Microsoft is bringing its flagship console franchise back to PCs with a new free-to-play business model. A representative for the company confirmed forGamesIndustry.biz that it is readying Halo Online, a free-to-play multiplayer-exclusive game for PCs.
Halo Online is being developed by Russian studio Saber Interactive, creators of first-person shooters like TimeShift and Inversion. The studio is also well acquainted with Halo, having assisted 343 Industries in the creation of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary as well as Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
The game will be published by Innova Systems, a Russian MMO outfit that has handled operations for Lineage 2, Aion, APB Reloaded, and Planetside 2.
More details are expected to be posted to the Halo Waypoint blog soon.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-03-25-microsoft-preps-free-to-play-halo-online
[UPDATE]: MORE INFO ADDED
Microsoft, Saber Interactive, and Innova Systems announced a free-to-play Halo Online for PC during a press event in Russia today.
The game, which is launching a closed beta in Russia later this month, is powered by a “highly modified version” of the Halo 3 engine optimized for smooth performance on lower-end PCs. It is set on a a secret UNSC space installation called Anvil, where Spartan-IV soldiers train together in war exercises to sharpen their battle skills and test experimental technology.
Asked if consumers outside of Russia will get the opportunity to play Halo Online, Microsoft provided the following response in a Halo Waypoint blog post:
“Right now our focus is on learning as much as we can from the closed beta period in Russia. Theoretically, any expansion outside of Russia would have to go through region-specific changes to address player expectations.”
There are also no plans to bring the game to Xbox One, nor is a definitive launch date set.
http://gematsu.com/2015/03/halo-online-announced-for-pc-russia-only
