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Bungie: Halo can learn from Call of Duty 4
"We have a lot to learn from their success too, they did some very innovative things to keep people going and their experience-rewards system was something that we paid a lot of attention to." Is that any way to talk about your main Xbox Live competitor? Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Bungie's Lead AI Programmer, Damian Isla, had quite a few nice things to say about Infinity Ward's ridiculously successful shooter, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Isla joins a chorus of reviewers in praising the game's single-player campaign for its tight pacing and scripting, praising the developers for doing "a hell of a job with their set pieces, of scripting certain moments that they were really sure the player was going to actually see and experience first hand." Though Isla notes that Halo 3's gameplay is heavily dependent on simulation (meaning in-game physics and reactions, not reality), it still "has a lot to learn" from Call of Duty 4's tunnel of fun approach. With Infinity Ward's next project rumored to be a sci-fi shooter, it seems the studios might soon be trading places outside of the Xbox Live rankings.
Viva Piata trailer makes us Believe
Now this is how you promote Viva Piñata. Parodying the Halo 3 Believe advertisement that swept a camera through a gorgeously crafted diorama, this trailer takes the characters of Piñata Island and places them in a similar epic battle -- complete with the original dramatic music. Is it fan made or legit? We don't know. It looks so good that it may be a professional job but it's so creative that it seems fan made. Who cares really, it is incredible. Also it works because now we totally can't wait for Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise to ship. We just hope it isn't like Halo 3 in that it doesn't include a scenario like this one at all. Watch it. Live it. Love it. This trailer is epic. Believe.[Thanks, Sean]
You can has Recon ... in fan made Spartan creator that is
Looking for a good time waster? HaloTech Gee-MC is a fun, flash-based mini-game that allows you to build your own Spartan soldier from the Halo universe. Fulfill your wildest dreams by adding Recon or even the Bungie Employee-exclusive Flaming head to your creation. Set the stage by adding downed soldiers, vehicles and weapons to your designs (spot my creation above!) and even throw your creation to into screenshot gallery. There really isn't a point to it all but it's fun and you might as well get used to creating Avatars, no? Give it a spin!
Wal-Mart database shows entry for Halo "Blue"
Click to embiggen A trusted Wal-Mart source has sent Joystiq an image taken from the company's intranet, "The Wire," showing a listing for Halo "Blue." We've also received an unverified tip detailing Halo "Blue," though it's unclear whether that information stems from the same retail listing. With so little information available about what Blue is, we're guessing the shown Sept. 30 date is placeholder. The Microsoft press conference is in less than 12 hours, so stay tuned.
UNSC kill count just shy of 7 billion goal
Another Bungie Day has come and gone. As the famed developer celebrated their favorite day of the year with fans by treating them with a plethora of free goodies, Bungie.net regulars wrapped up an event meant to give something back. The mission: achieve 7 billion UNSC campaign kills in Halo 3 by Bungie Day, rounding out the day to a perfect '7' overall. Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. As of today the goal is a little under 50 million kills shy of the 7 billion mark. We commend the community's effort and sympathize, considering we added a few kills in the pursuit of 7 ourselves. While the goal wasn't achieved, B.net users proved with their passion and dedication that it is one of the best gaming communities in the world. Great job everyone.
Happy Bungie Day, Cold Storage available now! [Update]
Update: To clarify, the Legendary playlists within Halo 3 now require all downloadable content. So to continue playing on Legendary playlists you'll need the free Heroic pack, the Legendary pack (which you'd need to play on that list anyway) and Cold Storage. After Bungie Day the playlists that utilize Cold Storage are playlists that require all downloadable content. Effectively making Cold Storage apart of the Legendary Map Pack after today.Good morning ladies and gentlemen and a good Bungie Day to you. To help celebrate this, surely soon-to-be National, holiday the Xbox Live Marketplace has been overrun by Bungie related content. Available for download are a free gamer picture set and dashboard theme, both wrapped in Bungie-branded love. Also, if you're interested, 'Cold Storage' -- the new map for Halo 3 that re-envisions Halo's 'Chill Out' -- is online for the low price of free. There are a few limitations to 'Cold Storage,' specifically you must have both previous map packs to add the new map to matchmaking, but so far the map looks hot. Or cold. Whichever works for you.Don't have the Heroic or Legendary Halo 3 map packs? Heroic is still available for free and as of today the Legendary map pack has been discounted to 600 MS Points. Oh and also, we're offering 10 X3F bonus points (which don't mean anything) to the first person to spot any Superintendent related hints in the map. Happy hunting!
"On the Seven7th Day" Bungie shows you Cold Storage
click for more pics of Cold Storage Confused about what exactly you need to do to play the new Halo 3 multiplayer map, Cold Storage, come Monday, Bungie Day? Let Bungie's Luke & Co. explain it all in the "On the Seven7th Day" vidoc, embedded after the break. In short, you need the Heroic map pack (don't worry, it's free), the Legendary map pack (it's being dropped from $10 to $7.50 on Monday) and then, of course the Cold Storage map which, they want you to know, will be free not only on Bungie Day but every day. You also get a good idea of what the map – a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved's "Chill Out" – has got to offer.Oh, and what's this about celebrating Bungie's independence as a multi-game studio by announcing a game on Bungie Day? Seven guys in a shoebox? Just banter or a tease of what Bungie's got planned for Monday? No, seriously, we're asking you here ...
Bungie.net schools us on Cold Storage
You already know about Cold Storage, the remake of a classic Halo: Combat Evolved map for Halo 3. You already know about Bungie Day, which is this Monday, July 7. Hell, you even already even know that Cold Storage will be free on Bungie Day (and forever after). But, we know you still crave knowledge regarding the latest Halo 3 content. Lucky for you, a few Bungie employees banded together to create a new VIDoc, aptly named "On the Seven7th Day," to showcase Cold Storage and compare it with its Halo: Combat Evolved father, Chill Out. There's even a tease early on that Bungie may have something new to announce in the future. If only there were large scale industry events for such an announcement!
We'll Halo there: 'Cold Storage' map free on July 7
click for more pics of Cold Storage Like the rumbling of thunder in the distance, an unstoppable force is audibly and rapidly approaching us. Soon, a cacophony of clicks will ring through our ears, the reverberating result of posting an article which not only concerns Halo 3, but prominently features the word "free." What have we done?Bungie's Luke Smith has announced via Bungie.net that "Cold Storage," a chilly new multiplayer map for everybody's favorite cyborg shoot-em-up, will be downloadable -- for free -- from the Xbox Live Marketplace beginning Monday Bungie Day, July 7. The map will be implemented in regular rotation in playlists that require the Legendary Map Pack, which will also drop from 800 MS Points ($10) to 600 MS Points ($7.50) on the same day. If you haven't tried those environments out yet, now's the time to join in on the gradual extermination of Earth's population.[Update: Check out a tour of Cold Storage, along with a tease of what Bungie's got in store for Bungie Day, here.]%Gallery-26795%
Players attempt to hit 7 billion kills while Halo 3 killcount exceeds global population
In preparation of releasing Halo 3 one of the small additions to Bungie.net was a counter that tallied the total amount of UNSC Campaign kills. Early last week the kill count surpassed the world's total human population which, according to the US Census Bureau PopClock, is estimated at 6,705,451,100 while the Bungie.net counter currently reads 6,795,062,952 kills.While reaching the milestone in less than a year is impressive, a group of loyal fans decided the achievement wasn't enough. With Bungie Day creeping up slowly, users on the Bungie.net forum are banding together in an effort to reach 7 billion UNSC Campaign Kills before July 7.Looking to aid in the quest? Simply fire up Halo 3 and play through the campaign, clocking in as many kills as you can. A helpful guide of tips to maximize Covenant death can be found on the official thread for the event. With a little over 10 days left in the quest we know we'll be doing our part, will you?
Halo 3 body count surpasses Earth's population
A member of the Bungie forums points out that the Halo 3 campaign kill count has surpassed the population of the human virus infecting and multiplying on this third rock from the sun. Halo 3 UNSC Campaign Report -- Enemies KIA: 6,743,784,316 US Census Bureau PopClock estimate of Earth's population: 6,705,451,100 Useless information? For sure! But, when it comes up as a Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy question, you'll be happy you knew this factoid.
X3F Live: Halo 3 Tonight @ 9:30PM EST [Update]
Update: X3F Live has ended for the night. Thank you for joining us and stay tuned for more X3F Live events in the future!In order to make up for yesterday's failed attempt to play Team Fortress 2 due to game crashes, we're throwing down in a little Halo 3 action tonight starting at 9:30PM EST! Unfortunately not everyone will be available to play but those of us that bring you the news you crave (and some you don't) will be partying up for some custom game action.As usual add X3FLIVE to your friends list and use the Friends of Friends feature to track down Richard (SenseiRam), Dustin (SuperDunners), Alexander (Sli Xander) and/or Xav (Snypz) and try to jump into an open session. Anyone start a "Save Terrence's Internets" petition yet?If you can't get X3FLIVE on your friends list and really want to jump in with us, send Xav (Gamertag: Snypz) a message over Xbox Live requesting an invite and we'll send one your way sometime throughout the night.
Marathon 2 map pack thrown up on Wednesday
Yes, we know, you've been clamoring for more multiplayer maps like an irate, "plz sir can I hav sum moar" Oliver Twist. You yearn for more of Bungie's first-person shootery, dreaming of running and gunning down corridors you haven't been through countless times already. It'll genuinely make your day to see new downloadable content pop up on the Xbox Live Marketplace, but until a new Halo 3 map pack is announced, that day is still quite a ways off. But here, have some Marathon 2: Durandal stuff in the meantime.For 250 MS Points (an awkward $3.125), the Jjaro Map Pack will net you 12 new multiplayer environments, playable in King of the Hill, Kill the Man with the Ball and Tag modes, and two achievements worth a combined 30 gamer points. If the game's infamously sickening motion doesn't make you throw up, be sure to grab the content just in case Marathon gets thrown off Xbox Live Arcade.
MLG event reveals new Halo 3 multiplayer map: Cold Storage
Attendees of a recent Major League Gaming event in San Diego were rewarded for their ability to watch other people play video games for eight hours with a visit from Bungie figureheads Shishka and Lukems, who gave the glassy-eyed viewers a sneak peek at their newest multiplayer map for Halo 3, named "Cold Storage". This new map is apparently set in the back room of a Cold Stone Creamery, as part of Bungie's recent partnership with the highly successful, treatweaving corporation.Actually, the map closely resembles a level from Halo the first, titled "Chill Out". It was one of the game's more unique maps, due to it's smaller size and asymmetry -- though how those aspects will carry over into the remake has yet to be revealed, as Bungie has yet to "formally" announce said map. Apparently, speaking to a roomful of professional video game spectators doesn't count as a formal social engagement. Who'd have thunk it?
Community Content: 241 Edition
Each week, X3F showcases the best in Halo 3 downloads with Community Content. To find out how to set up your Bungie.net account, click here. Submit your own ideas at: comcon [AT] xbox360fanboy [DOT] comThis week for Community Content we're doing something a little different. On top of our regular community contributed content for Halo 3, we're browsing through the most popular Bungie.Net downloads as a second recommendation.Yes, Community Content has doubled in size! We're giving away double the dose of content. Two maps for the price of one. Well, considering they're free--for the price of zero. So, jump in this week for our community submitted content and for our own Bungie.Net recommendation!Also, make all checks of $0.00 payable to X3F Towers ... kthxbai.
Community Content: Docking Station Edition
Each week, X3F showcases the best in Halo 3 downloads with Community Content. To find out how to set up your Bungie.net account, click here. Submit your own ideas at: comcon [AT] xbox360fanboy [DOT] comThis week on Community Content we bring you a giant space ship in the sky! Again. While it might sound like the same thing, it's considerably different. In OberionTheGreat an attacking crew begins with normal weapons and a few extra vehicles and must infiltrate the docked ship in order to capture their flag and score one for the people of the planet.Add to this a barrage of fusion cores (which I kept calling coils in the video, cuz I'm awesome) and a few hidden surprises and this one could turn out to be another icy trip into a space siege. Check it out and make sure to email your suggestions to COMCON [at] xbox360fanboy [dot] com.Music: "Ketamine" by Get Back Loretta[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 Directly.
Would You Rather ... Shipping Now Edition
In our continuing effort to bring you fresh and interesting content, X3F presents Would You Rather ... a weekly feature that asks you the hard questions. The point? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you go for?This week in Would You Rather we're taking a look back at Microsoft Game Studios' 2008 Yearbook and wishing for a miracle. For a miracle to come. While the lineup looks rad, we're upset at the lack of info (or date!) for Alan Wake and Peter Jackson's mysterious Halo project.So we got to thinking, if you had to pick one of them to hit store shelves this year which would you choose? The brand new IP from Remedy, Alan Wake or the "revolutionary" Peter Jackson Halo game?Feel free to share the reasons for your vote in the comments. We'll share the results of the poll during the next edition of Would You Rather ... which hits X3F every Wednesday.Last weeks WUR results can be find after the jump ... come in and check it out for free!
Points>Life: Recap Edition
Each week, X3F tips gamers to the tricks of the trade of Achievement hoarding in Points>Life. Every week a new achievement is unlocked to help you continue your unhealthy obsession with the Xbox 360 meta-game. This week on Points>Life we're giving you nothing! Well, actually what we're doing is going back and recapping the tips we've given you and added a little postmortem comment. After releasing each feature the X3F Army shared best practices on other methods to obtain similar achievements. This week we go back to the last eight weeks of tips and tricks, so if you're new to Points>Life ... today is your day!
Ancient picture possible first glimpse into Halo 3's Purple Reign
Plugging Halo 3 Purple Reign into your favorite search engine will link you to almost every major message board ignited by the discovery of an image used in a NY Times article from October 2007. Halo fanatics are adamant that the image (above) is the first real look at the upcoming Halo 3 map, Purple Reign.Based on the description from Bungie on the recently delayed map this image could be a section from Purple Reign. Skeptical message board users claim the image could be a stock photo from Bungie's Halo 2 Midship days, pre-destruction photos of the Cortana level or even shots from the High Charity section of Halo 2's campaign mode. One commenter is sure he heard former community lead Frank O'Connor and Luke Smith talk about this image claiming it wasn't the new map but we couldn't find a source to validate that point.Be it Purple Reign or not one thing is certain, gamers are still itching for more Halo action. The official description of Purple Reign, which adds weight to this image being true, after the jump.[Thanks, oriol]
Community Content: Sky High Edition
Each week, X3F showcases the best in Halo 3 downloads with Community Content. To find out how to set up your Bungie.net account, click here. Submit your own ideas at: comcon [AT] xbox360fanboy [DOT] comThis week Community Content brings you a floating ship, an arsenal of weapons and a the most clausterpobic area ever found on Avalanche. In The Falcon, two teams face off where one controls the flag found in the ship suspended in the air while the other attempts to make their way inside to capture the cloth.Adding multiple weapons and nearly every type of vehicle, The Falcon is a map that will have your adrenaline pumping while waiting for the next round to begin.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
