Halo: Master Chief Collection to release on PC ‘in stages’

Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be released on PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam, Microsoft has announced.

The Collection’s titles will be released on PC in stages, the company said, and they’ll feature “all of the features, bells, and whistles expected in a modern PC title”.

In addition, Microsoft will bolster the five-game compilation with the addition of Xbox 360 title Halo: Reach. Reach will be the first title released on PC, it said, with the rest of the games following in chronological order (Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Halo 4).

Each game will be available for individual purchase and will “evolve and grow over time with community input”, it said.

On Xbox One, Halo: Reach’s multiplayer content (which includes Forge and the Theater) will be free for existing MCC owners. Reach’s Campaign and Firefight experiences will be offered together as “premium DLC”.

The PC versions are being developed in partnership with Gears of War co-developer Splash Damage and Ruffian, which is known for its work on the Crackdown series.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers will have access to the entirety of Halo: Reach within MCC as part of their subscription.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us to bring the Halo Universe and Master Chief’s story to a new audience and to offer PC gamers a chance to step into the franchise on the PC platform of their choice,” said 343 Industries community director, Brian Jarrard.

“For the team at 343 Industries, the most important and critical element of this project is ensuring that Halo: The Master Chief Collection delivers a true ‘first class’ experience on PC. We’re embarking on a journey with our community to build a PC experience that delivers on PC gamer expectations.”