Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)

File:HPC Needler.jpg

Halo: Combat Evolved was originally going to be made for the PC & Mac platforms. Bungie changed platforms to the upcoming Xbox after being bought by Microsoft. Then, on 09/30/03, Gearbox Software packaged Halo for the PC and added a few extra features, too. (It should be noted, however, that in the process of developing the port, the ability to play co-op in multiplayer mode was lost entirely.) Later, a Mac version of Halo was made. Halo PC contained seeral new features that the Xbox version of Halo lacked, namely the ability to play the game in Safe Mode, in addition to six all new multiplayer maps. The game was also outfitted with an online multiplayer mode, and a year later with the stand alone custom edition for modding, with downloadable maps from many internet websites. The resolution of the game is also better than the Xbox version. A demo was also released before the PC version of the game.

Halo PC has maintained incredible popularity since its release. In May of 2007, over 130,000 players played Halo PC online, nearly four years after the game's release.

Newly Added

Campaign mode is the exact same as on the Xbox, but here's what's new in Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer for the PC/Mac version.

• Weapons
  • Fuel Rod Gun (added in multiplayer, but was in the campaign before as a non-wieldable weapon.)
  • Flamethrower (Was originally planned to be in the Xbox version but never appeared on screen). Very similar to the Halo 3 flamethrower.

• Vehicles
  • Banshees (Added in Multiplayer, but was in the campaign before.)
  • Rocket Warthog (Absent from the Xbox version.)
• Maps
  • Timberland
  • Death Island
  • Gephyrophobia
  • Danger Canyon
  • Ice Fields
  • Infinity

Trivia

In Halo PC,there should be a loading screen just before the main menu. Look close to find a Marathon symbol.

Some changes were made from the Xbox version in the graphics. Jackal shields do not change color as they get damaged, and stationary shields have a different appearance as well.

Internal

• Halo: Combat Evolved
• Halo: PC (Linux)

External

• Halo CD Key Recovery Tool

Modding

Modding has taken Halo PC by storm. The following are some common tools for modifying Halo PC:

Modding Programs

• Halo Hacker Tools (HHT) - download link [1]
• Halo Map Tools (HMT) - download link [2]
• SparkEdit - download link [3]

Video Tutorials for Modding Tools

• HHT Tutorial [4]
• HMT Tutorial [5]
• SparkEdit General Video [6]
• SparkEdit Teleporter Video [7]
• SparkEdit Log Video [8]