Summary
- Microsoft is planning a celebration for Halo's 25th anniversary in 2026.
- The original Xbox console will also be turning 25 in 2026, and fans are wondering how the company will honor both the system and one of its most beloved franchises.
- Rumors indicate that Halo 7 is currently in the works.
Microsoft reportedly has big plans for its Halo franchise, teasing that celebrations are in store for its genre-defining series. The company is reportedly "building" plans to celebrate Halo's 25th anniversary, a monumental achievement for one of the world's most celebrated FPS series. Microsoft also has big things in store for other franchises, like Call of Duty and StarCraft, though the company seems especially excited about the future of Halo.
Few titles have helped shape the modern FPS genre quite like Halo. What started as Microsoft's "system seller" in 2001 with the original Halo: Combat Evolved quickly grew into a world-renowned franchise, confirming that both Microsoft and its new Xbox gaming console could stand on their own in a competitive market. Combat Evolved also helped put developer Bungie on the map, a team that would lead the Halo brand in new and exciting directions over the following decade. Halo Infinite, the most recent release in the franchise, is nearing its third anniversary. Infinite launched alongside Microsoft's newest console, the Xbox Series X, in 2021, ushering in yet another new age for the company and the Halo brand. As Halo inches closer to its 25th anniversary, Microsoft has shared what players can expect for the franchise's future.
Halo, as well as the original Xbox console, will both turn 25 years old in 2026, and Microsoft seems to have plenty in store for this milestone. Head of Xbox gaming consumer products, John Friend, recently talked with License Global about Xbox and Halo's upcoming 25th anniversary, explaining plans are being built to help celebrate this accomplishment. "We have these massive, fantastic franchises ranging from World of Warcraft celebrating its 20th anniversary this year to Halo, Call of Duty, StarCraft, and much more," said Friend. "We’re building plans for the 25th anniversary of Halo and Xbox—we have such a rich heritage and history, and these communities have been active for so long, you have to celebrate that."
Microsoft Teases Big Things for Halo's 25th Anniversary
Microsoft celebrated Xbox's 20th anniversary in style, surprise-dropping Halo Infinite's multiplayer mode and sharing looks at its upcoming Series X console. Halo Infinite ushered in an exciting albeit different chapter for the franchise, planting players and Master Chief himself in a new open-world setting, something not seen before in the decades-spanning list of games.
Halo Infinite marked a lot of firsts for the franchise, originally operating on a seasonal update cycle similar to other live service games like Fortnite and Apex Legends. Halo Infinite's multiplayer is completely free to play, another first for the series. Infinite capped off 343 Industries' new Halo trilogy, with the studio taking over from Bungie beginning with Halo 4 in 2012. Since then, 343 has led the Halo brand into new and exciting territory, with reports indicating that work on a rumored Halo 7 has begun.
Halo Infinite
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- December 8, 2021
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Slipspace
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.
With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.
Experience Halo’s celebrated multiplayer reimagined and free-to-play! With over 70 maps in matchmaking, billions of customization configurations, and countless community Forge creations to experience, Halo Infinite is the franchise’s most expansive multiplayer offering to date.
Enjoy an unprecedented variety of gameplay experiences, ranging from fast-paced intense ranked modes to whimsical mayhem in Custom Games, or even co-operative coordination in the wave-based survival mode Firefight: King of the Hill. Assemble your Fireteam and conquer every mode – Halo offers endless opportunities for teamwork, strategy, and unforgettable victories.
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Halo
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- How Long To Beat
- 12 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 90 GB (November 2023)
