Microsoft is “Building Plans” for the 25th Anniversary of Halo and Xbox

The Xbox brand and the Halo franchise will both be celebrating their 25th anniversary in November of 2026, and it seems Microsoft is already beginning to put plans in place to commemorate that double milestone.

Speaking recently in an interview with License Global magazine, while discussing the range and variety of franchises that Microsoft has under its belt, both new and old, Xbox’s head of consumer products John Friend briefly touched on the company’s plans for Halo and Xbox’s 25th anniversary.

“We’re building plans for the 25th anniversary of Halo and Xbox—we have such a rich heritage and history, and these communities have been active for so long, you have to celebrate that,” he said.

What those plans entail remains to be seen, but there are dots to be connected for those keeping track of recent leaks and speculation. It’s been claimed, for instance, that a remaster of Halo: Combat Evolved is in development, which is something that Microsoft could choose to pair with the game’s 25th anniversary.

Meanwhile, leaks have also claimed that the next generation of Xbox is going to kick off in 2026, earlier than many would expect, and that it’s going to also include a portable device.