Halo: MCC Is Adding Crossplay And Custom Game Browser In 2020

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is still getting major new updates and ongoing support, even with the attention on the Halo series turning toward Halo Infinite.

In a new blog post, 343 outlined some of the new features planned for MCC--and it's a lot. In 2020, the studio plans to introduce cross-play between Xbox One and PC along with input-based matchmaking so people can decide who they want to play against. Additionally, 343 will add a custom game browser and give people the ability to choose their server region.

Additionally, mouse and keyboard support for Xbox One is coming, while players will also be able tailor the graphics and audio experiences for each game within MCC.

You can see all of the planned features below.

FEATURES PLANNED FOR RELEASE IN 2020

• Crossplay
• Input Based MM
• Sever Region Selection
• Custom Game Browser
• Per Game Graphics Options
• Per Game Audio Options
• M&K Support for Xbox
• PC Fileshare
• Double Keybinds for all games
• Viewmodel adjustments for all games
• In game FPS Cap/Adjustments
• Steam Account Linking

• • Planned to release together: Crossplay, Input Based MM, and Server Region Selection.
  • Planned to release together: Custom Game Browser, Per Game Graphics Options, and M&K Support for Xbox

343 added that it still plans to release Halo 3: ODST and Halo 4 on PC in 2020, while Halo 3: ODST Firefight is still planned for this year on Xbox One and PC.

The studio went on to address the issue of mod support for MCC. The developer still hopes to one day bring mod support to MCC, but it won't happen soon.

"Our goal is still to support modding, but due to shift in development priorities that tends to happen over the course of a project, modding has continued to get pushed back over the past 6 or so months," 343 said. "The good news here is that we have reached a point where we are now able to spend some cycles to get the conversations, design, and planning going again."

One of the sticking points is that 343 needs to update the EULA for MCC to add language specific to modding and player-generated content. 343's lawyers must approve the new language, and 343 said this process has been moving along.

"I understand this will be disappointing news to many of you, but the silver lining here is the EULA is in late stages," 343 said." Once it is ready, we will re-assess what we can accomplish in the short, mid, and long-term timelines."

Finally, 343 also listed off some of the new features that are currently on the "backlog." These features are "pending further discussions," so they might not arrive anytime soon. They include things like split-screen and HDC support on PC, along with the ability to turn off the text chat system. You can see the full list below.

IN BACKLOG PENDING FURTHER DISCUSSIONS

• Text chat on/off Option
• Idle System Improvements 
• Bringing PC Features to Console (Like FOV Sliders)
• Additional Accessibility Support
• Split Screen on PC
• HDR Support on PC

The ongoing development of MCC is not coming at the expense of Halo Infinite, as 343 has separate teams inside the studio working on each title.

Halo Infinite is a launch title for the Xbox Series X. We just recently learned that the multiplayer element of the game will be free-to-play.