Microsoft Halo for the PC Readme File - Halo Custom Edition

April 2004
Microsoft Corporation, 20012004. All rights reserved.
For details specific to this Halo Custom Edition release, please see Section !elo"#
$elcome to Halo for the PC%
This file contains information to help yo tro!leshoot isses "ith Halo# for the PC. $o can find
information on Microsoft# %rodct &pport &ervices in the printed or online manal.
&ote' 'f (alo came installed on yor compter as an )*M version, contact the manfactrer of
the compter or other hard"are it "as !ndled "ith for prodct spport. +efer to the
docmentation that came "ith yor compter or hard"are for the prodct spport telephone
nm!er.
,or the latest spport and tro!leshooting information, please visit
http-..""".microsoft.com.games.halo.spport.asp.
C(&)E&)S
A. System Requirements
B. Installation
'nstalling (alo
'nstalling /irect0 1.0!
&afe/isc 'sses
C# *ettin+ Help
2ie"ing the )nline %rint %ieces
,# Command Prompt
E# Confi+uration -ssues
F# ., Card -ssues
*# ., Card ,ri/ers and Manufacturers
H# Audio )rou!leshootin+
-# Additional Multipla0er -nformation
/efalt %orts
3et"or4 &ettings
/irect '% Connection
Chec4ing for 5pdates
1# Multipla0er )rou!leshootin+
# Post-Release 2pdate Histor0
A# S0stem Re3uirements
(alo re6ires a personal compter "ith the follo"ing minimm re6irements.
Mltimedia personal compter "ith a 788 M(9 or higher processor.
:indo"s 1; &econd *dition, :indo"s Me, :indo"s 2000 &ervice %ac4 1, or :indo"s
0%.
12; Mega!ytes <M=> of +AM.
1.8 ?= of availa!le hard dis4 space.
;@ C/A+)M drive.
82 M= 8/ hard"areAtransformAandAlightingAcapa!le video display.
Bey!oard and Microsoft Mose or compati!le pointing device.
&ond card and spea4ers or headphones.
/irect0 1.0! <inclded on C/C see !elo" for installation instrctions>.
DE B!ps modem or FA3 for online net"or4 play. =road!and re6ired to rn a server.
4# -nstallation
'f yor compter does not atomatically install (alo after the C/ is inserted into the C/A+)M
drive, perform the follo"ing procedre.
)o install Halo manuall0
1. )n the :indo"s tas4!ar, clic4 Start, and then clic4 Run.
2. Type x'5setup, "here x is the letter of yor C/A+)M drive, and then clic4 (.
,or eGample, if yor C/A+)M drive letter is /, type d'5setup.
8. Clic4 -nstall, and then follo" the instrctions that appear on the screen.
-nstallin+ ,irect6 7#0!
'f for some reason /irect0 1.0! "as not installed "ith the game, se the follo"ing procedre to
install it manally.
)o install ,irect6 7#0! manuall0
1. 'nsert the (alo /isc in the C/A+)M drive.
2. 'n :indo"s *Gplorer, do!leAclic4 the C/A+)M drive and then the ,irect6 folder.
8. /o!leAclic4 ,8setup#e8e, and then follo" the instrctions that appear on the screen.
$o mst restart yor compter "hen installation is complete.
'f yo eGperience video or sond pro!lems sing /irect0, al"ays chec4 "ith yor video or sond
card manfactrer for the latest /irect0Acompati!le drivers, or go to
http-..spport.microsoft.com.spport.directG. for the latest tro!leshooting information.
Safe,isc -ssues
The (alo copyAprotection soft"are, &afe/isc, re6ires that the game !e installed from the C/C
yo cannot copy files from the C/ to the compter and then install from the compterHs hard
drive.
Safe,isc "ith Soft"are
&afe/isc is incompati!le "ith some soft"are, "hich incldes the follo"ing.
McAfee 9&et"or: Associates; &uts < 4olts' 3ts I =olts cases the game to fail if the =om!
&helter tility is in a certain configration. The follo"ing steps allo" &afe/iscAprotected prodcts
to !e sed-
1. MaGimi9e =om! &helter.
2. 'n the 4om! Shelter dialog !oG, clic4 Properties.
8. 'n the Error Protection grop, clic4 Ad/anced.
4. 'n the Ad/anced Properties ta!, deselect the $rite Protect =MM chec4 !oG.
D. Clic4 Appl0 or (, and then clic4 ( on all s!se6ent screens.
C# *ettin+ Help
$o can get help for (alo in the follo"ing "ays-
,or an overvie" of the game as "ell as for information a!ot getting started and playing
the game, see the (alo printed manal. The manal is also availa!le in %/, format on
the (alo C/.
2isit the &pport Center ?ames :e! site <http-..spport.microsoft.com.JprKgms> to vie"
top spport isses, prodctAspecific content, and other related resorces for playing
games. Additionally, to help yo tro!leshoot isses associated "ith game setp,
performance, mltiplayer net"or4ing, sond, video, or yor game controller, visit one of
the Tro!leshooting +esorce Centers availa!le on the site. Please note that Microsoft
support is onl0 pro/ided for issues "ith the retail +ame# For an0 3uestions specific
to Halo Custom Edition, please /isit the forums at """#+ear!o8soft"are#com
=ie"in+ the (nline Print Pieces
Ado!e# +eader# <http-..""".ado!e.com.> allo"s yo to vie" and print the online versions of the
(alo manal, "hich are located in the Manuals folder as .pdf files.
Copyright 2008 Ado!e &ystems 'ncorporated. All rights reserved.
Ado!e, the Ado!e logo, and +eader are either registered trademar4s or trademar4s of Ado!e &ystems 'ncorporated in the
5nited &tates and.or other contries.
,# Command Prompt
$o can rn (alo from a :indo"s command prompt <e.g., C-L%rogram ,ilesLMicrosoft
?amesL(aloL(alo.eGe>. The follo"ing is a list of argments yo may se rnning (alo from a
command prompt entering Mhalo.eGe argument.N
->
/isplays a list of all argments.
-nosound
/isa!les all sond.
-no/ideo
/isa!les video play!ac4.
-no?o0stic:
/isa!les Ooystic4.gamepads.
-no+amma
/isa!les adOstment of gamma.
-useff
,orces the game to rn as a fiGed fnction card.
-use@@
,orces the game to rn as a shader 1.1 card.
-use20
,orces the game to rn as a shader 2.0 card.
-safemode
/isa!les as mch as possi!le from the game.
-"indo"
+ns the game in a "indo".
-"idthA40
,orces the game to rn at E40G4;0.
-/idmode ",h,r
,orces the game to rn at "idth, height, refresh rate.
-adapter x
,orces the game to rn fllscreen on a mltimon adaptor.
-port x
&erver port address sed "hen hosting games.
-cport x
Client port address sed "hen Ooining games.
-ip x.x.x.x
&erver '% address sed "hen yo have mltiple '% addresses.
-screenshot
*na!les the P%rint &creenP 4ey to generate screenshots
-timedemo
+ns for movies and "rites ot timedemo.tGt.
-console
*na!les the de!gging console.
&otes'
A nm!er of these command prompt argments are sed !y %&& to tro!leshoot
pro!lems.
Many of the command prompt argments mirror fnctionality availa!le from "ithin the
standard (alo ser interface.
E# Confi+uration -ssues
Bno"n hard"are and operating system configration isses are listed in this section. ,or isses
"ith specific 8/ cards, see section ,, P8/ Card 'sses.P
,or assistance "ith top performance isses, visit http-..spport.microsoft.com.JprKgmsperf.
Performance ma0 !e poor after stand!0 or suspend mode' 'f yo manally or atomatically
pt yor compter on stand!y or sspend mode "hile playing the game, performance may !e
poor "hen yo come ot of stand!y or sspend mode and resme the game- msic and sonds
may not !e heard, transitions may !e choppy, or the game may hang. To resolve, restart the
game.
Ena!le direct memor0 access 9,MA; in 0our -,E controller on $indo"s 7B Second Edition
and $indo"s Millennium Edition' :hen yo ena!le /MA on yor compter, yo improve the
game performance and sta!ility.
To ena!le /MA-
1. Close all programs that are rnning on yor compter.
2. Clic4 Start, point to Settin+s, and then clic4 Control Panel.
8. /o!leAclic4 S0stem.
4. Clic4 the ,e/ice Mana+er ta!.
D. Clic4 the %F5& &'?3 9C; neGt to ,is: ,ri/es.
E. Clic4 -,ED,is: 9hard dri/e;, and then clic4 Properties.
7. )n the Settin+s ta!, select ,MA.
;. Clic4 (, and then clic4 ( again.
1. +estart the compter.
&()E- :hen yo ena!le /MA, yo increase the access speed to the C/A+)M drive and the
hard dis4. &ome drivers do not spport /MA access. 'f the /MA chec4 !oG remains selected after
yo restart yor compter, /MA access is spported.
Run in ser/er mode, rather than "or:station mode in $indo"s 7B Second Edition and
$ido"s Millennium Edition' :hen yo ena!le server mode, yo improve game performance.
To rn in server mode-
1. +ightAclic4 on M0 Computer and select Properties.
2. Clic4 the Performance ta!.
8. Clic4 File S0stem.
4. &elect &et"or: Ser/er as the typical role of the %C.
Ma:e sure that 0our spea:er mode is set to match the t0pe of spea:er output on 0our
computer' This sitation might occr if yo s"itch !ac4 and forth from listening to
headphones and listening to 4.1.D.1 spea4ers. (aving the incorrect spea4er mode set "ill
case 8/ sonds to !e heard incorrectly or not at all.
To set yor spea4er mode-
1. Clic4 Start, point to Settin+s, and then clic4 Control Panel.
2. Clic4 on Sounds and Multimedia <:indo"s 1;.Me> or Sounds and Audio ,e/ices
<:indo"s 2000.0%>.
8. 5nder Spea:er settin+s, clic4 on the Ad/anced.
4. &elect the spea4er setp that matches yor crrent spea4er setp.
D. Clic4 (, and then clic4 ( again.
'f yor sond card also came "ith its o"n soft"are for setting spea4er settings, ensre that
these settings are also correct.
F# ., Card -ssues
(alo only spports /irect0 1.0!Acompliant video cards. 't is good practice to al"ays install the
latest certified drivers for all of yor hard"are.
,or assistance "ith top video isses, visit http-..spport.microsoft.com.JprKgmsvideo.
A)- Radeon 7B00 PR( @2B' $o may eGperience inconsistent graphic performance "ith teGtres
if yo set the Mipmap /etail Fevel in the AT' /irect8/ Control %anel to any setting eGcept (igh
Qality.
&=-,-A =ideo Cards and FSAA Modes' $o may eGperience difficlties rnning (alo sing
32'/'A video cards in any of the ,&AA modes. 'f yo are having a pro!lem, yo shold disa!le
the ,&AA mode for the 32'/'A video card.
=ia Mother!oard Chipsets' 'f yo have a 2ia !rand mother!oard, yo may need to pdate to
the latest M4AinA1N mother!oard chipset drivers to avoid crashes.
*# ., Card ,ri/ers and Manufacturers
Ma4e sre that yo have the latest drivers from the manfactrer of yor video card. Many video
isses "ill !e resolved if yo install yor video cardHs latest drivers. (alo may not properly detect
some older video cards !ecase their video drivers are not /irect0 1.0!-compliant. Contact yor
video card manfactrer for pdated drivers, or install the latest reference drivers for yor video
!oard. 3ote that many reference drivers are not spported !y the chipset manfactrer. Fisted
!elo" are some common video card manfactrersH :e! sites.
&()E' 5se :indo"s 5pdate <http-.."indo"spdate.microsoft.com.> to ensre that yo are sing
the latest drivers and have the latest pdates to yor operating system.
,or specific video card drivers, visit the manfactrerRs "e! site.
H# Audio )rou!leshootin+
Chec4 "ith yor sond card manfactrer for the latest /irect0Acompati!le drivers.
,ollo"ing are the 4no"n adio isses and "or4aronds-
2sers runnin+ $indo"s 7BSecond Edition and $indo"s Me' $o shold rn :indo"s
5pdate to ensre that yo have do"nloaded all critical pdates as "ell as all the recommended
pdates. )ther"ise, yo may have sond pro!lems sch as the "eapon volme shifting in and
ot.
Aureal =orte8' The adio may not fnction "ith Areal sond cards. To resolve this isse, trn off
the hard"are acceleration. ,rom the &tart men, point to Settin+s, and then choose Control
Panel. /o!leAclic4 Sounds and Audio ,e/ices and select the Audio ta!. Clic4 the Ad/anced
!tton in the &ond %lay!ac4 section and then clic4 the Performance ta!. Move the (ard"are
Acceleration slider to 3one and clic4 Appl0.
Hercules *ame )heater 6P sound card in $indo"s 7BSecond Edition' &tttering and sond
distortion may occr sing the (ercles ?ame Theater 0% sond card and :indo"s 1; &econd
*dition. &ee M*na!le direct memory access </MA> in yor '/* controller on :indo"s 1; &econd
*ditionN in section *, MConfigration 'sses.N
Hercules *ame )heater 6P sound card in $indo"s 6P Professional' The adio may not
fnction correctly at all times "ith the (ercles ?ame Theater 0% sonds card. ,or eGample,
grenade sond effects may play too lo". $o shold ma4e sre yo have installed the latest
/irect0Acompati!le drivers for yor sond card.
Realte: AECAF0 sound card in $indo"s 6P Home' (alo may not fnction correctly sing the
+ealte4 AFCED0 sond card in :indo"s 0% if yo ena!le *A0 sond in the game.
Monte+o -- GuadHilla sound card in $indo"s 2000' The adio may not fnction correctly at all
times "ith the Montego '' Qad9illa sond card. $o shold ma4e sre yo have installed the
Montego '' Qad9illa :indo"s 3T 4.0 drivers. 'nformation on installing the drivers is availa!le
from http-..trtle!each.com.
-# Additional Multipla0er -nformation
&et"or: Settin+s
To insre the highest level of mltiplayer game 6ality, yo shold specify yor connection type in
3et"or4 &ettings. 3ot only does this setting determine the maGimm nm!er of players yo can
host on a game, !t it also determines the amont of data that yo "ill receive from other servers
"hen yo are connecting to a mltiplayer game as a player.
To specify yor net"or4 settings-
1. )n the (alo main screen, clic4 Settin+s.
2. Clic4 &et"or: Setup.
8. &elect the appropriate connection type.
4. Clic4 (.
,irect -P Connection
$o can Ooin an 'nternet mltiplayer game sing a specific '% address for the host server. The
host address can !e a compter name or nmerical '% address.
To Ooin a game sing /irect '%-
1. )n the (alo main screen, clic4 Multipla0er.
2. Clic4 ,irect -P nder Soin.
8. *nter the '% address for the host server.
4. *nter a pass"ord <if re6ired>.
D. Clic4 1oin to Ooin the game.
3otes-
(alo remem!ers the last host address yo typed in.
'f there is no game at the specified '% address, then a MConnection ,ailedN dialog !oG
is displayed. :hen yo clic4 )B, yo are retrned to the Mltiplayer screen. Try
entering the '% address again, sing the steps a!ove. 'f that doesnRt "or4, yo shold
contact the person hosting the game to verify the '% address for the host server.
Chec:in+ for 2pdates
*ach time yo Ooin or create an 'nternet mltiplayer game, (alo atomatically chec4s for the
latest pdate on the 'nternet. A dialog !oG is displayed indicating that (alo is Mchec4ing for
pdates.N 'f there is an pdate availa!le, yor crrent game is sht do"n, the pdate is
do"nloaded and installed, and the game is restarted.
'f yo choose to cancel ot of yor pdate, then yo are retrned to the Mltiplayer screen. The
neGt time yo attempt to Ooin or create an 'nternet mltiplayer game, the process starts all over
again. 'f there is a (alo pdate availa!le, yo mst allo" the pdate to do"nload and install if yo
"ish to contine. 'f yo "ish to manally pdate yor game, please visit
http-..""".microsoft.com.games.halo.defalt.asp.
1# Multipla0er )rou!leshootin+
This section descri!es the 4no"n mltiplayer isses and "or4aronds.
Ports 2sed !0 the *ame
(alo connects to the 'nternet on the follo"ing ports !y defalt-
2802 <5/%>T?ame host listens on this port
2808 <5/%>T?ame client connects to host throgh this port
(alo "ill rn from !ehind most roters and 3et"or4 Address Translation <3AT> devices. 'f yo
have difficlty connecting from !ehind a roter, yo shold conslt yor roter docmentation to
ensre that the ports listed a!ove are not !loc4ed for yor %C.
(alo chec4s for pdates via (TT% in the same "ay a :e! !ro"ser "old. 'f yo se :indo"s
0% &%A1, (alo can se an atoAdetecta!le proGy server on yor net"or4, !t does not crrently
spport manallyAset proGies. 'f yor net"or4 re6ires yo to manally set yor proGy server,
please visit """.microsoft.com.games.halo to chec4 for pdates, "hich yo can do"nload
manally.
To chec4 yor proGy settings-
1. Fanch 'nternet *Gplorer
2. ,rom the )ools men, clic4 -nternet (ptions.
8. Clic4 Connections.
4. 'f yo connect to the 'nternet manally, do!leAclic4 on the appropriate connection in
the list at the top. 'f yo connect via a Focal Area 3et"or4 <FA3>, clic4 EA& Settin+s.
D. 5nder Pro80 ser/er, verify that the settings are correct for proGy server that yo or
yor net"or4 administrator has set p.
'f yo are connected to the 'nternet and can reach http-..""".microsoft.com, for eGample, yor
proGy settings are correct.
-n non-team +ames 9such as Sla0er;, all /ehicles are spa"nin+ in front of the Red 4ase'
$o mst select t"o of each type of vehicle to ensre that one vehicle gets placed in !oth the
+ed =ase and =le =ase. 'n nonAteam games, the defalt !ase is +ed "hen vehicles are
assigned. 'f there is only one type of vehicle spa"ned, then only the +ed =ase "ill !e poplated
"ith vehicles.
,ama+e-confirmation !eep' $o may "ant trn off the damageAconfirmation !eep in mltiplayer
games. To do this, yo mst se the /e!g Console. To activate the /e!g Console, rn (alo
"ith the -console command prompt <see the Command %rompts section a!ove>, press I in the
game to ena!le the /e!g Console, and then type shouldJpla0Jmultipla0erJhitJsound 0.
2na!le to ?oin a ,irect -P multipla0er +ame hosted !ehind a &A) de/ice or router, or on an
-nternet Connection Sharin+ 9-CS; Ser/er in $indo"s 7B Second Edition, $indo"s Me, and
$indo"s 2000' $o need to Ooin mltiplayer games that are hosted !ehind a roter or on an 'C&
server via the ?amespy Fo!!y.
2na!le to ?oin a multipla0er +ame "ith an -nternet Connection Sharin+ 9-CS; Client on
$indo"s 2000 or $indo"s 6P' $o may have difficlty Ooining a mltiplayer game if a person
sing a :indo"s 2000 or :indo"s 0% 'C& client has Ooined and eGited that game !efore yo
attempt to Ooin it.
2na!le to !ro"se for +ames on a local area net"or: 9EA&; on a machine "ith t"o net"or:
adaptors in $indo"s 6P' $o may not !e a!le to !ro"se for mltiplayer games on a FA3 if the
t"o net"or4 connections are not configred correctly. The 'nternet mst !e configred on the first
net"or4 connection, and the FA3 needs to !e configred on the second internet connection. ,or
more information on configring a net"or4 connection, clic4 Start, and then clic4 Help and
Support.
Microsoft 4ase Station M&F00' (alo does not offer atomatic 3AT negotiation of 5%n% devices
sch as the M3D00. 'f yo have difficlties connecting to games or hosting a server !ehind this
device, yo shold manally set it to for"ard the re6ired portsT2802 and 2808 <5/%> !y defalt
Tto the '% address of the game compter !ehind the roter.
# Post-Release 2pdate Histor0
Halo Custom Edition @#0 9Halo CE;
(alo C* 1.0 contains all featres and fiGes throgh the 1.04 release of the retail version of (alo
%C. 'n addition to these, ?ear!oG has "or4ed to add a collection of additional featres "hich are
offered in this special, optional, and nspported P(alo C*P release. (alo C* installs in parallel
"ith the +etail edition of (alo %C so that they can !e pdated independently of each other. $o
may have !oth versions installed on yor compter at one time. %er the license agreement, yo
may not have them installed on t"o separate compters at the same time.
/ifferences !et"een (alo %C <retail> and (alo %C C* *dition
The primary featre addition of (alo C* is the a!ility to play serAcreated mltiplayer maps, "hich
"ill !e created !y the (alo *diting Bit, availa!le for do"nload separately. /e to the necessary
changes in mapAfile format to spport this featre, this pdate is too large to !e a Pre6iredP
do"nload for sers of the retail game, and so (alo C* is offered as a separate, optional edition.
,or the same reason, the singleAplayer content <and ths Campaign mode> is not availa!le for
do"nload as part of (alo C*. %lease contine to play the retail version of the game for access to
Campaign mode.
Also de to these changes in map file formats, all players in a game mst !e sing the same
version <retail or C*> A sers in one version of the game "ill not !e a!le to see or Ooin games
hosted !y sers of the other.
Additional ,eatres I ,iGes in (alo C* 1.0
M,ast &hadersN =ypasses the /8/0*ffects portion of the /irect0 api reslting in increased
rendering performance. The enhancement is native to (alo C* and does not re6ire any settings
adOstments. The fiGed fnction pipeline does not se the /8/0*ffects system so it "onRt receive
a performance increase.
,2 +les A ne" inAgame rles screen that displays all serverAset rles for the crrent game.
This fnction is mapped to the M,2N screen !y defalt, !t can !e changed in the controls settings.
M&ho" %layer 3amesN A s"itch that toggles the displaying of names over teammates heads.
Toggling this featre on "ill permanently display all friendly playerRs names regardless of "here
they are in the map. Toggling this featre off "ill restore !ac4 to normal (alo name displaying
!ehavior. This 4ey defalts to M,8N !t can !e reassigned in the controls settings.
M% hit sond adOst Added a console varia!le to adOst the volme of the mltiplayer hit sond.
$o mst !e rnning the game "ith the console s"itch. =ring do"n the console and enter
MltiplayerUhitUsondUvolme 0 "here 0 is a nm!er !et"een 0 and 1.
5ser created content (alo C* has the a!ility to play ser created content. 'n order to get a map
to display in the gameRs 5', simply drop the map in the MMapsN directory. 'f yo try Ooining a game
playing a map yo do not have, yo "ill !e prompted a!ot the missing map and sent !ac4 to the
men. To create cstom (alo content, please do"nload the (alo *diting Bit A "hich is separate
from the (alo C* do"nload.
/evmode spport 5sing the Adevmode s"itch on the command line in conOnction "ith Aconsole
"ill give yo access to many of the cheatsLde!g tools sed in the creation of (alo. These
commands are largely ntested a have the potential to case an nsta!le game environment.
This mode has !een ena!led so that content creators can test their maps. This mode is not
intended for se online and ths the a!ility to Ooin games has !een removed.
Client net"or4ing fiG A fiG in net"or4ing providing a slight redction in player M"arpingN on client
machines.
M% eGploit fiG The Mprint screenN M% eGploit has !een addressed.
Map cycle hang !g fiGed ,iGed !g that "old people to randomly hang dring a map cycle.
,lag icon fiG flag icons no" display properly "hen a person is carrying a flag in a vehicle.
,iGed +oc4et :arthog !g +oc4ets fired from the +oc4et :arthog are no" more accrate.
+emoved Mstic4inessN from ?host The stic4y effect cased !y ?host proOectiles has !een
removed.
/edicated &erver ,eatres <complete list can !e fond at the /edicated &erver ,orm of
""".?ear!oGsoft"are.com>
&erver Chatting &ervers can no" chat to clients
/edicated server logging
/edicated server message of the day they dedicated server can no" display a message of the
day in the ne" ,2 +les screen.
Halo PC @#0.
(alo %C 1.08 is or first pdate to address some of the most important isses that have arisen
since the game "as released. )r goal "ith this patch "as to 1> improve the 6ality of the online
eGperience for gamers and 2> address the most fre6ent isses gamers rn into. This pdate is
also or first opportnity to improve or net"or4ing architectre "ith some of or learnings from
or hors of online play. (ere is a smmary of "hatHs ne" in (alo %C 1.08.
3ote-All pdates to the (alo /edicated &erver are docmented in the (alo /edicated &erver
+eadme file, "hich is availa!le here-
(alo /edicated &erver 1.08 +eadme
-mpro/in+ the Gualit0 of the (nline E8perience for *amers
Addressing Team Billing
&ervers no" have a complete team 4illing . !anning system that shold significantly redce team
4illing online. The concept is simple- teamA4ill a nm!er of time and yo "ill atomatically !e
!anned from the server for a period of time set !y the server administrator. =ecase team 4ills
can !e accidental, the concept of grief also eGists- follo"ing a teamA4ill, if yo donHt teamA4ill again
for a period of time, yo are forgiven for yor teamA4ill. These settings are cstomi9a!le !y the
server administrator<s> sing server console commands.
'n addition to the system a!ove, players are no longer penali9ed for !eing 4illed !y someone on
their team and respa"n time penalty for a teamA4iller is mltiplied !y the nm!er of teammates he
4illed, rapidly leading to very long respa"n times for team 4illers.
'mproving the Qality of the )nline *Gperience
:eHve made a nm!er of pdates and !g fiGes to or net"or4ing architectre, the most
important one !eing specifically in ho" "e transfer . predict playerHs movement . position as "ell
as the action of reloading yor "eapon. :hile going into the details of these changes is !eyond
the scope of this docment, the reslt shold !e a smoother online game eGperience across the
variety of connections to the 'nternet.
:e made the follo"ing changes to or ser interface-
&ervers name no" spports ED characters for dedicated servers and 82 characters for
clientAhosted servers and no" accepts an eGtended character set.
Chat teGt length has !een eGtended to E4 characters
'nAgame score!oard no" displays every clientHs ping
'nAgame score!oard no" displays yor V of assists
&erver port nm!ers are displayed accrately throghot their range
Additional )nline Mltiplayer 3e" ,eatres-
Teams are no" persisted for the neGt game "hen map cycling occrs
Map +eset- 'tHs no" possi!le to restart the crrent game "ithot re6iring the server to
map cycle.
Assalt- :e no" have a timer to 4eep trac4 of ho" mch time is left to yor offense .
defense rond
Assalt- Alongside this timer, "e also have an P)ffenseP and P/effenseP indicator to
6ic4ly inform yo of yor role
Addressin+ the Most Fre3uent -ssues E8perienced !0 *amers
Many sers have reported pro!lems "ith (alo %C "hen sing 8rd party soft"are to force the
refresh rate of their monitor. :e have changed ho" "e handle this sitation in or code to
seamlessly fall !ac4 to the forced refresh rate.
A significant nm!er of reported game crashes are related to an eGternal li!rary called
4eystone.dll. :e have pdated this li!rary to address the most common failres. These crashes
"old sally occr "hen changing screen resoltion, "hen starting or 6itting (alo %C, "hen
chatting in a mltiplayer game or "hen sing AFTATA= to minimi9e (alo %C and retrn to
:indo"s.
Additional 4u+ Fi8es
(alo can no" !e !ond to a specific '% address sing the Aip command line agrment.
<facilitating mltiple 3'C spport for (alo /edicated &ervers>
(alo can no" read."rite data files to a ser specified folder sing the Apath command line
argment. This is particlarly sefl for (alo /edicated &ervers !t also !e !e sed for
sers "hose PMy /ocmentsP folder is remapped to a 53C path. 't is an advanced option
and sing it "ill force yo to manally move saved games and mltiplayer gametypes.
)nline Mltiplayer- Telefrag message is no" appropriately replicated.
)nline Mltiplayer- Minor fiGes to s"itching teams in 4illAinAorder games <score" "ill no"
remain accrate>
)nline Mltiplayer- Minor fiGes to the end of the game state <ne" players no" have to
"ait for the game to !e restarted !efore !eing admitted to the server>
)nline Mltiplayer- ,iG for clients flashlight states "hen Ooining games
)nline Mltiplayer- 2echicles "onHt respa"n if they have a proOectile <sch as a plasma
grenade> attached to them. They "ill "ait for the proOectile to !e removed.
)nline Mltiplayer- Minor fiGes to sing teleports for highAlatency connections
&ond- ,iG for cinematic dialog !eing ct ot on certain cards "hen ena!ling Adio
(ard"are Acceleration in the Adio &ettings.
Halo PC @#02
:ith (alo %C 1.02, "e are adding spport for mltiple instances to or dedicated server, ena!ling
s and the commnity to roll ot many more servers for gamers. :e are also introdcing client
spport for +Con <+emote Console>, allo"ing dedicated server operators to have control over
their servers rnning in data centers. ,or more information on the (alo %C /edicated &erver and
the +emote Console, please conslt the (alo %C /edicated &erver +eadme file located here-
(alo %C /edciated &erver +eadme
:e have also released the (alo %C Technical and %erformance ,AQ, "hich ans"ers most
fre6enty as4ed technical 6estions a!ot (alo %C. This ,AQ is located here-
(alo %C Technical I %erformance ,AQ
Here is a summar0 of the chan+es "ith Halo PC @#02'
(alo %C /edicated &erver &pport for mltiple instances
(alo %C client spport for +Con <remote console> to dedicated servers
=g ,iGes-
Timedemo doesnHt chec4 memory sage consmption "ith every frame rendered <see
(alo %C Techincal and %erformance ,AQ for more info>
After rnning timedemo, the last saved chec4point is not altered anymore
Mltiple minor !gs fiGed in the (alo AtoA5pdater application
,iGed an isse in 4eystone.dll that "as casing certain configrations to potentially crash
"hen chatting in mltiplayer games
,iGed minor card specific rendering glitches
Halo PC @#0@
After (alo "as released to manfactring !t !efore it arrived on store shelves, the (alo team
discovered a potential crashing isse "hen playing (alo mltiplayer online. 'n order to garantee
the !est possi!le eGperience for or cstomers "e have issed an pdate that addresses this
isse. =efore yo can play (alo mltiplayer online yo "ill need to allo" this pdate to install
throgh the atoAinstall featre of (alo or !y rnning halopdate.eGe from yor (alo installation
folder.
This is the only isse that "as addressed "ith (alo %C 1.01
Halo PC @#00