It was originally announced a while back but the time is almost here when Xbox and developer 343 Industries end support for the online features of its Xbox 360 Halo titles on the 13th of January. Full details can be found here but the games in question are:

• Halo Reach
• Halo 4
• Halo 3: ODST
• Halo 3
• Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
• Spartan Assault
• Halo Wars

The Xbox One versions of all these games continue to be supported, such as those bundled with Halo: The Master Chief Collection, but it is still a shame that these services are no longer viable to be maintained for the long term. It’s worth adding that a lot of user generated content was migrated over to MCC some time ago as 343i planned for this and gave players plenty of notice. There’s a chance your favourite custom map or mode is still making the rounds in games!

My first online experience with Xbox Live was playing Halo 2 in backward compatibility on my 360. When Halo 3 arrived it consumed a massive amount of my time and remained one of my “go to” games for a good part of that generation. I even have the Legendary Edition of the game with its infamous “cat hat” helmet. Those memories aren’t going anywhere, they just need a modern console to relive them again.

It’s unlikely that the remaining games will be impacted in the foreseeable future – I think with the time and resources that have been invested into MCC that game is going to be here for a LONG time!