically want to use the old PC build, its present-day online service status is not established here; MCC is the clearly documented official option.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Combat Evolved multiplayer is not Campaign Evolved
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a separate remake centered on the campaign, with online/network co-op and cross-platform play described in official Halo materials. It is not a replacement for the competitive Combat Evolved multiplayer experience covered here.
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