In a landmark announcement during October 2025, Microsoft confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved — a full remake of the original 2001 game Halo: Combat Evolved — will launch on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox and PC platforms. This is the first time the Halo franchise will be officially available on a PlayStation console. (The Washington Post)
Halo Studios community director Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard stated in a livestreamed panel: “Halo is on PlayStation going forward,” signalling that this is not merely a one-off port, but the start of a new multi-platform era for the series. (Kotaku)
Key details of the remake include:
Rebuilt using Unreal Engine 5 with updated visuals and cinematics. (The Economic Times)
Three new prequel missions added to the original campaign. (Push Square)
Co-operative play: 2-player local split screen and 4-player online co-op (with crossplay and shared progression). (GameSpot)
Release window: 2026 — platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC. (Push Square)
Why this matters
Halo has long been a signature exclusive for Xbox, helping define Microsoft’s console brand since 2001. The decision to bring it to PlayStation reflects a significant strategic shift in Microsoft’s game publishing philosophy, one that values wider accessibility and revenue over hardware-exclusive lock-in. (The Economic Times)
From a competitive standpoint, the announcement dissolves one of the most iconic platform barriers in gaming. The console “exclusivity” model is now increasingly viewed as outdated in an era of cloud gaming, subscriptions and platform-agnostic ecosystems. (GamesRadar+)
Reactions & implications
Xbox-focused fans: Some Express concern about the dilution of Xbox’s unique value proposition given Halo’s availability on a rival console. (The Economic Times)
PlayStation audience: For PS5 owners, this is seen as a major win — a beloved franchise long tied to Xbox is finally accessible.
Industry observers: View the move as part of a broader trend toward “platform-agnostic gaming,” where the console wars shift into software, services and ecosystem rather than exclusive titles.
What to watch going forward
Whether future Halo titles (including multiplayer-focused entries) will release simultaneously on multiple platforms or follow timed-exclusive models.
How this affects Microsoft’s relationships with its own hardware ecosystem and Game Pass business model.
The pace and quality of the remake — whether it lives up to fan expectations and whether PS5 version is on par in terms of performance and features.
The broader impact on console competition: Will other once-exclusive franchises follow suit?
