Microsoft confirms Halo series to launch on PlayStation 5 for the first time in franchise history

Halo: Combat Evolved remake, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved, will launch on PS5, Xbox, PC and mobile next year

Microsoft has announced that the Halo franchise will arrive on PlayStation for the first time, marking a major shift in its long-standing console strategy.

The remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, retitled Halo: Campaign Evolved, will launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The title will also be available on mobile devices and tablets through Microsoft’s cloud streaming platform.

Halo, led by the iconic armoured protagonist Master Chief, first launched in 2001 and became a defining series for Microsoft’s Xbox brand. The move to release it on rival platforms signals a further step away from traditional console exclusivity.

Microsoft has increasingly focused on broadening access to its games rather than limiting them to its own hardware. The company’s Game Pass subscription model allows users to play across multiple devices, including PCs, tablets, and the ROG Xbox Ally handheld.

The decision comes amid strong competition in the gaming market. Reports suggest Sony’s PlayStation 5 has outsold Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and S by more than two to one worldwide, while Nintendo’s Switch continues to dominate in sales.

Fans have responded 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.” She described the announcement as “massive” and said it “broke the internet a little bit.”

Halo’s executive producer Damon Conn said the new edition will stay true to the series’ roots. “At its heart, Halo is about connection. We're thrilled to meet a new generation of players on their platforms of choice,” he said.