With the Halo series transitioning to Activision, a comprehensive reboot may be on the horizon. Recent rumors suggest that the next title handled by Activision will open a new chapter, discontinuing the series' existing worldview; these claims have not yet been officially confirmed.
The Xbox brand is approaching a major anniversary in 2026, but has undergone multiple changes this year. Following large-scale layoffs in July, a new phase of restructuring began on September 22. In an internal email, Matt Booty confirmed that Xbox will continue with layoffs and adjust the structure of its studios, further integrating teams that were previously closely connected.
These adjustments include merging Playground Games with Turn 10 Studios, as well as moving Obsidian Entertainment under the Bethesda umbrella. The Halo series has also left its previous management at Halo Studios and been transferred to Activision. Activision is assembling a brand-new dedicated development team to create the next title, which will operate independently from the Call of Duty series' development efforts.
Halo Studios will continue to provide support for the Halo community and existing games. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the studio was significantly affected by this round of layoffs, possibly leaving only 20 developers remaining; Microsoft has not disclosed specific numbers.
Aside from a brief confirmation of these arrangements, Activision has not yet clarified its specific plans for the entire series. Citing sources, the account "TechnicalHalo" claimed that Activision's version of Halo would serve as a new starting point for the series, separate from the existing lore. This reboot plan and worldview adjustment currently remain at the rumor stage.
The recently released Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of Bungie's 2001 title Halo: Combat Evolved, built using Unreal Engine 5. The game faced criticism for changes compared to the original, performance issues, and the lack of multiplayer mode. It launched with a Metacritic score of 81, which later dropped to 80, making it the lowest-rated Halo title on the site.