If you're wanting to mud off that authentic Xbox and play Halo 2 however want you would hop on the servers such as you did within the late 2000s, effectively, now you may, thanks to a bunch of devoted followers.
Those followers are behind the undertaking Insignia, a free, unofficial authentic Xbox Live alternative that’s devoted to reviving the net multiplayer element for the Original Xbox game console. The official Insignia X/Twitter account posted this week that it was launching a Public Beta to revive the Halo 2 servers at present.
Halo 2 will launch on Insignia in Public Beta on March fifteenth at 20:00 GMT (16:00 EST, 13:00 PST) with the next 10 multiplayer playlists. Please guarantee your console is setup, and also you've signed up on your Gamertag. See you quickly! 😀 pic.twitter.com/YeHLnNrqxh
— Insignia (@Insignia_Live) March 14, 2024
The public beta will embody ten multiplayer matchmaking playlists, which you’ll be able to try under:
- Rumble Pit
- Double Team
- Team Slayer
- Team Skirmish
- Team Training
- Team Snipers
- Team Hardcore
- Team Swat
- Big Team Battle
- H2 Challenge
The announcement even caught the eye of Max Hoberman, a former worker at Bungie who designed many multiplayer options in Halo 2 and Halo 3. "For all aspiring time travelers! Very cool. I'm curious how much functionality they'll be able to replicate," Hoberman wrote on X/Twitter. "If they can reach feature parity in places, I wonder if they might enhance or add features in line with my original design specs…"
Later this 12 months marks the 20th anniversary of Halo 2, a game that was undoubtedly top-of-the-line titles launched in the course of the authentic Xbox period – and probably the most influential video games within the historical past of the trade. Particularly, Halo 2's on-line element surged in recognition, making it, as some would describe it, together with my colleague Ryan McCaffrey, a "killer app" for the unique Xbox Live service.
After Microsoft pulled the plug on the original Xbox Live servers nearly 14 years ago, many wanting to play Halo 2's multiplayer have been turning to the compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection to relive the glory days of the 2004 shooter's multiplayer. But for those who're a type of individuals wanting to return to these instances and also you occur to have a tool that makes it simple to play the system on a contemporary TV (e.g., EON XBHD), Insignia's newest server undertaking may strike your fancy.
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You can comply with her on Twitter @TayNixster.