Why You Can Trust CNET Halo: The Master Chief Collection runs into matchmaking glitch
The suite of past Halo games for the Xbox One is now available through Microsoft and other retailers for $60. However, a problem with matchmaking has put a damper on its first day.
Xbox One owners can now can get their fill of interstellar warfare via Halo: The Master Chief Collection. But not all has gone smoothly on its first day out.
Released Tuesday, Halo: The Master Chief Collection combines a remastered Halo 2: Anniversary, along with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 4, the new Halo: Nightfall, and access to the beta for Halo 5: Guardians. Selling for $60, the collection is available through Microsoft and other retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop.
The Halo series is one of the most popular franchises in the video game world. Bundling the entire storyline in one package is a smart way for Microsoft to try to bump up game sales and potentially lure new buyers to the Xbox One. But the game has gotten off to a rough start in its first day.
Players have reported trouble with matchmaking. Specifically, people seeking for others to play with have been unable to find anyone. Microsoft is aware of the problem and has been working on a fix, as noted early Tuesday on the company's Xbox Live status page:
Xbox members, are you having a tough time matchmaking in Halo: The Master Chief Collection? As you read this message, we're working with our external partner to correct this issue right away. We appreciate your patience in the meantime! We'll update you again when we have more information.
Matchmaking is a critical part of Halo gameplay as it allows you to join a multiplayer game. Halo developer 343 Industries has also noted the issue, according to Gamespot.
In a tweet, 343 Industries said: "We're aware that some users are experiencing longer than normal Matchmaking search times. We are actively working on a fix for this issue." In another tweet, the game developer suggested: "If after a few minutes you're unable to find a match, exit Matchmaking and then begin searching again."
Microsoft attributed the problem in part to the timed rollout of the game.
"We're seeing longer than expected Matchmaking times for some regions, as the game is not yet available in all regions," a Microsoft spokesperson told CNET. "Matching times will improve as we continue to roll out. If you do not find a match after a few minutes, please restart your search."
Otherwise, the rep advised users to stay tuned to the Xbox Live Status page for updates. The page continued to label the "social and gaming" section as "limited" as of 9:15 a.m. PT.
Updates provided by a Forbes writer have been tracked the matchmaking snafu. The latest update as of 1:30 a.m. PT suggests that the situation has improved.
UPDATE 4: 4:30am Eastern: Lobbies are filling up more quickly and matches are transitioning with players intact. Overall loading time is improved, and this is getting much closer to expected matchmaking behavior. However, the official Xbox Live Status page still lists the functionality as "Limited."
Updated at 9:15 a.m. PT with a comment from Microsoft.