Halo Devs Condemn ICE's Use Of IP, Call Out Microsoft's Silence

It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for Halo fans, with the iconic Halo: CE getting an official remake and the IP finally making its way to PlayStation consoles. In the midst of all the recent announcements, both the White House and Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (aka ICE) have posted to social media using Halo-themed images to promote their agendas.

Developers of the original Halo: Combat Evolved have spoken out (via GameFile) against a series of ICE and White House posts on X, and are furious over Microsoft’s failure to officially comment on or denounce the questionable use of Halo imagery to promote the government’s political agendas. Microsoft was given a chance to comment on the issue and has thus far remained silent.

Microsoft Faces Backlash From Halo Devs Over ICE Post

Halo: CE Developers Speak Out Against Political Co-Opting Of Halo IP

After Halo: Campaign Evolved’s official announcement last week, GameStop sent a satirical post on X stating that Halo’s migration to the PlayStation platform was officially the end of the console wars. In response, the White House posted to X using an image of Master Chief, asserting that the current administration was responsible for “ending yet another war” (via Patreon).

The Department of Homeland Security then posted a Halo-based image to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recruitment page, using the “Finishing the Fight” slogan and Master Chief in a Warthog as a primary recruitment image.

In response, former Halo: Combat Evolved developers, including art director Marcus Lehto and OG Bungie team member Jaime Griesemer, have officially denounced the White House and ICE’s co-opting of Halo imagery, and are disgusted at Microsoft’s refusal to comment on the issue, stating it’s “absolutely abhorrent” and that it “makes me sick.”

Microsoft Faces Pressure To Respond To ICE Halo Propaganda

The Pokémon Company Officially Denounced White House Posts & Microsoft Should Follow Suit

There is precedent for major companies speaking out against the current administration’s use of proprietary images to promote official government agendas and/or propaganda campaigns. The Pokémon Company recently responded to a similarly controversial DHS post, stating that their company “was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property.”

While it’s not a full-on admonishment of the shameless ICE post, it is much better than remaining completely silent on the issue. Players and former Halo: CE developers alike are eager to hear an official comment on the issue from Microsoft or Halo Studios, but given the opportunity to respond to IGN in the above article, Microsoft has still failed to respond.