Exclusive: 343 Industries Unveils Jaw-Dropping Restored Halo 1 Content

343 Industries intends to restore a significant amount of content that was initially cut from the first installment of the Halo series, Halo: Combat Evolved. This restoration will be carried out in collaboration with a dedicated group of enthusiasts who are committed to preserving the essence of Halo: Combat Evolved.

Halo: Combat Evolved holds a special place in the hearts of gamers worldwide, as it narrates the tale of Master Chief, a formidable super-soldier, and his trusted AI companion, Cortana, as they combat the malevolent Covenant. Widely regarded as a groundbreaking game, Halo: Combat Evolved has left an indelible mark on the first-person shooter genre, earning immense admiration and recognition from numerous fans. Initially developed by Bungie in 2001, 343 Industries assumed control of the series in 2011 and subsequently included the game in the esteemed Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Halo: Combat Evolved enjoys such immense popularity among its fan base that it is not uncommon to find more enthusiasts engrossed in playing Halo: The Master Chief Collection rather than the franchise's newest game, Halo Infinite. However, what many fans are unaware of is the wealth of content that remained unrevealed in the first Halo game, leaving players yearning for more. Recognizing this, 343 Industries is now collaborating with Digsite, a dedicated team of modders, in a collective effort to restore the original Halo to its utmost potential. Digsite's objective encompasses unveiling a variety of multiplayer maps that were omitted from the PC version of the game during Gearbox Software's involvement. Among these maps, such as "Indoor," some were on the brink of completion, needing only a touch of refinement, while others, like "Dusk," demanded extensive work from Digsite to be brought to life.

Digsite is restoring the original RTS content from the early plan for Halo: Combat Evolved, including cut vehicles and enemy types. One particular noteworthy addition is the Macworld demo from 1999, which will be included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection. This demo will serve as a sandbox area for players to explore and enjoy.

The addition of cut content to an old game is a rare occurrence and marks a significant moment in game preservation history. Fans of the series will be delighted to see Halo: Combat Evolved rise even higher on their list of favorites. 343 Industries has also announced that Digsite will be diving into the archives of the series, revealing plenty more exciting content.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is now available on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Halo Waypoint