Looks like Halo will be getting an official fix for the GameSpy shutdown and a few other maintenance fixes:
- permit resolutions up 4800x3600
- enable active camo on Nvidia (it will render like other cards now instead of just alpha blending)
- fixed video memory value to support 2GB cards
- fixed handling of periods in map names
- network access is enabled in devmode
- sv_ban_penalty in init.txt works to set new values
- models node limit raised to 63
- ignores checksum of strings.dll
- various overflow, validation and other code fixes
Some back story on the upcoming patch:As I explained before, GameSpy is shutting down on May 31, 2014. That would mean the end of the Internet Lobby in the game, which would have a huge impact on Halo multiplayer.
I have fantastic news! It will get fixed!! You'll need to update your Halo install, but then the Lobby will work just as it always has! (Details on how to update will follow in another post when the update is ready.)
A small group has been quietly preparing for the shutdown of the GameSpy Master Server (which provides the list of Halo servers) and they are finally ready to discuss their work. The group consists of Roger Wolfson aka Sawnose (of Bungie), Btcc22 (of HAC2), Kornman00 (of OpenSauce) and myself, Technut (of PÕQ Clan).
As a result of their work, especially Btcc22 and Roger, Bungie will be releasing version 1.0.10 of Halo PC and Halo CE soon, which will include the fix for the Lobby!
When I first heard that GameSpy was shutting down I contacted Roger at Bungie. We had corresponded before and he has always been very responsive to any issues that threatened Halo online play (his previous patches have resolved many problems). Kornman00 had also contacted Roger and the three of us started discussing what, if anything, could be done. Roger could make any changes required to the Halo client and server but we'd need a new Master Server to replace the GameSpy one.
Fortunately I knew of a couple of community members who had started work in that direction. Btcc22 and sehé°° (of SAPP) were planning to create a Master Server and unofficial patches, and Btcc22 had already made some progress on the Master Server.
I contacted Btcc22 and he agreed to share his work on the Master Server with us. It was a good fit. Btcc22 would provide the Master Server code and Bungie would host the Master Server on behalf of the community.
Btcc22 has since put many hours into completing the Master Server component and Roger has likewise put a lot of hours into preparing for the Master Server and updating the Halo client and server components (even incorporating some other fixes and suggestions from the rest of us).
Now, approximately 1 month later, we are all on the verge of receiving an official patch from Bungie which will extend the life of Halo multiplayer beyond the end of GameSpy and hopefully well into the future!