• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Free to Play Halo Online (Saber, H3 eng) announced, only for Russia [First Info]

SnakeSlashRO said:
Psh. Russia can keep it. Don't bring that nonsense here.

JUST FIX MCC FUCK.
Click to expand...

Does anybody take the time to read OPs when they enter threads?

343 isn't making this... completely different company. There is another large patch for MCC slated for April, not to mention it's been largely improved with the last big patch and is in a functioning state now.
 
This is so weird.

A new Halo not on Xbox One.
PC only.
And it's free.
Only for Russia?

That...wha? Uh...
I dont even...my brain cant make sense of this development.
 
Chemical Rampancy said:
You talking about destiny. A really good game?

Because they are self defined custodians of the halo series.
Click to expand...

We're obviously not going to agree on how good Destiny is. What I will say though, is that literally every complaint I have ever heard in regards to Halo 4's (or even Reach's) MP not only also applies to Destiny, but is massively amplified. If anything, contrasting Halo 5's beta with Destiny's crucible leaves me pretty glad that Bungie aren't handling it anymore.

And you said 343i have never made a game better than Ensemble (ignoring that they technically have only a single game that they've solely developed.. and that its an opinion with likely not a single metric actually in its favor). They're not making this one, so regardless of if they give it the OK or whatever, your comment was out of place.
 
Synth said:
We're obviously not going to agree on how good Destiny is. What I will say though, is that literally every complaint I have ever heard in regards to Halo 4's (or even Reach's) MP not only also applies to Destiny, but is massively amplified. If anything, contrasting Halo 5's beta with Destiny's crucible leaves me pretty glad that Bungie aren't handling it anymore.
Click to expand...
Yes, Destiny's not a good game, but of it's myriad problems, the shooting isn't one of them.
 
This is like if Nintendo released Pokemon ranger or something in South America only.

Like hey I was never going to play it anyway, but it's still completely bizarre.
 
uhh
vdOJ6qn.gif
 
They're just... They're so close, but they keep fucking it up.

Hey, can we have Halo on PC?
"Oh, ok. Well here, have Spartan Assualt!"
Eh, okay... But you know what we really meant.
"Right! Of course... um... uh... Have a sequel!"
No no no, REAL Halo. The FPS. How 'bout hooking us up with that MCC?
"Oh, we totally get you now! Here have a Halo FPS! And it's F2P!"
Cool! Now we're getting somewhere, Thanks for paying atten-
"Only for Russia."
...

Baby steps I guess.
 
DillonMabry said:
They're just... They're so close, but they keep fucking it up.

Hey, can we have Halo on PC?
"Oh, ok. Well here, have Spartan Assualt!"
Eh, okay... But you know what we really meant.
"Right! Of course... um... uh... Have a sequel!"
No no no, REAL Halo. The FPS. How 'bout hooking us up with that MCC?
"Oh, we totally get you now! Here have a Halo FPS! And it's F2P!"
Cool! Now we're getting somewhere, Thanks for paying atten-
"Only for Russia."
...

Baby steps I guess.
Click to expand...

If the game is somewhat popular in Russia (good reception and player retention) MS could release it in other regions.
 
Wask said:
Yes, Destiny's not a good game, but of it's myriad problems, the shooting isn't one of them.
Click to expand...

You could very easily say the same about Halo 4. Pointing and shooting is something neither team really made any missteps with. But gameplay mechanics built around it? Different matter entirely.
 
I think they are testing and releasing the game in Russia only for now. Once Halo 5 comes out for the Xbox One, they might release it in the US a few months later.
 
AcePartyN7 said:
No but really wtf!
I can understand a Halo game F2P why not, 343i can try even different things like RPG or MMO whatever but really an FPS Halo shooter F2P only for Russia…
Wow I like 343i but this… how to reduce the hype of a franchise already bad. I mean common it’s Halo, it’s like they need to sell it everywhere to survive, I want my glorious Master chief time back!
Common 343i I still trust in you!

Wait maybe it's an april fool? :D
Click to expand...

You do realize companies do this in these markets because these are the games that are big over there right? Same reason China(?) got Call of Duty Online and we did not. It's all about demographics and markets.
 
Pretty sure that this is being released as F2P in Russia and Russia only specifically because they knew we'd flip our shit over F2P.

I'd pay a decent price for the game so long as it wasn't F2P. If it's based on Halo 3 it can't be the worst thing ever made.
 
While the idea of a F2P Halo doesn't really excite me, it's not a big deal given the likes of Call of Duty: Online in China. There's a market for this and it's fine for 343i to explore that.
 
that's like when DOA2 Ultimate (originally released on the OG Xbox) came out as a free to play PC game in Russia only. Eventually the servers were hacked to allow world wide players (which is still working to this day)
 
texhnolyze said:
Western people don't like micro-transactions as in LoL?
Western people don't like grinding as in Destiny?
Click to expand...

Western people don't realize Russia is more receptive to F2P than Western people?
Western people don't realize that F2P is huge in Russia, so it's one of the more likely places to go to first?
 
The F2P but russia only is the biggest point of confusion to me. I would think they would instantly throw something like this at china as well. Like we saw with COD and Counter Strike.
 
I am going to try and play this, even though I live in California. Too bad it is on the worst Halo engine.

Microsoft is making some really weird decisions with Halo.

I wonder if people in Crimea will be able to play this game, or is Microsoft taking a political stand and considering them still a part of Ukraine.
 
texhnolyze said:
Western people don't like micro-transactions as in LoL?
Western people don't like grinding as in Destiny?
Click to expand...

Why didn't CoD Online launch here? Why didn't other similar games?

That region (and China) are less likely to buy console games and more likely to play in cafes, or enjoy the ftp model. Thus it makes more sense releasing in markets where you have a much higher chance at success. Sure, some here in the states would play, but enough that it's worth the money to launch here and support?
 
Welfare said:
Western people don't realize Russia is more receptive to F2P than Western people?
Western people don't realize that F2P is huge in Russia, so it's one of the more likely places to go to first?
Click to expand...

Deadly Cyclone said:
Why didn't CoD Online launch here? Why didn't other similar games?

That region (and China) are less likely to buy console games and more likely to play in cafes, or enjoy the ftp model. Thus it makes more sense releasing in markets where you have a much higher chance at success. Sure, some here in the states would play, but enough that it's worth the money to launch here and support?
Click to expand...

I thought LoL and Dota 2 is enough proof that F2P is a viable model for the West. Just look at Twitch most viewed games, 4 out of top 5 are F2P games.
 
texhnolyze said:
I thought LoL and Dota 2 is enough proof that F2P is a viable model for the West. Just look at Twitch most viewed games, 4 out of top 5 are F2P games.
Click to expand...

The market's are still different regardless. That doesn't necessarily have to mean that we're less receptive to F2P... rather we're more receptive to a full price packaged version of the game. Maybe releasing a competent F2P version of Halo for PC over here would heavily cannibalise the already paying audience, with not enough of those being whales to make all for all those that used to put down $60, but are now just playing it for free. In a market where those packaged sales are practically non-existent, releasing the F2P version makes a lot more sense.

EDIT: Goddamnit... I need to start using less words.
 
texhnolyze said:
I thought LoL and Dota 2 is enough proof that F2P is a viable model for the West. Just look at Twitch most viewed games, 4 out of top 5 are F2P games.
Click to expand...

There aren't many Xbox One's in Russia (as stated by Stinkles) and Russia is a big place for the F2P market. They play more F2P than consoles.

The West already own a large amount of Xbox One's will be be picking up Halo 5.

It just makes more sense to launch in Russia first than in multiple territories first.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Why do 'free to play' multiplayer games also not cost an online sub? Why do others charge $40-$60 and ask for another $20+ or so online subscription.
2
55
610
Melfice7 replied
Sony and Honda have announced the first car to offer PlayStation Remote Play
41
413
DeepEnigma replied
Halo: Campaign Evolved announced for Xbox/PC/PS5 in 2026 - 2 player splitscreen or 4 player online co-op with crossplay
9 10 11 12 13
634
6K
the_master replied
Project Windless Announced | State of Play 2026
News  2
88
404
NeoIkaruGAF replied
Halo reportedly being announced for PS5 this Friday |OT|
Rumor  5 6 7 8 9
448
2K
Arcane0ne replied
Top Bottom