Sometimes we feel fans pressure accomplishes nothing and that it is pointless, but the next time you think so, think it over again, because that’s a completely wrong statement, and what a better proof than 343 Industries finally deciding to release Halo: Master Chief Collection and Halo: Reach on PC for the Microsoft Store and Steam platforms!
343 Industries, the company created by Microsoft to substitute Bungie after these two took their separate ways, wasn’t doing very well on such a though responsibility as it is to keep Halo on the highest levels where it has always been. But this time, they redeemed themselves with this surprising news, bringing the Master Chief Collection including Halo 1: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo 4 and also Halo: Reach, to the PC.
A thing that could have players worried is the changes that could happen to the game in terms of character customisation or that one of the most feared features, micro-transactions, is added to the game and harms gaming experience, but thankfully, that’s not the case this time.
Ske7ch343, one of the 343 team members, said “Halo: Reach in MCC will, in fact, have the same level of “mix and match” customization found in the original games…” still, ha clarified that the changes will happen on how will items be obtained: “As to how it’s earned. We are exploring a new and deeper progression system that retains the feel of old systems and blends them with newer models for game progression”.
In the same message, they clarified that everything would be earned based on in-game play and not through micro-payments or anything related to “real money”. So we can feel relieved in that matter.
However, Since Halo: Reach will now make part of the MCC pack progress and unlocks will not be carried on from the Xbox 360 original game, still, the rest of the games belonging to the MCC will have all stats, achievements, unlocks, forged maps and game variants carried-over and shared from the console to the PC version. They also clarified that a free Microsoft account would be required to play, but there is no requirement of acquisition of Xbox Live Gold.
Crossplay which is other of the subjects in mind will be available between the Microsoft Store and Steam, as for console crossplay between Xbox One and PC is something they are looking into, but they’re not “committing to it at launch”, which is fair enough.
It’s also important to highlight that 343 Industries team is working with modding community members, and an official mods support like the Steam workshop would be a significant enhancement to the games in our opinion.
As to the release date and pricing, there’s no exact day of release or an amount of money officially announced, But as long as the project is finished well there’s no haste!
The game will be coming soon on https://store.steampowered.com/app/976730/Halo_The_Master_Chief_Collection/ and the Microsoft Store.