'The original code is in this game' — Halo Campaign Evolved executive producer says some level layouts have been redesigned to avoid 'repetiveness' but 'you are playing the DNA of the original game'

• Halo Campaign Evolved executive producer Damon Conn says encounters and levels have reduced their "repetition"
• Conn explains that the original code is still in the game under the new build
• He adds that there are "different elements going on while retaining that story, that original intent"

Halo Studios has confirmed that Halo Campaign Evolved still has Halo: Combat Evolved's original code buried underneath the new Unreal Engine 5 build.

That's according to executive producer Damon Conn and creative director Max Szlagor in an interview with TechRadar Gaming at Summer Game Fest 2026, where they discussed how the team recaptured the feel of the original game while creating a modern shooter.

Conn explained that it also addressed some of the encounters and made sure to "reduce" their "repetition."

"Not to mess with the overall story or the way that the game even plays out," he clarified, "but just make that more of a better feel. Some of the levels are a little bit repetitive, and we tried to clean that up as well. While retaining that original feel."

The executive producer continued, confirming that the "original code" of Halo: Combat Evolved "is in this game, underneath the new Unreal Engine 5.

"It's under a layer of Unreal, so you are playing the DNA of the original game," Conn said.

Touching on The Library in particular, the maze-like levels in Halo: Combat Evolved that feature waves of The Flood, Conn said each space and encounter is now "visually distinct."

"Each level, you can see that progressing over time," he explained. "You can see the types of Flood you encounter on each floor changing. We've also leaned into some other facets of what it means to be in The Library. There's some new gameplay layered into those spaces as well. You'll see a new Flood form in there. Again, the new weapons are layered in here.

"There's really just a lot of different elements going on while retaining that story, that original intent. The lighting [for example] is really leading into the vibes of what The Library is too. It should feel like a very fresh experience going through that level."

Halo Campaign Evolved launches on July 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X, Series S, and PC.