One of the biggest topics that has dominated the gaming landscape in recent months is Xbox's multiplatform push. In early 2024, Microsoft announced that it was bringing four of its first-party games to PlayStation 5 and/or Nintendo Switch. These included Grounded and Pentiment from Obsidian Entertainment, Hi-Fi Rush from Tango Gameworks, and Sea of Thieves from Rare. At the time, it appeared Microsoft was just testing the waters with these multiplatform releases and hadn't committed to completely abandoning Xbox exclusivity. However, the situation changed drastically in the coming months.
Recently, Microsoft announced that it intends to bring several flagship Xbox first-party titles, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Forza Horizon 5, to PlayStation 5 this year. If the reports from trusted insiders are to be believed, however, this is only the beginning. Several leakers have not only suggested that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be coming to PS5 in 2025, but that most, if not all, future Xbox first-party games will be launched on PlayStation and/or Nintendo consoles on day one. This means that the next major Halo game may be released on PS5 the same day as on Xbox. If this actually happens, Microsoft will need to time its release perfectly, because there is a lot of competition that could steal the thunder away from a Halo PS5 port.
The Life, Legacy, and Impact of Halo’s Master Chief
Halo's most well-known character, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, has a rich, complicated history and legacy beyond the Halo games.
Halo's PS5 Debut Needs to Be Timed Perfectly
The moment that Halo makes the jump to PlayStation 5 will, no doubt, be a monumental occasion. Halo is, far and away, the flagship franchise for the Xbox brand, so to see it on a non-Xbox console will feel surreal. Even though the sci-fi FPS series has lost its luster over the years due to consistently controversial game releases, Halo will probably do incredibly well on PlayStation 5. However, there are many other sci-fi games releasing on PlayStation in the near future, all of which could potentially have a negative impact on Halo's sales.
Sony's Upcoming Sci-Fi Games Could Impact Halo's PS5 Sales
A few months ago, the Sony-owned studio Naughty Dog announced its next project, a third-person action-adventure game called Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This game, like Halo, is set in outer space hundreds of years in the future, but it takes considerably more inspiration from 80s pop culture. Intergalactic isn't the only science fiction game in the works at PlayStation Studios, however. Housemarque, the Finnish developer behind 2021's Returnal, is developing a roguelite sci-fi action game titled Saros, which is launching in 2026. Meanwhile, Santa Monica Studio, the creators of God of War, are rumored to be making a new sci-fi IP of its own.
Of course, these three PlayStation first-party games are not coming out in the near future, so a potential Halo: The Master Chief Collection PS5 port likely won't have to compete with them. However, if the next major Halo game is released on PS5 day and date, it could pose a challenge for Microsoft. Rumors are swirling that Halo Studios (formerly known as 343 Industries) is developing a Halo: Combat Evolved remaster, which is currently being considered for PlayStation 5. If this rumored title is launched near Intergalactic, Saros, or Santa Monica Studio's next game, its sales could suffer, particularly on PS5.
A Halo: MCC PS5 Port Could Be Overshadowed By Other Third-Party Sci-Fi Games
Besides first-party content from Sony, there are a handful of third-party releases that are hitting PlayStation 5 in the near future, many of which are sci-fi titles. Borderlands 4, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Mindseye, FBC: Firebreak, and the Microsoft-published Ninja Gaiden 4 are all, for instance, currently slated for 2025. If Microsoft doesn't want Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PS5 to be overshadowed, it should keep an eye on these upcoming sci-fi game releases.
