Microsoft has released two new Updates in October. One for Games for Windows Live and the second for the Halo 2 Vista game.  I have been unable to obtain an official version information since Microsoft has not published one so I am not certain what has changed.  Both of these updates are available in the Official Bungie H2V files section of the website.  You only need them if you have not already obtained your update through the Windows Live service.

As you can see I have done some minor updates to the Halo 2 Vista maps website to make it a bit more presentable.  There will be a major overhaul in the future but for now it will do.

In addition to the updates I have also placed the entire Official Halo 2 for Windows Vista Map Editor Instructions and Tutorial information on line for your reference and use.  You can find it in the Articles Section listed as "Map Editor Tutorial".  Enjoy!

When designing a map for the Halo 2 for Windows Vista game it is important to include the settings and object placement for the Oddball game type. That means placing the Oddball in the map. I know you are wondering why I say this so let me explain.

Bungie was kind enough to include the "Oddball glitch" in the Halo 2 Vista game. The glitch allows you a method of discarding your weapons and removing the first person hands and weapons from the screen.  When you take a screenshot, the [F11] key, the screenshot is written to the drive without the HUD interface and if you have no weapons without the first person hands. So you get a clean unobstructed view of the scene.

Here at Halo Maps we are in the process of developing a more extensive image gallery of the maps for Halo 2 Vista and will be taking many more screenshots to show off the design of user created maps. Having high-resolution screenshots without first person hands will allow us to better show off the designs of the maps.

The Oddball Glitch:  
Start an Oddball game with the Plasma Pistol as your primary weapon and "None" as your secondary weapon.

Overcharge the Plasma Pistol by holding down the trigger. Then, with the gun still charged, pick up the Oddball. Next, drop the Oddball. Due to this glitch, you will actually drop your Plasma Pistol as well.