Halo

Officially Halo (franchise)

ICONIC FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER franchise — flagship XBOX exclusive. Player is MASTER CHIEF (Spartan-117 super-soldier + AI companion CORTANA) fighting alien COVENANT + FLOOD parasites + FORERUNNER threats to save humanity. Original HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED (November 2001) launched Xbox console + defined FPS on consoles (jump + shoot + grenade + melee 4-button design). Developed by BUNGIE (2001-2010), then 343 INDUSTRIES (2011+). 12+ mainline games; 65 million copies sold; universally credited with popularizing CONSOLE MULTIPLAYER FPS. Later games: Halo Reach, Halo 4, Halo 5, HALO INFINITE (2021). Now streaming Paramount+ live-action series (2022+).

📐Various sci-fi environments — ring worlds, spaceships, Earth cities, alien planets⏱~600 min🌤indoor

What is Halo?

Halo is FLAGSHIP FIRST-PERSON SHOOTER franchise + defining XBOX exclusive series developed originally by BUNGIE (2001-2010) then 343 INDUSTRIES (2011+). Published by MICROSOFT GAME STUDIOS + XBOX GAME STUDIOS. FIRST GAME: HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED released NOVEMBER 15, 2001 as launch title for the ORIGINAL XBOX console — game essentially SOLD THE CONSOLE. STORY: MASTER CHIEF (Petty Officer JOHN-117, augmented SPARTAN super-soldier in green MJOLNIR ARMOR) with AI companion CORTANA fights the COVENANT (alien religious empire seeking to activate ancient FORERUNNER superweapons called HALOS which would destroy all life). Later enemies: THE FLOOD (parasitic bio-mass), PROMETHEANS (ancient Forerunner warriors), THE BANISHED (splinter Covenant). MAINLINE GAMES: Halo: Combat Evolved (2001), Halo 2 (2004 — most beloved), Halo 3 (2007 — trilogy conclusion under Bungie), Halo 3: ODST (2009), Halo: Reach (2010 — prequel, Bungie's final Halo), Halo 4 (2012 — 343 Industries debut), Halo 5: Guardians (2015), HALO INFINITE (2021 — open-world reset). Plus MASTER CHIEF COLLECTION (2014, remasters of Halo 1-4), Halo Wars 1 (2009) + 2 (2017, RTS spinoffs), Halo 3: ODST, Halo Anniversary editions. Gameplay INNOVATIONS: (1) 4-BUTTON CONSOLE FPS DESIGN (shoot / grenade / melee / jump — became industry standard); (2) 2-WEAPON LIMIT forcing tactical choices; (3) REGENERATING SHIELDS (before Call of Duty); (4) VEHICLE COMBAT (Warthog jeep, Scorpion tank, Banshee aircraft); (5) COOPERATIVE CAMPAIGN mode (2-4 players); (6) SPLIT-SCREEN multiplayer + LAN PARTIES (defining 2000s multiplayer). MULTIPLAYER: Slayer, Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Oddball, Assault + fan-favorite CUSTOM GAMES (Forge mode from Halo 3+ lets you build custom maps + game types — spawned entire Machinima community + game modes like Race, Zombies, Grifball). CULTURAL IMPACT: LAN PARTIES with Halo 2/3 dominated 2000s college dorms + gaming culture; ROOSTER TEETH'S 'RED VS BLUE' machinima (2003+) is longest-running web series; Bungie's DOWNLOADABLE MAP PACKS pioneered DLC economy. HALO INFINITE (Dec 2021) launched with lauded free-to-play MULTIPLAYER + open-world campaign after 6-year gap. PARAMOUNT+ LIVE-ACTION SERIES (2022-2024) with PABLO SCHREIBER as Master Chief. 65+ MILLION UNITS SOLD across franchise. Considered ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSOLE FPS FRANCHISES EVER + credited with popularizing FPS on gamepads.

Quick facts

How it works

Objective

SINGLE-PLAYER: complete campaign story missions as Master Chief (or in Halo Reach, Noble Team). MULTIPLAYER: Team Slayer (deathmatch), Capture the Flag, King of the Hill, Oddball, and dozens of variants.

Rules

Basic rules

PLAY as MASTER CHIEF (Spartan-117) — super-soldier in green MJOLNIR armor
Or Noble Six (Halo Reach), Rookie (ODST).
CARRY 2 WEAPONS at a time — swap for tactical variety
Assault rifle, battle rifle, plasma pistol, sniper rifle, energy sword, gravity hammer, etc.
GRENADES: fragmentation (human) + plasma (alien sticky)
Plasma grenades stick to enemies + explode; iconic mechanic.
MELEE + SHIELDS regenerate after taking cover
Regenerating shields + 2-weapon limit defined Halo's core.
VEHICLE COMBAT: Warthog jeep, Scorpion tank, Ghost, Banshee, Wraith
Warthog is franchise's icon.
MULTIPLAYER modes: Slayer (deathmatch), CTF, King of the Hill, Oddball, Assault
Plus Custom Games via Forge mode (Halo 3+).
CO-OP CAMPAIGN — 2-4 players online or split-screen
Split-screen tradition maintained through Halo Reach; controversial that Halo 5 dropped it.

Scoring

Multiplayer: kill count / objective score. Campaign: story completion + optional Skulls + achievements.

Action	Points
Kill enemy player in multiplayer Slayer	+1 (usually to 50 kills to win match)
Capture flag in CTF	+1 flag; first to 3-5 wins
Score with Oddball	Hold ball longest; usually 3 min total
Complete campaign mission	Story progression + optional Skulls (difficulty modifiers)
Complete campaign on LASO (Legendary + All Skulls On)	Ultimate achievement — extremely hard
Ranked competitive play (HCS)	Halo Championship Series rank + tournament placement

Win condition · Multiplayer: reach kill/objective threshold before opponent. Campaign: complete final mission on chosen difficulty (Easy/Normal/Heroic/Legendary).

Playing area

Called

Various sci-fi environments — ring worlds, spaceships, Earth cities, alien planets

Dimensions

Halo Infinite: open-world Zeta Halo (~50 km²); other games: linear + arena maps

Iconic settings: Halo ring installations, UNSC Pillar of Autumn, New Mombasa, Reach, Zeta Halo.

Equipment

Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One or PC (Windows/Steam)
Xbox exclusive originally; PC ports from Halo 5 forward. Halo Infinite free multiplayer on all Xbox + PC.
Xbox controller (native design) or M+K on PC
Halo was designed for controller; excellent M+K support on PC.
Xbox Game Pass ($15/month) includes all Halo games + Master Chief Collection
Best-value entry point for franchise.
Master Chief Collection ($20-40 on sale, includes Halo 1-4 + Reach + ODST)
Best single purchase for franchise beginners.

Strategies

MASTER GRENADE PHYSICS — plasma grenades stick + explode, frag grenades bounce
Grenade throws win Halo fights.
PLASMA PISTOL + BATTLE RIFLE = 'noob combo' — melts shields, then headshot
Overcharge plasma pistol drops shields; BR headshot finishes.
CONTROL POWER WEAPONS (Sniper, Rocket Launcher, Energy Sword) in multiplayer
Power weapons decide matches; know spawn timers.
USE VEHICLE PHYSICS creatively — Warthog jumps, tank splash damage
Halo physics allow ridiculous plays.
STRAFE while shooting — never stand still in Halo multiplayer
Movement is core skill.
PLAY campaign on LEGENDARY for full experience
Halo enemies designed to be tough; Legendary is intended difficulty.
FOR CAMPAIGN: 2-player co-op enhances experience massively
Halo co-op is genre-defining.
TRY FORGE mode (Halo 3+) for custom maps + game types
Community creativity defines Halo longevity.

Terminology

Master Chief: Spartan-117 John-117; franchise protagonist.
Cortana: AI companion; blue holographic character.
Spartan: Genetically + cybernetically augmented super-soldier program.
MJOLNIR: Master Chief's iconic green power armor.
Covenant: Alien religious empire — main antagonist Halo 1-3.
Flood: Parasitic bio-mass; late-game campaign antagonist.
Forerunners: Ancient precursor race; built the Halo rings.
Halo Ring: Massive ring-shaped weapon capable of destroying all life in galaxy.
UNSC: United Nations Space Command — human military.
Warthog: Iconic 3-seat UNSC jeep with turret.
Energy Sword: Elite (Covenant) melee weapon; instant-kill.
Battle Rifle (BR): 3-round-burst rifle; Halo 2+ signature weapon.
Plasma Grenade: Sticks to enemies + explodes.
Forge: Halo 3+ map-building mode.
Slayer: Team Deathmatch mode name in Halo.
LASO: Legendary + All Skulls On — hardest campaign challenge.
HCS: Halo Championship Series — pro esports.

Major competitions

Halo Championship Series (HCS) — annual esports circuit
annual · worldwide · since 2014
Halo World Championship — annual major tournament
annual · worldwide · since 2016
MLG (Major League Gaming) Halo events (2000s-2010s)
seasonal · USA + Europe · since 2004
Xbox Live matchmaking (constant)
continuous · worldwide · since 2002

Where it is played

🇬🇱🇴🇧🇦🇱🇅𡆹🇅🇧🇮🇬🇬🇪🇸🇹🇅🇲🇦🇷🇰🇪🇹🇸🇅🇺🇸🇦🇑🇅🇺🇰🇑🇅🇬🇪🇷🇲🇦🇳🇾🇑🇅🇫🇷🇦🇳🇨🇪🇑🇅🇨🇦🇳🇦🇩🇦🇑🇅🇦🇺🇸🇹🇷🇦🇱🇮🇦🇑🇅🇯🇦🇵🇦🇳🇅🇍🇹🇭🇴🇺🇬🇭🇅🇽🇧🇴🇽🇅🇼🇪🇦🇰🇪🇷🇅🇮🇳🇅🇯🇦🇵🇦🇳🇎Global — biggest markets USA, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Japan (though Xbox weaker in Japan)

Governing bodies

343 Industries (developer since 2011)
Founded 2007 · Redmond, WA, USA
Official site ↗
Bungie (original developer 2001-2010)
Founded 1991 · Bellevue, WA, USA (now Destiny developer)
Xbox Game Studios (publisher)
Founded 2000 · Redmond, WA, USA
Halo Championship Series (HCS) — esports
Founded 2014 · worldwide

Famous names & records

Famous athletes

Master Chief (John-117) — Iconic protagonist voiced by STEVE DOWNES
Cortana — AI companion voiced by JEN TAYLOR
Marty O'Donnell + Michael Salvatori — Bungie composers (iconic Gregorian chant Halo theme)
Bungie's Jason Jones + Alex Seropian — Original Halo team
Frank O'Connor — Franchise director at 343 Industries
Ogre 1 + Ogre 2 (Tom + Dan Ryan) — MLG legendary Halo 2 players
Formal (Matt Piper) — Modern Halo Infinite pro
Pablo Schreiber — Live-action Master Chief in Paramount+ series

Learn this sport

beginner

1
Start with HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED (in Master Chief Collection)
Original 2001 game holds up; foundation of franchise.
2
Play on NORMAL difficulty first campaign; HEROIC on replay
Legendary is expert level.
3
Try MULTIPLAYER in Halo Infinite (free-to-play)
Modern entry point; no purchase needed.

intermediate

1
Complete HALO 1-3 + REACH campaigns in Master Chief Collection
Original trilogy + prequel = definitive Halo experience.
2
Master POWER WEAPON control in multiplayer — sniper + rocket + sword timers
Elite skill separator.
3
Try RANKED PLAYLIST in Halo Infinite — climb HCS ladder
Real competitive test.
4
Play CO-OP campaign with friend — 2-player split-screen or online
Best way to enjoy Halo.

advanced

1
Beat any Halo campaign on LEGENDARY difficulty
Legit achievement; unlocks new cutscenes in some games.
2
Attempt LASO run (Legendary + All Skulls On) — extreme challenge
Halo endgame content.
3
Enter LOCAL HALO TOURNAMENTS or online HCS qualifier events
Competitive scene still active for Halo Infinite.
4
Build custom maps in FORGE mode + share on community
Halo Infinite Forge is best iteration ever.

Frequently asked

Which Halo game should I start with?+

TWO RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) FRANCHISE STARTER: HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED ANNIVERSARY (in Master Chief Collection, $20-40 on sale) — original 2001 game with modern graphics; foundation of franchise + concise 8-hour campaign. (2) MODERN ENTRY: HALO INFINITE (2021) — free-to-play multiplayer; buy $60 campaign later if hooked. If you play chronologically: Halo Reach (2010, prequel) → Halo Combat Evolved (2001) → Halo 2 (2004) → Halo 3 (2007) → Halo 3: ODST (2009 side story) → Halo 4 (2012) → Halo 5 (2015, weakest entry, can skip) → Halo Infinite (2021). Master Chief Collection bundles 1-4 + Reach + ODST for one price = best value single-player entry.

Are Bungie games better than 343 Industries games?+

MIXED consensus — BUNGIE'S HALO GAMES (1-4 + Reach + ODST, 2001-2010) are UNIVERSALLY BELOVED — original trilogy is iconic; Halo 2's multiplayer defined Xbox Live; Halo Reach's emotional finale is legendary; Bungie's musical scores + level design + physics are peak of franchise. 343 INDUSTRIES took over in 2011 after Bungie went to Destiny. Halo 4 (2012) was solid but felt different (Cortana focused, new enemies); Halo 5 (2015) was WIDELY DISLIKED (bad story, split protagonist, no split-screen); HALO INFINITE (2021) is 343's REDEMPTION — great multiplayer + open-world campaign though ongoing content updates have been slow. General fan sentiment: BUNGIE = golden era, 343 = mixed but improving with Infinite. Bungie now makes DESTINY 2 (spiritual Halo successor with looter-shooter mechanics).

Is Halo dying?+

MIXED — franchise is smaller than 2000s peak but ALIVE. HALO INFINITE (2021) launched to strong reception; still has 30-50K daily players on Steam + more on Xbox. HALO ESPORTS (HCS — Halo Championship Series) has smaller scene than Call of Duty or Counter-Strike but persists. PARAMOUNT+ LIVE-ACTION SERIES (2022-2024) had mixed reception; canceled after Season 2. 343 INDUSTRIES rebranded as HALO STUDIOS in October 2024 + announced switch from custom Slipspace engine to Unreal Engine 5 for future Halo games — signals long-term investment. Franchise is not dying — just smaller than golden era. LEGACY is CEMENTED as one of most important FPS franchises ever + defining Xbox exclusive. Expect continued Halo games for another decade minimum.

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-26.verified