Microsoft gaming head Phil Spencer hints at classic Halo on PC

By Asher Madan
last updated

ElDewrito needs to be blocked, but that's not the end for Halo on PC.

Yesterday, 343 Industries let gamers know that it initiated legal action to protect the Halo intellectual property in the wake of the recent "ElDewrito" PC release. The ElDewrito mod uses Halo Online assets which were never meant to become public as it was a Russia-only project. Due to this, it became necessary to take the game down.

Updated March 25, 2018: Bonnie Ross, head of 343 Industries, also came out in support of the PC community members who want a classic Halo experience on the platform. She said, "I love and share in the passion for PC and classic Halo games, and know that we are investing in both moving forward." It's unclear if this means that Halo: The Master Chief Collection is coming to PC or maybe a future title like the long-awaited Halo 6.

The news was upsetting for many PC owners because they haven't experienced a proper Halo first-person shooter on PC for years now. ElDewrito brought back classics mechanics and it was a highly-anticipated release. However, it seems like this isn't the end for Halo on PC. In the same post, 343 Industries said it was very excited about an "official classic Halo experience" making its way to the platform soon. Phil Spencer even stressed this on Twitter.

As we look ahead, we're very excited about the prospects of an official classic Halo experience making its way to PC and we hope to be able to partner with the ElDewrito team and broader mod and content creation community to help inform the types of experiences and features our fans desire. While we have nothing to announce today, please know that the PC community is very important to us and top of mind as we work towards the future.

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Judging by the posts from 343 Industries and Spencer, it seems like Halo: The Master Chief Collection is probably coming to PC. However, until we have official confirmation, we have to take this with a grain of salt. The evidence is adding up though because this isn't the first time Microsoft has teased such an announcement over the past few months.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection was quite a big deal when it came in 2014. For the first time ever, The Master Chief's entire story was available on one console. The game features a remastered Halo 2: Anniversary, along with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4. You could also purchase an Halo 3: ODST add-on for the title and many owners who bought the game during the launch period got it for free. If you love Halo, or love first-person shooters in general, this this is the definitive collection to own. Plus, the promised Xbox One X upgrade isn't bad either.

Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!

Asher Madan
Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.

5 Comments
  • I would be very happy to see this happen. I think with the leaked video that showed Halo: The Master Chief Collection as part of Game Pass and this type of "teaser" makes it seem like this is something that could happen sooner than later. I'm really hoping so, it will help make Game Pass a better sale, and be a great example of Xbox Play Anywhere.
  • Oh the memories
  • It's coming to PC for sure - the question is will it be limited to the Windows Store as UWP. Personally I think it will be; it will go Play Anywhere and be added to Game Pass, and it will be announced at Microsoft's E3 conference. I wonder if it will be available that day or later in the year - MS could use this (and maybe Halo5 going Play Anywhere also) as this year's big Halo and give 343 another year to make Halo 6 since it has to be great after the disappointing Halo 5 campaign.
  • This seems very probable. I for one agree that this is a likely path for them to take.
  • Hope it is playable on low power hardware like Windows on arm or future andromeda device.
    Microsoft should focus on gaming aspect of dual screen devices where one screen offers virtual gaming controls.
    they can also bring apple's 3d touch like pressure sensitive controls so controls can be simplified.