Halo: Combat Evolved Remaster Reportedly in the Works for PS5
Microsoft and Xbox are reportedly in the early stages of remastering one of their most iconic games, Halo: Combat Evolved, and are even considering a launch on PlayStation 5. This report comes from Tom Warren of The Verge in his weekly Notepad column, suggesting that this project is part of an internal Microsoft initiative known as "Project Latitude."
Project Latitude and Cross-Platform Expansion
Project Latitude began with the goal of bringing several Xbox titles to rival consoles like PS5 and Nintendo Switch. Some of the games that have been part of this initiative include:
- Hi-Fi Rush
- Pentiment
- Sea of Thieves
- Grounded
According to Warren, the remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved is still in its early stages, and fans shouldn't expect any official announcements during the upcoming Xbox showcase at Summer Game Fest 2024.
Potential Cross-Platform Titles
In addition to Halo: Combat Evolved, Microsoft is reportedly considering releasing several other major titles on PS5:
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
- Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
- A new Doom title set to be revealed at the Xbox showcase
Earlier this year, there were discussions within Microsoft about potentially bringing Starfield and a new Gears of War game to PS5. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer publicly stated that Starfield would remain exclusive to Xbox, diverging from the plans for the other games under Project Latitude.
Halo's Legacy and Recent Developments
Halo: Combat Evolved has seen previous remasters and re-releases:
- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary: Remastered edition released in 2011, ten years after the original launch.
- Halo: The Master Chief Collection: Included Halo: Combat Evolved in 2014.
Despite the success of these re-releases and the positive reception of Halo Infinite at launch, the franchise has struggled to maintain a strong player base. The potential remaster for PS5 could be part of Microsoft's strategy to rejuvenate interest in the Halo franchise and expand its reach across different gaming platforms.
Conclusion
While the remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved for PS5 is still in the early stages and has not been officially confirmed, the reports indicate a significant shift in Microsoft's approach to gaming, focusing on cross-platform availability and reaching a broader audience. Fans will need to stay tuned for more updates and potential announcements in the coming months.