Play Halo 2 Vista ... on Windows XP
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Jun 11th 2007 at 3:30PM }
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]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sean @ Jun 11th 2007 3:42PM
surely something like this will have performance issues. It's like running a game in Parallels desktop emulation...
Tarl @ Jun 11th 2007 3:43PM
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.
agent lead @ Jun 11th 2007 4:01PM
um...yes it would sway my decision...
ill pick it up instantly if this happens..halo is much better with m/kb imo.
Gronar @ Jun 11th 2007 4:06PM
This will run fine until MS sends out an XP service pack/patch. No more Halo2 without Vista after that.
DjDATZ @ Jun 11th 2007 4:19PM
Yes...it would completely change my decision.
But i agree 100% with gronar.
Justin U @ Jun 11th 2007 4:25PM
Eh.
Can already play both on 360. Why care?
Project Ekim @ Jun 11th 2007 4:27PM
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.
mat parker @ Jun 11th 2007 4:28PM
can you say lawsuit?
Iced_Eagle @ Jun 11th 2007 4:42PM
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.
Spine @ Jun 11th 2007 4:55PM
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.
ericdrum @ Jun 11th 2007 5:05PM
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.
puhssy liquors @ Jun 11th 2007 6:03PM
If this happens, instantly going to torrentz.com to download it.
ridestowe @ Jun 11th 2007 8:39PM
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.
ZeroCorpse @ Jun 11th 2007 9:17PM
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.
savvydoc @ Jun 11th 2007 9:37PM
Friggin retarded how these werent xp compatible in the first place.
Go falling leaf!
savvydoc @ Jun 11th 2007 9:43PM
ZeroCorpse...
STFU.
Just because a new card is released every 6 weeks doesnt mean you have to buy it.
YoRone22 @ Jun 11th 2007 10:26PM
ZeroCorpse, you do know that what OS the 360 uses right? "Winblows."
Outinthedark @ Jun 11th 2007 10:40PM
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...!
enzogt14 @ Jun 12th 2007 12:46AM
mat parker- "Lawsuit?"
If that's the case they would have sued Parallels and VMware a long time ago.
Michael Paul @ Jun 12th 2007 8:57AM
"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...
xenocidic @ Jun 12th 2007 9:44AM
glad they someone is out there fighting for justice and the xp way.
M$ wants to force everyone onto Vista
-♠- @ Jul 22nd 2007 10:52PM
http://www.petitiononline.com/H2XP2000/petition.html
These guys are trying to do a petition to get Microsoft to come out with Halo2 for XP/2000.
(Its not going to work XD.)
Shane @ Jun 27th 2007 7:38PM
Recently, someone hacked Vista only Halo2 to run on Windows XP. The patch is called Wowloader:
http://thinkabdul.com/2007/06/27/download-wowloader-03-free-patch-to-play-windows-vista-only-game-halo-2-on-windows-xp-sp2/
[Atelophobia] @ Jul 8th 2007 2:58PM
I'm fucked on this one. I'd love to get the software and play H2 on XP, since I'm out of range for broadband and can't play it on Live, which is the only reason I'd buy it to begin with. So the fact that even with the software it wouldn't last long or work so great is a real killjoy for me. But assuming I could get the software and game and MicroSoft wouldn't be able to fuck it up, I'd definitely get both ASAP.
gadget3000 @ Aug 3rd 2007 6:30AM
Try this patch, it installs everything for you. In answer to whether or not it is slower: it is for about the first 5 seconds of play. http://rapidshare.com/files/46700545/halo2xp_v0.3.zip
spenellione @ Aug 5th 2007 5:16AM
The most wealthy philanthropist in the world who wants to make every one healthy is still manufacturing for the world of planned redundancy, who is in charge of Microsoft's policies? No one can make me well but letting me play Halo 2 on my WinXP would make me a bit happier.
Cheers Bill.