What's that you say? You'd like to play Halo 2 on your PC, but you don't have/want Windows Vista? You're in luck then, as Falling Leaf Systems has announced plans to release software that will allow Windows XP users to play Halo 2. Not only that, the company is developing similar software for Shadowrun. To inspire XP users to take the plunge, Falling Leaf is promising a free copy of the compatibility software to those who order either game through their site. Falling Leaf CEO Brian Thomason concludes the press release with some fighting words: "First they claim that it was impossible to implement DirectX 10 compatibility atop Windows XP, and now they also want us to believe that they couldn't successfully launch two DirectX 9 based titles on XP either. We plan to expose both theories as patently false."
Assuming this software works as advertised, would you change your mind about picking up either title?
[Via HBO]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-11-2007 @ 3:42PM
Sean said...
surely something like this will have performance issues. It's like running a game in Parallels desktop emulation...
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6-11-2007 @ 3:43PM
Tarl said...
Interesting claims. I kinda hope that they can accomplish it myself. But as for this swaying my decision to play on a pc, not likely. I'll stick with my box.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:01PM
agent lead said...
um...yes it would sway my decision...
ill pick it up instantly if this happens..halo is much better with m/kb imo.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:06PM
Gronar said...
This will run fine until MS sends out an XP service pack/patch. No more Halo2 without Vista after that.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:19PM
DjDATZ said...
Yes...it would completely change my decision.
But i agree 100% with gronar.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:25PM
Justin U said...
Eh.
Can already play both on 360. Why care?
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6-11-2007 @ 4:27PM
Project Ekim said...
listen i have vista with dx10 and a very high nivida graphics card and like 512mb devoted to video and this game still runs shuttery with frame rate issues i highly doubt this will work. Ill just stick to my console.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:28PM
mat parker said...
can you say lawsuit?
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6-11-2007 @ 4:42PM
Iced_Eagle said...
Then Microsoft could just release an update over Live and totally screw them over.
Not worth it.
I'm already getting Shadowrun and Halo2 soon for Vista... I think the OS is worth it anyways. They're just trying to hold onto some nostalgic factor.
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6-11-2007 @ 4:55PM
Spine said...
I would want to play the PC version to gain the achievements for it. I would be fearful of getting my account banned for using mod/emulator to play it though. After is been running for a while with no problems then i'll try it.
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6-11-2007 @ 5:05PM
ericdrum said...
Microsoft never said it "can't be done". They said it "won't be done". Of course DX10 and the 'Games for Windows' functionality could work on XP, MS just isn't going to do it.
BTW, I happen to really like Vista, but it does suck that they aren't going to spend the time and get the stuff all working in XP. It hurts the games sales and I happen to love Shadowrun. I want to see that game everywhere.
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6-11-2007 @ 6:03PM
puhssy liquors said...
If this happens, instantly going to torrentz.com to download it.
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6-11-2007 @ 8:39PM
ridestowe said...
yeah i got vista, more-or-less to paly these games and future ones. i have to say, i have an x1950 and 1g of ram ontop of a dual-core 3.2ghz processor and halo 2 at MEDIUM settings runs shuttery and not at all like it would have had it been on XP. when ppl say you need 2gb of ram to successfully run Vista, they mean it. i have to buy another gig now, i dont understand what takes up so much god damn memory and why XP didnt but i wish i could disable whatever it was, b/c i really didnt have any problems with Xp at all. I regret ever going over to vista, even WoW runs shittier on it.
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6-11-2007 @ 9:17PM
ZeroCorpse said...
Umm... Why would I get it for Winblows when I have an XBox 360?
I'll leave my computer for doing work and play games on my 360, like most grown-ups who don't want to waste a paycheck on a new video card every six weeks.
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6-11-2007 @ 9:37PM
savvydoc said...
Friggin retarded how these werent xp compatible in the first place.
Go falling leaf!
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6-11-2007 @ 9:43PM
savvydoc said...
ZeroCorpse...
STFU.
Just because a new card is released every 6 weeks doesnt mean you have to buy it.
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6-11-2007 @ 10:26PM
YoRone22 said...
ZeroCorpse, you do know that what OS the 360 uses right? "Winblows."
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6-11-2007 @ 10:40PM
Outinthedark said...
I don't ever run XP in any kind of skinned mode xp or not...I rock out 2000...! In best performance...screw all the other stuff...if I had Vista I'd do the same...
But yea it should be released for XP as right now Vista is way out of reach for myself as every piece of software I own runs fine on XP...
And yea why would you run Vista with anything less than 2 gigs...memory is cheap as hell max it out...!
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6-12-2007 @ 12:46AM
enzogt14 said...
mat parker- "Lawsuit?"
If that's the case they would have sued Parallels and VMware a long time ago.
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6-12-2007 @ 8:57AM
Michael Paul said...
"Can't" implement DX10 under XP is more likely "Content will be stolen under XP whereas under Vista our Media Partners will be assured nobody will be able to save anything for future viewing, so we choose not to do it."
I'm still looking for a decent video capture solution that works under Vista since drivers for both brands of PCI cards I own are mysteriously discontinued...
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