Microsoft has officially confirmed what many gamers thought they'd never see: the Halo franchise is coming to PlayStation, and it's not just a one-time deal. In a move that shatters decades of console exclusivity, the sci-fi shooter series that helped define Xbox's identity will be available on Sony's platform "going forward," starting with a remake of the original game.
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The announcement came during a livestream from the Halo World Championship on October 24, where Halo community director Brian Jarrard appeared wearing a PlayStation t-shirt to deliver the news. "Halo is on PlayStation going forward, starting with Halo: Campaign Evolved," Jarrard confirmed, signaling a fundamental shift in Microsoft's gaming strategy.
This isn't just about one game - it represents a complete rethinking of Microsoft's approach to platform exclusivity. The remake, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, will launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, with mobile and tablet support through Microsoft's cloud streaming platform. The game will support up to four-player online co-op across platforms, plus two-player split-screen on consoles and includes three new prequel levels, while staying true to the series' roots according to executive producer Damon Conn.
For anyone who's been following gaming for the past two decades, this is genuinely huge. Halo has been synonymous with Xbox since its debut in 2001, helping Microsoft break into the gaming market against established competitors like Nintendo and Sony. The Master Chief became the face of Xbox, and the series sold four generations of consoles while generating billions in revenue.
But the gaming landscape has changed dramatically. Analysts estimate PlayStation 5 has sold about 80 million units compared to Xbox Series X|S's 32 million units, while Nintendo's Switch continues to dominate sales. Microsoft's shift toward multiplatform releases started earlier this year with games like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears of War coming to PlayStation, but Halo represents the crown jewel of this new strategy.
What's particularly interesting is how this aligns with Microsoft's broader business moves. The company spent $69 billion on Activision Blizzard, which makes Call of Duty and Candy Crush, and $7.5 billion on ZeniMax Media, whose portfolio includes The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. With these acquisitions and the pressure to boost profits, Microsoft seems to be prioritizing software sales over console exclusivity.
Fans are reacting with a mix of surprise and enthusiasm. YouTuber Kara, known online as @Eldeeable, told BBC Newsbeat:
"Combat Evolved was one of the first games I ever played on Xbox. I played it with my little brother split-screen and I loved it. 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. I just think it's a win for all gamers."
The announcement comes after reports of Microsoft enforcing new profit goals on its Xbox division, seemingly resulting in a complete rethinking of the gaming brand's direction. As one analyst noted, Microsoft appears to be competing more with entertainment platforms like TikTok than with other console manufacturers.
For PlayStation owners who've never experienced the Halo universe, this opens up one of gaming's most iconic franchises. The remake focuses on the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign with new content, not a compilation of multiple games.
As Jarrard put it during the announcement: "As a community guy, I know the Halo community is super excited to welcome in their friends as well." After 25 years of console wars, it seems the barriers are finally breaking down, and Master Chief is leading the charge across platform lines.
