Editing Halo Online

{{Title|''Halo Online''}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Game infobox
|name= ''Halo Online''
|image= [[File:Halo Online logo.jpg|300px]]
|developer= [[Saber Interactive]]<br>Innova Systems
|publisher= [[Microsoft Studios]]
|engine=[[Blam engine]]
|platform= [[PC]]
|releasedate=Cancelled
|genre= [[First-person shooter]]
|modes= [[Multiplayer]]
|rating=
|website= [[ru.4game.com/halo]]
}}

'''''Halo Online''''' was to be a multiplayer-focused ''Halo'' game developed by [[Saber Interactive]] and Innova Systems in collaboration with [[343 Industries]].<ref name="waypoint">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-online-closed-beta-launching-in-russia '''Halo Waypoint''': '' Halo Online Closed Beta Launching in Russia'']</ref> It was officially announced in [[2015|March 25, 2015]], with a closed Alpha test that started on [[2015|April 21, 2015]] in Russia only.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} On [[2015|December 28, 2015]], a closed Beta test was suspended and on [[2016|August 24, 2016]], cancellation of the game in its current form was announced.

==Synopsis==
''Halo Online'' takes place shortly after the events of ''Halo 3'' around January 28, [[2555]].<ref name="ign">[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/03/25/halo-online-is-a-free-to-play-pc-shooter-coming-only-to-russia '''IGN''': ''Halo Online Is a Free-to-Play PC Shooter Coming Only to Russia'']</ref> The game is set on a secret [[UNSC]] space installation called [[Anvil Station|Anvil]], where [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] and [[Sangheili]] soldiers train together in [[War Games|simulated war exercises]] to sharpen their battle skills and test experimental technology.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}}

==Appearances==
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5|title-1=Characters|
===Human===
*[[Terrence Hood]] {{C|Holographic projection only}}

===Sangheili===
*[[Thel 'Vadam]] {{C|Holographic projection only}}
|title-2=Species and entities|
*[[Human]]
*[[Sangheili]]
|title-3=Organizations|
===Human===
*[[Cascade Stronghold Technologies]] {{Mo}}
*[[Lethbridge Industrial]] {{Mo}}
*[[Unified Earth Government]]
**[[United Nations Space Command]]
***[[UNSC Defense Force]]
****[[Spartan Operations|Spartan]]
*****[[SPARTAN-IV program]]
****[[UNSC Navy]]
*****[[Office of Naval Intelligence]] {{Mo}}

===Alien===
*[[Covenant]] {{Mo}}
*[[Covenant remnants]]
**[[Swords of Sanghelios]]
|title-4=Locations|
*[[Anvil Station]] {{1st}}
*[[Concord]] {{Mo}}
*[[Epsilon Eridani system]]
**[[Reach]] {{Mo}}
*[[Installation 00]]
*[[New Carthage]] {{Mo}}
*[[Partition]]
*[[Sol system]]
**[[Earth]]
***[[Africa]]
****[[Kenya]]
*****[[Voi Memorial]]
***Asia
****Russia
*****Tyumen
******[[Precinct 13]] {{1st}}
|title-5=Events|
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
**[[Defense of Concord]] {{C|Indirect mention}}
*[[Treaty of 2552]]
**[[ANVIL initiative]]
|title-6=Vehicles|
===Human===
*[[AV-14 Hornet]]

*{{Class|Charon|light frigate}}
**{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}}
*[[M12 Warthog]]
**[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]
*[[M274 Mongoose]]
*[[M808C Scorpion]]
*[[Space station]]
**[[Anvil Station]]

===Covenant===
*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}
*[[Barukaza Workshop Chopper]]
*[[Type-26 Banshee|Type-26B Banshee]]
*{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}
*{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}
*[[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]]
|title-7=Weapons|
===Human===
*[[AIE-486H machine gun]]
*[[BR55 battle rifle]]
*[[BR85HB battle rifle]]
*[[LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod]]
*[[M247H machine gun]]
*[[M395 DMR]]
*[[M41 rocket launcher]]
*[[M45D shotgun]]
*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]
*[[M6C/SOCOM]]
*[[M6H magnum]]
*[[M7 SMG]]
*[[M7S SMG]]
*[[M7057 flamethrower]]
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
*[[MA5D assault rifle]]
*[[SRS99-S5 AM sniper rifle]]

===Covenant===
*[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}
*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]]
*[[Type-2 spike grenade]]
*[[Orgudam Workshop firebomb]]
*{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
*{{Pattern|Kewu R'shi'k|plasma rifle}}
*[[Type-25 Brute Shot]]
*[[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]]
*[[Type-25 plasma pistol]]
*{{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}}
*[[Type-33 Needler]]
*{{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}
*[[Type-52 Mauler]]

===Forerunner===
*[[Sentinel Beam]]
|title-8=Technology and equipment|
*[[Active camouflage]]
*[[Brokkr Armor Mechanism]]
*[[Deployable cover]]
*[[Flare]]
*[[M2705 regeneration field]]
*[[Man cannon]]
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor [GEN2]]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/AA variant|Air Assault]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Breaker]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Buzzsaw]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Cain]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Caladcholg]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Cyclops]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Defender|Defender]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/EOD variant|EOD]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Flenser]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Gunslinger]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Halberd]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Hoplite|Hoplite]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Infiltrator|Infiltrator]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Inquisitor]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Juggernaut]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mirmillion|Mirmillion]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Mongoose]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Ninja]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Omni]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Operator|Operator]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Oracle]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Paladin]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Pioneer|Pioneer]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Rampart]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Ranger|Ranger]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Reaper|Reaper]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Recruit|Recruit]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Renegade]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/A variant|Rogue]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Samurai]] variant {{1st}}
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Sceptre]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant|Scout]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Soldier|Soldier]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Spectrum]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Strider|Strider]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Tremor]] variant {{1st}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Venator|Venator]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Void Dancer|Void Dancer]] variant 
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/War Master|War Master]] variant
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Warrior|Warrior]] variant
**[[Armor customization (Halo Online)|Widow Maker]] variant {{1st}}
*[[ODST armor]] {{Mo}}
*[[Overshield]]
*[[Power core]]
*[[Power drain]]
*[[Radar jammer]]
*[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]
**[[Sangheili Minor|Minor]] variant
*[[Sentinel]]
**[[Constructor]] variant
*[[TR/9 trip mine]]
*[[Type-27 hologram]]
*[[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance]]
*[[Z-2500 Autosentry]]
*[[Z-4190 bubble shield]]
*[[Z-5080 Promethean vision]]
*[[Z-90 hardlight shield]] {{Mo}}
}}

==Gameplay==
''Halo Online'' was to include "classic weapons and vehicles" from the ''Halo'' franchise, including the [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornet]] and the [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]].{{Ref/Reuse|ign}} Several new weapons were also to be implemented into the game.<ref name="trailer">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=612_qzVHRQg '''YouTube''': ''Halo Online Announce Trailer'']</ref> Fan favorite multiplayer maps were to return, along with several new maps—one of which was set in a [[Wikipedia:Russia|Russian]] town. ''Halo Online'' would have been optimized for keyboard and mouse controls. Online matches could handle up to sixteen players, with four players being required for a match.{{Ref/Reuse|ign}}

Players were to be able to customize their loadouts, including armor, weapons and abilities. There were several variants of each weapon available for modification. Each weapon featured variants with increased damage, accuracy, and rate of fire.{{Ref/Reuse|trailer}} Unlike most of Halo games, players would not be able to change their armor pieces individually, only as a whole set.

Similar to ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'' there was an ending animation for a match. Though in ''Halo Online'' it featured only the top three players rather than the entire team.

===Professions===
In ''Halo Online'' three professions were available to the player: Assault, Sharpshooter, and Tactical. These professions dictated the player's starting equipment, such as primary weapon and armor.<ref name="How to play">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3VMtDpW89Y '''YouTube''': ''Halo Online Tutorial'']</ref>

===Multiplayer maps===
''Halo Online'' featured a number of multiplayer maps, some original to the game and others remakes or direct ports of maps from other ''Halo'' games. In addition to [[Cut Halo Online levels|a number of maps that were cut]], the following maps were planned for release:
====Original Maps====
*[[Diamondback]] - a desert-themed remake of ''[[Halo 3]]''{{'}}s [[Avalanche]].
*[[Edge]] - a forerunner-themed original map to ''Halo Online'' later ported into ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
*[[Icebox]] - an ice-themed remake of ''[[Halo 2]]''{{'}}s [[Turf]] later ported into ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.
*[[Reactor (Halo Online map)|Reactor]] - A big-team map original to ''Halo Online''.
*[[Sky bridge]] - an original map design for ''Halo Online'' that never made its way into public builds of the game.
*[[Waterfall]] - an original map design later ported into ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.

====Halo 3 Maps====
These maps were direct ports of ''Halo 3'' multiplayer maps, some of which were renamed.
*[[Narrows|Bridge]]
*[[Standoff|Closed Area]]
*[[High Ground|Elevation]]
*[[Guardian (map)|Guardian]]
*[[The Pit|Hangar]]
*[[Last Resort|Refuge]]
*[[Valhalla|Riverworld]]
*[[Sandtrap]]

=== Armor permutations ===
{{Main|Armor customization (Halo Online)}}
There were two player models which players could choose from, the standard [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] model or an [[Sangheili|Elite]] model. Each model had several armor sets. Each armor set had different effects on gameplay, such as an increased motion tracker range or melee damage boost.

==Development==
''Halo Online'' was powered by a highly modified version of the ''[[Halo 3]]'' engine, optimized for smooth performance on lower-end PCs.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint}} 

===Closed Alpha===
{{Main|Halo Online Closed Alpha}}
On April 6, 2015 the ''Halo Online'' closed Alpha test started,<ref>[https://vk.com/wall-79914897_1549 '''Halo Online VK''' - ''Alpha Start'']</ref> and a special armor was given to people who played on that day during the Alpha to signify they were there day one. The Closed Alpha's servers were only active for small hours during the day. All players' stats and progress, were wiped after the closed alpha finished on September 11, 2015<ref>[https://vk.com/wall-79914897_40615 '''Halo Online VK''' - ''Alpha End'']</ref>

===Closed Beta===
{{Main|Halo Online Beta}}
On September 30, 2015 the closed beta started, and on [[2015|December 28, 2015]], the closed Beta test was suspended. The developers said that they encountered serious problems during the development of ''Halo Online'', and with 343 Industries' counsel they decided to suspend testing and "send the game to a serious revision" for several months. Because of that, for people who bought the exclusive premium Beta tester kits, there was a compensation offer.

===Unreleased updates===
On October 9, 2015 a developer took an image of an upcoming update that had the user in an Armory on Anvil Station.

===Future testing===
On March 24, 2016 it was announced that testing was to resume, and that an exact date, and detailed information about development would be announced on the official Halo Online VK account at a later date.<ref>[https://new.vk.com/halo.online?w=wall-79914897_57365 '''Halo Online VK''' - ''Future testing?'']</ref>

===2015 build scrapped===
On August 24, 2016 Innova Systems announced that Microsoft Studios still had not made a decision on the project's fate, and the game would never be released in its current form, making the project's fate uncertain. Therefore the publisher is shutting down the game's website and the page on social network vk.com.<ref name="The end of Spartan era">[https://vk.com/wall-79914897_58446 ''The end of Spartan era'']</ref> The community manager of Halo Online stated that "such project most likely won't ever exist at all, but only time will show", answering the question if the game is suspended indefinitely.


==ElDewrito==
<!--This section should ONLY discuss the elements of ElDewrito as it pertains to 343's acknowledgement and MCC on PC. Any discussion of how to download and play ElDewrito will be removed without notice.-->
During the ''Halo Online'' closed testing, a group of [[Modding|modders]] were able to mod the game and began to work on "ElDewrito", a fan-attempt to bring the classic ''Halo'' experience to the PC platform by modding the game to play like the original release of ''Halo 3''. In April 2018, version 0.6 of the mod released to widespread community acclaim, reaching 12,000 concurrent players.<ref name="eldewrito future">[https://blog.eldewrito.com/post/183642178153/eldewrito-the-future-of-the-mod-and-our ''Eldewrito'': ElDewrito: The Future of the Mod, And our Involvement with 343 on MCC PC.]</ref> Four days following the release of ElDewrito 0.6, the members of the team were contacted by 343 Industries including [[Frank O'Connor]], whereupon they were asked to ''pause'' development of the mod, and were not given an official cease and desist or DMCA takedown.<ref name="eldewrito pause">[https://blog.eldewrito.com/post/173283810663/microsofts-legal-action-and-the-future-of ''Eldewrito'': Microsoft’s Legal Action and the Future of ElDewrito]</ref> An official statement was given by 343 Industries the same day, explaining that the mod was taken down due to legal requirements to protect Microsoft intellectual property.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/eldewrito-community-content ''Halo Waypoint'': ELDEWRITO & COMMUNITY CONTENT]</ref>

Despite this, 343 Industries retained communications for the team, expressing their admiration for ElDewrito's success and informing that the interest in ''Halo'' on PC had "lit a spark" for the company. While ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' had been intended for a release on PC eventually, the ElDewrito project was responsible for giving 343 the "kick in the pants" needed to begin development of the PC port of ''Master Chief Collection'' when they did. In March [[2019]], the ''Master Chief Collection'' was announced for a release on [[Steam]] and [[Windows]], with the ElDewrito team working alongside 343 in an advisory role to help bring the ''Master Chief Collection'' experience to the PC platform.{{Ref/Reuse|eldewrito future}}

On December 15, [[2020]], it was revealed MCC [[Series 5: Anvil]] would include twelve armor permutations that originally came from ''Halo Online'', such as Demo, Suture, and Compass Mjolnir armors.{{Ref/Site|Id=MCCRetro2020|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/mcc-development-retrospective-december-2020|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=News, MCC Development Retrospective - December 2020}}

==Marketing==
===Announce trailer===
{{Main|Halo Online Announce Trailer}}
An announcement trailer was revealed in March 26, 2015 on YouTube, showing the first in-game gameplay of ''Halo: Online'', displaying the return of some weapons of ''Halo 3'' and the introduction of new armors.{{Ref/Reuse|trailer}}

===Press Conference (March 26th 2015)===
On March 26, 2015 a press conference about ''Halo Online'' happened. At this press conference there were holographic pyramids with several renders of ''Halo Online'' content were in them.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkTZ1JObzmw '''3D-model of the Halo Online''']</ref>

===Story Trailer===
{{Main|Halo Online Story Trailer}}
An story trailer was released around December 29, 2015 on the official ''Halo Online'' site. The trailer went though the story elements leading up to the training the Spartans and Elites on Anvil Station on January 28, 2555. The story trailer can be found [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8xmxfBK258 here].

==Gallery==
===Icons===
<gallery>
File:HO Logo Favicon version 1.png|Original icon use for Halo Online prior to June 18, 2015.
File:HO Logo Favicon version 2.png|Second icon used for Halo Online after June 18, 2015.
</gallery>

===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:HO CovenantHangar Menu Concept.jpg|Concept art for a Covenant-themed hangar bay serving as a backdrop for the main menu.
File:HO UNSCHangar Menu Concept.jpg|Concept art for a UNSC-themed hangar bay serving as a backdrop for the main menu.
File:HO TacticalPackage Concept.jpg|Concept art for UNSC tactical packages.
File:HO_Mushroom_Concept.jpg|Concept art for mushrooms.
File:Halo Online.jpg|Concept art of ''Halo Online''.
</gallery>
===Promotional images===
<gallery>
File:Halo Online Armors.png|SPARTAN-IVs on the game's website.
File:Halo_Online_Site_Air_Assault.png|Landing armor that was originally on the ''Halo Online'' site.
File:HaloOnline Armour AirAssault Blue Render.png|The Landing armor in ''Halo Online'' closed alpha build.
File:Halo online shutting down post.png|The shutdown email users received when the game was cancelled
File:Halo online email image shutdown combined.png|The background of the email users received during Halo Online's shutdown
File:Ho headphones.jpg|Halo Online Headphones
File:Ho headphones 2.jpg|Halo Online Headphones Alt
</gallery>

===Development gallery===
<gallery>
File:Halo Online Secret Update.jpg|A developer look into the Armory of Anvil Station. (October 9, 2015)
File:Halo Online Warthog art.jpg|A developer concept of the Halo Online Warthog. 
File:Halo Online DMR art.jpg|Halo Online DMR Concept Art
File:Halo Online AR art.jpg|Halo Online AR Concept Art
</gallery>


===Pre-Alpha Weapons===
<gallery>
File:HO-M7SMG.jpg
File:HO-ACCM395.jpg
File:HO-GoldenM395.jpg
File:HO-ROFM395.jpg
File:HO-MAGM395.jpg
File:HO-SNPM395.jpg
File:HO-SNPBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-GoldenBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-M395.jpg
File:HO-DMGM395.jpg
File:HO-ROFBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-ACCBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-MAGBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-BR85HB.jpg
File:HO-DMGBR85HB.jpg
File:HO-M247H.jpg
File:Beam Rifle - Basic.jpg
File:DMR_2.0.png
File:DMR Damage.png
File:BR_Damage.png
File:BR 2.0.png
File:AR Damage.png
File:AR 2.0.png
File:HO-MA5D.png
File:HO-ROFMA5D.jpeg
File:HO-ADVMA5D.jpeg
File:HO-DMGMA5D.jpeg
File:HO-GoldenMA5D.jpeg
File:HO-DMGM6H.jpg
File:HO-GoldenM6H.jpg
</gallery>

===Beta Weapons===
<gallery>
File:HO MA5.png|Assault Rifle variants
File:HO M6 variants.png|M6 variants
File:HO M395 variants.png|DMR variants.
File:HO BR55 (85HB).png|BR85 variants.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

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