Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: Halo PC questions
  • Subject: Halo PC questions
Subject: Halo PC questions
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

I'm tired of the Jerks, the cheaters/ modders and just the bad experience that halo 2 as become on Xbox live. I was just wondering what Halo was like online for computers - specificaly for the mac. The mac and PC version are the same? What is the experience like - ie jerks and cheaters? is there matchmaking or is it all hosts and custom games? If I decide to play with an Xbox style controller as apposed to a mouse and key board will I be at a huge dissadvantage? Judging by this forum the whole computer version of this seems to be more light hearted and fun, which to me is what a video game should be.
Thanks for any help.

  • 12.28.2005 9:42 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Yes I would recommend the pc version. I have never played Halo 2 for x-box, but by seeing some of the flaming on Zanzibar, I think you will enjoy pc gameplay better. Don't get me wrong, we have our share of -blam!-s, but they are few and far between.

I would strongly recommend getting used to keyboard and mouse. I and many others believe it is far more accurate. And remember, there is no auto-aim on the pc. Therefore, a mouse gives you a much more steady aim.

See ya out there.

  • 12.28.2005 10:10 AM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

This is the best advice I can give you and one that I wished I've learned before I started playing online a few years ago. Master this and you'll save yourself much frustration and maintain a nice kill to death ratio.

To properly play Halo PC online you need to master lag compensation with the way you aim. Forget what you've been trained to do in FPS. Don't aim anywhere on the body. You need to lead your shots. I had to learn the hard way. Listen for a beeping sound from the hit register to give you a clue on how far ahead to aim. With a pistol aim and spam bullets head level and slightly in front of where they're moving to and you'll get a headshot on them almost everytime along with an occasional cheating accusation. If they're standing still or running right toward you then aim dead on their face with a pistol.

  • 12.28.2005 11:49 AM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

the xbox 360 controller for windows works great i got it for christmas i would reccomend it for a pc controller

  • 12.28.2005 1:33 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Legendary Member

If you can consistently teamkill someone with a SMG or BR on Xbox then you'll do well playing Halo PC otherwise you're asking for a beating if you play with a controller.

  • 12.28.2005 1:49 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Since I'm using a Mac and no one makes a decent controller for them I guess I'm gonna have to get used to the keyboard and mouse.
Thanks for the advise, if this were zanzibar 4 out of 5 replys would have been flamers.

  • 12.28.2005 6:17 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hm...mac...I've heard very rare reports of mac gamers getting disadvantaged because of their one-button mice. But those are pretty rare and sporadic.

Anyways, latency compensation (AKA Lag and leading) is something you'll have to pick up on relatively quickly to get somewhere in the world of HaloPC. As mentioned, it consists of leading shots, aiming ahead of where you expect someone to be in order to nail a shot. I think those other posters got it pretty well covered...

If you use a controller with H1PC, you may be at a disadvantage. Depending on how adept you are with a controller, you may be able to hold you own if you're particularly used to a controller. If not, I recommend learning the mouse and keyboard. Sure, you don't have the ability to walk, but it hardly matters when a sniper's pinned you down. Of course, there is the inherent disadvantage of inaccuracy granted through the controller.

Matchmaking is nonexsistant, in PC, you pick your game from a list of avalible, privately hosted games through a Gamespy Lobby. You simply pick the game of your choosing.

Like any other online game, there are jerks running around. However, in H1PC, you can quit the game without fear of loss of rank. Also, if you happen to host a game, activating the built-in command console will allow you to kick and even ban that particular player from your game.

Modding, however, is completely and perfectly legal and accepted in the world of HaloPC. However, modding doesn't carry the negative connotation that it does in the world of H2Xbox. Reason being is because modding in PC applies to the maps themselves, in which something about the maps is changed. These "modded" maps are fair for all, in that if one player can, say, fly a tank (yes, FLY a TANK), then all players can fly tanks.

  • 12.28.2005 9:42 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Posted by: gibson_one
I'm tired of the Jerks, the cheaters/ modders and just the bad experience that halo 2 as become on Xbox live. I was just wondering what Halo was like online for computers - specificaly for the mac. The mac and PC version are the same? What is the experience like - ie jerks and cheaters? is there matchmaking or is it all hosts and custom games? If I decide to play with an Xbox style controller as apposed to a mouse and key board will I be at a huge dissadvantage? Judging by this forum the whole computer version of this seems to be more light hearted and fun, which to me is what a video game should be.
Thanks for any help.


You can't cheat on-line.

  • 12.30.2005 1:38 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

avoid the Bungie servers. The play experience you find there will not be any better than the XBLive world you wish to leave. Find servers that say "Active admin" in the name or "Cussing=banned" to better guarantee a fair, clean game. I reccomend becoming farmiliar with the keyboard (and this is a former console junkie speaking). The precision of a mouse is unparralelled when pitted against any controller. Wheen yourself of controllers quickly, or you won't have as much fun.

You can't cheat on-line.

There is, unfortunately, a lot of cheating online. Halo PC/Mac is no exception to hackers. A working Aimbot has infultrated the Halo PC universe, making halo just as cheat intensive as any other online game. Aside from that, there are many other hacks like wireframe and blue walls that allow people to gain advantage over you using cheap tricks instead of honest skill. Again, the best defense against these people is an admined server.

Aside from that, you will find new weapons, vehicles and maps as opposed to halo 1 Xbox, and a faster pace when playing against real people. And a note: halo Custom Edition (aka halo CE) is a halo PC only feature and not compatible to mac systems. All (well...the vast majority of) these custom maps people talk about are for halo CE and so not accessable to you.

When you do find a server you like, you will get your 20$s worth out of the game. Most people who still play Halo PC are adults (or at least mature) and not little foul-mouthed children who begged mom and dad for the latest greatest toy and now only find pleasure in it by creating havoc for others. We're skilled, motivated, cooridinated, and here for the love of a good game.

[Edited on 12/30/2005]

  • 12.30.2005 7:34 PM PDT