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Microsoft’s free month of Xbox Live for The Master Chief Collection owners being rolled out | 343i improves game stability

It’s been over two months since its release, and though things have improved for The Master Chief Collection technical issues still plague the Xbox One exclusive.

It seemed like it would be a sure “slam-dunk” for Microsoft when the game was first announced at E3 in 2014, but as the forgiveness from fans began to die out, the game publisher and developer gave some form of retribution with a free month of Xbox Live that is just now being sent to owners of the FPS.

Keep in mind that this is just the beginning of 343i and Microsoft’s apology to fans as the Halo 3: ODST campaign and a Halo 2: Anniversary iteration of the map Relic will also be given out as well.

While the extras are good to have, 343i is still at work trying to wholly correct their faults with the game’s multiplayer.

The most recent patch by the developer again addresses stability issues throughout the game and continues to improve matchmaking troubles.

Full list of changes and improvements from the patchnotes:

MATCHMAKING:
  • Improved matchmaking search success rates.
  • Made an update to reduce instances of “Awaiting Privileges” matchmaking errors.
  • Made an update to ensure player counts more reliably match the expected numbers for each playlist.
  • Fixed an issue where player would sometimes appear to be searching in an incorrect “FIND GAME” screen.
  • Added countdown sound effect to the voting timer.
GENERAL MULTIPLAYER:
  • Made several improvements to party joining through the in-game Roster.
  • Made an update to ensure that the mute icon is visible while in Matchmaking.
  • Fixed an issue in Halo 4 where players could equip the same weapon as their primary and secondary weapons.
GENERAL CAMPAIGNS:
  • Made several improvements to stat tracking for Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4.
  • Made changes to Halo 3 and Halo 4 scoring to ensure that players are not penalized for destroying empty vehicles.
GENERAL MENU:
  • Lowered the music volume level in multiplayer menus.
  • Fixed an issue where friend emblems in roster would show up as default when exiting a game session.
  • Made updates to UI and menus to improve multiplayer status messaging, such as when a player joins your lobby.
CONTROL LAYOUTS:
  • Made an update to the Halo 2: Anniversary “Legacy” Stick Layout.
STABILITY:
  • Made stability improvements across multiple titles for campaign and multiplayer.