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Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Welcome to the MCC Mod Minute, a focused look at a creative mod for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, with details on how to try it out yourself through the Steam Workshop.



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Earlier this week, we were saddened to learn of the tragic passing of New York Times bestselling author and Halo: The Flood writer William C. Dietz.



Though Mr. Dietz only penned one tome in the expansive annals of the Halo universe, his creative contributions remain beloved by Halo fans across the world, who celebrate the boots-on-the-ground realism of his prose and the enduring resolve of his characters.



As a humble tribute to the late, great Mr. Dietz, our latest MCC Mod Minute invites Halo fans to play Zuka ‘Zamamee Campaign, a Halo: Combat Evolved mod by Drksteel that brings the frustrated ambitions of Zuka ‘Zamamee and Yayap to life.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Covenant Crusaders</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Zuka Zamamee Showcase Trailer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I0MYRAvWmrk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Beyond the hardnosed Marines dug in on plateaus and the private horror of poor PFC Jenkins, readers of Halo: The Flood will undoubtedly remember that most persistent, most unlikely, and most unlucky duo of Zuka ‘Zamamee and his unwilling Unggoy servant, Yayap.



In Zuka ‘Zamamee Campaign, you play as the titular Covenant Special Operations Officer through a series of near misses, from his daring raid on a human cruiser to his fateful end at the hands of the Master Chief.





Featuring new Covenant allies, custom cinematics, Easter eggs, and additional weapons and vehicles courtesy of Digsite, this five-mission campaign follows Zuka and his hapless Grunt sidekick as the pair pursues the ever-elusive Master Chief across Alpha Halo.



Battle UNSC Marines, capture Captain Keyes, and take more than a few lumps as you try again and again to subdue the indomitable Demon—before living out the ultimate showdown in the crashed Pillar of Autumn as described in Halo: The Flood.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAY NOW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004.png" alt="A cinematic still from Zuka 'Zamamee Campaign. Zuka stands in the entryway of a Forerunner installation facing a dense jungle." class="wp-image-164045" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/ZukaCampaign_004-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<a href="https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3390630482">Subscribe on Steam Workshop.</a>



Created by: Drksteel



Requires: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary



Setup: Once you have installed Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary through Steam, boot up the game with the “MCC Anti-Cheat Disabled (Mods and Limited Services)” launch option selected.* Creator Drksteel advises that you’ll need to install the Multiplayer component of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary for the mod to launch properly.



Play Zuka ‘Zamamee Campaign from the list of “Halo: CE Anniversary” options in the “Campaigns” menu, and stay tuned for more MCC Mod Minutes!



*If you don’t see this option at launch, you may need to change your “Selected Launch Option” setting. To update this setting, right-click on the entry for Halo: The Master Chief Collection in your Steam Library and navigate to the “Properties” menu, where you will find “Launch Options” settings on the menu’s “General” tab.



We recommend adjusting your “Selected Launch Option” setting to “Ask when starting game.” This will allow you to alternate between the retail build of Halo: The Master Chief Collection (for matchmaking) and the community-mod sandbox every time you play!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MONITOR’S DISCLAIMER</h2>



“That last step is reserved for you, Reclaimer.” 



Though mods hosted on the Steam Workshop are subjected to automated screening for malware and other malicious embeds, there is always a chance that modified software could pose a risk to your machine or information stored on it. Only download mods from reputable sites, and practice due diligence by consulting user reports and community reviews before installing unknown mods on your devices.



If you wish to create your own mods for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, please consult the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-the-master-chief-collection/eula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">End User License Agreement</a> for further guidance.



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Halo: The Flood and the timeless prose of William C. Dietz will appear in the collected works of <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-the-master-chief-omnibus-cover-reveal">Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus</a> later this year.

Mutinous Core

Mod Minute: Zuka ‘Zamamee Campaign

x_S3LL1HCA_x

Halo25Together

Halo Studios

Your Halo Story: Chapter 3

Anniversary Angle: Alien Icons

MCC’s Exchange is getting an upgrade!



The implementation of the Exchange in MCC gave players a new way to unlock gear. Play the game, earn Spartan Points, redeem said points for sweet unlocks. Effective today, almost all of the available Exchange content will be available to grab in perpetuity. That means that if there’s something in the Exchange that you’ve wanted, there’s a good chance it’s there now waiting for you.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2.png" alt="An image of the upgraded Exchange featuring previously unobtainable content." class="wp-image-163636" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Exchange_2026v2-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Additionally, we know there’s some content in the game that only made one appearance (if that) and there have been asks to see it return. A chief example of this is the Avalanche Sniper Rifle: a reward for reaching a rank of 20 in Halo 3 Recon Slayer during Season 4: Reclaimer. Seen once, obtained by a few, and then vaulted – never to be seen again.



Some other items include, but are not limited to:



<ul>
<li>Halo 4 BR BLS skin</li>



<li>Halo 4 DMR BLD skin</li>



<li>Seasonal/rotational nameplates</li>
</ul>



That content will now be available to anyone who simply logs into Halo: The Master Chief Collection at any point. 



There are a few bundles that will remain rotational but they will do so on a regular quarterly schedule. Here are those “bundles” and their expected rotational dates:



Quarter 1 (Jan1-Mar31)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01.png" alt="The Orion armor set in Halo M C C." class="wp-image-163580" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_OrionSet-R01-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<ul>
<li>The ORION set<ul><li>Helmet</li></ul><ul><li>Chest</li></ul><ul><li>Shoulders (Left/Right)</li></ul><ul><li>Arms</li></ul>
<ul>
<li>Legs</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Quarter 2 (Apr1-Jun30)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3840" height="2160" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8.png" alt="Two new back accessories (Grunt and a Xbox backpack) and a Magnum weapon skin in Halo M C C." class="wp-image-163594" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8.png 3840w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week8-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 3840px) 100vw, 3840px" /></figure>



<ul>
<li>Grunt Plush Back Accessory</li>



<li>OGX Magnum Skin</li>



<li>X-Pack Back Accessory</li>
</ul>



Quarter 3 (Jul1-Sep30)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01.png" alt="The Mirage armor set in Halo M C C" class="wp-image-163608" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01.png 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/MCC_Feb25_Exchange_MirageSet-R01-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<ul>
<li>The Mirage/SPI set<ul><li>Helmet</li></ul><ul><li>Chest</li></ul><ul><li>Shoulders (Left/Right)</li></ul>
<ul>
<li>Arms</li>



<li>Legs</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>



Quarter 4 (Oct1-Dec31)



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3840" height="2160" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9.png" alt="A Shotgun and Rocket launcher skin as well as a back accessory in Halo M C C." class="wp-image-163622" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9.png 3840w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Week9-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 3840px) 100vw, 3840px" /></figure>



<ul>
<li>OGX Shotgun Skin</li>



<li>OGX Rocket Launcher Skin</li>



<li>Taygetus Dory Back Accessory</li>
</ul>



The Exchange inventory has never been more available. Grab what you want, when you want it, and keep an eye on the quarterly rotations for the few remaining limited drops. We’ll see you on the (stylish) battlefield!

snickerdoodle

2026 MCC Exchange Update and Log-In Unlocks

Book Preview

Fiction

Halo: Campaign Evolved

This year, Halo celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary. As we look back to where this great journey began, with Halo: Campaign Evolved releasing later this year, so too are we excited to delve back into the foundational fiction of the franchise with Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus.



Contained within this titanic tome are the first three novels that released from 2001-2003:



<ul>
<li>The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund</li>



<li>The Flood by William C. Dietz</li>



<li>First Strike by Eric Nylund</li>
</ul>



Today, we are thrilled to reveal the cover art and Halo ring-themed sprayed edge treatment of this special omnibus collection, illustrated by the legendary Isaac Hannaford to thematically represent all three stories.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Master-Chief-Omnibus/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668241356"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1620" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr.jpg" alt="Image of the hardcover edition of Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus depicting the Master Chief, Cortana, Captain Keyes, Dr. Halsey, Reach, Alpha Halo, Flood infection forms, and the Halo ring-themed sprayed edges of the book." class="wp-image-163549" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr.jpg 1080w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr-200x300.jpg 200w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_HC_Cvr-1024x1536.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a></figure>



For series newcomers looking to explore the story that sets Halo: Campaign Evolved (and this science fiction universe!) into motion, and for long-time fans who want to revisit these foundational texts with updated corrections and edits, new adjunct stories, and a very pretty visual treatment for your shelves, this is the perfect way to return to where it all began as we celebrate a quarter century of Halo history.



Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus will be available on November 10.



<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Master-Chief-Omnibus/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668241356">PRE-ORDER HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF OMNIBUS</a>



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THE FALL OF REACH The 26th century. Humanity has expanded beyond Earth to hundreds of interstellar colonies, but the Unified Earth Government is struggling to control this vast empire. Dr. Catherine Halsey offers a solution and it starts with seventy-five children—trained to become super-soldiers to deliver humanity from seething colonial insurrections that threaten to erupt into full-blown interplanetary civil war. But an even greater peril lurks among the stars: the Covenant. A theocratic alliance of alien species hellbent on cleansing humanity from the galaxy.



This is the electrifying origin story of Spartan John-117—the Master Chief—and his legendary heroism in leading the fight against humanity’s annihilation.



THE FLOOD Having barely escaped the final battle for Reach aboard the UNSC Pillar of Autumn, the crew of this lone ship—including the Master Chief and his AI companion Cortana—arrive at a place of untold mystery and peril: Halo. A massive artificial ringworld built one hundred thousand years ago by a long-lost civilization known as the Forerunners.



Forced to flee to the ring’s surface by a Covenant fleet that followed them from Reach, the Autumn’s crew find themselves in a desperate battle for survival while the Master Chief and Cortana uncover the Halo construct’s terrible purpose—even as a far more terrifying enemy than the Covenant is released and all sentient life in the galaxy is threatened.



This is the official novelization of Halo: Combat Evolved, the game that launched the Xbox console and began Halo‘s generational legacy.



FIRST STRIKE The Master Chief and Cortana regroup with a handful of survivors from the harrowing battle on Halo, including Sergeant Major Avery Johnson. Together, they take the fight to a gathering of Covenant warships as the United Nations Space Command’s worst nightmare has finally come true: Earth’s location is compromised, and the Covenant is massing a fleet to utterly destroy it.



Meanwhile, trapped on the glassed surface of Reach, the remaining Spartans—led by Fred-104 and Kelly-087—continue the fight for their home. Beneath this ruined world, Dr. Catherine Halsey has discovered an ancient secret…one that could alter the course of the war.



This tale bridges the events that take place in the game Halo: Combat Evolved (as novelized in The Flood) and its blockbuster follow-up, Halo 2.



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Whether you’re exploring Halo‘s fiction for the first time or returning to relive the story as it began in 2001—from the origins of the SPARTAN-II program and the Covenant invasion of Reach through the Master Chief’s journey to discover the truth about Halo and the immediate aftermath of those events—this is a great entry point to the universe.



Mark those calendars and secure your copy today!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Master-Chief-Omnibus/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668241356"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1640" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr.jpg" alt="Cover art of Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus depicting the Master Chief, Cortana, Captain Keyes, Dr. Halsey, Reach, Alpha Halo, and Flood infection forms." class="wp-image-163535" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr.jpg 1080w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr-198x300.jpg 198w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr-674x1024.jpg 674w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr-768x1166.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Halo_Master_Chief_Omnibus_Ebook_Cvr-1012x1536.jpg 1012w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a></figure>

Alex Wakeford

Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus | Cover Reveal

Halo Fest

Welcome back to another edition of the Halo Fest Update Series – today we’ve got some big announcements that we’re excited to share with you.



Before we do that, if you’re new to the series and want to catch up, you can hit the links below: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-january">January Blog</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-december">December Blog</a></li>
</ul>



Alright, as usual, let’s start with a ticketing update.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Artists and Games Done Quick | Halo Fest 2026 Update" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oksQJyBV9UI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING UPDATE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157224" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Halo Fest tickets continue to sell at a fast pace, and today I can confirm that the Halo Fest convention is now over 75% sold out. Folks – I think pretty soon in one of these updates I’m going to be talking about how it’s sold out and when that happens you’ll want to be one of the people who says, “Good thing I bought my ticket early!” instead of one of the people who says, “I wish I didn’t wait so long!”.



So, if you’re on the fence about going, time is running out! For those who have secured your spot already, enjoy the ride!





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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">GAMES DONE QUICK</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1024x576.jpg" alt="Fans celebrating at Games Done Quick" class="wp-image-163470" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Speedrunning is a critical part of the Halo franchise. For decades, Halo speedrunners have dazzled us and broken our brains competing against each other to complete Halo campaigns with the fastest times. Sword canceling vast distances, breaking through the geometry and skipping huge swaths of levels (there are designers shaking their fists somewhere) all in the name of great fun, entertainment, and some healthy competition.



Well today we’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with the amazing team at Games Done Quick to host an official Halo Games Done Quick live at Halo Fest later this year. It was important to us that we provided an authentic and community-centered experience, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to collaborate with than the fine folks (and Halo fans!) at Games Done Quick.



Whether you’re onsite or at home, you’ll be able to watch two full days of speedruns and challenge runs across various games from the Halo franchise featuring the world’s best Halo speedrunners. And of course, the GDQ team will be taking donations on behalf of a great charity we will share later.



For details, keep it locked to <a href="https://x.com/GamesDoneQuick">Games Done Quick</a>‘s social media for game selections, runners, and schedule. We can’t wait to watch the community completely break and dismantle these games for all of our entertainment pleasure!



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ARTIST COMMISSION</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1024x576.jpg" alt="Halo Fan Art by Outlet Chief" class="wp-image-163512" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



(Fan Art by <a href="https://x.com/OutletChief729">Outlet Chief</a>)



As you have hopefully noticed about Halo Fest, a key theme is community involvement. We started talking about this with the various contests last month, speedrunning, and now we’re excited to confirm that we’re commissioning artists in the Halo community to create art that will be shown and shared at Halo Fest!



The spirit of the idea is that as you’re walking through the halls at Halo Fest, you’re not only seeing iconic official art from the Halo franchise but also incredible community-made art to serve as a reminder that this franchise is nothing without you all – the community.



Here are just a few of the artists we’ve confirmed to be working with:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://x.com/John_Grosjean">John Grosjean</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/Soul_ant19">Soul</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/mrgruntington">MrGruntington</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/OutletChief729">Outlet Chief</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nsclark98">NSClark</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/Rythayze">Rythaze</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/noui_nono">Nouichi</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/VincentGat">Vin Gattuso</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/hartwell_design">Hartwell Design</a></li>
</ul>



In addition to community artists, we’re also commissioning artists who have created official Halo art over the years whether they were independent, at Bungie, or at 343 Industries.



We can’t wait to see what amazing creations these artists bring to life and are excited to share them with the world!



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



We’ve still got some time to go before Halo Fest is here but the team is starting to cook! Is there anything you’re interested in learning more about? Hit me up on <a href="https://x.com/Tashi343i">Twitter</a>! 



We’ll see you next month. 



Thanks, 



Tashi

Tashi

Halo Fest – GDQ & Community Artists (February Update)

Community Spotlight

Spotlight: February 20, 2026

Zondaro at E3

Your Halo Story: Chapter 2

Welcome to the MCC Mod Minute, a focused look at a creative mod for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, with details on how to try it out yourself through the Steam Workshop.



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Start your engines! Warthog Rally is a retro-style racer that puts you behind the wheel of a variety of custom-made Warthogs, motorcycles, and a few other truly sweet whips on a timed slalom through eight circuits of motoring mayhem.



Select your course, nab a beverage, and load up with your preferred allies for a master course in acceleration. As if cornering weren’t hard enough, you can also adjust the number of enemies on the course for an extra challenge, with options ranging from “No Enemies” to “Total Chaos.”



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo CE - Warthog Rally Release Trailer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_-14Ed8uF8Y?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



As you complete time trials and collect trophies, you’ll unlock new vehicles to test your skills on the open road. Certain vehicle choices also permit you to shoot out the window, so don’t forget to gear up before rolling out (the Griever grenade launcher is great for clearing roadways).



To unlock a secret vehicle, you’ll need to find and shoot the three Golden Moa statues hidden around the map. (Hint: all three can be seen with a trusty sniper rifle from the starting area!)



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLAY NOW</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="637" height="358" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/WarthogRally_001.jpg" alt="Warthog Rally mod by altis94. A Spartan stunt driver and a marine ally escape a Thornbeast on a Mongoose." class="wp-image-161792" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/WarthogRally_001.jpg 637w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/WarthogRally_001-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px" /></figure>



<a href="https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3614917205">Subscribe on Steam Workshop.</a>



Created by: altis94



Requires: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary



Setup: Once you have installed Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary through Steam, boot up the game with the “MCC Anti-Cheat Disabled (Mods and Limited Services)” launch option selected.* Creator altis94 advises that you’ll need to install the Multiplayer component of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary for the mod to launch properly.



With all that done, you’re off to the races! Play Warthog Rally from the list of “Halo: CE Anniversary“ options in the “Campaigns” menu, and stay tuned for more MCC Mod Minutes!



*If you don’t see this option at launch, you may need to change your “Selected Launch Option” setting. To update this setting, right-click on the entry for Halo: The Master Chief Collection in your Steam Library and navigate to the “Properties” menu, where you will find “Launch Options” settings on the menu’s “General” tab.



We recommend adjusting your “Selected Launch Option” setting to “Ask when starting game.” This will allow you to alternate between the retail build of Halo: The Master Chief Collection (for matchmaking) and the community-mod sandbox every time you play!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MONITOR’S DISCLAIMER</h2>



“That last step is reserved for you, Reclaimer.”



Though mods hosted on the Steam Workshop are subjected to automated screening for malware and other malicious embeds, there is always a chance that modified software could pose a risk to your machine or information stored on it. Only download mods from reputable sites, and practice due diligence by consulting user reports and community reviews before installing unknown mods on your devices.



If you wish to create your own mods for Halo: The Master Chief Collection, please consult the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-the-master-chief-collection/eula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">End User License Agreement</a> for further guidance.

Mod Minute: Warthog Rally

As part of Halo’s <a href="https://www.aka.ms/Halo25Launch">25th anniversary celebration</a>, we’re inviting Halo fans from around the world to share favorite memories and vote on community polls in our <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/1464409121209188466">official Halo Discord server</a>. Follow @Halo on social media to join the fun!



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As we look back on twenty-five years with our passionate community, we’re selecting a resonant theme from Halo’s timeless chorus to explore each month in community polls, Discord discussions, and video quizzes featuring Halo trivia.



Since January’s theme was “UNSC Heroes,” we asked you to vote on your favorite defenders of humanity and tell us what sets them apart—and you delivered!



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="UNSC Heroes | Halo Quiz | Halo 25th Anniversary" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qzDmqJEAQPA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



Put your lore knowledge to the test in this month’s video quiz, and don’t forget to join the official Halo Discord server and vote on new monthly community polls all year long!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HEROIC EXALTATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/Nafe_nasutetsu/status/2018301481792008218"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1363" height="2048" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161733" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes.jpg 1363w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes-200x300.jpg 200w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/nafe_nasutetsu_heroes-1022x1536.jpg 1022w" sizes="(max-width: 1363px) 100vw, 1363px" /></a></figure>



Art by Nafe_nasutestu (<a href="https://x.com/Nafe_nasutetsu/status/2018301481792008218">Source</a>)



In our first Silver Anniversary Discord poll, fans voted on their favorite UNSC heroes from across the Halo franchise. Master Chief John-117, that devilish Demon, came out on top, followed closely on his heroic heels by the stalwart Sergeant (Major) Avery Johnson.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/Luxno_Art/status/2001364599023743209"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161719" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/luxnoart_heroes-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure>



Art by Luxno_Art (<a href="https://x.com/Luxno_Art/status/2001364599023743209">Source</a>)



Securing 27% and 21% of the vote respectively, these decorated soldiers enjoyed roughly equal acclaim among our resident panel of Halo experts (who will no doubt be delighted to see the duo team up again in <a href="https://www.aka.ms/HCEPDP">Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> later this year).



No surprises there! When you weigh out their many contributions in the fight against the Covenant—not to mention their shared knack for lucky escapes—these time-tested warfighters certainly deserve the honor.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/Silent1Meow/status/1989377795999285626"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1200" height="633" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Silent1Meow_heroes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161747" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Silent1Meow_heroes.jpg 1200w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Silent1Meow_heroes-300x158.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Silent1Meow_heroes-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Silent1Meow_heroes-768x405.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></a></figure>



Art by SilentMeow (<a href="https://x.com/Silent1Meow/status/1989377795999285626">Source</a>)



Among other top contenders, a close competition arose between Cortana (13%) and Captain Keyes (9%), with lots of love for UNSC greats such as Fernando Esparza, Chips Dubbo, and Foehammer rounding out the count.



Check out some of our favorite additional shout-outs below, and don’t forget to vote on next month’s poll in the <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/1464409121209188466">#25th-anniversary-celebration channel</a> on Discord!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">VOX POPULI</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/Crabbosk/status/2016527811989926023"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2318" height="1305" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161705" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes.jpg 2318w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-2048x1153.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Crabbosk_heroes-1568x883.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2318px) 100vw, 2318px" /></a></figure>



Art by Crabbosk (<a href="https://x.com/Crabbosk/status/2016527811989926023">Source</a>)



With so many UNSC heroes to choose from, one puny poll cannot sufficiently enumerate their sacrifices, distinctions, and courageous acts.



Fans in our Discord server offered an effusion of support for their most celebrated heroes, along with shout-outs for additional heroes beyond those covered in the top eight choices.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/AyumaAkua/status/2014513042906632366"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2000" height="2560" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161691" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-scaled.jpg 2000w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-234x300.jpg 234w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-800x1024.jpg 800w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-768x983.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-1200x1536.jpg 1200w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-1600x2048.jpg 1600w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/AyumaAkua_heroes-1568x2007.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" /></a></figure>



Art by AyumaAkua (<a href="https://x.com/AyumaAkua/status/2014513042906632366">Source</a>)



Commendations were awarded to the intrepid Captain Lasky of the UNSC Infinity, Noble Team (especially our favorite lone wolf, SPARTAN-B312, a.k.a. “Noble Six”), Red Team (Jerome-092, “chairman” of Flood diplomacy, in particular), the ODSTs of Alpha Nine (with fond farewells to our dearly departed Rookie), and even to less widely-known, but no less infectious personalities such as PFC Wallace Jenkins.



Read a selection of great shout-outs from fellow fans below!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://x.com/TheRealQuenny/status/2017518626459234321"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="680" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/TheRealQuenny_heroes.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-161761" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/TheRealQuenny_heroes.jpg 640w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/TheRealQuenny_heroes-282x300.jpg 282w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a></figure>



Art by TheRealQuenny (<a href="https://x.com/TheRealQuenny/status/2017518626459234321">Source</a>)



<ul>
<li>darealmasterfreak: If someone doesn’t like Johnson, they are NOT invited to my birthday party.</li>



<li>osky: My “Other” vote is for Noble Six. If he doesn’t get Cortana to the Pillar of Autumn, there is no “Cortana and Master Chief” story. He’s a huge part of the universe!</li>



<li>Ricky 117: Master Chief is definitely top. Besides him, I feel Miranda Keyes played a huge role at the end of the war, and was ready to sacrifice herself and Johnson to save the galaxy.</li>



<li>Master Chef#5952: Sergeant Stacker! He may not be as legendary as Johnson, but he certainly deserves a spot in the poll.</li>



<li>otto.2967: It is the man, the myth, the legend, Chips “The Flood Hunter” Dubbo all the way. The only reason he wasn’t offered a position as a Spartan-IV was because the UNSC knew he’d be too powerful. (Editor’s note: big if true.)</li>



<li>ChaosSpartan275: Jerome-092, because he is the true successor to the Master Chief!</li>



<li>KingObsid1an: 10,000% Lasky in the Hall of Heroes. My man is an icon.</li>



<li>Kamron: A second choice that’s very close to my boy Johnson is Red Team, the coolest Spartans, but in all honesty the entire Spirit of Fire crew is the definition of the Indomitable Human Spirit.</li>



<li>KazooMan: I think everyone has mentioned some awesome characters, but I’m gonna raise you all with one of my favorite heroes in the entire series, Lucas Browning. What that man went through, just to buy the boat crew some time? All the pain and suffering he put up with just for the events of Edge of Dawn to happen? I won’t say much more because I don’t want to spoil our most recent book, but it touched me. I can’t not throw his name in the mix!</li>



<li>Woodsgump: Jenkins is my favorite Halo hero. He saved everyone from the Flood spreading because of his sheer will to keep going.</li>



<li>Kidskull51: Rion Forge, daughter of John Forge from Halo Wars. She’s just as badass if not more than her father.</li>



<li>CIA391: Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb and Corporal Locklear. Both gave their lives to stop the Covenant from reaching Earth in late 2552, giving Spartans and other Alpha Halo survivors time to warn us of the upcoming threat!</li>



<li>EternalCanadian: My vote’s for the Spartan-III’s of Alpha and Beta Companies—Spartans who weren’t pulled out by Deep Winter, yet saved the human race a number of times—as well your common UNSC/CMA service members, and even the civilians. True heroism isn’t given by augmentations or advanced weaponry, and being assigned to some special squad doesn’t make you a hero. The real heroes, to use a Porco Rosso quote, are dead, or scarred by battles, yet not really acknowledged for their contributions, however small they might’ve been.</li>



<li>S20boominator: Jerome-092 killing the Flood with a metal chair is a hero moment.</li>



<li>BOSVanguard: Jerome-092 because he singlehandedly killed squads of Brutes and Elites while Isabel was taking control of the Banished flagship. Another reason is because he, Douglas-042, and Alice-130 were flunked out from the SPARTAN-II program. UNSC and ONI revived them, and Jerome would go on to lead Red Team through the early days of the Covenant War through battles of Arcadia, Trove, and the Second Ark Conflict.</li>



<li>Demetrius: For me, it’s SPARTAN-Β312 of Noble Team, a.k.a. Noble Six. I don’t think I need to explain why; he stayed behind to secure the Pillar of Autumn, and he and his team sacrificed themselves in order to deliver Cortana in one piece. It’s sad they didn’t make it to see the final victory.</li>



<li>Drizztbc: Captain Cutter, an aging captain for an equally outdated ship. Yet can still give the Covenant a good fight!</li>
</ul>



That’s a wrap for this month’s “variations on a theme!” Stay tuned next month for a new community poll, a new video quiz, and more discussions with fellow Halo fans around the theme of “Alien Heroes & Villains.”



Don’t forget to bookmark the <a href="https://www.aka.ms/Halo25Together">Silver Anniversary Community Hub</a> for all the latest updates from our 25th anniversary celebration.



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All year long, we’ll be inviting Halo fans to share their favorite Halo memories, celebrate Halo’s iconic legacy, and vote on community polls to help us tell the whole Halo story.



Whether you’re a battle-hardened Spartan or a Halo rookie, we hope you’ll join the fun by sharing your Halo story through our <a href="http://aka.ms/Halo25TogetherMemories">official submission form</a>, on social media using hashtag #Halo25Together, in our <a href="https://discord.com/channels/471722331820130324/1464409121209188466">official Discord server</a>, or on <a href="https://reddit.com/r/halo">r/Halo</a> with the #Halo25Together tag.

Anniversary Angle: UNSC Heroes