Xbox One to get Halo collection

Microsoft has recoded the main games in its Halo series to run on its Xbox One console.

In addition to original versions of the games, Halo: The Master Chief collection will also include a new visually-upgraded version of Halo 2.

Purchasers of the November release are also being promised “beta” access to the multiplayer version of the forthcoming Halo 5.

One company watcher said it illustrated the firm was listening to its fans.

“I think it’s a smart move,” said David Scarborough, from GamesTM magazine.

“It shows a willingness to satiate the appetite of Xbox hardcore gamers, which is what Microsoft sees the Halo franchise as – it’s biggest hardcore gaming franchise.

“It also feeds into the hype for the next entry in the series.
Halo 5 A pre-rendered teaser for Halo 5: Guardians was shown at the E3 event

“But I personally don’t think it will be something that will incentivise people who haven’t yet bought a new console to buy an Xbox One.”

Xbox gamers who already bought the titles on earlier versions of the Xbox are being given an added reason to buy the games again: the package will also include access to watch a new live-action series called Halo: Nightfall.

The Ridley Scott-produced episodes are currently being filmed in Ireland, and are separate to the Steven Spielberg Halo TV series promised last year.

While new pre-rendered trailer footage of Halo 5 was shown to the audience at the firm’s E3 press conference in Los Angeles, developer 343 Studios was not yet ready to demo gameplay or confirm a launch date.
All about games

Xbox chief Phil Spencer told the crowd at the Microsoft event that Halo was the “reason Xbox is here today”.
Xbox press conference Xbox chief Phil Spencer introduced Microsoft’s E3 press event

He also acknowledged that his firm had changed its strategy to take account of customer feedback – a nod to it abandoning restrictions on the sale of second-hand disks and releasing a cheaper version of the console without its Kinect voice/camera sensor.

He pointedly said at the event’s outset that this year’s event would be dedicated exclusively to showing off new games, rather than sharing the time to show off other multimedia features.

Its rival Sony had exploited Microsoft’s previous attempts to promote the Xbox as both a games machine and a means to control cable TV, pitching the PlayStation 4 as the machine for serious gamers. That move has helped the Japanese company to enjoy stronger sales since both machines launched last November.