Halo 3: ODST will release on PC next week, updates in tow

The Halo community appears alive and well despite the recent announcement of the delay of Halo: Infinite into 2021. However, it seems Microsoft is doing its best to keep the Halo brand top of mind with its consistent updates to the Halo: The Master Chief Collection, some seeing the light of day on PC for the first time. The latest game to join the ranks is a blast from the 2009 past, that being Halo 3: ODST. It will release on PC via TMCC come September 22.

One of the standout features of Halo 3: ODST — often referred to as just ODST — was the inclusion of Firefight mode. This allows up to four players to connect and collaborate to fend off waves of Covenant oppressors. Early on, it seemed like the mode wouldn’t make the leap to PC. However, the latest update from 343i indicates that this is very much a part of the September 22 release of the game, alongside the remastered campaign and PC functionality.

Halo 3 joined TMCC back on July 14. And, if you take a look at the Steam player count for the TMCC during this time, the uptick in player count in the month of July can likely be attributed to the introduction of Halo 3. Looking at the player count, with each new game that joins the Steam library, it seems the effort is to rebound the average player count numbers that hit its peak in December of 2019. There’s no doubt that the Firefight mode in Halo 3: ODST (alongside the campaign) might bolster the number of concurrent players. This should assist with matchmaking, especially if that means a bigger pool of players to contribute to your four-person team.

Joining and improving matches

Outside ODST, the team at 343i will put out a new update for Halo 3. These were fixes already implemented on September 8 during the test phase for ODST. Here are some of the biggest fixes:

• Detached turrets using lowered crosshair on PC while set to centered
• AA Wraith spawning upside down in “Lost Platoon”
• Players unable to use Health Packs
• Suicide Grunts not appearing to have Plasma Grenades in their hands in Firefight

Halo 3: ODST comes to Steam on September 22 as part of the Halo: The Master Chief Collection.