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7/13/2012 7:52:41 AM
13
Halo 2 Vista still works on Windows 8!
Just wanted to throw this out there for anyone that's still interested in Halo 2 Vista. I finally got around to testing it today and in the latest version of Windows 8, Games For Windows Live finally works again which means Halo 2 Vista works as well. In previous releases of Windows 8, GFWL wouldn't work or install at all which means it was impossible to run Halo 2. But in the latest Release Preview of Windows 8, Halo 2 Vista works perfectly. Even Play 'N Tray still works.
Interestingly enough, I feel compatibility issues with Halo 2 Vista are gone in Windows 8. I recall people had numerous compatibility issues in Windows 7. For those of you who want to play Halo 2 but can't because of Windows 7, try a dual boot setup with Windows 8 and install Halo 2 on Windows 8. On my system, Halo 2 seemed to only work with Windows 7 using a clean install. An OEM installation of Windows 7 wouldn't work with Halo 2. Windows 8, being a clean install, works, but I don't know if OEM installations of Windows 8 in the future will make a difference.
What this also means is that once Windows 8 tablets (x86 tablets) come out, you'll be able to play Halo 2 on a tablet (not sure why you would). The higher-end Windows 8 tablets will have Intel Core i5's or higher and HD Graphics 4000. I know Intel HD Graphics is terrible compared to nVidia or AMD, but I think by HD Graphics has improved to the point where it can run Halo 2 Vista at playable framerates. Unfortunately Halo 2 is not optimized for touchscreens, but perhaps there are programs that give you a virtual gamepad (if there is one already please let me know) that will allow you to play Halo 2 on a touchscreen. I'm running the 64-bit edition of Windows 8 on an Alienware M14x (Core i7 2820QM and GeForce GT 555M).
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Dr Syx They're not worried one bit about that. They know for a fact that Microsoft doesn't get the PC gamer and that was made clear with their attempt at GFWL. I've seen absolutely nothing suggesting they're getting it right this time, either. If he is afraid that Microsoft's store will overcome Steam, it's not because he believes it'll be better. It'll be because of the limitations to third party applications and the fact that you'll have their app store on your PC by default. Microsoft has tried many times to take over the PC market and now, after failing so many times, they're trying to play dirty by making it hard for anyone else to compete with them. Instead of trying to do things right the honest way by making it a great service, they're going to attempt to break the legs of their opponents.[/quote] The App Store is necessary though if Microsoft expects Windows to be able to compete in the tablet market. And even if it's the default app store, it still doesn't prevent people from installing steam. I doubt consumer confusion will lead people to stop using Steam. I think anyone that uses Steam right now knows enough about game distribution marketplaces to install Steam on Windows 8 which is just as simple as ever. Only on Windows RT is Steam in its current form going to be incompatible. Valve only has to worry about Windows RT. That's the only Windows platform where they won't be able to provide Steam in its current form. They'll probably be limited to some kind of Steam app like on current smartphones and tablets. Also, the Windows App Store, in terms of gaming, is targeted more towards the casual tablet gamer with games like Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja. The Xbox Live launch games for Windows 8 are all casual touch friendly tablet games. I don't really think Xbox Live on Windows 8 is meant to directly compete with Steam. I think that's what Games For Windows Live is still for unless Microsoft ends the service and transfers all the games to Xbox Live on Windows 8.
