Halo: The Master Chief Collection

*Halo: The Master Chief Collection*

* Martin O'Donnell (Previous iterations of *Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST*)
* Michael Salvatori (Previous iterations of *Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST*)

### Website

Halo Waypoint

*“Your journey begins.”*— Halo MCC tagline.
***Halo: The Master Chief Collection***is a collection of all *Halo*first-person shooter science fiction video games involving John-117, with the exception of *Halo 3 ODST*, developed by343 Industries and published by Microsoft Game Studios for Xbox One . It contains all games from the main trilogy, as well as the first game, *Halo 4*, of the Reclaimer Saga, along with the Anniversary companions for *Halo: Combat Evolved*and *Halo 2*(the latter of which is currently exclusive to this collection).

*Halo: The Master Chief Collection*was released on November 11, 2014. Originally, the teaser that was shown at E3 2013 led fans to believe that the game was going to be *Halo 5*. At E3 2014, the game was revealed to actually be *Halo: The Master Chief Collection.*The game sold 1.01 million copies within the first week.

Later, on May 30, 2015, *Halo 3 ODST*was added as a DLC update as compensation to players who were forced to experience the mass amount of bugs, glitches and problems that were encountered upon the game's launch, and the subsequent months that followed.

## Story

### Plot and Campaign

*Main Article: Main Trilogy*
*Main Article: Halo 4*
*Main Article: Halo 3 ODST*
Whilst *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*is mainly a collection of other *Halo*games, and subsequently doesn't have a main campaign itself, it does, unofficially, contain its own story, as displayed by *Halo 2 Anniversary*trailers. Unofficially, the story of *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*is a "flashback" being told by the Arbiter to Spartan Locke, stating that "the seeds of our future are buried in his past." This insinuates that all the games up until this point have been flashbacks for Locke.

## Content

Nothing has been substantially changed in the core games. Available with the game are *Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary*, *Halo 3*, *Halo 4*and the newly released *Halo 2 Anniversary*, which is only available within the collection, and cannot be found being sold individually. The only things changed for the games is the addition of 60 frames per second and 1080 pixel resolution for all games, as well as upgrading the switch between old and new graphics in *Halo CEA*from momentary to instant, as is the case with its successor. *Halo 3 ODST*was later added as free DLC.

Cross-game achievements have also been introduced. These achievements can be/must be completed by playing all or some of the games. For example, some achievements can involve killing a certain amount of a certain type of enemy (eg. Grunts), which can be done in any of the games containing that enemy type. Also returning is the Forge mode from *Halo 3*and *Halo 4*, as well as Theater mode and Custom Games. Specialized multiplayer allows for cross-game matchmaking, with some playlists being for certain games in the series, or a mixture. Added later in an update was *Halo 4's* Spartan Ops mode. Yet to be added is *Halo 3 ODST's* Firefight.

Another new feature is campaign playlists. This is entirely seperate from matchmaking, and is essentially a grouping of levels from across the games that fit a certain genre. For example, the "Tank" playlist contains all the levels in the available games that involve driving a Scorpion tank. The game comes with pre-set playlists, but the player can also create their own.

Customization has been downgraded to its most basic form, but each game will have its own customization sector. For example, *Halo: Combat Evolved'*s customization remains unchanged, and does not contain armor permutations. However, the player can change colors at will. *Halo 2*does not contain armor permutations either, and contains two types of customization; standard and anniversary: standard is used for when playing the original *Halo 2*multiplayer, while the anniversary is for playing *Anniversary*multiplayer. As for *Halo 3*and *Halo 4*, the armor permutations return, but are grouped up into certain categories, somewhat limiting customization.

*Halo: The Master Chief Collection*also contains the largest collection of multiplayer maps in a *Halo*game to date; it contains every single map from every single *Halo*game, including subsequent map packs. There are also dedicated servers for each *Halo*game's multiplayer, which also symbolizes the return of *Halo: Combat Evolved* and *Halo 2'*s multiplayers, in their original state. There is also a seperate *Anniversary*multiplayer mode for *Halo 2.*

New and exclusive to the game is also a specialized Forge mode for *Halo 2 Anniversary*.

Games and their respective content included in the collection are as follows:

* Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary
	+ Original Campaign
	+ Anniversary Campaign
	+ Original Multiplayer
	+ 3D Mode from original *Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary*does not return.
	+ Kinect Mode (including the Library) from original *Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary*does not return.
	+ Original player customization.
* Halo 2 Anniversary
	+ Original Campaign
	+ Anniversary Campaign
	+ Original Multiplayer
	+ Anniversary Multiplayer
	+ New Forge mode.
	+ Original player customization.
	+ Anniversary player customization.
* Halo 3
	+ Original Campaign (with 60fps and 1080p).
	+ Original Multiplayer.
	+ Original Forge.
	+ Original Custom Games.
	+ Original Theater.
	+ Original player customization (grouped categories).
* Halo 4
	+ Original Campaign (with 60fps and 1080p).
	+ Original Multiplayer.
	+ Original Forge.
	+ Original Custom Games.
	+ Original Theater.
	+ Original player customization (grouped categories).
	+ Original Spartan Ops (added as an update).
* Halo 3 ODST (Added as Free DLC on May 30, 2015)
	+ Original Campaign (with 60fps and 1080p).
	+ Firefight has not returned.

### Halo: Nightfall

*Main Article: Halo: Nightfall*
Released in *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*was also a digital code for the *Halo Channel* that allowed players to watch the entire, episodic series of *Halo: Nightfall*for free.

### Halo 5 Guardians Multiplayer Beta

*Main Article: Halo 5 Guardians Multiplayer Beta*
Available only to players who bought *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*, players were able to play the *Halo 5 Guardians Beta*once it was released, right until it was discontinued. The beta started on December 29, 2014, and ended on January 18, 2015.

## Retail Editions

### Standard Edition

The standard edition of the game includes the disc, and has remained unchanged since release. However, if preordered from certain stores, bonuses can be gained. If preordered from Amazon, the game will come with the Pinata Skull. If preordered from Best Buy, the game will come with the Prima Games Multiplayer Map Guide and Grunt Funeral Skull. If preordered from GameStop, the game will come with the Bandanna Skull. If preordered from the Microsoft Store, the game will come with a $10 Xbox LIVE gift card code, a Warthog throwback license plate, the Master Chief Window Decal and the Boom Skull. If preordered from ShopTo, the game will come with the Bonded Pair Skull. It has since stopped production.

### Limited Edition

When preorders for *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*were announced, the Limited Edition became a preorderable version for the game. The game disc is held in a steel case, and comes with the Prima Games Multiplayer Map Guide and Grunt Funeral Skull. It has since stopped production.

### MJOLNIR Edition

When preorders for *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*were announced, the MJOLNIR Edition became a preorderable version for the game, but only in the United Kingdom. The game disc is held in a steel case, and comes with the Prima Games Multiplayer Map Guide, the Grunt Funeral Skull and a 30cm statue of the Master Chief.

## Marketing Promotions and Release

### Trailers

#### E3 2014 Trailer

*Main Article: Halo: The Master Chief Collection Announcement Trailer*
At E3 2014, Microsoft revealed a pre-rendered trailer announcing *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*.

The trailer is a remastered version of the final cutscene from the level Cairo Station in *Halo 2*. The cutscene was likely remastered by Blur Studios, although nothing was confirmed. The one, main difference of the trailer was that Thel 'Vadam provided a voice-over for it, with a Spartan-IV named Locke, working for ONI, revealed to be looking for John-117. This trailer also doubled as a trailer for *Halo 2 Anniversary.*

#### Terminal Trailer

*Main Article: Halo: The Master Chief Collection Terminal Trailer*
At RTX 2014, 343 Industries debuted the Terminal Trailer for *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*. It showcases the animation used in the terminals, once again created by Sequence. The trailer depicts a target profile report concerning Thel 'Vadam, compiled by Locke after 2553. The report details Thel 'Vadam's personal history from the start of the Human-Covenant War to the glassing of Reach and beyond. The report was later accessed by John-117.

#### Launch Trailer

*Main Article: Halo: The Master Chief Collection Launch Trailer*
Released just ahead of the actual game, this launch trailer showed footage of all four *Halo*games, as well as some footage from the Starry Night trailer and Halo 5 Guardians Multiplayer Beta trailer.

## Reception

*Halo: The Master Chief Collection* went gold on October 17, 2014.. The collection takes up 45 gigabytes of disk space and includes a 15 GB content update at launch. The game launched in most countries worldwide on November 11, with delayed releases in Belgium (November 12), France (November 14) and Japan (November 13). *Halo 4'*s *Spartan Ops* component was added to the collection via a content update on December 12, 2014. *The Master Chief Collection* received a day-one update that included an additional fifty achievements, with a total of 500 Gamerscore.

*The Master Chief Collection* shipped with a significant amount of bugs, many of which had an impact on playability particularly in multiplayer. Among these flaws were atypically long matchmaking times, sporadic unattainability of achievements and glitches in the user interface. 343 Industries applied multiple patches to the title over the weeks after its release in an effort to fix these problems. Bonnie Ross issued a formal apology for the debacle, assuring that the studio would continue their work on amending the issues with the collection. On December 19, Ross announced that 343 Industries would be offering players a series of exclusive items and new features—most notably*Halo 3 ODST*-as compensation for the issues with the game.

The game generally received positive reviews upon its release. Nathan Ditum of Eurogamer applauded *The Master Chief Collection* for including each game's original multiplayer and every map ever released; one of the largest criticisms of *Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary* was the lack of multiplayer. Ditum also expressed "constant astonishment" at increased resolution of the older games, claiming he spent several minutes at a time staring at battlefields, ancient structures, and walls. IGN reviewer Ryan McCaffrey criticized the multiplayer, calling it "unacceptably unreliable and bug-ridden performance". However, he praised the remastered audio, the game-unifying interface, and the smoother framerate. Despite his criticism of multiplayer, McCaffrey commended the new six *Halo 2: Anniversary* remade maps, and the nostalgia *The Master Chief Collection* was able to deliver. GameSpot's Chris Watters delivered a more critical review of the game, also condemning the multiplayer's issues and bugs, citing that it "barely works". However, he enjoyed the engaging combat formula and claimed that the remastered *Halo 2: Anniversary*cutscenes by Blur Studios to be fantastic. Kyle Hilliard of Game Informer gave *Halo: The Master Chief Collection* a "Gold Rating", lauding the game's concept and improved graphics. He complimented that the game "is massive and intimidating, but none of it is crammed in or hastily included". Hilliard also praised Blur's cinematics, claiming that the Gravemind is now a terrifying monster, instead of a "huge muppet". Finally, he stated that *Halo: The Master Chief Collection* has risen a high bar for other video game remastered collections.

## Trivia

* Not only does *Halo: The Master Chief Collection* take up all 45 GB available on a Blu-Ray disc, but there was also an additional 15 GB launch update that contained some features and multiplayer content. The campaign and some other features are accessible during download.
* The additional content from the *Halo 4* Title Update v1.05  (which includes Champions Bundle content) is not available in *Halo: The Master Chief Collection.*
* Players who played the game between November 11, 2014 and December 19, 2014, received a free month of Xbox LIVE Gold, an in-game name plate, an in-game avatar, *Halo 3 ODST*, and a remastered Relic map, Remnant, in *Halo 2 Anniversary*as a thank you and compensation for the multiple issues with the game.
* Currently, *Halo 2 Anniversary*cannot be bought individually. Those wishing to play it must obtain *Halo: The Master Chief Collection*.

## Gallery

Halo MCC Promotional PosterHalo MCC WallpaperHalo MCC WallpaperHalo MCC title art

## Links

### Internal Links

* *Halo: Combat Evolved*
	+ *Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary*
* *Halo 2*
	+ *Halo 2 Anniversary*
* *Halo 3*
* *Halo 4*
* *Halo 3 ODST*

### External Links

1. 1.0 1.1 **GameStop** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One*
2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 **YouTube** - *Xbox E3 2014 Media Briefing: Halo*
3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 **Xbox Wire** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection Adds Remnant and Halo 3: ODST Today*
4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 **IGN** - *E3 2014: Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Halo 5 Beta Announced for Xbox One*
5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 **Xbox Wire** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection: We are Golden*
6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 **YouTube** - *New Halo: Master Chief Collection Info and Gameplay - E3 2014*
7. **YouTube** - *E3 2014: Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Bonnie Ross Interview* 4:11
8. **NeoGAF** - *Halo Master Chief Collection: H1-4. H2 full remaster. 1080p60. $59.99 Nov 11 Xbox One View Single Post*
9. **IGN** - *The Horse You Rode In On (A Master Chief Collection Story)*
10. 10.0 10.1 **Halo Waypoint** - *The Halo Bulletin 6.19.2014*
11. **YouTube** - *Full Halo Gamescom Panel 2014 (Halo 5, Halo Collection, Ect.)* 6:34
12. **Halo Waypoint** - *The Halo Bulletin: Assault on the Controller Settings*
13. **NeoGAF** - *Halo: Master Chief Collection Master Thread | This is it, baby. Hold me. - Page 21*
14. 14.0 14.1 **IGN** - *Halo: Spartan Strike Announced for Windows Devices and Steam*
15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 **Halo Waypoint** - *The Halo Bulletin 6.25.15*
16. **Microsoft Store** - *Buy Halo: The Master Chief Collection for Xbox One*
17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 **Beyond Entertainment** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection - Pre-order Bonuses*
18. **ShopTo** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection Inc Exclusive Bonded Pair*
19. **Twitter** - GAME
20. **IGN** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection Achievements*
21. **Eurogamer** - *Halo: The Master Chief Collection's massive day one update shrinks to 15GB*
22. **Halo Waypoint** - *A Thank You to Our Fans from Bonnie Ross*