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Halo PC Goes Gold, Producer Quizzed
Scorpion_1169 writes "According to Bungie.org, Microsoft/Gearbox's long-awaited version of Halo for the PC has gone gold, and is scheduled to hit store shelves on September 30th." There's also an interview with Bungie producer Michel Bastien over at Bungie.net, answering questions such as who might have leaked a Beta version of Halo online ("Nah, we don't know who it was. It really sucks because this build was not the most glorious build we've put together"), and the existence of easter eggs ("Like the Xbox game, you want to play through 'The Maw' on Legendary. We've got a couple of well-kept surprises, which, hopefully, we can roll out in the future...")
In terms of software (for both computers and consoles) the term 'go gold' refers to the 'gold master' from which all retail discs are duplicated (well, more accurately, discs are made from the master which are used to make the retail discs).
In other words, software can't hit the shelves until it's gone gold. Usually, depending on the time it takes for duplication and shipping, it'll hit the shelves 1-2 weeks after it goes gold.
As for terms related to number of sales, those are pretty arbitrary, depending on platform and sometimes the publisher.
-PainKilleR-[CE]
"Go gold" refers to the production of a master CD of the program from which all other versions are copied. The master CD is usually gold foil (instead of the normal aluminum).
A great game is still good even after two years or more. I will definately get Halo for the PC eventhough I already have it for the xbox. Why?
- The mouse and keyboard provides finer precision and control over the aiming assistance of the xbox control.
- The multiplayer/system-link is quite fun on the xbox already. It will be even better playing against the diverse skill levels and players on the 'net. Also you don't have the problem of screenscaping, look at the other person screen to know where they're at and using it to your advantage, since each person has their own screen instead of divided into 4 quadrants.
- Better graphics quality. I can turn up the resolution higher than the xbox quality and turn on more anti-aliasing and antisotropic filtering to my liking.
2 years old? Didn't Steve Jobs originally unveil Halo at MacWorld Expo 1996?
Quick someone mod this as flamebait too! ;-) lol.
"This is just a gimmick to get the XBOX customers to pay $50 more to see the new "features" of Halo."
This is not a grimmick. Bungie wouldn't have team up with Valve, another developing house known for its multiplayer pc successes, if it was not committed to making Halo better on the PC especially the multiplayer aspects.
"until I had beat the game on Legendary (which I have). Then, after that was done, I just stopped playing it."
The replayibility of Halo is in it's multiplayer and cooperative play. If after you beat legendary mode you let it collect dust then you haven't enjoyed Halo to its fullest.
"If you are too poor to afford a $180 XBOX, then how are you going to afford a computer that is powerful enough to play the game"
This is the slashdot gaming section. Most of us probably already have powerful computers that can handle that, although a linux or mac port of Halo would be nice. Who knows that might be the next step.
"game-play is much better with the use of a game-pad, which lets you better control your gaming experience and get much more involved in the game, instead of trying to remember where the Y key is, and in the process, accidentally launching a few grenades at yourself." Another misinformed comment. Every gamer knows that FPS and RTS games are more playable on PC. In fact for Halo on the xbox, aiming assistance is on by default to compensate for the xbox controller.
"If you really want to experience Halo, the way it is meant to be, just stop complaining and buy a copy of the XBOX version."
If you think playing through legendary Halo by yourself and beating it are all there is to Halo, You sir should not get Halo for the PC.
For the record, Halo is still in development for the Mac. Go to http://halo.bungie.org for all pertinant info.