The studio announced that PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC users will need to link the game to a Microsoft account and use an Xbox Gamertag. The developers state that this is necessary to support cross-play and progress transfer between platforms.
For PS5 owners, there is an additional requirement. In split-screen mode, both profiles must have an active PlayStation Plus subscription and be linked to Microsoft accounts. While the need for PS Plus for online play has long been common, many players consider the subscription requirement for local play on a single screen unusual.
The mandatory authorization within the Microsoft ecosystem has drawn separate criticism. Players have long had a negative attitude towards the practice of using third-party accounts in games on competing platforms. Halo Studios does not plan to abandon this system and recommends creating an Xbox account before release to speed up game setup.
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of the 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved campaign on Unreal Engine 5. The release is scheduled for July 28, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.