Halo

Halo

Epic military science fiction franchise following the interstellar war between humanity and alien alliance known as the Covenant.

IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.
Full Name
Halo
Also Known As
Halo Universe, Halo Saga, Master Chief Collection
Format
Military Science Fiction Video Game Franchise
Release Year
2001
Current Status
Active
Country of Origin
United States
Region
United States
Creator
Bungie Studios
Publisher
Microsoft Game Studios, Xbox Game Studios
Original Work
Video Game
Genre
First-Person Shooter, Military Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Halo.
Story
High-level synopsis and narrative focus.
Humanity fights for survival against the alien Covenant alliance while uncovering ancient secrets of the Forerunners and the Halo rings.
World
Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.
26th century, various planets and space installations across the galaxy, Halo ring worlds
Themes
Core ideas and recurring motifs.
Heroism, sacrifice, artificial intelligence, ancient mysteries, survival, military brotherhood

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Halo's global influence.
2001
Halo: Combat Evolved launches as Xbox exclusive, revolutionizing console FPS
2004
Halo 2 introduces Xbox Live multiplayer, becomes cultural phenomenon
2007
Halo 3 concludes original trilogy with record-breaking sales
2009
Halo 3: ODST explores different perspective in Halo universe
2010
Halo: Reach serves as prequel, Bungie's final Halo game
2012
Halo 4 begins new trilogy under 343 Industries
2015
Halo 5: Guardians continues Reclaimer Saga
2021
Halo Infinite launches as free-to-play multiplayer with campaign
2022
Halo TV series premieres on Paramount+
Sales
Over 81 million copies sold across all games in the franchise
Revenue
Multi-billion dollar franchise generating revenue through games, media, and merchandise
Awards
Numerous Game of the Year awards, technical achievement awards, music awards

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Halo.
Master Chief Petty Officer John-117
I need a weapon.
Legendary Spartan super-soldier and humanity's greatest warrior in the fight against alien threats.View Profile
Cortana
Don't make a girl a promise... if you know you can't keep it.
Advanced AI construct created from a clone of Dr.View Profile
Arbiter
Were it so easy.
Former Covenant Supreme Commander who becomes an ally to humanity after learning the truth about the Halo rings.View Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Master Chief and what is his origin?
Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is a Spartan-II supersoldier. Abducted as a child by the UNSC, he underwent rigorous training and dangerous biological augmentations to become the ultimate weapon against insurrectionists and, later, the alien Covenant.
What is the relationship between Master Chief and Cortana?
Cortana is a smart AI created from a clone of Dr. Catherine Halsey's brain. She serves as Master Chief's partner, hacking systems and providing tactical intel. Their bond is the emotional core of the series, evolving from a soldier-AI dynamic to a deep, protective friendship.
Why did the Covenant declare war on humanity?
The Covenant's religious leaders, the Prophets, learned that humans were related to their gods, the Forerunners (specifically as 'Reclaimers'). Fearing this truth would undermine their religion—which promised transcendence through the Great Journey—they declared humanity an affront to the gods and sought to exterminate them.
What exactly are the Halo rings?
The Halo Array is a network of ring-shaped superweapons built by the ancient Forerunners. While they sustain life-supporting biospheres, their primary function is to wipe out all sentient life in the galaxy to starve the parasitic Flood, which consumes biomass.
What is the Flood and why is it so dangerous?
The Flood is a parasitic, hive-mind organism that infects and mutates sentient lifeforms. It assimilates the knowledge and biomass of its victims, growing smarter and more powerful. It is considered the greatest threat to life in the galaxy, prompting the creation of the Halo rings.
Is Halo Infinite multiplayer free to play?
Yes, the multiplayer component of Halo Infinite is free-to-play on Xbox consoles and PC, supporting cross-play and cross-progression. The campaign mode is a separate, paid experience.
What is the 'Great Journey' in Covenant religion?
The Great Journey is the Covenant's central religious belief that activating the Halo rings will propel true believers into a state of godhood, following in the footsteps of the Forerunners. In reality, activation means galactic extinction.
Do I need to play the previous Halo games to understand Halo Infinite?
While Halo Infinite is designed as a spiritual reboot to welcome new players, it continues the story of Master Chief and Cortana. Playing 'Halo: The Master Chief Collection' and 'Halo 5: Guardians' provides valuable context for the characters' motivations and the state of the galaxy.
What is the difference between Spartans II, III, and IV?
Spartan-IIs (like Master Chief) were child conscripts with the most extensive augmentations. Spartan-IIIs were cheaper, expendable soldiers trained for suicide missions. Spartan-IVs are adult volunteers from the existing military with advanced armor but less extreme biological augmentations.
Is the Halo TV series canon to the games?
No, the Halo TV series on Paramount+ takes place in the 'Silver Timeline.' It is a separate continuity from the video games and books, allowing the show to explore different character arcs and plot points without conflicting with established game lore.

Official & Related Links

Find official resources and trusted references to learn more.
Official Website
Streaming / Watch
Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Microsoft Store
Where to Buy
Xbox Store, Steam, retail gaming stores

Share the Joy and Fun!

Spread the word to your friends and community.