Master Chief has a new mission, and this time he is battling the Covenant on personal computers. Microsoft Game Studios, Bungie Studios and Gearbox Software today announced that "Halo" for Windows is available at retailers across the United States for an estimated retail price of USD 49.99.
Optimized for the Windows platform and utilizing the DirectX 9.0 application programming interface, Halo will allow gamers across the globe to see what all the fuss was about, with the extra option of online play.
With more than 3 millions copies sold worldwide, 'Halo' is the most successful Xbox game ever and is now available on Windows, said Ed Fries, corporate vice president at Microsoft Games Studio. 'Halo' brings the excitement of the award-winning game to PC gamers with additional features, including enhanced graphics, and new, online multiplayer capabilities.
Online play, details of which had been kept a secret, will offer gamers the chance to challenge one another online competitively or cooperatively. Halo for the PC supports as many as 16 players online and has a multitude of new multiplayer features. Gamers can use the all-new Rocket Launcher Warthog and flying Banshee in battles for online dominance through 19 multiplayer maps including six all-new maps.
The 'Halo' team at Gearbox is fired up to unleash 'Halo' on PC gamers, said Randy Pitchford, president of Gearbox Software. The entire crew at Gearbox can't wait for launch day to go online and play with our customers using all the unique maps, weapons and features that are exclusive to the Windows version of Halo.
In addition to supporting Internet play and local area networks, Microsoft has set aside dedicated servers for Halo to allow a larger number of gamers to compete against each other in thrilling, online multiplayer games. These dedicated servers offer gamers a simple way to connect online hassle-free.
In conjunction with the launch of Halo, iGames and the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) are organizing tournaments to determine the ultimate Halo gamers.
The CPL, a link to which can be found by following the download tab above, will host the NVIDIA USD 30,000 for Windows Championship Dec. 16--20, 2003, at The CPL Pentium 4 Processor Winter 2003 Championships in Dallas, Texas.
Microsoft, with the help of iGames services, also plans to support the launch of Halo with a worldwide tournament starting in November 2003 and culminating in January 2004. Gamers will compete for prizes with an estimated value in excess of USD 30,000.
