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Recommended Reading: The 15th anniversary of 'Halo 2'
When 'Halo 2' invaded planet earth Anthony John Agnello, The Ringer In the latest installment of "things that will make you feel old," Halo 2 was released on November 9, 2004 -- which makes it 15 years old. The Ringer takes an in-depth look at the game's legacy, including how it made video games a shared experience and its lasting influence on things like streaming culture. Oh yeah, it was also the best-selling entertainment (not just gaming) release of all time when it debuted. Insane.
Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack hits play on November 11
In a move that replicates Halo 2's soundtrack-supplemented launch in 2004, Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack will launch on November 11, right beside Halo 2: Anniversary's arrival in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The album will be offered in CD, vinyl and digital formats, with the latter format already up for a $14.99 pre-order on iTunes. Anniversary Original Soundtrack isn't a copy-paste of the original album's track list – Xbox Wire notes that 343 Industries' Senior Audio Director Paul Lipson teamed up with Lennie Moore, Tom Salta, Brian Trifton, Brian Lee White and Skywalker Sound to "adapt and re-record the iconic Halo 2 score created by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori." While there's no mention of Hoobastank making an encore appearance (probably you, just now) on Anniversary Original Soundtrack, new tracks from Steve Vai and Periphery's Misha Mansoor will also be included. Both the soundtrack and remake were preceded by the debut of Remaking the Legend - Halo 2: Anniversary, a documentary following Halo 2: Anniversary's creation, but Remaking the Legend will still be available on the Halo Channel on November 11. You know, just in case you wanted to surround yourself with three types of Halo 2-related media. [Image: Microsoft]
Report: Cutscene from Halo: Master Chief Collection leaks
A cutscene from Halo: The Master Chief Collection reportedly leaked during a Twitch stream of the game. The video briefly shows a loading screen that lists The Heretic level from Halo 2 before showing Agent Locke talking to Arbiter about hunting down Master Chief. Some viewers believe the scene may bridge the original Halo trilogy with the coming Xbox One exclusive, Halo 5: Guardians, as Locke has a role in the next game in the series. Head past the break to check the video out for yourself, but act fast, as these types of leaked videos tend to disappear quickly. Halo: The Master Chief Collection will launch on November 11 for Xbox One. [Image: Microsoft]
Halo 2's cinematics have never looked this good
The decade-old Halo 2 looks a bit long in the tooth these days, but thanks to the efforts of Blur Studio, the game's Master Chief Collection re-release is receiving a full complement of gorgeous new cinematics. [Image: Microsoft]
Halo 2: Anniversary documentary lands on Friday
Remaking the Legend – Halo 2: Anniversary, a documentary about the creation of Halo 2: Anniversary, is due to premiere on October 31 free on Xbox Video and streaming on Twitch at 11AM PT / 2PM ET that same day, with additional airings to follow. The film will be available on the Halo Channel on November 11, and it will re-air on Twitch on November 1 and 2. See the full schedule after the break. Remaking the Legend delves into the history of the Halo franchise with an emphasis on the creation of Halo 2: Anniversary from 343 Industries and Microsoft. "How do you remake a title that is so beloved by fans?" Tina Summerford, Director of Programming for 343 Industries asked in an Xbox blog post. "How do you decide what must stay the same and what can be updated? It takes an army to build any game and we realized this process was one that the Halo Nation rarely gets a glimpse into. We hit the road to capture the process from top to bottom, talking to all of the key players who helped bring Halo 2: Anniversary into the next gen and giving our fans unprecedented access to this process."
Halo 2: Anniversary getting a making-of documentary
In an upcoming documentary that's bound to make the wait for Halo: The Master Chief Collection's November 11 launch more painful, fans will get a peek at what went into tackling the compilation's most-anticipated piece. 343 Industries has released the above teaser for Remaking the Legend - Halo 2 Anniversary, which appears to be a reflection on Halo 2's initial significance as well as the work involved in bringing it to Xbox One. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer, Xbox spokesperson Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb and 343 Studio Head Bonnie Ross are among the figures featured in the trailer, which signs off by promising the full work is coming soon. [Image: 343 Industries]
343: Halo 2 Anniversary campaign not at native 1080p
The upgraded port of Halo 2 included in the Xbox One-exclusive series compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection will not output at a native 1080p resolution, developer 343 Industries confirmed in an interview with IGN this week. The porting process initially placed Halo 2: Anniversary at 720p, due to a hardware-pushing feature that allows players to switch between its original graphics engine and an updated audiovisual presentation instantly. Further tweaking allows Halo 2's campaign to run at 1328x1080 in the retail version of The Master Chief Collection, putting it a step behind the other games in the bundle, which perform at a native 1920x1080 resolution. Microsoft initially pledged that all games in The Master Chief Collection would hit a consistent 60 frames-per-second performance at 1080p. 343 executive producer Dan Ayoub explained that Halo 2: Anniversary's current 1328x1080 resolution required a last-minute push from its development team. "The campaign of Halo 2: Anniversary looked fantastic at 720p with the level of detail and clarity it gave us, but like every other aspect of the game and tech, we wanted to push it further," Ayoub said. "So in the last weeks of development, our teams were able to meet a stretch goal and the campaign of Halo 2: Anniversary now runs 60 fps at a crisp resolution of 1328x1080, which is a significant and meaningful boost in image quality we think fans are really going to appreciate. All of the other games across the entire package of The Master Chief Collection run 60 fps at 1920x1080 native." [Image: Microsoft]
The Master Chief Collection getting Halo 2's 'Warlock' map
The final Halo 2 map being remade for the Halo: The Master Chief Collection is Warlock, Microsoft announced today. The multiplayer map was itself a remake of the Wizard map from Halo: Combat Evolved. Warlock, now known as "Warlord," joins five other multiplayer maps from Halo 2 that will return in the The Master Chief Collection: Ascension, Coagulation, Lockout, Sanctuary and Zanzibar. The map will include "additional cover, new skill jumps, and a new weapon in the center," according to Certain Affinity President Max Hoberman, former multiplayer lead designer for the original version of Halo 2. Microsoft first revealed the collection during its E3 2014 press event in June following rumors of the bundle's existence in May. Halo: The Master Chief Collection packs together Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4, and is Xbox One exclusive. It will also include formerly PC-exclusive maps from the first two games. The collection will launch on November 11. [Image: Microsoft]
Halo, Halo 2 PC-exclusive maps included in Master Chief Collection
A collection of maps formerly exclusive to the Windows PC versions of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 will be included with the upcoming Xbox One series compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection, developer 343 Industries revealed today. Returning maps include Timberland, Death Island, Gephyrophobia, Danger Canyon, Ice Fields and Infinity from Halo CE, along with Halo 2's District and Uplift. PC-exclusive weapons like the Flamethrower and Fuel Rod Gun are also slated to return, and veteran console players will be able to filter them out by choosing an optional "classic" weapon set. Halo: The Master Chief Collection premieres on November 11. [Image: 343 Industries]
Master Chief Collection features skill-based ranking as per Halo 2 [UPDATE: Trailer added!]
Here's one tidbit from Microsoft's Gamescom conference that's sure to please fans of Halo 2's multiplayer: 343 Industries' producer Dan Ayoub announced the upcoming Halo: The Master Chief Collection includes a skill-based ranking system with leveling "identical" to that of Halo 2. The news followed the newly unveiled Halo Channel "digital network" for the upcoming Xbox One compilation. The remastered bundle includes Halos 1-4 as well as access to the live-action Halo: Nightfall TV series, and it's launching in North America on November 11.
A Halo 2 cutscene transforms for The Master Chief Collection
How much work does Blur Studio put into revamping and remaking Halo 2's cutscenes for Halo 2 Anniversary? Quite a bit more than the minute-and-a-half's worth you see in the video above, but we're okay with a highlight reel. If you want to see just how far visual fidelity has progressed since 2004 and the original Xbox, take a look at the trailer Microsoft, 343 Industries and Blur showed during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con this year and watch as Miranda Keyes transforms from polygonal puppet to a soldier straight out of the uncanny valley. If Blur's work makes you hungry for more, you won't have to wait much longer: Halo 2 Anniversary will be included as part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which hits Xbox One on November 11 this year. [Image: Blur Studio]
Halo 2: Anniversary's new cinematics are a Blur of beauty
Halo: The Master Chief Collection made an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this week, bringing with it new screenshots of the re-imagined "Zanzibar" map and a trailer showcasing Halo 2: Anniversary's revamped cutscenes. Blur Studio, which has had its hand in many of today's most visually spectacular cinematics and commercials - including those for Halo 4 and Batman: Arkham Origins - is the company to thank for Master Chief and friends' high-res makeovers, while 343 Industries and Certain Affinity can claim responsibility for the new Zanzibar. Scope out the map and concept art below to prep yourself for the battles waiting for you on November 11. [Image: Microsoft]
Halo: The Master Chief Collection jumps to Xbox One on November 11, 2014
Like a Forerunner machine rising from the sand, the rumored Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been given an official, dramatic unveiling by Microsoft. As you might have guessed from the collection's name, The Master Chief Collection will chronicle the adventures of UNSC SPARTAN John-117, aka Master Chief. That means updated versions of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3 and Halo 4. It also means the inclusion of every multiplayer map from each of the aforementioned games. Following the example of 2011's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries will be remaking Halo 2 with new textures, models and sound, though players will be able to switch back and enjoy the game's original Xbox visuals at any time. Speaking of visuals, Blur Studio will develop new cutscenes to re-tell Chief's story. All games in the collection will run at 60 frames per second.
Rumor: Halo 1-4 bundled in Master Chief Collection for Xbox One
The saga of Master Chief will be packaged up in Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One this year, Engadget reported. The bundle will seemingly combine Bungie's Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo 3 as well as 343 Industries' contribution, Halo 4, into one HD-remastered pack. The Master Chief Collection will apparently ignore Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach in order to hone in on the story of the iconic hero. The bundle would tide fans of the series over for the time being, as Halo 5: Guardians is slated to launch on Xbox One in fall 2015. [Image: Microsoft]
Report: Halo 2 Anniversary coming this year, says Master Chief voice actor [update]
Update: Downes is now distancing himself from his earlier statement and denying that he has insider knowledge of an imminent re-release of Halo 2. "What I said was: 'I think you're ahead of yourself on H5. I have read some things online that you can look forward to a H2 anniversary edition maybe this year, but I have no official information one way or the other,'" Downes told IGN. "I was just mentioning some of the things I had read online about Halo 2. I have no idea if there will be an anniversary edition and didn't mean to leave that impression." Original: A high-definition re-release of Halo 2 may appear later this year, if an interview with long-time Master Chief voice actor Steven Downes is to be believed.
PSA: Halo 2 PC multiplayer support extended
Good news for dual-wielding, sword-rushing Lockout fans, Halo 2's online multiplayer on PC has received an extension. Previously, Halo Waypoint had announced that Halo 2's PC multiplayer servers would join the Forerunners on February 15. Not so anymore, according to 343 Industries designer David Ellis, who revealed the extension on Twitter, noting that servers will now stay online until June 2013 "while we investigate further support options."In other words, not only do the few remaining Halo 2 players get another four months of online multiplayer, but 343 is apparently looking into ways to extend it even further. Now everyone calm down and get back to Team Slayer on Turf (BR starts, duh).
Steam database fills out with Halo 2, 3, Fez, Dyad, King of Fighters, more [Update: MS says no plans for Halo]
The Steam database is a dark and convoluted mine, with twisting tunnels of useless content and, every now and then, a diamond. NeoGAF member Stumpokapaw braved the database and dusted off a few gems, including the addition of Halo 2 and Halo 3.The Halo 2 and 3 database entries included links to Steam Community pages for each game, according to Stumpokapaw and Redditor whatsmyPW, who provided the above screenshot. The Community links no longer resolve those pages, and the Halo 3 database history shows the app was edited today to remove the website name.Halo 2 and 3's existence in the database doesn't mean these games are coming to Steam, but it could point to some form of Community support on Steam in the future. With the Steam Box on the way, anything is possible (yes, even that, you absolute freak). Other games in the database, listed by Stumpokapaw, include Fez, Shadow Warrior Complete, Dyad, The King of Fighters 13 (and 2002 Unlimited Match and '98 Unlimited Match), Halo: Combat Evolved, Quantum Conundrum 2, The Witness and Second Life.Dyad, at least, is definitely on its way to Steam, developer Shawn McGrath tells us.Update: Microsoft says, "We currently do not have plans to release any Halo titles on Steam," in a statement to Eurogamer.
PSA: Halo 2 PC multiplayer servers going offline Feb. 15
Online multiplayer matches in the PC version of Halo 2 are about to get a lot lonelier than they already are, as Bungie will be pulling the plug on Friday, February 15. Matches over LAN will still be possible of course, but as far as playing through Bungie's servers, that's all she wrote. "We've been monitoring the population for months," the announcement reads, "and it's been peaking consistently at approximately 20 players or less." So! If you're one of the 20 people left in the whole of existence that are still playing Halo 2, allow us to officially welcome you back to society. You'll be pleased to know that several other Halo games have been released in your absence.
Halo stats blown out by Bungie as studio moves on
Bungie is out of the Halo stat-tracking biz, but says "so long and thanks for all the fish" with one last nuke of information. Since 2004, over 20.8 billion Halo matchmaking games have been played, with Halo 3 supplying a majority at 11.5 billion, at around 221 million games averaged monthly.The studio gathered all the data up in a mega infographic, covering stats of the great battles between humanity and The Covenant, and Red vs. Blue. At the end of Bungie's oversight of the online war, the body count exceeded 136 billion, with over 43 billion assists.Having moved on from Halo, Bungie is currently in a 10-year contract with Activision to produce ... something.
Halo Anniversary gets Headlong remake; Reach title update drops Sept. 21
If you spent any considerable amount of time with Halo 2, then you've likely stomped around the Headlong map in your billion-dollar boots, helping to fertilize its soil with a few dead bodies. A new and improved version of that large-scale map, dubbed Breakneck, will ship with Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries announced today. Some graphical tweaks have been made, but you may notice some layout differences as well. That teleporter on the Blue base's balcony has been replaced with a man-cannon and some panels have been added up there for better cover when moving from building to building. Red side's had an extension added to the Engineering Hallway and lost a chunk of the ceiling in the Office. 343 also sent word on the next big title update for Halo: Reach, due on September 21. Initially, the title update won't change anything for you, but come October 4 a special beta playlist will become active with 4-on-4 Objective and Slayer game modes. Here is where 343 will monitor games so that it can continue to shape Reach. Feel free to hop into our gallery below to check out shots of the new and improved Headlong Breakneck. You'll get a chance to see it in person when Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary launches on November 15. %Gallery-133740%
