November 11th, 2014 
Mark [UPDATE] A Microsoft spokesperson provided a statement today regarding The Master Chief Collection’s matchmaking issues.
“We are aware of issues some players have been experiencing with matchmaking and we’re working around the clock, alongside the Xbox Live team, to improve the situation,” the representative said. “We have deployed an update that has shown some improvement, and we continue to optimize the experience. The update deployed to matchmaking was done on the server side and does not require an extra download to your Xbox One. This is our top priority and will keep everyone updated regularly as we deploy continued improvements.”
The original story is below.
The release of much-anticipated Xbox One game Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Tuesday did not go entirely smoothly. The game is currently facing matchmaking issues, as detailed in an Xbox Live service alert issued on the Xbox website.
“Xbox members, are you having a tough time matchmaking in Halo: The Master Chief Collection? As you read this message, we’re working with our external partner to correct this issue right away,” Microsoft said. “We appreciate your patience in the meantime! We’ll update you again when we have more information.”
According to user reports on Reddit and Halo Waypoint, players are having a tough time finding matches. Halo developer 343 Industries acknowledged the struggles, explaining on Twitter that a temporary–and of course, not ideal–workaround is to exit matchmaking and start again.
We’re aware that some users are experiencing longer than normal Matchmaking search times. We are actively working on a fix for this issue.
— Halo (@Halo) November 11, 2014
If after a few minutes you’re unable to find a match, exit Matchmaking and then begin searching again.
— Halo (@Halo) November 11, 2014
The Master Chief Collection features updated versions of Halo 1-4, complete with remastered visuals, updated sound, and multiplayer support. This isn’t the first multiplayer issue that’s come to light for the game, as 343 Industries recently explained that networking troubles led the developer to delay the dedicated Halo: Combat Evolved multiplayer playlist. No timetable for its release has been announced.
For more on The Master Chief Collection, check out GameSpot’s review in progress.
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