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Halo’s Console Exclusivity Officially Ends as Franchise Goes Multi-Platform
In a move that marks the end of an era for gaming, Microsoft has confirmed that Halo will no longer be an Xbox-exclusive franchise. Future entries in the series will now launch simultaneously on PlayStation, beginning with Halo: Campaign Evolved, the upcoming Unreal Engine 5 remake of the 2001 classic.
This historic decision brings to a close more than two decades of console exclusivity: a defining pillar of Xbox’s identity since the original launched in 2001.
Campaign Evolved Ushers in a New Era
First revealed last weekend, the remake is of the original Combat Evolved campaign, rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. It promises stunning 4K visuals, re-recorded voice lines, remastered music, and three all-new prequel missions designed to expand the game’s lore.
The project will see a new Halo game launch in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and — for the first time ever — PlayStation 5. This marks a long-awaited debut on Sony’s platform, a symbolic shift that reflects Microsoft’s growing commitment to a multi-platform future.
Future Games Will Launch on PlayStation
In a follow-up statement, Brian Jarrard, Community Director at Halo Studios, confirmed that this is just the beginning. Every future title will also be released on PlayStation consoles, ending the franchise’s 24-year exclusivity to Xbox and PC.
“This is a new chapter for Halo,” Jarrard explained. “Our goal is to bring the universe to as many players as possible, on the platforms they love. Halo has always been about connection — now, that connection is truly universal.”
The decision is part of a broader realignment across Microsoft’s gaming division, where accessibility and audience reach are becoming higher priorities than exclusivity.
Microsoft’s Strategic Shift Away from Exclusivity
This bold move mirrors Microsoft’s growing pattern of releasing former Xbox exclusives — such as Sea of Thieves and Hi-Fi Rush — on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms. This strategy coincides with internal pressure to increase Xbox’s profitability, which revealed that leadership now expects a 30% profit margin from the division.
By expanding the shooter’s reach beyond Xbox hardware, Microsoft is doubling down on its ecosystem approach, prioritising Game Pass subscriptions, cross-play, and software-driven revenue streams over hardware sales.
