Halo: The Master Chief Collection: Difference between revisions

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[[2019#December|December 3, 2019 (PC/Steam, Reach)]]
[[2019#December|December 3, 2019 (PC/Steam, Reach)]]
|genre= [[First-person shooter]]
|genre= [[First-person shooter]]
|modes= [[Campaign]]<br>[[Multiplayer]]<br>[[Campaign#Cooperative|Cooperative]]<br>[[Forge]] <small>(excluding ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary/Classic'' and ''Halo 2 Classic'')</small><ref name="briefing"/><br>[[Theater]] <small>(''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/bulletins/the-halo-bulletin-assault-on-controller-settings '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''The Halo Bulletin: 10/16/14'']</ref> ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 4'' multiplayer and ''Halo: Reach'')<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=116092208&postcount=1010 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Theater'']</ref></small>
|modes= [[Campaign]]<br>[[Multiplayer]]<br>[[Campaign#Cooperative|Cooperative]]<br>[[Forge]] <small>(excluding ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary/Classic'' and ''Halo 2 Classic'')</small>{{Ref/Reuse|briefing}}<br>[[Theater]] <small>(''Halo 2: Anniversary'' multiplayer,<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/bulletins/the-halo-bulletin-assault-on-controller-settings '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''The Halo Bulletin: 10/16/14'']</ref> ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 4'' multiplayer and ''Halo: Reach'')<ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=116092208&postcount=1010 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Theater'']</ref></small>
|rating=[[Wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: (D) Ages 17 and up<br/>[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Ratings Board|ESRB]]: Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
|rating=[[Wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: (D) Ages 17 and up<br/>[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Ratings Board|ESRB]]: Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Language, Violence


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The four games in the collection are all contained on a single disc, with two additional games (the campaign and firefight modes of ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'') as DLC, and are accessible through a unified interface known as the "Master Menu". The menu allows players to directly play any mission in any of the five games straight from purchase. Alternatively, there are customized [[mission playlist]]s, featuring levels from different games, arranged by [[343 Industries]].<ref name="Waypoint">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140609191047/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']. Archived from [https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection the original] on June 09, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2019.</ref> Examples of these include "Final Four", featuring the four final missions of each main game, "Hogs" for levels featuring the [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthog]], and "Flood" for missions featuring the [[Flood|eponymous parasite]].<ref name="venturebeat">[http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/10/understanding-halo-the-master-chief-collection-faq-playlists-forge-control-schemes-and-more/ '''Venturebeat''': ''Understanding Halo: The Master Chief Collection (FAQ) — playlists, Forge, control schemes, and more'']</ref> ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' also features separate [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] and [[John-117|Master Chief]] playlists which allow players to complete the two protagonists' respective levels individually. The music and backgrounds in the Master Menu are sensitive to the game that is being browsed at the time, as well as specific modes of that particular game.<ref name="RTX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQQbGq8TnR8&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=3 '''YouTube''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Panel - RTX 2014'']</ref>
The four games in the collection are all contained on a single disc, with two additional games (the campaign and firefight modes of ''Halo 3: ODST'' and ''Halo: Reach'') as DLC, and are accessible through a unified interface known as the "Master Menu". The menu allows players to directly play any mission in any of the five games straight from purchase. Alternatively, there are customized [[mission playlist]]s, featuring levels from different games, arranged by [[343 Industries]].<ref name="Waypoint">[https://web.archive.org/web/20140609191047/https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']. Archived from [https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo-the-master-chief-collection the original] on June 09, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2019.</ref> Examples of these include "Final Four", featuring the four final missions of each main game, "Hogs" for levels featuring the [[M12 Chaingun Warthog|Warthog]], and "Flood" for missions featuring the [[Flood|eponymous parasite]].<ref name="venturebeat">[http://venturebeat.com/2014/06/10/understanding-halo-the-master-chief-collection-faq-playlists-forge-control-schemes-and-more/ '''Venturebeat''': ''Understanding Halo: The Master Chief Collection (FAQ) — playlists, Forge, control schemes, and more'']</ref> ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' also features separate [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] and [[John-117|Master Chief]] playlists which allow players to complete the two protagonists' respective levels individually. The music and backgrounds in the Master Menu are sensitive to the game that is being browsed at the time, as well as specific modes of that particular game.<ref name="RTX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQQbGq8TnR8&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=3 '''YouTube''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Panel - RTX 2014'']</ref>


All six titles have been optimized for the Xbox One and run natively at 60 [[Wikipedia:frame rate|frames per second]]; ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' are a native resolution of [[Wikipedia:1080p|1920x1080]], whereas the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' campaign has a lower native resolution of 1328x1080 which is automatically up-scaled to 1080p by the Xbox One.<ref name="ignhorse">[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' have received upgrades to their lighting systems.<ref name="venturebeat"/> ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' has also received an update to its graphics toggle, which is now instantaneous similar to ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.<ref name="pax">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref> The Kinect features available in the original ''Combat Evolved Anniversary'', however, are not supported in this version.<ref name="ignhorse"/>
All six titles have been optimized for the Xbox One and run natively at 60 [[Wikipedia:frame rate|frames per second]]; ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' are a native resolution of [[Wikipedia:1080p|1920x1080]], whereas the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' campaign has a lower native resolution of 1328x1080 which is automatically up-scaled to 1080p by the Xbox One.<ref name="ignhorse">[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' have received upgrades to their lighting systems.{{Ref/Reuse|venturebeat}} ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' has also received an update to its graphics toggle, which is now instantaneous similar to ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.<ref name="pax">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref> The Kinect features available in the original ''Combat Evolved Anniversary'', however, are not supported in this version.{{Ref/Reuse|ignhorse}}


The collection features intro and outro cinematics for ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' created by [[Blur Studio]], which was also responsible for remastering the cutscenes in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''. These cinematics follow [[Jameson Locke|Agent Locke]]'s search for the Master Chief after the events of ''[[Halo 4]]'' and have narrative connections to ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.<ref name="ytinterv">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTDVFdQVNw4#t=664 '''YouTube''': ''Halo 2: Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...'']</ref> New [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]] are featured in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''; the original terminals of ''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Halo 3]]'', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Halo 4]]'' remain unchanged.<ref name="venturebeat"/>
The collection features intro and outro cinematics for ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' created by [[Blur Studio]], which was also responsible for remastering the cutscenes in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''. These cinematics follow [[Jameson Locke|Agent Locke]]'s search for the Master Chief after the events of ''[[Halo 4]]'' and have narrative connections to ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''.<ref name="ytinterv">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTDVFdQVNw4#t=664 '''YouTube''': ''Halo 2: Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...'']</ref> New [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|terminals]] are featured in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''; the original terminals of ''[[Terminal (Halo 3)|Halo 3]]'', ''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Halo 4]]'' remain unchanged.{{Ref/Reuse|venturebeat}}


In addition to the [[Xbox controller layout|control schemes]] of each individual game, ''The Master Chief Collection'' features several universal control setups to span all the games. However, ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s specific controls are not available as one of these options due to the difficulty of implementing them to function with the other games.<ref name="venturebeat"/>
In addition to the [[Xbox controller layout|control schemes]] of each individual game, ''The Master Chief Collection'' features several universal control setups to span all the games. However, ''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s specific controls are not available as one of these options due to the difficulty of implementing them to function with the other games.{{Ref/Reuse|venturebeat}}


The collection features campaign scoring for each game and an option to have a HUD overlay tracking one's score in real time. Each level has its own leaderboard featuring various stats, including total score, fastest completion time, and the number of enemies killed. Players can designate friends listed on the leaderboards as "rivals", whose scores can then be measured against in the in-game real-time score tracker.<ref name="leaderboard reveal"/>
The collection features campaign scoring for each game and an option to have a HUD overlay tracking one's score in real time. Each level has its own leaderboard featuring various stats, including total score, fastest completion time, and the number of enemies killed. Players can designate friends listed on the leaderboards as "rivals", whose scores can then be measured against in the in-game real-time score tracker.{{Ref/Reuse|leaderboard reveal}}


''The Master Chief Collection'' is available for digital download on Xbox Live Marketplace. The download version also features the attached ''Halo: Nightfall'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta'' access passes.<ref name="bulletin61914">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-6-19-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin 6.19.14'']</ref> The [[Halo Channel]] is integrated with ''The Master Chief Collection''. Players can unlock features, such as [[skull]]s, for the campaign by completing challenges on the Halo Channel. Additionally, players can use the Halo Channel to view their friend's stats during ongoing games or seamlessly join their matches.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/halo-channel '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Channel'']</ref>
''The Master Chief Collection'' is available for digital download on Xbox Live Marketplace. The download version also features the attached ''Halo: Nightfall'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta'' access passes.<ref name="bulletin61914">[https://blogs.halowaypoint.com/en-us/blogs/headlines/posts/the-halo-bulletin-6-19-14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin 6.19.14'']</ref> The [[Halo Channel]] is integrated with ''The Master Chief Collection''. Players can unlock features, such as [[skull]]s, for the campaign by completing challenges on the Halo Channel. Additionally, players can use the Halo Channel to view their friend's stats during ongoing games or seamlessly join their matches.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-gb/halo-channel '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo Channel'']</ref>
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===Co-op Campaign===
===Co-op Campaign===
Both online and split-screen co-op campaign play are supported in all six games. Currently, split-screen is not available on PC, however, cross-play co-op is possible. The campaign co-op breakdown is as follows:<ref name="bulletin61914"/>
Both online and split-screen co-op campaign play are supported in all six games. Currently, split-screen is not available on PC, however, cross-play co-op is possible. The campaign co-op breakdown is as follows:{{Ref/Reuse|bulletin61914}}
*''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' – 2 players max, split-screen or online
*''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'' – 2 players max, split-screen or online
*''Halo 2: Anniversary'' – 2 players max, split-screen or online
*''Halo 2: Anniversary'' – 2 players max, split-screen or online
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===Multiplayer===
===Multiplayer===
[[Multiplayer]] is available for all four games—each running from their respective original engines—and is accessible via a unified matchmaking menu system. Players are put into a lobby, then asked to vote for a match from a random selection of over 100 maps from all games (depending on playlist), rather than have the population split into groups for different games.<ref name="Waypoint"/> However, there are a number of playlists specific to each game.<ref name="RTX"/> The collection uses a single unified multiplayer ranking system shared across the four games.<ref name="venturebeat"/> Rank, stats or unlockable items such as armor permutations do not carry over from the previous games.<ref name="bulletin61914"/>
[[Multiplayer]] is available for all four games—each running from their respective original engines—and is accessible via a unified matchmaking menu system. Players are put into a lobby, then asked to vote for a match from a random selection of over 100 maps from all games (depending on playlist), rather than have the population split into groups for different games.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint}} However, there are a number of playlists specific to each game.{{Ref/Reuse|RTX}} The collection uses a single unified multiplayer ranking system shared across the four games.{{Ref/Reuse|venturebeat}} Rank, stats or unlockable items such as armor permutations do not carry over from the previous games.{{Ref/Reuse|bulletin61914}}


''The Master Chief Collection'' ships with every multiplayer map ever packaged with ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', ''Halo 2'', ''Halo 3'', and ''Halo 4'', as well as all downloadable content maps ever released (including the six maps from [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]] as well as the two exclusive maps from ''[[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)]])''.<ref name="bulletin61914"/><ref name="frankAllMaps">[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115556760&postcount=1375 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Halo PC maps'']</ref> In addition to the original maps of each game, the collection also contains six remastered maps from ''Halo 2'': Ascension, Lockout, Zanzibar, Coagulation, Sanctuary, and Warlock.<ref>[http://event.eslgaming.com/gamescom-2014/halo/ '''Gamescom 2014''''"Halo: TMCC" Showdown - Tournament rules: Game modes"]</ref> Players can choose to purchase ''Halo: Reach'' for the MCC as additional downloadable content as well which, similarly to the base version of the MCC, includes all downloadable content maps released for the game originally.  
''The Master Chief Collection'' ships with every multiplayer map ever packaged with ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', ''Halo 2'', ''Halo 3'', and ''Halo 4'', as well as all downloadable content maps ever released (including the six maps from [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' for PC]] as well as the two exclusive maps from ''[[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)]])''.{{Ref/Reuse|bulletin61914}}<ref name="frankAllMaps">[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115556760&postcount=1375 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on Halo PC maps'']</ref> In addition to the original maps of each game, the collection also contains six remastered maps from ''Halo 2'': Ascension, Lockout, Zanzibar, Coagulation, Sanctuary, and Warlock.<ref>[http://event.eslgaming.com/gamescom-2014/halo/ '''Gamescom 2014''''"Halo: TMCC" Showdown - Tournament rules: Game modes"]</ref> Players can choose to purchase ''Halo: Reach'' for the MCC as additional downloadable content as well which, similarly to the base version of the MCC, includes all downloadable content maps released for the game originally.  


[[Forge]] is featured in ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 4'', and ''Halo:Reach'', as well the remastered multiplayer portion of ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.<ref name="venturebeat"/> ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' also features a new vehicle, the [[M274R Mongoose#M274-M Gungoose variant|M274-M Gungoose]] as well as a new weapon with the addition of the [[M7S SMG|silenced SMG]]. Forge was not included in the initial release of ''Halo: Reach'' on PC. This was due to intricacies learned from bringing Forge to PC with ''[[Halo 5: Forge]]'' which was resulted in the PC release of the Forge and Theater modes being delayed until the release of Halo ''3'' on [[2020|July 14, 2020]].<ref name="PCAMA_2"/>
[[Forge]] is featured in ''Halo 3'', ''Halo 4'', and ''Halo:Reach'', as well the remastered multiplayer portion of ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.{{Ref/Reuse|venturebeat}} ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' also features a new vehicle, the [[M274R Mongoose#M274-M Gungoose variant|M274-M Gungoose]] as well as a new weapon with the addition of the [[M7S SMG|silenced SMG]]. Forge was not included in the initial release of ''Halo: Reach'' on PC. This was due to intricacies learned from bringing Forge to PC with ''[[Halo 5: Forge]]'' which was resulted in the PC release of the Forge and Theater modes being delayed until the release of Halo ''3'' on [[2020|July 14, 2020]].{{Ref/Reuse|PCAMA_2}}


The [[Firefight (Halo 3: ODST)|Firefight]] game mode was not originally included within the MCC port of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'',<ref name="thanks"/> though the ''Halo: Reach'' Firefight mode was included in the game's campaign release.<ref name="PCAMA_2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/b2yhk8/mcc_pc_halo_reach_and_halo_insider_ama/eivvvtw/?context=3 '''Reddit''' - ''MCC PC, Reach and Halo Insider AMA''] - ''ske7ch343's response''</ref> Following the teaser from the official Halo channel announcing that ODST Firefight is coming in Summer 2020,<ref name="ODSTteaser">''[[Halo 3: ODST Firefight Teaser]]''</ref> the game mode launched alongside the PC release of ''Halo 3: ODST'' with additional features, such as the previously-absent [[BR55HB battle rifle]] available to use for players in Firefight.
The [[Firefight (Halo 3: ODST)|Firefight]] game mode was not originally included within the MCC port of ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'',{{Ref/Reuse|thanks}} though the ''Halo: Reach'' Firefight mode was included in the game's campaign release.<ref name="PCAMA_2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/b2yhk8/mcc_pc_halo_reach_and_halo_insider_ama/eivvvtw/?context=3 '''Reddit''' - ''MCC PC, Reach and Halo Insider AMA''] - ''ske7ch343's response''</ref> Following the teaser from the official Halo channel announcing that ODST Firefight is coming in Summer 2020,<ref name="ODSTteaser">''[[Halo 3: ODST Firefight Teaser]]''</ref> the game mode launched alongside the PC release of ''Halo 3: ODST'' with additional features, such as the previously-absent [[BR55HB battle rifle]] available to use for players in Firefight.


====Multiplayer maps====
====Multiplayer maps====
While originally reported by 343 Industries to contain 93 competitive multiplayer maps,<ref name="twitter fun fact">[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/476137807249809408 '''Twitter''': ''Fun Fact'']</ref> ''The Master Chief Collection'' was later established to feature all maps from the four games, increasing the total number of multiplayer maps to over 100.<ref name="bulletin61914"/> With the complete campaigns of all five games, the collection contains 55 campaign missions, as well as ''Halo 4''{{'}}s 50 ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' missions.<ref name="twitter fun fact"/>
While originally reported by 343 Industries to contain 93 competitive multiplayer maps,<ref name="twitter fun fact">[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/476137807249809408 '''Twitter''': ''Fun Fact'']</ref> ''The Master Chief Collection'' was later established to feature all maps from the four games, increasing the total number of multiplayer maps to over 100.{{Ref/Reuse|bulletin61914}} With the complete campaigns of all five games, the collection contains 55 campaign missions, as well as ''Halo 4''{{'}}s 50 ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' missions.{{Ref/Reuse|twitter fun fact}}


With the additions of ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'' into the collection, the amount of multiplayer maps increased into 141 (123 PvP maps and 18 Firefight maps), and the amount of campaign missions into 118 (63 playable missions, 5 cutscene-only missions, and 50 Spartan Ops missions). The later inclusion of ''[[Waterfall]]'', a ''[[Halo Online]]'' multiplayer map, into ''Halo 3'' during [[Season 6: Raven]] increased this total to 142. ''[[Edge]]'', another map from ''Halo Online'', is slated for release in later Season.
With the additions of ''Halo: Reach'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'' into the collection, the amount of multiplayer maps increased into 141 (123 PvP maps and 18 Firefight maps), and the amount of campaign missions into 118 (63 playable missions, 5 cutscene-only missions, and 50 Spartan Ops missions). The later inclusion of ''[[Waterfall]]'', a ''[[Halo Online]]'' multiplayer map, into ''Halo 3'' during [[Season 6: Raven]] increased this total to 142. ''[[Edge]]'', another map from ''Halo Online'', is slated for release in later Season.
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An option in the in-game achievements list allows players to jump directly into a game configured to be optimal for the completion a given achievement.<ref name="leaderboard reveal">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQDmWlUcTbU '''YouTube''': ''Campaign Leaderboard Reveal - Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref>
An option in the in-game achievements list allows players to jump directly into a game configured to be optimal for the completion a given achievement.<ref name="leaderboard reveal">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQDmWlUcTbU '''YouTube''': ''Campaign Leaderboard Reveal - Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref>


The collection features [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection Skulls|37 skulls]], most of which are exclusive to certain games. Some of the skulls were initially accessible only through pre-order bonuses but were unlocked universally on December 12, 2014.<ref name="your journey">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/bulletins/the-halo-bulletin-your-journey-begins '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: Your Journey Begins'']</ref> One skull, Swarm, is unlocked by watching all episodes of ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' on the [[Halo Channel]] and completing all associated challenges.<ref name="your journey"/><ref name="live and let pie"/><ref>[https://dlassets-ssl.xboxlive.com/public/content/f33009f4-14ff-4821-94e3-c3573c868c2e/GameManual/97d0359f-4eb2-45ea-af0d-bd3f90529585/en-US/index.html#article0021 '''Xbox Live''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection online manual'']</ref>
The collection features [[Halo: The Master Chief Collection Skulls|37 skulls]], most of which are exclusive to certain games. Some of the skulls were initially accessible only through pre-order bonuses but were unlocked universally on December 12, 2014.<ref name="your journey">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/bulletins/the-halo-bulletin-your-journey-begins '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Halo Bulletin: Your Journey Begins'']</ref> One skull, Swarm, is unlocked by watching all episodes of ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' on the [[Halo Channel]] and completing all associated challenges.{{Ref/Reuse|your journey}}{{Ref/Reuse|live and let pie}}<ref>[https://dlassets-ssl.xboxlive.com/public/content/f33009f4-14ff-4821-94e3-c3573c868c2e/GameManual/97d0359f-4eb2-45ea-af0d-bd3f90529585/en-US/index.html#article0021 '''Xbox Live''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection online manual'']</ref>


''The Master Chief Collection'' also features over 300 unlockable player customization options, including [[Multiplayer emblems|emblems]], [[nameplates]] and [[avatars]] for use in game lobbies and player profile pages. There are various ways to unlock these items, although most are earned by completing achievements. Additional unlockable items include 15 terminal videos and a customizable clan tag. For every unlocked achievement, the player receives a high-resolution image from the remastered ''Halo 2'' cinematics, concept art, level images, or a frame from a terminal. These images can be used for one's personal Xbox One background.<ref name="live and let pie">[http://halo.bungie.org/halobulletins/168 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''The Halo Bulletin: Live and Let Pie'']</ref>
''The Master Chief Collection'' also features over 300 unlockable player customization options, including [[Multiplayer emblems|emblems]], [[nameplates]] and [[avatars]] for use in game lobbies and player profile pages. There are various ways to unlock these items, although most are earned by completing achievements. Additional unlockable items include 15 terminal videos and a customizable clan tag. For every unlocked achievement, the player receives a high-resolution image from the remastered ''Halo 2'' cinematics, concept art, level images, or a frame from a terminal. These images can be used for one's personal Xbox One background.<ref name="live and let pie">[http://halo.bungie.org/halobulletins/168 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''The Halo Bulletin: Live and Let Pie'']</ref>
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''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' went gold on [[2014#October|October 17, 2014]]. The collection takes up 45 gigabytes of disk space and includes a 15 GB content update at launch. The game launched in most countries worldwide on November 11, with delayed releases in Belgium (November 12), France (November 14) and Japan (November 13).<ref name="gold">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-the-master-chief-collection-we-are-golden '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection - We are Golden'']</ref> ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' component was added to the collection via a content update on December 12, 2014.<ref>[http://www.windowscentral.com/new-content-update-halo-master-chief-collection-adds-spartan-ops-and-improves-matchmaking '''Windows Central''': ''New content update for Master Chief Collection adds Spartan Ops and improves matchmaking'']</ref> ''The Master Chief Collection'' received a day-one update that included an additional fifty [[achievements]], with a total of 500 [[Gamerscore]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/the-next-50-achievements '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Next 50 Achievements'']</ref>
''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' went gold on [[2014#October|October 17, 2014]]. The collection takes up 45 gigabytes of disk space and includes a 15 GB content update at launch. The game launched in most countries worldwide on November 11, with delayed releases in Belgium (November 12), France (November 14) and Japan (November 13).<ref name="gold">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/halo-the-master-chief-collection-we-are-golden '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection - We are Golden'']</ref> ''[[Halo 4]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s ''[[Spartan Ops]]'' component was added to the collection via a content update on December 12, 2014.<ref>[http://www.windowscentral.com/new-content-update-halo-master-chief-collection-adds-spartan-ops-and-improves-matchmaking '''Windows Central''': ''New content update for Master Chief Collection adds Spartan Ops and improves matchmaking'']</ref> ''The Master Chief Collection'' received a day-one update that included an additional fifty [[achievements]], with a total of 500 [[Gamerscore]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/the-next-50-achievements '''Halo Waypoint''': ''The Next 50 Achievements'']</ref>


''The Master Chief Collection'' shipped with a significant amount of bugs, many of which had an impact on playability particularly in multiplayer. Among these flaws were atypically long matchmaking times, sporadic unattainability of achievements and glitches in the user interface. 343 Industries applied multiple patches to the title over the weeks after its release in an effort to fix these problems.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/11-20-14-halo-the-master-chief-collection-content-update-notes 11.20.14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Content Update Notes'']</ref> On November 24, 2014, 343 Industries general manager [[Bonnie Ross]] issued a formal apology for the debacle, assuring that the studio would continue their work on amending the issues with the collection.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/a-status-update-from-bonnie-ross-on-halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''A Status Update From Bonnie Ross on Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref> On December 19, Ross announced that 343 Industries would be offering players a series of exclusive items and new features—most notably ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''—as compensation for the issues with the game.<ref name="thanks"/>
''The Master Chief Collection'' shipped with a significant amount of bugs, many of which had an impact on playability particularly in multiplayer. Among these flaws were atypically long matchmaking times, sporadic unattainability of achievements and glitches in the user interface. 343 Industries applied multiple patches to the title over the weeks after its release in an effort to fix these problems.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/11-20-14-halo-the-master-chief-collection-content-update-notes 11.20.14 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Content Update Notes'']</ref> On November 24, 2014, 343 Industries general manager [[Bonnie Ross]] issued a formal apology for the debacle, assuring that the studio would continue their work on amending the issues with the collection.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/a-status-update-from-bonnie-ross-on-halo-the-master-chief-collection '''Halo Waypoint''': ''A Status Update From Bonnie Ross on Halo: The Master Chief Collection'']</ref> On December 19, Ross announced that 343 Industries would be offering players a series of exclusive items and new features—most notably ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''—as compensation for the issues with the game.{{Ref/Reuse|thanks}}


The game generally received positive reviews upon its release. Nathan Ditum of [[Wikipedia:Eurogamer|Eurogamer]] applauded ''The Master Chief Collection'' for including each game's original multiplayer and every map ever released; one of the largest criticisms of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' was the lack of multiplayer. Ditum also expressed "constant astonishment" at increased resolution of the older games, claiming he spent several minutes at a time staring at battlefields, ancient structures, and walls.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-10-halo-the-master-chief-collection-review '''Eurogamer''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection review'']</ref> [[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]] reviewer Ryan McCaffrey criticized the multiplayer, calling it "unacceptably unreliable and bug-ridden performance". However, he praised the remastered audio, the game-unifying interface, and the smoother framerate. Despite his criticism of multiplayer, McCaffrey commended the new six ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' remade maps, and the nostalgia ''The Master Chief Collection'' was able to deliver.<ref>[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/11/06/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review '''IGN''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Review'']</ref> [[Wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]]'s Chris Watters delivered a more critical review of the game, also condemning the multiplayer's issues and bugs, citing that it "barely works". However, he enjoyed the engaging combat formula and claimed that the remastered ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' [[cutscene]]s by [[Blur Studio]] to be fantastic.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review/1900-6415958/ '''GameSpot''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Review'']</ref> Kyle Hilliard of [[Wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]] gave ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' a "Gold Rating", lauding the game's concept and improved graphics. He complimented that the game "is massive and intimidating, but none of it is crammed in or hastily included". Hilliard also praised Blur's cinematics, claiming that the [[Gravemind]] is now a terrifying monster, instead of a "huge muppet". Finally, he stated that ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' has risen a high bar for other video game remastered collections.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/halo_master_chief_collection/b/xboxone/archive/2014/11/09/halo-the-master-chief-collection-game-informer-review.aspx '''Game Informer''': ''Halo: Master Chief Collection'']</ref>
The game generally received positive reviews upon its release. Nathan Ditum of [[Wikipedia:Eurogamer|Eurogamer]] applauded ''The Master Chief Collection'' for including each game's original multiplayer and every map ever released; one of the largest criticisms of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' was the lack of multiplayer. Ditum also expressed "constant astonishment" at increased resolution of the older games, claiming he spent several minutes at a time staring at battlefields, ancient structures, and walls.<ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-11-10-halo-the-master-chief-collection-review '''Eurogamer''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection review'']</ref> [[Wikipedia:IGN|IGN]] reviewer Ryan McCaffrey criticized the multiplayer, calling it "unacceptably unreliable and bug-ridden performance". However, he praised the remastered audio, the game-unifying interface, and the smoother framerate. Despite his criticism of multiplayer, McCaffrey commended the new six ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' remade maps, and the nostalgia ''The Master Chief Collection'' was able to deliver.<ref>[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/11/06/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review '''IGN''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Review'']</ref> [[Wikipedia:GameSpot|GameSpot]]'s Chris Watters delivered a more critical review of the game, also condemning the multiplayer's issues and bugs, citing that it "barely works". However, he enjoyed the engaging combat formula and claimed that the remastered ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' [[cutscene]]s by [[Blur Studio]] to be fantastic.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/halo-the-master-chief-collection-review/1900-6415958/ '''GameSpot''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Review'']</ref> Kyle Hilliard of [[Wikipedia:Game Informer|Game Informer]] gave ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' a "Gold Rating", lauding the game's concept and improved graphics. He complimented that the game "is massive and intimidating, but none of it is crammed in or hastily included". Hilliard also praised Blur's cinematics, claiming that the [[Gravemind]] is now a terrifying monster, instead of a "huge muppet". Finally, he stated that ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'' has risen a high bar for other video game remastered collections.<ref>[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/halo_master_chief_collection/b/xboxone/archive/2014/11/09/halo-the-master-chief-collection-game-informer-review.aspx '''Game Informer''': ''Halo: Master Chief Collection'']</ref>