Halo 3: ODST will soon begin testing on PC, 343 Industries has confirmed. ODST, which began life as DLC but was expanded into a full title during its development, doesn't carry quite the same weight as other names in the series, but the success of the Halo franchise on PC may be enough to give it new life.
Those looking forward to the test don't have long to wait. The game will begin its first testing period in the first half of August, with a "slice" of Halo 3: ODST being offered to PC players in the Halo Insiders program. The test, or "flight" as 343 calls it, will feature a variety of content, from updated customization to a variety of Firefight options, as well as some of the campaign.
For many, Halo 3: ODST's Firefight mode will be the main draw, as its where Firefight made its debut. ODST didn't include its own competitive multiplayer, so fans shouldn't expect a heap of new maps, but it will still offer PC players a healthy chunk of content when it does finally release.
PC players can expect similar updates to what the last few releases have included, with the game supporting things like field-of-view adjustments and resolution scale. However, 343 Industries has more planned for the game in the future, including major features like crossplay and FPS cap adjustments. Crossplay will support matchmaking based on input devices, keeping players on an equal playing field across all platforms. Currently, those features are scheduled to launch this year, as is Halo 4 on PC.
The game was a fairly big departure from what the series had done up to that point, with Halo 3: ODST boasting a large explorable area, missions that could be finished in any order, and a darker, melancholic tone. In many ways, it was a sort of Halo-noir. It was a successful launch, helping to fill the gap between Halo 3 and Reach, though it was criticized for having a short campaign for a full-priced game.
Initially, Halo 3: ODST was offered as DLC for the Master Chief Collection when it was still exclusive to the Xbox One. Seeing it become a bona fide addition to both the PC and console version is great for fans, though. ODST and Halo 4 are the last games coming to the bundle, so PC players should have the entire Master Chief Collection on PC before the year is out.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available now on PC and Xbox One.
Source: 343 Industries