Installation 01
Installation 01 is an upcoming fan-made first-person shooter video game based on the Halo series, developed by Soon Studios (previously known as The Installation 01 Team) for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems in Unity.
| Installation 01 | |
|---|---|
|  | |
| Developer(s) | Soon Studios | 
| Series | Halo (unofficial) | 
| Engine | Unity | 
| Platform(s) | |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter | 
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer | 
Development
    

Installation 01 is a fan-made, multiplayer-only[1] project designed in Unity for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux by Soon Studios.[2][3][4] The intent is to replicate the multiplayer gameplay of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, and Halo 5 as a tribute to the series of games—with a specific target of Halo 3—and to do so without re-use of Microsoft assets.[5] The game is named after the Halo ring created by the Forerunner race in the Halo universe.[6]
The studio planned to support some features from later Halo games, but only in custom game modes.[5][7] Game artist Seth H. described a tension in the art and game design of Installation 01 caused by the Halo series' individual game designs.[7] They plan to provide map-making tools.[7]
An extremely-early version of the game was displayed in August 2014.[3] In November 2015, the game was displayed with functional multiplayer in "very small counts" of players; Kotaku noted that the game had not progressed far since August 2014.[3] The team sought to have a playable version of the video game in Q4 2016.[2] The studio was composed of over 30 people at this time.[4]
A test for the multiplayer mode was scheduled for November 2016, with plans for a later single-player mode.[4] At the time, the studio had made a number of familiar game elements, as well as both refreshed and remade versions of certain game maps.[8] Animation polish and additional gameplay elements remained.[8] Kotaku said the game was progressing well in March 2017.[9] In May, a cinematic trailer was released,[1] which featured character and weapons models based on Halo 3 designs.[10] Animator Matthew Lake animated a trailer for both his final academic assignment and to generate excitement for the game.[11] The game's release date was still unknown.[10]
Legality
    
Soon Studios approached Microsoft around August 2016 regarding Microsoft's intellectual property, but did not receive a reply at the time.[5] GameSpot also inquired, without receiving a response.[5] In June 2017, Soon Studios announced their ongoing communication with 343 Industries and Microsoft.[12][13][14] The studio has been transparent with 343 Industries regarding plans for the game. 343 Industries confirmed that the developers are "not under imminent legal threat".[6] Installation 01's development is covered under Microsoft's Game Content Usage Rules, as long as the game remains non-commercial.[12][15] He elaborates that they will never accept donations, or sell Installation 01 or Halo related merchandise as to keep a respectful distance between the studio and Microsoft's intellectual property. He also notes that these rules and assurances from Microsoft are specific to Installation 01 as a project, and do not apply elsewhere.[13][14] The studio hopes that the project can continue to be a positive driving force within the Halo community.[13][15]
References
    
- Plunkett, Luke (May 24, 2017). "A Cinematic Trailer For A Fan-Made Halo Game". Kotaku. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- Saed, Sherif (November 25, 2015). "Microsoft won't bring Halo to PC, so fans are making their own". VG247.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017.
- Walker, Alex (November 25, 2015). "The Fan Halo Remake That Looks Fun, But Probably Won't Get Made". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017.
- Plunkett, Luke (August 22, 2016). "Fans Building New Halo Game On PC". Kotaku.
- Pereira, Chris (August 22, 2016). "Halo Fan Game for PC Seeks to Recapture the Series' "Classic Gameplay Style"". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016.
- Gilyadov, Alex (June 29, 2017). "Halo developer gives Halo PC fan game, Installation 01, its blessing". IGN. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- Chalk, Andy (August 22, 2016). "Installation 01 is a fan-made Halo game hoping to avoid shutdown". PCGamer. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016.
- Caldwell, Brendan (August 22, 2016). "Fan-made Halo Multiplayer Remake Is 'Following Microsoft's Rules' Say Creators". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on October 15, 2016.
- Plunkett, Luke (March 28, 2017). "Most of the time when we post about a promising". Kotaku. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017.
- Newhouse, Alex. "Free Halo Fan-Made Game For PC Has An Awesome Cinematic Trailer". Gamespot. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- Bishop, Sam. "Fan-made Halo project Installation 01 gets cinematic trailer". Gamereactor. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
- Newhouse, Alex (June 28, 2017). "Fan-Made Halo Game Is Legal And Development Can Continue, 343 Industries Confirms". Gamespot. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017.
- Miller, Daniel (June 28, 2017). "Fan-Made Halo Multiplayer game for PC actually gets the blessing of 343 Industries to move forward". GameZone. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017.
- Chalk, Andy (June 29, 2017). "Fan-made Halo game Installation 01 gets the official thumbs-up from 343 Industries". PCGamer. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
- Yin-Poole, Wesley (June 29, 2017). "Microsoft allows Halo PC fan project to live". Eurogamer. Retrieved June 29, 2017.

