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Preview Halo 3 in Seattle at the IMAX
Listen up fanboys in or around the Seattle area, because we have details to how you can get a first glimpse of Halo 3 on one massively big screen. Tonight, 10:00PM at the Pacific Science Center IMAX theatre in Seattle, Bungie will be demoing Halo 3 to the public for the first time. That's correct, the Bungie crew will be showing off some co-op campaign, saved film features, doing a little Q&A and a few surprises will go down before the night is through. Again, the event takes place in Seattle at a friggin' IMAX theatre (directions), but you must be at least 18 years old or have a parent / guardian present and RSVP first, because space is limited.Descend fanboys, descend into Seattle tonight for some Halo 3 love and try to get us some exclusive shots of all the fun ... even though cameras are kinda not allowed. Technicalities though, technicalities.
Wired chronicles the development of Halo 3
If you've moseyed on by your local newsstand, or whatever the kids call 'em these days, you may have seen the Master Chief plastered on the cover of Wired magazine. As our more astute readers have probably surmised, the issue contains a lengthy article on Halo 3. Specifically, the article deals with the extensive testing process that Halo 3 has undergone to ensure that the game is as close to perfect as it can be. Believe it or not, Bungie knows that lots of people were unsatisfied with Halo 2 (many Bungie employees weren't satisfied with it). The combat wasn't balanced, there were plenty of glitches, and the story, well, the story wasn't what Bungie wanted it to be. This time though, Bungie has employed an army of testers to make sure that the game is satisfying to everyone from the pros to Halo n00bs to Grandma (well, maybe not Grandma). As noted by the article, the Halo 3 testing process leans more towards science than artistry. Bungie recorded play sessions, recorded players' reactions during those play sessions, had players stop to note their satisfaction every 20 minutes, and much more. The amount of statistics recorded is really staggering, and all of it done to make sure that Halo 3 -- particularly Halo 3's campaign -- is the best damned game it can possibly be. The article hasn't made it online yet, so you'll have to pick up a copy of Wired if you want the full scoop. [Image: 360WTF]
Forge talk, iMax and pay to go Bungie Pro [update 1]
Just like clockwork, the Bungie crew released this week's Bungie Weekly Update revealing some info about the Forge, how amazing Halo 3 is on an IMAX screen, details about sharing content and a little thing called Bungie Pro. What's Bungie Pro you ask? Well, it's more or less a subscription system through the XBLM to give you more room to share your Halo 3 files. Normal Halo 3 players will be treated to free storage of six slots equaling no more than 25MB of videos, screenshots, or gametypes. But they're also offering a subscription to Bungie Pro which will cost 750 Microsoft points a year and bump your storage to twenty-four slots equalling no more than 250MB. It's an "interesting" idea and since all this shared content is server side it kind of makes sense ... doesn't it? Full Bungie Weekly Update text awaits your reading after the jump.Update 1: Just to clarify, the talk about open slots, MBs and the Bungie Pro plan are just for content you want to openly SHARE with others via uploading to the Bungie servers. These storage limits do not dictate how much content you can save to your Xbox 360 HDD.
Bungie podcast episode 6 be live
On the latest episode of the Bungie podcast, Luke Smith and the gang -- minus Frankie, who is busy down under -- had on Damian Isla, AI lead for Halo 3. In addition to giving tips on how to get a job as an AI programmer (hint: make demos) Isla talks about the newfangled AI in Halo 3. In particular, Isla discusses the changes made to the Halo 3 brutes so that they are more than just the "bullet sponges," they were in Halo 2. In addition, the Bungie boys talk about showing Halo 3 to New York's best and brightest (including folks from The Daily Show and SNL), and they talk about Epsilon. And, before you listen to the podcast for no reason, no, you can't get into Halo 3 Epsilon. Sorry. Hit the "read" link and enjoy.[Update: Um, this is episode 6. Not 5. Just so we're clear, it's episode 6.]
Behold the Halo 3 manual!
We don't know how the hell the denizens of the internet do it, but it seems that someone has uncovered some scans of the Halo 3 manual. Now, before you click through to digitally rifle through the pages yourself, know that there are spoilers ahead. In particular, there is one piece of info concerning a certain weapon. We won't tell you what that info is, but hopefully it will lessen the cries of "N00B" that fill your average game of Halo. Of course, the story-related parts of the manual should be familiar to those who have played through the first two games, but we know there are plenty of fans out there wishing to keep their experience completely pure. Anywho, if you don't care, or if your curiosity gets the better of you, hit the "read" link for some glorious manual goodness. Also, keep in mind that we have no idea how recent this manual is, or if it's even real for that matter. Best to take any factual info (including the weapon details) with a healthy chunk of salt. [Via The 360 Forum. Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Halo 3 theme for your Windows Live Space
If you've cursed MySpace, Blogger, Facebook or any of those other "hip and trendy" online communities and opted to go with Windows Live Spaces, then we've got just the thing for you. Available for Windows Live Space installation is a shiny new Halo 3 theme to show your support and love for the upcoming blockbuster of a game. If properly applied, you'll not only be the envy of all twelve Windows Live Space users, but we know Bungie will applaud your dedication to Master Chief. Go ahead, skin your Windows Live Space page with Halo 3 goodness or go for some generic brand support and apply the Xbox 360 theme if you wish. Both are equally lovely.[Via HBO]
Bungie's Frank O'Connor chews the fat with IGN
It seems like the boys from Bungie are everywhere these days. Yes, Frank O'Connor certainly gets around. We caught up with him at E3, he and Brian Jarrard set the world on fire in Amsterdam, and now he's chatting it up with IGN Australia. The interview with IGN focuses on Halo 3. Yeah, we're as shocked as you are. Still, Frankie does discuss the challenges of video game writing and Bungie's intentions to tie up all the loose ends with Halo 3. Frankie also takes time to discuss the length of the game and how co-op works. He also mentions that Halo 3 will have more easter eggs in it than either of the previous Halo games. Considering there were some easter eggs that took ages to find in Halo 2, that's quite a lofty promise. Oh, and you can shoot the fish. No, seriously.Hit the "read" link for the full interview.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Bungie profiles Halo 3 UNSC weapons
Bungie.net has posted some new weapon profiles from Halo 3. This time, we get a long, hard look at some of the human weaponry available in Halo 3. In total, we get a look at the M6G pistol, the M9 frag grenade, the M7 SMG, and the M90A shotgun. In addition to all the specifications for each weapon, the profiles are again filled with quotes from soldiers in the field. Our favorite this time refers to the M9 grenade: "Well it's a grenade innit? It blows up." In an interesting twist, the pistol profile hints at different types of ammunition available for the weapon. Whether or not this is featured in the game remains to be seen. Follow the links below to check out each weapon in detail. Read -- M6G Personal Defense Weapon System Read -- M9 High Explosive-Dual Purpose Antipersonnel Grenade Read -- M7 / Caseless Submachine Gun Read -- M90A Close Assault Weapon System
Halo 3 multiplayer map Narrows revealed
It's that time again, time to add another deadly location to our growing list of confirmed Halo 3 multiplayer maps. Late last night, IGN posted exclusive details and screenshots about the latest multiplayer map to be revealed, Narrows. Narrows is a completely original map where battle takes place on a long, narrow Forerunner bridge that is embedded into two cliffs over a gaping void. The map is symmetrical, features multiple levels and has two man cannons placed on each side of the bridge allowing opponents to fly through the air straight into eachother's path. Head on over to IGN for more Narrows images and get a feel for what combat is headed your way. Oh, and please watch your step.
Red Vs. Blue Halo 3 special episode 3 now online
The third episode in the special Halo 3 series of Red Vs. Blue is now online. Actually, it was online earlier, but we've just now found it on YouTube. As we've said before, we wouldn't want our readers toddling off to find it on the proper website. No, we want you all to stay right here where you belong. This episode focuses on the new equipment items found in Halo 3. Of course, there are no equipment items in Halo 2, so Sarge and the gang have to improvise. Click play now. Otherwise you'll never learn why Simmons always takes the stairs.Update: It's Simmons who takes the stairs. For confusing Simmons with Grif, Sarge made us test out the "Jumping Off a Cliff" equipment. It works like you think it would.
Bungie podcast talks AI, no clan support
Tardy again, we've just finished listening to the latest Bungie Podcast (try to forgive us, we were busy editing our own podcast you know). For those of you who've yet to listen to it, we suggest you get right on it. In this episode, Frankie and Luke discuss Halo 3 AI with Mission Designer, Dan Miller. We don't want to spoil the fun of hearing it for yourself, but suffice it to say that enemy encounters in Halo 3 are set to be pants-wettingly epic. Listening to Frankie describe an exchange with a group of brutes that involved a bubble shield, a power drainer, a flashbang, another bubble shield, and a radar jammer definitely gets us excited for some (co-op) campaign hijinks.Also mentioned in the podcast. Halo 3 will not ship with clan support. As Frankie puts it, the clan support in Halo 2 really amounted to no more than a second friends list. The Bungie boys don't rule out the possibility that Halo 3 may support clans in the future, but don't expect to see it in the retail box next month. Oh, and don't forget that Microsoft isn't planning on implementing cross-game clan support anytime soon either.Hit the "read" link to download the podcast.
Rumored Halo 3 Epsilon details
Our friends at Xbox-Scene have received some new details on Halo 3 Epsilon, which was spotted on several gamercards last week. According to an anonymous tipster has informed Xbox-Scene that Halo 3 Epsilon is a downloadable version of Halo 3 with lots of gameplay options. Think of it as the Halo 3 Beta Plus. Epsilon gives you access to multiplayer fun on six maps including Snowbound, High Ground, Valhalla, Last Resort, Epitaph, and Sandtrap. In addition, players get access to custom games and the ability to fully edit game variants. Not only that, but Forge is also available, where players can edit and save map variants. Players can also enjoy four player co-op in a single level of Halo 3's campaign. Finally, the fully functional Saved Films feature is also available, allowing players to save and edit films from all available play modes including Forge.All in all, it's sounds like a pretty sweet deal for those lucky enough to get in on it. We've been checking our inbox obsessively without any luck. We'd ask the lucky bastards playing it to tell us about it, but they're probably sworn to secrecy on pain of death.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in]
Microsoft: Halo 3 can make $155 million in one day
Microsoft has high sales hopes for Halo 3, so high that they're willing to bet that its first day sales will eclipse the current record for a weekend movie box office. Talking with Variety, Microsoft's director of creative marketing Chris Di Cesare went on record to say that they feel Halo 3 has to potential to not only beat Halo 2's $125 million one day record, but thinks it can beat Spider-Man 3's record $151 million weekend box office and rake in $155 million in twenty four hours. They've got high hopes indeed.It's more than obvious that Microsoft is treating their Halo 3 cash cow as an "entertainment" event rather than strictly a video game release and want everyone to know that the Halo franchise can not only appeal to the masses, but bring home the big bucks too. And what better way to prove to the world their Halo 3 entertainment launch was a success than by sending out a press release a day after the game's release confirming its record setting sales. We say go get 'em Halo 3, break all those records!
Bungie details H3 flamethrower and firebomb
Bungie.net has posted some new detailed descriptions of both the flamethrower and firebomb from Halo 3. The item descriptions are similar to the previous item profiles hosted by Bungie.net and include technical specifications and quotes from soldiers on the field. The flamethrower (designation M7057 / Defoliant Projector), it seems, was technically designed to clear land of foliage for military operations. The entry adds that using the flamethrower as a weapon can cause psychological damage (or perhaps requires it). The description also contains a spiffy Quicktime VR of the flamethrower in action. We also learn that the firebomb (designation Type-3 Antipersonnel / Antimateriel Incendiary Grenade) is actually a Brute weapon that has been adopted for use by the UNSC. An interesting note, the entry mentions that the firebomb burns very brightly and should not be viewed directly. Whether or not this translates to actual gameplay remains to be seen. Our favorite quote regarding the flamethrower: "I don't see where carrying around a big can of super-flammable stuff right next to my xxxx is such a good idea." Hit the links below to check out the new equipment. Read -- Flamethrower Read -- Firebomb
Visit Game Fuel online, download Halo 3 RSS reader too
The official site for Master Chief's soda of choice Mountain Dew Game Fuel has gone live and Microsoft released a nifty Halo 3 branded RSS reader to boot. The official Game Fuel website is kind of bare right now, but offers up some information about the soda, a few free wallpaper downloads as well as a link to 7-11's Halo 3 sweepstakes that goes live on September 1st. The other goody is the official Halo 3 RSS reader, which is available for download, but you'll have to accept some terms/agreements first. The reader is a separate application that runs on your computer and will notify you when Halo 3 news hits the interwebs. It's pre-loaded with a few websites including Bungie.net, Halo3.com, and Xbox.com, but you can add your own customized RSS feeds too. Speaking of customized RSS feeds, we totally recommend adding X3F's Halo 3 feed to your official Halo 3 reader simply by putting this link in your "My Feeds" section. Once added, you'll be up to date with so much Halo 3 news that your eyes may pop out. No, we aren't kidding. Give Game Fuel a chance and download the RSS reader too, Halo 3's success is dependent on your purchasing and download decisions.Read - Halo 3 Game Fuel websiteRead - Halo 3 RSS Reader
Halo 3 to include flamethrower and firebomb
Super juicy Halo 3 details hit the internet tonight when IGN received some exclusive information about two "hot" new weapons that'll grace our Halo 3. The two new weapons are the Halo CE flamethrower and a new grenade type called the firebomb with both being available in campaign and multiplayer.So, onto the details. Everyone's favorite flamethrower will be treated as a third person weapon (think turret gun and missile pod), so you'll walk slower but you'll be able to shoot out a liquid stream of fire that can burn pillars, warthogs or the occasional bubble shield (no joke!). The second fiery weapon is the firebomb which acts very similar to the flamethrower's liquid fire, but more convenient and will be the fourth grenade type. Even cooler is the fact that the firebomb's fire will burn on the ground for a while allowing players to create walls of fire or traps in multiplayer. Suhweet! Head over to IGN to get all the specifics and details about the two new weapons everyone will be using to burn their opponents this September.[Thanks, to everyone who sent this in.]
Just playing some Halo 3 Epsilon online
Finally, proof that our beloved Halo 3 is nearly complete and ready to be lovingly pressed to DVD for everyone to enjoy. A few stalkers observant gamers over at the Bungie Forums and GamingTalkHQ noticed that both Bungie and Microsoft employees have been playing a little game called Halo 3 Epsilon online. Why the Epsilon name you ask? Well, after consulting good old Wikipedia we learned that Epsilon is the name for the letter "e" in Greek. So, following traditional dev name cycles, one would think that Halo 3 development has breezed through alpha, opened up the beta, whizzed by Gamma, ignored Delta and is currently at a near final build entitled Epsilon. Keep a close eye out for those tricky Bungie gamers online and you just might see them playing some Forge, doing a little online Halo 3 co-op or playing some Last Resort. And yes, it is normal to feel jealous.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Target offers Halo 3 figurines as pre-order bonus
Adding to the growing list of Halo 3 pre-order offerings, Target is jumping into the ring and giving away some figurines. We received a tip and a photo (seen above) of Target's "Halo 3 marketing slash advertising plan of ownage" which states that with every $10 Halo 3 pre-order, customers will receive a Halo figurine two-pack when they pick up the game. So, ask around your local Target retailer to be sure your pre-order dollars will go towards those nifty figurines. Also, the "Halo 3 marketing slash advertising plan of ownage" image shows Target's Halo 3 advertising plans which include circular ads, beverage endcaps and video game endcaps. We can't help but get giddy, Halo 3 marketing blitz FTW![Thanks, Jay]
Bungie talks Halo 3 push to talk and more
Our chums over at Gamersyde got a chance to chat with the Frankie and Brian Bungie duo to learn more about Halo 3, its features and where Bungie is headed. The interview is a solid read, and even though there isn't too much new information they do reveal that there will be over four trillion armor combinations and that they have never been limited by the 360s hardware during Halo 3's development. But most exciting to us is their comment about the chat system in Halo 3. Ever since the beta we've been quite vocal about our distaste for the current d-pad push-to-talk system, so we've been hoping praying to the Bungie gods for a change. When asked about the chatting system Frankie said that,"We've made a bunch of changes to 'push to talk' so that everybody can set up their game how they want it. It's now extremely flexible and we're confident that everybody will be able to settle on a scheme that they are happy with."So, it sounds like chatting in Halo 3 will be very customizable and our praying paid off. Now if that isn't good news we're not sure what is. Anyway, go give the full interview a read and keep your eye on the September 25th prize.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Halo 3 marketing blitz begins, Burger King, Pontiac, more on board
Microsoft today has announced that Halo 3 has officially surpassed 1 million pre-order sales in North America. While well short of the rumored 4 million we reported months ago, Microsoft notes that retailers have labeled Halo 3 presales as "the fastest in video game history." All of that is well and good, but it is nothing, nothing compared to the deluge of marketing madness that is fast approaching. Microsoft has lined up a veritable army of marketing partners including Burger King, Mountain Dew, Pontiac, 7-Eleven, Doritos, and Comcast. In addition, Halo 3 is the official sponsor of the Projekt Revolution tour this year, featuring popular groups like Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance. All the kids tell us that these "bands" are "dope" so we're assuming Microsoft has made a smart move in sponsoring them. As Joystiq puts it, a perfect storm of products is currently heading our way, including Burger King meals, Slurpees, a custom Pontiac G6 GXP Street, Comcast content, and Mountain Dew, all emblazoned with Halo 3 branding. In other words, if you're sick of all the hype that Halo 3 is getting now, you might as well go into hiding until 2008. Of course, by then, the Halo 3 toys will be rolling out, so you might not be safe then either. We suppose you should really just give in and drink some Mountain Dew, eat a burger, jam out to Linkin Park, and stop off at 7-11 on your way home for a Slurpee and some Doritos before settling in to watch some Comcast cable, because Halo 3 isn't going anywhere for a while.
