halo waypoint
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Microsoft working on a fix for Halo 4 SmartGlass issues, arriving in 'the coming weeks'
Microsoft's SmartGlass and Microsoft's Halo 4 apparently aren't quite getting along on Windows Phone 8 devices. Using SmartGlass, Halo 4 players can normally access their stats and other info about their android supersoldier using the long-established Waypoint service -- except for Windows Phone 8 users, apparently. A forum thread dating back to Halo 4's November launch highlights the issue -- as Xbox.com forum user "Scion Eon" puts it: "Whenever I try to log into SmartGlass on my phone while playing Halo 4, I am immediately greeted with a message that says 'Your device is missing certain required features.'" As it turns out, Mr. Eon isn't the only one experiencing said connectivity issues -- specific to Windows Phone 8 devices -- and Microsoft's aware of the situation. "We are aware that there is an issue with the Xbox SmartGlass experience for 'Halo Waypoint' on Windows Phone 8 devices, which may prevent users from accessing Halo 4 player stats," a Microsoft rep told us this afternoon. Thankfully, Redmond's also taking care of a solution. "We are actively working on a fix and expect to have a solution within the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as this gets resolved and apologize for any inconvenience this causes," the statement reads. Of course, should you want to access Halo 4's Waypoint functionality on SmartGlass before that fix, you can always use Microsoft's competitor's devices. But then who'd do that? [Thanks Colin!]
Halo Waypoint app available now
Microsoft is really getting busy on iOS today -- first we saw Kinectimals released for the platform, then it was the new SkyDrive app, but last week we missed seeing a brand new Halo app built for the iPhone (and presumably Windows phone devices as well). This one is a little more useful than the Bungie Mobile app from a while back; Halo Waypoint will not only show you your stats out of game, but help you out while you play. You can see games in progress, and even use the included maps (which were originally in the official strategy guide) to see almost real-time positions for you and your friends while you play. That's pretty cool -- it's a second screen for Halo. You can also create custom challenges with the app, by setting up a list of criteria for a goal within a certain time limit, and then challenging your friends to meet that goal, doing things like trying to get a certain number of head shots in Team Deathmatch, or whatever else you choose to set up. As I've said before, we've seen a few of these "game plus" apps, that supplement a console or traditional video game as you play it. But this definitely seems the most built-out version of this kind of thing yet. If you're a Halo player at all, you should definitely grab the Halo Waypoint app, free in the App Store right now.
Halo Waypoint hits iOS, Android and Windows Phone on Dec 10, ATLAS 'GPS' is $4.99
Microsoft wants to make sure that you're thinking Xbox even when you're far away from your Xbox. First, the My Xbox Live and Xbox Companion apps debuted on the iOS App Store and Windows Phone Marketplace, respectively. And now we've got Halo Waypoint for iOS, Android and, of course, Windows Phone 7. And while Waypoint will pack the expected Halo: Reach stats, service record, and challenges, the ATLAS "companion experience" is a little more unique. As we reported in October, ATLAS is short for Assisted Tactical Assault System and it's a "near-real-time player data and tactical guidance" supplement for your Halo: Reach multiplayer matches. What does that mean? Detailed maps of the game's multiplayer levels, including boring stuff like spawn and health pack locations, and the cool stuff like "near-real-time locations for weapons and vehicles." That means GPS-like pinpointing of your location while you play the game. You can find more data direct from Xbox at the Source link below. There is one catch, however: While Waypoint will be free for all three platforms on December 10, ATLAS will run iOS and Android users $4.99 while Windows Phone 7 users get something to gloat about, with the app's $0 asking price.
Halo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker
If the Kinect reveal for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary wasn't enough, 343 Industries also targeted fans with some new Halo Waypoint functionality at this weekend's Comic Con. The downloadable app is getting real-time GPS tracking of multiplayer games via a new service called "Atlas." Yes, seriously -- while you're playing a multiplayer game of Halo: Reach, you can use Waypoint's GPS feature via Windows Phone 7 or the web (and other "mobiles," we're told) to watch troop movements from above. The updated version of Waypoint also adds the ability to send challenges to friends, similar to the weekly ones set originally via Bungie and now via 343 Industries within Reach multiplayer. 343 reps explained that you'll earn in-game credits for completing these challenges based on the difficulty of said tasks, but didn't dive too deeply into how it will all work exactly. We'll find out soon enough, as the update to Waypoint launches alongside Halo Anniversary on November 15. Update: We've added two Waypoint vids from Microsoft showcasing the update, one above and one after the break.
Halo Wars stat tracking gets a reprieve from 343 Industries
Good news for Halo Wars fans -- the planned shutdown of stat tracking for the game has been canceled by 343 Industries, who have decided not to kill the game's community just yet. Originally, Microsoft planned to shut down the feature on the Halo Waypoint website on December 15, but the outcry from the community (which we found completely reasonable) means they've "decided that the current plan of action was not in line with how we have always intended to support Halo games and the Halo franchise in general." So rest assured, Halo Wars players, your stats are safe. The community itself will still be switching from game-specific forums to the Waypoint forums, but stats will still be available on HaloWars.com for the foreseeable future. And though Title Update 5 of the game will still be installed (to fix some unrelated Theater issues) your stats won't change, so go right ahead getting your Halo RTS on.
Microsoft closing Halo Wars website, folding into Waypoint community
Avid Halo Wars players, whose attention hasn't been swayed by 2010's exhaustive list of strategy blockbusters, were greeted with some unwelcome news this past weekend: The game's stat tracking home, as well as its official forums, will be shut down on December 15. The loyal community is being persuaded to move its conversation over to the Halo Waypoint forums. On the same day as the closure, an update will launch for Halo Wars, forever severing it from the soon-to-be-discontinued website. The update will also remedy a few Theater mode issues that were keeping players from viewing cutscenes, but, according to 343's content producer, "it won't include many of the fixes that we all wanted it to include." As you can imagine, the responses on said post are well-measured, even-headed and entirely polite. There's just this air of understanding permeating the entire discussion that's ... well, it's really inspiring.
Apt. 117, a new animated series for Halo Waypoint, tries to alienate Halo fans
We're no Bussinessologists or whatever, but we're pretty sure the best way to keep your fans coming back for more is to portray them as hideous, ill-mannered freaks who bathe with their Xbox 360 headset on. It just makes sense, right? It's the only way we can explain Apt. 117, a real thing that's apparently coming to Halo Waypoint "soon." Developed by Powerhouse Animation Studios in collaboration with 343 Industries, the animated series follows "a boring average guy who lives with a Halo-obsessed idiot." Head past the break for the announcement trailer.
Halo Waypoint refreshed for Reach release
343 Industries has updated Xbox Live's Halo Waypoint so it'll be all nice and Reach-ready upon your triumphant return from the store with Bungie's latest in hand late night tonight. Head past the break for a video detailing the new features, look and exclusive content.
Video: Halo Waypoint on Windows Phone 7
Microsoft's Channel 9 has posted a quick preview – more of a commercial really – of the Halo Waypoint app on Windows Phone 7. Based on Silverlight, the app offers a streamlined version of the console experience, tying into Xbox Live and allowing users to check out articles, video and more. See it in action after the break.
New season of This Spartan Life coming to Halo Waypoint
343 Industries is teaming up with This Spartan Life to offer the latest season of episodes via Halo Waypoint. For the unaware, This Spartan Life is a self-described "talk show in game space," a discussion that takes place in-game which is recorded and then uploaded onto the internet in 30-minute episodes called modules. The show has tackled all kinds of topics in its nearly five year run -- things like net neutrality -- and was even featured on NPR. Past the break, you can watch the trailer announcing the collaboration and see what the This Spartan Life guys have lined up for upcoming episodes. The new season has already kicked off and you can see the first episode on Halo Waypoint right now.
Waypoint's Halo Reach content schedule, Avatar award teased
The Halo: Reach marketing machine is working overtime this week, as Halo Waypoint will release new content everyday until the Beta launches on May 3. If that isn't a big enough tease for you, the schedule of content the team at Waypoint sent to us still has a few "To be announced" placeholders. It's bad enough Halo fans need to wait, but waiting for the content provided to help diminish the wait for the Beta is just cruel, guys. Here's the Halo Waypoint schedule of content for the days leading to the Halo: Reach Beta. In a recent Reach ViDoc, an Avatar award is briefly mentioned by designer Luke Smith as the only thing beta testers will start with when they begin their testing duties on May 3. Halo Waypoint will also see a title update sometime before the beta launches. While it's unconfirmed if the two are related, Team Waypoint recently tweeted more "details" would be released regarding an image of a "Halo: Reach Beta Tester" Avatar hoodie recently uncovered by NeoGAF; it's looking likely that this is the gear you could be getting for playing the Halo: Reach beta. The content schedule for Halo Waypoint can be found after the break.
Halo: The Return, Part 2 coming to Waypoint - exclusive trailer here
While you may never get that Halo movie your parents promised you, Halo Waypoint is doing its best to bring you all sorts of Halo goodies that are, at the very least, movie-like. First, the Halo Legends anime series, then Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian, and now Halo: The Return, a four-part motion comic series based on the short story of the same name in last year's Halo Evolutions book. The first episode debuted last Saturday but will remain free to watch, only through Waypoint. We've got the trailer for this Saturday's Part 2 above, so be sure to make a note in your Master Chief-themed day planner.
Rooster Teeth Grifball series headed to Halo Waypoint
Microsoft has sent out the latest Halo Waypoint update, detailing the content that we can expect to see in the near future. The update goes over the recent Halo: Reach info that has hit the interwebs, namely the ViDoc and the box art. It notes that this and future Reach info will be posted on the Transmissions section of the official Halo site on Xbox.com. There's also a Valentine's Day screenshot gallery on Waypoint, with help from one Hawty McBloggy. The real meat of the update, however, is that a new short series from Rooster Teeth -- the crew behind Red vs Blue -- will begin airing on Waypoint starting this weekend. The three part series, entitled "Grifball: Expansion," will air every Saturday starting February 20 and concluding on March 6. The series "tells the story of Team Slipspace and their confrontation with the newest addition to the International Grifball League of Earth." Check out a trailer for the series above.
Final episode of 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' drops on Halo Waypoint tomorrow
Tomorrow, the final installment in Halo Waypoint's ongoing four-part motion comic, "Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian," will be available. The comic -- which is written by Frank O'Connor and animated by ONE -- centers around ODST Baird, last remaining human survivor on the UNSC ship Destroyer. Baird must stop the invading Covenant forces before they discover the location of Earth and all of its Burger Kings. What? You didn't know the Covenant loves their chicken parmesan sandwiches?
Halo motion comic 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' coming to Waypoint
A notice on Halo Waypoint has announced that a four part motion comic series will be debuting on the service starting this Saturday, January 16. The motion comic, entitled "Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian," is based on the short story of the same name written by 343 Industries' own Frank O'Connor for the recently released Halo Evolutions story collection. A new episode will air every Saturday from January 16 through February 6. Check out the preview, handily embedded above. [Via IncGamers]
Final Halo: Legends sneak peek hits Waypoint Jan. 2
Microsoft has dropped (though not from orbit) word that January 2, 2010 will see the 24-hour-only debut of Halo: Legends episode "Origins" on Xbox Live's Halo Waypoint. The episode, created by Japan's Studio 4°C, is basically a recap of events leading up to the Halo trilogy as we know it, including the Forerunners going toe-to-fleshy-thing with the Flood more than 100,000 years before the events of the first game. Hey, it is called "Origins." Also announced today is a special three-part Red vs. Blue holiday feature that will be accessible via Waypoint between December 24 (that's tomorrow!) and December 26 (that's Saturday!). Halo: Legends arrives on DVD, Blu-ray Disc and digital download formats February 16 (a Tuesday!).
PSA: Second Halo Legends episode free, available today only
If you enjoyed the Cowboy Bebop-meets-Master Chief action presented in the first episode of Halo Legends (seriously, that main character looked just like Spike Spiegel!), then you may want to check out the second episode of the Spartan-themed anime premiering today on Halo Waypoint. For 24 hours starting at 12:00AM PST (about eight hours ago), Xbox Live Silver and Gold members will be able to access "The Duel" through the "all-things-Halo" hub. Microsoft also notes that this will be the last week for Xbox Live Silver members to explore Waypoint, and in turn, enjoy the weekly free episodes of Halo Legends. If you're wondering what time the show will be available for you and you don't live in North America, a full list of showtimes is available on Xbox.com.
Interview: 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor
Now that Halo Waypoint has launched and the Halo Legends anime project will soon begin airing on Xbox consoles everywhere, we got the chance to discuss the current state of Halo with 343 Industries creative director, Frank O'Connor. After the break, you'll find discussion on Waypoint, Legends, Halo 3: ODST sales and whereabouts of Ryan Payton. We also talk about the whether or not there's just too much Halo out there, whether we'll see any Halo games for kids and we even squeeze in a question about Pimps at Sea.
Microsoft details Halo Legends preview schedule
We knew that the first installment of the Halo Legends anime project was debuting November 7 on Halo Waypoint, but now Microsoft has revealed the dates for most of the remaining episodes. Beyond Waypoint simply airing each episode, Halo fans will also be treated to "making of" features for each episode. All told, you can expect something related to Legends every week from now until January 9, 2010 (and likely beyond, as there are still some episodes unrevealed). Grab your calendar and a nice permanent marker, then check out the schedule after the break.
First Halo Waypoint programming revealed
Even if you're not in the Halo Waypoint preview, you can get an early look at what's going to be available when it launches for real on Thursday, November 5, thanks to a weekly schedule we received from 343 Industries. By Thursday's launch, you'll already be able to watch a "Spotlight on Louis Wu" and a "Halo in Five Minutes" presentation, as well as page through some Firefight screens from the community. Other content up this week: "Welcome to Waypoint," which serves as an introduction and overview to the service, some Firefight strategy from Prima, and, on Saturday, a full episode of Halo Legends called "The Babysitter." See the full schedule after the break. %Gallery-75874%
