Arrowhead Game Studios has set the gaming world abuzz with a tantalizing teaser that hints at a crossover between its hit co-op shooter, Helldivers 2, and the legendary Halo franchise. The speculation erupted after the release of a new trailer celebrating Helldivers 2’s much-anticipated arrival on Xbox Series X and S on August 26, 2025—a milestone that marks the first time a Sony-published title lands on Microsoft’s consoles. But it’s the trailer’s closing moments that have truly set fans’ imaginations alight.
The promotional video, which opens with a blast of P.O.D.’s Christian rap-metal anthem “Boom,” takes a dramatic turn as it ends. As the frenetic action winds down, viewers are treated to a rain-soaked battlefield on Super Earth, the game’s signature setting. Suddenly, a familiar saxophone motif from Halo 3: ODST’s soundtrack—specifically the evocative track “Rain (Deference Of Darkness)”—swells in the background. The camera lingers on what appears to be an M8900 Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle, better known to Halo fans as an ODST drop pod, touching down in one of Helldivers 2’s sprawling mega cities. For many, this was as clear a sign as any: a crossover event is on the horizon.
According to IGN, the teaser didn’t go unnoticed in the gaming community. Fans, always quick to pick up on subtle cues, immediately recognized the musical snippet as a nod to Halo 3: ODST, fueling rumors of an imminent collaboration. “It’s all very ODST!” wrote one commentator, echoing the excitement rippling through social media. Even Joseph Staten, a key developer behind the original Halo trilogy, joined the fun, posting a Halo-related GIF in response to the trailer.
While neither Arrowhead nor Xbox Game Studios has officially confirmed the crossover as of August 13, 2025, the evidence is mounting. Helldivers 2’s Chief Creative Officer Johan Pilestedt has previously expressed interest in exploring crossovers with iconic sci-fi franchises such as Aliens, Terminator, Blade Runner, and Starship Troopers. On Reddit, Pilestedt hinted that the studio’s approach to crossovers would likely fall "somewhere between Halo in general and making Master Chief playable." This suggests that, while players probably shouldn’t expect to step into the boots of the series’ iconic Spartan, they might soon don ODST armor and wield Halo-inspired weaponry in the fight for Super Earth.
The potential for this crossover feels like a natural fit. Helldivers 2 and Halo 3: ODST both focus on squads of highly trained soldiers—Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in Halo and the titular Helldivers in Arrowhead’s universe—who are dropped into hostile environments to complete dangerous missions. As KitGuru points out, the collaboration could bring ODST armor sets, Halo-themed weapons, and cosmetic items like flags and capes to Helldivers 2. Some sources have even speculated about the addition of iconic Halo vehicles, such as the Warthog, though nothing has been officially announced.
For Arrowhead, crossovers are not uncharted territory. In December of the previous year, the studio rolled out a popular event featuring the Killzone universe, adding Helghast armor and themed cosmetics to the game. Yet, the developers have been careful to avoid what they call “IP dilution,” choosing only collaborations that feel like a genuine extension of the game’s world. According to GamerBraves, Pilestedt has said that the team wants to strike a balance between exciting partnerships and preserving the game’s unique identity.
The timing of this tease is no coincidence. Helldivers 2 is not only breaking new ground as a PlayStation Studios game coming to Xbox, but it’s also arriving just as Gears of War: Reloaded makes its PlayStation debut. The two launches, both set for August 26, 2025, signal an era of increased cross-platform collaboration and competition. Arrowhead’s Game Director Mikael Eriksson commented on the significance of the Xbox launch, saying, “We know gamers have been asking for this for some time and we are so excited to bring more Helldivers into our game. We have so much more in store for the future months and years – and the more players we have the more stories we can tell! The fight for Super Earth has only just begun.”
Helldivers 2’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. The game first launched in February 2024 for PlayStation 5 and PC, quickly becoming a rare live-service smash hit for Sony. It set records as the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game of all time, moving an astonishing 12 million copies in its first 12 weeks, as reported by IGN. Its popularity has remained strong, with healthy player numbers on Steam and a vibrant community eager for new content.
Xbox players, meanwhile, have plenty to look forward to. The Xbox Series X/S release on August 26 will include full cross-platform multiplayer, allowing friends on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox to join forces. This move further cements Helldivers 2’s reputation as a game that brings people together, regardless of their platform of choice. However, there are no plans to include the game in the Xbox Game Pass service, and a Discord community manager has confirmed that this is unlikely to change in the future.
As for the specifics of the Halo crossover, details remain under wraps. No official release date for the crossover content has been announced, and it’s unclear whether the new items and cosmetics will be exclusive to Xbox or available across all platforms. Given the game’s commitment to crossplay, it would be surprising if the content were restricted to a single console. Fans are also curious whether the crossover will focus solely on ODST-themed gear or if it might include nods to other elements of the Halo universe, such as Spartan armor or even the legendary Master Chief himself.
The buzz around Helldivers 2 comes at a time when crossovers are all the rage in the industry. Notably, Fortnite recently featured both Helldivers and Halo content, prompting some playful back-and-forth between the communities. “Hmmm… it’s giving ‘we have Helldivers at home,’” quipped community manager Katherine Baskin on Discord, poking fun at the similarities between the two games’ recent updates.
For now, fans will have to wait and see what Arrowhead Studios has in store. The studio has promised more surprises in the months and years ahead, and if the past is any indication, they’re likely to deliver. With Helldivers 2’s Xbox release just days away, and the Halo: ODST crossover all but confirmed by the sly musical tease, the stage is set for one of the year’s most exciting gaming events.
As the countdown to August 26 continues, one thing is certain: the fight for Super Earth is about to welcome some new—and very familiar—faces.
