- Project Reclaimer system requirements start with a Windows PC running Steam's Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
- Halo 3 content (Campaign and/or Multiplayer) must be installed through MCC before joining sessions.
- The standalone client runs independently of the MCC launcher and does not modify original game files.
- Server operators need a dedicated directory, open network ports, and stable bandwidth.
- Dedicated servers support up to 127 slots, so hosting hardware matters more than client hardware.
Project Reclaimer System Requirements Overview
Project Reclaimer is a standalone fan project for Halo 3 on PC. It is not an official product of Microsoft, Xbox Game Studios, Halo Studios, or Bungie. Because it runs on top of your own Steam installation of Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC), the Project Reclaimer system requirements are built around two layers: the base MCC installation and the Project Reclaimer client itself. If your PC already runs Halo 3 inside MCC smoothly, the additional client overhead is modest.
| Component | Player Client | Dedicated Server | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows PC (same OS that runs MCC) | Windows, Windows Server, or Linux Docker | Docker is for containerized hosting |
| Base game | Steam MCC with Halo 3 content | Server release package | MCC needed for play, not for hosting tools |
| Content | Halo 3 Campaign and/or Multiplayer | Server maps and mods directory | Depends on the sessions you join |
| Network | Broadband internet for server browsing and downloads | Open ports, low latency, persistent uptime | Required ports listed on the host page |
| Storage | MCC install plus room for downloaded mods | Release files plus custom maps and logs | Keep client and server folders separate |
Project Reclaimer is an independent fan project. You must own and install Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Steam yourself; the Project Reclaimer client does not include or replace any Halo game files.
The three main downloads each have different requirements: the player client, the dedicated server package, and the RCON administration tool. Review which one matches your goals before downloading from the official releases page.
Player Client
- For joining servers
- Needs Steam MCC with Halo 3
- Handles automatic mod downloads
Dedicated Server
- For hosting sessions
- Runs independently of the client
- Up to 127 server slots
RCON Tool
- For remote administration
- Manages players and settings
- Works without in-game access
Client Requirements: What Your PC Needs
The client is the entry point for playing. Its requirements are practical rather than exotic: a Windows machine that runs MCC comfortably, Steam installed and signed in, and Halo 3 content available for the sessions you want to join. You do not need to open the MCC menu to play; Project Reclaimer launches directly as its own executable.
| Requirement | Minimum Expectation | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Steam installation | MCC installed and accessible | Project Reclaimer reads your existing game files |
| Halo 3 Multiplayer | Installed for MP sessions | Required by most public servers |
| Halo 3 Campaign | Installed for co-op | Needed for campaign and campaign mods |
| Internet connection | Stable broadband | Server browsing, content downloads, online play |
| Disk space | MCC size plus mod buffer | Custom maps and server content accumulate over time |
| Antivirus exception | Allow the client folder | Prevents false positives blocking the launcher |
Reserve extra disk space beyond MCC itself. Heavily modded servers can push large map and mode files to your machine automatically, so a buffer of several gigabytes keeps joining sessions painless.
Step-by-Step: Verify Your Setup Before Installing
Confirm each requirement in order to avoid the most common launch problems. This sequence matches the official "How to Play" workflow.
Install MCC through Steam
Purchase or already own Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Steam, install it, and let Steam finish all base game files completely.
Add Halo 3 content
Inside MCC's Steam options, install Halo 3 Campaign and Halo 3 Multiplayer, depending on whether you plan to play co-op, multiplayer, or both.
Download the Project Reclaimer client
Get the latest release from the official releases page and extract it into its own dedicated folder, separate from the MCC installation directory.
Launch the standalone client
Run the client directly. Steam can stay installed and signed in, but you never need to enter the MCC in-game menu.
Set your nickname and join a server
Configure your player name in the client settings, browse servers by map, mode, version, and latency, then join and allow any required content to download.
Project Reclaimer works alongside your existing installation and does not rewrite or replace original game files, so your vanilla MCC setup stays intact.
Dedicated Server Requirements
Hosting raises the bar. A Project Reclaimer dedicated server is built for persistent multiplayer environments with up to 127 player slots, so reliable uptime, correct ports, and organized directories matter more than raw GPU power.
| Hosting Scenario | Best Fit | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop host | Local testing, small communities | Manual install, direct file access, forwarded ports |
| Windows Server | Persistent community servers | Service-based operation, scheduled maintenance |
| Linux Docker | Repeatable, isolated deployment | Container management, restart policy, volume mounts |
| Rented game server | Hands-off hosting | Provider-supported runtime, RCON access |
Server-side checklist essentials include firewall and NAT port forwarding, a dedicated server directory preserved in the release's expected structure, anti-cheat enabled for public sessions, an administrator list, and automatic restart recovery through a supervisor or container restart policy.
Before opening a server publicly, set a strong RCON password, restrict RCON access to trusted networks, enable anti-cheat, and maintain a ban list for disruptive players.
Pre-Flight Checklist
Before You Launch Project Reclaimer:
- MCC installed and updated through Steam
- Halo 3 Multiplayer content installed
- Halo 3 Campaign installed (for co-op sessions)
- Client extracted to its own dedicated folder
- Antivirus exception added for the client
- Stable internet connection confirmed
- Extra disk space reserved for server mods
FAQ
Q: Do the Project Reclaimer system requirements include buying MCC?
Yes. Project Reclaimer is a standalone fan launcher that runs on top of your own Steam installation of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The client does not include or replace any Halo game files, so MCC with the relevant Halo 3 content must be installed separately.
Q: Can Project Reclaimer run without Steam or MCC installed?
No. The project is designed around the player's existing Steam MCC installation. You do not need to open the MCC in-game menu to play, but Steam and the MCC files must be present on the same PC.
Q: Is Project Reclaimer an official Halo product?
No. It is an independent fan project and is not affiliated with Microsoft, Xbox Game Studios, Halo Studios, or Bungie. Downloads come from the project's official releases page.
Q: What do dedicated server hosts need beyond the client requirements?
Hosts need a dedicated server directory, correctly forwarded ports, maps and mods in the expected locations, anti-cheat enabled, an administrator list, automatic restart recovery, and RCON configured with a strong password for remote management.