Microsoft still has no plans to release the full version of Halo 5 on Windows 10

Microsoft has confirmed once again it has no plans to release the full version of its Xbox One shooter Halo 5: Guardians for Windows 10, and that the upcoming launch of the game's Forge map editor for the OS doesn't mean it has changed its mind.

Microsoft announced earlier this week that Halo 5's Forge editor will be released for free for Windows 10 later this year. In addition to allowing PC users to make maps for the shooter that can be played on the Xbox One, Microsoft also confirmed that any Forge and Arena maps in Halo 5 can be played online in the Windows 10 Forge editor with friends.

However, in an FAQ on the Windows 10 Forge editor posted on the Halo Waypoint site. developer 343 Industries quickly squashed the idea that Windows 10 would get the full Halo 5 game at some point:

Forge – Halo 5: Guardians Edition on Windows 10 is a free publishing tool designed for map makers and creators to build and play their creations on Windows 10 and also publish these experiences to Xbox One. As we've stated previously, we have no plans to release Halo 5: Guardians on Windows 10. We are focused on building Halo Wars 2 for Windows 10 and Xbox One. Releasing Forge for Windows 10 for free will open up endless opportunities to the PC community to build and play Halo 5 multiplayer content, while also allowing them to share their creations with gamers on Xbox One as well. Windows 10 remains an important focus for the Halo franchise moving forward.

The good news is that Microsoft says the Forge editor for Windows 10 will be "built exclusively on DirectX 12" which should allow for some graphical and performance boosts.

John Callaham