Microsoft is taking one of its most popular and recognisable game series to a rival console for the first time.
Halo, the legendary sci-fi shooter fronted by the armour-clad Master Chief, is officially heading to PlayStation 5 next year- something that would have seemed unthinkable to gaming fans when the title first launched in 2001.
A remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved has been announced for both Microsoft’s Xbox hardware and Sony’s PS5, under the new title Halo: Campaign Evolved. The game will also launch on PC, and will be available to play on mobile phones and tablets via Microsoft’s cloud streaming technology.
It’s the latest sign that Microsoft is shifting away from the long-standing strategy of keeping its biggest franchises locked behind console exclusivity- and potentially signalling the end of the so-called “console wars.”
The end of console wars?
Halo is often credited with helping Microsoft break into the gaming market with the original Xbox, arriving at a time when Nintendo and Sony already dominated. The series became synonymous with Xbox’s identity, spawning sequels, spin-offs, merchandise, and even a television adaptation.
But despite Microsoft’s rapid growth- including its recent $69 billion (£56 billion) acquisition of Call of Duty maker Activision- the company has struggled to match the global sales of its competitors’ consoles. Reports suggest that Sony’s PlayStation 5 has outsold Microsoft’s Xbox Series S and X by more than two to one, while Nintendo’s hybrid Switch remains even more successful.
Instead, Microsoft has doubled down on its “play anywhere” approach: promoting cross-platform gaming through PCs, tablets, phones, and its new handheld device, the ROG Xbox Ally. It’s also been pushing its subscription service Game Pass, which gives players access to a vast library of titles for a monthly fee- much like Netflix or Disney+.
Increasing the Halo reach
While there’s long been fierce rivalry between PlayStation and Xbox fans, many Halo enthusiasts are welcoming the news.
YouTuber Kara, who streams under the name @Eldeeable, told BBC Newsbeat that Halo has been a major part of her gaming life.
“Combat Evolved was one of the first games I ever played on Xbox,” she said. “I played it with my little brother split-screen and I loved it.”
She described the announcement as “massive” and said it “broke the internet a little bit.”
Although some Xbox owners have criticised Microsoft for not keeping Halo exclusive, others see it as a progressive move that reflects the industry’s changing landscape. In recent years, PlayStation has brought several of its own flagship series, including The Last of Us and Horizon, to PC. Even Nintendo has experimented with mobile releases of its classic characters.
For Kara, that shift is nothing but positive. “I know there’s a bit of controversy about it coming to PlayStation, but I don’t see any reason why it should be like that at all,” she said. “I just think it’s a win for all gamers.”
“We’re not rewriting Halo’s legacy”
The game’s executive producer, Damon Conn, echoed that sentiment, promising that the new release will stay true to the original while bringing it to a wider audience.
“At its heart, Halo is about connection,” he said. “We’re thrilled to meet a new generation of players on their platforms of choice- to fall in love with Halo the same way we did. We’re not trying to rewrite Halo’s legacy; we’re trying to immerse you in it like never before.”
For long-time fans and newcomers alike, the Halo PlayStation release represents more than just a console crossover – it’s a bridge between two once-warring worlds, and a sign that in 2025, even Master Chief is ready to play nice.
Source: this article was adapted by a post from the BBC
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