Halo: GoldSource/Updates

Since its inception in 2024, Halo: GoldSource has received routine updates by its developers. After The Phoenix Project Software's acquisition of the title in November 2024, it received no updates for 9 months, until the "Summer 2025 Release" update was released in June 2025.

Pre-merger (2024)

Alpha 1

Alpha 1 was released privately on August 2, 2024 under the name Halo GoldSrc Multiplayer. Developed by community member "Ghost Seal," it featured some of the maps, viewmodels, and animations that are still in the game today. The private release was in response to immense community interest in the project announcement and showcase which was just prior on July 25, 2024 and gained 23,000+ views. Notably it used a trigger_hurt entity with a negative value in all maps to mimic the Halo energy shield mechanic.

Alpha 2

Alpha 2 was released privately on August 28, 2024. It was the first version to receive support from a team recruited by the former lead developer, known as "The Science Team."

• Improved client settings for better hitreg.
• Brand new HUD icons.
• Improved VGUI and logo.
• New sound effects.
• Regen reduced from 2hp/s to 1hp/s.
• Added resources from Halo PC.
• Added three playermodels:
  • 117
  • Orange
  • Purple
• Added new previews for all other playermodels.
• Added the Covenant Carbine weapon.
• Added new textures and animations for the Sniper Rifle.
• Fixed scope misalignment on the Sniper Rifle.
• Swapped HL hands to HaloGS hands for:
  • RPG
  • Satchel
  • Tripmine
• Added the following new maps:
  • Amber Clad
  • Derelict
  • Chiron TL-34
  • Blood Gulch
  • Bounding Action
  • Foundation
  • Lockout
  • Boot Camp
• Fixed teleporter sounds not always playing in Damnation and Rat Race.
• Improved ambient sounds in Rat Race.

Beta 1

Beta 1 was released on September 23, 2024 and was the final pre-release version of the game. Notably, it was also contains the first contribution from the lead developer of The Phoenix Project Software, Sabian Roberts.

• Added Pumpkin playermodels.
• Updated the main menu font & text.
• Increased the reload speed, fire rate, and spread while unscoped for the Carbine.
• Added the following new maps:
  • Beaver Creek
  • Downrush
  • Prisoner
  • Chill Out
  • Damned
  • Infinite Succor

Under The Phoenix Project Software (2025-)

Summer 2025 Release - 1.0 (2025)

Version 1.0, officially coined the Summer 2025 Release, was released on June 28, 2025. In an effort to bring the project out of a pre-release state, the update focused mainly on quality-of-life features rather than content, in contrast to previous updates.

• Added "Halo-like" jumping behaviour.
• Added modern viewbobbing and viewmodel lag.
• Added proper suit/armour regeneration.
  • Similar to the mechanic in Half-Life: Cross Product, replacing the old "trigger_hurt" method.
• Added some options to Multiplayer Advanced.
• Added a mapcycle.
• Enabled basic controller support.
• Added native Linux support.
• Enhanced VGUI elements.
• Fixed a bug where the menu would crash the game when running in 4K resolution.
• Added HUD weapon selection sounds.
• Replaced low quality sounds with higher quality versions.
• Fixed weapon viewmodels clipping through the camera.
• Removed "forced" music from any maps that contained them.

Winter 2025 Update - 1.1 (202X)

In July 2025, The Phoenix Project Software announced it was working on the next update to HaloGS, which they estimated to release in Winter 2025 and therefore coined the Winter 2025 Update. Very little details have been unveiled regarding the update, except for plans to intentionally implement bots.