In a move that symbolizes the end of an era, the Halo community director wore a PlayStation t-shirt during the official announcement that the iconic franchise is coming to Sony's console for the first time ever.
LAS VEGAS – The Halo World Championship 2025 will be remembered not just for its high-stakes esports, but for a seismic shift in the gaming landscape. During the event's Community Stage, Halo Studios unveiled Halo: Campaign Evolved, a ground-up remake of the classic that started it all. But the true headline was made not just by the game, but by the messenger: Community Director Brian "Ske7ch" Jarrard, who took to the stage in a prominent PlayStation t-shirt to deliver the news that Halo is officially coming to PlayStation 5 in 2026.
The visual statement was as powerful as the announcement itself, marking a definitive pivot for a franchise that was, for over two decades, the definitive exclusive for Xbox.
“It’s a huge deal. It’s a long time coming,” Jarrard told the cheering audience. “We’re just super excited to be able to welcome even more players now into the franchise we love, to fall in love with Halo the same way we all did 24 years ago.”
What is Halo: Campaign Evolved?
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a complete from-the-ground-up remake of the 2001 masterpiece, Halo: Combat Evolved. Built on the powerful Unreal Engine 5, the game promises to revitalize the unforgettable journey of the Pillar of Autumn, the mysterious Halo ring, and the heroic Master Chief for a new generation.
Key features confirmed include:
- A Faithful, Yet Modernized Campaign: Experience the story that defined a generation with stunning, photorealistic visuals.
- 4-Player Cross-Platform Co-op: For the first time in the series' history, players on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PlayStation 5 will be able to band together to fight the Covenant.
- Gameplay Improvements: The classic combat has been refined with smoother controls, refined movement mechanics (including a long-requested sprint ability), and a completely overhauled sound design.
This isn't just a remaster; it's a reimagining designed to be the definitive way to experience the birth of the Halo universe.
A New Era for a Beloved Franchise
The symbolism of the moment was not lost on anyone in attendance. After four generations of console exclusivity, the franchise that built the Xbox is planting its flag on rival territory. Jarrard’s shirt and his words seemed to drive the final nail into the coffin of the decades-long "console wars."
“As a community guy, I know the Halo community is super excited to welcome in their friends as well,” Jarrard added. “It’s just going to mean more Halo for everyone. It’s really a new era. Halo is on PlayStation going forward, starting with Halo: Campaign Evolved.”
This sentiment was echoed by Halo Studios Executive Producer Damon Conn, who called the PS5 debut an “incredible” opportunity to grow the player base.
“What we want is for as many fans and players to be able to play the game as possible,” Conn stated. “To be on the Xbox Series X and S, PC, Steam, and PlayStation all at one time is a heck of a way to kick off the 25th anniversary.”
For more details straight from the source, check out the official announcement on the PlayStation Blog.
The Road to a Multiplatform Future
Xbox’s strategic shift away from exclusivity began in earnest in early 2024. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer initially framed it as a limited experiment, announcing that “just four games” from its first-party catalog would make the jump to PlayStation, including titles like Pentiment and Sea of Thieves.
However, 2025 has proven that this was just the beginning. The floodgates have opened, with major former exclusives like Gears of War: Reloaded launching as a day-one title on PS5, the massive success of Helldivers 2 (which has sold over 19 million copies across platforms), and ports of Forza Horizon 5 and Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl. The trend is clear: Microsoft is now a publisher for everyone.
You can watch the full, historic moment of the announcement, including Brian Jarrard's speech, right here in this timestamped video from the Halo World Championship 2025 stream.
The Final Word
The image of a key Halo figure wearing a PlayStation shirt while announcing a mainline Halo game for a Sony console is one that will be etched in gaming history. It signifies a fundamental change in how platform holders view the market, prioritizing widespread access and community growth over walled gardens.
For millions of PlayStation owners who have never owned an Xbox, the chance to finally step onto the Halo ring is indeed "a long time coming." The war is over, and the players have won.
Are you excited to play Halo on PlayStation? Relive the current chapter of the story while you wait.
Buy Halo: Infinite on Amazon to experience the latest adventure before Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives in 2026.
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