Halo 3 received its last new official map in 2009, as part of the launch of the Mythic II Map Pack. Now, 343 Industries has announced that a new map, first presented in Halo Online, will be added to the next round of Master Chief Collection beta test.
In a blog post released today at Halo Waypoint, 343 announced a new flighting round for the Master Chief Collection. Flighting is a series of limited beta tests for certain players. This is how 343 tests new features and changes to come. 343 says the new round of beta testing, which will include the new areola 3 map, can start on February 18.
This new map comes out of Halo Online, an online version now closed areola developed by Saber Interactive, built with a modified version of Halo 3 motor. Launched in Russia only in 2015 through a closed beta and no longer updated fans tried to modify Halo Online and make it playable around the world, but Microsoft backed down against these efforts. Many fans also asked about bringing Halo Online maps on MCC, and now 343 went and did that.
Based on a screenshot included in the post, the new map looks like a human military base located on some icy glaciers. While 343 says this will be “a new map for Halo 3 from Halo Online”, looking at Halo Online maps, does not match any of the maps that appeared in the shuttered game. It also doesn’t look like any of the supposed canceled maps that have never been added to Halo Online before its closure. Yet, the URL for the screenshot included in the blog post mentions the name “Cachoeira”, which it’s a canceled Halo Online map that featured some cool concept art. Still, what map this really is remains a mystery. But getting a new map for one of the best snipers ever made is exciting.
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There are more reasons to be enthusiastic about this MCC Update. THE Master Chief Collection is getting a suitable server browser. Considering the amount of packaged content MCC, it can be difficult to find a specific match using the basic matching tools. Being able to scroll through a list of servers to find people playing Lockout Swords 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 3 am seems perfect.
I am also happy that the FOV slider on the Xbox Series X will work in 120 Hz mode soon, and that the FOV sliders will be added to all Xbox versions of the game. FOV sliders for everyone!