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| + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres | FPS }} |
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| {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Halo}} | | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Halo}} |
| |strategywiki = Halo: Combat Evolved | | |strategywiki = Halo: Combat Evolved |
Revision as of 05:49, 9 January 2022
This page is for the original 2003 PC release. For the remaster, see Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
- GameSpy online services have been shut down (see Network for solutions).
Key points
- For shorthand clarity in a PC context, the standard unmoddable version of the game is Halo PC. The moddable version of the game is Halo CE (Halo Custom Edition)
- Patch 1.10 fixes issues with modern hardware and replaces the GameSpy master server.
- Animations, effects, and cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS.[1] See High frame rate.
General information
- Bungie.net - The developer's site
- Halo.Bungie.org - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
- Halo Maps - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo Custom Edition
- Fan-made forum thread about enhancing many aspects of Halo CE and Halo PC. Newly Updated.
Availability
Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
Retail |
|
SafeDisc v2 DRM. Install the latest patch to play without the CD.[2] A similar situation happened with the OS X version. |
|
|
- The official demo for the game can be found here.
Essential improvements
Patches
- Patch 1.10 updates the Windows version. Includes all previous patches. Patch notes may be found here. Patches for Mac as well as older versions for Windows can be found here.
- The Mavericks/Lobby patches for the OS X version switches to the new Patch 1.10 lobby servers and optionally fixes compatibility with OS X Mavericks (10.9). Still requires the latest official patch to function properly. For getting campaign saving working or if you just want the lobby patch, no Mavericks, see this post.
- Assault Rifle HUD meter fix, Captain Keyes Xbox Skin and Explosive's Shader Restoration Patch (European version here) or Quagmirian's Xbox Multi Pack + Assault Rifle Xbox Skin adds missing/changed Xbox textures & shaders. Requires Halo Map Tools and/or a PPF patcher (Explosive's pack only; must be applied before the others).
Halo Custom Edition
- Halo Custom Edition allows players to play multiplayer Halo games on user-created maps.
Modifications
Chimera
- Chimera is a mod for the Custom Edition of Halo v1.10 which contributes a wide variety of essential features to enhance or fix Halo.
- Beta downloads are available here, and installation instructions can be found here.
- Newer versions implement Lua scripting.
Peixoto's patch
- Fixes gamma calibration on chimera
- Forced resolution and SSAA planned
- The Refined project is an attempt to smooth all those wrinkles and provide a port that even die-hard Halo purists will be happy with. Everything that was possible to fix has been addressed. Things that were once considered impossible to restore have been restored using clever workarounds. Many high-fidelity textures and a high resolution HUD have replaced the original compressed versions.
- Requires the Custom Edition and Chimera to work
Open Sauce
- Open Sauce is a mod for Halo Custom Edition that fixes multiple issues and adds several features for modders.
Halo Anticheat 2
- Halo Anticheat 2 (or HAC2) is a mod that fixes multiple issues and adds several features. Supports all versions of Halo: Combat Evolved and Custom Edition.
- Open Sauce and Halo Anticheat 2 are not compatible with each other. Only one of the mods can be installed at any given point. That being said, a potential workaround is available
Halo Mini Demo
- HaloMD is a mod (perhaps even the only one) for the Mac release of Halo that addresses compatibility issues with later operating systems and adds support for hosting and playing on custom maps (Custom Edition was not released for the Mac). Note that non-Mac users as well as Mac users with systems too old to run MD can join MD servers by ensuring they have the correct maps installed (base game, not Custom Edition) and by manually joining a server on their lobby. There is even a script for non-MD Mac users assist in hosting MD maps here. Note that this too does not run on 10.15 "Catalina", at least for now.
CMT SPV3
- SPV3 is a revamp of the original campaign, featuring new weapons, enemies, vehicles, abilities, features and levels.
Project Lumoria
- Project Lumoria is a brand new campaign story for Halo CE; stays true to the classic Halo CE feel.
Skip intro videos
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System |
Location |
Windows |
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Halo\ |
macOS (OS X) |
|
Save game data location
- Custom Edition saves in
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Halo CE\
- Mini Demo saves in
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\HLMD\
Video
Use Chimera[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Open
<path-to-game>\chimera.ini .
- Under
[video_mode] , change ;enabled=1 to enabled=1 .
- Change
width=800 and height=600 as needed (e.g. width=1920 , height=1080 ).
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_widescreen_fix true to fix the scaling of HUD, menu, and text elements for wider aspect ratios.
- Type in
chimera_fov auto to set an automatic FOV.
- Type in
chimera_block_letterbox true to disable the letterbox effect in cutscenes.
- Press ~ again to close the console.
|
- By default, Halo compresses its vertical FOV rather than stretching its horizontal FOV in widescreen resolutions.
Set vertical FOV[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_fov followed by a value (e.g. chimera_fov 90 ).
- End with
v to lock to a vertical FOV, or use auto to set to an automatic FOV.
|
Set custom FOV[citation needed]
|
- Install Open Sauce.
- Start the game and press F7 while playing.
- Adjust the FOV slider to your liking (5° increments only).
|
Set custom FOV[6]
|
- Install Halo Anticheat 2.
- Start the game and press F6 while playing.
- Move the mouse to adjust the FOV and press F6 to set it. Press ⇧ Shift+F6 to reset.
- Alternatively, type in
fov <value> in the console to use a specific value.
|
Use haloThirdFov.exe
|
- Download halothirdfov.zip.
- Extract haloThirdFov.exe from halothirdfov.zip and copy it to
<path-to-game> .
- Make sure the game executable file is named haloce.exe. If it isn't rename it accordingly.
- Run haloThirdFov.exe and then run haloce.exe while haloThirdFov.exe is kept open.
- Use * and / on numpad to switch fov between original and manual. use + and - on numpad to adjust fov.
- You can also change the default keys and set FOV manually on haloThirdFov.exe. Recommended FOV is 86 degrees for 16:9 aspect ratio, and 80 degrees for 16:10.
|
Run in windowed/borderless mode[citation needed]
|
- Download and run DxWnd.
- Click on Edit, then Add.
- Set the path to
<path-to-game>\halo.exe or <path-to-game>\haloce.exe .
- Enable Do not notify on task switch.
- Type in the window size and position or enable Desktop for borderless fullscreen windowed.
- Click on the Input tab and enable Unacquire input devices on focus lost.
- Click OK, File, Save, and start the game with DxWnd running.
|
- The game has an issue where object movement is tied to tick rate, thus objects will never move faster than 30 FPS. Chimera adds interpolation to the game for objects. Unlike MCC, it also adds it for particles, too.
Fix issues with 30 FPS animations and cutscenes[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_uncap_cinematic true to uncap the cinematic frame rate from 30 FPS.
- Type in
chimera_interpolate true to add interpolation to the game.
- Type in
chimera_throttle_fps if you want to cap the frame rate (e.g. chimera_throttle_fps 240 ).
- Press ~ again to close the console.
|
- The highest version of Pixel Shader Halo supports is 2.1. Use this to force the game to use it if your graphic card isn't recognized by the game.
Input
In-game controls settings.
In-game gamepad settings.
Disable mouse acceleration through Chimera[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_block_mouse_acceleration true to disable mouse acceleration.
- Press ~ again to close the console.
|
Disable mouse acceleration through Halo Mouse Fix[8]
|
- Download Halo Mouse Fix.
- Extract the archive to the
controls sub-folder of your main game folder.
- Use the GUI to set the sensitivity and axes inversion settings.
- Start the game like you would normally.
|
Set horizontal and vertical mouse sensitivities[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_mouse_sensitivity <horizontal> <vertical> to set the horizontal and vertical mouse sensitivities.
- Press ~ again to close the console.
Notes
- Values less than 1 do not work properly if mouse acceleration is enabled.
|
Audio
Localizations
Language |
UI |
Audio |
Sub |
Notes |
English |
|
|
|
|
French |
|
|
|
Only in French version of the game |
Italian |
|
|
|
|
Spanish |
|
|
|
|
Traditional Chinese |
|
|
|
Only in Chinese version of the game |
Network
In-game network settings.
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Ports
Protocol |
Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
TCP |
80 |
UDP |
2302, 2303 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
VR support
Issues fixed
Make Open Sauce and Halo Anticheat 2 compatible
Fix compatibility on Windows 8 and later[10]
|
- Download hac.dll and copy it to Halo CE's installation folder.
- Start the game with the
-no_os_gamestate command line argument.
- To avoid irregularities, untick map downloading in Open Sauce.
|
Fix compatibility on Windows 7[11]
|
- Download hac.dll and copy it to Halo CE's installation folder.
- Start the game as administrator for map downloading to work
- To avoid irregularities, untick map downloading in Open Sauce.
|
Open Sauce can't be installed
Install missing dependency[12]
|
- Open the Windows Features menu.
- Install .NET Framework 3.5.
|
Run the game at screen refresh rate
- Refresh rates up to 120 Hz are available; 144 Hz and above require a fix.
Set refresh rate through Chimera[3]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Open
<path-to-game>\chimera.ini .
- Under
[video_mode] , change ;enabled=1 to enabled=1 .
- Change
refresh_rate=60 as needed (e.g. refresh_rate=120 ).
refresh_rate=0 will use system's current refresh rate
|
Buggy auto-centering of vehicles
- In stock Halo, vehicle auto centering is based on frame rate. Chimera allows you to either fix it or turn it off completely, as this can be annoying.
Fix auto-centering[5][14]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_auto_center followed by a value:
0 - Broken stock behavior
1 - Fixed behavior
2 - Disable automatic centering
- Press ~ again to close the console.
|
Enable Vsync and set your monitor to 60 Hz[15]
|
Mouse wheel activates other background windows
Confine cursor to window[citation needed]
|
- Install Special K by following the Special K Unofficial Guide.
- Start the game once and close it to allow the configuration file of Special K to be created.
- Open
<path-to-game>\d3d9.ini or %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Mods\SpecialK\Profiles\haloce.exe\SpecialK.ini depending on the installation method you used.
- Change
ConfineCursor=False to ConfineCursor=True under [Window.System] .
|
Activating hardware acceleration or environmental sound causes sounds to cut out randomly
- ASUS sound cards cut out short-duration audio streams for power management, as a result the assault rifle will become silent when holding the fire button.[17]
Add the sound card to the config.txt file[citation needed]
|
- Go to the Device Manager and expand the
Sound, video and game controllers section.
- Right-click on the primary playback device (Example:
ASUS Essence STX II ) and click Proporties .
- Go to the Details tab and change the Property listbox to show the
Hardware IDs .
- Write down the Vendor ID (Example:
VEN_13F6 ) and the Device ID (Example: DEV_8788 ).
- Open
<path-to-game>\config.txt .
- Press Ctrl+F and type
0x plus the Vendor ID (Example: 0x13F6 ) and click Find Next to see if the Vendor ID is already listed in the config.
//If the AudioVendor already exists:
0xDEVID = "Sound Card Name" // EXAMPLE: 0x8788 = "ASUS Essence STX II"
HeadRelativeSpeech
EnableStopStart
break
//If the AudioVendor doesn't exist:
AudioVendor = 0xVENDOR_ID "Vendor Name" // EXAMPLE: AudioVendor = 0x13F6 "C-Media"
0xDEVICE_ID = "Sound Card Name" // EXAMPLE: 0x8788 = "ASUS Essence STX II"
HeadRelativeSpeech
EnableStopStart
break
|
Broken main menu background flyby
- i.e. The flyby for the Halo ring in the main menu background is not following the correct path.
Enable Vsync and set your monitor to 60 Hz[18]
|
Other information
API
Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
Direct3D |
9 |
|
OpenGL |
1 |
OS X only. |
Shader Model support |
1.1, 1.4, 2.0 |
|
Executable | PPC |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
Windows | |
|
|
|
macOS (OS X) | | |
|
In June 2006, a new release of the game was released that updated the game to a universal binary, adding support for Intel processors.
Unfortunately, this was not followed up with a 64-bit Intel update, which makes the game stuck at 32-bit; and therefore, unable to work on 10.15 "Catalina" and later. |
Middleware
|
Middleware |
Notes |
Audio |
DirectSound3D |
|
Cutscenes |
Bink Video |
only for credits, post-credit sequence, and intro videos. |
Multiplayer |
GameSpy |
Was shutdown in late 2014. New host uses HostPC.com |
Halo Custom Edition campaign port
Disable zoom blur
Block zoom blur[5]
|
- Install Chimera.
- Start the game and press ~ to open the in-game console.
- Type in
chimera_block_zoom_blur true .
- Press ~ again to close the console.
Notes
-
chimera_block_zoom_blur is known to break the scanline visual effects in the 343 Guilty Spark cutscene.
|
Command line parameters
- See command line arguments on how to use the following options.
Parameter |
Description |
-nosound |
Disable all sound |
-novideo |
Disable video playback |
-nojoystick |
Disable joysticks and gamepads |
-nogamma |
Disables adjustment of gamma |
-useff |
Forces the game to run as a fixed function card |
-use11 |
Forces the game to run as a shader 1.1 card |
-use14 |
Forces the game to run as a shader 1.4 card |
-use20 |
Forces the game to run as a shader 2.0 card |
-safemode |
Disables as much as possible when running the game |
-window |
Run the game in windowed mode |
-width x |
Forces the game to run at a specified resolution |
-vidmode w,h,r |
Forces the game to run at the width(w), height(h), and refresh(r) specified |
-adapter x |
Forces the game to run fullscreen on a multimon (multiple monitors) adapter |
-port x |
Server port address used when hosting multiplayer games |
-cport x |
Client port address used when joining multiplayer games |
-ip x.x.x.x |
Server IP address used when you have multiple IP addresses |
-screenshot |
Enables the Print Screen key to generate screenshots. Having this always enabled can cause a slight decrease in performance |
-console |
Enables the debugging console |
-devmode |
Enables the Halo Developer Mode |
System requirements
Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
Operating system (OS) |
98SE |
ME, 2000, XP |
Processor (CPU) |
733 MHz | |
System memory (RAM) |
128 MB |
256 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
1.3 GB | |
Video card (GPU) |
32 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0b compatible | |
macOS (OS X) |
|
Minimum |
Operating system (OS) |
10.2.8 (10.3.9 for UB version) |
Processor (CPU) |
PowerPC G4 800 MHz |
System memory (RAM) |
256 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) |
1.4 GB (1.5 GB for UB version) |
Video card (GPU) |
Nvidia GeForce 2MX/ATI 7500 or better (ATI Radeon 8500/9000, GeForce
3Ti/4Ti for UB version) 32 MB of VRAM |
References