Xbox and Halo Gear Up for 25th Anniversary Celebrations!
With the 25th anniversary of both the original Halo game and the Xbox console fast approaching, Xbox has confirmed major celebratory plans are underway. This news, along with insights into Xbox's future business strategy, emerged from a recent interview.
Xbox Unveils Ambitious Licensing and Merchandising Plans for Halo's 25th Anniversary
Xbox has big plans to commemorate the milestone anniversary of Halo, the iconic sci-fi shooter franchise 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 increasing focus on licensing and merchandising. This strategy mirrors the successful cross-media expansion seen with franchises like Fallout and Minecraft, which have been adapted into TV shows and movies.
Friend confirmed that Xbox is actively developing plans for both Halo and the Xbox console's 25th anniversary, alongside other franchise milestones. He highlighted the company's impressive portfolio, including "World of Warcraft," "Call of Duty," and "StarCraft," stating that "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, however, remain undisclosed.
Halo's 25th anniversary falls in 2026. The franchise has generated over $6 billion since the release of Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001. Beyond its financial success, Halo: Combat Evolved holds a special place in Xbox history as the console's launch title. The franchise has expanded into novels, comics, and most recently, the critically acclaimed Paramount+ TV series.
Friend emphasized the importance of a tailored approach to each franchise, stating, "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."
Halo 3: ODST Marks 15th Anniversary
To further celebrate Halo's legacy, Halo 3: ODST recently marked its 15th anniversary with a special 100-second YouTube video reflecting on the game's impact. Available on PC as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Halo 3: ODST joins other titles like Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4.
