As promised Gearbox Software has released Halo Custom Edition, a special and unsupported version of Halo which comes with multiplayer improvements and support for custom content. An editing kit is available as well.

This post on the Gearbox Software forums reveals the company's plans to release Halo Custom Edition, a new version of Halo free for all Halo PC owners. Unsupported by Microsoft, HaloCE will introduce new features to the game including the support of custom content.

So what is the purpose of HaloCE? HaloCE was created as a way for Gearbox to introduce a bunch of new features to HaloPC. The most important of which is the ability to play user created content. Along with HaloCE we will also be releasing a set of tools, tutorials and source art which we call the Halo Editing Kit (HEK). This is a powerful package which will allow users to create their own custom content for HaloCE. When released it is our hope that this new version of the game will become the first choice for all HaloPC players. We look forward to sharing more information with you and answering your questions about this exciting release.

Gearbox Software has updated their jobs page, offering a few more details on the level designer openings at the Halo PC developer we mentioned the other week. According to the email we received, Gearbox will be contacting and interviewing prospective designers during the next couple of weeks.

Microsoft has released a new Halo patch, updating the PC port to version 1.04. The only change in this new version is that a GameSpy crash bug has been fixed. A new dedicated server patch has been released as well.

An updated Halo patch has been released, updating the sci-fi shooter to version 1.031. Changes are listed here. Thanks 3D Gamers.

The latest Halo patch has been released, updating the Gearbox Software PC port to version 1.03. There are several new features and fixes as noted on FileShack. Update: the 1.03 dedicated server has been released as well.

Over at the Adrenaline Vault you can find an edited Halo PC chat log, offering all the relevant Q&A's from last night's IRC event with Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford and Michel Bastien from Bungie. There's questions about text typing limitations, the FOV, SDK plans, lack of coop, and lots more.

New on the CPL website is this Q&A with Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford about Halo. Pitchford is asked about the game itself and special features for tournament play at CPL events.

Microsoft Games has released the Halo PC demo, allowing you to try a singleplayer and a multiplayer level from the sci-fi action game. Here's what the 131mb download includes specifically

In the trial version, you can experience both single and multiplayer gameplay, including limited vehicle combat. In the single player campaign level The Silent Cartographer, you assume the role of super-soldier Master Chief as you take on the fierce alien faction known as the Covenant. In the multiplayer map Blood Gulch, up to 16 human opponents can light each other up with devastating weaponry and combat vehicles, including the new Rocket Warthog and the Banshee, either online or via LAN connection.

Earlier today the Halo 1.02 patch was released as you might've noticed when running the game (mirror on FileShack), and now the Microsoft Halo PC site has info on what has changed. It fixes some timedemo bugs, such as the one where it overwrites your last save, and also takes care of a configuration problem where chatting would crash the game, among other things.

A version 1.02 update for the Halo dedicated server has been released, adding the promised support of multiple instances and RCon. The Halo client patch 1.02 will be released soon.

Bungie and Gearbox have released a pre-release version of the Halo PC dedicated server, allowing people to host a server for the game even if they don't own it. You can find the file on FileShack as well. Thanks rage519.

HomeLAN Fed notes that the first patch has been released for Halo. You can download it through the game's auto-updater function. No word on changes for the small 3.8mb download.

The guys at Microsoft Games sent over a press release, announcing that the PC version of Halo has gone gold! The game will be in stores September 30, with an MSRP of $49.99.

Halo, the critically acclaimed best-selling Xbox game, is coming to Windows gamers for the first time with new exclusive features, including online multiplayer support, new maps, vehicles and weapons. Halo is optimized for the PC with the precision offered by the mouse-and-keyboard and full support for high-end hardware including graphic resolutions up to 1600 by 1200 and beyond. Halo's online multiplayer feature will enable players to battle it out with fellow gamers worldwide in a variety of individual and team-based games. Halo for Windows was developed by Gearbox Software in conjunction with Bungie Studios. For more information, please visit the official site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/.

The Halo PC previews just won't stop. The latest ones are available at Gamers Hell, Game Gossip and Game Over. Halo should ship late this month or early October.