Halo 2 Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: What's the online community like these days?
  • Subject: What's the online community like these days?
Subject: What's the online community like these days?

Hey folks.
I've recently completed Halo 3. The feelings that ensued were bitter/sweet. I was over the moon to have unlocked that last achievement, but sad because I don't have any more Halo to play!
So I'm thinking of buying Halo 2 (I played the first years ago on PC and loved it).
My question is:

What's the online community like for players these days? I would like to play online a bit and do the online achievements, but is there any point if there's literally nobody in the lobbies. Halo 3 is like that right now. You have to arrange to boost on the forums and I'd prefer to avoid that.
I'd love it if someone coudl give me an indication of the number of people playing Halo 2 online.

Many thanks

  • 06.12.2012 9:09 AM PDT

@spawn031

"So much of what we do is ephemeral and quickly forgotten, even by ourselves, so it's gratifying to have something you have done linger in people's memories." John Williams

Playing Halo 2 online through Xbox Live is no longer possible. It was shut down over 2 years ago. However, there are online communities still arising, you just have to know where to look.

My suggestion, click through some of the users that post in this forum and look at their "private groups" section. Click through those groups and see which ones interest you. If none of those work, you have find online communities for all Halo games over on the official website at http://halo.xbox.com/

  • 06.12.2012 10:52 AM PDT
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Sometimes, I dream about cheese.

according to Dr Syx and a few others the population never exceeds 100 players, posting here would be more suitable for any questions regarding Halo 2 for Windows Vista

  • 06.13.2012 6:10 PM PDT

This is actually the stupidest thing ever posted on B.net:

Posted by: the omega man117
Why does everyone hate Halo 2? Maybe its because its the worst game ever next to mario.

I played Halo 2 Vista extensively from 2007-2010. Although I have not played in a very long time and have the game uninstalled, I can guarantee you that the player population for Halo 2 PC is extremely small (a lot smaller than Halo 3 Xbox).

All achievements for H2V/H2PC are still obtainable. There are 20 single player achievements (the hardest ones are beating the game on Legendary difficulty and acquiring the scarab gun on Metropolis).

There are 21 multiplayer achievements. The hardest ones are Rainman (play every available game variant, with at least 3 other players, to the end of each game) and Decorated Soldier (get awarded at least 8 different medals in one non-team game). All other multiplayer achievements are doable (like Killtacular and Running Riot) unless you are really bad at the game.

Hope I helped.

  • 06.13.2012 10:21 PM PDT


Posted by: path1k
according to Dr Syx and a few others the population never exceeds 100 players, posting here would be more suitable for any questions regarding Halo 2 for Windows Vista

This figure is more like 35-75 these days and has even dropped to 12 on more than one occasion.

  • 06.14.2012 8:06 AM PDT
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Sometimes, I dream about cheese.


Posted by: Wilis_kid
This figure is more like 35-75 these days and has even dropped to 12 on more than one occasion.
didn't Micro$oft once try to kill Halo 2 for Windows Vista? can't remember clearly but they wanted people to forget that game for some reason

  • 06.15.2012 12:11 AM PDT
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Posted by: path1k
didn't Micro$oft once try to kill Halo 2 for Windows Vista? can't remember clearly but they wanted people to forget that game for some reason
People here were making jokes about that. Probably heard it while they had the servers down for maintenance one time. :P

  • 06.15.2012 6:42 AM PDT

There are three things you must know:

1. Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE is dead. The shut down support for original games like a year ago

2. Halo 2 Vista is an option but the population of players is very, very, low. I'm taking like less than 60 people.

3. However there are people that play Halo 2 online on their consoles. It requires some software I think but somehow they trick their Xboxes into thinking that its in a LAN party.

  • 06.15.2012 5:38 PM PDT
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Sometimes, I dream about cheese.


Posted by: Spartan1995324
1. Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE is dead. The shut down support for original games like a year ago
2 years ago

  • 06.16.2012 1:24 AM PDT
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halo 2 still the best game in the series. long live halo 2.

Dam, I miss the old days playing halo 2 with my old brothers in arms. Thank you my old friends for giving me this account, I shall continue our legacy.


Posted by: Spartan1995324
There are three things you must know:

1. Halo 2 on Xbox LIVE is dead. The shut down support for original games like a year ago

2. Halo 2 Vista is an option but the population of players is very, very, low. I'm taking like less than 60 people.

3. However there are people that play Halo 2 online on their consoles. It requires some software I think but somehow they trick their Xboxes into thinking that its in a LAN party.


The software's are xlink kai and xbox connect, both are free to use. Some prefer one over the other, myself I enjoy using xlink kai.

  • 06.16.2012 7:19 AM PDT

"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First!" - The fighting first's motto.

Losing internet 9/7/2012 until i don't know when. See you starside folks.


Fada beo Halo 2!

There should be a fair population on vista, but xbox live for H2 has been shut down.

  • 06.16.2012 9:18 AM PDT
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Posted by: Chief077
There should be a fair population on vista.
If you count under 12 players in all at certain points of the day fair and a maximum of 30 as fair, I guess you're right.

OP, your best bet to play online with Halo 2 is either Xbox Connect or Xlink Kai. There's no other better solution. You could also join in on a game night with Grun7y one Wednesday through XBC.

[Edited on 06.16.2012 10:22 AM PDT]

  • 06.16.2012 10:19 AM PDT

"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great—Duty First!" - The fighting first's motto.

Losing internet 9/7/2012 until i don't know when. See you starside folks.


Fada beo Halo 2!


Posted by: Dr Syx

Posted by: Chief077
There should be a fair population on vista.
If you count under 12 players in all at certain points of the day fair and a maximum of 30 as fair, I guess you're right.

OP, your best bet to play online with Halo 2 is either Xbox Connect or Xlink Kai. There's no other better solution. You could also join in on a game night with Grun7y one Wednesday through XBC.


Well, i was pretty much guessing.

  • 06.16.2012 11:38 AM PDT

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Keep it authentic...


Posted by: a small geek
What's the online community like these days?
Terrible, people only play Snipers on Lockout for 8 straight hours over and over and over and over again.

  • 06.16.2012 12:53 PM PDT
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halo 2 still the best game in the series. long live halo 2.

Dam, I miss the old days playing halo 2 with my old brothers in arms. Thank you my old friends for giving me this account, I shall continue our legacy.


Posted by: gruntyII7

Posted by: a small geek
What's the online community like these days?
Terrible, people only play Snipers on Lockout for 8 straight hours over and over and over and over again.


Lol you think that's bad, try doing constant quick scoping matches on call of duty with friends all the time. You go crazy after a while and you"ll come to hate all snipers afterwards. Or play Jenga tower or Griffball all the time on Halo 3 and Reach. Those who are hosts will terrorize those of us who join them into playing the same gametype all the time, even if they are your friends.

  • 06.16.2012 9:22 PM PDT
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"A life lived for others is the only life worth living" - Albert Einstein

"I have your RCON right here." - Iggwilv

"Always my pleasure to be lazy." - InvasionImminent


Posted by: JB 199
Lol you think that's bad, try doing constant quick scoping matches on call of duty with friends all the time. You go crazy after a while and you"ll come to hate all snipers afterwards. Or play Jenga tower or Griffball all the time on Halo 3 and Reach. Those who are hosts will terrorize those of us who join them into playing the same gametype all the time, even if they are your friends.
At least that's not everyone and you have an alternative to it \o/

  • 06.17.2012 9:09 AM PDT