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Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port): Difference between revisions

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{{Title|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' (PC port)}}
{{Title|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' (PC port)}}
{{Era|RW}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Cleanup}}
<center>''This article is about the port of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[Wikipedia:Personal computer|PCs]]. If you were looking for the original [[Xbox]] game, see ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', and for the [[Wikipedia:Macintosh|Macintosh]] port, see ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved for Macintosh]]''</center>
<center>''This article is about the port of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for [[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[Wikipedia:Personal computer|PCs]]. If you were looking for the original [[Xbox]] game, see ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', and for the [[Wikipedia:Macintosh|Macintosh]] port, see ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved for Macintosh]]''</center>
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*Ported to Windows by [[Gearbox Software]]
*Ported to Windows by [[Gearbox Software]]
|publisher= [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|publisher= [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|engine=[[Blam engine]]
|platform=[[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
|platform=[[Wikipedia:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
|releasedate= September 30, 2003
|releasedate= September 30, 2003
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}}
}}
{{Quote|This is Halo evolved.|Description<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 343'' (2003)</ref>}}
{{Quote|This is Halo evolved.|Description<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 343'' (2003)</ref>}}
'''''Halo: Combat Evolved for PC''''', often nicknamed simply '''''Halo PC''''', was a PC port of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' built for home computers. It was released on September 30 and December 14, 2003 by [[Gearbox Software]] and [[wikipedia:Westlake Interactive|Westlake Interactive]] respectively. A [[Halo: Combat Evolved Trial|demo]] was also released before the PC version. The game demos and videos that were included in the Xbox version were removed from the PC version.
'''''Halo: Combat Evolved for PC''''', often nicknamed simply '''''Halo PC''''', was a PC port of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' built for home computers. It was released on September 30 and December 14, 2003, by [[Gearbox Software]] and [[wikipedia:Westlake Interactive|Westlake Interactive]], respectively. A [[Halo: Combat Evolved Trial|demo]] was also released before the PC version. The game demos and videos that were included in the Xbox version were removed from the PC version.


To complement the release of ''Halo PC'', a standalone, multiplayer-only [[Halo Custom Edition|custom edition]] for modding purposes was released on March 15, 2004 by Gearbox Software. ''Halo PC'' was one of the most popular online shooters played until November 2004 before ''Halo 2'' was released.  
To complement the release of ''Halo PC'', a standalone, multiplayer-only [[Halo Custom Edition|custom edition]] for modding purposes was released on March 15, 2004, by Gearbox Software. ''Halo PC'' was one of the most popular online shooters played until November 2004 before ''Halo 2'' was released.  


== Features ==
== Features ==
''Halo PC'', for the most part, plays exactly like its Xbox version. As a computer-port, the PC version lacks the ability to play splitscreen in multiplayer and cooperative-play in campaign. It does, however, contain several new features, namely the ability to browse the multiplayer lobby for online matches, direct connection to server via [[wikipedia:IP address|IP address]] and the ability to run the game in "Safe Mode" (for computers that do not meet the PC requirements).
''Halo PC'', for the most part, plays exactly like its Xbox version. As a computer-port, the PC version lacks the ability to play splitscreen in multiplayer and cooperative-play in campaign. It does, however, contain several new features, namely the ability to browse the multiplayer lobby for online matches, direct connection to the server via [[wikipedia:IP address|IP address]] and the ability to run the game in "Safe Mode" (for computers that do not meet the PC requirements).


The game comes with several exclusive multiplayer additions such as the six new multiplayer maps which are [[Timberland]], [[Death Island]], [[Gephyrophobia]], [[Danger Canyon]], [[Ice Fields]] and [[Infinity]], discarded weapons from the Xbox version which are the [[Unidentified fuel rod gun|Fuel Rod Gun]] and [[M7057/Defoliant Projector|Flamethrower]] and vehicles such as the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] and [[M12A1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle|Rocket Warthog]]. With the [[2014]] release of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', the multiplayer component included for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' was that of ''Halo PC'', including all previously PC-exclusive maps, weapons and vehicles.
The game comes with several exclusive multiplayer additions such as the six new multiplayer maps which are [[Timberland]], [[Death Island]], [[Gephyrophobia]], [[Danger Canyon]], [[Ice Fields]] and [[Infinity_(Halo:_Combat_Evolved_map)|Infinity]], discarded weapons from the Xbox version which are the [[Unidentified fuel rod gun|Fuel Rod Gun]] and [[M7057 flamethrower|Flamethrower]] and vehicles such as the [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]] and [[M12A1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle|Rocket Warthog]]. With the [[2014]] release of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'', the multiplayer component included for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' was that of ''Halo PC'', including all previously PC-exclusive maps, weapons and vehicles.


In April 2014, it was announced that the multiplayer lobby services of ''Halo PC'' and ''Halo Custom Edition'' would be rendered unusable by 31 May 2014 with the shutdown of GameSpy's multiplayer servers.<ref name="gamespy">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-gamespy-servers-to-shut-down-next-month '''Eurogamer''': ''GameSpy servers to shut down next month'']</ref> In response of the shutdown, a [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC) patches#Halo Update 1.10 patch|new patch]] was developed and released by Bungie developer Roger Wolfson (also known as Sawnose) and a small group of ''Halo'' fans (Btcc22, Kornman00 and Technut) which will move the soon-to-be-shutdown GameSpy services to a non-GameSpy server.<ref name="patched">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-12-bungie-to-update-halo-pc-with-server-fix '''Eurogamer''': ''Bungie to update Halo PC with GameSpy server fix'']</ref><ref name="patchofficial">[https://halo.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post?id=64943622 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo PC/CE 1.0.10 now available'']</ref>
In April 2014, it was announced that the multiplayer lobby services of ''Halo PC'' and ''Halo Custom Edition'' would be rendered unusable by 31 May 2014 with the shutdown of GameSpy's multiplayer servers.<ref name="gamespy">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-04-04-gamespy-servers-to-shut-down-next-month '''Eurogamer''': ''GameSpy servers to shut down next month'']</ref> In response of the shutdown, a [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC) patches#Halo Update 1.10 patch|new patch]] was developed and released by Bungie developer Roger Wolfson (also known as Sawnose) and a small group of ''Halo'' fans (Btcc22, Kornman00 and Technut) which will moved now former GameSpy services to a non-GameSpy server.<ref name="patched">[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-05-12-bungie-to-update-halo-pc-with-server-fix '''Eurogamer''': ''Bungie to update Halo PC with GameSpy server fix'']</ref><ref name="patchofficial">[https://halo.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post?id=64943622 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo PC/CE 1.0.10 now available'']</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
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'''CPU''': Pentium II or Athlon equivalent<br />
'''CPU''': Pentium II or Athlon equivalent<br />
'''GPU''': 32 MB Video Card, T&L Capable<br />
'''GPU''': 32 MB Video Card, T&L Capable<br />
'''VRAM''': 32MB<br />
'''VRAM''': 32 MB<br />
'''RAM''': 128MB<br />
'''RAM''': 128 MB<br />
'''HDD''': 1.2GB<br />
'''HDD''': 1.2 GB<br />
{{col-3}}
{{col-3}}
;Recommended
;Recommended
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'''CPU''': Pentium 4 or Athlon XP<br />
'''CPU''': Pentium 4 or Athlon XP<br />
'''GPU''': 64 MB DirectX 9.0 compliant Video Card with Hardware T&L<br />
'''GPU''': 64 MB DirectX 9.0 compliant Video Card with Hardware T&L<br />
'''VRAM''': 64MB<br />
'''VRAM''': 64 MB<br />
'''RAM''': 512MB<br />
'''RAM''': 512 MB<br />
'''HDD''': 2GB<br />
'''HDD''': 2 GB<br />
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*''Halo PC'' has several distinct changes from the Xbox version. The most noticeable one would be the graphics; [[Kig-yar|Jackal]] shields are no longer distinct to differentiate a Minor from a Major, and do not change color as they get damaged (which were probably problems that the bitmaps and animations were not loaded, from a release-time perspective), stationary shields have a different appearance, the reflection of some weapons reduced their strength, [[Captain Keyes]] had different textures, and [[Shade]]s change as well. Several weapon behaviors have been altered, the zoom feature of a sniper rifle reduced from 10× to 8×.
*''Halo PC'' has several distinct changes from the Xbox version. The most noticeable one would be the graphics; [[Kig-yar|Jackal]] shields are no longer distinct to differentiate a Minor from a Major, and do not change color as they get damaged (which were probably problems that the bitmaps and animations were not loaded, from a release-time perspective), stationary shields have a different appearance, the reflection of some weapons reduced their strength, [[Captain Keyes]] had different textures, and [[Shade]]s change as well. Several weapon behaviors have been altered such as the zoom feature of a sniper rifle reduced from 10× to 8× and the needler receiving a slight buff to its tracking ability in multiplayer.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERA2y2tdKtQ '''YouTube.com''': ''The DEFINITIVE Halo CE Weapons Tier List by The Vengeful Vadam'']</ref>
*The PC port has flawed lighting, causing bump mapping textures to not be active unless dynamic lighting is activated. This can be easily seen by using the flashlight.
*The PC port has flawed lighting, causing bump mapping textures to not be active unless dynamic lighting is activated. This can be easily seen by using the flashlight.
*''Halo PC'' (and [[Halo: Combat Evolved Trial|its demo]], which has attracted a large number of players due to its online play, which is limited to the ''Blood Gulch'' map and ''Silent Cartographer'' level) has remained incredibly popular since its release. In May 2007, over 130,000 players played ''Halo PC'' online, nearly 4 years after the game's release. Its popularity with PC gamers continues today.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12521 '''Bungie.net''': ''Interesting Halo 1 PC Stat'']</ref>
*''Halo PC'' has been the foundation of each new iteration of Combat Evolved, being used in both [[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]] and [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]. This is because of the support for online play, something that only came to Halo with the introduction of [[Xbox Live]] matchmaking on [[Halo 2]].
*''Halo PC'' (and [[Halo: Combat Evolved Trial|its demo]], which has attracted many players due to its online play, which is limited to the ''Blood Gulch'' map and ''Silent Cartographer'' level) has remained incredibly popular since its release. In May 2007, over 130,000 players played ''Halo PC'' online, nearly 4 years after the game's release.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12521 '''Bungie.net''': ''Interesting Halo 1 PC Stat'']</ref>
*''Halo PC'' can be played without the CD as of [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC) patches#Halo Update 1.08 patch|Patch 1.08]].
*''Halo PC'' can be played without the CD as of [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC) patches#Halo Update 1.08 patch|Patch 1.08]].
*The key code for ''Halo PC'' unlocked a [[Nameplates|visual flair]] available on [[Bungie.net]] for the player in Halo Reach before March 31, 2012.
*The key code for ''Halo PC'' unlocked a [[Nameplates|visual flair]] available on [[Bungie.net]] for the player in Halo Reach before March 31, 2012.
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==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Navbox/Media/Games}}
{{Navbox/Media/Games}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:1 PC, Halo}}
[[Category:Video games]]
[[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved (PC)| ]]
[[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved (PC)]]
[[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved]]
[[Category:Bungie games]]

Latest revision as of 02:04, April 25, 2024

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This article is about the port of Halo: Combat Evolved for Windows PCs. If you were looking for the original Xbox game, see Halo: Combat Evolved, and for the Macintosh port, see Halo: Combat Evolved for Macintosh
Halo: Combat Evolved for PC
Halo Combat Evolved box art (PC).jpg

Developer(s):

Publisher(s):

Microsoft Game Studios

Engine:

Blam engine

Platform(s):

Windows

Release date(s):

September 30, 2003

Genre(s):

First-person shooter

Mode(s):

Campaign, multiplayer

Rating(s):

ESRB: Mature (M) for Blood, Gore, and Violence
PEGI: 16+ (Europe only)

 

"This is Halo evolved."
— Description[1]

Halo: Combat Evolved for PC, often nicknamed simply Halo PC, was a PC port of Halo: Combat Evolved built for home computers. It was released on September 30 and December 14, 2003, by Gearbox Software and Westlake Interactive, respectively. A demo was also released before the PC version. The game demos and videos that were included in the Xbox version were removed from the PC version.

To complement the release of Halo PC, a standalone, multiplayer-only custom edition for modding purposes was released on March 15, 2004, by Gearbox Software. Halo PC was one of the most popular online shooters played until November 2004 before Halo 2 was released.

Features[edit]

Halo PC, for the most part, plays exactly like its Xbox version. As a computer-port, the PC version lacks the ability to play splitscreen in multiplayer and cooperative-play in campaign. It does, however, contain several new features, namely the ability to browse the multiplayer lobby for online matches, direct connection to the server via IP address and the ability to run the game in "Safe Mode" (for computers that do not meet the PC requirements).

The game comes with several exclusive multiplayer additions such as the six new multiplayer maps which are Timberland, Death Island, Gephyrophobia, Danger Canyon, Ice Fields and Infinity, discarded weapons from the Xbox version which are the Fuel Rod Gun and Flamethrower and vehicles such as the Banshees and Rocket Warthog. With the 2014 release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, the multiplayer component included for Halo: Combat Evolved was that of Halo PC, including all previously PC-exclusive maps, weapons and vehicles.

In April 2014, it was announced that the multiplayer lobby services of Halo PC and Halo Custom Edition would be rendered unusable by 31 May 2014 with the shutdown of GameSpy's multiplayer servers.[2] In response of the shutdown, a new patch was developed and released by Bungie developer Roger Wolfson (also known as Sawnose) and a small group of Halo fans (Btcc22, Kornman00 and Technut) which will moved now former GameSpy services to a non-GameSpy server.[3][4]

Reception[edit]

Halo PC garnered mixed reactions and received a score of 83% on Metacritic. GameSpot stated that it was "still an incredible action game ... [and] a true classic", awarding it 9.0 out of 10. It received a score of 8.2 out of 10 from IGN, who stated, "If you've played the game on the Xbox, there's not much for you here." Eurogamer called the game "a missed opportunity", but stated that the online multiplayer component was "a massive draw ... for Halo veterans".

System requirements[edit]

Minimum

Operating system: Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP
DirectX: DirectX 8.1
CPU: Pentium II or Athlon equivalent
GPU: 32 MB Video Card, T&L Capable
VRAM: 32 MB
RAM: 128 MB
HDD: 1.2 GB
Recommended

Operating system: Windows 2000/XP
DirectX: DirectX 9
CPU: Pentium 4 or Athlon XP
GPU: 64 MB DirectX 9.0 compliant Video Card with Hardware T&L
VRAM: 64 MB
RAM: 512 MB
HDD: 2 GB

Trivia[edit]

  • Halo PC has several distinct changes from the Xbox version. The most noticeable one would be the graphics; Jackal shields are no longer distinct to differentiate a Minor from a Major, and do not change color as they get damaged (which were probably problems that the bitmaps and animations were not loaded, from a release-time perspective), stationary shields have a different appearance, the reflection of some weapons reduced their strength, Captain Keyes had different textures, and Shades change as well. Several weapon behaviors have been altered such as the zoom feature of a sniper rifle reduced from 10× to 8× and the needler receiving a slight buff to its tracking ability in multiplayer.[5]
  • The PC port has flawed lighting, causing bump mapping textures to not be active unless dynamic lighting is activated. This can be easily seen by using the flashlight.
  • Halo PC has been the foundation of each new iteration of Combat Evolved, being used in both Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. This is because of the support for online play, something that only came to Halo with the introduction of Xbox Live matchmaking on Halo 2.
  • Halo PC (and its demo, which has attracted many players due to its online play, which is limited to the Blood Gulch map and Silent Cartographer level) has remained incredibly popular since its release. In May 2007, over 130,000 players played Halo PC online, nearly 4 years after the game's release.[6]
  • Halo PC can be played without the CD as of Patch 1.08.
  • The key code for Halo PC unlocked a visual flair available on Bungie.net for the player in Halo Reach before March 31, 2012.

Gallery[edit]

  • The opening screen.

    The opening screen.

  • Box art

    Box art

  • Box front cover art

    Box front cover art

  • Full jacket cover art

    Full jacket cover art

  • Game disk for Halo PC

    Game disk for Halo PC

  • Several weapons, such as the Fuel Rod Gun, made it to Halo PC, but not the Xbox version.

    Several weapons, such as the Fuel Rod Gun, made it to Halo PC, but not the Xbox version.

  • The newly added Flamethrower made its debut in the game.

    The newly added Flamethrower made its debut in the game.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 343 (2003)
  2. ^ Eurogamer: GameSpy servers to shut down next month
  3. ^ Eurogamer: Bungie to update Halo PC with GameSpy server fix
  4. ^ Bungie.net: Halo PC/CE 1.0.10 now available
  5. ^ YouTube.com: The DEFINITIVE Halo CE Weapons Tier List by The Vengeful Vadam
  6. ^ Bungie.net: Interesting Halo 1 PC Stat

See also[edit]

v • d • e
 
List of games in the Halo franchise
Original trilogy
Sequel FPS games
Standalone FPS games
Strategy games
Twin-stick shooter games
Virtual reality games
Arcade games
Game compilations
Mobile games
Tabletop games
Board games
Cancelled projects
Rejected pitches and internal prototypes
*Asterisks indicate upcoming releases
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