Halo 3 on PC launches early on Steam and Windows 10

Halo 3 artwork (Image credit: Bungie)

What you need to know

343 Industries has released Halo 3 on PC earlier than expected.
The game was originally slated to go live at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST.
The update also brings new seasonal unlocks and includes Forge mode for Halo: Reach, Halo 2: Anniversary, and Halo 3.

Halo developer 343 Industries has officially released Halo 3 on PC over half a day earlier than previously expected. The game was slated to launch at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST on July 14, but the game is out right now and players can both download and install the game's content through Steam and the Windows 10 Store.

I think Popeye tripped, fell, and may have hit a few buttons early.... https://t.co/0A1MP9rKCAI think Popeye tripped, fell, and may have hit a few buttons early.... https://t.co/0A1MP9rKCA— Tyler Davis (@343Postums) July 14, 2020 July 14, 2020

Alongside Halo 3's Campaign and Multiplayer modes, the new update also brings several new features and pieces of content to the table as part of the start of Halo: The Master Chief Collection's second season. This includes a challenge system that rewards players with completing specific objectives in-game, new weapon and vehicle skins for use in Halo: Combat Evolved, new profile nameplates, the Forge modes for Halo: Reach, Halo 2: Anniversary, and Halo 3, and more. These new items and systems are available on the Xbox One version of the game as well.

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Overall, it's awesome to see Halo 3 launch earlier than expected, as PC players have been incredibly excited to get their hands on the game. If you're one of them, you can pick Halo 3 up for $10 through either Steam or the Windows 10 Store. Alternatively, if you'd rather buy the full Master Chief Collection and get all of the games on it (both current and upcoming), you can do so for $40.

At long last

Halo 3 on PC

It's finally here

After a painful 13-year wait, PC fans can finally experience the original Halo trilogy in full with the release of Halo 3 on PC.

Finish the Fight

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Experience the entirety of Halo history

The Master Chief Collection is a collection of every Halo shooter from the pre-Xbox One era, offering incredible value at an incredible price.

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).