Halo Campaign Evolved: Will It Launch on Game Pass Day One?
Halo Campaign Evolved hits Xbox Game Pass day one, letting fans dive into Master Chief’s adventures the moment it launches. The move reaffirms Microsoft’s commitment to deliver major first-party titles directly through its subscription service.
I know, it feels weird to type this: Halo Campaign Evolved hits Game Pass on day one, and it is also launching on PS5. That combo says a lot about where Microsoft is taking its biggest franchises, and there are some subscription caveats you should know before you start planning a download.
Where you can play it (and how)
- Game Pass day one: It is included at launch with PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. Those are the only tiers that get day-one access to Xbox first-party releases.
- Not included at launch: The report specifically says other tiers like Essential and Premium Game Pass will not have it on day one. Microsoft’s current setup means the lower-priced, non-day-one plan is supposed to get first-party games within a year, so expect Halo Campaign Evolved to roll in later there. Nothing for the entry-level plan at launch.
- PlayStation 5: The game arrives on PS5 the same day as Xbox and PC, but it is not part of any PlayStation Plus tier (Essential, Extra, or Premium). If you want it on PS5, you will have to buy it outright.
The headline shift
This is the first time a mainline Halo campaign drops on a PlayStation console on day one. However you slice it, that is a milestone for the franchise and a pretty clear signal that Xbox Game Studios is fully leaning into a multi-platform strategy when it makes sense.
The fine print (and the messy naming)
The version landing on day one is an enhanced take on Halo Campaign Evolved, and Microsoft is keeping the day-one promise for its top Game Pass tiers: PC and Ultimate. The write-up mentions names like Essential and Premium for the other Game Pass tiers, which is confusing since those labels are usually associated with PlayStation Plus. The gist is simple: if you want Halo on release through a subscription, you need PC Game Pass or Game Pass Ultimate; the cheaper Xbox plan should get it within 12 months.
Why it matters
Putting Halo on Game Pass at launch reinforces Microsoft’s whole pitch that the subscription is where you play its biggest exclusives immediately. Skipping Halo would have been a terrible look, especially with people already grumbling about recent Game Pass price hikes.
Are you jumping in on day one, and where? I am curious who goes Game Pass vs. PS5 purchase for this one.