Book Preview

Fiction

Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus and the audio drama adaptation of Halo: The Fall of Reach are out now!



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">HALO: THE MASTER CHIEF OMNIBUS</h2>



For twenty-five years, Halo has been the gold standard for exemplary storytelling—an epic ongoing tale set in the 26th century, one of combat evolved, supreme sacrifice, and humanity’s will to survive against overwhelming odds. At its center stands the ultimate symbol of heroism and endurance when all hope is lost: the super-soldier Spartan John-117—the Master Chief.



Now, collected for the first time in this single definitive omnibus edition, here are the three New York Times bestselling canonical and universally acclaimed novels—The Fall of Reach and First Strike by Eric Nylund, and The Flood by William C. Dietz—that define and expand upon this legendary character and humanity’s decades-spanning war against the alien theocratic empire known as the Covenant and an even far more terrifying enemy unleashed, with all life in the galaxy threatened.



This special collection also features a new foreword, updated lore edits, and additional material, making it the ultimate edition for longtime fans and the perfect entry point for an entire new generation.



<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Master-Chief-Omnibus/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668241356">Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus is available in hardcover or ebook editions.</a>



<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="1920" height="1440" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto.jpg" alt="Photo of Halo: The Master Chief Omnibus at the Halo Studios museum" class="wp-image-175980" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto-300x225.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto-768x576.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/09/MCOmnibusPhoto-1568x1176.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE FALL OF REACH AUDIO DRAMA</h2>



Also out today is the full-cast audio drama version of The Fall of Reach, featuring Tim Dadabo as narrator, as well as the iconic and beloved voices of Steve Downes (John-117) and Jen Taylor (Cortana, Dr. Halsey)—in collaboration with our long-term friends and partners at Simon & Schuster Audio.



The Fall of Reach introduced us to the SPARTAN-II program, the brainchild of Dr. Catherine Halsey, and told the origin story of John-117—the Master Chief—from his childhood up to the events that lead directly into the first game, Halo: CE.



The full cast features new and returning voices for beloved Halo characters, including Travis Willingham, Britt Baron, and Michelle Lukes as Fred-104, Linda-058, and Kelly-087 respectively (Halo 5: Guardians).



<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Fall-of-Reach-(Full-Cast-Dramatized-Adaptation)/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668195826" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Fall-of-Reach-(Full-Cast-Dramatized-Adaptation)/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668195826">Order Halo: The Fall of Reach (Full-Cast Dramatized Adaptation) here!</a>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>NARRATOR Tim Dadabo </td><td>DR. HALSEY Jen Taylor </td><td>CORTANA Jen Taylor </td><td>JOHN-117 Steve Downes Alexander Bello Hanok Larson </td></tr><tr><td>JACOB KEYES Keith Silverstein </td><td>FRANKLIN MENDEZ Richard Cansino </td><td>SAMUEL-034 Jacob Crespo Amare Tavarez </td><td>KELLY-087 Michelle Lukes </td></tr><tr><td>FRED-104 Travis Willingham </td><td>LINDA-058 Britt Baron </td><td>JAMES-005 Jaime Lincoln Smith </td><td>DEJA Michelle Lukes </td></tr><tr><td>STANFORTH Travis Willingham </td><td>HIKOWA Joy Osmanski </td><td>HALL Jeremy Carlisle Parker </td><td>WALLACE Patrick Zeller </td></tr><tr><td>DOMINIQUE Ethan Sawyer </td><td>JAGGERS Jaime Lincoln Smith </td><td>HARLAND Matt Godfrey </td><td>LOVELL Eric Yang </td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-The-Fall-of-Reach-(Full-Cast-Dramatized-Adaptation)/Eric-Nylund/Halo/9781668195826"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="900" height="900" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/TFOR_AudioDrama.jpg" alt="Halo: The Fall of Reach audio drama cover" class="wp-image-178017" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/TFOR_AudioDrama.jpg 900w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/TFOR_AudioDrama-300x300.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/TFOR_AudioDrama-150x150.jpg 150w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/TFOR_AudioDrama-768x768.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /></a></figure>

Alex Wakeford

The Master Chief Omnibus & Fall of Reach Audio Drama | Out Now

Waypoint Chronicles

Halo Studios

By Kemi Ashing-Giwa

Halo: Foehammer’s Last Flight

Community

Forge Features

Games

Halo Infinite

Earlier this year, we revealed the <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-forge-finalists" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">finalists</a> for the Halo Fest Forge Contest, and now it’s time to jump in and experience their creations for yourself! 



Starting today, the Halo Fest Showcase playlist arrives in Halo Infinite matchmaking, featuring all 10 finalist maps across a variety of Arena modes. 



Whether you’re looking to find a new favorite, check out the finalists ahead of Halo Fest, or simply celebrate the creativity of the Forge community, the Halo Fest Showcase has you covered. 



<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 Fest Showcase Playlist Maps | Halo Infinite" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P655XGiBEVM?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>



Let’s take a look at the maps and modes you’ll be playing! 



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size" style="text-transform:uppercase">Abundance</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance.jpg" alt="Forge map "Abundance" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177874" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Abundance-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: Cold Nightshade, LNeedMoreBleach, spartan blood 1, AddiCt3d 2CHa0s, JoValiant



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/079c9710-b86c-4a3f-be77-fd6979cf1a6c">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes:



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena </li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena </li>



<li>Strongholds: Arena </li>



<li>Slayer: Arena </li>
</ul>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BITS AND PIECES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces.jpg" alt="Forge map "Bits and Pieces" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177888" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/BitsAndPieces-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: JoValiant, Igrizhar, Small Napkins



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/c451e00d-b801-4516-a878-05d4585e7278">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes: 



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-transform:uppercase">CASCADE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade.jpg" alt="Forge map "Cascade" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177902" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Cascade-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: SE7ENGINE, Zaffiro Creep, JDzirkus



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/06afa94a-b9f4-452d-9c6d-393096eb7760">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes:



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>Oddball: Arena</li>



<li>Strongholds: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-transform:uppercase">EULOGY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy.jpg" alt="Forge map "Eulogy" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177916" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Eulogy-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: ShredderMcgenty



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/0409acab-5742-4437-9030-7059e45f7368">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes: 



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Oddball: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-transform:uppercase">HIERARCH</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch.jpg" alt="Forge map "Hierarch" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177930" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Hierarch-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: xDTx Kaos



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/a29543f6-04c1-4a2c-aa70-8f85a3696d65">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes:



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SANCTUM</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum.jpg" alt="Forge map "Sanctum" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177944" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sanctum-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: OG SaLoT, Tyrant Hacker, JoValiant



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/e99cd4b2-5c40-4af8-94fa-7bae8a2fe52a">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes: 



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Strongholds: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SHADE’S PROMISE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise.jpg" alt="Forge map "Shade's Promise" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177958" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/ShadesPromise-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: Zaddy Hammer



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/c28e821d-6bbe-44c2-9404-9ae4ecae7863">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes: 



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>Strongholds: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SLUFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff.jpg" alt="Forge map "Sluff" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177972" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sluff-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: Igrizhar, JoValiant



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/b779652d-f897-43d6-bb96-a17fd847bcc6">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes:



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SOJOURN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn.jpg" alt="Forge map "Sojourn" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-177986" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Sojurn-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: Squally DaBeanz



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/177c57fc-54b7-4abe-bf62-ce2956c3a541">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes: 



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Strongholds: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">UNCONVEYED</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed.jpg" alt="Forge map "Unconveyed" made in Halo Infinite Forge." class="wp-image-178000" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/11/Unconveyed-1568x882.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></figure>



Forgers: Mr Greencastle, Uneeq TV



<a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halo-infinite/ugc/maps/8d7ab30d-20a3-4158-bf26-fc6dd023280b">Bookmark on Halo Waypoint</a>



Modes:



<ul>
<li>CTF: Arena</li>



<li>King of the Hill: Arena</li>



<li>Oddball: Arena</li>



<li>Slayer: Arena</li>
</ul>



Note: this is an altered version of “Conveyance” that has static conveyor belts for a better player experience



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



Ten maps, a variety of Arena modes, and plenty of incredible community creations to explore. 



Jump into the Halo Fest Showcase now and experience all 10 finalists for yourself. Then, join us at Halo Fest as we celebrate the Forgers behind them and reveal the final results of the Halo Fest Forge Contest! 



We’ll see you in matchmaking.

Halo Fest Showcase | Halo Infinite Playlist

By Jeremy Patenaude

Halo: Elegy

Halo Fest

Tashi

Halo Fest: Silent Brickographer

Halo Fest Update: Authors and Artists

Halo25Together

Your Halo Story Chapter 14

Esports

This December at Halo Fest, eight invited teams will battle for their share of a $150,000 prize pool in the HCS Invitational. Last week, we revealed the 8 representatives that accepted invitations and will have the opportunity to build and lead a roster into Halo Fest’s premier competitive event. Without further ado, here are the full rosters that will be competing: 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Invitees and Rosters</h2>



<ul>
<li>Shopify Rebellion: CyKul, Frosty, ItzTheLastShot, Royal 2 and coach Bestman</li>



<li>Spacestation Gaming: Bound, Cearion, Eco, Stellur and coach King Nick</li>



<li>Cloud9: Avucy, Barcode, Bubu dubu, Lethul and coach Senscr </li>



<li>ENVY: Acid, Piggy, Precision, Yakzn and coach Thug Nasty </li>



<li>Team Lucid: Lucid, Falcated, Kuhlect, Pznguin and coach Hoaxer</li>



<li>Team SnakeBite (TSM): SnakeBite, Lqgend, Taulek, Trippy and coach TreyTri  </li>



<li>Team SLG: SLG, Descendant, Glory, Ryanoob and coach Callous</li>



<li>Team Soul Snipe: Soul Snipe, Druk, Sab, Suppressed </li>
</ul>



Congratulations to the organizations and players that will be competing in the HCS Invitational! As a reminder, these invitees were selected through a holistic review of several factors, including:



<ul>
<li>HCS partnered teams that are still actively involved in the community/ecosystem. </li>



<li>Top pros or teams competing consistently (and performing well). </li>



<li>Positive contributors to the Halo community and franchise. </li>
</ul>



World champions, championship-winning organizations, fan favorites, community leaders. These are some of the most recognizable names of the competitive Halo Infinite era. Thank you to this group for the continued positive contributions to the competitive Halo ecosystem. 



It’s important to note that there were more than eight deserving candidates for this event. The limited field size meant difficult decisions had to be made, and many accomplished organizations and players who strongly fit our selection criteria were ultimately unable to be included. That level of competition speaks to the talent, passion, and depth that continues to define the competitive Halo community heading into Halo Fest. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Format </h2>



The format for the HCS Invitational will be slightly different than previous LAN events, as we have the GSL format for group play. Teams will begin in one of two four-team GSL groups (seeded by 2026 HCS points), where every match matters. Win twice and advance, lose twice, and you’re eliminated. The top two teams from each group will move on to the four-team championship bracket that begins Saturday night, leading into Championship Sunday where we will crown the winner! 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-large-font-size">Looking Ahead </h2>



Halo Fest is a celebration of 25 years of Halo, and the HCS Invitational will bring together some of the most influential competitors and organizations of the Halo Infinite era. With the rosters now confirmed, we’re excited to see these teams battle for first place and the lion’s share of the $150,000 prize pool this December. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-small-font-size">-Richie Heinz, HCS Competition Coordinator</h2>

Mutinous Core

HCS Invitational: Rosters Revealed

Halo: Parasite’s Wake, a new horror novel by Tim Lebbon connected to the events of Halo: CE, is out now!



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2552. As the planet Reach falls to the alien alliance known as the Covenant, a lone human ship—the UNSC Pillar of Autumn—fled into slipspace and has arrived at a place that could change the course of this decades-long war. An ancient, mysterious ringworld: Halo.



With human forces scattered across the surface of this immense alien construct, Staff Sergeant Marvin Mobuto must now lead his fellow crewmates—survivors from the ship’s brig—back to the Autumn’s crash site to rally and regroup with their allies. Desertion, drunk and disorderly, and murder are only a few of the charges that Mobuto’s squad carries—and keeping them in line might prove to be just as difficult as surviving the zealous, entrenched Covenant warriors who believe they have found the gateway to paradise.



But as war rages across the ring’s landscape for control of the installation’s weapons and secrets, a far more terrible threat from deep within Halo’s underworld is hellishly unleashed that transforms this conflict into a desperate battle of survival for UNSC and Covenant alike…



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<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Parasites-Wake/Tim-Lebbon/Halo/9781668226834" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Parasites-Wake/Tim-Lebbon/Halo/9781668226834">Halo: Parasite’s Wake is available in trade paperback, ebook, and unabridged audiobook formats.</a>



The audiobook is narrated by Michael Crouch, Lisa Flanagan, Kevin R. Free, Joshua Riley, and Tim Dadabo—the voice of 343 Guilty Spark himself.



The cover art was illustrated by beloved community artist Rythaze.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Parasites-Wake/Tim-Lebbon/Halo/9781668226834"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1920" height="1400" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover.jpg" alt="Cover art of Halo: Parasite's Wake depicting Staff Sergeant Marvin Mobuto and several other marines along with a Sangheili fighting against the Flood on Alpha Halo with the Library visible in the background" class="wp-image-160975" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover.jpg 1920w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover-300x219.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover-1024x747.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover-768x560.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover-1536x1120.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/HaloParasitesWakeCover-1568x1143.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /></a></figure>

Halo: Parasite’s Wake | OUT NOW

Just a few weeks ago in our final Canon Fodder issue we announced that a new novella by Kenneth Peters, former Senior Franchise Writer at Halo Studios, is in the works titled Halo: Burn the Road Home.



We are tremendously excited to reveal the cover art for the book, created and illustrated internally by Jack Fletcher and Sam Wood.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Burn-the-Road-Home/Kenneth-Peters/Halo/9781668288122"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2560" height="1888" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-scaled.jpg" alt="Halo: Burn the Road home cover art by Jack Fletcher and Sam Wood" class="wp-image-176804" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-300x221.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-1024x755.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-768x566.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-1536x1133.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-2048x1511.jpg 2048w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_CoverFull-1568x1157.jpg 1568w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /></a></figure>



2560. Over seven years after Covenant forces invaded the planet Criterion, its human survivors are still struggling to rebuild amid mounting resentment toward the Unified Earth Government. When separatists ambush a reconstruction convoy and steal critical equipment, Colonial Administration Authority Marshal Imani Havel uncovers a conspiracy far more dangerous than local rebellion.



With contact from Earth mysteriously silent and Criterion’s defenses stretched thin, Havel’s pursuit leads through abandoned industrial ruins and a vast graveyard of human and Covenant warships orbiting the planet. But as shadowy off-world operatives emerge from the darkness, she realizes the stolen resources are only the beginning—and that an unimaginable threat has already been set in motion.



Outmanned, outgunned, and with no Spartans coming to the rescue, Havel and a battered UNSC assault force must expose the enemy’s true plan before Criterion’s violent past comes crashing down upon its fragile future….



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Burn the Road Home is due to release later in 2027.



<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Burn-the-Road-Home/Kenneth-Peters/Halo/9781668288122">PRE-ORDER HALO: BURN THE ROAD HOME</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Halo-Burn-the-Road-Home/Kenneth-Peters/Halo/9781668288122"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="858" height="1273" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_Cover_Text.jpg" alt="Halo: Burn the Road home cover art with mechanicals by Jack Fletcher and Sam Wood" class="wp-image-176790" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_Cover_Text.jpg 858w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_Cover_Text-202x300.jpg 202w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_Cover_Text-690x1024.jpg 690w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/10/BTRH_Cover_Text-768x1139.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px" /></a></figure>

Halo: Burn the Road Home | Cover Reveal