On This Day 18 Years Ago, the Greatest FPS of All Time Released

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Halo 3 is a landmark first-person shooter and is still incredibly enjoyable to play. The gaming industry is constantly evolving, which is both exciting and demanding. But certain games become truly iconic, marking significant turning points for the entire industry. Halo 3, released 18 years ago, is one of those games, and it continues to be a vital part of online gaming and FPS history.

Released on September 25, 2007, *Halo 3* is still considered one of the greatest first-person shooter games ever made, even almost twenty years later. While its strong design and captivating story certainly contributed to its lasting popularity, the real reason *Halo 3* remains important is its groundbreaking impact on gaming. It didn’t just improve the FPS genre; it fundamentally changed competitive gaming, multiplayer experiences, and online play in general.

Halo 3 Was The King Of Shooters In A Crowded Era

Halo 3 was the third major game in the Halo series. The original Halo was a huge success for the Xbox, and Halo 2 became the console’s best-selling game. As a result, expectations for Halo 3 in 2007 were incredibly high, as it was one of the most anticipated games for the Xbox 360. Released nearly two years after the Xbox 360 launched, Halo 3 lived up to the hype.

With Bungie fully dedicated to its development, *Halo 3* delivered polished gameplay, a compelling story, and incredible action sequences that still stand out as some of the best in the first-person shooter genre. Though the series continued with solid installments like *Halo: Reach* (and later sequels such as *Halo 4* that weren’t as widely praised), *Halo 3* remains a defining moment for the franchise and console FPS games as a whole.

Halo 3 wasn’t just a great ending to the Halo trilogy; it cemented the series’ place in gaming history. Previous games, particularly Halo 2, were incredibly popular at parties and sleepovers, and Halo 3 continued that tradition, becoming a multiplayer favorite as consoles evolved. This was a time when LAN parties were common, and games like Counter-Strike and Battlefield were also hugely popular.

Along with *Team Fortress 2* (released shortly after), *Halo 3* revolutionized the shooter genre. It brought a new level of over-the-top action and powerful weapons, making the game incredibly enjoyable. Looking back, it’s clear just how influential *Halo 3* was for gamers. At its peak, over a million people were playing simultaneously around the world. Players loved replaying the campaign, especially with friends in co-op and through the various multiplayer modes, extending the game’s popularity far beyond what’s typical for new releases. While it was a huge hit when it came out, the full extent of *Halo 3’s* impact wasn’t felt until years later.

Halo 3 Was The Kind Of Universal Success Gaming Doesn’t Get Anymore

When *Halo 3* came out, it was a massive hit, following the popularity of *Halo 2* and quickly becoming a gaming icon. At the time, only a few games like *Guitar Hero* and *Rock Band* could rival *Halo 3* as the go-to game for parties. Many homes became centers for *Halo 3* nights, with friends gathering to play. Beyond just being a fun multiplayer game, *Halo 3* significantly changed the world of competitive gaming. It became a key game in tournaments, making Major League Gaming and esports much more popular. This shift broadened competitive first-person shooter gaming beyond just PCs and brought it into the console market.

The huge popularity of *Halo 3* kept it among the best-selling Xbox 360 games of all time, even after major releases like *Grand Theft Auto V* and *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare* came out. The game had a big effect on other developers, leading the entire industry to rethink first-person shooters. After *Halo 3*, developers started prioritizing more satisfying shooting mechanics and a wider range of weapons. The improvements *Halo* established and *Halo 3* refined helped both existing franchises like *Call of Duty* and new games like *Gears of War* and *F.E.A.R.* succeed. It seemed that any successful first-person shooter either took inspiration from *Halo 3* or deliberately set itself apart from it.

Halo 3 took downloadable content further than its predecessor, Halo 2. While Halo 2 offered a few downloadable multiplayer arenas, Halo 3 released several larger “Map Packs,” demonstrating a commitment to expanding the game rather than immediately moving on to a sequel. This approach was surprisingly forward-thinking, anticipating the way many games are supported today. In a way, Halo 3 was an early example of a “live service” game, paving the way for later successes like Fortnite. Furthermore, its focus on ranked multiplayer not only supported competitive play but also helped establish the importance of skill levels and the desire for high rankings in modern first-person shooters.

Halo 3 was a turning point for gaming and its community. It successfully balanced a strong single-player story with a robust multiplayer experience, demonstrating that first-person shooters could attract a broad audience. The game provided a satisfying conclusion to its story while also fostering a lasting online community. Today, nearly twenty years later, the world of gaming-especially online shooters and professional gaming-has been significantly shaped by Halo 3’s influence.

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2025-09-26 00:12