Halo: The Master Chief Collection To Add Crossplay & Custom Game Browser
Microsoft’s Halo: The Master Chief Collection is going to add crossplay and a custom game browser. The collection’s most recent update added more cosmetic options to Halo: Combat Evolved, such as weapon and vehicle skins. Halo 3 entered the PC platform as part of the collection around the same time as the collection’s mid-July update, capitalizing on Halo 3: ODST’s addition of firefight to the MCC. The recent string of updates is setting the tone for Halo Infinite’s release, with 343 Industries attempting to be on top of their game.
With multiplayer updates surfacing in Halo 3 for the Master Chief Collection, more rumors regarding Halo Infinite’s multiplayer have begun making waves. As the spiritual reboot of the franchise, Halo Infinite is returning Master Chief to the spotlight, continuing the theme of the Master Chief Collection, which features all of Spartan-117’s epic journeys. Despite a rocky 2014 launch, the 5-game ode to one of gaming's greatest franchise pillars has demonstrated 343's willingness to update, iterate, and innovate a multiplayer product years after initial release, all for just the price of the base game (or an Xbox Game Pass subscription).
According to the latest MCC Development Update on Halo Waypoint, The Master Chief Collection is going continue the update trend by adding crossplay and a custom game browser. The features were revealed in addition to others as part of a roadmap for 2020. The crossplay feature is supposed to release in conjunction with input-based matchmaking and server region selection, while the custom game browser should launch alongside per game graphics options and mouse and keyboard support for Xbox. A full list of the remaining features planned for 2020 includes audio options for each game, PC file share, double keybinds for all games, in-game frame rate cap adjustments, and Steam account linking. Quality of life improvements are also planned for the second half of 2020.
Crossplay has been an increasingly coveted feature among gamers, not just for the Master Chief Collection, but for many games across the industry. Even cross-platform play is often a requested addition, though, that appears to be more demanding of developers and is much less common of an implementation. 343 Industries is taking a step in the right direction by adding crossplay, and with the launch of Halo Infinite drawing ever closer, the company needs to pull out all the stops to put fans in a good mood come release.
A lot rests on the company’s shoulders with the spiritual reboot to the Halo franchise underway. The more features 343 Industries adds to the Master Chief Collection before then, the higher chances any flaws with Halo Infinite will be given leeway by the community – within reason. With crossplay and a customer game browser on the list, fans will have the opportunity to interact with more members of the community, increasing their matchmaking options and setting the game up to meet more of their preferences. Sometimes, it’s the thought that counts, 343.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available now on Xbox One and PC.
Source: Halo Waypoint