According to "industry chatter" in the latest issue of Games Master magazine, Microsoft's newly-formed - and internal - 343 Industries is working on a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. It is set to run on the Halo: Reach engine and could possibly arrive around Halo's ten-year anniversary in November 2011.
Since a full-blown Halo 3 sequel is on target for a late 2012 release window, the rumors of a Combat Evolved remake with improved graphics and physics (and online multiplayer that lives!) would coincide with Microsoft's previously expressed desires to turn Halo into an annual franchise like Call of Duty. Hey, what's the worst that could happen? *coughGuitarHerocough*
U.K. Xbox boss Stephen McGill seems to be in favor of a remake as well. He told GM, "I imagine it's a good idea. I think some people want to go back to older games and see them revisited and I think a lot of developers want to see that too."
So, Halo fans: you already bought it on Xbox, Games on Demand, Windows, and Mac. Want to play the original one more time with prettier graphics and achievements? Personally, and honestly... I might. And that is a good illustration of what is wrong with America. Who needs innovation when we can milk the past? Hear, hear!