Who Created the Halo Franchise? The Story of Bungie and Microsoft

Bungie (founded 1991) developed the original Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) as an Xbox launch title. Microsoft acquired Bungie in 2000, making Halo a first-party franchise.

Bungie's Halo Titles

• Halo: Combat Evolved
• Halo 2
• Halo 3
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo: Reach

The Transition

In 2007, Bungie split from Microsoft to become independent. 343 Industries (an internal Microsoft studio) took over development with Halo 4 onward. Microsoft owns the IP.