Halo 3

[Splush]

The hype machine is getting going and there's new tidbits every couple of weeks now, so let's talk about Halo 3.

http://www.vulomedia.com/images/80113h32.jpg

Here's the latest thing: Apparently some pictures and video of an alpha version were been leaked and then taken down again straight away, this site is trying to get the video back: http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/01/15/halo-3-video-and-screens-galore/

It's probably similar stuff to what was leaked when US troops got to play an alpha build in Iraq: http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2006/12/31/halo-3-tested-in-iraq-by-our-soldiers/

In actual non-leaked news that might be relevant to you, MS recently announced that some limited amount of copies of their sandbox superpowers-and-crimefighting game Crackdown are going to come with a code to get into the Halo 3 beta. Crackdown looks pretty good, but even if it didn't it would sell like hot cakes now.

Here's some other stuff:

Halo 3 on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_3)
Bungie documentary about the Brutes (http://gamevideos.com/video/id/8082/)
"Starry night" CG/live action combination TV ad. (http://gamevideos.com/video/id/7827/)
Bungie.net, which has pretty informative weekly updates. (http://www.bungie.net/)
Xbox 360 Fanboy's Halo 3 news (http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/category/halo-3/)

http://www.vulomedia.com/images/9773h31.jpg

Is it just me who can't imagine Halo 3 looking much different to Halo 2? It feels like the series has such a unique visual style in the colours, the creature design and the architecture style that aside from being higher res I can't imagine ever thinking "OH GOD THAT GRUNT LOOKS AMAZING!". I kind of hope they don't put too much effort into putting Gears of War-type detail into things and instead focus on making the levels really huge, more like Halo 1 than Halo 2.

[poliobear]

I kinda want to pre-order Crackdown, but there really isn't any guarantee that I'd get the beta, is there? I think I will try to get it at least.

[Thomp]

I think this game will make the most of the Xbox 360's graphics and next-gen gameplay. Having viewed some videos about the making of this game, I think it will stand up there with the best Xbox titles

It's guaranteed to sell, because Halo fans (myself included) will want to "Finish the Fight" and will want to find out the ending to a good story. If this game needs something, it does need bigger maps, resembling Halo 1 more than Halo 2, as Splush said.

All in all, I can't wait for this to hit the shelves. I just hope that Bungie do not rush this into development, as it has the potential to be the best ever Xbox game. I'd rather that Bungie too their time with the tweaks and everything else, rather than finish off a good trilogy with a game that joins the pile of "Could-have-beens".

[Splush]

I kinda want to pre-order Crackdown, but there really isn't any guarantee that I'd get the beta, is there? I think I will try to get it at least.I just checked some major online shops here in the UK and they're all specifically advertising the game as coming with the Halo 3 Beta key, without any suggestion that you might not get one. Maybe they aren't limited, I dunno.

[poliobear]

Purchase Crackdown for the Xbox 360 and gain access to the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta! A code to access the Beta will be packaged with Crackdown. Limited time offer. Only on specially marked boxes including all pre-orders. Requires a hard drive and Xbox Live Gold subscription.

It says "Limited Time Offer" but it woesn't say how they limit it. I'm gonna do some more research on "Crackdown", Maybe I'll be convinced to buy it not only for the Beta. That's what I hope for at least.

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=200166

[eidderf]

I just checked some major online shops here in the UK and they're all specifically advertising the game as coming with the Halo 3 Beta key, without any suggestion that you might not get one. Maybe they aren't limited, I dunno.
When is Crackdown out, it seems like a fun game, especially being able to jump buildings, and the free beta is a nice a bonus.

Anyway, about Halo 3 graphics, I agree that I'm not sure how different it'll look to Halo 2, especially on my non-HD TV, and the screenshots haven't shown much of a visual jump. They have said that what people have seen so far isn't finished but it doesn't look too far off being completed, considering they are releasing the beta soon as well. I don't really mind too much though, as long as they haven't messed around with the online options too much then I'll get it purely for the fact that it's the game everyone with a 360 will be playing on live.

Does anyone know about the H3 release date, last year it seemed like they were hinting towards March, also with the focus on 3s they seem to be doing it makes sense. It's probably unlikely though.

[Splush]

Crackdown is out in late February. It definitely sounds interesting, jumping around like a loon and all. There was an interview with one of the developers on Major Nelson's latest podcast, apparently the city is 2 miles squared on the ground with buildings as tall as a mile high that you can jump to, and the draw distance is good enough that there's no fogging and you can see the whole city rendered in front of you. Also there's co-op where you can drop in and out, and you don't have to stick together so you can take your character into somebody else's game world and be doing stuff in a totally seperate part of the city from them, but you'll be affecting things in the same world.

Definitely more than just a way to get into the Halo 3 beta. The one thing that sounds crappy is that it sounds like the shooting is all based on locking on to people, and locking on always feels naff to me.

I don't know about the Halo 3 release date but I'm sure it'll be much later than March, I don't think the beta is expected to start until April.

[Tiode]

First page of Halo 3 thread \o/


I want to buy an 360 solely for this game.. (and maybe gears of war)

[WraithMaster]

I heard October/November/December (Q4 2007 basically) for a release date. The EB Games around here doesn't even have it in it's datebook yet so it's more than likely coming out around that time.

How about the three different packages the game comes in: Regular, Collector's, and Legendary? Half-Life 2 anyone? Though I must admit, it would intrigue me to own a MJOLNIR VI helmet.

[Splush]

I'd like to think I'll resist the legendary because it's basically absurd, but it depends how silly and/or wealthy I'm feeling at the time really. I'm getting fed up of collectors' editions in general but I also tend to make impulse purchases on shiny things. Quite a quandry.

[Jay]

I'll get it second hand some time I guess.

When its like...£20.

[thecaterpillar]

I heard October/November/December (Q4 2007 basically) for a release date.


I can't wait that long. :(

[the architect]

Got GameInformer with Halo 3 info, will eventually scan it for y'all

[Splush]

In case anybody's worried about their Crackdown not coming with the beta key: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=72260

Microsoft has reassured gamers worried about not finding a Halo 3 beta invitation in their copy of Crackdown.
Advertisement

"The initial shipment of Crackdown at retail will include access to the Halo 3 beta," a spokesperson wrote on Gamerscoreblog. "The 'initial shipment' is pretty huge, so there will be enough to go around."

And yes, that does include the UK.

Nice. I suppose I preordered Crackdown way earlier than a had to then, never mind.

[Repine]

I don't know if Amazon send the Halo 3 beta with all crackdown games, because when I pre-ordered mine it just said crackdown.

Now I search for Crackdown and it states (Includes Halo 3 beta) on the product name, but the one I bought doesn't.

Anyway, I've cancelled my pre-order and pre-ordered the one that states (Halo 3 beta invitation included).

I am taking NO chances.

[Buzzsaw]

Can't wait. Not sure if I want to buy a new game just get the BETA, I'll see if my MS buddy can hook me up! :P

[Dude]

By that time I'll have enough money for a 360, and shall buy one with Halo 3 :D

[the architect]

if i don't get lucky enough to get a beta invite, i'll go over to someone's house who will

[FoxDhoj]

Same here. Probably Wrinchie's.

[Buzzsaw]

Wrinchie is a legend! :P

Anyway, any things/features you're really hoping to have in Halo 3?

For me, being able to use Jackal's shields, and of course...flyable Pelican dropships! I'd also love to have more character customisation, i.e. Multiplayer characters not only MC and an Elite, but UNSC Marines + Helljumpers, brutes, etc.

[Splush]

I hope they keep the "double team" (2 vs 2) playlist and have a bunch of good small maps, I'm not really into the big team games with vehicles. I hope the single player is full of huge open spaces though, like Halo CE. So I want big maps and small maps :)

[lozzy]

looking good i guess :p

[Joe G]

I hope they keep the "double team" (2 vs 2) playlist and have a bunch of good small maps, I'm not really into the big team games with vehicles. I hope the single player is full of huge open spaces though, like Halo CE. So I want big maps and small maps :)
I think big open areas with vehicles can be good, I mean look at the mongoose! But some small maps would be good for variety.

[Buzzsaw]

Things for Bungie not to do this time round:

- Please, DON'T reset our ranks after a few months like last time. It completely nerfed the ranking system, i.e. before rank reset I was level 9 across the board, after I can get to about 20. ¬_¬

[FoxDhoj]

I'll probably buy a 360 when Halo 3 comes out.

If not, I'll take advantage of Wrinch.

:D

[eidderf]

Some new screens leaked

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimlahey/385902795/in/set-72157594528192792/

[Splush]

If somebody had told me that was Halo 2 in high resolution (Halo 2 on Vista, say) I wouldn't doubt it for a second. Some of this stuff looks very low-poly, I hope there's a lot more added to the graphics between now and the final version.

[Jay]

Glad its not just me who thinks this looks the same as Halo 2 :\

[FoxDhoj]

It looks like Halo 1 and 2 combined, then made bright and not how I thought it would be. I thought Halo 3 would be epic but really dark.

Anyway, dunno if anyone's posted links to seven pages of screenshots:

http://uk.media.xbox360.ign.com/media/734/734817/imgs_1.html

[Thomp]

I really hope the graphics improve. As I keep saying, if Bungie don't meet the graphical requirements that will make the most of the 360's power, I think I'll eat my hat

[Urbius]

Having played Crackdown the Demo on Live, I was really disappointed to be honest. I thought it looked too cartoony for what is was trying to do. But yeah, agreed with most other people in this thread. I'd rather them wait and make Halo 3 perfect then rush it out to try and compete with say, the Ps3 launch in Europe. (which has been rumoured, Play.com are listing it for an April release)

And no the graphics in the shots don't look great. But then again, Alpha build?

[Splush]

I really hope the graphics improve. As I keep saying, if Bungie don't meet the graphical requirements that will make the most of the 360's power, I think I'll eat my hat
Yeah, it's hard to imagine it not being one of the best looking games just because of Bungie's track record. I remember the first day I played Halo being really blown away in the icy/snowy areas, with the reflections on the ice and the huge scale of everything. Although, maybe graphics aren't all that important to people, what with Halo 2 being such a success despite not looking dramatically better than Halo 1.

I still think they've got a problem for themselves because of the kind of terrain and architecture they've put in the series so far, the Forerunner architecture is all stark, clean lines and block colour. There's probably less opportunity to make those things look good than in a game like Gears of War with all the crumbling masonry and such. I guess that's irrelevant if a significant amount of the game happens on Earth, though.

[White Tiger]

But with the whole Graphics of Halo 3, you need to watch the trailer in HD because thats what bungie are bragging to give and that trailer looks very good.

I am getting crackdown not just simply for the invite but its what made me download the demo.

[evan223]

The only thing that put me off playing Halo online was all the abuse players said over the headsets but now.

Frank O'Connor reveals that Halo 3 will have what one staff member calls "The A-Hole Button." The feature will let gamers instantly mute players of their choosing directly within game sessions.

[eidderf]

I probably won't get a beta invite since I no longer use my AOL e-mail address, since I've changed my internet provider, I suppose it will make it more exciting to play the full game when it's released. (This post took quite a while to write because a cat is sitting on my arm)

[Joe G]

The only thing that put me off playing Halo online was all the abuse players said over the headsets but now.
You can mute people straight away now anyway on live?

[FoxDhoj]

What buttons will do in Halo 3 (subject to change)...

Left and right sticks: Movement and look. Just like H2.

Click left and right sticks: Crouch and zoom – just like H2, although there is a “toggle crouch” option, so that you can stay crouched until you click the stick again.

A: Jump

B: Melee attack. Note: B may also be used to activate a subtle, but nifty context-sensitive feature.

Y: Switch to next weapon.

X: Activate mysterious new feature which on the cool scale falls somewhere between “crouch” and “activate Fantanas on speed dial.”

LT: Toss grenade.

RT: Shoot weapon.

LB: Cycle grenade type (you have at least three types of grenade now, so they must be cycled rather than switched).

RB: Pick up weapon/activate stuff/reload/use turrets and so on.
Note: If you hold LB while standing over a dual wieldable weapon, you’ll pick it up in your left hand – a huge improvement over the “Y” button in Halo 2. This doesn’t affect grenade cycling, because you can still tap LB to cycle grenades, but you can’t toss ‘em while dual wielding anyway. So it’s moot. After about ten minutes of play, it feels incredibly natural, with the lone downside that you have trouble adjusting when you go back to Halo 2. But more vitally, LB reloads the weapon in your left hand, individually when you’re dual-wielding.

BACK: Calls up the Multiplayer “player menu” – where you can mute jerks, see gamer data and so on. The back button is useful, but tough to press in really hectic action, since it’s so close to the Guide button.

START: Pause menu (which is translucent so you can adjust controls without losing track of what’s on screen) and one or two other significant goodies we haven’t revealed yet. From here you can also end or quit a game, naturally.

D-PAD: Used for sweet circular fighting game moves. No wait, my bad - it is currently used to activate team chat, but that’s very provisional. This is being given a lot of care and attention and is tied to other matters, such as your default settings and how team chat and proximity voice work. You’d be amazed how much testing and thought goes into this stuff.

I reckon X will be used to duck and rush, personally, similarly to Gears of War, but maybe not with the steady-cam feel.

[Thomp]

I'd love to see Master Chief sprint, even if it was just for a few seconds. His slow running/fast walk is quite sluggish now, especially with games like GoW allowing you to Roadie Run.

Plus the fact that they cut it out of Halo 2, I'd like to see it implemented in Halo 3. As I said, even if he just sprints for 5/10 seconds (and maybe lowers his weapns) to do so. It'd just add that little more class to the game

[Splush]

That thing of having to press Y to duel-wield a weapon was pretty bad, I'm glad they've changed that.

A roadie run would be good, but I don't know if they would be hyping it up as much as they are if it was something that's already in another big game, so I think it might be something else, like that shield from the trailer.

[thecaterpillar]

3 grenade! What is the third one?

[Thomp]

3 grenade! What is the third one?

The shield grenade thing presumably. If you haven't seen the trailer, MC takes out a spike grenade, which generates a shield around him (provided he's standing still) and if, say, a mortar or something tries to hit him, the shield takes the damage and then disappearshis leaves MC free to attack easily, without his Molijnor suit taking damage

[thecaterpillar]

I see, didn't realize that was a grenade.

[terrorbite]

I thought it was just a sticky grenade that blew out spikes, not anything to do with shields.

Edit:

Early play tests have shown that these "Spike Grenades" may stick to any surface except water and release directional spikes upon explosion.

[Thomp]

Hm... I must have completely confused myself there. Terrorbite is right.

[Splush]

You're right that the shield in the trailer was used kind of like a grenade though, so you never know.

The shield could work quite nicely in the game if there's big Halo-style open areas with tanks shelling you from a distance, but I dunno how it would fit into multiplayer.

[CRISPY]

You're right that the shield in the trailer was used kind of like a grenade though, so you never know.

The shield could work quite nicely in the game if there's big Halo-style open areas with tanks shelling you from a distance, but I dunno how it would fit into multiplayer.


maybe the shield could be used when a sword wielder is running at you and the shield may last 3 seconds so u can pounds him with what you have. Maybe?

Things for Bungie not to do this time round:

- Please, DON'T reset our ranks after a few months like last time. It completely nerfed the ranking system, i.e. before rank reset I was level 9 across the board, after I can get to about 20. ¬_¬


i thought that was good, because the highest nayone got to in our group was about 14 after that we were seeing us all around 25-32, in my opinion that was a good touch, even though it wasnt ment to be one, all it did was made it easier to gain ranks, thus making us play more to get these ranks. Admittedly a couple of months later we all quit -.-

[thecaterpillar]

I'm sure most of you like me got Crackdown, and got the Halo 3 beta. Who here got the beta and does anyone got a confirm date that's going to be release. I heard from the guys in GAME it will be out in April.

[Thomp]

Halo 3 won't be out in April.... no no no.

It's too soon. The idea of the beta (in my opinion) is for players to give some feedback over forums etc, and then for the Bungie team to add a couple of tweaks to the game before finally testing it out for real

Only then will it be released. Odds on it'll be around November/December, possibly in a special 360 package in time for Christmas

[thecaterpillar]

I mean is the beta going to be out in April.

Oh yer I found out the controls for the beta.

http://rampancy.net/rampancy_files/images/h3_controls.jpg

[Joe G]

Controls seem decent enough. I hope it's out in april, I gots me Crackdown :)

[Tiggs]

Anyone else notice the lack of a flashlight in that control layout? Wonder what that could mean

[White Tiger]

Anyone else notice the lack of a flashlight in that control layout? Wonder what that could mean

No dark areas with flood Yay!!!

Since completing crackdown in a day i am desperate for the beta test now, i think it may be just.

Awesome.

[Splush]

I liked the flood, damnit. If they bow to popular opinion and leave the flood out I will be most displeased. Making games should be about pleasing me!

Although about those controls, presumably those are just multiplayer controls as it's a multiplayer beta, and there's no flashlight in multiplayer Halo 2 either, it was replaced by the push-to-talk button.

[eidderf]

I liked the flood, damnit. If they bow to popular opinion and leave the flood out I will be most displeased. Making games should be about pleasing me!

Although about those controls, presumably those are just multiplayer controls as it's a multiplayer beta, and there's no flashlight in multiplayer Halo 2 either, it was replaced by the push-to-talk button.
I doubt the flood will just disappear, especially since gravemind and cortana seem to have merged. I hope the flood will be a little more varied, perhaps some larger brute like floods, and perhaps less of the random exploding ones.

[Thomp]

It's only the tiny spore ones that scare the shit outta me, the Elite and Human versions are easy picking for my shotgun :p And those carrier forms aren't too difficult if you have an assault rifle

I just hate those little spore forms running at me and leaping at me. I remember when I first played Halo 1, I didn't want to do the rest of the level (when you first meet the flood) and just hid for about 5 minutes :p

[thecaterpillar]

I find the flood in Halo 1 hilarious. Shoot both of their arms off, and they'll come and try to headbutt you.

[Splush]

I love how frantic the flood parts are, constantly running backwards with a tide of beasties swarming towards you, desperately trying to reload your shotgun before you get hit. It was enough to make me not notice how rubbish level design in "the library" was until the 2nd time I played it.

[FoxDhoj]

The Library was a bitch. It made me hate the Flood.
At first they were amusing, but it started to piss me off a bit with the carrier forms exploding and the elite forms jumping out of nowhere.
I want less flood in Halo 3 tbh, I just wanna kill those shitty Brutes thanks. None of those playing things from Halo 2 though please. And I hope Elites and Grunts and Hunters are still on the human side too.

[White Tiger]

Well from the brute de vidoc video (not sure on its proper name) it shows alot of fighting against the brutes which is obviously the point of the video but i think there will be more brutes to fight than flood i think it may start off fighting loads of brutes then get to this thing in the desert thats a BFG (lol doom) and the flood go there to stop you from activating it but then you pwn and blow up every single halo ring and the gravemind. If thats right i will cry.

[White Tiger]

Last weeks weekly update on Bungie proves that they've got the first level done and mentions a Fall (autumn) release.

http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9610

Its written by the main guy for the music and voices for halo 2 and 3

and this weeks update haven't read it all but talks about the beta (well i think it does) http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9631

(Sorry for double post btw)

[edit] Player mute updated

* Annoyed by player
* Press BACK button
* Right stick to select annoying player
* X to mute

[Splush]

They're far too proud of the mute function considering it's a standard feature in the 360 and they've just made it take a couple of seconds less. :)

[Buzzsaw]

They've only just finished the first level?
I thought they were way further ahead than that!

[thecaterpillar]

I know and I'm sure(hope) the game is worth waiting for.

[Splush]

This is embarrasing, but I had a dream about Halo 3 last night. It turned out that there was a single player beta locked on the Crackdown disc, but I accidentally found some glitch that unlocked it, and I discovered it before anyone else in the world so I was totally playing Halo 3 early!

:o

[White Tiger]

They've only just finished the first level?
I thought they were way further ahead than that!

I think they may have done more but only let the music guy play on the first level.

Splush you really are crazy :trex:

[crazy-eye0]

If you can wait about 238 days from now theres going to be a special "halo legendary" edition,which is about £60 and has tons of commentary and special features,and aparently comes with a master chief helmet thing.

heres a link:

http://shop.gameplay.co.uk/webstore/productpage.asp?productcode=XT1113&title=halo_3_legendary_edition

[poliobear]

when-abouts is the beta being released?

[3rd attempt]

This is embarrasing, but I had a dream about Halo 3 last night. It turned out that there was a single player beta locked on the Crackdown disc, but I accidentally found some glitch that unlocked it, and I discovered it before anyone else in the world so I was totally playing Halo 3 early!

:o
no offence but i think you are on the drugs and should get off at the next station, NOBODY has an imagination that can contemplate the glory that is halo 3

[Jay]

No offense but none of your posts have made sense thus far.

[eidderf]

no offence but i think you are on the drugs and should get off at the next station, NOBODY has an imagination that can contemplate the glory that is halo 3
What about the people who make Halo.

[Buzzsaw]

You can now order 3 editions of Halo 3 at GAME.co.uk...Huzzah!
Three types:
1. Normal, standard game in the usual box.
2. Limited Edition, in a tin case and with extras.
3. LEGENDARY Edition! Comes in a nice box, with the cat-sized Spartan helmet, and tons of goodies!

I know what I'm going for...

[Jay]

Yeah me too...

Option 4, the Second Hand Edition

[Thomp]

Option 3 Pre-ordered \o/

Shush Jay, go play on your Wii :p

[White Tiger]

http://halo3ending.ytmnd.com/

Greatest ending we could ever imagine.

I think they'll release the beta towards the end of April or announce it then.

[Splush]

Photos of the mini helmets being manufactured! http://www.destructoid.com/the-halo-3-packaging-plant-in-china-30582.phtml

It's amazing what passes for news where halo 3 is concerned.

[FoxDhoj]

New Halo 2 maps, to keep you lot with 360's and Live happy...

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12324

[Splush]

Crossposting from 360 thread:

Halo 3 public beta date announced (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6541079.stm)

:)

woo

[Thomp]

Awesome news!

I have to buy Crackdown now :D

[crazy-eye0]

I need to get halo2 and finish it before 3 comes out,Ive got halo1 but I already know how that ends so theres no point anymore.I need a internet adapter to,multiplayers gonna be a big thing on Halo3 probably.

[Buzzsaw]

Awesome! Is it confirmed that the only way to get the demo will be to buy Crackdown with one of the stickers on the front?

[terrorbite]

Omg you guys. Its all very well posting a link to the BBC article saying the beta release date, but if you go on bungie.net, you can watch an awesome video documentary about the making of the multiplayer aspect of the game which includes a lot of unseen footage. Ah it look so fun :D

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=MPBetaAndVidocRelease

[crazy-eye0]

Ill be kicking myself if dont manage to get a internet adapter and xboxlive gold copy,I need this badly.

[Splush]

If you want to be super-nerdy here's a video analysing the recent multiplayer documentary: http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/10690

1up's website is slow as hell for me so I've not watched much of it, but it's already pointed out loads of things I would never have noticed as a normal mortal.

[Joe G]

Bah, my RE exam is on the 17th :(
Just means I'll probably miss out for a day. At least then I don't have any exams 'til it ends.

[The Grandmaster]

Watched that vid, i thought the replay thing looked really cool.

[Buzzsaw]

I still can't wait to put the cat-sized MC Helmet on my cat! (Don't worry animal-rights people, I love it and won't submit it to a plasma pistol).

I wonder what other goodies they're packing in the Legendary Edition. I think theres an art collection by the art bloke.

[Splush]

Leaked video of the beta, with very silly music: http://www.gameswank.com/?p=204

You get to see somebody using the bubble shield. Graphically it looks alright, just hi-res Halo 2 with a few more special effects really, nothing amazing. Hopefully the outdoor areas will be cooler.

Also the HUD is curved now: INNOVATION!

I notice at the start it seems like you can easily look at stats for people you're about to play, including their single player record, ranked matches, social matches, "XP" and skill.

[terrorbite]

It's been taken down :(

[Rhiyo]

Damn it was taken down. On an other note we need to start some kind of Weebls-stuff tournament with a prize or something :)

[Jay]

Ah I saw some of it before it went...go me. The "Curved" ness of the screen looked very Metroid...which is a good thing :D.

[Splush]

It's up on gamevideos now: http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/10951

You're not missing out on much if you don't watch it, it's mostly just a guy wandering around a particularly dull looking indoors level not doing a whole lot. H plays with the bubble shield a bit which is fairly interesting.

[terrorbite]

Hmm, it looks alright. God that song in the background was annoying.

[Rhiyo]

When the beta comes out I think we need to start some sort of tournament! :)

[Splush]

It turns out there's a much better version of the video available, higher quality and longer with actual combat outdoors. Available from either of these urls:

http://www.megaupload.com/se/?d=GF6RXBQS

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W1LJHPT5

(enter the code in the box near the top right)

I notice that before the game starts there's a chance to vote to veto the map/game type, which is nice. You get to see some other stuff like the spiker, the spartan laser and the mongoose. The game looks considerably less shitty in this video.

[Buzzsaw]

Damnit you guys beat me to it!

Considering that was only a beta build, recorded with a camera, I can safely say this game is gonna be awesome!

[Rhiyo]

DAMN IT. It says im already downloading a file from there when I try to download it. I have no idea what its on about but it wont let me download it :(

[terrorbite]

I didn't realise they were remaking Zanzibar, but yeah after watching that higher quality vid, I'm pretty excited.

[Buzzsaw]

Anyone notice the ranking system? On the game loading screen, there's the word "Private" along with a rank stripe.

New ranking system FTW!

[terrorbite]

Anyone notice the ranking system? On the game loading screen, there's the word "Private" along with a rank stripe.

New ranking system FTW!
Yeah, that's part of an experience ranking thing I think. The Halo 2 style ranking is still gonna be there.

So for example, if a new playlist was added, everyone would start out at level 1's, but you'd be able to see how experienced at Halo the players in your game were etc.

[poliobear]

I just watched the first video splush posted, the song is just "Twisted Nerve" (the whistling song) from the Kill Bill Vol. 1 soundtrack with some random stuff added in. As for the video itself, I like the new look of Zanzibar. It seems to be just a more developed version.

[eidderf]

Firstly here are some rumours:

4 Player Co-op? (http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=164370)

Secret weapons and vehicles? (http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=164326)

Also is anyone go to post some more in-depth impressions of the Halo 3 beta, I would have thought this thread would have loads more posts seeing as the beta is now out.

[Splush]

Online co-op would be great, and it seems like they kind of have to include it because games like gears of war and pdz managed it. Online co-op has been a big trend with xbox 360 games in general.

I might post some beta impressions if I had my 360 :(

I'm sure there's plenty of information on the net if you have a look for it.

[eidderf]

I read some stuff from IGN and that, just wanted to know what the forum people thought of it at the moment.

[Joe G]

Halo 3 impressions from a relative n00b:

I really like it, just in general, if you get in a good game on a mode you like then it's pure awesome. The graphics are really nice and shadow/lighting etc are all well implemented. The controls, in my opinion, are vastly improved and the new x button feature definitely add variety.

The levels themselves are quite varied with snowbound being the smaller symetrical map probably best suited to free-for-alls, Valhalla is great for anything 'team' with two little bases either end and varying terrain and High Ground if very good for most objective based games (CTF etc) with a large gate you can open to access the one large base it also has pipe access on one side and a blown up bunker on the other.

The game overall feels far more comfortable on the 360 than Halo 2. The problem many people seem to have with Halo in general that you don't encouter with Gears is that if you are rubbish at it (I know I'm not great) you simply can't get into it.

Overall 8.5/10 due to lots of annoying people and not letting you pick the exact match type/host.

[Buzzsaw]

Hmm. I'm always wary of rumours...especially ones found by dodgey modders saying they 'found by retrieving hidden data in the live beta' !

If XBL Co-Op isn't implemented I'd be very suprised, I've always wanted that.

[Splush]

I played a few games at a friend's house this evening and ejoyed it a lot, although split-screen on his fuzzy old 20" tv is pretty horrible at the best of times. It took me a while to get some of my (modest) halo skills back and get to grips with that was going on, but once I did I think I generally liked the changes they've made.

The spartan laser is awesome, I got a kill the first time I fired it and it was satisfying as hell Also I love how when somebody's aiming the laser at you you can see the red tracer like in Predator, it keeps it from being too unbalanced. I'm not sure about the brute spiker, I got a couple of kills with it but couldn't really gauge how useful it is. The other changes to weapons seem good, the assault rifle is a good starting weapon and I like how the brute shot is a lot more useful now. I went on a really fun brute shot rampage on highground.

I didn't really get to grips with the new grenade or the deployable equipment, it seems like the correct tactical situtations in which to use the deployables will become evident over time, but I was a bit overwhelmed by it all tonight.

I like Highground a lot, and Valhalla is pretty nice, but I already don't like Snowbound. The rooms with the energy doors are fun but otherwise that map is just dull.

Is anybody else finding it takes ages to join games? Way slower than Halo 2, like 30+ seconds to find players. I know it's a beta and there's less people playing it, but I wonder if other people are having problems because it could be my mate's internet/router being wonky.

[ray]

Is anybody else finding it takes ages to join games? Way slower than Halo 2, like 30+ seconds to find players. I know it's a beta and there's less people playing it, but I wonder if other people are having problems because it could be my mate's internet/router being wonky.

it takes ages for me aswell, i like the beta though, i never got to play halo 2 online so its all new to me

[Rhiyo]

it takes ages for me aswell, i like the beta though, i never got to play halo 2 online so its all new to me
Same, I never had Xbox Live on the old xbox.

[thecaterpillar]

It take ages I think because there are less players.

[FoxDhoj]

I've played on it twice now - once at my friends house on his HDTV, and once when we were drunk at my house on my regular flat-screen TV.

It's actually much more fun to play, seeing as there are new weapons, old weapons have returned and are better (such as the Needler and the Assualt Rifle), and I love the equipment too! Mongooses are fun too.

I might go round my mates again to play it again later this week...

[Buzzsaw]

Still havn't played it. And refuse to play it until the real thing.

[thecaterpillar]

You don't know what you're missing.

[White Tiger]

Thats kind of his point so he's going to be completely suprized when it comes out.

I haven't been on the beta for about a week lol :p

[Buzzsaw]

I probably don't know what I'm missing, you're right, I'm a HUGE Halo fan; but I just feel i'll enjoy it more if I don't have a clue (well, to a degree) of how it's gonna be.

[Splush]

I just got my 360 back (or rather, a different 360 which works) so I'm downloading the beta now.

I'm worried that everybody has had plenty of practice and I'm just going to be running around like a headless chicken, but at least I'm getting to play some of the beta. Anybody up for some Halo 3 tonight?

[Kaveman]

I just got my 360 back (or rather, a different 360 which works) so I'm downloading the beta now.

I'm worried that everybody has had plenty of practice and I'm just going to be running around like a headless chicken, but at least I'm getting to play some of the beta. Anybody up for some Halo 3 tonight?
Nah, if you go on ranked matchmaking you should be fine. Most of the people aren't that awesome in my experience or that might just be because I'm awesome :)
We should organise some beta parties to get people back on live

[Mr stabby]

I just got my 360 back (or rather, a different 360 which works) so I'm downloading the beta now.

I'm worried that everybody has had plenty of practice and I'm just going to be running around like a headless chicken, but at least I'm getting to play some of the beta. Anybody up for some Halo 3 tonight?

If you're on now, or later, add my gamertag: Le Jake

I'm a bit pants too, never been that good at Halo, but I love it anyway.

[Splush]

Popping online to play some more in 5 mins.

[Kaveman]

If you guys wanna play a custom match later this is how we have to do it:

Part1: Party of 6, and Party of 2, should be in seperate custom game lobbies

Part2: Party of 6 invites Part of 2 into there game...

Part3: someone in Party of 2 should lag out into a custom game that works!!!=]

[Splush]

Good games tonight, I'm loving halo 3 so far.

My mate (soy ninja) who never played Halo 2, is hating it, he says it "kind of makes him feel retarded", which I can understand slightly. It's pretty bad at letting you know what's going on at times, like the player markers in VIP mode are really counter-intuitive. I hope they make it a bit more accessible in the full version.

[Mr stabby]

Sorry Splush, but that Soy Ninja sucks serious ass, even more than me.
He couldn't drive the Warthog to save his life.
Who had to go because their wife told them to? I didn't hear who said it, just had to get that reply in. Hope I won't be receiving a ban from you or Weebl :D

[eidderf]

I hope it won't be too hard to get into the halo 3 multiplayer because everyone else with have a month or so to practice, still it's good to hear it seems to be as good as halo 2.

[Splush]

Sorry Splush, but that Soy Ninja sucks serious ass, even more than me.
He couldn't drive the Warthog to save his life.
Who had to go because their wife told them to? I didn't hear who said it, just had to get that reply in. Hope I won't be receiving a ban from you or Weebl :D
I doubt soy ninja would be offended, he never played Halo 2 online and generally dislikes Halo.

That was Weebl leaving because his wife told him to :)

I hope it won't be too hard to get into the halo 3 multiplayer because everyone else with have a month or so to practice, still it's good to hear it seems to be as good as halo 2.
I've played a few hours today and I think I've totally adjusted now, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Midget]

if anyone wants to play, i'm online between 11pm-1am every night (and have been since i got the damn beta :p)

it's just so good, i'm totally addicted

and i also was a halo virgin, played halo about twice, halo 2 once and have never played online with either, but despite that i don't think i'm that bad :p

[Mr stabby]

if anyone wants to play, i'm online between 11pm-1am every night (and have been since i got the damn beta :p)

it's just so good, i'm totally addicted

and i also was a halo virgin, played halo about twice, halo 2 once and have never played online with either, but despite that i don't think i'm that bad :p


You wouldn't join last night though, when we invited you.
Should be on tonight guys, depends what mood I'm in after the funeral, but I should be on tonight.

[White Tiger]

Last night was awesome.

In VIP i practically won it for my team with 6 VIP kills and spent half the game as our VIP. The real thing will be sweet and i will pwn some more :p

[Kaveman]

Last night was awesome, too bad we didn't get enough people for a custom game. Here's the links to the games we played.

Territories (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4937722&player=K4v3m4n)
One Bomb (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4942832&player=K4v3m4n)
Big Team Slayer (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4945717&player=K4v3m4n)
Team Slayer (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4953808&player=K4v3m4n)
VIP (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4957650&player=K4v3m4n)
Big Team Slayer 2 (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4960541&player=K4v3m4n)
Big Team Slayer 3 (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4963070&player=K4v3m4n)
Land Grab (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4965138&player=K4v3m4n)
Team Slayer 2 (http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=4969796&player=K4v3m4n)

[White Tiger]

The one bomb stats are hilarious, check the field stats on the red teams most'' killed by'' lol

Killed kaveman 6 times in the team slayer :p

I bloody owned in the vip there hehehe

Again tonight?

[Kaveman]

Im up for it

[eidderf]

Some kind of big news:

http://www.arrogantics.com/2007/05/30/high-resolution-scans-of-gamepros-halo-3-article/

I like the look of the different the spartans, it'll be nice to be able to make something a bit more unique than just being able to change the colours.

[Dr Phil]

Cool I can not wait to play the proper game will be ace.

[Jay]

Some kind of big news:

http://www.arrogantics.com/2007/05/30/high-resolution-scans-of-gamepros-halo-3-article/

I like the look of the different the spartans, it'll be nice to be able to make something a bit more unique than just being able to change the colours.One of them looks exactly like the people from Haze... http://www.britishgaming.co.uk/?p=2057

The other looks like one of those clone troopers from Star Wars...

:/

[eidderf]

Why does it matter if there are some similarities, anyway I doubt Bungie copied Haze, those screenshoots have only just been released. Also I disagree that they look exactly like the soldier's in Haze, the visor shape is slightly like the one in Halo 3 but that's about it. That's a bit of a silly complaint.

[Joe G]

My only problem is that I'm a low rank 'cos I've had to quit many games early :/
It was fun hiding in the other teams base in the Warthog too :)

[White Tiger]

We're in a custom game right now, come on NOWS

[Roachy]

I am going to shit myself when this game comes out, seriously.
The different helmets look cool, further customization for your player model I presume.

*spunks*

[Jay]

That's a bit of a silly complaint.I wasn't complaining really..I ment compared to that mister chef bloke they seemed less original looking.

[Midget]

didn't even realise you'd invited me, stabby :/

invite me again tonight if you're playing and i'll gladly join :)

[Mr stabby]

didn't even realise you'd invited me, stabby :/

invite me again tonight if you're playing and i'll gladly join :)

Wasn't me personally, think it was Splush.
If you're on now, PM me and I'll plug in t'old xbox, and we'll play.

[da-geezer]

I personally am not going to be looking forward to Halo 3; I've just played through 2 and the best part of the entire thing was the "making of" documentary. I thought the story was boring, there was very little progression from Halo 1 (which I found to be better), and I just found it to be one long ten or fifteen hour borefest. Granted; I played through on Easy as I tend to play games for the story and experience rather than the challenge; but I thought the game was simply not engrossing. I enjoyed the part where civil war broke out between the brutes and the elites and the music was fantastic, particularly the completely unexpected Breaking Benjamin song midway through the game. The MP aspect is a good laugh, one-flag CTF is most enjoyable, but overall I was very very very disappointed. The game mechanics are ten years old, I felt like I was playing through Unreal and it's mission pack again.

When I get round to acquiring an X360, I'll play through it simply because I hate leaving stories unfinished. We shall see, I hope to be proved massively wrong :)

Bitching over!

[Kaveman]

I was over at HiH (http://highimpacthalo.org) and one of there members have created a fun looking game for the custom games in the beta.
Here it is

Pinball!
Slayer
Damage Resistance: 3000 (or whatever max is)
weapon: magnum
weapon damage: instant kill
speed: 300 (max)
gravity: 200 (max)
Score: 15-25 usually.

The goal of this game is to not shoot or melee. You just run as fast as you can, and smash into the enemies to kill them. with damage resistance up, the turrents on snowbound won't do any damage to you.

[Splush]

I'm so gay for Halo 3, I just had some awesome rumble pit games.

At one point I was having a shootout with one guy, ducking behind a couple of rocks, then I realised I had the gravity lift so i deployed it and jumped up into the trees over his head and shotgunned him from above and he didn't have a clue. Bliss!

[Kaveman]

I'm so gay for Halo 3, I just had some awesome rumble pit games.

At one point I was having a shootout with one guy, ducking behind a couple of rocks, then I realised I had the gravity lift so i deployed it and jumped up into the trees over his head and shotgunned him from above and he didn't have a clue. Bliss!
Save the video?

[Splush]

I didn't save it, although maybe I still can as it was the last game I played.

The videos aren't particularly useful though, if I'm not mistaken you can't fast forward so you'll be sitting through a whole match to see one funny moment. I hear there's going to be a lot more in-depth video controls in the full version but at the moment it's not the best.

[Midget]

how do you do custom games in the beta? do you have to start a party first?

[eidderf]

Do you mean this:

http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=165142

[Kaveman]

Wanna see MC's face?
http://useruploads.mythica.org/cgi-bin/watch.cgi?f=Halo3MC.wmv&sid=2569856
There you go.

BIG NOSE AND SCAR BELOW LEFT EYE :o

[Jay]

Well..he aint no Samus in the looks department huh...

[eidderf]

If anyone posts an image on here make sure you spoiler tag it, I don't want to see.

[Kaveman]

If anyone posts an image on here make sure you spoiler tag it, I don't want to see.
http://www.wayiplay.com/images/samuel_jackson.jpg
whoops

[Jay]

They'll do a Metroid and have mister chef be a girl, I just know it.

[Splush]

The books (which I haven't read, I must stress) are apparently very clear that he's a guy called John and he has creepy super-white skin. That rules out a lot of OMG SHOCKER twists they could do.

They could still make him gay though!

[Kaveman]

They could still make him gay though!
NO, NEVA. MC SHALL HOOK UP WITH CORTANA!
hehehe

[Mat^]

They'll do a Metroid and have mister chef be a girl, I just know it.They did that already, nicole from DOA4.

[eidderf]

They shouldn't show his face, that would spoil things. I prefer him just being this faceless soldier.

[Splush]

Only reason to play as Nicole:

http://www.vulomedia.com/images/6027plasmastick.gif

[FoxTrot]

whats is that from splush?

[ray]

DOA 4

i have it, only played it once

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

the music was fantastic, particularly the completely unexpected Breaking Benjamin song midway through the game

I both volumes of the Halo 2 soundtrack, they are so worth a listen. Very moving stuff, more so in the second of the two volumes.

The books (which I haven't read, I must stress) are apparently very clear that he's a guy called John and he has creepy super-white skin.

I plan on getting at least one of the books to read on my holiday! Probably “The Fall Of Reach”. I'm really into Halo it's kind of sad :)

As for Halo 3. I really really can't wait! I will no doubt watch in awe as my bf plays the campaign through then team up with him and play it again together!

From what I saw of the beta test there are a few things I liked. I do like the equipment, but I didn’t like the energy drain. It would have worked better if it didn't affect the player who dropped it. The amount of times I saw people who dropped it die was just dumb! The trip mine was only ever used when playing CTF. Just placing it on your team’s flag and watching peeps explode trying to pick it up was fantastic! I found there were a few issues with grenades. People would die even though the ‘nade was no where near them. The little frustrating things you got in Halo 2 MP did occur in the beta. But I hope with all the data they collected they can fix some issues. Did anyone play any custom games when the beta was up? My bf got a few on the go. And I got to say the new Wrath looks mighty powerful! There are a few vids on youtube I think.

This is taken from Bungie.net about the beta results.

In the 35 days the Halo 3 Public Beta existed, players spent roughly 816 years in-game with discarded Hot Pockets cardboard container thingys and empty soda can mountains slowly growing around them. During those 816 years, a snapshot of the hive’s file share would show at least 2.7 terabytes of sharable data

That is A LOT of time spent playing :D

I'm not expecting a huge difference between Halo 2 and 3 but what I do see I'm sure I will scream like the little fan girl I am. (OMFG a girl that likes to play Halo!!)

[Splush]

I thought the power drainer was alright, people will learn not to drop it and then just stand next to it eventually. The piece of equipment I was slightly disappointed in was the energy shield, considering it had been hyped up in that video, I didn't find many useful times to use it. There seems to be an annoying delay between dropping the shield unit and the actual shield popping up, so it didn't seem like something you can do as a twitch reaction as soon as you see the spartan laser aiming at you or something. Maybe I just have crap reactions and I'm making excuses.

I think the best one if the portable gravity lift, you can do all sorts of silly things with that.

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

I found alot of people using the bubble shield in King of the Hill. Placing the bubble in the middle of the ring and huddling inside. Maybe they will make a few changes to all the equipment.

I really like the Spatan laser. Have to say that it can be a little unfair at times. Both good and bad. That 3/4 second load time can be your doom. If you are shooting it or beeing shot at. I guess it evens the laser out though. If they didn't have that load time there would be too many people on laser sprees like they do with the sword. I think they will make changes to the laser.

The grav lift is my fave too. Jumping over people as they charge at you has its advantages.

[Sorcha]

I found the Needler really annoying. Mainly because I couldn't figure out how to use it and I kept dying by it :(

Other than that... I really love the Trip Mine, hehe. It's amazing how dumb some people are... I got a triple kill with it. Maybe they didn't have their speakers on :\

My only other qualm - the mongoose. Yes, it's cool... but getting on one is almost certain suicide if you don't have someone to hop on with you, or if the other team has stickies.

I'm looking forward to see some of the other weapons and how they fit in with the beta arsenal!

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

I also didn't like the new needler! When it was a dual weild it wasn't half a powerful as it is now. I think it will work well if they lower the power on it.

Question: How did everyone get on with the new control system?

I struggled when going back to Halo 2. Infact I sucked! I kept getting confused heh.

[Roxit]

Driving over gravity lifts and corkscrewing through the sky, only to land on someone = awesome

[Sorcha]

I like the new controls, it makes reloading with dual weilds a lot easier and more efficient.

I haven't tried Halo2 again yet, but I will give it a crack when I finish NFS Most Wanted :p

Also, the Needler is the same power I think... the power of 2 Halo2 needlers in 1 single needler. Needler + nades = no fair :(

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

Weapon talk time!

Needler: Is no longer dual wieldable. While some may consider this a frowned upon change, they can now make it stronger.

Ok so that doesn't give much on it. But they can make it stronger. Hmmm.

I do want to see what pistol they put into the game. When the beta was up, in custom games it was the Halo 1 pistol. But that could change.

Did the rocket launcher have the lock on feature? I can't remeber. I have a feeling they will get rid of it as the missle pod had lock on.

I have to say I did like the revamped Brute shot. It looked more powerful, but I couldn't tell if it was or not. So I need other veiws on that.

[Splush]

Yeah the new brute shot was one of my favourite weapons, I don't know if the shots were actually more powerful but you get 6 shots in the magazine instead of 4 so I think that made it much more effective.

I think the only times I had the rocket launcher in the beta was in games where I didn't get a chance to shoot any vehicles, so I never found out if it has lock on or not. I get the feeling it doesn't though. Missile pods are awesome.

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

You know I never noticed the magazine had increased! That's rather handy because it takes a fair few seconds to reload that weapon. It could give you more of a chance of defending yourself if you are under attack. You fire your first few shots to defend and then it's time to reload again! Really annoying!

Also liking the turret! It's great that you can carry it around in the same way as the missle pod. I guess with such powerful weapons it was only fair that they slow you down.

[Rook]

Though I haven't played the real Halo 3 beta, I feel the need to ask: Does anyone here play Halo Custom Edition? There are some really good maps based on Halo 3 that have recently been released, and I wondered what other people thought of them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a cheapskate or anything, we have custom edition at this PC LAN club I go to.

[crazy-eye0]

The rocket launcher thing dosn't have a lock on.I didnt get the beta but I know it cos I whatched some thing about the weapons on youtube,well,the 1st few minutes of it anyway.

anyway,on to the more important buisness,am I right in thinking that you can have more than 2 weapons at a time? I've only ever had Halo1 so just wondering.

also,my parents wont let me pre-order Halo3,advice?

[Rook]

Stuff that, pre-order does nothing. Just tell them you're going camping friday night.

And to the other thing, you still only get 2 weapons, but certain items count different, like the shield. I think.

[Splush]

Yeah, you can only have 2 normal weapons but the energy shield, trip mine, gravity lift and power drainer are in a seperate category to weapons. Also you can have 6 grenades instead of 4 because there's a new type of grenade in the game, and you can have 2 of each type.

[Joe G]

also,my parents wont let me pre-order Halo3,advice?
Don't then. I'm not pre-ordering, I doubt it's gonna sell out and to be honest the collectors editions of games are a bit of a rip-off. Maybe Halo's will be special for fans, but since you've only had Halo 1 whats the problem?

[crazy-eye0]

I'm not going to get the limited or legendary,to much money.

Alright then I wont pre-order it,ill order it when its out.

whats the new grenade type?

[Tiode]

Their like spiky or something i heard.

[Sorcha]

It's a frag grenade that looks a bit like a mini-mace. You hold the stick, throw it, and the spikes can 'stick' to walls or other players. So, basically it's a sticky grenade, but also a frag grenade!

The other two types are still the same, frags and plasma :)

[Tempest]

I never got to play the Beta, as I wasn't able to get live in time. Other then the Needler being stronger, and that theres the new brute weapons and that mongoose thing I don't really know that much about Halo 3.

Can anyone just quickly summarize the main differences between Halo 2 and Halo 3, in terms of game play, weapons, etc.

(Note I've played both Halo 1 and 2 competitively)

[poliobear]

Halo 3 Achievements!!! (http://www.achieve360points.com/game/halo3/)

[*Ooh Sparklies*]

Wicked cool!

They don't look too challenging mind. I was expecting the finish level ones. Like Gears Of War did.

[Sorcha]

I thought that too.

Then I realised the campaign is probably going to be rather difficult, and/or long!

They wouldn't finish the trilogy and make it easy to do :p

[Dude]

Not about halo 3 but about 2, I finally got onto the damn thing on live. Used the name Jonti suggested all those years ago: PantryMaster
So if anyone wants to beat me or whatever add me as a friend (I don't have any :( )
And Halo 3 isn't looking hopeful for me, not having a 360 yet etc.

[thecaterpillar]

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=lovebungie

New Bungie update! New Spartan MJOLNIR armors from the game are being introduce into the game. Which means SPARTAN III!!!!

[Splush]

Gah, Halo 3 co-op is offline, for now. (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/18/halo-3-co-op-is-offline-for-now)

That sucks, if Crackdown can manage co-op with players miles apart then I'd have thought Bungie could do it. So many 360 games have had online co-op that it seems like it should be a standard feature by now, and I really want it. :(

[da-geezer]

FREEZE, HANDS IN THE AIR! THIS IS A THREAD HIJACK MOTHERFUCKAZZZ!

Right, the better half has an X360 and played the H3 beta to death. She's not quite done with killing people and stuff so I sent a copy of H2 up. As cunning as I am, I had a second copy of H2 kicking about, so we thought "oh yay lets kick each other's asses".

Long story short: can someone on an Xbox play someone on an X360?

We can both join games individually; but sending party invites, or selecting Join Party will bring up the usual "Joining Party" message, then spit out "waaahh waaaahhh there's network problems waaaaaah"...

... any ideas?

[Splush]

It definitely should work geez, maybe there's some router setup problems meaning your connections don't get along, or maybe there's a difference in content like one of you doesn't have the updates or one of you has downloaded extra maps that the other hasn't.

[da-geezer]

Aye hadn't thought about the maps; we're both running v1.5 of H2, I think we've downloaded all the maps from the content downloader; maybe I need to unblock some sexy ports on my router or some crazy stuff.

I was googling for it last night and Sorcha was being very helpful; but I fell asleep at my keyboard which didn't help things along :rad:

[Splush]

Actually if I remember right it'll let you join a party even if you don't have the maps, it just won't let the party leader start the game.

That sort of thing is why halo 2's online stuff was so good, most games would just boot you to the menu without any explanation.

[terrorbite]

Disappointed about the supposed lack of online co-op in Halo 3?

How does up to 4 player online co-op sound?! (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack)

Aaaaaaaaaaawesome!

[Splush]

Fantastic news! I love me some co-op and I hate me some split-screen.

[Joe G]

Ace! Different characters will be better than MC clones.

[Midget]

that sounds fucking awesome

i can't wait to coop with some of you guys

[ray]

i cant pronounce the new characters names so i nicknamed them steve and fluffy

[eidderf]

Good news, hopefully gears of war 2 will have the same feature.

[Splush]

Ace! Different characters will be better than MC clones.
It sucks if the master chief and the arbiter are taken and you have to be either "blue elite with unpronouncable name" or "purple elite with unpronouncable name".

I think fighting alongside Elites in general is cool though, my favourite parts in the Halo campaign are those where you're fighting amongst a bunch of soldiers.

[White Tiger]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssss sssssssssooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeee.

Can't wait now for it now :D

Looks like you're never going to be alone throughout the campaigns even in single player, which could make it a bit easier for me if theres flood. Not sure how scary they might be in halo 3. Are they even in? I'm not sure.

[Splush]

I really hope the flood are in, sod the flood haters!

The flood are so awesome they can make a level like the library slightly bearable :)

[Kanden]

Yeah, the Flood always kept me on my toes there. Hope there is some more variants of it, maybe even a boss-like flood? I know that'd be a bit un-Halo but it'd be cool to see.

[eidderf]

I really hope the flood are in, sod the flood haters!

The flood are so awesome they can make a level like the library slightly bearable :)
Of course the flood are in, they have to resolve the whole cortana/gravemind thing. I bet gravemind will be a boss of some sort, they bosses were rubbish in Halo 2 so hopefully they've improved this time.

[thecaterpillar]

Actually the whole storyline is based around flood. Halo was build to kept the flood in, and when is activate it will kill every living organism. Meaning the flood will run out of food and die. Of course the forerunners are invent something to prevent them from being kill by Halo, which was the 'the ark', 'onyx' , 'shield world' or whatever you want to call it.
Long time ago forerunners was on Earth building something, currently no one know what it is. Some say is 'the ark' and that why the covenant are so eager to clam it.
Also the floods seem like a much more intelligent species than mindless zombies, they obviously know this and trying every possibility to destroy it. Maybe that explain why there aren't any forerunner anywhere, they might got killed before they made it to the ark.

[bobeyuno]

Do you think the halo storyline would make a good film?

[Roachy]

Do you think the halo storyline would make a good film?
It's already several novels and a film was actually planned with director Peter Jackson. Dunno what's happening with that anymore though.

[bobeyuno]

Ever played animal crossing. That was made into a film in Japan

[Splush]

Actually the whole storyline is based around flood. Halo was build to kept the flood in, and when is activate it will kill every living organism. Meaning the flood will run out of food and die. Of course the forerunners are invent something to prevent them from being kill by Halo, which was the 'the ark', 'onyx' , 'shield world' or whatever you want to call it.
Wait, so the purpose of the halos is to kill everything in the universe (except for the forerunners in their little ark) so that the flood would run out of food and die? If they've already had the flood in the Halos why didn't they just destroy the Halos and the flood with them, instead of destroying nearly everything just to get rid of the flood. Why don't the flood just die out trapped on the halos without anything to eat?

At this point I must admit I only really paid attention to about half of the Halo/Halo 2 story.

[Joe G]

Wait, so the purpose of the halos is to kill everything in the universe (except for the forerunners in their little ark) so that the flood would run out of food and die? If they've already had the flood in the Halos why didn't they just destroy the Halos and the flood with them, instead of destroying nearly everything just to get rid of the flood. Why don't the flood just die out trapped on the halos without anything to eat?

At this point I must admit I only really paid attention to about half of the Halo/Halo 2 story.
The Halos were initailly research facilties for the flood and the whole destroy thing was incase they broke out/thing went wrong I believe. Whereas the covenant believes activating the halos will actually lead them on some special journey to the divine. (god-like).

[thecaterpillar]

Wait, so the purpose of the halos is to kill everything in the universe (except for the forerunners in their little ark) so that the flood would run out of food and die? If they've already had the flood in the Halos why didn't they just destroy the Halos and the flood with them, instead of destroying nearly everything just to get rid of the flood. Why don't the flood just die out trapped on the halos without anything to eat?

At this point I must admit I only really paid attention to about half of the Halo/Halo 2 story.

Well that's the question, what happen to the forerunners? How did the floods survive in Halo? I can't remember exactly but I think one of the novel mention Halo is actually more like a lab, forerunner use it the experiment the flood. The Halo self defence tool is only be use if the flood got out of control. The other most obvious answer will be forerunner build the Halo. Flood then invade it and kill every single forerunner there are and didn't know how to leave. Covenant then discover Halo and the floods, manage to lock floods in Halo. We then walk in and open the door to let the flood out.

The Halos were initailly research facilties for the flood and the whole destroy thing was incase they broke out/thing went wrong I believe. Whereas the covenant believes activating the halos will actually lead them on some special journey to the divine. (god-like).

You got it. Covenant believe that but the prophets knew really well what's going to happen if they activate Halo.

[Splush]

Oh, righto.

But how were the flood expected to get off the halos anyway, assuming something/someone did let them out? They don't seem intelligent enough to make a ship of even fly one.

I'm just thinking that the forerunners' plan to stop the flood by killing everything seems a bit heavy handed!

[Joe G]

Oh, righto.

But how were the flood expected to get off the halos anyway, assuming something/someone did let them out? They don't seem intelligent enough to make a ship of even fly one.

I'm just thinking that the forerunners' plan to stop the flood by killing everything seems a bit heavy handed!
They could like infect a human or a forerunner and get them to fly the out in a ship. Or they could have some ace transportation method.

[Splush]

A big bulbous, pulsating biological ship would be good. One that explodes in a big gooey mess when you shoot it.

[ray]

more stuffs on 4 player co-op:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/03/bungie-weekly-further-co-op-details-and-the-forge/

[Splush]

Forge sounds so much fun, my anticipation for this game has shot right up. The Elephant (giant tank, functions as a mobile base with spawn points, turrets and a flag capture point) also sounds cool.

Petar, one of our engineers, found a saved film from one of our testers playing on Sandtrap. He basically placed a RIDICULOUS number of exploding fusion cores on and inside the Elephant vehicle. They had their respawn times set to as close to “instant” as Forge allows, so that every time one exploded, it respawned. Now, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out what kind of chain reaction this would cause once a single core was detonated.

What we didn’t expect was the effect it had on the Elephant physics. Now the huge metal beastie is indestructible, but it has weight and mass in the game universe, so explode it enough and you can move it. Explode it with a never-ending cascade of fusion cores and you have the most dangerous Halo item ever. A vehicle big enough to park a Scorpion a Hog and two Mongooses inside, flipping around at incredible speeds and tumbling all over the map, releasing exploding cores and the occasional vehicle like some kind of satanic piñata.

And all the while, players have the ability to play a normal game variant in this environment. It’s sheer insanity, and just a taste of what players and player-designers will be able to achieve with Forge. We literally cannot even fathom what folks will come up with using time and imagination, as well as Forge’s multiplayer nature.

[Rhiyo]

Wait, so the purpose of the halos is to kill everything in the universe (except for the forerunners in their little ark) so that the flood would run out of food and die? If they've already had the flood in the Halos why didn't they just destroy the Halos and the flood with them, instead of destroying nearly everything just to get rid of the flood. Why don't the flood just die out trapped on the halos without anything to eat?

At this point I must admit I only really paid attention to about half of the Halo/Halo 2 story.

If you remember the Flood survived on the destroyed Halo anyway. With the heretics or whatever

[Splush]

I don't remember what the heretics are, but what makes you think the flood survived the destruction of alpha halo? I assumed the flood found on delta halo was a whole different population of flood.

Apologies if I'm totally misunderstanding.

[Rhiyo]

Im sure when you were the Covernant you went to the destruction of the old Halo to kill the heretics and found that there were still flood left

[ray]

this is why i dont pay attention to the story when i play halo

[Splush]

Im sure when you were the Covernant you went to the destruction of the old Halo to kill the heretics and found that there were still flood left
Oh I dunno. I need to replay Halo 2 again because I can't remember anything about it.

I'm now reading Halo story stuff on wikipedia at nearly 8 in the morning :o

[Rhiyo]

4 in the afternoon here, DANCE!

"Also I could be wrong because I havnt played the halo story in a few years either"

[Splush]

It's funny how Wikipedia has more information on Halo than it has on, say, Sigmund Freud.

Installation 04 is positioned on the Lagrange point L1 of Threshold and Basis, directly between the two celestial bodies, but closer to Basis. At the Lagrange point L1 the gravity of Basis and Threshold partially cancel out, giving Halo the same orbital period as Basis despite being in a closer orbit. The rotational axis of Halo is perpendicular to the line between Threshold and Basis, so that, when viewed from Halo, the moon and the Planet are always opposite each other, and both are about 90 degrees left or right of the ring of Halo. All three bodies revolve with the same angular speed around their common center of gravity, which is inside of Threshold, but not exactly at the center of gravity of the planet. Their common center of gravity revolves around the star.

In contrast to the Lagrange points L4 and L5, the Lagrange points L1, L2 and L3 are metastable positions, similar to a marble placed on the center of a saddle. This indicates that Halo would have to stabilize its position actively (if real laws of physics applied to it), so as not to fall onto either Threshold or Basis.

what the christ

[Rhiyo]

It's funny how Wikipedia has more information on Halo than it has on, say, Sigmund Freud.



what the christ
Odd indeed, I think they must have halolagists or something now.

[Splush]

This bit is cool:

New Mombasa, East African Protectorate - The first city attacked when the Covenant invaded Earth in October 2552. The Ark, a Forerunner structure that commands the Halos, is rumored to be located just outside of New Mombasa, somewhere between the city and Mount Kilimanjaro.

...

Much of the city was apparently destroyed when the last Covenant carrier left from the initial assault group made an in-atmosphere Slipspace jump to escape the human forces; several buildings were seen to follow the carrier out of the jump when it arrived at Delta Halo.

In-atmosphere slipspace jumps are clearly awesome. So much in Halo reminds me of Iain M Banks' Culture novels :love:

[Rhiyo]

What in the world is an Iian M banks?

[Splush]

He's a Scottish author, writes normal fiction as Iain Banks and science fiction at Iain M Banks. Been a fan of his for ages, and there's quite a few similarities between his Culture series and the Halo series, which Bungie openly admit: http://marathon.bungie.org/story/halo_culture.html

Ringworlds, rather similar ship names, crazy religious aliens, powerful A.I.s, little floating drones. Although those sorts of things are probably common in all sorts of sci-fi.

[Rhiyo]

All Scifi is getting close to the same these days :-/

[FoxDhoj]

Disappointed about the supposed lack of online co-op in Halo 3?

How does up to 4 player online co-op sound?! (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack)

Aaaaaaaaaaawesome!

I'm super late with this, but I only just read the article.

How kick ass does that foursome look:

http://www.bungie.net/images/News/InlineImages2007/4pFTWBIG.jpg

Especially the one on the left next to The Arbiter.

[Martinus]

He's a Scottish author, writes normal fiction as Iain Banks and science fiction at Iain M Banks. Been a fan of his for ages, and there's quite a few similarities between his Culture series and the Halo series, which Bungie openly admit: http://marathon.bungie.org/story/halo_culture.html

Ringworlds, rather similar ship names, crazy religious aliens, powerful A.I.s, little floating drones. Although those sorts of things are probably common in all sorts of sci-fi.

True, Iain M. Banks makes it cool though. ;)

[eidderf]

I'm super late with this, but I only just read the article.

How kick ass does that foursome look:

Picture

Especially the one on the left next to The Arbiter.
Masterchief looks more grey in that picture and the Arbiter is gold now for some reason.

[ray]

the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire

flamethrower and fire bomb (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/bungie-weekly-return-of-the-flamethrower-and-the-fourth-grenade/)

[Splush]

Blimey, they're adding a lot of weapons. Keeping track of four types of grenade might be tricky.

I've been playing Halo 2 to get back up to speed on the Halo story and there's lots of awesome stuff that I'd forgotten about. I still think the arbiter sections work well and I don't know why people moan about them. I dunno why people are that attached to MC as a character really.

[Thomp]

All of this new stuff sounds orgasmic. 4 way co-op!? Jesus...

[Meercat1337]

I cannot wait for this game to come out, pre-orderd it last night, I traded in Forza 2 so I could get this game.
really am looking forward to 4 player co-op.

I really hope its more like Halo:CE than Halo 2

[daysawayac]

I didn't see a point in Pre-Ordering it, but I will be in line to get it. Unfortunately for me the release date is the same day my wife's due date for our daughter. "What do you mean your water broke?? We can't leave the line NOW!!"

[White Tiger]

I didn't see a point in Pre-Ordering it, but I will be in line to get it. Unfortunately for me the release date is the same day my wife's due date for our daughter. "What do you mean your water broke?? We can't leave the line NOW!!"

Well she could be in labour for a long time, and if you get onto a hard bit where you need lots of anger and screaming had your wife the controller :p
(Congratulations by the way as well)

I was going to pre-order the legendary edition but sadly can't afford to :(
Will just get the normal one.

[Nevermore]

This game is going to be great, Being a big Halo 2 fan I hope the controls aren't to different, Hate to have to start as a nub on live again :|.

And apparently My bro, Me and mates from "Running riot", A little LAN group, are gonna have a big launch party. Buying the game then playing it for larfs.

[Splush]

The controls have changed from Halo 2 a little bit based on the beta, the left and right bumpers reload the left and right weapons respectively, and left bumper changes grenades when you're not dual-wielding. X now deploys equipment like the energy shield. Otherwise everything's the same I think.

[Nevermore]

Good to know nothing has changed too much. Thank ya kindly.

[crazy-eye0]

I was'nt around on XBL when the beta was out, is driving any different? EG the hog dos'nt explode after one round from one SMG?

are the vehicles more robust is what I'm asking?.

man I miss Halo1s hog...good times...

[Midget]

seemed pretty tough to me yeah, driving them seems a little better too

[crazy-eye0]

I am happy again ^_^

obviously if someone gets a hog or a mongoose, they can't just go on killing rampages like Halo1...right?.

[Midget]

yeah pretty much, just get a guy on the turret and if your driver is skilled enough you can sometimes go through a whole game without dying once, absolutely wasting the other team

[crazy-eye0]

Just like the good old days...

The hog in Halo2 was'nt very fun, maybe because I was to used to the P.C controls for it, but mainly due to the fact it dies from not 2, but 1 SMG.

I do'nt like the SMG either...much.

[Buzzsaw]

My friend (who is a mystery man!) showed me his Custom Bungie X360 Elite and Halo 3 Campaign Beta on webcam yesterday (no, it's not fake, I screenshotted it, and yes, he lives in the UK):
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/4789/mm360ud3.jpg

Jealous. :(

[crazy-eye0]

Does anybody besides me listen to the Halo podcasts?

I'm listening to the latest one, and I'm surprised to hear that quite a few celebrities love Halo, aparently it made Linkin Park ignore a crowd of screaming girls at a festival, and play Halo for a while at some stand.

Interesting.


That is also a sweet looking elite.

[Rook]

I both hate and love killer apps like this one.

I am now torn between sticking to my PS2 so I can keep all my old games (for big nostalgia, many classics), or moving on to a microsoft machine. Or just sticking to Halo Custom Edition for the PC, which is now flooded with "knock-off" (but very well made) Halo 3 maps :D

Oh, and BTW, does anyone know the PC specs for Halo 2? I can't find them anywhere.

[White Tiger]

I both hate and love killer apps like this one.

I am now torn between sticking to my PS2 so I can keep all my old games (for big nostalgia, many classics), or moving on to a microsoft machine. Or just sticking to Halo Custom Edition for the PC, which is now flooded with "knock-off" (but very well made) Halo 3 maps :D

Oh, and BTW, does anyone know the PC specs for Halo 2? I can't find them anywhere.

Vista, directx 10 supporting graphics card, 1gb ram but most likely more recomended.

I would bet you'd look on the back of the box and see something like that.

[Splush]

Halo 2 for Vista doesn't need a DX10 card, I don't know about any of the other specs but I'm positive about that.

Does anybody besides me listen to the Halo podcasts?

I'm listening to the latest one, and I'm surprised to hear that quite a few celebrities love Halo, aparently it made Linkin Park ignore a crowd of screaming girls at a festival, and play Halo for a while at some stand.
I've listened to the last couple of podcasts, they're pretty interesting. I struggled to believe that Julia Roberts is a big Halo fan though, somehow.

[crazy-eye0]

Yes, I know what you mean there, I can't picture her playing Halo, let alone any game at all, yet with the Linkin Park bit, it's alot easier to imagine them playing it than someone like Julia Roberts.

[Rook]

Vista, directx 10 supporting graphics card, 1gb ram but most likely more recomended.

I would bet you'd look on the back of the box and see something like that.
Yes, but I havn't seen it in any stores near where I live yet (havn't been out since July though).

Thanks anyway.

[crazy-eye0]

I have another question about the beta.

Is the voicing system the same as the Halo2 system, or can everybody be heard at every part of the map just as loud as everyone else?

I never liked the Halo2 voice system you see.

[nightsymbol]

I wish it was for Xbox too :( That would be great

[Nevermore]

I have another question about the beta.

Is the voicing system the same as the Halo2 system, or can everybody be heard at every part of the map just as loud as everyone else?

I never liked the Halo2 voice system you see.
I found it funny as hell, Especially when angry people ran by.

Oh ffs Lag! I'ma gonna KILL YOU WHEN YOU stop running from me. nooooooob!

[Midget]

"take that you FUCKING NIGGER FAGGOT" is usually what you get when you pwn the same guy 12 times with the sword only for him to finally kill you in some crap way

i always loved playing team snipers and for the first minutes just headshot the same opponent on their team everytime he respawns for about 2 minutes and he'll usually get fed up and leave (easier said than done though)