Halohas been Microsoft’s most recognizable video game franchise since Bungie’sHalo: Combat Evolvedlaunched alongside the original Xbox in November 2001. It’s so ingrained in the tech giant’s brand that theAI character Cortanaserves as Microsoft’s real-world virtual assistant, up against Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa. Even after Bungie moved on to start theDestinyseries, Microsoft continues producingHalogames with its Xbox Game Studio 343 Industries.
While other Xbox franchises likeGears of WarandForza Horizonalso get a lot of attention,Haloremains a cornerstone. Over the last few years the series has become more ubiquitous thanks toHalo: The Master Chief Collectionpulling together multiple titles for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S users. Its flagship next-gen titleHalo Infinitealso released to positive reviewsafter being delayed over a year past the latest console launch. However,Halofans have reason to mourn this week as seven Xbox 360 games will see “reduced or disabled” online services starting January 13.
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What Halo’s Xbox 360 Server Sunsetting Will Look Like
Developer 343 Industries outlined its plans in a Halo Waypoint blog post last month, announcingXbox 360 servers will be turned offforHalo 3,Halo Wars,Halo 3: ODST,Halo: Reach,Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary,Halo 4, andHalo: Spartan Assault. People who own the games will still be able to play their story campaigns, but other features are impacted to varying degrees. For example,Spartan AssaultandHalo Warswill not support Splitscreen or LAN play, but will have matchmaking despite it no longer being supported forHalo 3,ODST,Reach, and4.
All the features becoming inaccessible after January 13 will not work for players using backwards compatibility on Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S consoles, according to 343 Industries. It said, “The underling software is still the original Xbox 360 content and relies on legacy online services for some functions.” As a result, any achievements based on matchmaking or challenges, as well as Avatar awards tied to in-game activities will no longer be available. The impending sunset date has led tofans reminiscing about games likeHalo 3, but it’s not all bad.
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Options Remain for Halo Fans
Although the experience of playing this Xbox 360 collection ofHalogames likely won’t be the same, most of the titles included in the wave of server shutdowns are not lost forever. The aforementionedHalo: The Master Chief CollectionincludesHalo 3,Halo 3: ODST,Halo: Reach,Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, andHalo 4, all of which retain online services as they’ve been rebuilt for modern hardware.Halo Wars: Definitive Editionon PC and Xbox One will also remain unaffected by the server closures, and fans of the real-time strategy subfranchise can also play 2017’sHalo Wars 2via Xbox Game Pass.
Despite being lesser-known titles in the franchise, thetop-down twin-stick shooterHalo: Spartan Assaultand its sequelSpartan Strikeare also available on Game Pass as of this writing. The description forSpartan Assaulteven says players can “unlock new customizations for yourHalo 4career,” and it connected withThe Master Chief Collectionas far back as 2014.
January 13 will no doubt be a sad day for those who spent late nights playingHalo 3with friends in 2007, but Microsoft’s focus on preservation and backwards compatibility lessens the blow. The franchise has also made a strong impression withHalo Infinite, and while343 Industries continues to fix modes like Big Team Battle, people are logging in every day to complete their battle pass and take part in limited-time events such as Fracture: Tenrai. PlayingHalogames today also doesn’t come with concerns about the Xbox 360’s Red Ring of Death, which should be a comfort to many.
Halo: The Master Chief Collectionis available now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
