New Halo: The Master Chief Collection update brings multiplayer to Steam Deck
Steam Deck players can finally dive into MCC matchmaking.
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What you need to know
While Halo: The Master Chief Collection has always beenpartiallyplayable on Steam Deck, users of Valve’s handheld gaming PC have been locked out of multiplayer matchmaking and the Custom Games Browser due to issues with the game’s Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) solution. Now, though, a new update has made the MCC’s anti-cheat fully compatible with Steam Deck, finally allowing users of the system to jump in and experience classic Halo multiplayer.
Additionally, in anofficial support postfor the update, the developers have also stated that “future updates for MCC will continue to improve Steam Deck compatibility as well.” With any luck, these patches will improve the game’s performance and stability on Valve’s handheld.
Notably, the update has shipped with some known issues that might affect your in-game experience. We’ve listed them below:
It’s also important to note that when you sign into the game onSteam Deckand are prompted to sign into a Microsoft account, the game won’t automatically pull up the handheld’s on-screen keyboard. You’ll need to manually do it by pressing the Steam button + X.
If you don’t already haveHalo: The Master Chief Collection, we highly recommend picking it up. For just $40, it gives you full access to every mode from Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach, and Halo 4, as well as the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo 2: Anniversary remasters. On top of that, you can also unlock brand new cosmetics that weren’t in the original games by completing gameplay challenges and earning “Spartan Points,” spicing up the look of the games you know and love. Undoubtedly, it’s one of thebest Xbox gamesof all time, and it’s phenomenal on PC too.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Halo: MCC is the best way to experience the classic Halo games on modern systems, as it gives you access to eight different titles and all of their modes for less than the price of a single modern AAA game.
Buy at:Steam|Microsoft
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Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he’s been an avid fan since childhood. He’s been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you’ll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he’s not writing or gaming, there’s a good chance he’s either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once.Follow him on X(Twitter).