MacSoft has released an updated version of their Universal binary rewrite of Halo: Combat Evolved, the popular first person shooter originally developed by Bungie Studios. A Halo 2.0.1 patch is available for download; please be advised you need the Halo Universal binary version in order to install this patch.
In August, 2006 MacSoft published a Universal binary upgrade to Halo, offering it for a $5 upgrade fee for existing users. The new 2.0 release is a complete rewrite of the original game that runs. Forked from foonull/Halo-UB-Patch. Halo Universal Binary Patch for Mavericks (10.9) C.
Halo tells the story of Master Chief, a human soldier in outer space who finds a ringworld to square off against an onslaught of The Convenant, a xenophobic alien civilization bent on humanity’s annihilation. The game was a source of frustration for Mac gamers for years as it was originally intended as a Mac and PC release but ended up as an Xbox exclusive after Bungie Software was acquired by Microsoft.
MacSoft was responsible for developing the Macintosh version of Halo, which shipped within a few weeks of its PC counterpart in late 2004. In August, 2006 MacSoft published a Universal binary upgrade to Halo, offering it for a $5 upgrade fee for existing users. The new 2.0 release is a complete rewrite of the original game that runs natively on Intel-based Macs.
Although MacSoft emphasized that the new Universal binary release should only be used by Intel Macs, some PowerPC-based Mac owners bought it and downloaded it, then discovered the software actually slowed down performance on their systems. MacSoft has adjusted that problem; overall performance on PowerPC has been improved by up to 35 percent depending on the graphics configuration. What’s more, MacSoft has found some optimizations for Intel-based Macs as well — performance has improved up to 25 percent in the new update.
Cinematic full-screen effects run faster, and performance has been improved when “Lens Flare” is set to High or Extreme. Intermittent flashlight and vehicle headlight problems have been fixed for all configurations, and rendering has improved on Macs that use Intel integrated video. A hanging bug has also been fixed when editing the multiplayer game type.
The Halo Universal binary is available for a $5 purchase and download. Users who bought the game after January, 2006 are entitled to a free update.
Halo Universal Binary Download
Halo Universal Binary
To the joy of the many fans of this game, Halo is now universal binary!
The bad news is that the update costs 5 $, while Unreal Tournement 2004 and others have been freely patched to UB.
I think, anyway, that everyone will pay these 5 dollars for the update of best 1st-person-shooter ever.
Download it from here
Taken from Destineers/MacsoftGames website:
IMPORTANT
Halo owners who have not upgraded to an Intel-based Mac do not need to upgrade their version of Halo. They will still be able to play network games against owners of the Universal and PC versions.
Creating the Universal Application required extensive rewriting of the Halo code. As a result, MacSoft cannot release the Universal Application as a small, downloadable update. Owners of the original Mac version of Halo have 2 options for acquiring the Universal Application.
1. MacSoft will send out a new Halo disc to owners of the original version of Halo. To receive a new disc, you can send MacSoft a photocopy of your Halo registration code number, along with your return address and $9.95(US) for shipping and handling. A new disc will be mailed to you.
Also, for anyone who purchased the non-Universal version of Halo for Mac after January 1, 2006, MacSoft will waive the shipping charges. Just send your request along with your registration code, your return address, and your original, dated sales receipt.
Send your request to:
MacSoft
13755 1st Ave N, Suite 500
Plymouth, MN 55441
ATTN: Halo UB
2. For users who would prefer to download the new version, it will be available at the MacGameStore. Again, owners of the original version will have to supply their registration number. Charge for the download is $ 5.00(US).
Halo Universal Binary Converter
iMac Core Duo 20', Mac OS X (10.4.6), 2 Gb RAM, ATI X1600 256 Mb, Bluetooth MM & keyboard, Bluetooth Canon iP6220D
Posted on Aug 18, 2006 11:26 AM