If Activision really is taking over Halo, fans like me are in for a treat

With rumours of Activision taking over the Halo franchise, as a lifelong fan, it’s a change that could finally reignite hope for the declining series.

During a July 2026 episode of the Xbox Two Podcast, video game journalist and industry insider Jez Corden spoke about the rumours that Activision (a company owned by Microsoft) could take over the Halo series.

It comes in the aftermath of Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) fumbling the property from the get-go.

“I heard a crazy rumour that Halo might be transferred to Activision's management. Honestly, I don't really believe it myself right now, but if it does happen. You heard it here first,” said Corden.

Halo and Activision rumours pick up steam

Several months later, courtesy of Rebs Gaming, those rumours have picked up traction, with reports claiming that Sledgehammer Games, a prominent Call of Duty studio, reportedly worked on a Halo multiplayer game before it was cancelled internally.

“I spoke to a source who previously sent me a bunch of Campaign Evolved information that turned out to be 100% accurate,” said Rebs Gaming.

"They told me that Microsoft is exploring a proposition to have Activision help develop Halo games, which includes having Sledgehammer Games help develop a Halo multiplayer game.”

The prototype was reportedly playable with “basic gameplay mechanics”, but testing on the build ended in June 2026 with Microsoft deciding not to proceed with the project any further.

However, Rebs Gaming added: “Cancelling the pitch prototype does not mean Activision won't develop Halo games. According to my source, Microsoft is still exploring the proposition, but they have not greenlit anything yet.”

REVIEW: Halo: Campaign Evolved has saved the franchise; it's that exceptional

Halo: Reach, Xbox Game Studios

This could be the news that many Halo fans have waited for

Most Halo fans would probably agree that the series hasn't been the same since Bungie stopped working with Microsoft in 2010, which led to the launch of Destiny in 2014. Bungie’s last game was Halo: Reach. Some might say this was the last time the series was at its best.

343 Industries (now known as Halo Studios) began working with Bungie on Halo: ODST, which was released in 2009. The studio would also help with the development of Halo: Reach, but its first outright game was 2014’s Halo 4, a game that many pinpoint as its downward spiral.

The numbers don't look good for Halo Studios

So, what do the numbers say? Has the Halo series really been on a downward trajectory since 343 Industries, now Halo Studios, took over the franchise?

According to Metacritic, the original Halo: Combat Evolved scored 97. Halo 2 scored 95. Halo 3 scored 94, and Halo: Reach scored 91. Some argue that Halo 3 is the pinnacle of the series. While Halo: ODST, a spin-off intended to be Halo 3 DLC, scored the lowest at 83. All those games were primarily developed by Bungie.

343 Industries/Halo Studios’ first gig as the primary developer, Halo 4, scored 87. Halo 5: Guardians scored 84, Halo Infinite scored 87, and Halo: Campaign Evolved scored 80. There was Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary in 2011, which scored 82, and that was a remaster.

The numbers show that out of five games that 343 Industries/Halo Studios have handled, it’s not broken into the 90s, and with 87 being its highest score to date, it could be fairly stated that that’s not good enough for the iconic franchise, and Halo most certainly deserved better. Much, much better.

Could Activision save Halo?

At this time, that’s anyone’s guess, especially with the prospect of Activision taking over the Halo series being mere hearsay at this point. That being said, it does have a very strong pedigree with the first-person shooter genre, and it’s no stranger to sci-fi themes. I would also assume that there’s a lot of love for Halo throughout the company. I suppose the question we should ask ourselves is: how many chances will Halo Studios get?

Sure, the studio could release Halo 6 or a Halo 2 remake and completely knock it out of the park. However, if Halo Studios gets it wrong and the next game in this beloved series flops, it could not only kill the studio but also the franchise. So the other question that needs to be asked is whether Microsoft is willing to take that risk and spin the roulette wheel one more time? Only time will tell.

Microsoft, the ball is in your court.