First Halo 2 auto-update now available
The automatic download shortens matchmaking wait times, fixes 480p support, and unlocks a multiplayer map.
Today, Bungie announced the release of the first auto-update for its first-person shooter Halo 2. The update addresses many issues discussed in the first Bungie Weekly What's Update, assuring that the 2-million-plus owners of Halo 2 enjoy a smooth online playing experience. Some users experienced unusually long waits when joining an online game. Bungie states the delays were "caused by a combination of factors, including connection speed and other detailed nuances of matchmaking." The problem has been fixed in the update, normalizing wait times and getting gamers back into the frag-fests ASAP.
On the audiovisual tip, some Halo 2 players playing the game experienced parts of the heads-up display being cut off on HDTV and EDTV monitors in 480p resolutions. The auto-update also remedies that error. In addition, the update also unlocks a multiplayer map, Foundation, that is inspired by Microsoft-owned mid-'90s first-person shooter Marathon, which was made, ironically, only for the Macintosh. Foundation is a smaller two-tiered enclosed map, and Bungie recommends a friendly game of four-team capture the flag on it, claiming that "[it's] a hoot!" Previously, unlocking the map required beating the game on any difficulty level and performing a "training event" on the final level.The small update will automatically download, with the owner's permission, the next time Halo 2 logs on to Xbox Live. Halo 2 owners who aren't connected to Xbox Live can still download the update by using the free two-month Xbox Live trial card included in the game, or use a friend's Xbox Live account and download the update onto a memory card or directly to their Xbox. The update cannot be installed by disc, and for that reason "it is unlikely that we will ever make the update available on a disc," said Bungie.
Bungie is currently working on another auto-update that will add small changes to the matchmaking playlists. For more information on Halo 2, check out our previous coverage, including our full review of the game.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
GameSpot's Best of 2009 - Special Achievement Winners
Find out our special achievement winners in the Best of 2009 Awards! Full Story
- Posted Dec 21, 2009 11:59 am PT
-
Billionaire buys up 11% of Take-Two
Carl Icahn increases stake in Grand Theft Auto publisher; news of his interest boosts share price more than 11%, sparks speculation of shareholder revolt. Full Story
- Posted Dec 18, 2009 11:29 am PT
- 134 Comments
Featured Stories
-
Final Fantasy XIII day-one sales hit 1 million in Japan
Square Enix's hotly anticipated JRPG busts platinum sales marker in 24 hours on PS3, franchise sales surpass 92 million. Full Story
- Posted Dec 18, 2009 10:53 am PT
- 712 Comments
-
Take-Two year-end results slip 37%, Borderlands sells 2M
Publisher suffers from GTAIV-less 12-month period as sales slip to $968 million, Q4 gap wider than expected; Spec Ops due before November 2011. Full Story
- Posted Dec 17, 2009 2:12 pm PT
- 96 Comments
-
Big in Japan Dec. 7-13: New Super Mario Bros.
Nintendo's portly plumber reprises chart-topping performance, Modern Warfare 2 sells nearly 100K on PS3 alone; Wii leads hardware. Full Story
- Posted Dec 18, 2009 2:21 pm PT
- 60 Comments
-
Wii sells 9M in Japan, PS3 hits 4M mark
Enterbrain reports Nintendo's and Sony's consoles achieved multimillion-unit milestones during week ending Dec. 13; New Super Mario Bros. sells 465K in second week. Full Story
- Posted Dec 16, 2009 12:33 pm PT
- 248 Comments
-
Aliens vs. Predator unbanned in Australia
Classification Review Board overturns initial ban due to violent content in Sega, Rebellion's actioner; game will be released down under with no changes. Full Story
- Posted Dec 18, 2009 2:24 am PT
- 385 Comments
Submit News
Related Game
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Bungie Software
- Sci-Fi First-Person...
- Release: Nov 9, 2004 »
- ESRB: Mature
Recent News
-
Xbox Avatars to 'encourage exercise'?
Microsoft patent details technology to make 360's avatars have same physical appearance as their real-world counterparts--and thereby promote physical...
0 Comments
Sign in / Sign up