Halo 2 HD remake in the works?
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
New rumor suggests 343 Industries following up Combat Evolved Anniversary with Halo 2 redux; Halo 4's Forge mode detailed, in development at Certain Affinity.
If a rumor proves accurate, Microsoft and its new Halo team, 343 Industries, are at work on a high-definition remake of 2004's original Xbox game Halo 2. The rumors section of the latest issue of the Official Xbox Magazine UK (via Kotaku) dropped the details.
"Following the success of remake Halo Anniversary, 343 Industries has now started development of Halo 2 Anniversary," the magazine writes, without specifying its source.
If an HD remake of Halo 2 is in fact in the works, it will follow last November's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a redux of the original Xbox launch title. Combat Evolved Anniversary was the first project from the newly established 343 Industries and won a warm critical reception upon release.
A Microsoft spokesperson told GameSpot, "Our focus right now is on developing ‘Halo 4.’ Beyond that, we do not comment on rumors or speculation.”
Halo 2 was developed by Bungie Studios and was released in November 2004. The game sported a number of updates over the 2001 original, including multiplayer over Xbox Live, the ability to dual-wield weapons, and a new game engine. The title won strong marks from critics and tallied $100 million in first-day sales. Halo 2 was released for Windows PCs in 2007.
Despite the critical and commercial success of Halo 2, several high-ranking Bungie developers did not speak very highly of the project. In a 2007 interview, Bungie engineer Chris Butcher lamented the game's short polish window, saying the game could have been much stronger.
"Even the multiplayer experience for Halo 2 is a pale shadow of what it could and should have been if we had gotten the timing of our schedule right," he said. "I ****ing cannot play Halo 2 multiplayer. I cannot do it."
Separately, during the Rooster Teeth Expo this weekend (attended by The Verge), it was revealed that Halo 4's Forge tools are being built by Crimson Alliance developer Certain Affinity. The developer showed off the new toolset during its presentation, revealing a range of new features. These include a new user interface, lighting system, and Player Trait Zones, which allow users to alter a host of player attributes like run speed, jump height, damage reduction, and others.
Certain Affinity is no stranger to the Halo franchise, having contributed to map packs for Halo 2, Halo: Reach, and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
331 comments
It would be nice to have the entire Halo saga revamped and available on 360, but they can stop doing remakes after 2...
it is time to make a PC version of halo HD series ,with better graphics and improved one ,ive played halo 1 and halo 2 on pc
I was not a fan of the first Halo remake. However, a remake of Halo 2 would garner my interest. Although, if this is on its way, please don't say they're going to remake 3 as well. That would be just silly. IMHO, 2 is the only remake I'd be super-pumped for as it was probably the all-around best game in the series.
I pray this will be on the PC. Since the first Halo and Halo 2 were on the PC it's only fair we get a remake for PC. If it's on Steam then it's a day one purchase for me.
1 Like Its not gonna happen this year or next year because they are making halo 4 and dlc after release and then maybe.
Of course they should do it, there are so many fans who will buy it just to have it on the 360.
2 Like When I eat food, I enjoy it immensely and a few hours later I do my business, then I go eat different food.
I do not regurgitate my previously eaten food, put some salt and pepper on it, and re-devour it.
I started this rumor two years ago as a joke when it was revealed only the first Halo was getting HD treatment. Lol.
Dammit,this is the second time that this happened to me.First I downloaded Halo 1 next thing you know they come out with a remake of it ....recently I just bought Halo 2 and now this.....thanks a FREAK'N lot;:(:(
I don't care that this is a remake it's Halo!! I love Halo, it's brilliant they did an amazing job with Halo CE, and Halo 2 in HD!! That means that I will have all my Halos on 1 console, and that is exactly what I want.....the price should be £20 or $40.
2 Like Microsoft please spend money on creating some new IP's! Halo, Gears of War, and Fable are all well and good. But I want something new, not just remakes and sequels! Thank you!
I can't see 343 Studios remaking Halo 2. The reason for remaking Halo:CE was clearly that the single player campaign was (and remains) one of the greatest gaming experiences to be had; however, Halo 2 has never been acclaimed for its single player campaign. Halo 2 achieved success due to its innovations in the competitive multiplayer arena (and to this day holds the title of greatest competitive multiplayer of all time...at least in my mind). Therefore, if 343 Studios plans to repeat what they did with Halo:CE and recreate the single player campaign of Halo 2 without the competitive multiplayer it won't sell as well as last year's Halo Anniversary or as well as GameSpot editors predict. (Although, I genuinely hope that they do recreate Halo 2 with a reboot of the multiplayer!)
Well, if they do it, I'd be very happy. Currently, Halo 2 is my favorite video game. As they did a very good job with Halo Anniversary, Halo 2 will be a BLAST, in my opinion.
@vaibhavp I think $39.99 is a reasonable price for the Halo HD updates - the GoW and MGS collections (which ARE awesome, not taking anything away from them) are given a simple upscaling to HD. Halo Anniversary on the other hand has COMPLETELY overhauled graphics that dramatically change the appearance of the game, running overtop of the HD upscaled original version. That extra effort is easily worth the price gap (which is no more physical dollars the the GoW collections, they just have only one game for $39 instead of two).
2 Like I reinstalled Halo 2 PC just last week, and played some Multiplayer, there are still some people around keeping it going just about! Especially in the evening. I really wish Microsoft would throw the PC crowd a bone. I mean, i own a 360, and every single Halo game so far. However, it doesn't come close to how i used to enjoy the two Halo's on PC. It just doesn't *feel* as awesome on console :/ Even now, if they brought Halo 3 to the PC say using the Reach engine to tart it up, i'd absolutely love it and buy it on release.
MS needs to look at Remedy as a case study. MS says "Alan Wake won't make a profit on PC." Remedy 2 years on, self publish Alan Wake on PC, insisting their publisher was wrong! As they were; it made back production costs in under 48hrs, and went on to sell over half a Million copies on the PC.
And they're trying to tell us a PC edition of Halo 3 wouldn't sell? O.O??
I'm with you on this one. I was pretty disappointed when they decided to leave us in the dust. Same goes for how they made only the first Gears of War game for the PC. The jerks...
1 Like @andrew_ribbons I think the logic is that if people can get Halo on PC, they will have fewer reasons to buy a 360. MS doesn't need to sell PCs- as much as Apple is gaining ground in the PC market, windows PCs still fuel the business world- but Halo is their flagship 360 exclusive; allowing people to get it anywhere else- even on windows - would only diminish (however slightly) the reason for their to be a 360 in every gamer's home. I'm not saying I agree with their reason (I'm a huge Halo fan and think everyone should be able to experience its awesome universe- regardless of their console allegiance)- but I do understand it.
True, which is why i can understand them not releasing the game on PC alongside the 360 edition of course. I can live with that. But really, does anyone seriously think that Halo 2 PC's release, 3 years later on PC, diminished in ANY WAY the sales of the original Xbox? Or 360, if you include backwards compat? Reeeally? I for one, do not think it made a blind bit of difference. It only gave Halo 2 fans a place to go still for H2 MP experience, after they closed the servers down! That's about it.Halo 3 now, nearly 5 years on? No, that is not selling the 360 any more than Viva Pinata or PGR 3 is by now.I think Halo 3 + ODST expansion all in one box, all Map Packs, ported to the Reach engine, given M&K controls. In a nice looking box, released on Steam and Origin too. £34.99. That'd be an INSTANT sell to me, and i think a huge swathe of PC fans of the original games. Not only that, but it's bringing in a chunky bit of revenue from an old game that isn't selling any copies by now for 360. It's a win win for MS. And if they marketed it for DX11 and Windows 7/8 well. Win win win.
dude i could not agree more...... if Microsoft brought out halo 1 & 2 HD id 100% buy them even tho i have the originals, and if the released 3 & 4 id be happy as a pig is s**t
You reading this Microsoft... BRING OUT HALOs ON THE PC!!!!
3 Like I am loving how many Sony and Nintendo turds are over here obsessing about Microsoft. Pure, unbridled envy is an ugly thing.
@swamptick Wow, and I left my previous comment before I saw this. So I have to grow up but you are calling people turds? Wow you are an absolute pillar of maturity!
@swamptick : Unlike you burger flippers we also own an xbox. The reason we can afford all consoles and portables and not live in our parents' basement is because we are smart and know that this game is just another trash that micro$oft knows will be snagged by by idiots out there. Envy? Get some education and make smart decisions, then I'll envy you.
@swamptick I know right? There is NO reason for other console owners to comment rudely. Their entire goal is to insult xbox players. Childish
The PC version of Halo 2 was handeled by a team called "hired gun" they did the portjob thats why it somehow sucked but its still working pretty awesome on Windows 7 now and its Halo 2 :D I love it
1 Like @Spacerac It's fine if u would like to waste your life in SW hating whichever console/s you can't afford, but this isn't necessary here. Respectable people post here.
@Johnny-n-Roger so you assume that calling out the hypocrisy of gamers is out of being unable to afford a game console? Wow, your're intelligent.
2 Like @Johnny-n-Roger @Spacerac hey why the hate towards this dude he is just pointing out the truth. EVERYONE hated on Wii U for not being original and but microsoft does it and is alright? i think you are the ones that need to grow up and don't get so personal when people say things that you don't like.
@pasofreak @BasiK3108 and halo isn't 10 years old? Halo isn't going through an "HD filter?" Yeah the games get texture upgrades and whatnot, but you're paying $40 a pop for one game. At least with Sony's collections you get 2-3 games for $40, and at least Nintendo adds extra features to their remakes.
@BasiK3108 You're a complete monkey. This is not like Sony or Nintendo republishing a game. 343 is actually re-building the game on a new engine. That's much better than putting 10 year old games through an HD "filter" and re-selling them. (Sony Nintendo)
2 Like All this really does is remind me of how much I hate that they've made XBOX LIVE support everything you can think of... except XBOX games. But it's okay, the ad in the corner of the dashboard is telling me that "I'm Lovin' It".
4 Like @GlaciusXL You obviously don't have an Xbox 360. If you did, you would know that every single Xbox 360 comes with backwards compatibility on Halo and Halo 2 regardless of model, make or mfgr date. Do some research before you come here and make a complete fool out of yourself. But then, what would you expect from a Sony fan who is obsessing over Microsoft.
1 Like @swamptick First sentence in my post talks about XBOX LIVE support ... that's the ability to play online or download DLC for original XBOX games, not Backwards Compatibility. Your rant is invalid. Second sentence in my post makes specific reference to the fact that I see McDonald's ads in the corner of the DASHBOARD. I don't see that through a PS3. What don't you get about it. As for research, if you clicked on my profile, the first thing on it is a Halo Reach Forge map video I made. I didn't make that on the SNES. See, I clicked on your profile and it linked me to your gamercard. Let's see, NetFlix, Zune, ESPN, YouTube. See, that's what I'm talking about. You did all that on XBOX Live, but you can't play Halo 2 ONLINE. Get it now?
3 Like You obviously didn't read the post you replied to. It's quite ironic that you would accuse someone of being a fanboy.
Lets just name the next Xbox HaloBox already. M$ is approaching Nintendo levels of disgrace.
@The1stFishBone At least Microsoft and 343 re-build the classic games and put them on new engines before they sell them. Sony and Nintendo just make their games "HD resolution" and push them out. This will be a completely new engine version of Halo 2. Don't be so ignorant, it makes you look very foolish.
@Majkic666 Can you not read or are you just stupid? This is speculation, not confirmation. Of course, you probably don't even know the difference between the two.
@Majkic666 I don't know why people liked it though, it was just horrible... Such a waste of a direction for something so promising.
@ducusss it is for most people the best including myself.Hell i still play it on pc the story while not the best still has the best campaign for most and the purest halo gameplay out of all the halo games. this makes the multiplayer more based in the skill and not perks.
PS. Halo reach was worst MP and campaign for me. i liked the campaign it just lacked the spark of the other games.
@Majkic666 I agree that it was the worst story, but other people liked it, and I heard that the multiplayer was great even though I never got to try it, so it makes sense to remake it.
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