343 Industries showered Halo fans with answers during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) earlier today. The subject, of course, was the upcoming PC release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. A few of the answers were already known, but there were some tasty new tidbits as well. Some of the most interesting include the possibility of mod support, as well as split-screen play.
During its reveal last week, it was confirmed that Halo: TMCC will not include all the games at once. The first game to come available will be Halo: Reach, which will be given a very slight remaster treatment. You’ll be able to play the game at a much higher resolution, and it can run at 60 frames per second. In the AMA, 343 community manager Brian Jarrard confirmed that each game, including Reach, will be sold separately. However, Jarrard said that there will be a bundle option available once all the games are released. There is currently no plan to offer a season pass. Pricing for each game will be revealed at a later time.
Halo: Reach will have a lot of its older options. The game will still include its classic armor customization model for multiplayer. This is something that fans have asked for, considering that The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One allowed only limited customization options. Jarrard also explained that the team is looking into updating the game’s original progression system. He said 343 wants to retain “the feel of the old systems and blends them with newer models for game progression.” And to much relief, The Master Chief Collection will not include any monetization for unlocking armor pieces.
Halo: Reach will return with its armor customization model intact, no loot boxes necessary.
The Great Journey
Halo: Reach won’t have a clean transition to PC, however. The game will lack both the Forge and Theater options when it lands. But, Jarrard explained, the team plans on having both up and running by the time Halo 3 or Halo 4 arrives in the collection. Jarrard also said the games, including Halo: Reach, won’t support split screen, calling it “tricky.” But they are investigating the option.
Beyond Halo: Reach, the collection as a whole will receive more options than you can shake an energy sword at. For one – and this is a big one – Jarrard wrote that the team plans on allowing uncapped framerates across the board. However, he also admitted that the “specific level of support will vary by title.” Halo: TMCC may, for the first time, also support mods. Jarrard wrote that 343 is currently working with the modding community, naming the ElDewrito team, to offer mod support. However, if mods do come to Halo, it won’t be at launch. The “big focus” right now is to get all the games to run perfectly on PC.
More Details From The AMA
- An anti-cheat system will be implemented, but not at launch
- The team is looking into supporting centered crosshairs with adjustment options
- You won’t need an Xbox LIVE Gold subscription to play Halo: TMCC, but you will need a free Microsoft account
- The collection will support ultra-wide monitors
- There will be no cross-play between Xbox One and PC
- Halo 5 most likely won’t be brought over to PC, to the chagrin of almost no one
- Campaign and multiplayer progress will carry over from console to the PC version of Halo: TMCC — this includes stats, achievements, and more
- Note: your progression from the original version of Halo: Reach will not carry over
There was a lot of information to parse with today’s AMA. Be sure to check out the thread for any additional details. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is coming to PC via Steam later this year.
