Halo is a popular series of electronic games in which futuristic soldiers do battle with aliens. Most “Halo” games are first-person shooters, a type of game in which the player engages in firefights from the perspective of a character in the game world. “Halo” games are known for their fast-paced combat and distinctive science fiction setting. They are also recognizable for their protagonist (main character), Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, known as Master Chief. The games can be played on personal computers (PC’s), video game consoles, and smartphones. 
“Halo” games can be played in single-player or multiplayer mode. In single-player mode, players take on the role of the game’s protagonist, originally the super soldier Master Chief. Players embark on campaigns to follow the plot of a “Halo” game, defeating enemies in various worlds. In multiplayer mode, players may choose different characters to play in a split-screen or online game. Multiple players can fight in team battles or modes such as 24-player battles or capture the flag. Another feature allows users to create custom maps in which to play.
There are more than a dozen entries in the “Halo” series. Each “Halo” game is different, but most share several common elements. The games take place in the future across the galaxy. Game characters have weapons, technology, or other attributes to help them fight enemy aliens and travel around artificial worlds called halos. These ring-shaped worlds have various environments. In many games, Master Chief and his artificial intelligence (AI) companion, named Cortana, battle a parasitic life form called the Flood. Some entries take place on Earth in the 2500’s.
“Halo” was developed by the game company Bungie of Bellevue, Washington. In 2000, the American company Microsoft Games purchased Bungie and the rights to “Halo”. The first game, Halo: Combat Evolved (2001), was released with the launch of Microsoft’s new video game console, the Xbox. It was released on PC in 2003. The game was rated highly. Its sequel, Halo 2 (2004), garnered a record number of pre-orders and sold more than 2 million copies in 24 hours. The game was released to critical acclaim. Halo 2 was designed to emphasize multiplayer online play, which proved to be extremely popular. The storyline was left on a cliffhanger to create a trilogy with Halo 3 (2007). Following that game’s release, Bungie gained independence from Microsoft. However, Microsoft retained the rights to the “Halo” franchise. 
Halo Wars (2009) was made by the developer Ensemble Studios of Dallas, Texas. For Bungie’s final “Halo” games, it released Halo 3: ODST (also 2009) and Halo: Reach (2010). ODST stands for Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, the type of soldier featured in the game. Both games emphasized character and storytelling. Halo: Reach was rated highly by critics and consumers.
Halo 4 (2012) was developed by 343 Industries, a Kirkland, Washington, studio built by Microsoft to take over the development of “Halo” games after its split from Bungie. The series was updated by 343 with storylines that spanned multiple games. These included original characters and expanded upon an alien species called the Forerunners and a new group of warriors who served them called the Prometheans. The studio also released anniversary and remastered versions of the games. Halo: Spartan Assault (2013) was the first of the series released for mobile devices. Other 343 releases include Halo: Spartan Strike (2015), Halo 5: Guardians (2015), and, with UK-based developer Creative Assembly, Halo Wars 2 (2017).
Halo Infinite (2021) was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of a campaign storyline, it featured a somewhat open-world design. Open-world games allow players freedom to explore the game world and pursue tasks at their leisure. The game’s multiplayer beta (test) version was released for free in November 2021 on Xbox and PC. It achieved widespread popularity, with more than 100,000 initial players. The single-player game was released in December 2021.
In 2022, a “Halo” television series debuted. It received mixed reviews. There have also been many “Halo” novels.
