Activision’s new Halo project may be taking the franchise in a much different direction than previously expected. According to a new report from leaker RebsGaming, Activision had already been experimenting with potential Halo projects before officially confirming its involvement with the franchise.
The information reportedly comes from a source familiar with Activision’s early plans, although the project is still considered to be in the early stages of development. That means the details could change considerably before anything is officially revealed.
ACTIVISION REPORTEDLY CONSIDERED TWO HALO GAMES
According to RebsGaming, Activision initially considered developing two separate Halo projects.
One project was reportedly designed as a free-to-play multiplayer experience, while the other would have focused exclusively on a single-player campaign. The two concepts apparently progressed far enough for basic gameplay mechanics to be explored.
RebsGaming claims that Sledgehammer Games, known for its work on several Call of Duty titles, created prototypes for both concepts.
Those prototypes reportedly focused on fundamental gameplay systems, including player movement, giving Activision an early opportunity to test how its version of Halo could play.
However, those two projects were allegedly abandoned in favor of a single, larger Halo experience.
THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN PLAN COULD HAVE SKIPPED HALO INFINITE
One of the more interesting claims involves what Activision reportedly had planned for the campaign project.
According to the report, the proposed campaign game would have served as a soft reboot of the franchise while skipping the events of Halo Infinite. At the same time, other portions of Halo history would reportedly have remained canon.
That approach would have allowed Activision to establish a new direction without completely discarding the franchise's previous history.
The report now claims that Activision may be considering something even more ambitious: a full reboot centered around Master Chief's origins.
RebsGaming's source reportedly stressed that the plans are not finalized and could still change as development progresses.
A FULL HALO REBOOT WOULD BE A MAJOR CHANGE
If accurate, rebooting Halo would represent a significant shift for the franchise.
Activision taking over development could give the publisher an opportunity to establish its own vision for the series while introducing Halo to players who may not have followed the franchise throughout its history.
A new starting point centered on Master Chief could also provide Activision with a way to reintroduce one of gaming's most recognizable characters to a much larger audience.
However, there is currently no official confirmation that Activision has committed to this direction.
The company has only confirmed that it is working on the next major Halo project, with Activision president Rob Kostich previously making the company's ambition clear.
“For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place.”
Kostich also said that Activision has begun assembling a dedicated team for the project.
ACTIVISION’S HALO PROJECT IS STILL EARLY
For now, the most important detail is that Activision's Halo project appears to be far enough away that its final direction may not yet be locked down.
The reported prototypes, canceled multiplayer and campaign concepts, and potential reboot could all represent stages of Activision's internal experimentation rather than plans that will ultimately reach players.
A full reboot focused on Master Chief's origins would certainly be one of the biggest changes Halo has undergone, but until Activision provides additional information, it should be treated strictly as a rumor.
For now, fans will have to wait to see whether Activision's next Halo truly represents a new beginning for the franchise or whether the publisher ultimately chooses a different path.