Master Chief Collection ODST Gift

It’s been nearly six months since Halo: The Master Chief Collection launched with numerous matchmaking problems across all multiplayer modes, and while things got better they still are not perfect. This week, developer 343 Industries released their latest Master Chief Collection patch, which, among other things, will do its best to squash those nagging matchmaking problems.

The patch itself, however, arrives flanked by good news, bringing with it the promise of exciting new features and add-ons for Halo: The Master Chief Collection owners. See, 343 Industries is almost ready to make good on their promise to reward Master Chief Collection owners’ patience with a few additional piece of content at no extra charge.

Those add-on pieces, for any who haven’t heard, include a remastered version of the Halo 3: ODST campaign as well as a revamped version of the classic Halo 2 map Relic. At the time Halo: The Master Chief Collection launched, 343 Industries presumably had these two pieces planned as paid DLC, but with all the problems the game experienced out of the gate, they decided to make those items free.

However, the free offerings came with one caveat: they was only free for those who purchased Halo: The Master Chief Collection and logged into the game before December 20th. Any players who purchased the Collection after that date are left wondering whether they might have a shot at the Halo 3: ODST remake and the Relic map.

"We’re excited about the progress of the Relic multiplayer map remake and the Campaign for Halo 3: ODST, both of which are on track to release within Halo: The Master Chief Collection next month with our next content update. Look for more details next month, including the final map name for the Relic remake, release date and more."

Unfortunately, 343 Industries’ latest blog entry does not mention whether or not more recent Halo: The Master Chief Collection patrons will be able to pick up the ODST campaign. We’d hope that there would be some way to pay for the DLC add-on, but it was offered as a goodwill gesture for early adopters.

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Had Halo: The Master Chief Collection launched without issue we might be looking at a big year for Microsoft in 2015. As it stands, the Xbox One manufacturer is still poised to make a killing thanks to the launch of Halo 5: Guardians, but some might argue that the appeal of said sequel may have diminished. Where enthusiasm for Master Chief’s exploits used to be at the highest peak among Xbox fans, Master Chief Collection’s matchmaking problems have tempered some of that enthusiasm.

Either way, 343 Industries is determined to make good on their promise to deliver a quality Collection and to reward those gamers who suffered through connection error after connection error. When they do announce an official release date for the Halo 3: ODST add-on, rest assured Game Rant will be sure to deliver the news.

Are you looking forward to the release of the Halo 3: ODST Remake campaign? How has The Master Chief Collection’s struggles changed your interest in the franchise?

Source: 343 Industries