Halo E3 2003 Preshow Report

Microsoft will have the PC version of Halo at its games booth at this year's E3 in Los Angeles. Halo was originally developed by PC and Mac game developer Bungie for home computers, but the company was acquired by Microsoft, and the game became an exclusive Xbox launch title.

Halo tells the story of the Master Chief, a powerful and highly skilled futuristic warrior removed from cryogenic storage to fight off an army of aliens known as the Covenant on the ring-shaped world of Halo. Master Chief will be proficient with many different firearms, and while he will be able to carry only two at a time, he will also be able to sneak up on his enemies and dispatch them from behind by striking them with the butt of his weapon. Over the course of the game, you'll be able to use many different firearms, including pistols, rocket launchers, and sniper rifles, and you'll also be able to take control of different vehicles, such as buggies and armored tanks. You'll do all your fighting, sneaking, and driving in various indoor and outdoor environments while completing a dynamic series of objectives that will constantly update as you complete each one.

The PC version of Halo is being ported by Gearbox Software, a developer whose previous projects include a port of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 to the PC, as well as two expansion packs for the 1998 shooter Half-Life. The PC version of the game will let you play at graphical resolutions of up to 1600x1200, and it will also feature support for Dolby 5.1 surround sound and online multiplayer. You'll be able to compete online against other players in standard deathmatch modes, as well as in other modes, such as king of the hill, oddball, and race. Halo for PC is scheduled for release this summer.