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Halo Custom Edition: Difference between revisions

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(Edited release date: there has been a discussion about the official release date of Halo Custom Edition. But thanks to some archived webpages, it's clear to say that Gearbox Software released Custom Edition on May 5, 2004. Sources: https://web.archive.org/web/20040603173945/http://www.3dgamers.com/news/more/1083850976/ and http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-combat-evolved/511526p1.html)
 
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{{Ratings}}{{era|H1}}
{{Title|''Halo Custom Edition''}}
[[Image:Halocustomedition.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The logo for Halo: Custom Edition. This appears in the background while downloading Custom Edition.]]
{{Status|RealWorld}}
[[Image:ce1.png|frame|right|Screenshot of ''Halo 2: New Mombasa'', a user-created map based on the ''[[Halo 2]]'' E3 trailer.]]
{{Cleanup}}
'''''Halo Custom Edition''''', sometimes abbreviated '''''Halo CE''''' (which is also often accepted as an abbreviation for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''), is a free expansion that requires a key code of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' by [[Bungie Studios]], which was ported to the [[PC (realworld)|PC]] by [[Gearbox Software]]. ''Halo CE'' was released by Gearbox as an unsupported version of the original game. However, users do not need to pay to play it, as it is downloadable from selected websites.


== Features ==
[[File:Custom edition menu.jpg|250px|thumb|Main menu of ''Halo Custom Edition'']]
'''''Halo Custom Edition''''', commonly abbreviated '''''Halo CE''''', is a standalone, multiplayer-only, expansion for the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|PC version of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'']]. The expansion was released on [[2004 (real world)|May 5, 2004]] by [[Gearbox Software]] as an unsupported version of the original game. Similar to its PC version, the expansion requires a key-code during installation.


''Halo Custom Edition'' has the ability to load and play user-created content and maps created with the '''Halo Editing Kit''' (HEK). Many custom levels have been created by dedicated members of the modding community and have been posted for download at a large number of websites, like [[Halomaps.org]], which is the Custom Edition website.  
==Features==
[[File:Halo Custom Edition User created map.png|thumb|200px|Screenshot of Halo 2: New Mombasa, a user-created map based on the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo|''Halo 2'' E3 trailer]].]]
{{Main|Modding|Halo Editing Kit|Developer mode}}
''Halo Custom Edition'' allows players to browse and play user-created content and maps created with modding kits. Modders would use the Halo Editing Kit to incorporate custom models, images, physics, and data into an easily distributed .MAP file, which is compressed and uploaded. The amount of custom content varies widely but is limited by the game engine's capabilities. A few examples of user-created content may include custom character models that uses an Elite biped instead of the default Spartan biped, a Call of Duty-inspired level or even special animations and effects for weapons, melee and reloading. Most of these user-created content and maps are available in dedicated modding community websites such as Modacity and [[halomaps.org]].  


Custom maps may contain entirely new content, including:
Two small features were added to the game such as the ability to display the specific for the gametype currently being played in the server (by pressing F2), and the ability to display the name of all players in the same team above their respective green arrows (by pressing F3). Additionally, an arguably better net-code was put into ''Halo: Custom Edition'' as well. The game has noticeably reduced latency issues compared to ''Halo PC''.
* Level geometry
* Bitmaps
* [[Weapons]]
* [[Vehicles]]
* Bipeds
* Sounds
* Game Interfaces
* Level Scripts and Interactivity
* Objects
* Special Effects
* Animations
* HUDs
* Single Player Modifications
* AIs in multiplayer maps
* AI Encounters
* Cinematics
 
An arguably better net-code was put into Halo: Custom Edition as well. It has noticeably reduced lagging for some, but for others it made it worse. Also, a Rules feature can be viewed by pressing the F2 button (with default settings). It displays all of the specifics for the game-type currently being played in the server.
 
With the Halo Editing Kit, AI characters can also be added in a map. This has allowed some map makers to create their own [[mods]] that can be played like a campaign mission with checkpoints and objectives, and with some skill, cutscenes. People can also make "teams" of AI that will fight each other. The player can fight alongside [[Elites]] and [[Grunts]] against [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], or vice-versa. Also, some map makers have made some entirely new biped AIs, such as retroactively adding [[Brutes]] to the Halo campaign.


==Community==
==Community==
Several modding communities have emerged since the advent of ''Halo Custom Edition''. One of the most prominent modding community website is halomaps.org which has the most updated multiplayer custom maps. Members of the modding community often discuss about user-created content and explores the need of "room for improvement", with several others providing tutorials to guide new members to modding and to share their findings of tinkering with the Halo engine with the rest of the members. The modding community contribute their custom content in various projects, ranging from a production of [[machinima]] to development a single-player campaign and recreation of multiplayer maps from newer ''Halo'' titles and from other entertainment titles.


Several modding communities have emerged since the advent of ''Halo CE''. One of the most prominent communities is [[Halomaps.org]] which has the most updated multiplayer custom maps. Modders use the ''Halo Editing Kit'' to incorporate custom models, images, physics, and data into an easily distributed .MAP file, which is compressed and uploaded. In the game, many clans establish themselves to fight one another on custom maps. They train intensely on some maps, which extends and steepens the learning curve for many players. Halo Custom Edition has also been used for several Machinima videos. As such, there are several modded versions of existing maps, not to mention some completely new maps designed specifically for Machinima. Another popular idea is to make map series which is like a video game series, but much smaller.
==External links==
 
*[http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=410 '''Halomaps.org''': ''Halo: Custom Edition'' download link]
===Popular Maps===
Some extremely popular maps have been made, and can be seen as the highest rated maps on Halomaps.org. Some of the most popular maps of all time include:
 
*<b>CMT Snowgrove</b> - A map made by the Custom Mapping Team, and features almost entirely custom content, including effects, sounds, and animations. It is shaped like a crescent, with a large network of inter-cliff tunnels, providing multiple routes of attack and excellent sniper spots. In the middle are three bases, two containing teleporters linked to the main home bases. Some of the more notable weapons are: a modification of the [[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle]]with an under barrel grenade launcher, the [[Spartan Laser]], the cut-down flamethrower, a Halo 3 [[Type-25 Carbine]] and an MA5K assault rifle.
 
*<b>Coldsnap</b> - A very large, snowy map. It contains two bases: the Red Base contains four different Warthog variants, four jets, and two Longswords whereas the Blue Base has Warthogs, four jets, four Scorpion tanks and a Mythos. The Mythos is a walker vehicle, with a cannon attached on top, which is believed by some to be a small [[MAC]] cannon. This map is frequently played and is by far the largest custom map ever made.{{fact}}
 
*<b>Extinction</b> - An enormous map made for huge vehicle battles with a [[Halcyon-class Cruiser]] ship model and the [[CCS-class Battlecruiser]] ship model as bases. Vehicles include [[D77-TC Pelican Dropship|Pelicans]], [[Longsword|Longswords]], fan-made Skyhawk Jets, [[Seraph|Seraph Fighters]], [[Phantom|Phantoms]], [[Spectre]]s, modified fuel-rod Ghosts, and a [[Scarab]]. There are also variations of [[Warthog|Warthogs]] and a handful of [[Scorpion|Scorpions]]. Another vehicle called the Mythos is included, which serves as the Human analog to the Covenant Scarab, although it is much weaker.
 
*<b>Hugeass</b> - A massive map with a large hilly plain separating the bases and serving as the primary battlefield. Two hangars in the sides of the cliff walls surrounding the map serve as the bases. They contain two Pelicans, two Longswords, four Rocket Warthogs, a few small cloaking vehicles called Tachikomas, based on the manga Ghost in the Shell, and a large, white scorpion-like vehicle named Scorpion tank. The map is so large that the default fog-plane is visible, causing only half the map to be visible at one time. This can be fixed using a couple [[Developer Mode]] commands.
 
*<b>Yoyorast Island</b> - A race-based map filled with walkways as well as a few vehicles, mainly Warthogs, and fan-made [[Mongooses]]. These Mongooses are of the same design as the ones cut from Halo 2, due to balancing reasons, and have been praised for their similarity to the Halo 3 Mongoose. It contains some excellent sniping positions, a Warthog race course, and even a "secret room". This map is designed for the [[Race]] game type, but is also designed for [[CTF]].
 
== Halo Editing Kit ==
 
{{main|Halo Editing Kit}}
 
Available for download from any Halo Community Website, the [[Halo Editing Kit]], commonly referred to by its acronym, '''HEK''', is a repackaging of the development tools that Bungie created and used in the development process of ''Halo''. The ''Halo'' Editing Kit was released for the creation of custom content for ''Halo Custom Edition''. It is a free, unsupported add-on released by Gearbox Software.
 
This editing kit includes, ''Guerrilla'', a game resource and tag editor, in addition to ''Sapien'', a mapping and object placement editor, and ''Tool'', a map resource compiler. Most original content must first be modeled in 3ds max (or Gmax) and then converted to a HEK friendly format using the ''Blitzkrieg'' exporter and ''Tool'' to be edited or added to a custom map. This allows users and players to created completely original and barely similar maps.
 
A third party program, called the Halo Editing Kit Plus, is able to rip everything from a map, including the BSP. This allows users to mod maps entirely. A very often modded map is Blood Gulch, with more changes than other maps. However, some mappers use the HEK+ to protect their maps to prevent users from ripping anything from the map.
Before downloading HEK it is recommended that you have a base knowledge on computer animation and 3D designing.
 
== Developer Mode ==
 
{{main|Developer Mode}}
 
There are also 'cheats' for Halo CE, called [[Developer Mode]] (commonly called devmode). It is used by map designers to test out maps they make.  Devmode is only available for LAN use and is usually considered to be a single-player only variation. The only way for it to work in multiplayer is to download a small application which allows you to enable or disable devmode without restarting the game, thus allowing you to enable it within a multiplayer game, and disable it when the game is over, or the game will crash. Even then most of the [[cheats]] can only be used by the host. However, clients may not be able to fully see the effects of the cheats.  It is also a common mistake of new users to attempt to cheat while online.
 
== Related Links ==
*[[Halomaps.org]]
*[[Halo Editing Kit]]
*[[Halo Map Tools]]
*[[Halo Cache Editor]]
 
== External Links ==


*[http://www.download.com/Halo-Combat-Evolved-Custom-Edition/3000-7441_4-10292205.html Download Halo: Custom Edition]
{{Navbox/Media/Games}}
*[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/index.php?p=games&game=halo ''Halo'' PC at Gearbox Software]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Custom Edition, Halo}}
*[http://www.bungie.net/ Bungie Studios]
[[Category:Modding]]
*[[w:c:halomods:Main_Page|Halomods wiki]]
[[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved (PC)]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Bungie games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]

Latest revision as of 08:00, November 17, 2023

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Main menu of Halo Custom Edition

Halo Custom Edition, commonly abbreviated Halo CE, is a standalone, multiplayer-only, expansion for the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved. The expansion was released on May 5, 2004 by Gearbox Software as an unsupported version of the original game. Similar to its PC version, the expansion requires a key-code during installation.

Features[edit]

Screenshot of Halo 2: New Mombasa, a user-created map based on the Halo 2 E3 trailer.
Main articles: Modding, Halo Editing Kit, Developer mode

Halo Custom Edition allows players to browse and play user-created content and maps created with modding kits. Modders would use the Halo Editing Kit to incorporate custom models, images, physics, and data into an easily distributed .MAP file, which is compressed and uploaded. The amount of custom content varies widely but is limited by the game engine's capabilities. A few examples of user-created content may include custom character models that uses an Elite biped instead of the default Spartan biped, a Call of Duty-inspired level or even special animations and effects for weapons, melee and reloading. Most of these user-created content and maps are available in dedicated modding community websites such as Modacity and halomaps.org.

Two small features were added to the game such as the ability to display the specific for the gametype currently being played in the server (by pressing F2), and the ability to display the name of all players in the same team above their respective green arrows (by pressing F3). Additionally, an arguably better net-code was put into Halo: Custom Edition as well. The game has noticeably reduced latency issues compared to Halo PC.

Community[edit]

Several modding communities have emerged since the advent of Halo Custom Edition. One of the most prominent modding community website is halomaps.org which has the most updated multiplayer custom maps. Members of the modding community often discuss about user-created content and explores the need of "room for improvement", with several others providing tutorials to guide new members to modding and to share their findings of tinkering with the Halo engine with the rest of the members. The modding community contribute their custom content in various projects, ranging from a production of machinima to development a single-player campaign and recreation of multiplayer maps from newer Halo titles and from other entertainment titles.

External links[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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