halo series halo military science fiction person shooter video game franchise created managed developed subsidiary series centers war humanity alliance aliens known led religious leaders called worship ancient civilization known perished combat parasitic flood central focus franchise builds experiences master chief group artificial intelligence companion characters noble halo reach introduced series term halo refers halo rings large created destroy parasitic flood similar banks culture novels author concept games series praised best person shooters video game console considered xbox killer app led term halo killer describe console games considered better halo fueled success halo immense marketing campaigns publisher microsoft sequels went record breaking sales games sold million copies worldwide games grossing billion strong sales games led franchise expansion media multiple best selling novels graphic novels licensed products halo wars took franchise new video game genre territory real time strategy game rest games series person shooters original trilogy developed expansion halo prequel halo reach project franchise high definition remake game entitled halo combat evolved anniversary released november exactly years release original new installment second series games halo released november halo master chief collection remastered compilation primary halo titles released xbox november collective group fans series referred halo nation setting plot distant past powerful race called fought alien parasite known flood flood spread life overran races affected humanity came conflict result exhausted war having explored options conceived weapon resort combat flood called halo array installation known built large ring shaped known activated destroy life galaxy flood food samples lost delaying long activated rings disappeared tens thousands years later 26th century humanity auspices worlds thanks development faster light travel tensions older stable inner colonies remote outer colonies leading civil war sponsors program create elite group enhanced purpose suppress rebellion year human worlds come attack alliance alien races known leadership declares humanity gods begins holy war genocide superior technology numbers prove decisive advantages effective number turn tide battle humanity favor arrive major stronghold earth planet reach orbit launch invasion planet military unable stop bombarding planet suffers devastating losses leader player character master chief believed lost action following avoid leading earth aboard fleeing ship random coordinates lead ship halo installation events form backdrop game series halo course game pursue damaging autumn leading crew wage guerrilla war ring surface accidentally release flood imprisoned ring threat ring help master chief halo reveals halo activation mean destruction master chief instead detonate autumn engines destroying halo preventing escape flood events game halo chief survivors return earth warning impending attack attack forms mission game unaware destructive nature rings attempt fire ring installation fulfill religious prophecy launch attack earth helping chief defend earth commander race learn truth rings led elite commander named player character join forces humanity stop firing ring successful unexpected installation fail safe protocol rings firing halo picks immediately leader remaining loyalist portal earth battle earth human forces flood infected army eventually repulsed flees portal flood earth africa devastated battle chief johnson troops follow truth portal joined aids chief function fulfill destruction ensuing battle humans flood johnson captured truth activate halo rings tries intervene killed master chief aided flood kill prophet truth rescue johnson finding constructing replacement halo installation master chief decides fire unstable halo destroying flood finding plan kills johnson tries kill master chief master chief destroys halo master chief escape frigate portal closes master chief half trapped space memorial service earth victims war elite depart home planet rear half forward unto dawn deep space distress beacon chief goes years later chief awake find attacked splinter group halo caught artificial gravity pulled artificial forerunner planet requiem ship infinity master chief fighting soldiers called releases hostile forerunner warrior called seeking way combat reveals rampant state knowledge base large gradually insane master chief eventually contacted forerunner consciousness called librarian wife tells crisis flood tried use device called composer transform humanity creatures like needed extra soldiers war race imprisoned forerunner soldiers humans converted composer hidden leaves requiem composer master chief pursues earth master chief working destroy composer master chief succeeds sacrifices save resultant explosion master chief later found floating rubble taken infinity halo guardians begins months later consisting remaining master chief receives signals indicating survived death taking advantage technology chief direct orders travels planet genesis reunite team competing program dispatched journey takes places galaxy including elite leads offensive final remnants loyalist travel discover ancient forerunner eponymous guardians plans impose permanent peace pain death holds master chief team captive able rescue able stop executing plan contemporary technology bringing remaining species game ends plan resistance game series original trilogy games main halo trilogy developed person shooters player experiences action protagonist perspective title series xbox version halo released november game initially intended released windows mac microsoft purchase led game xbox launch title platform exclusive halo introduced gameplay plot themes common trilogy players battle aliens foot vehicles complete objectives attempting uncover secrets eponymous halo concept introduced halo limiting number weapons players carry forcing carefully select preferred armament players fight ranged melee attacks limited number grenades refers weapons grenades melee format golden triangle halo remained fundamentally unchanged trilogy halo player health measured hit points continually energy shield sequels hit point system returns spin offs windows mac port later developed released september november respectively stand expansion entitled halo custom edition released windows exclusive allowed players create custom content game sequel halo released xbox november later windows time game released different editions standard edition game disc traditional xbox packaging collector edition specially designed aluminum case additional bonus dvd extra booklet slightly different user manual halo introduced new gameplay elements chief ability hold fire weapons simultaneously known dual wielding unlike predecessor fully supported online multiplayer xbox live game uses facilitate joining online matches grouping players looking certain types games change traditional list approach find matches online games time release game played people xbox live service week retained title years longest streak game held spot halo final game main halo trilogy ending story arc begun halo game released xbox september adds series new vehicles new weapons class items called equipment game includes limited map editing tool known forge allows players insert game objects weapons existing multiplayer map geometry players save recording gameplay sessions view video angle microsoft industries announced halo master chief collection released november xbox game includes campaign multiplayer modes halo halo halo campaign halo later released free bought master chief collection late saga following split microsoft industries studio established microsoft took helm halo franchise developed halo legends animated series overseen production halo reach halo combat evolved anniversary game series halo announced entry new series halo games known game included staples previous games new redesigned weapon types improved map editing tool expanded multiplayer options maps halo released worldwide november achieving record sales franchise new addition series story driven multiplayer campaign entitled released weeks following halo release telling happened end main game halo guardians sequel halo released xbox october game takes place different worlds mainly revolve attempting hunt master chief game halo series players switch teams campaign certain times master chief team consisting blue team team called consisting fellow halo spin offs success main halo trilogy spurred creation spin games halo wars real time strategy game developed xbox set year game takes place years prior events halo effort spent developing control scheme simple intuitive unlike console strategy games game announced released february march july interview mtv microsoft head xbox business stated working new halo game microsoft independent halo projects announcement new halo project expected game exposition stated building months delayed publisher microsoft halo announcement microsoft minute presentation cut trim presentation minutes microsoft stated wanted game dedicated event release ambiguous teaser trailer september project revealed halo later changed halo set events halo players control elite human soldiers called drop shock game released september announced halo reach prequel main trilogy halo game players control noble hyper lethal members squad noble team defend reach ending game leads directly events game released september cancelled related projects alternate reality games promote release games main trilogy series cryptic email messages circulated prior halo release love bees promote release game revolved website created commissioned microsoft endorsed course game audio clips released eventually formed complete hour story set earth halo halo similarly iris viral marketing campaign release halo featured web containing media files related halo universe spin titles planned release handheld systems progress far development rumors handheld halo title game boy advance surfaced denied rumors commented project microsoft nintendo unlikely las_vegas consumer technology convention january rumors spread version halo handheld system denied rumors stating making game system employee later revealed development extended basic story game structure concepts obtain funding investors concept video microsoft portable featured footage halo caused speculation handheld title microsoft later stated footage demonstration purposes halo included microsoft owned property january ign editor chief claimed played version halo nintendo later demonstrated camera game footage early development style version halo demonstrated work featured dual wielding version halo map october employee explained halo demo fact pitch taken microsoft announced episodic video game developed film director game dubbed halo chronicles confirmed development hiring positions development team jackson told game blog july project longer development jackson manager explained project cancelled budget cuts tied job january company producing working halo themed massively multiplayer online game referred project cancelled internally formal announcement microsoft elements halo universe appeared games halo based character appeared dead alive product collaboration team microsoft halo theme tune available downloadable content guitar hero iii legends rock appears playable character killer instinct season future december industries general manager expressed microsoft aim halo series years march announced free play halo multiplayer game windows closed beta test limited russia scheduled launch second quarter title developed published powered modified version halo engine furthermore microsoft announced sequel ensemble halo wars halo wars slated launch february game developed development game development company started partnered programmer market release jones game crete focusing game market smaller easier compete biggest mac developer games including shooters pathways darkness marathon halo originally code named took place world called planet eventually artist suggested halo game title halo game announced july originally planned real time strategy game mac windows operating systems later changed person action game june microsoft acquired halo launch title xbox video game console receiving xbox development kits rewrote game engine heavily altered presentation turned person shooter halo meant include online multiplayer mode excluded xbox live available halo intended xbox flagship game internal concerns gaming press criticism game publishing act concerns xbox marketing heavily featured halo green color palette console design scheme success game led sequel halo announced august microsoft new_york press event featured improved graphics new weapons multiplayer mode xbox live halo announced initial conception game halo released utilized house graphics engine employed advanced graphics technologies created halo games independent deal microsoft story halo prequel halo reach respectively industries following release halo announced splitting microsoft independent limited liability company remained involved halo series developing games reach rights halo remain microsoft oversee halo microsoft created internal division serving franchise employee serves creative director announcing formation industries microsoft announced xbox live home central hub halo content called halo accessed xbox offers players access content addition tracking halo game career connor described intended prime destination halo company new game halo released november generally positive reviews cultural influences wealth influences adopted team list employees favorite science fiction material published company website developers acknowledged halo series use ring shaped followed concepts featured culture series consider said particularly influential retrospective article edge commented influence like isn necessarily design feeling sense scale epic story going explained main sources inspiration armor soldier constantly live war sense relentless battle influential flood influenced alien species speculated master chief john reference character named john character demolition man ign article exploring literary influences present halo franchise commented similarities halo aspects design perceived reminiscent super soldier program found novel acknowledged film aliens strong cinematic influence report written published compares halo latin epic written classical roman poet travis similarities plots works compares characters present taking role performed master chief role series music seven halo soundtracks released contains music varying nature gameplay music present designed use game dynamic audio engine engine allows mood theme duration music played change according gameplay afford enjoyable listening experience donnell rearranged portions music halo standalone follow narrative course game soundtrack contains music game including variation halo theme played halo debut soundtrack producer donnell decided split music separate volumes volume released november contained themes inspired music present game featuring second release volume contained rest music incomplete included soundtrack soundtrack shipped game released halo unlike predecessor mixed advantage digital surround sound soundtrack halo released november donnell noted wanted bring themes original game help tie end trilogy tracks presented similarly previous soundtrack halo suite form unlike previous soundtracks music synthesized computer soundtrack halo recorded piece orchestra voice chorus final soundtrack recorded seattle washington soundtracks bundled released box set december soundtrack halo released alongside game included tracks game halo wars task creating game music fell listened donnell soundtracks inspiration incorporated halo theme parts arrangements addition synthesized orchestral components composer focused choir piano essential elements feeling important creating halo sound use traveled prague recorded orchestra returning united_states complete music standalone compact disc digital download retail version soundtrack announced january release february music halo composed halo original soundtrack released october followed disc special edition november adaptations halo franchise includes types merchandise adaptations outside video games includes novels graphic novels licensed products action figures packaging tie numerous action figures vehicles based halo produced created halo action figures halo action figures aimed collectors produced selling action figures mega blocks partnered microsoft produce halo wars themed toys books numerous printed adaptations based halo video games canon published author originally approached write halo novelization declined subject matter novel halo fall reach prequel halo written seven weeks published october wrote adaptation halo called halo flood released returned write novel halo strike takes place halo halo published december wrote fourth adaptation halo ghosts published october employee wrote fifth book halo contact harvest released october produced sixth halo cole protocol published november considers halo novels additions halo canon collection halo short stories simultaneously released print formats november includes original material contributions released halo novels new content cover art science fiction author wrote trilogy books focusing called forerunner saga book entitled halo released january followed january march wrote trilogy takes place events halo ghosts book halo came october followed halo thursday war october halo mortal january fourteenth halo book thirteenth novel released november halo author novels based games comics halo universe adapted graphic novel format release collection short stories written illustrated graphic new york comic con announced working ongoing halo series limited series titled halo uprising bridges gap events halo initially planned conclude shortly release halo constant delays led final issue published april marvel announced comic con new comics series written second series written appear coming summer winter david series halo set prior halo focuses elite series published july november series originally titled revolves black team assigned comic halo blood line debuted december comic retelling novel halo fall reach recent comic series entitled halo fall reach fall reach split mini stories invasion new series announced series halo initiation released august returning writer announced halo ongoing comic series covering period directly halo live action feature president began working outside studio system produce halo film adaptation wrote script pitched studios dressed master chief microsoft terms required million percent gross studios passed citing lack risk microsoft compared large share potential profits 20th universal_studios decided partner produce film paying microsoft million option film percent slated executive producer director signed negotiations direct rewrote script crew stopped resumed film times later year 20th century fox threatened pull project leading universal issue ultimatum jackson cut large dollar deals project ended refused project stalled declared project dead late jackson replied film jackson collaborated director told film longer considering working halo film opportunity arose saying working film months project collapse difficult return rights film reverted microsoft forward unto dawn halo forward unto dawn live action film miniseries set halo universe shot feature length film originally released consisting roughly minute episodes released october episode released november series plot occurring early days circa revolves young cadet inspired eventually leader prominent character halo commander series aside reference frigate given new significance series running motif based poem film cut released blu ray dvd december nightfall april announced production company working halo digital feature alongside scott executive producer directors feature expected follow format halo forward unto dawn june announced feature titled halo nightfall included halo master chief collection november launch feature introduces new character franchise agent played actor nightfall considered origin story portrayed cover art halo guardians set play large role series july industries released trailer feature halo nightfall available watch application xbox windows march series available stream download buy physical disc untitled showtime television series announced live action television series halo produced steven_spielberg serving executive producer rumored direct pilot series series premiere american premium cable network showtime project remains active development july anime microsoft announced comic con overseeing production series seven short anime films called financed industries animation created japanese production houses bones entertainment studio creator director served project creative director distributed legends dvd blu ray february stories officially halo canon seventh intended parody universe mid july announced new animated series halo included halo based book halo fall reach reception critical response halo franchise highly successful commercially critically months following halo release sold alongside percent xbox consoles sold million units april halo sales generated million premiere day making fastest selling united_states media product history time combined halo sales games sold million units halo release gamespot reported million units halo retail outlets september day official release world record volume halo broke previous record highest grossing opening day entertainment history making million hours worldwide sales exceeded million week helping double sales xbox compared weekly average halo launch end halo halo number best selling xbox titles respectively halo best selling xbox title halo wars best selling console game selling million units halo series went sell million copies august million copies books reported sales franchise materials greater billion games reach accounted billion sales soundtracks halo halo reach appeared billboard charts week total gross halo merchandise billion million copies games sold total climbed billion july billion january total franchise exceeded billion october figure non game related merchandise halo adaptations successful novels appeared bestseller charts sold copies rare hit games comics genre ghosts contact harvest cole protocol volume appeared new_york_times bestseller lists cole protocol opened 50th overall usa_today list novels sold million copies april overall halo series received critics halo received numerous game year awards march ign listed xbox game time readers ranked fourteenth best game ign readers choice games conversely gamespy ranked halo combat evolved tenth list games time citing repetitive level design lack online multiplayer mode received numerous awards ign listing number xbox game time march initial release xbox november launch gears war xbox november years later halo popular video game xbox live halo nominated won multiple awards won time magazine game year ign chose best xbox online multiplayer game innovative design publications called multiplayer aspect best features ign said multiplayer map lineup strongest series gamespy added multiplayer offering greatly halo veterans complaints focused game plot new_york_times said game plot judged single player aspect ultimately disappointing series music audio received enthusiastic response game reviewers cultural impact main trilogy particularly protagonist declared iconic symbol today wax replica master chief las_vegas compared character notable characters previous generations like author compared halo story saying religious political struggle described games relates modern epic tradition stated halo combat evolved changed combat forever showcased xbox live tool communities noted launch easily comparable biggest sectors entertainment industry marking time video game launch major cultural event america time magazine included franchise time highlighting weeks release halo players spent million combined hours playing game online new_york_times report noted success halo critical microsoft consumers buy xbox console experiencing sales compared helping restore console image september release date halo microsoft shares rose based sales expectations game halo described series genre didn know needed aspects main trilogy games multiple times variety called halo equivalent star wars highly popular video game series large active fan base halo trilogy given rise array video productions emerging entertainment medium virtually footage based halo games taken multiplayer modes main trilogy games productions set outside halo canon based fan fiction closely relating official story halo includes saved film function allows camera angles possible previous games features production game popular tools generating microsoft updated user license agreement allow distribution films notable production comedy series red blue created achieved level success halo specific general credited bringing attention genre red blue generated annual revenues special promotional episodes commissioned series ended june regular episodes numerous promotional videos subsequent series include second series contains dramatic elements comedic predecessor recent series series include game interview life sales history
Halo (series)