Difference between revisions of "Halo 2"
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|antialiasing notes = Up to 4x [[MSAA]]. Can be improved to 8x via control panel hack. | |antialiasing notes = Up to 4x [[MSAA]]. Can be improved to 8x via control panel hack. | ||
|vsync = hackable | |vsync = hackable | ||
− | |vsync notes = Enabled by default, but can be disabled using <code>-novsync</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]]. Native vsync implementation is very bad and can cause stuttering even with required 60 FPS. Forcing it using [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/84-d3doverrider/ D3Doverrider] | + | |vsync notes = Enabled by default, but can be disabled using <code>-novsync</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|parameter]]. Native vsync implementation is very bad and can cause stuttering even with required 60 FPS. Forcing it using [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/84-d3doverrider/ D3Doverrider] may fix the problem for some, otherwise reset Halo2 video settings to default and make sure Halo2 refresh (asks when selecting resolution) matches desktop refresh and then use Halo2 vsync. |
|60 fps = true | |60 fps = true | ||
|60 fps notes = Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS. | |60 fps notes = Cutscenes are capped at 30 FPS. |
Revision as of 17:26, 27 March 2017
Developers | |
---|---|
Bungie | |
Pi Studios | |
Publishers | |
Microsoft Studios | |
Engines | |
Halo Engine | |
Release dates | |
Windows | May 17, 2007 |
Warnings
- For Games for Windows - LIVE on Windows 8 or later, install the latest Games for Windows - LIVE software.
Halo | |
---|---|
Halo: Combat Evolved | 2003 |
Halo 2 | 2007 |
Halo: Spartan (series) | |
Halo Online | 2015* |
Halo 5: Forge | 2016 |
Halo Wars (series) | |
Halo Recruit | 2017 |
Halo: The Master Chief Collection (series) | |
Halo Infinite | 2021 |
Key points
- Modding tools provided on disc
- All the maps from the Xbox version and its DLC are included except two
- The Halo 2 Live master server went down in 2015 with no indication of its return.[1] See Project Cartographer
General information
- Bungie.net - The developer's site
- Halo Nation - A very detailed wiki for everything Halo related
- Halo.Bungie.org - One of the biggest Halo fan sites around
- Halo Maps - A fan site for downloading mods and maps for Halo 2 Vista
- H2v Hub - Central Hub of the Halo 2 PC community
- H2MT Repository - A massive collection of custom maps, mods, tools, & assets
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | ||||
Amazon.com |
Essential improvements
Install the latest Games For Windows Live client
It is essential to install the latest GFWL client before installing Halo 2, as the version on the disc is broken.
Instructions |
---|
Skip intro videos
Instructions |
---|
Enabling Widescreen HUD
Instructions |
---|
Patches
The latest patch is v1.01. It is strongly recommended to let the GFWL client auto-update Halo 2. if problems appear, it can be downloaded manually from here.
Project Cartographer
Project Cartographer is an unofficial multiplayer mod which provides an alternative to the now defunct Games for Windows - Live platform for Halo 2 Vista. It allows players to use the Network tab as a server browser and connect via peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. This is a fast and streamlined solution as compared with available LAN gaming solutions, as it retains almost all original Live multiplayer functionality.
Download and install the mod from the official website and follow the instructions on the page.
Example map
Example is a map not included in Halo 2 by default, but is present on the Halo 2 install disc and can be obtained by installing and using the Halo 2 map editor. Example is the only multiplayer map to include Fuel Rod Cannons, and includes custom "silenced" SMGs that are quieter than the ones in other maps and have laser pointers. Example is the smallest map in any Halo game and is unusually dense with explosives.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|
Video settings
- Use the
-monitor:(desired monitor number)
parameter to change monitor for fullscreen.
Widescreen resolution
Instructions |
---|
Field of view (FOV)
Instructions |
---|
Instructions |
---|
Input settings
Mouse acceleration
Instructions |
---|
Audio settings
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Spanish | Latin America and Spanish translations are available, depends from instalation disk. |
Network
- Online features require a Microsoft account (optional for offline play).
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Local play | ||||
LAN play | Versus |
|||
Online play | 16 | Versus |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
TCP | 53, 80, 443, 3074 |
UDP | 53, 88, 1000-1006, 3074 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
- Port range
1000-1006
is required by Project Cartographer to host. See Project Cartographer - Specific details can be found here
Issues fixed
Sign-in error
If you are certain your username and password are correct, but are unable to log into Games for Windows Live, check if Xfire is running. If so, close it and try to log in again.
Extreme mouse lag/jittering
Forcing vsync will help users with fps/mouse issues. To fix said issues without the negative input lag effects of vsync, frame-cap 60 FPS in Nvidia Inspector.
Installation
Run the file "startup.exe" on the DVD in windows (right click and select compatibility) Vista Compatibility mode and the game will install and run fine without any Games For Windows Errors, it will start and stop several times while it updates Windows Live.
Nvidia GeForce GFX card errors
- As of 5/26/14, Nvidia has released driver update #337.88, the driver fixes the flickering and flashing.
It has been noted that updating to the newest GeForce Experience drivers as of March 25, 2013 can result in severe artifacting of textures and in some cases a flashing phenomenon, as if the game is trying to produce two textures where every single one should render.[citation needed] The only known fix for this issue is to downgrade to graphics driver update #335.23 which can be found here.[citation needed]
Owners of GTX 540m will need to update their graphics card drivers to the latest to play Halo 2. Drivers pre-2012 have compatibility problems with said card.[2]
"One of the installation steps failed" error
You may receive this error message during installation. To fix it, exit the installer, open the redists
folder on the game DVD and run vcredist.msi
as an administrator. After it has finished restart the game installer and it should proceed normally.
"LIVE gaming on Windows failed to initialise" error
- This error occurs on Windows 8 and later.
Download and install these 3 files which will fix the error: xliveredist.msi, gfwlclient.msi and wllogin_**.msi
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 9 | |
Shader Model support | 3 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Physics | Havok | |
Audio | Dolby Digital | |
Cutscenes | Bink Video | |
Multiplayer | Games for Windows - LIVE |
Play without Games for Windows - LIVE
- Games for Windows Live can be disabled as an alternative to using a local profile.
Instructions |
---|
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | Vista | |
Processor (CPU) | 2 GHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 1 GB | 2 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 7 GB | 10 GB |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce 6100 ATI Radeon X700 DirectX 9 compatible | DirectX 10 compatible |
- Common myth states that Halo 2 requires Dx10. In reality Halo 2 PC uses Dx8.1 and does not require Dx10 compatible hardware.
- Subsequently, Halo 2 PC may be installed on Windows XP by following this tutorial. Note, Live will be disabled.