A Galactic Crossover Hits Xbox
Helldivers 2, the cooperative shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios, finally arrived on Xbox Series X and S in August 2025, bringing with it a surprising collaboration. The Halo ODST Legendary Warbond, a premium bundle packed with iconic Halo gear, marks a bold step in uniting two fan-favorite franchises. With full cross-play support, players on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox can now team up to battle alien hordes while sporting Helljumper armor.
This partnership between Arrowhead, Sony, and Microsoft feels like a love letter to fans. The announcement, streamed in a joint broadcast, highlighted how far gaming has come since the console wars. Players are eager to wield the MA5C Assault Rifle across platforms.
Nostalgia in Every Shot
The Halo ODST Warbond, priced at 1500 Super Credits (about $19.99), delivers 17 rewards, including four weapons like the M90A Shotgun and two armor sets straight from Halo 3: ODST. Unlocking everything requires 630 Medals, roughly 12 hours of play. For Halo fans, firing these weapons feels like stepping back into 2009's gritty streets of New Mombasa.
The price has sparked debate. Compared to earlier Warbonds at 1000 Super Credits, this bundle feels steep, especially since Premium Warbond Tokens don't apply. Still, the nostalgia factor and cross-platform access make it tempting for players expanding their loadouts on Xbox.
Learning From Fortnite and Warzone
Cross-franchise bundles are a proven draw. Fortnite's 2018 Marvel crossovers set the stage, boosting player spending by 18-22% during launch windows, according to industry studies. Fans loved wielding Iron Man's repulsors, even at premium prices, because the content felt authentic and fun.
Call of Duty: Warzone's Godzilla bundle, however, faced backlash for its premium price tag and limited gameplay impact. Helldivers 2 avoids this trap by ensuring its weapons match existing balance, but Arrowhead needs to keep content fresh to justify the cost, unlike Warzone's slower cadence.
Bridging Platforms and Fans
This Warbond shows how Sony and Microsoft are softening old rivalries. Cross-play and shared cosmetics, enabled by Arrowhead's account syncing, let players move seamlessly between devices. Streamers agree, with Twitch hitting 315,000 viewers when the MA5C debuted, proving these collaborations drive engagement.
Looking ahead, analysts predict more cross-IP Warbonds, like Killzone or Gears of War, if this bundle hits a 12% buy-in rate. For now, the Halo ODST Warbond offers a glimpse of a future where platform barriers fade, and players unite for the next big fight.