Halo
News, coverage and analysis tracking Halo across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Hasbro games and Wizards of the Coast's new president is a former Halo studio head
Hasbro has appointed Dan Ayoub as the new president of Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro Digital Games, overseeing titles like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. Ayoub, formerly of 343 Industries and Certain Affinity, expressed his commitment to fans and creators. This appointment comes amidst ongoing unionization efforts by developers concerned about AI adoption.
Assassin's Creed and Halo veteran who served as Mass Effect 5's art director says it's "heartbreaking" to see the team BioWare built split apart: "We were good at this"
Nicolas Bouvier, former art director for the canceled Mass Effect 5 and veteran of Assassin's Creed and Halo, expressed heartbreak over the closure of BioWare and the loss of the team's potential. He described the studio as a tightly knit and talented group whose work on the next Mass Effect installment will never be released.
Xbox Chief Operating Officer Departs After 3 Months
Helen Chiang has departed from her role as Xbox chief operating officer after only three months. Her departure follows a 21-year tenure at Microsoft, during which she was involved with titles like Minecraft and led Mojang. This exit is part of a broader trend of leadership changes and layoffs within Xbox.
This retro Halo Xbox is already Amazon's best-selling holiday ornament in 2026
A retro translucent green OG Xbox console holiday ornament from Hallmark, featuring a Halo stamp, has become Amazon's best-selling item in the hanging ornaments category. The $27.99 ornament plays the original Xbox startup sound and a Halo 2 theme when its power button is pressed.
Elsewhere is a New Activision Studio Working on an Open-World Game With “Emergent Gameplay”
Activision has established a new studio named Elsewhere, reportedly comprised of industry veterans, to develop an open-world game with a strong focus on emergent gameplay. Job listings indicate the project aims to create believable and reactive experiences within a living world. While AAA games focusing on emergent gameplay have become rarer, titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. are cited as examples.
If the idea of an $1,800 Xbox that doesn't even run physical games horrifies you, I'd pick up an Evercade…
The Evercade Nexus offers a compelling alternative to prohibitively expensive next-gen consoles, providing a portable and affordable way to play physical retro games. While lacking some modern features, its commitment to cartridges and a growing ecosystem makes it a strong choice for players valuing ownership and approachable gaming.
Samson dev Liquid Swords has reportedly gone bankrupt
Swedish studio Liquid Swords, developer of the action game Samson, has reportedly filed for bankruptcy, affecting nearly 30 employees. The studio, co-founded by Christofer Sundberg, allegedly failed to pay developers for months, though Sweden's state wage guarantee should cover unpaid salaries. Samson received mixed reviews and suffered from technical issues upon its release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
A Halo extraction shooter and battle royale hybrid game was reportedly scrapped during the development of Campaign…
A planned Halo multiplayer game, described as a hybrid extraction shooter and battle royale, was reportedly scrapped by 343 Industries. The project, codenamed 'Project Ekur' and previously 'Project Tatanka,' would have featured squads of Spartans and Banished Brutes fighting AI-controlled Flood and other players on Zeta Halo. The studio also faced significant layoffs and the cancellation of other projects, including a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved.
The Finals is calling me back, and I'm so ready
The author expresses strong enthusiasm for The Finals, calling it the best first-person shooter on the market due to its gunplay, destruction physics, and core game mode. Upcoming improvements in Season 12, including enhanced destruction physics with gravity destruction and hinging, are highlighted as reasons for the author's return to the game.
The best Xbox gifts in 2026: this year's top tech and must-see accessories
This article provides a gift guide for Xbox owners in 2026, highlighting top tech and accessories for the holiday season. It covers a range of items from special edition controllers and headsets to new handhelds and even 4K displays, catering to different price points and preferences.
Gears of War: E-Day Mod Adds Halo, Star Wars, and Warhammer 40,000 Skins
A new mod for Gears of War: E-Day allows players to customize their characters with skins from other popular franchises, including Halo and Warhammer 40,000. This mod enables a high degree of player personalization.
Asha Sharma announces Xbox Labs project to "explore new technology," which sure sounds like tinkering with old games through AI
Asha Sharma announced the creation of Xbox Labs, a new R&D initiative focused on exploring emerging technologies like AI for game remixing and rejigging. While Microsoft clarified AI usage won't be mandatory, the initiative aims to turn new ideas into player experiences, potentially by decompiling and rebuilding old games or making new ones more moddable. The article expresses skepticism about the initiative's true goals, linking it to recent layoffs and a focus on existing franchises.
Despite Huge Changes For The Series, Halo Fest 2026 Is Going Forward, And News Is Coming Soon
Halo Fest 2026 is proceeding as planned from December 11-13 in Seattle, despite significant layoffs at Halo Studios and the transition of future game development to Activision. Halo Studios director Tashi confirmed that news regarding the event and "relevant game info" for existing titles will be shared this week. The event will celebrate the Halo community and its 25th anniversary, featuring appearances from voice actors Steve Downes and Jen Taylor.
Xbox CEO: We Must Rely On The Past, But We Cannot Rely On The Past
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized the need for Microsoft's gaming division to balance reliance on major franchises with the creation of new intellectual property for long-term survival. While acknowledging the importance of established titles like Halo and Gears of War, Sharma stressed that innovation and new IP are crucial to reaching new audiences and preventing stagnation.
PS5 can now run physical PS2 game discs with vibe-coded emulator
A jailbroken PlayStation 5 can now run physical PlayStation 2 game discs using a ported PC emulator, PCSX2, and AI. While not officially supported by Sony, this development allows for playing a selection of PS2 titles on the current console. This project highlights the growing impact of AI on video game emulation and preservation efforts.
Shack Chat: What gaming series do you want to see get a racing game?
Shacknews staff members discuss which gaming series they would like to see adapted into a racing game. Suggestions range from PlayStation's first-party characters and Hollow Knight to F-ZERO, Destiny's Sparrow Racing League, Shovel Knight, Halo, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda.
Beyond Graphics and Gameplay: What Makes a Video Game Truly Memorable?
A memorable video game transcends impressive graphics and gameplay by fostering emotional connections through compelling characters, meaningful choices, and rewarding challenges. Experiences become lasting when players feel personally involved, whether through character development, impactful decisions, or shared moments with others. The most memorable games offer more than technical prowess; they provide unique, personal experiences that resonate long after playing.
Crowning the best FPS mode of all time through 1v1 combat (ROUND 2)
PC Gamer's FPS column, FOV 90, is conducting a community tournament to determine the greatest FPS mode of all time. Round 1 saw 16 modes compete in 1v1 matchups, with winners like Team Deathmatch, Battle Royale, Conquest, Bomb Defusal, Payload, Infection, Capture the Flag, and Attack & Defend advancing. Round 2 voting is now open, pitting these winners against each other.
As it lays off developers and closes studios, Xbox gets into the movie business
Xbox has launched a new division called Xbox XP, focusing on film, television, merchandise, partnerships, and live experiences, headed by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters. This move comes as Xbox is undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, drawing criticism for prioritizing expensive new ventures over game development staff.
