Halo Wars 2 has just updated on Xbox One consoles and while there are quite a few changes that have been made with this update, the coolest by far is the added support for HDR lighting. HDR lighting (or high dynamic range lighting) is a special way to render graphics that preserves a significant amount of detail within the same pixel density as a regular HD display. Currently, gamers will need an Xbox One S console as well as an HDR compatible television set to take advantage of this feature but it’s something more and more games are implementing and should be commonplace within a few years with major game releases.
Here’s all of the other changes made with this update:
Stability
Players should no longer have a chance of loading into the game without the ability to issue any commands
Fixed a crash that rarely occurred after signing in on the Main Menu
Fixed a crash when playing against AI in Firefight or Skirmish mode
Fixed a desync that could occur in ranked 2v2 games
Fixed a crash on “Last Stand†that could occur from loading from an old save from a previous release
Fixed a crash that could occur when attacking the first barricade in the Prologue
Gameplay
Added allied view indicator to the mini-map
Added 2 new themes to “Proving Ground†Blitz map
Blitz playlists will now also appear in the main multiplayer “Find Match” screen
Made “Restoration Drones†get more expensive when it is upgraded to its 3rd tier
Adjusted the Foundry so that its always hit by Hunters’ and Marines’ upgraded projectiles when attacked
Added better “Combat Salvage†visual effects when a unit dies and is immediately built back at base
Removed an exploit with “Combat Salvageâ€
Reworked a targeting exploit that could occur with using “Extractionâ€
Pelicans and Darts should no longer leave floating lights above bases
Made it so that “Ghost in the Machine†would no longer disable Colony’s “Combat Repair†on the units it borrowed
Spartans no longer strip upgrades from vehicles they hijack
Some tech upgrades were not applying completely to some units
Fixed an issue with moving units not properly attacking Garrisoned units
Units teleported off the map are now teleported back to your base
Spartans no longer increase the level of units they hijack
Localization/Accessibility:
Made card pack descriptions show up in the appropriate language for France and Taiwan
Added text to the Pelican Transport level 2 when selected on the leader power radial
Audio
Added “Upgrade Complete†voice over for various leaders that was missing
Adjusted the audio to the Forerunner structure on Highway to remove the high frequency that could be unpleasant to hear
Audio/music should no longer drop from games played through a playlist
Locust beam is no longer audible in the fog of war
Hellbringers should no longer play Kinsano voiceover when being attacked by an enemy Spartan
Is HDR important to you and can you view it on your TV? Let us know in the comments below.
