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Halo: Campaign Evolved

Earlier this month we pulled the curtain back on <a href="Campaign Evolved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> and shared its imminent release date of July 28 – or July 23 if you pre-order the Premium Edition and get up to 5 days of Early Access. While we have been busy sharing <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news?category=games" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lots of news</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/4rAVQs2aJOI?feature=share" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highlighting features like split-screen and online co-op</a>, and creating <a href="https://youtu.be/6sUil_Tj_OQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fun videos with Sgt Johnson</a>, we know you all still have plenty of questions. 



Today, we’re setting aside some time to answer some of the most common ones we’ve seen online and in our mentions. We plan on doing this again, so please keep sending your questions our way and we’ll try to answer them in our next Q&A!



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Q: Do you need to find Skulls in-game before you can apply them? A: Yes! In order to apply Skull modifiers in-game, you will need to find and collect them. There are 3 Skulls hidden on each mission in Halo: Campaign Evolved and another 3 that are granted upon unlocking Campaign Remix.



Q: Will there be any additional Collector’s Editions up for sale? A: We are humbled and blown away by the overwhelming excitement for the Collector’s Edition. This was always intended to be a limited edition offering but safe to say demand has far exceeded what was projected and produced. The Collector’s Edition is officially sold out and there are no plans for a restock. With regards to reports of reselling – Our retail partners have audited orders and found no evidence of widespread scalping. Only a tiny percentage of purchases showed suspicious behavior, and in those cases, orders were refunded and units were put back up for sale. As a reminder, some customers may choose to cancel their pre-order, so there’s always a chance a few more units trickle in over the coming weeks. If you’re a fan of awesome Halo statues, we are working with partners to release even more Halo: Campaign Evolved collectibles throughout the year to help celebrate 25 years of Halo. Stay tuned for more info.



Q: Are there any XBOX account requirements to play the game solo or co-op? A: Yes, just as you do today for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo Infinite to ensure smooth cross-platform progression, to play Halo: Campaign Evolved you will need a Microsoft account and XBOX Gamertag, regardless of the platform(s) you play on. This enables both cross-platform play and cross-platform progression. A few additional items to keep in mind for launch day include:



<ul>
<li>XBOX Series X|S: If you’re playing splitscreen local co-op on an XBOX console, both players will need a unique Microsoft account. Online network co-op play requires an active XBOX Game Pass subscription.</li>



<li>PlayStation 5®: If you’re playing splitscreen local co-op on PlayStation 5®, both players will need to be signed into PlayStation accounts and be linked to Microsoft accounts. A PlayStation Plus account is NOT required for local splitscreen co-op. Online network co-op play requires an active PlayStation Plus subscription.</li>



<li>Steam: If you’re playing via Steam, you will need to link to a Microsoft account. </li>
</ul>



If you’d like to jump in immediately on July 28, we recommend having an XBOX account created beforehand to help save time once you put the disc in the tray.



 Editor’s Note: This section incorrectly stated that a PlayStation Plus account is required for local co-op play and was updated with a correction on June 20. 



Q: Will there be a Photo Mode or Theater Mode? A: The Blind Skull, which hides your HUD UI, weapons, and hands from view, combined with the Acrophobia Skull, which allows you to fly, should be able to provide some incredible screenshot opportunities, but there are no current plans for a Photo Mode or Theater Mode in Halo: Campaign Evolved.



Q: Can I turn off hitmarkers in-game? A: Yes. We like to start by providing as much feedback to players as possible, so this is enabled by default, but you should feel free to turn this feature off via the in-game settings.



Q: Can I wear the Mark IV armor in the base 10 missions? A: We love the Mark IV armor too, so we understand the desire to wear it everywhere, but it will only be available in the 3 new bonus missions.



Q: How does the new 3rd Person mode work? Is it possible to play this way right from the start? A: The ability to play in 3rd Person is an optional way to experience the game that can be enabled once you’ve found the “Perspective” Skull hidden in one of the game’s 13 missions. To learn more about Skulls and the new Remix feature in Halo: Campaign Evolved, <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/skulls-campaign-remix-halo-campaign-evolved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">check out this blog!</a> 



Q: Will the Stanchion be useable in the bonus missions or in the main missions via Campaign Remix?  A: Sgt Johnson’s Stanchion, which was featured in our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4sUx2nX5EQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new missions trailer</a>, is his personal weapon and not one he likes to share. As such, it will not be featured outside his personal use in the prequel missions.   



Q: If I customize my Spartan, will they show up in cutscenes with that armor?  A: To ensure that the narrative remains as faithful to the original game as possible, the personalized customization options you choose will not show up during cutscenes.



Q: Will LASO mean playing the game with truly all Skulls active? A: We’ll have a specific selection of Skulls for LASO. Similar to MCC, it won’t be all Skulls, but it will still be extremely challenging. We’ll share more about the specific LASO selection in the lead up to launch.



Q: How does the game balance enemy encounters for Co-Op? A: If you load up a Co-Op session via split-screen or online play, each mission will scale appropriately depending on how many people you have in your lobby. This will show up in a few different ways: 



<ul>
<li>Number of enemies: You may encounter a higher number of enemies, though this is largely determined by your difficulty selection.</li>



<li>Rank of enemies: Enemies have a chance to upgrade to a higher rank. The more players, and the higher the difficulty, the higher the chance they will upgrade.</li>



<li>Enemy intelligence increases: The enemy AI will avoid grenades more frequently, target and shoot at players more efficiently, and know when to fall back to gain their shields more effectively. </li>
</ul>



And, since not everyone in your Co-Op session will be at the same skill level, we’ve also introduced a new feature – Difficulty Modifiers – to help everyone enjoy their time together. Difficulty Modifiers allow each player to adjust settings for themselves, which can help them have an easier time or a more difficult challenge. These settings are: 



<ul>
<li>Damage Resistance (increase or decrease how much damage you take from enemies)</li>



<li>Shield Recharge Rate (increase or decrease how quickly your shields will begin recharging)</li>



<li>Damage Modifier (increase or decrease how much damage you deal to enemies with weapons and grenades)</li>



<li>Melee Damage Modifier (increase or decrease how much damage your melee deals to enemies)</li>



<li>Ammo (Infinite Ammo, Bottomless Clip, etc.) </li>
</ul>



So, if you have 4 players in your lobby, expect to face more Covenant resistance than if you play solo, but be sure to take advantage of Difficulty Modifiers to ensure everyone in the lobby is having a good time. Note: There are some Achievements that will not be earnable when Difficulty Modifiers are enabled for any members of your Fireteam.



Q: Can you still backpack reload?   A: We loved this button glitch in the original Halo: Combat Evolved, so we wanted to preserve its behavior with the “Stowed Reload” Skull, which allows your weapon to reload while on your back to mimic this behavior. Although it’s no longer a button glitch, its spirit continues to live on. 



Q: Will there be more content or features such as additional story DLC, Firefight, new Skulls, more customization, etc. added after launch?  A: Halo: Campaign Evolved is meant to focus on remaking the original campaign of Halo: Combat Evolved and providing three fun, new prequels missions. There are no plans to expand the game into a live service with continued content or feature additions.



Q: Will there be assassinations? A: No, there aren’t any specific assassination animations, but your traditional backsmacks will continue to provide one-hit kills while helping you avoid detection in stealthier situations. 



Q: Will there be a public demo of Halo: Campaign Evolved ahead of launch? A: There are no plans to release a demo of the game before launch. If you’re excited and want to get your hands on the game as soon as possible, you can pre-order <a href="https://aka.ms/HCEBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the Premium Edition</a> and get up to 5 days of early access beginning July 23, 2026! 



Q: Do I need to play the original missions before I can play the three new missions?  A: You can play the prequel missions as soon as you launch the game. We want everyone to experience this new story, so we’ve decided not to gate it behind any specific tasks, actions, or paywalls. Load up the game, select the new missions, and enjoy another adventure with the Master Chief and Sgt Johnson. For brand new players, we do recommend starting with the original missions as they are designed to help onboard players with tutorials along the way.  



Q: Is it July 28th yet? A: No, but we’ll get there together! 



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We are excited to continue sharing more information over the next few weeks, and we can’t wait to launch Halo: Campaign Evolved on July 28. 



To learn even more about the game, be sure to check out these videos and articles: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MxBFXH2a_U" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cinematic Story Trailer</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4sUx2nX5EQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Missions Trailer | Operation: Meteorite</a> </li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/6sUil_Tj_OQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Play Your Way | Skulls, Remix, & Co-Op</a></li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/C6JyOj-7tH8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">28 Minute Gameplay Demo | Assault on the Control Room</a> </li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/6FLR_KM_sPA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3rd Person Gameplay | The Silent Cartographer</a> </li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/achievement-list-halo-campaign-evolved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Full</a><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/achievement-list-halo-campaign-evolved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Achievement & Trophy List</a> </li>



<li><a href="https://youtu.be/e-tXi1NC_aU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Developer Round Table Reveal</a></li>



<li><a href="https://gameinformer.com/cover-reveal/2026/06/16/cover-reveal-halo-campaign-evolved" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Game Informer Cover Art Reveal</a> </li>
</ul>



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-campaign-evolved/buy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pre-order the Digital Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> and get the Foundry Armor Pack and up to 5 days early-access play starting July 23, 2026.

Unyshek

June Community Q&A | Halo: Campaign Evolved

Community Spotlight

snickerdoodle

Spotlight: June 18, 2026

On July 28, we return to the ring that started it all with <a href="https://aka.ms/HCEBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo: Campaign Evolved</a>. While the original game, Halo: Combat Evolved, launched before Achievements were officially established in the Xbox ecosystem, players in the community have always set goals and found unique ways to challenge themselves.



Now, 25 years later, we’re excited to share the Achievements and Trophies that you will be able to unlock when Halo: Campaign Evolved lands next month.



Assemble your co-op completionist crew with 2-player splitscreen on consoles or a 4-player online Fireteam and enjoy the hunt!



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Description </td><td>Trophy </td><td>Gamerscore </td></tr><tr><td>The Autumn Leaves </td><td>Complete Pillar of Autumn </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Installation 04 </td><td>Complete Halo </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Infiltration Anticipation </td><td>Complete Truth and Reconciliation </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Bee Thirty </td><td>Complete Silent Cartographer </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Control Alt Delete </td><td>Complete Assault on the Control Room  </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>This Stuff is Your History </td><td>Complete 343 Guilty Spark </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Protocol Dictates Action </td><td>Complete The Library </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Double Trouble </td><td>Complete Two Betrayals </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Captain’s Orders </td><td>Complete Keyes </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Dust and Echoes Evolved </td><td>Complete The Maw </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Before the Fall </td><td>Complete New Mission 1 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Tiger Company </td><td>Complete New Mission 2 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Personal Space </td><td>Complete New Mission 3 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Greenhorn </td><td>Complete the Campaign on Easy Difficulty </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Birth of a Spartan </td><td>Complete the Campaign on Normal Difficulty </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Heroes Never Die </td><td>Complete the Campaign on Heroic Difficulty </td><td>Bronze </td><td>30 </td></tr><tr><td>Living Legend </td><td>Complete the Campaign on Legendary Difficulty </td><td>Silver </td><td>40 </td></tr><tr><td>Lore Have Mercy </td><td>Activate all 13 Terminals </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Clean Sweep </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Pillar of Autumn </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Successful Search </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Halo </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Plundered </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Truth and Reconciliation </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Buried Treasure </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in The Silent Cartographer </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Stowed in Snow </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Assault on the Control Room  </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Proto Gravemind </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in 343 Guilty Spark </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Timeless Tomes </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in The Library </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Outpost Discoveries </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Two Betrayals </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Priorities </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in Keyes </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>No Rush </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in The Maw </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Souvenirs </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in New Mission 1 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Brute Loops </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in New Mission 2 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Parting Gifts </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in New Mission 3 </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Cranial </td><td>Collect a Skull </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Making a Necklace </td><td>Collect 22 Skulls </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Headhunter </td><td>Collect all 39 Skulls </td><td>Silver </td><td>30 </td></tr><tr><td>Collector’s Addition </td><td>Find all skulls and terminals in the game </td><td>Gold </td><td>50 </td></tr><tr><td>REMIX! </td><td>Complete a Remixed Mission </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Beat the Drop </td><td>Complete a Remixed Mission without dying </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Mix Master </td><td>Complete an entire Remixed Campaign without dying </td><td>Silver </td><td>40 </td></tr><tr><td>Bad Gas </td><td>Destroy 100 Grunt backpacks </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Plate Tectonics </td><td>Break off 25 Hunter backplates </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>New Whip </td><td>Hijack 10 Vehicles </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Disarmed </td><td>Dismember 100 Flood parts </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Claims Adjuster </td><td>Break off 50 Vehicle parts </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Make Them Count </td><td>Kill 100 enemies with headshots </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Hot Streak </td><td>With the Floor Is Lava Skull activated beat a mission without jumping or dying </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Even Tempered </td><td>With the Temperamental Skull activated beat Halo without upsetting anyone </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Like Old Times </td><td>Complete Two Betrayals with the Speed Limit, Endurance Spec, Hip Fire, and Armistice Skulls enabled. </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>Frugal Fire </td><td>Equip Famine, Recession, and Johnny Ammo Seed Skulls and beat a mission without running out of ammo. </td><td>Bronze </td><td>20 </td></tr><tr><td>MYTHIC </td><td>Complete the Campaign with LASO enabled </td><td>Gold </td><td>50 </td></tr><tr><td>This is My Ship Now </td><td>Eliminate Captain Keyes and trap his six avenging Marines in the Autumn’s observation pen. </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Map Quest </td><td>Complete The Silent Cartographer without shooting, using grenades, melee, dying, or restarting </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>That’s My Ride </td><td>On Assault on the Control Room get to the Banshee before the Elite </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Arm’s Length </td><td>On 343 Guilty Spark complete the first floor without taking a hit </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Clean Lap </td><td>On The Maw complete the warthog run without being forcibly ejected from your vehicle </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Jiralhanae Conservationist </td><td>On New Mission 2 don’t kill any rampaging Brutes </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Food Critic </td><td>Listen to the Thirsty Grunt talk about his eating habits </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>All Shield, No Yield </td><td>Complete any level on Heroic difficulty or higher without taking health damage </td><td>Bronze </td><td>10 </td></tr><tr><td>Fully Evolved </td><td>Complete Every Achievement/Collect Every Trophy </td><td>Platinum </td><td>50 </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<a href="https://aka.ms/HCEBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pre-order the Digital Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> and get the Foundry Armor Pack and up to 5 days early-access play starting July 23, 2026. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches July 28, 2026.

Halo Studios

Let's go hunting.

Achievement List | Halo: Campaign Evolved

Mutinous Core

Endless Replayability

Skulls & Campaign Remix | Halo: Campaign Evolved

“The Silent Cartographer,” the iconic fourth mission from Halo: Combat Evolved has been rebuilt from the ground up in the upcoming Halo: Campaign Evolved. Last October we shared a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSjbIM0iegY">first look</a> with a work-in-progress build playthrough and today we’re returning to the idyllic shores of Alpha Halo and storming the beach in a brand-new way.  



Check out some fresh gameplay, captured entirely in third-person view, thanks to the new Perspective Skull.  



<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: Campaign Evolved | 3rd Person Gameplay - The Silent Cartographer" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FLR_KM_sPA?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>



Halo: Campaign Evolved includes 42 unlockable gameplay modifying Skulls to augment your experience with new challenges, powerful upgrades, and chaotic outcomes. Read more about Skulls and the <a href="https://aka.ms/HCESkullsRemix">new Campaign Remix feature here</a>. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080.jpg" alt="Master Chief seen in third-person perspective battling a pair of Hunters on Silent Cartographer in Halo: Campaign Evolved." class="wp-image-168500" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_HCE_SCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



<a href="https://aka.ms/HCEBuyNow">Pre-order the Digital Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> and get the Foundry Armor Pack and up to 5 days early-access play starting July 23, 2026. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches July 28, 2026.

Silent Cartographer Third-Person Gameplay | Halo: Campaign Evolved

Earlier this week, we shared a new <a href="https://aka.ms/HCEStory">Campaign Story Trailer</a> for Halo: Campaign Evolved and revealed <a href="https://aka.ms/HCENew">Operation: METEORITE</a>, a new three-mission adventure starring the Master Chief and Sergeant Avery Johnson.  



Now’s your chance to enjoy a first look at “Assault on the Control Room,” the fifth campaign mission of Halo: Campaign Evolved. 



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo: Campaign Evolved | 28 Minute Gameplay Demo - Assault on the Control Room" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6JyOj-7tH8?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>



Renowned for its mix of breathless short-range encounters, stealth opportunities, and intense vehicle combat through memorable scenery such as snowy canyons and subterranean complexes, the original Assault on the Control Room showcased nearly every weapon and vehicle available in Halo: Combat Evolved’s campaign. 



That made it the perfect mission to share with the world. Dive into the fully remade snow-filled wonders of Assault on the Control Room, complete with brand new gameplay enhancements like vehicle boarding and an expanded arsenal, in the full pre-release playthrough embedded above. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080.jpg" alt="The snowy and icy landscape of Assault on the Control Room. " class="wp-image-168457" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/06/02_AOTCMini_Inline_1920x1080-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



In this mission, the Master Chief and Cortana make a daring aerial insertion into an underground Forerunner installation in search of the control room that governs Alpha Halo. There, they may just discover something pivotal about this mysterious ringworld.  



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<a href="https://aka.ms/HCEBuyNow">Pre-order the Digital Premium Edition of Halo: Campaign Evolved</a> and get the Foundry Armor Pack and up to 5 days early-access play starting July 23, 2026. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches July 28, 2026.

First Look: Assault on the Control Room | Halo: Campaign Evolved

Halo25Together

As part of Halo’s <a href="https://www.aka.ms/Halo25Launch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official Halo Discord server</a>. Follow @Halo on social media to join the fun! 



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Each month of #Halo25Together has revealed another thread in Halo’s tapestry: from unforgettable campaign moments to the dream teams that carried us through the toughest fights. May continues that journey by focusing on the iconic phrases that became part of our shared language. 



Before reviewing the latest results, take this month’s 25 question quiz designed to put your knowledge of Halo quips and quotes to the test!



<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="Quips & Quotes | Halo Quiz | Halo 25th Anniversary" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U49z8qxBF7o?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>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">To Arms</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1080" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HIsN-0oXkAAD8Im.jpg" alt="A drawing of Master Chief on a grid background with a pencil laying on the table." class="wp-image-166987" style="width:639px;height:auto" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HIsN-0oXkAAD8Im.jpg 1080w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HIsN-0oXkAAD8Im-225x300.jpg 225w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HIsN-0oXkAAD8Im-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></figure>



<a href="https://x.com/spartan_cassius/status/2056753030603670014">Art by @spartan_cassius</a>



Unsurprisingly, Chief’s declaration of requiring arms comes in guns blazing. But hey, if you found yourself on Cairo Station facing the Covenant, you would probably say, “I need a weapon” too! 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ballistics Bricks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1792" height="2048" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson.jpg" alt="Master Chief holding Cortana in his hand while back to back with SGT Johnson." class="wp-image-167015" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson.jpg 1792w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson-263x300.jpg 263w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson-896x1024.jpg 896w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson-768x878.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson-1344x1536.jpg 1344w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/Johnson-1568x1792.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1792px) 100vw, 1792px" /></figure>



<a href="https://x.com/CoolGHudson/status/2024948600157909133">Art by @CoolGHudson</a>



Only in Halo can a chunk of masonry achieve unexpected aerodynamics and become a community legend. All the heroics, feats of physics, and improbable odds stacked against Chief when he was returning the Covenant’s bomb and Johnson just drops the epic line: 



“For a brick he flew pretty good!”  



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">LL Cool J(ohnson)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1033" height="1600" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson.jpg" alt="Full size magazine style art of SGT Johnson, with a cigar in his mouth, holding lit lighter." class="wp-image-167001" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson.jpg 1033w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson-194x300.jpg 194w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson-661x1024.jpg 661w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson-768x1190.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/AveryJohnson-992x1536.jpg 992w" sizes="(max-width: 1033px) 100vw, 1033px" /></figure>



<a href="https://x.com/JackieHernndez6/status/2033909885742592349">Art by @JackieHernndez6</a>



Some girls like chocolate, some girls like diamonds, other girls like tanks. If you truly need to know what the ladies like, just dial up everyone’s favorite Sarge, he’ll set you right. 



How do we know that? In Sgt Maj Johnson’s own words,  



“I know what the ladies like” 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Say Less (or More…)</h2>



And now, some words on clips and phrases from the <a href="https://discord.gg/Halo">official Halo Discord</a>!



<ul>
<li>Prime: Tank beats everything!!</li>



<li>Senabunn: i use “were it so easy” regularly in my day-to-day life</li>



<li>Autistimus Prime, Reptile God: “If you ever fall for a lady rookie, make sure she’s got balls” Sgt. Edward Buck</li>



<li>Volt: “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”</li>



<li>TrainedEye3461: Literally anything Escharum says, I love all of his lines so much.</li>



<li>Demi-Demon: “A collection of lies, that is all I am. Stolen thoughts and memories.”</li>



<li>Blacklight: WORT WORT WORT!</li>



<li>Shawn Frost: “To give the covenant back their bomb”</li>



<li>zany: KEEP IT CLEAN!!!!</li>



<li>Serpico: Wake me, when you need me.</li>



<li>Shade Sensei: “Incoming. Looks like you really pissed them off.” -Jun</li>



<li>Aegisfate: “Boo!” – MC</li>



<li>zany (again): Also “Troopers, we are dropping into hell! Time to grow a pair!” (yes ODST is my favorite game 🥹)</li>



<li>Blacklight: “I Know What The Ladies Like.”</li>



<li>Kewl Kiwi: “Five years – five long years. That’s how long it took us to get Harvest back” – Captain Cutter</li>



<li>Epoch: “Men, we led those dumb bugs out to the middle of nowhere to keep ’em from gettin’ their filthy claws on Earth. But, we stumbled onto somethin’ they’re so hot for, that they’re scramblin’ over each other to get it. Well, I don’t care if it’s God’s own anti-son-of-a-bitch machine, or a giant hula hoop, we’re not gonna let ’em have it! What we will let ’em have is a belly full of lead, and a pool of their own blood to drown in! Am I right, Marines?” That or “You know the music, time to dance”</li>



<li>Se ‘Graevum: “Hey demon! The jerk store called, they’re all out of you.”</li>



<li>Jtflorencio6: </li>



<li>“So sad… He’s broken… You’ll break too… And soon… you’ll meet your end… Say goodbye…” Jega ‘Rdomnai 🖤❤️</li>



<li>ImSquanchN: You better get it together, Marine, or the Chief’ll reach down and pull you inside out by your corn hole. And that’ll be a sweet, sweet mercy… compared to what I’m gonna do to you – SGT Johnson</li>



<li>toraleigh, warm agony: i’m surprised nobody’s mentioned sandwich marine from reach. she’s my honourable mention</li>



<li>stckr: “For a brick, he flew pretty good” – always gets me. I use this multiple times a month 😂 “I thought you’d be taller” – this makes me giggle to no end, people take it way too seriously Special shout out to my man Fernando Esparza, too. Particularly, “Yep. This is death!”</li>



<li>Fracture: “You’re undressing me with your eyes aren’t you? You sick freak”</li>



<li>Dilfix: “Take my advice, Rookie. You ever fall for a woman? Make sure she’s got balls.” GSgt Edward Buck</li>



<li>Jixel: “I need a medic! Preferably a female one”</li>



<li>Almond: This is the greatest survey. Cant wait to see the end results. Johnson’s H2 “two sticks and a stone”</li>



<li>Linken: “Relax. I’d rather not piss this thing off.”</li>



<li>bomb: “I’m ready! How ’bout you?!”</li>



<li>parall4x: “… But you belong to Reach. Your body, your armor – all burned and turned to glass. Everything… except your courage. That, you gave to us…” Wets my eyes every time.</li>



<li>Wade_Weinhmann: “The Great Journey waits for no one, brother. Not even you.”</li>



<li>3D MONKE: ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE</li>



<li>Chak ‘Lok: “Welcome to my Tower, Master Chief. It is where you will be broken. It is where you will give up your secrets.” Best Quote 🤌🤌</li>



<li>Requiem: “We all fail. We all make mistakes. That’s what makes us Human.”</li>



<li>Lexicon: “Kill me or release me, parasite, but do not waste my time with talk.”</li>



<li>Jethro the Were-Possum: “The Great Journey waits for no one brother, not even you.”</li>
</ul>



That’s a wrap on May’s #Halo25Together blog! Thank you all for participating and chiming in with your favorite words that echo across the galaxy. 



We’ll be back in June with a new topic which means more trivia to test your knowledge, a new poll, and more. Stay tuned!



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: Quips & Quotes

Halo Fest

Welcome back Halo fans! Since December we’ve been delivering news about Halo Fest and what you all can get excited about. If you’re new here, don’t worry we’ve got you covered:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-march">March Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-february">February Update</a></li>



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



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



Alright, let’s jump in since we’ve got big news to share today!



Here’s the TL;DR for those too eager to read on:



<ul>
<li>Special Guests: The voices of the Master Chief and Cortana, Steve Downes and Jen Taylor will be joining us.</li>



<li>We’ve moved buildings within the Seattle Convention Center for more space. Bigger venue = more activations and also some more tickets!</li>



<li>Small batch of tickets releases on June 9 @ <a href="https://halofest.com/tickets">halofest.com/tickets</a></li>
</ul>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">SPECIAL GUESTS</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9.png" alt="Halo Fest - Voice Actors of Master Chief and Cortana. (Steve Downes and Jen Taylor)" class="wp-image-166914" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9.png 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-2048x1152.png 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/S-J-16X9-1568x882.png 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></figure>



25 years ago, two people named Steve Downes and Jen Taylor jumped into a studio booth to record voices for an upcoming game named Halo: Combat Evolved. Little did any of us know, this game, these voices, and those characters in the Master Chief and Cortana, would leave a permanent mark in the hearts of millions of people around the world and on the entertainment industry itself.



This year is important for the franchise because of the game that started it all, the release of the remake in Halo: Campaign Evolved, and of course this event in Halo Fest where we get together and celebrate as a community.



And so with that, we’re thrilled to confirm that both Steve Downes, the voice of the Master Chief and Jen Taylor, the voice of Cortana will both be joining us at Halo Fest.



For Halo Fest, Steve and Jen will be spending as much time as possible with the community so expect meet and greets, signings, and photo ops through the weekend. We will share their detailed schedule later this fall ahead of the big event.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING & VENUE 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/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-166928" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/05/HaloFest-Tickets-Bigger-Venue-More-Tickets-16x9-1.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



After building HaloWC each year and growing our attendance, we set a lofty goal of making Halo Fest double the size of HaloWC and the community has blown away our expectations. We did not think there was a real chance it would sell out this far ahead of the actual event.



The demand from this community has been incredible, and we want to meet it. To do that, we’re moving Halo Fest to a bigger venue. We’ve worked closely with the city of Seattle and have decided to relocate from the Summit building of the Seattle Convention Center to its next-door neighbor, the Arch building. If the Arch sounds familiar, it’s because it’s where HaloWC has been held each year. However, that was in just one of the halls. Halo Fest will be held in all of the major halls that the venue has to offer making it nearly twice the size of HaloWC 2025.



A bigger venue means a better Halo Fest. We’ll be able to include more activations and space for attendees to enjoy the weekend – and it also means more of you.



Because of the additional space, we’re also able to sell more tickets starting on June 9 at 10AM PT at <a href="https://halofest.com/tickets">halofest.com/tickets</a>.



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



We are very grateful that Halo has such an amazing community and it’s a privilege for us to host an event such as Halo Fest where all of you can share your love and passion for Halo. Thank you to everyone who has made plans to attend, we can’t wait to see you in December!



Thanks,



Tashi

Tashi

Halo Fest – Special Guests, Bigger Venue, More Tix! (May Update)

Fiction

Waypoint Chronicles

Coinciding nicely with the launch of <a href="http://aka.ms/WaypointChronicles">Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume One</a>, our latest episode of Spartan Chatter featured none other than Senior Franchise Story Lead Jeff Easterling and Franchise Writer Alex Wakeford, and it was an absolute treat!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-huge-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Chronicle compilation</h2>



From initial inception to published work, we set out to learn how this dynamic duo brought this anthology to life. (It all started with Halo 4‘s tenth anniversary if you’re wondering!) From there, the Waypoint Chronicles project blossomed into a vehicle to continue telling the story past the launch of Halo Infinite and more.



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="Spartan Chatter: Halo: Waypoint Chronicles – Volume 1" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fKX1dEwgjCE?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>
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Today, it is a full fledged novel with all the previously released Chronicles included, and ten brand-new never before seen stories. Additionally, the audio book is comprised of a rich cast of talent from well known voice actors to Halo community members using their skills to bring the stories to life.



<a href="https://aka.ms/WaypointChronicles">Pick up your copy from Simon & Schuster today!</a>



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Spartan Chatter is an audio series, a podcast if you will, hosted on our <a href="https://wordpress.admin.halowaypoint.com/article/halo-outcasts-spartan-chatter/discord.gg/Halo">official Halo Discord</a> which brings members of the studio together to discuss all things Halo with a live audience.



You can find previous episodes of Spartan Chatter on our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SWLEPaTx4c&list=PLn5QvCoiY3w7t84T_MFkGl8qvYI_q148-">YouTube channel’s Podcasts page</a> and on our Discord server.