Halo and Xbox Mark 25-Year Legacy with Anniversary Festivities

With the 25th anniversary of the first Halo game and the Xbox console fast approaching, Xbox has confirmed celebratory plans are underway. This was revealed during a recent interview where the company also discussed its future business outlook, particularly its expansion into licensing and merchandising.

Xbox's Mega Plans for Halo's 25th Anniversary

In an interview with License Global Magazine, John Friend, Xbox's head of consumer products, highlighted the significant milestones reached by Xbox and its IPs. He emphasized the company's increasing focus on licensing and merchandising, mirroring successful cross-media expansions seen with franchises like Fallout and Minecraft. Friend confirmed that Xbox is actively "building plans" for the 25th anniversary of both Halo and the Xbox console, stating the importance of celebrating the rich history and active communities surrounding these franchises. Specific details about these plans, however, remain undisclosed.

The significance of Halo's 25th anniversary in 2026 extends beyond its reported $6 billion revenue since Halo: Combat Evolved's 2001 debut. The game holds a pivotal place in Xbox history as its launch title. Halo's influence spans various media, including novels, comics, and films, culminating recently in the critically acclaimed Paramount+ TV series.

Friend stressed a strategic approach to franchise celebrations, emphasizing the importance of understanding each franchise and community to create fan-centric initiatives. He highlighted the breadth of Xbox's portfolio while underscoring the need for a thoughtful and impactful approach.

Halo 3: ODST's 15th Anniversary

Separately, Halo 3: ODST recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a commemorative 100-second YouTube video reflecting on the game's impact. The video is available on YouTube.

Halo 3: ODST remains playable on PC as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which also includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4.