Halo Online

Halo Online is an upcoming multiplayer-focused game, developed by Saber Interactive and Innova Systems in collaboration with 343 Industries. It was officially announced in March 25, 2015, with a closed Alpha test that started on April 21, 2015 in Russia only. On December 28, 2015, a closed Beta test was suspended.

Synopsis
Halo Online takes place shortly after the events of Halo 3 around January 28th 2555. The game is set on a secret UNSC space installation called Anvil, where SPARTAN-IV and Sangheili soldiers train together in simulated war exercises to sharpen their battle skills and test experimental technology.

Gameplay
Halo Online will include "classic weapons and vehicles" from the Halo franchise, including the Hornet and the energy sword. Several new weapons will also be implemented into the game. Fan favorite multiplayer maps will return, along with several new maps—one of which is set in a Russian town. Halo Online is optimized for keyboard and mouse controls. Online matches can currently handle up to sixteen players, with four players being required for a match.

Players will be able to customize their loadouts, including armor, weapons and abilities. There are several variants of each weapon available for modification. Each weapon features variants with increased damage, accuracy, and rate of fire. Unlike most of Halo games, players will not be able to change their armor pieces individually, only as a whole set.

Similar to Halo 5: Guardians there is an ending animation for a match. Though in Halo Online it features only the top three players rather than the entire team.

Professions
In Halo Online three professions are available to the player: Assault, Sharpshooter, and Tactical. These professions dictate what paths the player can go though and what items are available to be unlocked.

Original Maps

 * Diamondback
 * Edge
 * Icebox
 * Reactor

Halo 3 Maps

 * Bridge
 * Closed Area
 * Elevation
 * Guardian
 * Hangar
 * Refuge
 * Riverworld
 * Sandtrap

Development
Halo Online is powered by a highly modified version of the Halo 3 engine and optimized for smooth performance on lower-end PCs.

On March 26th 2015 the Halo Online closed Alpha test started, and officially ended on September 11th 2015. On August 6th 2015 a special armor was given to people who played on that day during the Alpha. All players' stats and progress, even the special armor, were wiped after this finished.

On September 3rd, it was announced that there would be four different ways to get into it. This didn't guarantee access This guaranteed access, gave the used 5000 gold, gave an exclusive emblem and nameplate, and the ability to reserve a nickname. This guaranteed access, gave the used 10,000 gold, gave an exclusive emblem and nameplate, and the ability to reserve a nickname. Gave the user access to a damage weapon create for 14 days and gave the user the unique BR55 battle rifle. This guaranteed access, gave the used 15,000 gold, gave an exclusive emblem and nameplate, and the ability to reserve a nickname. Gave the user access to a Gold 2.0 weapon create for 30 days and gave the user the unique BR55 battle rifle, and a unique OPERATOR-class Mjolnir armor set.
 * Free Application
 * Basic Kit
 * Premium Kit
 * Elite Kit

On September 30th 2015 the closed beta started, and on December 28, 2015, the closed Beta test was suspended. The developers said that they encountered serious problems during the development of Halo Online, and with 343 Industries' counsel they decided to suspend testing and "send the game to a serious revision" for several months. Because of that, for people who bought the exclusive premium Beta tester kits, there was a compensation offer.



Update 1
On June 1st 2015 an update was released for the closed Alpha build that included The bombing: Allows you to throw a few grenades at once. Protective Scope: Creates a spherical barrier, impervious to virtually all types of projectiles. Living beings, however, can easily pass through it. Camouflage: refract light around the fighter, making it a little while partially invisible.
 * 3 new armor modifications: The Bombing, Protective scope, and Camouflage.
 * New weapons were added: M7 SMG Damage and Accuracy, MA5D assault rifle Speed, M395 DMR Speed, and BR85HB battle rifle Mag.
 * Updates to the Missions.
 * Improved chat.



Update 2
On June 18th 2015 an update was released for the closed Alpha build that included De-energizing - generates EMI, incapacitating the enemy shields and equipment within range. Active takpak. Enhanced Radar - Increases the range of the radar and its sensitivity. Support Package. The influx of energy - increases energy regeneration. Support Package. Suppression radar - disables the motion sensor enemies, bringing them decoys. Active takpak. Dop.zaryad energy - gives an extra boost of energy. Support Package.
 * New weapons were added: MA5D assault rifle Damage, and BR85HB battle rifle Damage.
 * 5 new armor modifications: De-energizing, Enhanced Radar, influx of energy, Suppression radar, Energy pack.
 * You could now also move the location of the weapon sight from either the center or like other halo games.



Update 3
On July 2nd 2015 an update was released for the closed alpha build that included
 * 5 new emblems
 * 3 maps: Bridge, Closed Area, and Hangar
 * 3 New armor: BASTION-class Mjolnir, SCEPTRE-class Mjolnir, and MIRMILLION-class Mjolnir.



Update 4
On July 21st 2015 an update was released for the closed alpha build that included
 * 4 New armor: HALBERD-class Mjolnir, STRIDER-class Mjolnir, SABOTEUR-class Mjolnir, and SADIST-class Mjolnir
 * 5 new emblems.
 * Plus various other bug fixes and features



Update 5
On August 14th 2015 an update was released for the closed alpha build that included
 * Team Deathmatch was added.
 * 3 maps: Reactor, Valhalla and Diamondback
 * The shop was updated.



Update 6
On October 3rd 2015 an update was released for the closed beta build that included
 * 2 maps: Refuge, and Elevation.
 * New weapons
 * The ability to switch between male and female.
 * 2 new armor: PROPHET-class Mjolnir, and WRESTLER-class Mjolnir.
 * Plus other various features



Update 7
On December 2nd 2015
 * 1 map: Sandtrap
 * 2 armor modules
 * A new grenade
 * Plus other various features

Unreleased updates
On October 9th 2015 a developer took an image of an upcoming update that had the user in an Armory on Anvil Station.

Announce trailer
An announcement trailer was revealed in March 26, 2015 on YouTube, showing the first in-game gameplay of Halo: Online, displaying the return of some weapons of Halo 3 and the introduction of new armors.

Press Conference(March 26th 2015)
On March 26th 2015 a press conference about Halo Online happened. At this press conference there were holographic pyramids with several renders of Halo Online content were in them.

Story Trailer
An story trailer was released around December 29th, 2015 on the official Halo Online site. The trailer went though the story elements leading up to the training the Spartans and Elites on Anvil Station on January 28th, 2555. The story trailer can be found here.