Halo 2 headed to PC; new OS required

Master Chief and fellow Space Marines say, "Hasta la Vista"; Microsoft Game Studios to develop Halo 2 for PC and its next-gen operating system.

If PC users are having trouble deciding whether to move over to Windows Vista, Microsoft's next-generation operating system, when it is released later this year, the fact that the fate of the Earth depends on it may tip the scales. Microsoft Game Studios today announced that it is developing Halo 2 for the PC.

The game will be only for Vista, and it's being developed in partnership with the franchise's original developer, Bungie Studios. The PC version will include Halo 2, the bonus maps that came in the Multiplayer Map Pack, and the ability to "build, create, and customize their own multiplayer levels." No release date or other details have been announced.

Last week, questions arose when Bungie revealed it was hiring PC programmers to help "work on the biggest franchises for Microsoft Game Studios." Many presumed that Bungie would be porting Halo 2 to the PC in-house, unlike the PC version of Halo, which was developed by Brothers in Arms creator Gearbox Studios.

Halo 2, now more than a year old, is the best-selling Xbox game of all time. Bungie has not yet announced its next project. For more information on Halo 2, read GameSpot's full review of the Xbox version. For more information on Windows Vista, check out GameSpot's feature on the operating system.

387 Comments

  • reymachine

    Posted Sep 27, 2009 2:46 pm PT

    @ aparabola
    wow dude your the first guy i've ever seen that vista doesn't have bugs...even though i had so many bugs that i downgraded back to pc....and the funny thing is that the new games support vista but also have a ton of glitches with it and crysis when used with vista would have choppy graphics even with a strong card...not only that but vista has trouble doing easy tasks and needs much more memory than xp such as xp with 4 gb perfectly fine...but vista even with 8 gb still is slow even though there is a quad core processor 2.66 so dont talk about vista being a good upgrade...dont upgrade your pc if you have xp...stick with it...microsoft is already thinking about scraping vista because its failed so horribly

  • aparabola

    Posted Feb 16, 2008 7:44 am PT

    I have read several times here and other forums where peeps are saying Vista is riddled with bugs. C'mon! Upgrade your damn PC cause there's nothing wrong with Windows Vista. It is peoples hardware and some video card manufacturers drivers that are lagging behind in the world of technology. Vista does not now nor has it ever had any bugs. If we want to play the newest games, like Crysis, then we need to have OS's, and PC's that are up to speed with todays technology. To all those that refute my comments here, I say do your homework. For instance, did you know that with a Windows Vista 32 bit OS (as compared to Windows Vista 64 bit) only recognizes a maximum of 3056MB of ram? My system has 4 GB of ram, yet only 3.12 GB maximum memory are allowed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929605/ Do your homework. It's little things like this that we should know as PC gamers. I'm just saying...

  • adrian525

    Posted Oct 7, 2007 6:31 pm PT

    It's a really good game, but it's a really bad (and i mean REALLY bad) OS. I think that good things don't mix to well whit bad :S

  • Deyyhayederaned

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 4:44 am PT

    Hell its not fair I waited years for this game to come out for PC, then I found I'd have to get a new computer 'long time coming' I needed one. So I had to build up a huge amount of money as I was just about ready to buy I heard Vista is riddled with bugs. Apparently the head programmer on the Vista project died half way through, inconciderate dying like that.

  • wubeikk

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 3:33 am PT

    Hey ... Falling Leaf Systems are preparing free patch of compatibility with windows xp for Halo 2 and Shadowrun. so most of us will be able to play it on Windows xp, not necessary to have Vista. Be patient. We don't know how stable will it be but it will be working. So be patient.

  • solaralex89

    Posted Apr 29, 2007 3:13 pm PT

    I'd be willing to bet that most people to buy Halo 2 for PC will not have a legitimate version of Vista, because it's just not worth paying for a new OS (or God forbid a new computer as well) to play a new game.

  • Lab4lover666

    Posted Feb 19, 2007 9:56 am PT

    I wonder when this is gonna be out..
    I want it now >.

  • Willy105

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 5:10 pm PT

    Any console game is better on PC.

    The first Halo was a lot better on the PC than on the Xbox.

  • Flavius_Aetius

    Posted Dec 9, 2006 10:08 am PT

    Batizoz

    "Hey ... first of all, I'll have to say I'm all the way with Sony, never bought an Xbox, never will. "

    ---So you're a Sony fanboy. Which means that all your comments regarding Halo mean diddlelysquat.

    "what is so good about Halo2 ?"
    ---What's so good about Final Fantasy? and as far as I can remember there was nothing on the PS2 that ever compared to Halo.

    "The PC has already lots of amazing FPS games .. F.E.A.R., HL2, BF2, FarCry, DOOM 3, Riddick ... Would Halo 2 stand against those giants ? "
    Yes I holds it's own quite well. However MS knows that Halo sells XBoxes, and that they like to keep Halo as an exclusive for the console for awhile.

    "HELL NO. Can't even compare the graphics, campaign, multiplayer. I don't even understand how such a lousy game sold this much on the Xbox."
    ---As I said 'Sony fanboy'. Funny thing is your not even comparing any PS2 product to Halo. Also as stated Halo is just as good as HL2, is way funner than FEAR, and FARCRY.

    "Regarding this Vista - Halo 2 issue, M$ has always proven that they are the dirtiest bastards when it comes to selling. "
    ---Oh and Sony isn't? Let's look at the PS3 for example. It costs $600, and for what? Blu-Ray a future Media format that may or may not be successful? Also let's not forget the lack of PS3's on launch day.

    "An old game like Halo 2 wouldn't require that monster of a Rig, I mean my Rig already plays FEAR at max settings, would it have trouble running a pathetic Halo 2 ?"
    ----Monster of a rig, what system specs are you talking about? Since the game is not even released what are you basing that from? "Would I think about upgrading my PC & OS just to play a silly, overrated, & aged game ?NEVER. "
    ----You do realize that Halo2 won't be the only game made for Vista? However if for some strange reason, Halo happens to be the only reason why you would need to upgrade then wait until you have a better reason.

    "So, before you get excited about the possibility of playing Halo 2 on PC, start preparing to enjoy games like BLACK, Gears of War & the arrival of the Almighty PS3. "
    ----uhhh....those games aren't on the PS3!

    "Oh, and please, don't go supporting M$'s dirty schemes just because you are an Xbox fanboy."
    Hard to say I'm a company fanboy since I have owned nearly ( no turbo graphics, or NEC, also no Wii yet.) every game console since (even Virtualboy) the Atari 2600 VGS, and I still play many of them. That being said I fail to see why you would refer to someone that wants a port of an Xbox game to the PC as an Xbox fanboy? These are PC users that more than likely prefer the feel of a keyboard and mouse than a controller.

  • Anteares

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 12:56 pm PT

    WOOOT! Finally we get Halo 2! I've been itching to use a mouse and keyboard for this game in forever! I bought the Xbox version but I just can't get used to the controller.

    Now...if we could only get Gears of War and Halo 3 ported to us......*drools*.

  • Darth-Revan45

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 8:42 pm PT

    Oh hell, now a New Windows is out making everyone upgrade again... damn my crapy Win 98.

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 11:31 am PT

    Well thats really sad because I currently own Halo Combat Evolved for PC and XBOX. I also own Halo 2 for XBOX and was seriously considering to get Halo 2 as soon as it comes out. What a disappointment. Not that I'm complaining on the effort of making Halo graphics better for the game but the fact that Windows Vista is not on my shopping list and it will not be for a long time. It will take Microsoft a long time to fix all the bugs and issues that come up with this new OS. Until then I guess I pass. Plus Microsoft is trying to use Halo as a tool for gamer to buy Vista. Bad move!! Not everybody can afford it and many people will deny to spend that much money just to play 1 game.

  • bolebec

    Posted Aug 27, 2006 1:11 am PT

    When I said Vista's graphics, i meant directX 10 & directX9L. But that was my bad for not specifying that. Sorry about the misunderstanding. Now i see how people got confused when i said Vista's graphical capabilities. But I would also like to point out that some of the stuff you said, quote, "Others, Microsoft (not Bungie, MS, remember they bought Bungie?) has all the reason in the world to release this only on Vista" I agree with. I think people SHOULD buy Vista, maybe not right as it comes out, but thats what I'm doing when I fell that the time is right. Also, quote, "There's still a TON of players still using Windows '98 for god's sake!". I know that. But the majority of people using '98 (including my grandma) arn't hardcore gamers. They mostly use the computer for checking e-mail from time to time, writing invitations to a birthday party, ya know, simple things. They arn't big corporate businesses that have to do huge amounts of work on a computer and that need things like security features (ex. windows fire wall), multi-core processor support, & 64-bit computing. They arn't schools and colleges that need security features, Windows server networks, & Safe Browsing for Internet explorer. Finally, they are not hardcore gamers that desire the latest and greatest pc and gaming hardware. I can guaranty that the amount of people that game and use '98 can be doubled and wont even come close to matching the ones that use Windows 2000 & XP. Lastly, you say, quote,"They didn't want to re-write XP in order to give the developers what they needed in DX 10." Where in the world did u get this idea? If it is the "upgrading to Vista w/o having to purchase the full version" thing, then thats not what I'm talking about. I'm saying that MS has upgrade copies for Vista coming out that enable you to not have to buy a full version of Vista. It's an IN-PLACE UPGRADE, and pretty much all it does, is lets you install Vista w/o having to clean your hard drive and uninstall XP, and its for less money. So please don't tell me to stop griping (p.s. how am i going to hurt myself or someone else?).

  • scottwilkins

    Posted Aug 25, 2006 12:45 pm PT

    bolebec, Halo 2 doesn't take advantage of Vista's graphics, only DirectX 10. Get it right, OK? Vista is good, real good. All good except for the interface. It's going to be so different that MS has to release games like this to DRAG players into the new OS. Fortunately it will be somewhat tunable, unlike the current beta versions which are not tunable at all compared to what it will be like on release. There's still a TON of players still using Windows '98 for god's sake! So, bolebec, get over yourself before you hurt yourself or someone, OK?

    Others, Microsoft (not Bungie, MS, remember they bought Bungie?) has all the reason in the world to release this only on Vista. And Vista's graphics will not get in the way of Halo 2 at all. Just like in XP, when a game starts and sends a DirectX request to gain full screen control, all Windows graphics are shut down so as to not interfere with the game play. Halo 2 has NOTHING to do with Vista's graphics. It has EVERYTHING to do with DirectX 10, which MS decided to only support on Vista due to it's differences. They didn't want to re-write XP in order to give the developers what they needed in DX 10. But wait, they did re-write it... It's called Vista! DUH! So stop yer griping. Besides, MS has already made a mint on Halo 2, so if it doesn't sell well due to Vista, it ain't gonna hurt 'em.

  • bolebec

    Posted Aug 19, 2006 11:10 pm PT

    Wow, that is the most pathetic thing I've ever heard. You people need to quit complaining about a new OS coming out. I mean c' mon, XP has been out for 5 YEARS!! Don't you think that it has been enough time for Microsoft to create a new OS? Yes, Bungie maybe forcing people to buy Vista with Halo 2 but, it also takes advantage of all of Vista' new graphical capabilities. Why else would they wait to launch an almost 2 year-old game for pc without updating the graphics,multiplayer, heck maybe they will even change the campaign mode, like add an extra level or something. Also, for everyone who already has XP, you can upgrade to Windows Vista for less money without having to purchase the full version. Microsoft is helping YOU by not having to spend as much money. See for yourself at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeinfo.mspx (copy/paste that). Plus, Vista is going to come with direct X10 and Direct X9L, so it CAN run previouse games. So quit whining about how people shouldn't switch to Vista amd how Halo 2 for pc isn't going to sell an all of this other bull crap because it is and that is that.

  • yr7racer

    Posted Jul 14, 2006 6:51 am PT

    Either way, I'll get both for free. So no complaining here. haha

  • bjmage16

    Posted Jun 25, 2006 10:57 am PT

    Let's see if it will work. Many believe Vista is too graphics intensive to work well with games.

    Bungie is stupid to release it on one OS. Do they think it will convince many to swith OSs? I don't think so.

  • Akmon911

    Posted May 28, 2006 2:53 am PT

    Well, I read from somewhere that Halo 2, for that STUPID VISTA, does not need DX10 (directX10). check out some news in here

  • elementfx

    Posted May 11, 2006 1:11 am PT

    good good good, this thrills me, I'm getting sick of Halo CE and it's laggy goodness.

  • Com_gamer

    Posted May 10, 2006 5:56 pm PT

    by the time halo 2 comes 4 pc, halo 3 will be out for the xbox 360. history is repeating itself because the same thing happened with the 1st halo

  • garrett_daniels

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 11:21 pm PT

    They better give it a SERIOUS graphics upgrade. As beautiful as Halo 2 was and is, it just isn't up to current PC standards.

    Gamers will be forced out of XP pretty quickly anyway, and I don't think making the leap now is too much to ask.

    I hope it performs better, though. Gearbox's Halo port was a rock-solid single player experience, but between its glitchy online play (warthog teleporting!) and terribly underestimated "recommended" requirements it was far from perfect.

    Plus, this one will have mods from the get-go.

  • deny33142

    Posted Mar 29, 2006 7:29 pm PT

    now that the game is down to $19.99 MS got an idea "why dont we make a pc version of the game and sell a 2 year old game for 49.99? hell and even better, why dont we make it restrictive to a new OS so the suckers will have to buy a new computer, was microsoft kills 2 birds with one stone" idiots!

  • Dasc00

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 3:20 pm PT

    halo 2 isnt gonna seel that well if it needs a new OS so there screwed

  • Junooni

    Posted Feb 23, 2006 12:10 am PT

    well well well what we have got here halo 2 for pc hmmm sounds nice mouse key board perfect combo for FPS

  • CommandoVader13

    Posted Feb 22, 2006 6:06 pm PT

    Halo 2 is going to be awsome, Im getting an XPS Dell computer and Windows Vista anyway.... so i pick up Halo 2 on the way also. Halo games are cool but i still think Darth Vader kicks @ss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • unreal6666

    Posted Feb 21, 2006 6:50 am PT

    For all i care i want to play Halo 3 but M$ can kiss my b@lls with that Halo 2 for PC only for windows Vista crap going on....M$ and bungie are litterally $hitting on their fans with this.....nobody wants to move to vista yet..not just for a game anyways...

    It is a good thing to have a new windows wich i am sure everybody will have at some point of time in the near future but to try to make people buy a new OS for a game that they might want on a PC wich is in console right away...that's beyond me...if the guy above had any say in the above decision by Bungie and M$ he is a bigger fool than me cause i ain't gonna buy vista to play Halo 2 for pc...maybe an xbox360 but not a whole godamn os and pc for a game that is only 50$ ...what brand of wacky tabaco are the suits at M$ smoking i may want some to smoke on weekends.....

  • batizoz

    Posted Feb 13, 2006 9:27 pm PT

    Hey ... first of all, I'll have to say I'm all the way with Sony, never bought an Xbox, never will. But this doesn't mean that I never gave an xbox game its right. Especially Ninja Gaiden & DOA. But hey, what is so good about Halo2 ? Its campaign ? Graphics ? Multiplayer ? The PC has already lots of amazing FPS games .. F.E.A.R., HL2, BF2, FarCry, DOOM 3, Riddick ... Would Halo 2 stand against those giants ? HELL NO. Can't even compare the graphics, campaign, multiplayer. I don't even understand how such a lousy game sold this much on the Xbox.
    Regarding this Vista - Halo 2 issue, M$ has always proven that they are the dirtiest bastards when it comes to selling. An old game like Halo 2 wouldn't require that monster of a Rig, I mean my Rig already plays FEAR at max settings, would it have trouble running a pathetic Halo 2 ? Would I think about upgrading my PC & OS just to play a silly, overrated, & aged game ?NEVER. So, before you get excited about the possibility of playing Halo 2 on PC, start preparing to enjoy games like BLACK, Gears of War & the arrival of the Almighty PS3. Oh, and please, don't go supporting M$'s dirty schemes just because you are an Xbox fanboy.

  • unreal6666

    Posted Feb 13, 2006 3:14 pm PT

    maybe we should just boycott bungie product...

  • Jedi_Gon

    Posted Feb 13, 2006 11:51 am PT

    Man! Thats good news!


    There is no spoon?
    Matrix

  • MASTERCHIEFUSMA

    Posted Feb 13, 2006 6:30 am PT

    Bah! I dont want vista! Guess i gotta stick to halo 2 for xbox. id rather stick with Xp, xp doesnt take as much ram and not as much crap to deal with.

  • eefreak8

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 11:39 pm PT

    Damn Microsoft. That's one pretty low bit of marketing. Using a hugely popular game to try and force people to buy there new operating system. Can't they ever sell a product based on the products actual worth, not what's going to be released on it.

  • InvaderJones

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 9:38 pm PT

    I think I'll let you all have the many issues with Vista when it first comes around. But it's a good idea..

  • unreal6666

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 8:58 pm PT

    what's gonna happen with this mess is that people are vengeafull and do not forget and might just boycott the game altogether since there is a xbox version of it....

    also people just out of spite may try to get the game thru illegal means therefore bungie ends up on the losing end...

    i wonder why they stay silent on this tough....95 percent of the messages here are bashing them real bad on this mess...

    looks like they jsut don't care or they are scrambling to talk to microsoft to find a solution on this and then make the announcement....

    bungie is trying to play a high stakes game here and cockiness may end up being their ultimate demise...

    remember there are tons of games out there and tons more coming out that are gonna be the next "halo" type of situation, like gears of wars and such ,so you don't want to put the barrel to your head and shoot yourself with some kind of stupid crap like this one... write to pc gamer and computer gaming world about this and try to lobby to them so that they can make this known..."how upset we are!!!!"

  • sagtzc

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 5:00 pm PT

    MMMMMM pense que nunca saldria para PC.

    Lastima que tenemos que esperar a windows Vista,

  • blehbeast1234

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 4:44 pm PT

    i'm not even sure if i'm getting vista or not
    i bet vista sucks worse then when xp first came out
    i wouldn't be surprised if it happened
    just like how they rushed the xbox 360 launch...
    and the xp launch...
    and all of their other stuff lol

  • pmaddamsetti

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 1:34 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • pmaddamsetti

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 1:32 pm PT

    Many people will probably be getting Vista in the future, so if it is going to take a while to release Halo 2 for PC, I don't think it's too bad. Also, higher requirements most likely means a much better product. Halo for PC was much better than the Xbox version, so Halo 2 will probably be the same.

  • DarkSoldier91

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 12:40 pm PT

    It would be cool if they added more missions and maps to help the storyline not suck...

  • Postal_Bill

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 12:09 pm PT

    This is bs anyway. If you want to lose all your PC fans by putting out a halfassed console orginated game go ahead. Microsoft already burned PC gamers with the first halo

  • mx6dragon

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 10:58 am PT

    Yeah I don't see myself upgrading to Vista for this game. I think Halo 2 is great but so many other FPS for PC out there. Plus the price of Vista+ the price for the game= $$$$$$.

  • Terdog

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 10:35 am PT

    This is garbage. Halo 2 for Vista only?! Sure, I will put my odds on either the hacking community figuring out how to get this running on XP, or we should all send email's to Microsoft telling them what a disaster and really stupid move this is.

  • the_angry_amish

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 9:04 am PT

    I can't believe what I am hearing from your people! I would have thought most of you would be outraged. How much more will you be willing to put up with from this company? The XBox 360 is already a disaster, can't you read the writing on the wall.

    You can all go ahead and try to live off the table scraps that Microsoft throws to you. As for me, I'd never buy a new OS for a SINGLE GAME! Especially one that I've already played.

    If you have that much money to just throw away, why not buy some penny stocks or play the lottery? How bout just giving me some?

  • unreal6666

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 8:46 am PT

    If only Bungie would be clear on what their doing...

    It pisses me off so bad that a lot of gaming companies operate like that they just let tidbits slowly out to build momentum for their products..it is the reverse of movies where they start almost a year before to blast you with "coming soon"...

    I guess bungie and microsoft decided to put the news out to see the reactions to "VISTA ONLY" and "feel the field" as they say'.. so far it seems that that field would be filled with land mines if the bungie group would step into because fans just wana tear them appart.

    what makes matters worse is that like i just said there is no news...they just announce it...make a really vague FAQ then exit...

    it's like a striper that just gets to the bra and she has those big huge (@@@) and then before the end of the song she stops and goes away without showing you anything and you are like WTF???!!!!

    same story here.

    At least if they would come out clean and say that they wanna make it xp compatible too all of this would stop.

    They could just say that "it's gonna look prettier on vista" instead of only vista...then instead of a fist to the jaw it would have felt like a small slap and not make all of this mess to begin with...

    it is their own fault and i wish i was not there...well actually i wish i was there cause you know what i would talk some sense at some people at M$ and say to them that for the sake of the game and fans that XP will be supported!!!!

  • Thorandor

    Posted Feb 12, 2006 2:49 am PT

    What the hell? A release of a game just for one friggin' Operating System? There is no way they are going to be able to promote sales with such a stupid strategy! Let's hope someone can "fix" that game up to make it compatible for XP! Vista? yea, Hasta la Vista!

  • bigelf72

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 11:43 pm PT

    Sweet, ima get it, cause itll be way better than XBOX's version

  • AuxorNemesis

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 11:16 pm PT

    Look I feel sorry for You guys. You'll have to cough up at least $200 for the new operating system VISTA plus for that DUMB OS dependent game HALO 2. But I'll buy new windows for just $2.00 and Halo for maybe $3.00.
    Nice going Microsoft !!! You are losing your customers..

  • Unknown09

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 11:09 pm PT

    While I wish that people would find a way to crack this and port it to xp, it is unlikely b/c isn't vista a 64-bit native OS? The only other OS is basically Windows XP 64bit Pro, and most people dont have that. So it's unfortunately that in order to play H2, ya need a DRM-infected OS.

  • Zombi_Z

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 10:39 pm PT

    Y'know, these PC ports might be more successful if publishers actually crank this stuff out in some reasonably close time-frame to their console originals instead of waiting long after anyone with an interest in the game has already played it on other platforms.

    There'd better be some payoff for this. I mean, I better be able to play on the same servers as other Live players or something. **** I need a perk for this!

  • skullomania2

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 10:28 pm PT

    What a rip off !!!! I might just throw the first halo in the garbage and buy a mac if microsoft doesn't clean up there act!!!!!!! The game is old anyway!!!!!!!!

  • barkera0

    Posted Feb 11, 2006 7:01 pm PT

    Why bother? Why not just make Halo 3 on Windows.... seems strange to redo 2 s its getting a bit older now.

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