Halo: Combat Evolved is a science fiction first-person shooter (FPS) video game released for the Microsoft Xbox in 2001. Developed by Bungie, it's the first installment in the critically acclaimed Halo franchise. Players assume the role of the super-soldier Master Chief as he battles the alien Covenant on the mysterious ringworld called Halo. With revolutionary AI, an arsenal of futuristic weapons, vehicles, and an engaging single-player campaign, as well as online multiplayer, Halo redefined the FPS genre for consoles and became a cornerstone of Xbox gaming.