Xbox and Halo Approach 25th Anniversary with Future Celebratory Plans Confirmed

With the 25th anniversary of the first Halo game and the Xbox console fast approaching, Xbox has confirmed exciting celebratory plans are underway. This announcement came during a recent interview where the company also discussed its expanding business strategy.

Xbox Confirms Major Plans for Halo's 25th Anniversary

Expanding into Licensing and Merchandising

Xbox is preparing significant celebrations for Halo, the iconic military sci-fi shooter franchise developed by 343 Industries. In an interview with License Global Magazine, John Friend, Xbox's head of consumer products, highlighted the company's milestones and its increasing focus on licensing and merchandising. This strategy mirrors the successful cross-media expansion seen with franchises like Fallout and Minecraft, which have branched into television and film.

Friend revealed that Xbox is actively "building plans" for both Halo's and the Xbox console's 25th anniversaries, along with other franchise milestones. He emphasized the rich history and active communities surrounding these franchises, 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 about these plans remain undisclosed.

Halo's 25th anniversary falls in 2026. The franchise has generated over $6 billion since Halo: Combat Evolved launched in 2001, becoming a landmark title for the Xbox console on November 15th of that year. Its success extends beyond gaming, encompassing novels, comics, and most recently, the critically acclaimed Halo TV series on Paramount+.

Friend emphasized a strategic approach to these celebrations, stating, "I often use the phrase ‘no matching luggage,’ meaning it’s important to assess a franchise and a community based on who they are and what that franchise is and make sure that you’re designing a program that’s additive to fans and building fandom, both for that group and for that franchise."

Halo 3: ODST's 15th Anniversary

In related news, Halo 3: ODST recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a commemorative 100-second YouTube video reflecting on the game's impact. The video's description reads: "Happy Birthday, Halo 3: ODST! Fifteen years ago, fans dropped feet first into hell as the Rookie, on a mission to find Alpha-Nine."

Halo 3: ODST is 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.