Microsoft announces new Halo remake and its launch on PlayStation for the first time

Microsoft has announced a new remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, set for release in 2026. The game will launch on Xbox Series X/S, PC, Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming and PlayStation 5, marking the first time a mainline Halo title will be available on PlayStation. This move solidifies the company’s commitment to its full multiplatform strategy, which began a few years ago with the announcement of four initial titles and now includes some of Xbox’s biggest former exclusives, such as Forza Horizon, Gears of War, and finally, Halo.

For this anniversary edition, the campaign will use a new graphics engine and has been rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, featuring updated animations, remastered music, and newly recorded voice work. Cinematic sequences have been reimagined rather than simply enhanced, offering new direction and structure. In addition, players will find new weapons, vehicles, and three original prequel missions that expand the story. Following this technical and creative overhaul, Halo: Campaign Evolved includes a four-player online co-op mode for the campaign but will not feature a separate multiplayer component, hence the focus on the campaign.

Although the decision has sparked discussion among fans, as Halo has long been seen as Microsoft’s most iconic franchise since the brand’s inception, the company has reinforced its cross-platform strategic shift with Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, saying this multiplatform approach reflects Microsoft’s effort to reach new audiences competing with entertainment like TikTok and movies rather than other gaming platforms (a weird take but ok), and the recent launch of the first Xbox-branded handheld in collaboration with Asus (essentially a handheld PC running a slightly modified version of Windows 11), which also includes third-party stores like Steam.