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Halo 2 PC beta test invites going out today

Tyler Treese
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Halo 2 PC beta test invites are going out to members of the Halo Insider program starting today.

The beta will include playable versions of both the popular 2004 first-person shooter and its visually updated remaster, Halo 2: Anniversary. Both games are part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

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“PSA: All Ring 3 blockers have been resolved at this time for Halo 2 and Halo 2: Anniversary flighting to begin on Friday, [April 17],” developer 343 Industries’ community coordinator Tyler Davis revealed on Twitter. “We will let folks know when buttons are being pressed for invites to roll out. Stay tuned to get tactical Marines!”

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Ring 3 refers to members of the Halo Insider program as each test is internally tested before going out to players. Those that sign up for the program will have a chance at an invite for the PC test, but not all members will receive one. Instead, 343 Industries sends invites based upon performance indicators ranging from the user’s location to their hardware setup.

Halo 2 and Halo 2: Anniversary are set to be the next games added to the PC version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The heavily requested port arrived in March 2019, although only Halo: Reach was initially available. Since then, the studio has added in the original Halo and its remaster. 343 Industries expects the rest of the games in the series to launch later this year.

As detailed in the March development update on Halo’s official site, the Halo 2 PC beta will feature campaign and multiplayer content. Six of the single-player missions will be in the test: Cairo Station, Metropolis, The Oracle, Delta Halo, Quarantine Zone, and Gravemind. Players can test these levels on any difficulty and even online with a friend cooperatively.

As for the multiplayer side, both games will support a wide array of options. Social games will be available in two-on-two, four-on-four, and eight-on-eight varieties, while competitive play will focus on team hardcore matches. The default Halo 2 will feature 10 maps (Lockout, Midship, Beaver Creek, Burial Mounds, Coagulation, Headlong, Waterworks, Containment, Sanctuary, and Turf), but Halo 2: Anniversary will only have Lockdown, Zenith, Stonetown, Bloodline, and Shrine.

New features in the PC test build include a challenge system that will task players with completing multiplayer goals. Extra customization options will also be added and the theater mode will be available complete with mouse and keyboard support.

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Tyler Treese
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