Halo: MCC's custom game browser is being tested next week

Halo: Reach PC Kat
Halo: Reach PC Kat (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • 343 Industries has announced that testing for the custom game browser in the MCC is expected to begin Thursday April 29, 2021.
  • The test will then conclude on Monday May 3, 2021. Notably, the test will be limited to Halo: Reach only.
  • The developers will then determine what work still needs to be done before the feature is added permanently.
  • Features that 343 plan to add to the custom game browser include enhanced game creation options, filtering, quick matching, and ways to make it easier to play with friends.

The developers of Halo, 343 Industries, have announced in a new blog post that testing for the custom game browser in Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) will begin on Thursday April 29, 2021 (assuming everything goes to plan). This feature, which allows players to search for other people playing a specific type of gamemode in custom games to join, will be active until Monday May 3, 2021. At this point, it will be turned off. Notably, the scope of the test will be limited to Halo: Reach, which 343 Industries says is because "it is a good test case for new features."

Once the test concludes, the developers will use collected data to figure out what work still needs to be done before the custom game browser is permanently added to the MCC. 343 Industries has also confirmed that there are other features the studio is working on adding to the custom game browser over time. These include enhanced game creation options, options for filtering, quick matching functionality, and a system that makes playing with your friends easier.

What do you think of the custom game browser concept? Are you going to use it during the upcoming test? Let me know. Also, make sure to check out Halo: The Master Chief Collection if you haven't already. It's available now for $40 on Xbox and PC, and is easily one of the best Xbox One shooters on the platform, so you should absolutely pick it up if you haven't already. Also, it's a great game to play while waiting for Halo Infinite to arrive in Fall 2021.

Brendan Lowry

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. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.