HAC2 2026 Win32 CMake Baseline

HAC2 2026 Win32 CMake Baseline

This release is the first stabilized 2026 baseline for this HAC2 fork, targeting Halo Custom Edition Patch 1.0.10 on Windows.

For Players

If you only want to install HAC2, download HAC2-2.0.0-Release.zip from this GitHub Release. Extract it, close Halo Custom Edition, then run scripts/Install-HAC2.ps1 from an elevated PowerShell session or copy the files manually as described below.

Manual install layout:

hac.dll                 -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition\hac.dll
controls\loader.dll     -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition\controls\loader.dll
D3DX9_43.dll            -> C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Halo Custom Edition\D3DX9_43.dll

Do not replace controls\Controls.dll.

Verify

Start Halo CE with -console, open the console, then run:

hac_verify
seanaero

Expected output includes the HAC2 version/config/git information and v011 "Wake me, when you need me.".

Included

• Visual Studio Code/CMake/VS 2022 Build Tools Win32 workflow.
• Local-only loader path; old HTTP self-update behavior is removed.
• Optic audio via miniaudio instead of libZPlay.
• Console stability fixes for command output.
• Backtick console input fix.
• F5 bookmark overlay.
• Map downloader bounds/input hardening.
• Release ZIP, checksums, and install script.

Known Notes

• Halo Custom Edition is a 32-bit game; HAC2 must be built and loaded as Win32/x86.
• Avoid -window for routine testing; the base game can remain as a background process after windowed exit even without HAC2.
• Stock Halo CE server-browser sorting is still engine-owned. HAC sanitizes names in HAC-rendered UI, but the stock browser sort key is not patched in this release.