I Need A Weapon Halo

Every gaming console has its mascots; Mario, Link and Pikachu are the spokesmen for Nintendo while Crash Bandicoot, Lara Croft, Nathan Drake and Kratos take all been ambassadors for Sony. Just there's merely ever been one true mascot for Microsoft's Xbox consoles.

A warrior clad head to toe in emerald armor. A silent soldier who'd prefer to allow his guns do the talking for him. We're referring to John-117, better known as Chief Chief. Only regarding him equally a mascot would exist a great disservice to the graphic symbol, his creators and his fans.

The Master is a titan of the gaming manufacture, shattering sales records and raising the bar for showtime-person shooters (FPS) with each installment of the original Halo trilogy. Yet, his greatest achievement may be his bear on on the gaming customs.

Countless cosplayers and numerous YouTubers owe their careers to Principal Chief. His fans have also helped the Bungie Foundation complete a myriad of charity initiatives. Master Master is a bonafide pop civilization icon, and he turns 20 years former today. Allow's gloat past looking dorsum at the Halo franchise's decorated legacy.

"We're Just Getting Started": The Origins of Halo

Stop us if this sounds familiar: A cybernetic supersoldier battles aliens in a futuristic, sci-fi setting. That'south the basic premise of the Halo franchise, but it also describes the Marathon Trilogy. The Bungie Software Products Corporation developed Marathon, Marathon ii: Durandal and Marathon Infinity for the Apple Macintosh in the mid-1990s.

Company founders Alex Seropian and Jason Jones weren't sure if they wanted to create another Marathon game at that point, simply they were deeply interested in developing a new title that expanded on the success of their previous projects.

Jones tinkered with a game engine that could support large-scale tank combat and robust gunplay. His efforts led to multiple prototypes, a coming together with Steve Jobs, and several demos at the Macworld Conference & Expo and the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in 1999.

Microsoft Game Studios ultimately acquired Bungie (which officially became Bungie Studios) on June xix, 2000. Bungie's "killer app" had many names upwards until this signal (including Blam! and The Santa Machine). Artist Paul Russel eventually pitched the name Halo, though the now-iconic "Combat Evolved" subtitle was added at the insistence of Microsoft's marketing teams.

Halo: Combat Evolved launched on Nov 15, 2001, exclusively for the Xbox. Surprisingly, the game wasn't an overnight success upon release. All the same, a flood (pun almost certainly intended) of rave reviews and first-manus testimonies gradually turned the tide. By July 2003, over 3 million units of Halo: Combat Evolved had sold beyond the world.

Bungie later on released Halo two on November ix, 2004. Halo had get a bonafide miracle by this signal, so the anticipation for its sequel was astronomical. Mainstream media outlets like CBS and CNN extensively covered the game on launch twenty-four hour period, applauding Bungie and Microsoft for selling 2.four 1000000 units within the first 24 hours of Halo 2'due south release.

Halo ii's awe-inspiring success baffled the gaming industry. Developers from every corner of Earth tried to emulate Bungie'due south accomplishments. Sci-fi shooters with ability-armored protagonists cropped upward by the dozen as Bungie's competitors toiled away on "Halo Killers."

Then, September 23, 2007, rolled in. Halo 3was released for the Xbox 360 — once more earning universal acclamation and demolishing sales records on launch day. Halo cemented itself as a landmark FPS franchise. However, gargantuan sales numbers and critical adoration aren't the only reasons for the success of this series.

"Believe": Halo's Cultural Impact

Halo'south passionate fanbase has always been crucial to the franchise's success. So-called "Halo Killers" could emulate the look, feel and production values of Bungie'due south iconic FPS, but they lacked die-hard fans who would nourish midnight releases come rain, sleet or snowfall.

Players adored the Halo franchise for a myriad of reasons; the original trilogy introduced dozens of now-iconic characters like Master Primary, Sergeant Johnson, the Arbiter, and Cortana (the namesake of Windows' virtual assistant). The Halo franchise is likewise famous for its cinematic storyline as well as Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori's hauntingly beautiful soundtracks.

Lastly, the Halo franchise featured incredibly immersive gameplay. Each installment boasts extremely realistic physics and vehicular combat. Halo 2 introduced the ability to hijack vehicles and dual wield weapons while Halo 3 let players create their ain maps and custom game modes. Multiplayer was integral to all iii original Halo titles, connecting millions of gamers from different cities, states, and fifty-fifty countries.

Halo fans span multiple generations and come from every walk of life imaginable. Some folks were soda-chugging, pizza-scarfing college students when Combat Evolved was released. Others were in form -school when Halo 2 made history. Only all of them were, and still are, united by their dearest for this franchise.

We'd be remiss non to mention Red vs. Blue, ane of the oldest and longest-running web shows on the internet, or the late Monty Oum. Halo's popularity also correlates with the rising of esports and major league gaming. Lastly, the Halo community has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to clemency initiatives like GlobalGiving's Coronavirus Relief Fund.

We could wax poetic about Halo's pop cultural significance for ages. Or, you could experience it immediate. Count how many Master Chief cosplayers you see at the next E3. Run into how much engagement the "Halo Theme" nevertheless garners after all these years. Why is Halo nevertheless relevant at age 20? At that place are millions of people who tin can provide an answer.

"Forward Unto Dawn": The Future of the Franchise

Bungie became an independent studio in 2007. Information technology released

Halo: Accomplish

in 2010, then officially departed from Microsoft and the

Halo

franchise. 343 Industries (the developers of

Halo: Combat Evolved Ceremony

) has carried on in Bungie'southward stead since March 31, 2012.

343 Industries adult several titles between 2012 and 2018, including Halo 4, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Halo Wars two and Halo 5: Guardians.Halo Infinite volition be the latest installment in this venerated franchise. Fans can saddle up with Master Chief once more on Dec 8, 2021.

Fourth dimension will tell if Halo Infinite resonates with players and sets new records every bit its predecessors did. Withal, 343 Industries seems committed to honoring Halo's storied legacy. We wish the studio the best of luck with the franchise. And "luck" is something no Halo fan takes for granted.

Source: https://www.ask.com/culture/halo-20th-anniversary?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=9b36b4c2-6a79-4a15-9f82-9a023e79482a