Cover Story
The Next Evolution
As the newly renamed Halo Studios charts the future of Halo, it’s returning to where it all began with Halo: Campaign Evolved
In the wake of Bungie’s 2007 move to once again become an independent studio, Microsoft and Xbox found themselves at a pivotal moment in the history of their biggest franchise, Halo. The studio that started it all was no longer under its umbrella, but Xbox retained ownership of the brand. Though the company considered licensing the IP to third-party developers, Microsoft leadership ultimately decided to found a new studio to shepherd the beloved series.
343 Industries opened its doors that same year and began staffing up as Bungie ended its run with Halo: Reach in 2010. The fledgling studio helped with Reach DLC, allowing 343 to get its proverbial feet under it, but its first project as lead studio was how the team truly established itself. That game, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, celebrated the franchise’s 10th anniversary via an enhanced remaster, setting the table for the next era of the series.
Now, that same studio is back to once again celebrate a franchise anniversary – this time, the 25th – with another modernized version of Halo: Combat Evolved. And much like the Anniversary remaster in 2011, this new edition of the first Halo game is hoping to pay homage to the past while giving glimpses into what’s next for the series. With a new studio name, new game engine, new content, and an unexpected new platform in tow, the studio that has already reinvented the Halo franchise multiple times is once again returning to where it all began. We flew to Redmond, Washington, to spend a full day at the rechristened Halo Studios to speak at length with the team behind the impressive remake and play all of the new bonus missions included in Halo: Campaign Evolved.