Microsoft has long since abandoned their attempts to bring Halo 3’s multiplayer experience to PC via the Russian only free to play title Halo Online. Although almost two years have passed since the game’s official closure in August of 2016, a dedicated group of community developers have kept the game going with semi-regular updates thanks to a leaked Russian build of the Halo Online client.
Here are just some of the improvements and highlights that the Eldewrito team is promising for the upcoming 0.6 release:
The original Halo experience brought to PC (for free).
Dual wielding and deployable equipment implemented (from Halo 3).
Improvements to the Forge Mode which include new material types, new tools and new items.
Advanced map control: Weather, skyboxes and lighting.
Inclusion of an auto-updater to keep everyone on the same version. (not in the trailer but confirmed on the game’s reddit.)
I’ve had a lot of fun with Halo Online in the past couple of years and have blogged about it a handful of times. Version 0.6 is a longtime coming and brings a lot of requested features that fans have been hoping for – dual wielding and workable equipment. It is even more impressive when you consider that these passionate community devs don’t have access to the game’s source code or development tools. All of these improvements and features have been fixed or implemented with only an outdated leaked build of the client.
Once the full patch notes and download are made available on April 20th I’ll be sure to make another post.
The next major update to Final Fantasy XIV Online: Stormblood will come out in late May Producer / Director Naoki Yoshida confirmed during a regularly held community live stream known as Letter From The Producer LIVE. Patch 4.3 brings a number of brand new features to the game – the conclusion of the Doma main story questline, a brand new raid, a new “deep dungeon” leveling experience and so much more!
In terms of in-game content adventurers will be able to take part in the second of the Ivalice themed 24 person raids, The Ridorana Lighthouse. Smaller parties will be able to take on a brand new secret trial (Zeno extreme as rumored by players? The next of the Four Lords series perhaps?) as well as journey through a brand new dungeon called the “Swallow’s Compass”. Crafters and Gatherers who have jobs at least level 60 can start to befriend the fish-like Namazu.
Players who have completed the Stormblood MSQ might remember a Jinga-like structure that received prominent placement in a cut-scene during the Ruby Seas ark. Well it turns out that the structure is actually called “Heaven On High” – similar to Heavensward’s “Palace of the Dead” – a self contained leveling experience where adventurers start at level 1 and rapidly progress through their profession’s abilities. After completing a set number of floors in “Heaven On High” it is expected that players will receive at least 1/4th of a level out of the tower upon completing 10 floors. Unlike Palace of the Dead, the total number of floors is only 100 floors vs the 200 of Palace of the dead. In HoH floors 30+ will be challenging content.
Here is a breakdown of all of the in-game content coming in FFXIV 4.3 – some of these descriptions are obviously just little tidbits:
New Main Scenario Quests – The story of Stormblood continues.
New Alliance Raid – The Ridorana Lighthouse.
New Trial
New Dungeon – The Swallow’s Compass.
New Beast Tribe Quests – The Namazu.
New Sidequests – The Four Lords, Doman Reconstruction and Further Hildibrand Adventures.
New Deep Dungeon – 100-Floor Heaven-on-High.
The Forbidden Land, Eureka Expansion – Pagos Expedition.
New Ultimate Difficulty Raid – Ultima Weapon.
Updates to jobs, PvP, glamour system, housing, performance actions, new more powerful gear and more.
Coming at some point later will be an official FFXIV Companion App that will enable all users to chat with friends as well as message the Free Company chat channel. Organizing inventory, purchasing and placing items for sale on the in-game market boards will also be supported. A paid for premium plan allows subscribers to double their chocobo Saddle Bag storage, sell up to 2 items per day using Kuppo Nuts (vs 1 with the free plans) and have an extra retainer. We don’t have an official price for the premium tier just yet.
Here’s a breakdown of the companion app that Square Enix provided:
ll players that download the app will be able to enjoy benefits such as the following:
Chat with friends and free company members
Organize events with the scheduler
Organize inventory and armoury chest
Peruse the Market Board
Put items up for sale and purchase items
Register an additional favored destination Aetheryte
An optional, Premium Plan is also available, which unlocks the following features for a monthly fee:
