'Halo Wars 2' release date news update: PC beta scheduled for early 2017; major changes coming to game

Another "Halo Wars 2" beta has been scheduled for early 2017, and this one will incorporate the changes made to the game as a result of the first beta.

In June, "Halo Wars 2," an upcoming real-time strategy video game, underwent a closed beta test for the Xbox One. In a recent Xbox Wire blog post, 343 Industries' Studio Head of Strategy Games Dan Ayoub said that the first beta will result in a few major changes to the highly anticipated game.

In the post, Ayoub detailed the studio's various takeaways from the 2016 beta and explained how it influenced the development of the game.

"Probably the biggest criticism we heard about the beta was issues with connectivity, de-syncs, etc," he wrote. "I'm happy to say that, thanks to you, we've already addressed these issues in the final game."

According to Ayoub, there is a "significant number" of adjustments and changes being made based on the data received from the beta. These include game mode pacing, unit tuning, flow improvements, stability, add UI improvements among others. Ayoub also listed down the five main areas of focus that the studio will be adjusting. These are areas are the controls, bases, leader abilities, resources and energy, and population.

The 343 Industries boss revealed that the studio has already made changes to the controller layout in "Halo Wars 2" based on the feedback from the beta.

"In addition to the layout changes we've already completed, we are investigating multiple controller configurations," he wrote. "It's still to be determined what we can get done in time for launch, but we're hopeful to add more choice when it comes to control schemes."

Apart from the new control scheme, the Leader Powers were also changed, making them more straightforward and easier to use. Power collection costs have been adjusted, population counts have been raised, and individual base structures have been fixed to better reflect damages and state of development.

"This is just a subset of the high level changes we are making, based on all of your great feedback," Ayoub wrote.

In the post, Ayoub said that the next "Halo Wars 2" beta, which will be made available on both Xbox One and Windows 10, will occur sometime in early 2017. He also wrote that "Halo Wars 2" will be publicly playable at events such as PAX West and Gamescom.

"Halo Wars 2" is scheduled for release on Feb. 21, 2017.