Halo 2
News, coverage and analysis tracking Halo 2 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Google (GOOGL) Q3 2026 earnings results miss revenue and EPS expectations
Google reported its Q3 2026 earnings, missing both revenue and EPS expectations. The company posted $127.6 billion in revenue against an expected $128.22 billion, and $2.12 EPS versus a $2.94 estimate. The stock saw a significant drop following the announcement.
In this age of pervasive slop maybe we should be grateful for Shrek 2 Remastered
Aspyr Media has announced that Shrek 2 Remastered will be released in November, bringing the 2004 game to modern platforms including PlayStation 5. The remaster appears to be a port of the original PS2 version, featuring local and online co-op. The article humorously notes the release date's proximity to Grand Theft Auto 6.
Apple HomeView is a new home entertainment hub
Apple has introduced Apple HomeView, a new AI-powered home entertainment hub starting at $299. The device features a 7-inch display, voice controls, facial recognition for app access, and a conversational Siri. It is designed to manage smart home devices and facilitate communication, launching on November 13, 2026.
Evening Reading - October 7, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading from Shacknews covers a variety of gaming news and community highlights. It includes a review of Order of the Sinking Star, news on Skydance merging WB Games and Paramount Games Studio, Google's AI game generation platform Playground, and a gameplay reveal for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls. The article also touches on Discord's Halloween ringtone, Fortnite fan art, and mentions classic games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Pokemon Emerald, Halo 2, and Star Wars Battlefront 2.
What insiders say Halo Studios was up to before losing Halo: 'The next Halo game was years away'
Following significant layoffs at 343 Industries, insiders report that the next mainline Halo game was years away and no titles were in full production. While work was underway on remakes and potential spinoffs, Microsoft has passed the series' future development to Activision, which is building a new studio dedicated to Halo.
Halo needed to change, but Activision faces a huge challenge to fix it
Microsoft has transferred control of the Halo franchise from 343 Industries to Activision, a move met with skepticism due to Activision's track record with Call of Duty. While 343 Industries had successes like Halo Infinite's multiplayer and art direction, they struggled with campaign storytelling and consistent releases. The author questions Activision's ability to preserve Halo's unique identity while attempting to revitalize its relevance in the current shooter landscape.
Activision’s Halo Game: Everything We Know So Far
Microsoft is assigning Activision to develop the next mainline Halo game, a move that has resulted in significant layoffs at 343 Industries, now renamed Halo Studios. While the future of the Halo franchise is uncertain, Microsoft aims to revive its popularity, though some industry figures express skepticism about the cost and efficiency of such an endeavor.
Activision’s Halo Title is a “Full-Feature, Mainline Installment” – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Activision is developing a "full-feature, mainline installment" for the Halo franchise, rather than a remake. This new title aims to be the "greatest Halo game ever" and may remain a console exclusive for Xbox.
Breaking Benjamin frontman pauses concert to rant about Fallout 4 modding beef: 'There was a modder in the…
Breaking Benjamin frontman Benjamin Burnley paused a concert to rant about a dispute with another Fallout 4 modder, urging the audience to download his 'True First Person' mod on Nexus Mods. Burnley expressed frustration over negative feedback on his mod and encouraged attendees to boost its download numbers.
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Remains One of the Most Underrated Games Ever
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay is highlighted as an exceptionally underrated game that was a strong contender for Game of the Year upon its release on Xbox. It is noted for transcending the typical quality of licensed video games.
Give Master Chief a break – I want more Halo games like ODST and Reach
The author argues that while Halo's core FPS gameplay is legendary, its narrative potential, particularly seen in titles like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, has been underutilized in recent years. With the rebrand to Halo Studios and the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, there's an opportunity to draw inspiration from these past successes and explore new storytelling avenues within the Halo universe, rather than solely focusing on Master Chief's main saga.
I Played Halo 2 Before the Rest of the World and Almost Reported the Abrupt Ending as a Bug
The author recounts playing Halo 2 before its official release in 2004 and mistaking its abrupt ending for a bug. This experience led them to nearly report the issue to developer Bungie, highlighting the unexpected nature of the game's conclusion at the time.
Halo 2's Midnight Release Turns Into a Hostage Situation in a New Short Film
A new short film titled 'Midnight Drop' reimagines the midnight release of Halo 2 as a chaotic hostage situation for a group of gamers. The film explores a dark twist on the excitement surrounding a major game launch.
Halo: Campaign Evolved’s Troubled Development Led to Multiplayer Project Cancelation – Rumor
A recent rumor suggests that Halo: Campaign Evolved experienced a troubled development, with significant issues arising from the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and mismanagement by Halo Studios leadership. Support studio Abstraction was reportedly removed from the project, leading to work being redone from scratch and contributing to bugs and missed deadlines. This mismanagement also allegedly led to the cancellation of a multiplayer project.
Shack Chat: What is your favorite piece of physical video game media?
Shacknews staff members share their favorite pieces of physical video game media, ranging from classic console re-releases and collector's editions to rare cartridges and fightsticks. The discussion highlights the sentimental value and importance of physical media for game preservation and personal memories, especially in an era of increasing digital-only releases and subscription services.
Halo: Campaign Evolved On PC Has A Hidden Feature You Need A Mod To Access
A new mod for Halo: Campaign Evolved on PC restores the missing split-screen co-op feature, which is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox. The mod, however, is limited to two players and controller input, and may not work for PC Game Pass or Microsoft Store versions. The game's ending also hints at a potential Halo 2 remake.
How to play the Halo games in order: chronologically and by release date
This guide details how to play the Halo games in both chronological and release date order. It lists all major titles and spin-offs, providing their original release years and their place within the Halo timeline, including platforms where they are currently playable.
Halo Studios is Now Working on a New Multiplayer Game, New Campaign-Focused Game – Rumor
A new report suggests that Halo Studios is working on both a new multiplayer game and a remake of Halo 2, utilizing the engine from the recently released Halo: Campaign Evolved. While the multiplayer project is based on classic arena shooter gameplay, the Halo 2 remake is hinted at in the secret ending of Halo: Campaign Evolved. The studio's focus was previously on Halo: Campaign Evolved, with new mainline campaign games still in early concept stages.
The new 'backward compatible' Xbox games on PC run on an OG Xbox emulator inside an Xbox 360 emulator, and…
New original Xbox games available on PC through backward compatibility utilize a complex emulation system. These games run on an Xbox 360 emulator, which in turn runs an original Xbox emulator (XeFu). Independent developers have already leveraged these emulators to run other original Xbox and Xbox 360 titles on PC, showcasing the intricate engineering behind Microsoft's backward compatibility efforts and raising discussions about game preservation.
Confession: I like the Flood in Halo
The author expresses a fondness for the Flood enemy type in the Halo franchise, particularly in Halo: Combat Evolved. Despite common player dislike, the article argues the Flood adds a unique body horror element and compelling lore to the series, praising Halo Studios' handling of their missions.
