Halo: Campaign Evolved Arrives July 28 with New 'METEORITE' Story Arc

Developer 343 Industries announced today during the XBOX Games Showcase that Halo: Campaign Evolved will officially launch on July 28, 2026. The expanded and reimagined version of the iconic first-person shooter will include a brand-new story arc titled Operation: METEORITE, which serves as a prequel to the original 2001 game. Players eager to jump back into the boots of Master Chief can secure their copy now, with pre-orders offering exclusive in-game bonuses and early access for certain editions.

The Operation: METEORITE campaign arc adds a three-mission story to the game, delving into a clandestine UNSC operation aboard a Covenant research vessel a year before the events of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. Players will join Master Chief and Sergeant Johnson on a mission that quickly escalates beyond a simple infiltration. This new content introduces fresh locations, diverse enemy variants, and a variety of weapons drawn from across the expansive Halo series, all while deepening the narrative with beloved characters.

The story for Operation: METEORITE was developed in collaboration with acclaimed sci-fi author Troy Denning, known for his contributions to the Halo universe through numerous novels. His involvement ensures the new arc maintains the established tone and military sci-fi authenticity that fans expect from the franchise. "His involvement helped us ground Operation: METEORITE in the tone, stakes, and military sci-fi texture that players expect from Halo," a representative from 343 Industries stated.

New Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses Detailed

Halo: Campaign Evolved is available for pre-order across XBOX, Steam, and PlayStation platforms. All editions include the full game, comprising the original 10-mission campaign and the new Operation: METEORITE story arc. Pre-ordering any edition will also grant players the Foundry Armory Pack, which features the Classic 2001 Mark V Armor skin, a Classic 2001 Assault Rifle skin, and the Gilded Onyx Armor and Assault Rifle styles.

Three distinct editions are being offered:

• Standard Edition ($49.99): Includes the complete game with both campaigns.
• Premium Edition ($69.99): Features the full game, up to five days of early access starting July 23, the Alpha Halo Armory Pack (five Master Chief armor skins and six weapon skins), and the Digital Story & Art Collection. This collection includes a new short story by Troy Denning, The Art of Halo: Campaign Evolved digital artbook, and a digital game manual reminiscent of the original 2001 release.
• Collector’s Edition ($199.99 SRP): Encompasses all Premium Edition content, plus a 12-inch Dark Horse Master Chief statue, a light-up LED Cortana chip, a Steelbook case, three original concept art prints, a physical version of the reimagined game manual, and a game disc for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The Steam version will include a game code.

Early access for the Premium and Collector's Editions begins on July 23, 2026, at 8 a.m. PDT. The game supports cross-play and cross-progression across XBOX Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and PlayStation 5. It will also be available day one on PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate. The global launch is set for July 28, 2026, at 8 a.m. PDT, with Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets releasing on July 29.

This release marks a significant moment for the beloved franchise, offering both a faithful restoration of the original campaign and substantial new content for both long-time fans and newcomers to explore. The addition of Operation: METEORITE promises to expand the lore and provide players with more opportunities to experience the enduring legacy of Master Chief's adventures.