“Microsoft has announced that the PC version of Halo 2 will only work on the new version of Windows called Vista,” BBC News reports “The decision could make it expensive for many to play the game if they have to buy the new version of Windows and extra hardware for their PC. The decision to make only a Vista version of the best-selling Halo 2 game could significantly stunt the games appeal.
“The Vista edition of Halo 2 will offer single and multi-player versions of the game, extra maps from add-on packs as well as software tools to create new places to play,” The Beeb reports. “To date Microsoft has sold more than 14.5 million copies of the Halo games.”
Full article here.
This is obviously not really purely Mac-related, except that tens of millions will someday be faced with having to buy a new personal computer if they want to run Microsoft’s Windows Vista itself (if it’s ever released). Hopefully, instead, computer buyers will consider a powerful, secure, fun, iLife-running Apple Mac OS X machine instead of Microsoft’s usual late, poor copy. They’d save $50 per year in Microsoft protection money as a bonus. Attendees of Macworld Expo NYC 1999 will remember Bungie showing the world “Halo” (promised for the Mac) in a preview movie during Steve Jobs’ keynote presentation. We applauded wildly. Shortly thereafter, Bungie was acquired by Microsoft Corp. and “Halo” was consigned to Microsoft’s Xbox. The Mac version of “Halo” wasn’t released until late 2003 (by MacSoft, a few weeks after the Windows version).
Advertisements:
• MacBook Pro. The first Mac notebook built upon Intel Core Duo with iLife ’06, Front Row and built-in iSight. Starting at $1999. Free shipping.
• iMac. Twice as amazing — Intel Core Duo, iLife ’06, Front Row media experience, Apple Remote, built-in iSight. Starting at $1299. Free shipping.
• iMac and MacBook Pro owners: Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using dial-up service. Only $49.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
If you want to run Halo 2, you’ll either have to buy Vista, or buy an X-Box.
If you want to run iLife, you have to buy a Mac.
This is just business…
If Vista were that worthwhile an upgrade, why does Microsoft need to “force” some people to buy it? I’m guessing they are in panic mode trying to find ways to stop the bleeding that has already begun. Maybe they should bundle the game with a purchase of Vista as an incentive. No, that would be too much like actual thinking and positive marketing rather than backing the customer into a corner.
well I think it’s just the same thing on the Mac .. some apps take advantage of CoreImage etc only available on Tiger, so that could be the same thing
I don’t know about others but I spell M$ : GREED!
So THIS is why AAPL stock is plummeting…
hrmph.
Geez, just buy either a Xbox 360 or PS3 (when it becomes available) if you want to play games people.
And the impact of this on Apple is what exactly?
You mean they aren’t going to require OS X?
What’s the big deal? There’s plenty of software that requires Tiger now. There’s a big difference between XP and Vist in terms of graphics rendering. And Microsoft made the right choice. Support the hottest technology to make the game the best they can.
And there is no doubt going to be a Mac version of the game. The previous version was a smashing success on the Mac. So it will be out for OS X as well. You can bank on that.
If you can’t scare your customers into buying Vista because it is suppose to be “more secure”, bribe them with Halo 2.
The old “karrot and stick” method.
Vista delayed again and again. Will require major hardware upgrades. Halo 2 for Vista only. The list will continue.
It’s happening, people. Microsoft has stepped back and are now facing the future with a truly mature OS, written from the ground up, based on Linux technologies, with NO LEGACY SUPPORT!
Get ready for Vista!
The big question is, will MacSoft get a license to port it to Mac OS X? If it does get ported, that would be great. People who want to play Halo 2 on a computer would have the choice to upgrade to a Mac instead of a new PC with Vista.
The impact it has on Apple is that anyone on the internet Googleing this situation might come across this site and be swayed to consider a Mac.
Buy an Xbox if you want to play the game. Or, better yet, wait and buy a PS3; it will be ten times better than the Xbox. Anyone who buys a computer these days to play video games is an idiot.
So, Microsoft has its own halo effect! I get it!
I thought the whole idea of making the Xbox was so that they could lock game manufacturers into using crappy technologies like DirectX, which runs natively on Windows?
Now the other shoe drops: DirectX is so slow that you have to have state-of-the-art hardware to run Halo 2, which will have been running on the Xbox for well over a year once Microsoft finally gets off their fat asses and releases Vista.
If you buy a Mactel you have to buy all new versions of pro software.
I like paying Apple $386 per year just to keep my software current:
$129 each year for Puma, Jaguar, Panther, Tiger
99 each year for .Mac
79 each year for iLife, iLife’05, iLife’06
79 each year for iWork, iWork’06
———————————————–
$386 each year
How about the $350 price tag that Apple charges to extend basic 1-year hardware warrany for 2 more years on a 12-inch PowerBook that cost $1,499? Does that seem reasonable?
Nice Advertisement MDN… i didn’t realize you guys were apart of Apple’s advertising department. So was that really YOUR take on the article or was it Apple’s… I couldn’t tell because you guys have your heads soo far up their asses.
FSCKING MICROSOFT BA$TERDS
Oh, did they also tell folks it will be a additional $49.95 year for their anti-malware?
Hasn’t anyone noticed MS using a GAME to drive Vista sales?
I thought PCs were supposed to be all business (Macs being toys and all that).
Where’s the forced upgrade to Office Vista?
Ampar,
“So, Microsoft has its own halo effect! I get it!”
Yup. Since MS doesn’t have an answer to the iPod, they have to make do.
I cant wait until Vista comes out. Hopefully its this year.
Once its out and everyone will have to upgrade their everyhting, THIS is when Apple should make its biggest strike; turning some of those upgraders, into switchers, and moving them to something truly worthwhile- the Mac and OS X. Let’s all hope they get some damn commercials out there!!!
To tell you the truth, I was expecting a super bowl ad- kinda like a re-done version of the 1984 ad, only “Big Brother” is M$, drones are PC users, the drawl coming from BB is talking about Vista, and then have the woman run up in an AppleT-shirt and smash the screen. The voiceover could be tlaking about april first and something happening. It would be pretty neat, maybe announce an amazing new Mac to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
Put an ad like that out and people will start talking just like they did over 20 years ago
“I was expecting a super bowl ad- kinda like a re-done version of the 1984 ad, only “Big Brother” is M$”
It wouldn’t take much editing to make “Big Brother” look like Bill Gates.
Now if there only was a way to slip Ballmer in. Maybe he could be one of the guards, frantically monkey-dancing & trying to catch Apple.
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” />
How to get Ballmer in the remake of the 1984 ad? That’s easy – instead of a hammer, he throws a chair!!!