Halo Wars Coming to PC with Cross-Platform Support

Touted as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Halo Wars, according to an insider at Microsoft, will be out on the PC with cross platform support that will allow Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows LIVE players to play together, in addition to sporting an online gameplay system modeled after World in Conflict and Company of Heroes.

[Odion]

Dam I hope its true, cause if it runs on my PC I am so getting it for that, so I can take on everyone!

[TheSadTruth]

I think this is pretty ridiculous. This game will not be able to compete with Starcraft II. You also cannot compete with PC gamers while using a controller. It is possible with first person shooters to some degree because you can allow autoaim, aim assist and higher bullet magnetism but I just don't think this will work at all. Keep it console exclusive, because the PC crowd isn't exactly into the Halo franchise anyways.

[season007]

since i am trading in my xbox360, i guess i can still get a chance to mess with this game then....

[sonarus]

lol trading in my 360 too but halo wars isnt the game i want its ninja gaiden lol. So i am gonna try to hold out till then and am sure by then there will be some other msoft game i really wanna play.

[zonetrooper5]

If this also runs on my PC then I will get it on that rather than my 360, I've always wished it was for the PC as well so this should be great news. I wonder when they will make an Ages of Empires 4?

[predator]

well i think they will shoot themselves in the foot if they do this, at least give the 360 version a few months head start, i really wanted to try this out on the 360 but they will loose sales if its comes to the PC at the same time

[INehalemEXI]

Yah, Whats up with MS stealing its own exclusives...

[power of Green]

MSFT's makes sales off of both their platforms.

I could imagine some PC gamers that would never play this genre on a console and others that can care less, MSFT wins.

Its like saying past Halo games on PC would hurt console sales.

I thought the PC market is failing?.

[heyheyhey]

@POG

your right M$ still make bucketloads of the green stuff, but like predator said- they should give the 360 version a head start, because it might turn out to be a system seller

btw this gamer zone thing is trippy- i am having a mature discussion with you

[Charlie2688]

They would actually be winning more sales since you will be giving it to the people that are Halo fans but were reluctant to get the game since it was a RTS on a console but now if you tell them its on PC with M&K support they will probably pick it up same goes for the fans of the Halo PC version of the games that probably don't have a 360 and now have the chance to get this one too

In my case if you confirm me that there will be Achievements in the PC version be sure ill be picking that one up over the 360 version

[xsteinbachx]

good now i won't need an xbox to enjoy this game. i'm just waiting on halo 3 to come to the PC so i can finally finish the story for myself.

[i Shank u]

Sounds good that its on pc; if my PC would run it i'd get it on there. But cross platform play; controller vs. Kb/mouse in an RTS doesnt sound like a fair fight. will be interesting seeing how they handle it; hopefully they wont nerf the pc version so console players can keep up, like how the aiming in Shadowrun was made crappy on purpose so that they could do cross-platform play. agggh, why cant i just plug my Kb and mouse into those 3 USB ports on my 360 that barely get used?

[ASSASSYN 36o]

SWEET!

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Wow! One word of happiness gets a disagree.

[barom]

hey do you guys think this will have XLive for the PC version? I might consider this game but if it'll use Live I'm not gettin it.

[InfectedDK]

So what are the good games for the Xbox360 only now? The games that are somewhat ok are anyways going to the PC.. Glad im playing da PS3!

[ChaosKnight]

It definitely would make sense... and I personally enjoy RTS' with a mouse and keyboard - although i'm no where close in being a fan of the genre (I did like Starcraft tho).

[LJWooly]

This game looks to be way better than Halo 3 was, and i'm not even a big RTS fan. I'd probably rather have this on 360 though, at least I know i'll be able to play on full specs.

Then again, if I had a good enough PC, i'd have got it on that.

[Darkiewonder]

I may get this game if it comes to PC! i love my strat type games with a mouse and keyboard.

[Panthers]

i hope this comes out at the same time. I really want this game (probably the only game I want a 360 for)

[HarryEtTubMan]

lol as always

[heyheyhey]

this will still be a great console RTS...

but will seriously get outdone on PC- the home of RTS

however it is still good news, because if it turns out to be good- i wont need a 360 to play it

cross-platform play sounds cool, but like i shank you said- wont the PC gamers have a MASSIVE advantage over 360 gamers seeing as the 360 doesn't have Kb/M support?

i don't see why MS don't just add Kb/M and Mod support- it would lead to many new possibilties on the 360

what would really be cool is cross-console play (360 vs PS3), then you can have ultra fanboy wars to see who owns at COD4 and stuff

i would really enjoy that and it would increase the amount of people that are available to play with

[Blackfrican]

If you want to play with me... you have to pay.

[PeeboDaKilla]

I think that MSoft may be ready to finally add that kb/m support. If they're planning to make it playable across both platforms they'd have to if they wanted to keep it fair. Who knows, maybe they already have a 'halo wars' edition kb and mouse lol :)

[CRIMS0N_W0LF]

so long for exlcuisve

[big0]

When well MS learn if they keep offering the 360 exp. on the pc its going to keep people from buying the system. Why should I get a 360 when there are only 2 games I want that I cant get on the pc it would be cheaper for me to wait for those two games.

[power of Green]

The bulk of casual consumers and console fans do not game on the PC. If you have the option or choose to game on the PC do it. lol

Maybe what you said has something to do with URT3 selling the way it did on the console market, NAH!. J/K.

[heyheyhey]

@big0

your right- the only thing keeping me from buying the 360 is that particular reason, if none of those games were on PC, i would've bought the 360 yonks ago

until M$ start putting out more games that can truly only be done on the 360 then why should i buy it?

NG2 is not enough- M$ needs to start making more games 360 exclusive (although it would be better for me if they wouldn't since then i dont have to spend money on a 360)

[mighty_douche]

Another 360 title available on PC? i cant see this doing them any favours. But frankly, i doubt this game was ever going to sell systems, thats not to bash the game, i just dont see it.

[wageslave]

Halo is one of the biggest franchises in the recent video-game industry. Halo 3 had the biggest launch in media history.

Halo 3 is the largest selling game, on the best selling console (excluding the Wii).

Halo has an enormous following of gamers, and has a reputation for excellence. Halo Wars is being written by the RTS masters who write Age of Empires in conjunction with Bungie.

Early reviews have said that Halo Wars has the best control scheme of any console RTS ever done.

Halo Wars will be a system seller. Halo Wars will almost certainly recieve excellent reviews. And Halo Wars will sell millions of copies.

Any other "view" is unrealistic and probably belongs in the FanboyForum.

[playinitcool]

no it sounds like U belong in the other forum...

[Eamon]

Wait a sec. Since when has it been a 360 exclusive. Since it was announced, it was said to be for thr 360 and PC. Even major game websites like IGN and GS have records of it being on PC for ages now.

[Iamback]

what a joke

[FirstknighT]

Halo Wars is going to be a huge hit especially after seeing alot of the recent videos. But I don't like the cross-platform support idea. Keyboard and mouse will easily have the advagtage over controller.

[Eamon]

wow, so now N4G is becoming a lot cleaner. I thank the owners/mods.

I was getting seriously tired of faboyism and their wars.

Edit: (To the guy who Disagreed with me) So?! You don't agree that N4G is becoming cleaner. Or is it that you are part of the dirt that was recently cleaned by the mods. Or are you Destroyah? lol

[Ru]

but apparently someone thinks you were not getting tired of the fanboyism! :)

[KILLERAPP]

Halo overrated and Halo wars I will rent it but I wont buy it I have too many games to buy.

[wageslave]

Metacritic Scores:

Xbox: Halo (2001) 97
Xbox: Halo 2 (2004) 95
Xbox 360: Halo 3 (2007) 94

Xbox 360: Halo Wars (2008) xx

Halo 1 & 2 sold millions, and became cult classics. Played by millions. Halo 3 was the biggest entertainment launch in history, and probably will remain so until Halo 4 (when it comes).

Halo sold well, was reviewed well, and is loved by millions. Peter Jackson saw enough depth to want to do a project.

Halo is 100% justified in all the attention it gets. NOT "overhyped". It is "exactly correctly hyped". Why? Because it is a huge success and a gorilla in the industry.

Claims that Halo is "overhyped" belong in the Fanboy Zone. Gamers know that Halo -- while maybe not *every single person's* cup of tea -- CLEARLY it is loved by a great great segment of the gaming community.

[Marriot VP]

hey this is great news, but not very good news for the 360.

If my new 8600gt can run this on max perhaps I'll get it for PC. But if not I'll just get it for my 360.

[Omicronn]

I just went nuts on a few upgrades to my PC.
Ill go for the PC version im starting to miss playing games in the privacy of my computer room hehe.

[destroyah]

how sad. Microsoft is running out of ideas

[Iron Man 2]

I can't wait to play the best version of Halo Wars on my PC,poor Xbox fanboys got shafted...yet again!

I also expect Halo 3 to come out for the PC too,just like the first two lol;)

[Bzone24]

Isn't MGS on number 4? How is that any different? If you have a franchise that works, companies will keep making sequels to it until people stop buying.

[Delt4]

destroyer how many final fantasy do you want again what are you on now 12 or 13... here let me make the number look cooler Xll. Now its cool we all know PS3 has "FINALLY" come out with some good games this year and all you fanboys are super excited that the extra hundreds of dollars you spent to watch a movie with extra space on the disc is almost finally worth all you paid for it. But seriously buddy get a cup of kool-aid take a breath and think logically right now. Your console is almost in its prime and every one is excited just remember that any ignoramus comments like the one you posted before only show how uneducated you are on your own system....Seriously though Get the red kool-aid its always better for some reason...weird huh?

[KILLERAPP]

I don't think so just because it has the name Halo in it doest mean it will sell as soon as people see is not Halo 4 they will be disappointed it may sell on the name alone but it won't sell that much remerber we got NG2 and Gears 2 so people will not buy this game if they have those two games side by side.

[meepmoopmeep]

it makes you wonder why MS even went into the console business when the highly anticipated games are available for PC's as well. Wouldn't it benefit the Xbox if they kept the games console exclusive?

[wageslave]

Because the Living Room is not the computer room. This generation is about "The Battle For The Living Room".

Personally, I vastly prefer the Open PC model that MS employs as opposed to the "closed console" of some of the others in the industry, and we see that MS agrees.

PC to Xbox 360 gaming. LIVE Messenger support. I think MS is going to bring the Living Room into the Internet Age via the Xbox 360, and their prowress in the Games for Windows world have shown they can bring a serious offering into the "game console" world.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Was announced for the 360 back when they made the debut trailer but it was also for PC. And also...I honestly have no issue with MS or any dev. making a game for the PC and 360. I can chose to pick it up on my 360 or my PC..its my choice. I prefer my games on my 360....so that variation wins out for now. Just as it has on most games that are on both platforms.

[Eamon]

RTS games are for PC because of mouse and keyboard.

The cross platform thing isn't going to work because 360 players will find it harder since they are using a controller.

Unless that make the user interface on the 360 a lot easier to use then maybe...

[niall77]

and not the cool satan.

.the bad satan

[KILLERAPP]

Just put a demo and let everyone have there opinion.

[Bladestar]

I see lots of people saying, "ahh haha! is on the PC... I don't need a 360" well the fact is that you wouldn't buy an xbox 360 anyways... now microsoft can reach into your pockets and get your money since you will probably buy the PC version... how is that bad for them? the gaming market is currently more than what many people think... lots of people don't care about consoles nor would buy one... well.. microsoft profits from those... others are not into PC... and only into consoles... one fact is sure.. these games will not be on the PS3.... fact! so, pick your path... xbox 360 or PC... no matter what it will both lead to to microsoft bank account.. oh and by the way... bioshock being on the PC didn't stop the game from being great. Only non-real gamers complain about this since this does not affect PC gamers nor xbox 360 gamers... why should I get mad if others have the option of buying the PC version?....

[TwissT]

"I see lots of people saying, "ahh haha! is on the PC... I don't need a 360" well the fact is that you wouldn't buy an xbox 360 anyways... now microsoft can reach into your pockets and get your money since you will probably buy the PC version... how is that bad for them?"

Well maybe those people just don't want to support the Xbox brand?
Who knows?

[Blademask]

The point in case you are missing it, which you always do. Is that there are no Xbox360 Exclusives. Content that you can ONLY play on the 360. Unlike other systems.

Microsoft makes money from everyone here more than likely who use Office/Outlook/Windows/Games For Windows as well. That has nothing at all to do with their xbox360 console. It appears as if you are confused into how to be an over zealous fan. Are you a fan of just the Console?, or Microsoft in general? Last time I checked, Microsofts software reputation is one of the most negative out there. Sure you can pretend that Vista is the best ever, as well as XP. But its just not the truth. Is it their award winning hardware that gains such loyalty from you?

The sooner you understand that not having to buy a 360 to play its games, which are never specification heavy. HL2/Bioshock/Gears Is a great example of this. A technical flawed Assasins creed needing higher specifications than Cyris isn't. The sooner you will understand that its not time to celebrate multiplatforms because the Mothership Microsoft gets the money. Gamers like exclusive content and games that define the style of the system, games which are allowed to use nothing but the console hardware without any limitations.

[TwissT]

This would be acctually good due to the fact that RTS's play much better with keyboard and mouse support, and the fact that Xbox Live players can play with Windows Live players is a really nice touch.

[Bill Gates]

Gears --->PC
Bioshock ----PC
Halo 1,2, and soon 3 -----PC

and now....
Halo Wars ----> yup you guessed it, PC.

What's up with MS's "exclusives" all going to PC?..Hence there is no need for a 360 in anyone's home if they own a PC.

[Bill Gates]

Once again the BABOONS get OWNED and slapped by their Master....AHAHHAHAHA

[Spike47]

i don't see an MGS4 Rts now do I?

That's what he's trying to say, out of all the things a halo rts?

Well it might work, besides ms's hype machine and payroll always works

[Delt4]

The halo series has an awesome story and people like to be apart of it no matter what. Its like star wars or Godzilla and Mario even. People like it and it will sell. If it ever disappointed people they will know at MS, but that doesn't mean people wont still be involved in the story itself. Now putting fanboy stuff aside i don't own halo 3 ( but i have finished all 3) and i own all systems ..well except for the wii... But if i like a game with an interesting story i will buy the games and the following ones untill the story is complete or the story just ends up sucking. The thing with Halo and MGS is that the storys are awsome and we know both storys will go on. Just maybe in different ways. Every system does this with games its just funny how every one gets so pissed about everything Halo

[Bzone24]

So he's saying MS is running out of ideas doing something different with a franchise?

I still don't get how that is running out of ideas.

[Greysturm]

Everyone new it would go, i think ill get it on the pc all rts that have been ported to the 360 have been better on pc so if i get it it will be on pc.

[Strife Lives]

i loved it! The campaign. The multiplayer. But, microsoft has me lost here... i'd maybe consider it,if it has 2 player muliplayer splitscreen. Like KKND on the PS1 lol. Bt rite nw, im nt too impressed

[Delt4]

agreed i am pretty sure i am not buying this but i will have to try it sometime

[jackdoe]

I don't think Cross platform will be fair. A mouse allows easier micro management of units, giving an unfair advantage to PC users.

[felidae]

bye bye MART.

now we finally can discuss in peace and harmony.

lol, nice one N4G team.

[WilliamRLBaker]

awesome to hear.

[Wraith001]

Great! I remember way back b4 360 launched MS touted that they wldnt allow KB and mouse support so every1 wld be in the same league, equality
and all that. Wot happened there then? How can a joypad be equal to a mouse and kb on rts? FPS u got a better chance but id still use mouse kb if i had the choice.

I mean if thats the case then screw fairness and give us mouse, kb support goddamit!