PC debut confirmed for Bungie's Halo 2

Microsoft has announced plans to release a PC version of Bungie Studios' seminal Xbox title Halo 2, which will be exclusively available for machines running the new Windows Vista operating system.

Currently in development by a dedicated Microsoft Game Studios team in partnership with Bungie, the Vista-only PC version is set to include both single and multiplayer modes and additional maps (made available to Xbox gamers via Xbox Live). It will also give gamers the opportunity to design, create and customise their own multiplayer levels.

A massive success on the Xbox games console, Halo 2 has sold more than 7.3 million copies worldwide. Overall, the Halo franchise has clocked up in excess of 14.5 million sales to date, and gamers have spent more than 600 hours playing Halo titles via Xbox Live. No release date has been confirmed for the title, but Microsoft has said that Windows Vista will make its debut by the end of the year and the game could get a simultaneous release.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates offered the first broad demonstration of Windows Vista at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, highlighting various advancements in security, search capability and digital entertainment. Vista is billed as "the most advanced Windows games platform for everyone from casual players to hard-core gamers."