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Frankie is obsessed with water
Frankie's most recent Bungie Weekly Update talks about various things, anything from a sales update on the new Halo novel, to how pretty Halo 3's water is. Above all the meat and potatos of Frankie's update is that next week there will be some BIG Halo 3 news revealed. I can't help but think that the BIG news coming out next week is due to a certain console being launched, just call me crazy. I for one can't get enough Halo 3 news, who's with me on that?
Halo 3 maps, weapons previewed
1UP's got the skinny on several of Halo 3's multiplayer maps for your starving soul: Snowbound - small map (4-10 players) with outdoor and indoor (tunnel system) environments; ideal for Slayer, Team Slayer, Tank Flag, Ninjaball, Oddball, and King of the Hill High Ground - mid-sized (6-16 players) Zanzibar-esque map with beach entry and compound; ideal for One Flag CTF, Assault, Slayer, Team Slayer, and Eliminatio Valhalla - mid-sized (6-16 players) spiritual successor to Blood Gulch; ideal for CTF Classic, CTF, and Team Slayer 1UP's coverage also previews new toys, including the MA5C Assault Rifle, Spike Rifle, Spike Grenade, and Spartan Laser -- oh, and the Man Cannon. Heads!
Breakdown of new Halo 3 multiplayer maps
1UP's kuh-razy month long coverage of Halo 3 continues with breakdowns of the three confirmed new maps: Snowbound, High Ground, and Valhalla. Along with the new maps, we learn about some of the new environmental features.
Video break down of leaked Halo 3 info
Shatter Studios have put together two videos that summarize the leaked Halo 3 info in easily digestible bites. Using the leaked images as backgrounds, the videos point out new weapons, features, and maps. Think of it like a really awesome version of all those crappy documentaries you had (or have) to watch in high school. Our favorite part is when they point out the new spike grenade, which resembles a WWII era German grenade -- you may remember 1UP's Mark MacDonald remarking that it makes a satisfying/terrifying "whoop whoop whoop" sound as it rotates in the air. Check out both videos after the break.
Halo 3 impressions from 1UP and EGM
That issue of EGM isn't even out yet and the Halo 3 hype train keeps a' rolling. The editors of EGM/1UP have posted some of their thoughts and impressions of their visit to Bungie. Though they don't give away anything that hasn't already been leaked, they do announce that they definitely liked what they saw. Dan Hsu makes a time honored point, noting that the graphics weren't "that impressive for an Xbox 360 game," but it was so fun that it didn't matter. He goes on to say that he doesn't want to go back to Halo 2 now that he has been spoiled by this (pre-alpha) build of Halo 3. Mark MacDonald probably gives the most concrete info, giving speculators and Halo fanatics something to chew on. "I very rarely dual-wielded in the few hours we got to play Halo 3, and after some early experimentation, I mostly stuck with the Assault Rifle. I'd pick up a Battle Rifle or Shotgun if I had the chance, but unless I was super close or far from a target, the AR suited me just fine. More than fine. OK I f*king love the assault rifle. It might as well be an entirely new weapon. (I hope they don't mess with it too much between now and the final game.)"He goes on to discuss some of the new weapons, the new maps, and the overall candor of the Bungie team. Fans slavering for info would best be served to read his impressions first. The last impression comes from Luke Smith, who paints Halo as his Mario. His is more nostalgia and hope than the factual accounts of the other two. Still, if you love Halo, or hearing people wax romantic about videogames, give it a read.So, with all this pre-hyped hype, has anybody actually gotten the new EGM yet?[Via HBO]
Happy Halo music day
With the recently leaked screens of Halo 3 and news about the postponed Halo movie turning everyone's eyes to Master Chief, we thought it would be appropriate to turn everyone's ears to some renditions of the Halo theme. We've tracked down three excellent and varied renditions performed from the lofty heights of the Hollywood Bowl, the somewhat more ignominious perch of a school auditorium, and the comparatively pathetic confines of a guitarist's bedroom. Enjoy! Previous video game music days
1UP clarifies Halo 3 info, new details
1UP has taken some of the leaked Halo 3 info and clarified a few mistranslations and speculations. First, the Spartan laser is more than an anti-vehicle weapon and can be used quite effectively as an anti-personnel weapon. Apparently, it's not as difficult to control as some sources thought it to be, though Bungie may still tweak it for balance. Second, the new Brute weapon, the Spiker, is sort of a cross between the needler and the SMG and it's more effective than both. The weapon shoots bright orange spikes at a very fast rate. We can't help but be reminded of the needler shown during a pre-release Halo 2 multiplayer demonstration ages ago. You know, the one that didn't suck. Third, the nail grenade is actually called a spike grenade and should be quite a departure from the plasma and frag varieties. Fourth, weapons not in use will be placed according to their type. For example, two handed weapons like rifles and shotguns will be slung over the shoulder, while single handed pistols will be kept at the hip. Halo fans will recognize that actually seeing a secondary weapon will dramatically change gameplay (no more hiding the sword or rocket launcher). Fifth, multiplayer will still be capped at 16. Obviously, this has worked well thus far, so why fix what ain't broke? Finally, the "Man Cannon," designed for fast air travel, is so hilariously named that many assumed it was a mistranslation. Nope, Man Cannon is the name Bungie gave it, and it's not likely to change. 1UP promises that there is even more info in the latest issue of EGM -- arriving in mailboxes shortly -- and all month long at 1UP itself. Rest assured we'll bring you more Halo 3 as it develops.[Via Bungie.net]
Halo 3 LE images, pre-orders being taken
Just when you thought you'd absorbed all the Halo 3 info that was leaked last week, scans of the latest Famitsu are starting to hit the web. There's plenty to look at, though most of it was in the scans of Level that were leaked last week. One little bit that was not in the scans -- as far as we know -- is a picture of the Legendary edition. Taken from the Famitsu scans, the above image could be both the collector's and Legendary editions side by side, or possibly just the Legendary edition by itself. We'll leave the speculating to you. Hit the read link for the scans.In related news, GameStop has started taking pre-orders on Halo 3, with a release date of 11/07. Those familiar with Bungie lore know that 11 and 7 are important numbers in the Halo universe -- the Master Chief if Spartan 117, for example -- so the date is feasible. That, and it'll probably take that long to finish anyway. GameStop requires a reservation fee of $5 for the standard edition, $10 for the collector's edition, and $25 for the Legendary edition. We agree with Joystiq that it's insidious to play on gamers' fears with pre-orders -- the logic being that if you don't pre-order, you won't get it day one -- but at the same time, we want that helmet (at least I do). Still, with a rumored price of $100, the Legendary edition could be a serious pain in your wallet. Would you be willing to lay down ten Hamiltons for it?[Thanks, Sincere7745 and dapperdan]
Halo 2 wastes lives, 4 billion games played
In all of our pumpkin carving madness, we somehow missed this little benchmark the other day. On October 30th, Halo 2 officially surpassed the 4 billion games played mark. This game hasn't even been out for a full two years yet (eight more days)! Let's do some math, just for fun. That's over 2 billion games a year, 166 million games a month. If the average match lasts 10 minutes, that's 666 million hours wasted. Wait a minute ... 666 million, just in time for Halloween ... is Halo 2 a sign of the Apocalypse? I'm scared. [Via The Xbox Domain]
EB-Gamestop wants your Halo 3 money -- now!
EB-Gamestop has launched an aggressive campaign to secure your Halo 3 pre-order, today -- well, technically, yesterday. Chances are if you're on file, the company spammed you yesterday, via phone, to let you know that pre-orders for three different Halo 3 editions are now being accepted.First, the details (or lack thereof): EB-Gamestop is collecting $5 for the standard edition, $10 for a collector's edition, and $25 for Legendary Edition (a.k.a. Master Chief's bust). The company cannot confirm the final retail price for any of these items*, nor does it know when it will stop accepting your free money. "We stop taking pre-orders the day they call and tell us to," a Gamestop employee in the New York area told us today.Certainly there's a pre-order cap, but what is it? Collectively, retailers sold more than 1.5 million Halo 2 pre-orders. Let's assume each of those pre-orders cost $5 -- knowing that many were sold for more. That's $7,500,000. Say, EB-Gamestop secured 30% of those pre-orders; then the company alone pulled in $2.25 million, plus interest.Accepting Halo 3 pre-orders now is taking advantage of us, the consumers. The game isn't due until at least next year, but for fear of pre-orders suddenly ceasing, for fear of not owning Halo 3 on day one, we go out there and hand over our security deposits; and the retailers sit on it, making money off of our money -- the money that bought us nothing more than a promise.It's fine to offer pre-orders a few months in advance. In fact, it's a good idea -- but only once the release date is known; the retail prices confirmed; and shipment numbers allocated. But asking for our Halo 3 money now? Today? C'mon, you really gonna play us like that?*Legendary Edition is rumored to be priced at $100.[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]
Halo Trilogy theme on XBLM
A Halo 3 theme is now available on Marketplace for 150 MS Points or as a bonus with the new Halo faceplate out tomorrow. Here's the official description:The Halo Trilogy dashboard theme is a must-have for serious Halo fans. Available as a free gift with the purchase of the Halo 3 Xbox 360 faceplate, or right now as downloadable marketplace content, the theme features never-before seen scenes from Bungie Studio Halo 1, 2 and 3. Each blade presents a re-imagined view from the Halo universe, including all three iterations of the Master Chief's iconic Spartan armor, from past, present and future.Buyers please weigh in with your review. Does everybody agree that just about all of the game-related themes on XBLM make the text too hard to read?
Leaked H3 info is just the beginning
In Friday's Bungie Weekly Update, Frankie speaks briefly about the Halo 3 magazine scans that were leaked last week. For one, EGM has images that weren't leaked via the Swedish magazine, Level. Not only that but the folks at Bungie have one or two more Halo related surprises before the year is over. What these surprises could be is anyone's guess. We'd say that it will be a new trailer at best, and a demo at most impossiblest (not a real work). In other Bungie news, Halo 3 matchmaking tests are going swimmingly and the Halo movie continues apace, despite recent setbacks.Anyone care to hazard a guess about what Halo 3 info will be revealed before New Year's?
Bungie don't want no stinkin' scans
Bungie is cracking down on scanned images from gaming magazines with stuff on Halo 3. They're threatening to ban anyone who links or posts offending pics/ transcriptions to their forums for life. Merely mentioning the subject gets you a week. While I'm sure everyone understands their need to protect copyrighted material (There has to be some reason to pay $6 for EGM right?) it's sad that the dead tree media has to be so uptight in this information age, especially since all people want to do is hype Bungie's product . Luckily, you can still read the issue for free at 7-11 until the clerk yells at you.[Thanks Cal]
1up prepping Haloverload
1UP is going to be offering three full weeks of Halo 3 updates with video, podcasts, pictures, finger puppets, and posts. Are we jealous? Only a tiny bit. Are we envious? Not of all the work they'll be doing. Even they're calling it a "megafeature." After they're done, you're either going to want to storm the Bungie offices, kick the doors in, and demand your own copy of the game, or else you'll want to strangle someone at 1up because you're green with envy.We'll give you a preview of the coverage here:Week one - YAY! We played Halo 3! (post)Week two - Hey, did we mention we played Halo 3? (podcast)Week three - Guess what, we played Riiiiiiiidge Ra ... er, we mean Halo 3!!! (video)Efforts are underway by 1UP to have November named "National Halo 3 Month," more as it develops.
DIY Machinima in Halo 3
In addition to confirming what we learned this morning, 1UP has revealed that you will be able to "save your own movies from Halo 3's single- and multiplayer gameplay." Now it will be even easier to share your new Warthog-jumping record or Human cannon hilarity with the rest of the world. Will we be able to share our machinima masterpieces over Xbox Live? 1UP also revealed that there will be three different version of Halo 3 (how numerically appropriate): standard, collector's edition, and the "one SKU to rule them all" Legendary edition. Their 3-week love fest with Bungie's latest begins next week.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
1UP confirms Halo 3 news, more to come
1UP has officially confirmed the Halo 3 info that we uncovered earlier today. What's interesting is that they reveal all the same details that we discovered. Obviously, this can't be all that there is to the EGM cover story or 1UP wouldn't spill the beans. After all, why buy the magazine if 1UP already told you everything, right? 1UP does reveal another detail or two that we didn't have earlier. One, there will actually be three SKUs of Halo 3, a standard, collector's, and the aforementioned "Legendary" edition. Two, 1UP hints that Halo 3 will include an in game recording option, allowing budding machinima creators to make their own movies, or letting vets record their best runs. 1UP promises to have three solid weeks of Halo 3 coverage. Stay tuned for all the latest info, and be sure that we'll give you the lowdown on the cover story when it shows up in our mailbox.[Thanks, hot zizzy]
Halo 3 info leaked: new weapons, vehicles, features & Collector's Edition detailed [update 1]
Xbox Portugal has posted scans from an upcoming Halo 3 feature to be published in Swedish mag Level. Some serious translation work is needed before the full story comes into focus, but we have gathered that the images are from an alpha build of Halo 3, suggesting that many of the details won't reflect the final version. Check out the one-manned mini-Warthog Mongoose!UPDATE: Xbox 360 Fanboy has a summary of the new details:Weapons Spiker - a new Brute weapon Spartan Laser - a laser that tears vehicles apart Nail Grenade - sticks into walls, sends nails everywhere Vehicles Mongoose - the ATV that was cut from Halo 2; seats two, but no weapons; designed for recon New Feature "Man Cannon" - what it sounds like; launches you into the air (think: jump pads from Unreal, Quake Arena) Controls Bumpers are used to reload the right and left weapons independently X-button has a "secret" function Misc. Secondary weapon is now visible when not in use (slung over shoulder) Collector's Edition "Legendary Edition" - box is a replica of Master Chief's helmet, includes 4-disc set: Disc one: game Disc two: documentaries and developer commentary Disc three: spin-off material (Red vs. Blue, Spark of Life, etc.) Disc four: all cut scenes from Halo 1-3 in HD Bonus: sneak peek of Halo movie will be included on one of the discs (maybe) [Thanks to Galls & everyone else that sent this in!]
New Halo 3 info, new weapons, new grenade [update 1]
It wasn't long ago that Bungie sat down with gaming magazines around the world to share the first real information about Halo 3. And it looks like Swedish magazine, Level, has the dubious honor of being scanned first. To be fair, these aren't exactly scans, but we'll take what we can get. The magazine reveals new details about weapons, vehicles and multiplayer. WeaponsSpiker - a new Brute weaponSpartan laser - a laser that tears vehicles apartNail Grenade - sticks into walls and sends nails everywhereVehiclesThe Mongoose is in! This is the ATV that was cut from Halo 2. It seats two and has no weapons. Designed from recon and quick travel.Multiplayer goodiesThe "Man Cannon" - Spartans do their best Human Bullet impersonations for some extremely rapid transport. Players can still shoot in the air, and can be shot down.ControlsThe X button has a new, still secret feature. Reloading has now been allocated to the bumper buttons. Right bumper reloads the right weapon, and the left bumper reloads the left. Genius. MiscellaneousYou can now see your secondary weapon when it's not in use. In other words, it's actually slung over your shoulder instead of magically appearing out of thin air. Also, a 4 DVD "Legendary" edition is planned that will have material from Red Vs. Blue, documentaries, and a collection of all cut scenes from the game (possibly the whole series?).Please take this info with a grain of salt, as it has all been translated from a Swedish mag that we've never heard of. If anyone has picked this magazine up, let us know. You should be able to confirm all this info when the infamous EGM story finally shows up. So, who's excited? Raise your hand.Update: 1UP has officially confirmed most of this information and has also revealed some more info. Click here for details.[Thanks to both Xboxygen and Aeropause for sending this in.]
Halo 3 demo rumored for early 2007
Game Informer has posted a rumor that we might see a Halo 3 demo in the first half of 2007. Of course, some of our more hopeful readers have suggested we might see the entire game in the first half of 2007, but that's neither here nor there. GI doesn't reveal their "sources," so you'll have to take this with a cubic centimeter of salt. Also, GI speculates that Halo 3 will mark the first demo that isn't free. This is just pure speculation on their part, but it is an interesting question. Frankly, charging for any digitally distributed demo is pretty far fetched, but MS might be able to get away with it for a Halo 3 demo. Would you pay for it? How much?At any rate, demo or no demo, expect some big Halo 3 news shortly. At least the biggest Halo news in a while, as this is the time of year when Bungie typically reveals new tidbits. If nothing else, the much ballyhooed EGM cover story should have some new details.[Via Xboxic]
Bungie optimistic about Halo movie's future
In response to news that Universal and Fox have pulled out of the Halo movie project, Bungie claims there's more to the story than has been reported. For now, Bungie is all "optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons [it] can't go into."In its most recent weekly update, Bungie takes a stab at Universal and Fox, suggesting that the studios were too concerned with "the numbers" to be ideal partners. After all, Bungie reminds us that the Halo film is a delicate "creative process," implying that a reported $200 million budget, in the hands of a rookie director, is an investment worth making when Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, WETA, and Microsoft are on-board -- and, Bungie confirms, they are all still on-board and continuing with pre-production. Sounds like a deal to lure a new partner is already in the works.
