The moment the Xbox Games Showcase wrapped, Halo fans sprinted to secure the Halo: Campaign Evolved Collector’s Edition.
Priced at $199.99, it vanished within hours across the Americas and most of Europe.
Now, on resale sites, listings are already climbing past $700, with auctions rising fast.
A July Launch With Early Access for Premium Buyers
Microsoft and Halo Studios confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved arrives on July 28, 2026, with five days of early access for Premium and Collector’s Edition owners starting July 23.
Pre‑orders opened immediately after the showcase, and the special edition became the hottest item of the night.
What Was Inside the Collector’s Edition
The Collector’s Edition, available for Xbox Series X, PS5 and PC, included a hefty mix of physical and digital goodies:
- 30 cm Master Chief figurine
- Cortana chip with LED
- Steelbook case
- Three concept art prints
- A modern recreation of the 2001 rulebook
- Premium Edition voucher with early access and cosmetics
- Digital artbook and the short story Halo: Hungry Buzzards
At $199.99, it was already a premium purchase. Now it is a luxury item on the resale market.
Scalpers Strike Fast
The edition sold out so quickly that many fans never even saw the purchase button.
On eBay, dozens of listings appeared within hours:
- Many priced around $400
- Some exceeding $700
- Auctions already hitting $270 with days left to go
The frustration was immediate and loud.
Community Backlash Erupts
On X, fans vented their anger at scalpers and pleaded with Xbox for a solution.
One viral post read:
“Damn scalpers. They buy everything because they can’t find an honest way to make a living. Don’t buy this! If you pay $600 for this, you’re part of the problem.”
Another user tagged Xbox directly, asking whether they planned to help fans who missed out because scalpers scooped up the stock.
The Road to Launch
Halo: Campaign Evolved releases July 28, 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC via Xbox and Steam.
It will also be available day one on Game Pass, ensuring that even those who missed the Collector’s Edition can still jump in at launch.