GameStop has taken a humorous yet symbolic step in declaring an end to the decades-long “console wars,” following the landmark announcement that Halo: Campaign Evolved will launch on PlayStation 5 in 2026. The retailer issued a mock proclamation titled “GameStop Declares the Console Wars Over,” marking what many fans view as a historic turning point in modern gaming.
The statement reads, “WHEREAS, for the past two decades, the global gaming community has been engaged in an ongoing and increasingly petty conflict known as The Console Wars; WHEREAS, said conflict originated in the early 2000s with the release of Halo: Combat Evolved as an Xbox-exclusive title; WHEREAS, Halo: Campaign Evolved is officially coming on PlayStation in 2026 with cross-platform play; THEREFORE, GameStop, acting under its authority as a Neutral Entity and The World’s Retail Gaming & Trade-in Destination, hereby declares the official cessation of the console wars.”
The tongue-in-cheek declaration continued by advising that “console loyalists are instructed to cease hostilities, disband militias, and enjoy this new era of gaming,” emphasizing the retailer’s neutral position as a “demilitarized zone” for all players.
Microsoft and 343 Industries recently confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved, a rebuilt and modernized version of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, will be released on PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game is scheduled to launch in 2026 with full cross-platform play support, marking the first time in the franchise’s nearly 25-year history that a mainline Halo title will appear on a non-Xbox platform.
Brian “ske7ch” Jarrard, Community Director at Halo Studios, reflected on the importance of this decision, stating that the franchise’s expansion to PlayStation represents a broader effort to unite players. “The series has always been about shared experiences and friendships forged through cooperative play,” Jarrard explained, noting that this new chapter aims to bring that same sense of community across all platforms.
This announcement follows a growing trend within Microsoft’s strategy to embrace multiplatform publishing. With titles such as Forza and Gears of War already making their way to PlayStation, the arrival of Halo marks the final step in dissolving the barriers that once defined the company’s console-exclusive philosophy. Microsoft’s evolving approach appears focused on reaching a wider audience, emphasizing accessibility, connectivity, and shared gaming experiences over platform loyalty.
