Microsoft is reportedly developing a remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved, as hinted by Phil Spencer, the CEO of the company’s gaming division, during the recent Xbox Games Showcase. While he did not directly name the game, Spencer referred to it as the “return of a classic.” This project is expected to coincide with Xbox’s 25th anniversary celebrations next year. In previous announcements, Microsoft had indicated that multiple Halo titles were being built using Unreal Engine 5.
Potential Halo Release in 2026
During the Xbox Games Showcase, a range of first-party titles were showcased, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Grounded 2, and Keeper. Towards the conclusion of the event, Spencer spoke about the company’s vision for 2026, marking a significant milestone for Xbox.
“Next year signifies 25 years of Xbox. It’s a major milestone for the platform and for the franchises that our community has helped popularize. We couldn’t have achieved this without everyone who has joined us on this journey,” Spencer stated during the showcase.
“Looking towards the future, as we aim to introduce a new generation of gamers to these iconic franchises, I am thrilled to announce that players will have the chance to celebrate 25 years of Xbox with a new Fable, the next installment of Forza, Gears of War: E-Day, and the return of a classic that has been integral since our inception.”
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, addresses attendees at the Xbox Games Showcase
Photo Credit: Microsoft
While Spencer did not specify the game, his comments strongly alluded to Halo. The original Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001 for the original Xbox, revolutionizing the first-person shooter genre and becoming a flagship title that significantly contributed to the success of the Xbox platform.
It is likely that Halo Studios, previously known as 343 Industries, is behind this remaster. Tom Warren from Technology News suggested this in a post on X following the showcase.
It is worth noting that Halo: Combat Evolved was already remastered in 2011 as Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, which celebrated the game’s tenth anniversary. This remastered version was subsequently included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
Last year, 343 Industries announced a rebranding to Halo Studios and revealed that several Halo projects were in progress. The studio showcased Unreal Engine 5 footage set in the Halo universe, positioning it as the basis for future game releases. The most recent title from the studio, Halo Infinite, was launched on PC and Xbox consoles in 2021.
The upcoming remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved may also be released on competing consoles such as the PS5 and the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Last year, Microsoft began making a shift by releasing some of its exclusive games on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch platforms, with numerous first-party titles set for PS5 in the coming years. Spencer has indicated that no Xbox franchises are entirely off the table for release on other platforms.
“I don’t draw strict lines in our portfolio that say, ‘this must not happen,’” he mentioned in a Bloomberg interview last year, although he noted that it was premature to make definitive decisions regarding the next version of Halo.
