After more than two decades as an Xbox-exclusive franchise, Halo has officially landed on PlayStation. Halo: Campaign Evolved launched into early access on July 23, making the seminal sci-fi shooter series available on Sony's consoles for the first time since its debut in 2001.
The decision to bring Halo to PlayStation marks a notable departure from its long-standing console exclusivity on Xbox. Developers cited a desire to reunite the community and reach new audiences as the primary motivations. "There are people who have never been exposed to Halo. Maybe they’ve always been on Sony products, switched consoles at a certain point, or just missed it at the time. We want to bring players back together," stated executive producer Damon Conn. Creative director Max Szlagor added that, "Halo is best played when we have a large, healthy community," and that releasing Campaign Evolved on PS5 is a "way to grow, expand, and reconnect the Halo community."
Financial considerations also play a role in this strategic shift. Microsoft's recent multiplatform releases have generated significant revenue, reportedly hundreds of millions of dollars, making the expansion of Halo to a rival console a financially logical step. While this move deviates from a previously stated direction, with new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma reportedly looking to refocus on exclusives, the commitment to a multiplatform future for some key franchises appears to remain.
Looking ahead, Halo veteran Brian Jarrard suggested in 2025 that further Halo titles could appear on PlayStation. While the current focus is on Campaign Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo 3 remakes are reportedly in development, alongside a new live-service Halo game. The extent to which Sharma's team may alter this strategy remains to be seen.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of the original Halo, featuring enhanced graphics and new features, including prequel missions. However, the current release does not include multiplayer. The game is available in early access for $70 via its premium edition, with the standard $50 edition unlocking on July 28. Game Pass subscribers can access the game as part of their subscription and opt for a $20 upgrade to the premium edition for immediate early access.