In a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, the iconic Halo franchise, long considered the undisputed crown jewel of Microsoft’s Xbox empire, is officially coming to PlayStation. While the legendary sci-fi shooter may have seen its peak, its name remains synonymous with the Xbox brand. Now, in a truly surprising development, it’s set to make its way to a rival console, marking a significant turning point in the gaming world.
The highly anticipated arrival on PlayStation 5 will be through Halo: Campaign Evolved, a complete remake of the original 2001 classic. This refreshed version, expected in 2026, won’t just be for PS5 players; it’s also launching on Xbox and PC. Fans can look forward to exciting new prequel missions, the return of beloved split-screen co-op, an arsenal of new weapons, and extensive visual and audio enhancements.
A video showcasing the announcement trailer for Halo: Campaign Evolved has been widely shared, generating immense buzz and excitement among the gaming community.
This isn’t an isolated incident, however. Halo follows in the footsteps of other major Microsoft franchises that have recently expanded beyond the Xbox ecosystem. Gears of War, another cornerstone of Xbox’s library, already launched its Gears of War: Reloaded title on PlayStation earlier this year. Similarly, Forza Horizon 5 joined the PlayStation lineup, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 is slated for a PS5 release this December.
This multi-platform push stems from a new business directive at Microsoft, which aims to release its proprietary franchises on competitor consoles rather than maintaining strict exclusivity. Reports indicate this strategic shift is largely driven by a mandate for Xbox to boost its profitability in an evolving market.
So far, Microsoft’s titles on PlayStation have proven highly successful, consistently appearing on the PlayStation sales charts. Xbox president Sarah Bond recently highlighted this industry evolution, stating that the concept of exclusive games in 2025 feels “antiquated,” as modern players increasingly expect major releases to be accessible across all platforms.
While Microsoft is embracing a more open approach, it still offers some preferential treatment to Xbox users. For instance, Forza Horizon 6 will debut as a timed exclusive for Xbox consoles in 2026 before eventually making its way to PlayStation.
Ultimately, the news of Halo’s PlayStation debut comes as little surprise to many. Whispers and leaks surrounding this significant cross-platform release have circulated for months, keeping the gaming world abuzz with anticipation.