Classic Halo remake coming to Xbox 360

Microsoft announced today that it is re-mastering its popular Halo game for the Xbox 360 with high-definition graphics and Xbox Live features. The company made the announcement at the Electronic Entertainment Expo today in Los Angeles, Calif.

Halo was one of the games that put the original Xbox, and Microsoft, on the map for home console gaming. It spawned two sequels and a number of spin-off titles that have all sold extremely well. The first Halo game was announced 10 years ago, when console gaming was still becoming more popular with mainstream audiences.

Today, home gaming consoles are a staple for most living rooms. That’s especially true with the advent of motion-controlled devices like the Xbox Kinect, which lets Xbox 360 owners control the console’s main features with arm motions and voice controls. Console owners are able to access popular apps like Netflix and Hulu, which found their start on computers, on the Xbox 360.

The Halo franchise is considered partially responsible for making first-person shooter games, where users control a character and see the game through that character’s eyes, more popular on home gaming consoles like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It popularized a number of features in first-person shooter games that are now staples — such as regenerating health over time and only carrying a limited number of weapons.

The 10th anniversary Halo remake will be available November 15th. The company still hasn’t announced the next Halo game yet, though an early leaked website indicates that there is a Halo sequel on the way.