Halo 2 will be coming to PCs, but not as you might expect. Microsoft today said that the blockbuster title will be a Windows Vista exclusive, meaning that PC gamers will need to upgrade to the new OS in order to play it. More within...
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Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows Vista may have just gotten its "killer app"—for gamers at least.
Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) and Bungie today announced that Halo 2 will be released exclusively for Vista when the PC version is launched. The Vista version of Master Chief's second adventure is being developed by a dedicated MGS team in partnership with Bungie Studios.
Halo 2 for Vista will come equipped with the single-player campaign and all the multiplayer options found in the Xbox version, as well as the additional maps that were sold separately in Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack. Furthermore, in the Vista version gamers will be able to build, create and customize their own multiplayer levels.
Microsoft did not give a reason for why they have decided to make the game exclusive to Vista, but it would seem that MS is attempting to leverage the popularity of Halo to speed adoption of Vista among the gaming community. The move will undoubtedly stir up some controversy, however, as many PC gamers may not want (or be ready) to upgrade to Windows Vista.
A release date has not yet been announced for Halo 2 on Vista, but the OS is slated to launch by the end of this year and it seems likely that the game would be ready for the holiday shopping season.
The Halo franchise has sold more than 14.5 million games worldwide to date, and players have logged over 600 million hours with the franchise on Xbox Live.
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