Xbox, Halo Celebrate Milestone with Future Festivities Announced

With the 25th anniversary of both the first Halo game and the Xbox console fast approaching, Xbox has confirmed upcoming celebrations. A recent interview also shed light on their future business strategies.

Xbox Announces Grand Plans for Halo's 25th Anniversary

Xbox Expands Licensing and Merchandise Ventures

Xbox has revealed ambitious plans to commemorate the milestone anniversary of Halo, the acclaimed sci-fi shooter franchise now developed by 343 Industries. In an interview with License Global Magazine, John Friend, Xbox's head of consumer products, discussed the company's achievements and its increased focus on licensing and merchandising. This strategy mirrors the successful cross-media expansions seen with franchises like Fallout and Minecraft, which have expanded into television and film.

Friend confirmed that Xbox is actively developing plans for the 25th anniversary of both Halo and the Xbox console, alongside other franchise milestones. He highlighted the company's strong portfolio, stating, "We have these massive, fantastic franchises ranging from ‘World of Warcraft’ – celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – to ‘Halo,’ ‘Call of Duty,’ to ‘StarCraft’ and much more... We’re building plans for the 25th anniversary of ‘Halo’ and Xbox—we have such a rich heritage and history, and these communities have been active for so long, you have to celebrate that." Specific details, however, remain undisclosed.

Halo's 25th anniversary falls in 2026. The franchise has generated over $6 billion since Halo: Combat Evolved launched in 2001. Beyond its financial success, the game holds significant historical importance as the Xbox console's launch title (November 15, 2001). Halo has expanded into novels, comics, and films, most recently achieving critical acclaim with Paramount+'s Halo TV series.

Friend emphasized a strategic approach to these celebrations, stating, "I often use the phrase ‘no matching luggage,’ meaning we need to tailor plans to each franchise and community, ensuring they enhance the fan experience and build further engagement."

Halo 3: ODST Marks 15 Years

Halo 3: ODST is playable on PC via Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which also includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4.