Halo 2, though over two decades old, continues to draw players to its online multiplayer.  While not the originator of online FPS games, Halo has maintained a loyal fanbase for years. The Bungie-developed titles, especially Halo 2, have cultivated a devoted following,  resulting in an active multiplayer community for the original game, separate from the Anniversary Edition.

Despite Microsoft's discontinuation of the original Xbox Live service,  fans have revived Halo 2's multiplayer through a dedicated project known as Insignia. These fan-operated servers allow owners of the original Xbox console to experience select titles online, with Halo 2 being a prominent example.  While still a relatively niche community,  Insignia has successfully preserved Bungie's 2004 classic.

Insignia hosted a special event to commemorate its one-year anniversary of reviving Halo 2's multiplayer. The event saw a peak player count of 148 concurrent players, a remarkable feat for a 20-year-old game running on fan-maintained servers. This demonstrates the enduring popularity of Halo 2, a title often cited as one of the best in the franchise, and the first in the series to feature online multiplayer.

When Microsoft shut down the original Xbox Live service in 2010, Halo 2 players established a record by continuing to play online for three and a half weeks after the official closure.  This record was eventually broken by Nintendo fans playing on the Wii U and 3DS servers after their discontinuation. While Halo 2 no longer holds this record, it underscores the game's lasting impact and dedicated community.

It's now 2025, and despite the original online services being long gone, fans continue to find ways to play Halo 2 online.  The success of Insignia's Halo 2 servers provides an alternative for fans, especially after Microsoft ceased development of new content for the Master Chief Collection in 2024, leaving Halo 2: Anniversary without ongoing updates.  While official support may have waned, the original Halo 2 multiplayer persists, thanks to Insignia's dedication.  Players seeking official content can experience some Halo 2 maps in Halo Infinite, but as Insignia's recent event demonstrates, for some, nothing compares to the original.