[Update] Halo Wars 2 now supports HDR lighting

Update: The patch which brings HDR is now live on Xbox One. However, that’s not all. It looks like Seargent Johnson is going to be a leader in the game.

https://twitter.com/jeffreyrollie/status/866770755048046593

It looks like Halo Wars 2 is getting high-dynamic-range lighting (HDR) support with its next update. A few months ago, 343 Industries said that they were considering implementing it but everyone thought it would never happen. No official announcement was made. Well, today, the developer shared patch notes for an upcoming update which lists HDR as a new feature. The next patch for Halo Wars 2 is being prepared for release next week. This update will launch in conjunction with the next Leader and include a variety of fixes and improvements. The changelog is as follows:

New Feature

• Support for HDR lighting is now enabled for players with compatible hardware

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
• 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 Salvage”
• Reworked a targeting exploit that could occur with using “Extraction”
• 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 and 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

This is great news for gamers who were waiting for the feature. HDR makes everything incredibly beautiful and makes titles stand out if you have the right television. It’s definitely a worthy addition to an already fantastic game.