In a groundbreaking announcement that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, Microsoft has confirmed that the upcoming remake, Halo: Campaign Evolved, will not only launch on PlayStation 5 but that future Halo titles will also be available on Sony’s console. This strategic pivot, explained by an Xbox executive, stems from a dramatically altered media landscape where digital entertainment, spearheaded by platforms like TikTok, presents a more significant challenge to Xbox than traditional console rivals.
Matt Booty, President of Xbox Game Content and Studios, shared insights into the company’s evolving priorities in a recent interview. He articulated that Xbox aims to ‘meet people where they are,’ emphasizing that their primary competition is no longer another console. Instead, the fight for consumer attention increasingly involves a broader spectrum of entertainment, ranging from short-form video apps to blockbuster films.
The article also features an 11-minute gameplay video showcasing Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Booty elaborated that Microsoft’s ambition is to draw more players into the Xbox ecosystem by making its flagship franchises accessible to a wider audience. He highlighted a growing trend where consumers are less loyal to specific gaming devices and more interested in the content itself.
This isn’t an isolated perspective within the entertainment world. Back in 2019, Netflix famously stated to investors that it considered its main competitor to be Fortnite, not HBO, in the race for screen time. Netflix then noted its thousands of competitors in entertainment options, and Xbox appears to be adopting a similar expansive view of its competitive landscape. This philosophy may also explain the company’s experimentation with a free, ad-supported version of Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation has historically dominated gaming industry discussions, often seeing Microsoft playing catch-up. However, with Microsoft’s intensified focus on its Game Pass subscription service and a series of high-profile studio acquisitions, many theorized a shift away from direct console hardware competition. Despite this, Microsoft has confirmed that a next-generation Xbox console is actively in development, indicating a multi-pronged approach to its future in gaming.
The article concludes with a gallery showcasing some of the best Xbox Game Pass games of 2025.