With Microsoft's Xbox Game Showcase just days away, The Verge is reporting on a potential jaw-dropping business decision that could alter the gaming landscape forever. Microsoft has made it clear that it is considering bringing some of its exclusive games to other platforms, including its biggest competitor Sony.
Some of the first Xbox console exclusives have already arrived on PlayStation, including Grounded, Pentiment, Sea of Thieves, and Hi-Fi Rush. While these are fairly big titles, none are considered "flagship" Xbox exclusives, which is why The Verge's latest report is turning heads.
In Tom Warren's Notepad newsletter for the site, the industry veteran claims that Microsoft is reportedly mulling the idea of bringing its original Halo title to PlayStation. He reveals that Microsoft is working on a remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved, and suggests that it is being considered for release on Sony's PlayStation 5 console.
Because the remaster is still i nits "early days" of development, it's unlikely that Microsoft will make any official announcement at the Xbox Games Showcase this weekend. But it's possible some additional games could be revealed for platforms outside the Xbox gaming ecosystem.
Despite Xbox already releasing a few titles on PlayStation, none carry as much weight as the Halo franchise. We're talking about one of Xbox's flagship franchises — a launch game for the original Xbox gaming system. This would be the biggest indicator that Microsoft is shifting from its current hardware and first-party title strategy.
Developed by Bungie, Halo: Combat Evolved was released in 2001 as a launch game for the original Xbox. The game received widespread critical acclaim, scoring a near-perfect 97/100 on Metacritic. Considered by many to be one of the greatest — or at least most important — video games of all time, Halo: Combat Evolved put Xbox on the gaming map. It jump-started a franchise that now includes multiple video game sequels, novels, comic books, short films, animated films, toys, and a live-action television series adaptation.
In 2011, Microsoft released Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary in celebration of the original game's 10th anniversary. The remake — developed by 343 Industries, Saber Interactive, and Certain Affinity — was released for the Xbox 360 with updated graphics, sounds, and the ability to toggle between the remastered and original visuals. It wasn't perfect though, as there were complaints of technical glitches and bugs with the original game's level design.
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary was also brought to Xbox One as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection in November 2014.