Halo2Vista
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Shadowrun now playable on XP
X3F readers will recall that Falling Leaf was preparing to save Windows XP gamers a lot of cash by making the Windows Vista versions of Shadowrun and Halo 2 compatible with XP. Unfortunately for Falling Leaf, the hacking group Razor 1911 has already cracked* Shadowrun according to the Inquirer. Apparently, all the crack does is overwrite a few files in the installation directory. It should be noted that the crack only allows for single player against bots and multiplayer over LAN. As far as we know, online multiplayer is still restricted to Vista.Falling Leaf expects its solution to arrive in late July.[Via Joystiq]*If you want the crack, you'll have to find it on your own; we're not linking it.
Play Halo 2 Vista ... on Windows XP
What's that you say? You'd like to play Halo 2 on your PC, but you don't have/want Windows Vista? You're in luck then, as Falling Leaf Systems has announced plans to release software that will allow Windows XP users to play Halo 2. Not only that, the company is developing similar software for Shadowrun. To inspire XP users to take the plunge, Falling Leaf is promising a free copy of the compatibility software to those who order either game through their site. Falling Leaf CEO Brian Thomason concludes the press release with some fighting words: "First they claim that it was impossible to implement DirectX 10 compatibility atop Windows XP, and now they also want us to believe that they couldn't successfully launch two DirectX 9 based titles on XP either. We plan to expose both theories as patently false."Assuming this software works as advertised, would you change your mind about picking up either title?[Via HBO]
Halo 2 Vista ships May 31 in US, Europe June 8
Having already been pushed back from its original release date of May 8 and subsequently not showing up on the new date of May 22, Halo 2 Vista is finally set to land on store shelves May 31. European Halo fans can grab their copies on June 8. Among the reasons readers have given us for purchasing the game (assuming most of you already have it on Xbox), our favorite is that it's the perfect game to play on your work PC during lunch. Indeed.For those of you who need your Games for Windows Live fix as soon as possible, don't forget that Shadowrun is set to release on the 29th for both the Xbox 360 and PC.
Halo 2 Vista ship date moved to the 22nd
Seeing as today is the 8th, and Halo 2 Vista isn't on store shelves, Microsoft gave us the heads up one the current sitrep. For the sake of quality end-user experience and a few technical issues, Halo 2 Vista's ship date has been moved back to May 22nd, a mere fortnight after the initial release schedule. Better late than never, we always say. Speaking of the 22nd, a reliable source gave word to expect Shadowrun to also drop on the 22nd, perhaps beefing up the Live Anywhere launch. But you didn't hear it from us.
Halo 2 graphics comparision: Xbox vs Vista
True Xbox fanboys have already played Halo 2 so much that the game disc has started to warp, but our PC friends are just getting a taste of what it has to offer with the release of Halo 2 on Windows Vista. And with a Vista release, Halo 2 received a graphical upgrade with crisper textures and sleeker models. Don't believe us? The Gamespot crew posted a graphical comparison of Halo 2, pitting the Xbox version against its newer Vista cousin. The screenshots make it more than obvious that there is a startling contrast between the muddy Xbox graphics and the higher res Vista screens. And why shouldn't the game look prettier on Vista? Though, you have to remember that this is a port, so the graphics weren't majorly reworked. They were just kicked up a notch or two. Anyone using Vista and thinking about getting Halo 2 or will you be holding out a few more months for some Halo 3? [Via Digg]
Finally, Halo 2 Vista achievements revealed
Even though Halo 3 is heading to the Xbox 360 this Fall, PC gamers will just be getting their first taste of Halo 2 next month. And, as an added bonus, those PC gamers who buy Halo 2 on Vista will get something Xbox gamers didn't, achievements. MyGamerCard.net discovered all 41 achievements for Halo 2 Vista that range from progressing in the single player campaign to all kinds of multiplayer honors. Overall, we think the achievements are pretty average and in some cases a tad unbalanced, but there is a wide variety so we can't complain too much. Take a look at Bungie's first foray into the achievement world, make the jump for the full list of Halo 2 Vista achievements.
Shadowrun in June, PC Live features revealed
Tucked away inside Microsoft's latest Windows Live press release is the official release month for Shadowrun. EGM speculated that the game would see release in April, but the press release reveals that the official month is June. We would have preferred to rock some Shadowrun a little earlier, but at least this gives us something to play over the summer.The press release also reveals that the Windows Vista release of Halo 2 will be May 8th. In addition, the press release outlines what PC users can expect from Windows Live. Silver members can utilize Gamertags, voice chat, gamerscore, single player achievements, friends lists, and PC only multiplayer. Gold membership grants access to matchmaking, TrueSkill matchmaking, multiplayer achievements, and cross-platform gameplay. Full press release after the break.
Halo 2 Achievements for Vista
In a recent blog entry by Hired Gun, the MGS team responsible for bringing Halo 2 for Vista posted recently regarding the 41 Achievements the game will have. They cover the easy ones and the difficult ones the put in, from sticking your first enemy in multiplayer to killing someone who beat the game on Legendary to playing through the single player campaign without dying, although they didn't specify the difficulty required. Interestingly enough Silver members, while able to play multiplayer in Halo 2 Vista, they won't be able to unlock Achievements online or use the matchmaking, while Gold members get the full course. So, do you plan on taking your Xbox 360 account over to the land of mouse and keyboard to get Halo 2 Achievements?
