The Halo franchise is one that pulls in billions of dollars for Microsoft, with each release breaking records and moving Xbox hardware in ways that other game developers can only dream of. Live action shorts, toys and other merchandise, web comedy series, books and graphic novels, animated movies, and all other kinds of media have been created in celebration of the property. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or not, there’s little doubt that you’ve heard of Halo. Let’s take a trip back through time to see where this franchise had its humble beginnings.