The OFFICIAL Halo 3 thread - Time to whoop elite ass...errr and flood

[Masa Def]

Halo 3 Discussion & News
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m85/OceanMarvel/halo3.jpg

About
Halo 3 is the third game in the Halo Trilogy and will provide the thrilling conclusion to the events begun in Halo: Combat Evolved. Halo 3 was first revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 9th, 2006. Halo 3 will be available for Xbox 360 in 2007.

Halo 3 will pick up where Halo 2 left off. The Master Chief is returning to Earth to finish the fight. The Covenant occupation of Earth has uncovered a massive and ancient object beneath the African sands - an object who's secrets have yet to be revealed. Earth's forces are battered and beaten.

The Master Chief's AI companion Cortana is still trapped in the clutches of the Gravemind - a horrifying Flood intelligence, and a civil war is raging in the heart of the Covenant. This is how the world ends...

Details
Release Date: 2007
Platform: Xbox 360
Players: TBA
Online Enabled: Yes (Xbox Live)
Type: First Person Shooter
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

News
Halo 3 Rundown (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Halo_3)
Halo 3 announced//plus trailers (http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=Halo3Announcement)
Halo 3 documentary (http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3900_en.html)
Game Art (http://www.bungie.net/Games/Halo3/gallery.aspx?gallery=Storyboards&page=1)
New!Top story (http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9415)
For your best updates, the halo 3 forums (http://www.bungie.net/Forums/topics.aspx?forumID=105242)
In game footage (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=1641823602)
In game footage II (http://tinyurl.com/yxv5yu)


FAQ
What kind of game is Halo 3?
Halo 3 is a story-driven action game, a first-person shooter featuring the classic gameplay you've come to expect from Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2.

What systems is Halo 3 available for?
Halo 3 is being made for the Xbox 360.

When does Halo 3 come out?
Halo 3 will be released at an as-yet to be announced date in 2007. The final release date will be revealed at a future time.

What kind of graphics can we expect from Halo 3?
Halo 3's graphics will include the features seen in the real-time trailer and more, these are rendered using a new graphics engine, making the most of next-gen features like HDR (High Dynamic Range) lighting, pre-computed radiance transfer, and much, much more. The game will also take full advantage of the Xbox 360's HDTV capabilities.

Did you say real-time trailer?
Yes. The trailer shown at E3 in 2006 was rendered in real-time using the in-game engine. All of the assets shown were running on an Xbox 360 debug kit and the trailer was built using the current engine and development tools. The development process continues and new graphics features may be added or changed at any time.

Does Halo 3 support Xbox Live?
Yes, Halo 3 supports all major features of Xbox Live although our game-specific features have not been announced at this time.

What classic Halo features will be returning in Halo 3 ?
We have not announced any specific gameplay features at this time.

Does Halo 3 support HDTV resolutions like 720p or 1080i?
Halo 3 will support all of the Xbox 360's output resolutions, same as every other game.

What is the plot of Halo 3?
The details of the plot have yet to be revealed. Suffice to say, the Chief has returned to Earth. The Covenant has uncovered a massive and ancient artifact under the African soil and Cortana is still trapped in the clutches of the Gravemind.

What's new in Halo 3?
Beyond the continuing story and new graphics features, we have not yet revealed any details about the content of Halo 3.

Is this the last ever Halo game?
It is the conclusion to this story arc.

Does Halo 3 support downloadable content?
We have not yet discussed those details.

What was that crazy huge dome buried under Earth?
We're not saying, but Halo fans may recognize something about its design.

I noticed the Master Chief's armor was scraped and damaged, what happened to him?
Lots of things.

I also noticed Master Chief's gloves had changed. Does that mean it's Mjolnir Mark VII?
We haven't revealed that yet . Don't jump to any conclusions.

Which characters will be returning in Halo 3?
Well as you can see from the trailer, at a minimum, we'll see the Chief and Cortana in some shape or form. And I believe Banshee pilots...

What about the Music in Halo 3?
The same team responsible for Halo's award winning music and sound design are working on Halo 3.

What's up with all the trumpets?
Could it be triumph? Or a musical exclamation point to signal a finale? It could be all kinds of things, but Marty is really outdoing himself this time.

What about the Covenant civil war? Are Elites our friends now?
That's plot. Unless you see something in a new trailer, or spot a clue, you're not going to get any plot until the game ships. That's how we roll. You'll just have to play and see.

Will the Arbiter be back?
See Above question.

I spotted an Easter Egg in the trailer after I watched it a few times. How do you explain that?
The New Mombasa City Council had an incredibly efficient public works department until and even during the tragic and devastating Covenant invasion.

Other
Ign report (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/703/703671p1.html)
Screenshots (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3/screenindex.html)
Bill gates leakage (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/225346_msftnotebook23.html)

ENJOY AND DISCUSS!!!
feel free to leave your gamertags.

[staradderdragoon]

actually, its time to whoop brute ass....and flood

[Masa Def]

I will fix it.

[staradderdragoon]

ok. i guess first 2 questions. in the 7 minute documentary, there's a scene with an elite with 2 swords against a brute. and then the bubble shield form "Starry night" i know its not from bungie but is it possible that we may see it again?

[R3trograde]

I'm on ur wing, messing up ur enginz lol

I was actually a little surprised by the "Et tu, Brute?" doc. It didnt look horribly horrible! Though I was a little surprised that the first time we saw "game"play was in a game-specific doc instead of a trailer or something. One would expect them to release a gameplay trailer before a documentary; weren't we supposed to get some videos way back when 1up had their three weeks of Halo 3?

[Masa Def]

ok. i guess first 2 questions. in the 7 minute documentary, there's a scene with an elite with 2 swords against a brute. and then the bubble shield form "Starry night" i know its not from bungie but is it possible that we may see it again?

Well we all are primitive in info about the game but I woulld surely hope so since it looks like it could widen the horizon for the gameplay. Also it could hurt the live gameplay especially when you are trying to get that last snipe and someone just throws that down, but hey you never know.

I'm on ur wing, messing up ur enginz lol

I was actually a little surprised by the "Et tu, Brute?" doc. It didnt look horribly horrible! Though I was a little surprised that the first time we saw "game"play was in a game-specific doc instead of a trailer or something. One would expect them to release a gameplay trailer before a documentary; weren't we supposed to get some videos way back when 1up had their three weeks of Halo 3?

New approach maybe? Bungie has never been disapointing thus far so our worrying should not be shown until we get some hard facts/footage.

[Hokage Naruto]

The game looks sick as expected. But Halo 3 is strucken by some procrastination by the development team but I can understand why they have such a hard time releasing it early. I like how they are trying to bring back some Halo 1 elements into the game.

I am also happy about the future 360 owners there will be when this game is released. :tem

[Masa Def]

The game looks sick as expected. But Halo 3 is strucken by some procrastination by the development team but I can understand why they have such a hard time releasing it early. I like how they are trying to bring back some Halo 1 elements into the game.

I am also happy about the future 360 owners there will be when this game is released. :tem

Of course it looks sicksmile-big. I can also see why the procrastination, because they have to always live up to the over excessive hype and as you stated, the halo 1 elements, into the game. This will also be one of them main reasons I get a 360 for christmas.

[crazymtf]

I'm so glad the single player looks like a great step up from 2 :)

[Masa Def]

me to. I think 2 was over hyped and seemed a little dissapointing after all the anticipation. Meaning that they are probably not delaying it again and again.

[Itachi-X]

OMFG CANT WAIT. last summer i acutlly played it for like 10 mins because my dad knew a guy from bungie

[staradderdragoon]

no shit...anyhow, i notice that at school, lots of ppl talk about Halo 3, but it's not getting the hype that halo 2 got. i know for sure, i wont be in for a dissappointment.

[Stumpy]

http://nikon.bungie.org/images/floodjuggernaut/flood_juggernaut1.jpg
The Flood needs more Juggernaut's.

And more types of Flood other than the Juggernaut (if it makes the cut this time) would be great. I was disappointed when they didn't do much other than allow them to use vehicles in H2.

Not as much hype in the main stream yet because Bungie hasn't revealed much for the mainstream yet. Maybe H3 won't hit the hype mark of H2, but expect much more hype when we get some real stuff to gawk at. They have just been letting us nibble at H3 so far.

[Masa Def]

no shit...anyhow, i notice that at school, lots of ppl talk about Halo 3, but it's not getting the hype that halo 2 got. i know for sure, i wont be in for a dissappointment.

you might think so but remember what age you were when two was coming out.

[staradderdragoon]

you might think so but remember what age you were when two was coming out.
15 i think? yeah. i dont get ur point though

anyhow, i bet once beta goes online, hype level will go to the google power

[Masa Def]

people change all the time, especially with age...> >

and maybe.

[staradderdragoon]

ah ic. well i was still in high school. i guess maybe it was that year of seniors and we've become more mellow.

[crazymtf]

Hell no, hype is huge, and will be biggest when the game comes out.

[Kai]

ok. i guess first 2 questions. in the 7 minute documentary, there's a scene with an elite with 2 swords against a brute. and then the bubble shield form "Starry night" i know its not from bungie but is it possible that we may see it again?

Haha I saw that documentary, the brutes look so savage.

I'm imagining Halo 3 will be hard as hell.

[crazymtf]

Just incase this wasn't mentioned, duel swords are a huge possibility, also the "X" button special feature may be, in a way i like it, in a way i don't, Tear you enimes apart or special kill him. People who played splinter cell? When you grab them and snap there neck? Yeah it's close to that. I like this idea better then sprint *Stupid idea* So we'll see how it goes.

[Masa Def]

duel wield swords would be wierd.

[Vegitto-kun]

i am not impressed =(

[ExoSkel]

duel wield swords would be wierd.
Quite the opposite.

[Masa Def]

do you have live? what would be the point?

[Vegitto-kun]

being able to wield two swords of doom?

[Masa Def]

that have no reason for dual wielding?

[crazymtf]

No need for duel wielding? Maybe, let's see how they work it in.

[SaiST]

Unless the Energy Swords are given a drastic change, I don't see the point in us dual wielding them either.

Having NPCs dual wield them in combat, or in cinematics are more likely.

I'm hoping the X-button turns out to be used as an all purpose action button--quick crouches, short sprints/sidesteps... In addition to activating switches 'n' stuff like we've been doing since the first game. :P

[crazymtf]

Hell no, no SPRINTS< PLEASE :*(

[Masa Def]

sprints would be alright and would give you that extra sprint to capture the flag.

[SaiST]

Well, nothing like Half Life's, if that's what you're thinking. Short 1-2 second sprints that you'd be forced to use sparsely.

Good for those without a precision weapon to fight against those with Snipers 'n' Battle Rifles, or avoiding 'nades.

See? That's not so bad, eh? An important change, but not so prominent that it could completely change the pace of Halo. I also had an idea to use them in conjunction with melees... Posted in an earlier Halo thread here.

[crazymtf]

Eh, still not for sprints, to many people will use it :(

[SaiST]

... As long as everybody can use 'em, what's the problem? o_0

[crazymtf]

Oh there will be times when you shoot your final rocket, the dodge and noob combo your ass :(

[Masa Def]

Eh, still not for sprints, to many people will use it

of course its a feature...> >

But it really could be helpful especially due to the fact that chief runs like he has weights around his ankles.

Oh there will be times when you shoot your final rocket, the dodge and noob combo your ass

It is not as bad as when the other guy has host and those two snipe shots do not bring him down. Trust me it will all work out.

[Vegitto-kun]

Oh there will be times when you shoot your final rocket, the dodge and noob combo your ass :(

No that just means you suck too much

[Silver Shark]

lots of ppls at my school hav been talking about halo 3 A LOT... i guess i can't blame them halo is a great game

[crazymtf]

No that just means you suck too much

Oh you don't seem to listen. I said if they have sprint. You shoot, they move with super speed, you know if you were any good at the game it takes about 2 seconds before you can shoot a rocket again, and then he kills you with the Noob combo. It's pretty easy to do, if they add Sprint i could do it too.

[Masa Def]

maybe newb combie will not be as potent.

[crazymtf]

Lol noob combo will live forever, and it's sad :(

[staradderdragoon]

i dunno. what i'd wish is for something where u can holster both guns. and then run. i dont mind not having to sprint with the gun held, but there are some parts where i like to wander and just browse around but it takes so long. so just running with weapons holstered would be fine. the mojnir suit isnt that different from the Half-life exo suit

[Hisagi-kun]

I need Halo 3 need it *twitch*

[SaiST]

Oh you don't seem to listen. I said if they have sprint. You shoot, they move with super speed, you know if you were any good at the game it takes about 2 seconds before you can shoot a rocket again, and then he kills you with the Noob combo. It's pretty easy to do, if they add Sprint i could do it too.
And what if...
... You can't shoot? - Bite offa Killzone a bit, have the character holster their gun and prevent you from firing or charging anything while you're runnin' for those 1 or 2 seconds.
... You're only moving about twice as fast? - ... As your normal walking speed--IF THAT. Of course, when you say "sprint", you're probably thinking of a pretty crazy mad dash, eh? But the way I'm thinking of it being implemented into Halo is a bit more subtle.
... Bungie drastically tones down the homing capabilities of the Plasma Pistol's charged shot? - Ridding us of the infamous "Noob Combo", your fears of being cheated by it in the above scenario, and sprinting? :P

But, y'know, this post (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4772374&postcount=110) suggests that the X Button will not be used for sprinting... Though, you could interpret that as meaning the X Button won't be used for just those purposes. :D

* Sai stays hopeful.

[Masa Def]

thank you for clearing it up Sai.

[SaiST]

Ah. :)

There's another post a bit further down in that thread with an interesting thought:

"It's probably weapon related though. Steal primary/secondary weapon from target or give/drop weapon for teammate. Something along those lines."

... I really hope that's implemented into Halo 3's multiplayer. A much needed method of switching weapons between teammates; you could do it with your friendly NPCs in Halo 2, but it would be great to have it in multiplayer... Just seems like a natural progression of things, especially with the ability to see the other character's secondary weapons now, right?

But, that could be implemented without the X Button. And that doesn't sound cooler than sprinting... Speculation continues!

[D.E.M.]

its listing price is gonna start at 99.99 so there better be infinite gnades/

[Masa Def]

that is the price for the limited edition. There is two editions just like how 2 had two editions.

[Wesley]

Vehicles are important. A spriting function would make them less so. Especially in the case of vehicles that carry passengers.

[Masa Def]

I saw that there is going to be an ATV this time, since htey scrapped the idea last time.

[Wesley]

I saw that there is going to be an ATV this time, since htey scrapped the idea last time.

Um, what terrain was in Halo that couldn't be drove over?

Personally I'd like a walker of some kind...

[SaiST]

Vehicles are important. A spriting function would make them less so.
Not if they're very short sprints, and you're forced to use them sparsely. It would take nothing away from the vehicles then.

[staradderdragoon]

that is the price for the limited edition. There is two editions just like how 2 had two editions.

actually there are 3. there's the regular, limited collectors, and then the legendary(the last one comes with the 11in master cheif helemt replica). its going to be like 60, 80, and 100 i think

[Masa Def]

oh, I have only seen two.

Um, what terrain was in Halo that couldn't be drove over?

Personally I'd like a walker of some kind...

Maybe you should ask bungie...> >

[SaiST]

http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=773345

http://www.ligerexpress.com/private/cowboy1.jpg
http://www.ligerexpress.com/private/cowboy2.jpg
http://www.ligerexpress.com/private/cowboy3.jpg
http://www.ligerexpress.com/private/cowboy4.jpg
http://www.ligerexpress.com/private/cowboy5.jpg

http://tinyurl.com/y74d74

http://tinyurl.com/yxv5yu

Heh, it's good to see the Assault Rifle back with a facelift. Notice how much smaller the reticle is now.

[Masa Def]

damn, nice find Sai.

[staradderdragoon]

very nice. with graphics like those, holy shit....ppl should shut their face and just play the damn game

[SaiST]

Some Halo 3 information from someone who claims to have gotten the opportunity to play the Alpha for about half an hour. None of this has been confirmed to be real or not, so don't any of you get too excited now, y'hear? :P

Onward:

BAD NEWS

1. BR is nerfed somewhat. takes like 6 or 7 headshots to kill, looks somewhat different. The carbine is the most effective and skillful weapon.

2. Health bar is at the top in the center and unfavorable IMO. The reload function, swap weapons, and dual wield has been moved to shoulder buttons and is hard to get used to. X does nothing but allow you to talk to people. No big suprise from Bungie yet. New weapons are unimaginative IMO and not really groundbreaking or very skillful.

3. More than one of weapon can spawn on map. not based on if it is still being held. Bad news cause there is suddenly more swords.

4. An alpha only problem I'm sure but some weapons lagged hardcore, the rockets in particular. I once shot while running and ended shooting myself in the back killing me and not the other guy.

5. Assault rifle very inaccurate, automatic, small clip, no secondary function and no zoom. like the smg from Halo2.

GOOD NEWS or ok news might be good or bad.

1. Sword has ammo. can't use it forever. Also extremely annoying is the fact that it still may take you 3 hits to kill someone and your lunges are still sometimes ineffective. argh

2. Sniper has less auto aim. More like Halo1 sniper but still felt different. couldn't pin down the diff since I only played for like 30 minutes.

3. I thought I was able to BXB, well actually B-right shoulder button-B. maybe I didn't but weapon glitches may be possible.

4. Rocket doesn't track! yay. and doesn't fly all weird like Halo2 rockets. basically halo1 rocket again.

5. Shotgun has slightly better range than Halo2 but still pretty bad. only very short range still.

6. SMG actually somewhat useful. kind of like Halo1 assault rifle but dual-wieldable. Very good in SMG-Spike rifle combo.

7. Carbine is the same and very effective.

NOT SURE IF GOOD OR BAD.

1. Jump is even higher than Halo2. Feels like your on the moon or something.

2. Still no fall damage. least not that I noticed.

3. Needler more effective. However in alpha there was a glitch and the needles would sometimes never explode and therefore guy would survive.

4. Looks like more time has gone into weapon and map development than into gameplay development.

5. Vehicles are destructible still. I like them indestructible.

6. Brute shot has more shots. same effectiveness.

7. ladders return in one level. "

He also posted this later:

4. Not much splash damage on rockets
5. Yes there is less autoaim and magnetism than Halo2



I will try to get another chance to play it soon so I get the chance to address some of the questions you have raised that I currently do not have answers too. One complication in the game is that there are no custom games or splitscreen allowed. So therefore all discoveries must be made during a Rumble pit, team slayer or Team skirmish game.

BTW I only played Snowbound and High Ground(think thats what it is called). Did not play Valhalla sorry.

One thing I failed to mention was that the stats sheet at the end of games has been updated and more stats added such as kills by nade, melee, and weapon.


No they did not come in pairs (talking about dual wieldable weapons) thank God.

BTW things I post here may conflict with recent Bungie releases because they are obviously playing an updated version of the alpha at times. For example, the X button in the alpha currently does nothing but allow you to speak to teammates. however Bungie has said it does something cool. However I doubt they wanted to release that in the alpha so it could be leaked.

Ok Map Balance(not a ton to say but I'll give my $0.02 on it)

High Ground seemed like a map that would allow for very easy defense by the defending team(if their were skilled) Like zanzibar but the gate here is in the first wall. the attacking defenders do have the best weapons(sniper and rockets) but there are few ways to utilize those for entering the base. One way in is via a bunker that lies halfway up the beach slope which is about twice a long as the distance from zanzi's water to the wall. However it's width is much narrower than zanzi's(think like 1/4 to 1/8 of zanzi's beach) Anyways the bunker allows you access under the wall into the base. However this could easily be guarded by player stationed with carbine or BRs (of which there are plenty in the base and bunker) and nades. Also the sword could easily be used to neutralize anyone entering this way. All in all, this way would be ambush city for any attcking players.
The obvious entrance way is via the gate(but of course someone must first enter and open it. duh) The third and final entrance is a broken piece of wall that allows you to walk onto the wall. This is actually the most viable option due to the sniper being able to pin down anyone stupid enuff to dance around on the wall in plain view. It can be defended however with defenders waiting for attackers to crest the walls, with a sword guy in a nearby doorway or by placing the mine (it spawns near the defenders' spawn) on the wall where they enter.

Snowbound was a very IMO boring level. The shield doors were interesting but probably only useful in the defense of a base. Most of the level is actually open ground. Its really hard to describe in any detail but I'll think about it and try to post later if I think of any important details about it.

Later on he mentions that lunging melees are still in, and that the grenades are pretty much the same as they were in Halo 2...

Keep in mind that even if this information turns out to be true, it's all from an Alpha build; things could be changed drastically by the time the open beta is released this Spring. And through the feedback of all the Halo fans that'll be playing that beta, it will change even more by the time the game is completed later this year.

[Hell On Earth]

Halo 3 is going to be epic.

[Kameil]

http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?cid=9340
Appearance of the Brutes and their actions... can't believe nobody posted that yet...:oh

[crazymtf]

This guy sounds like he's lying but it is a alpha build so i expected mostly stupid shit.

@Shyr Ren Muo - We already seen it buddy, it's like 3 weeks old.

[Kameil]

This guy sounds like he's lying but it is a alpha build so i expected mostly stupid shit.

@Shyr Ren Muo - We already seen it buddy, it's like 3 weeks old.

I assume you would have I just wanted for those whom missed out on it incase just to see it...:oh

[SaiST]

There's a link to that documentary in the original post, buddy.

[SaiST]

Top Story at Bungie.net (http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=mongi) has some nice details on the Mongoose. I think there's at least one new image of it in there(the one at the top)...

"Despite its size and limited offensive capabilities, the Mongoose is instrumental in many quick-striking strategies. It is decidedly difficult to damage in battle because of its speed and maneuverability delivered by its forgiving suspension and E-brake. Coupled with its speed, the capability to power-slide through turns gives the Mongoose unparalleled maneuverability on the battlefield. Drivers familiar with the M12 LRV Warthog should be able to easily transition into the Mongoose once they become familiar with its speed."

Can't wait to hop in this thing.

I guess they're going to be periodically releasing articles like this 'til the open beta is released this spring to give us a fair idea of what to expect from some of the new/changed vehicles and weaponry.

* Sai hopes the next one centers on the new Assault Rifle.

[staradderdragoon]

thats awesome! that thing is going to carry a half-ton beast at 60mph?!?! insane...

[SaiST]

There's an interesting article about Bungie in the latest EDGE. Just gonna quote the OP of the thread on GAF:

Its an 8 page article about the running of Bungie, its intergration or lack of into MS and the pressure Halo3 is putting on the team.
There are nuggets that really stand out in the interviews conducted the most revealing is Chris Butcher
"Halo came togehter in 4 -5 weeks polishing period at the end. No more than that. Thats the period in which we really had the perfect storm. The team was all there, everything was working great, the entire game came togother in that period. One of things thats stuns me when I think about and I can't beleive its true, we had none of that for Halo 2. Take that polish period and completely get rid of it. We miscalculated we screwed up, we came down to the wire and just lost all of that. So halo2 is far less than it could and should be in many ways." "Even the multiplayer experience is a pale shadow of what it could and should have been if we got the timing of our schedule right. It's astounding to me. I ****ing cannot play Halo2 multiplayer. I cannot do it. And thats why I know Halo 3 will be so much better."

There is a fair amount of criticism of Halo2 amongst the the Bungie staff. F O'connor admits the ending was abrupt and they drove off Thelma & Lousie style big time. He admits that Bungies vocal and internal, interdisciplinary self analysis can be its own worst enemy. Basically that had too many cooks buggering around with the story and design. They actually state that they "polished away some of the rough edges from the game" that made it distinct in the first place.
Very interesting.

If anybody finds a full transcript of the article, post it here please?

[R3trograde]

Bungie also left some not-so-subtle clues in the article.

“The M274 doesn’t have a radio of its own, isn’t equipped with GPS, it doesn’t even have any gauges. The only piece of equipment more primitive is the crate it ships in.”

...Without elaborating on this crate AFAIK. Hint?

“That thing will go from zero to thirty in three seconds on anything short of snow covered ice.”

That hint being much less subtle. I wonder why they mention snow-covered ice?

“If they’re not gonna give us armor they should at least give us a mounted weapon. And you should be able to tow a trailer with it. And, god forbid, you try to ford bodies of water more than seven feet deep.”

While not nearly as likely as the other hints, it does suggest that we'll get the suit wet sometime during the game.

[Gaara of the Desert]

I prefer speed over armor. That way, why need armor if they can't hit you?

[Masa Def]

edited the first post with the new top story and the footage Sai found.

[SaiST]

Some new Halo 3 media's been leaked.

Videos(terrible quality): http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Halo+3+Leaked&hl=en

Images:

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2007/01/halo3leak1.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2007/01/halo3leak2.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2007/01/halo3leak3.jpg
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.xbox360fanboy.com/media/2007/01/halo3leak4.jpg

[staradderdragoon]

pretty bad, but looks fun to me. idc what ppl say. any new fps multiplayer will be good cause im so bored playing gow.

[SaiST]

All camera phone pics and vids taken off of a SDTV, so yeah, it should look bad. >_>

The Alpha testing within Microsoft started a while ago, iirc. So I'm surprised it took this long to get any media at all. Hope some higher quality stuff leaks out in the next couple of weeks.

[SaiST]

* Sai hopes the next one centers on the new Assault Rifle.
Damn, Bungie must love me:

Top Story at Bungie.net - The MA5C Assault Rifle (http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=ma5carrrrr)

"There is much to be said about the MA5C with regards to tactics and strategies. The weapon’s power can be described as being somewhere between the original MA5B Assault Rifle and the BR55 Battle Rifle. Obviously it shares more with the MA5B, though as we'll demonstrate, aesthetics aren’t everything. It shares more with the BR55 than one might suspect. The clip capacity has been reduced to the 32 rounds that you’re used to seeing in the BR55, but the rifle’s range has been slightly improved over its predecessor to make it more formidable as an Assault Rifle. It also deals greater damage per round than did the original MA5B."

Sounds great!

What do you guys think they'll cover next?

[staradderdragoon]

damn ur good. how about some covenant weapons? or the Spartan Laser?

[Masa Def]

Damn nice leaks.

And it looks like a promising rifle :)

[SaiST]

or the Spartan Laser?
I completely forgot about that thing. We'll probably be seeing an article on that next week.

After that... The Spike Grenade, maybe?

The EDGE article about Bungie is now online:

http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/01/inside_bungie.php

[Rezo]

Amazing info, everyone!

[staradderdragoon]

I completely forgot about that thing. We'll probably be seeing an article on that next week.

After that... The Spike Grenade, maybe?

The EDGE article about Bungie is now online:

http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/01/inside_bungie.php


what about that new brute gun?

[SaiST]

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/smazany/33346_02_122_79lo.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/smazany/33343_01_122_50lo.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/smazany/33364_04_122_18lo.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/smazany/33348_03_122_78lo.jpg
http://www.n4g.com/M/8/Images//24000/24761_med.jpg
http://www.n4g.com/M/8/Images//24000/24760_med.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s211/smazany/dsc00034zb3.jpg
* Sai anticipates the open beta.

Oh, and Bungie has put up articles for the Spartan Laser and Spike Grenade since then. I didn't bother updating because not many of you seemed too interested.

[SaiST]

More Alpha goodness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygDfGB7Lca4

Wow, guys. Am I going to be the only one bumpin' this thread 'til the game launches this fall, or what? ._.

[Stumpy]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/763/763636p1.html

That article went kind of under the radar, but it is something that we will all come to appreciate greatly. Sure you can mute people in all games, but Bungie realizes this will be an over used function and is going to make it much quicker to do the muting in game.

[Masa Def]

I would edit the first post but I am lazy, but good finds anyways.

[SaiST]

DAMN IT, Bungie (http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=784155)... :(

Oh well, that bubble shield theory hasn't been shot down yet.

[staradderdragoon]

dont know if this has been posted before, but its a pretty good quality vid of the gameplay. no sound though :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClXXIpGy5fE&mode=related&search=

[SaiST]

That's a Halo PC mod, man.

I know some of the Alpha media hasn't been what some would call a generational leap, but Halo 3 doesn't look that bad. :P

[staradderdragoon]

^really? i couldnt tell at all. ah well. damn. lol

[Kameil]

So whom's gonna be in Beta?:amuse

[crazymtf]

ME BITCH< CRAZYMTF :)

[Itanji Kuraisu]

Im in. I hid like 6 copies of Crackdown in my local Best Buy store. I dont get paid until Friday. That way I know I'll have one. They'll never find them between the shelves. :D

[Kameil]

Thats great Im in as well also I wish in Beta we get to see if the Elites have been perfected for multi-player purposes.......:oh

[staradderdragoon]

lame lame. i wished i had gotten in. that's so gay. i wonder who thought of putting up the form during midday? fucking a...

[Masa Def]

damnit I have no monies for crackdown.

[SaiST]

THE BETA'S COMIN' OUT ON MAY 16TH! It'll be available for only twenty days--a bit shorter than I had expected. I'm not going to have much of a social life for those few short weeks. >_>

And a new Video Documentary was released this morning! Centers on Multiplayer this time. You can get it directly from Bungie's official site (http://www.bungie.net/), or Xbox Live Marketplace.

The Bubble Shield has been confirmed to be one of the uses of the X Button! Rather, it's one of the "deployments" that can be used through it. The other confirmed one is a trip mine--I don't believe it's been specified how you toggle between them though. Tapping and holding the X Button is one possibility... There's also the D-pad, of course.

This caught me by surprise. :D

[EDIT] - It's hard to make any judgements on how the game plays compared to the previous two based on this footage. I can say for sure that the AR is going to be much more useful as a starting weapon this time around, and that Bungie may have gotten rid of those lunging melees. I saw melees, but no lunging... It could have been because they were so close--but whatever, we'll find out soon enough, right? ;)

[Cardboard Jewsuke]

Man, I so got my fingers crossed tat this game doesn't suck complete monkey balls like the first two.

Maybe i'll have a reason to buy a POS360 then. Please dont make my buy the PS3 for lack of a better option...

[SaiST]

o_0

If you didn't enjoy the first two, at all, then I doubt there'll be much to change your stance on the series in the 3rd installment.

I mean, based on what we know thus far, it should be the best Halo has ever been, but it's still Halo, y'know?

Just curious: What would Bungie have to do to the series core gameplay to get you excited? Most of the people I've presented this question to either wish to bring too many elements from first person shooters like UT or CS, or have a severe lack of interest in FPS in general. :o

[rockst☆r sin]

For those who are interested. The Halo 3 beta has been dated!!!!!

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168806.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1

The messed up thing is that my 360 fucked up and I have to send it back to Microsoft. I got a beta key so I hope it comes right away.

[SaiST]

Half an hour late. >:D

[rockst☆r sin]

lmao wtf I swear I didn't see your post. Damn you Killua, I wanted to be the first one to link this.

[SaiST]

No more replies? You guys're lame. >:I

More stuff confirmed from the Vidoc:

-We can now use a chaingun! And it's possible that it's from the Warthog. In a earlier update on Bungie.net concerning the Warthog, it was mentioned that Warthog's chaingun has a limited battery for use when detatched. It hasn't been clarified if the chaingun can be removed from Warthog while it's still intact, or if the chaingun can only be used for a limited time after the vehicle has been totaled, but either way: This is awesome. :D
-Another one of the deployments was spotted, appears that we can also set small gravity lifts where we please. You apparently don't spawn with these items(unless it's something that can be changed in the gametype options), they are placed around the maps. The Bubble Shield deployment, for example, was shown sitting on top of a structure on a as of yet unknown multiplayer map in the Vidoc.
-... And it appears that lunging melees are still in. My mistake. :cry

[R3trograde]

I noticed in the "ice caves" scene, maybe the same architecture as the forerunner bridge level seen later in the video. At some point they show a view from below a glass pane under the Spartans' feet; I'm betting it's one of the bases of the bridge.

Also new: labrythine, Old Mombasa-style village under a hangar in the jungle. It looks like a widened Turf with actual buildings and not-claustrophobic streets.

Finally, there are a handful of scenes featuring shiny, silver architecture that could concievably be part of the bridge-level, but I'm feeling that's stretching it a little.

[staradderdragoon]

im watching it right now and it looks AMAZING. that's all i have to say for now.

[Takumi Matsuki]

Edit: Nevermind, you can buy Crackdown with the halo 3 beta from ebgames.

[SaiST]

Finally, there are a handful of scenes featuring shiny, silver architecture that could concievably be part of the bridge-level, but I'm feeling that's stretching it a little.
Reminds ya of Gephyrophobia, doesn't it?

Would be quite nice if a handful of those PC-exclusive Halo maps were re-created for Halo 3.

* Killua crosses fingers for a successor to Death Island, and/or Danger Canyon.

are there any specific ways to tell if the crackdown game has the beta in it?
The boxes are marked, it'll say on the cover.

If you want in, I suggest you hurry up. While most of the initial copies of Crackdown have a beta key, with the beta's release date officially announced and all, they may start getting a bit thin.

[Masa Def]

Killua, feel free to edit this thread on your own...It would be appreciated since I have been busy lately.

[Stumpy]

neeeeed hdtv

neeeeeed xbox 360

Q_Q

[ExoSkel]

This is what Bungie should include. Assassination game mode. Add one spartan in each team which are the leader and whole bunch of other players are marines. Their job? Try to assassinate the opposing spartan.

That is one of the example. Seriously, Bungie should add some more variety of game modes instead of adding another spartans death match, team death match, and any other modes that the've implemented in Halo 2.

[Takumi Matsuki]

Well, so I was playing halo 2 right? My highest online rank was a 34, so I thought to myself...Hmm I'm gonna see if I can get on a Halo 2 team to compete for stuff, so i'm searching around on bungie.net and I see this site right? So I go on and fill an application and the leader there sent me and invite and said he wanted to see how I play. I GOT MY ASS HANDED TO ME WITH THE INDENTIONS OF A STICKY GRENADE IN IT. The guy was so good, it was a 15 minute game on Lockout and he won 14 to 6. I mean he said I could start together a 5 man team , mainly for halo 3 but were gonna be playing 2 a lot.

[Asuma: Konoha's Blade]

My friend sent a letter to bungie that asks if master chief will take off his helmet at the end and be chuck norris. he hasnt got anything back yet tho...

[SaiST]

Bump. :o

Super early camshots of the latest EGM have hit the 'net. Tons of new information about Halo 3's Campaign, and Multiplayer. Poster at IGN wrote up a summary of the interesting bits from the mag:

Coop:
-2 player, one player is MC, the other is Arbiter
-System Link supported. Online, probably not. Bungie is still working on it but it likely won't make it at launch. Bungie said they'll consider a patch to implement it if they can't do it for launch. With system Link the story is not so bad as we can use XBC to play online, but surely a supported online would be much better

Forge:
-Map editor
-Does not support geometry creation, or texture modification
-Allows you to remove and place any items or vehicles or spawn points or objectives, etc... anywhere on the existing maps
-For things like weapons you can tweak their respawn timer and ammo count and other minor things
-Possibly more things, but I don't have that info right now
Forge info updated, this is cool!
-You can have multiple people work in the Forge editor over Xbox Live!
-You can also dynamically switch from creation mode to playing mode and run around as your spartan
-If you are "playing" in Forge and have other players in it, they can still change things! For instance, if you have a friend making a pyramid of fusion cores, you can turn into your player and lob a grenade in to destroy all his work!
-Make your own kind of games in forge. Bungie gives the example of grab the mongoose. One player rides a mongoose while everyone else tries to grab it out from under him by removing it in Forge! Another is like a magic carpet ride where one player will stand on a object and a forge monitor will drag it along making the player ride it through the air.
Finally Bungie talked about how you can kind of make it into a realtime strategy game where you set up "teams" where each team has a monitor creating items for his team to use.

Elephant:
-Only works on Sandtrap map right now
-Giant floating base which players will spawn on, have vehicles spawn on, and hold objectives such as flags.
-The Elephant is drivable by players making for moving base games


I'll look for more highlights

Update:

Hornet:
-UNSC flying vehicle
-Only seen in Campaign so far, but should be in MP as well
-Can carry two people and the pilot
-Can combat Banshees, but weapons specifics are not know right now

Mauler:
-Brute Shotgun
-Dual Wieldable
-Not as powerful as Human shotgun (its dual wieldable, duh)

Prowler (not predator):
-Brute version of Warthog
-Turret gun
-Passengers on side
-4 players on it total (1 driver 3 passengers)


Update x2

Flare Equipment:
-Blinds everyone who sees it... its a flare

Invincibility Equipment:
-Makes you temporarily invincible
-Brutes use in SP a lot
-Will be in MP, but will be rare

Regenerator?:
-Not sure about this so don't take it as full confirmation
-Equipment which regenerates players health near by (anti-energy drainer?)


Update x3

Personal Shield (retrieved from lucidgrey):
Unlike the 360 degree bubble shield, this is a stationary version of the Jackal's handheld deflector and it only protects against attacks from one direction. Stand behind the shield and fire through to hit opponents on the other side.


Gravity Hammer:
-Kind of like plasma sword
-Knocks openness and vehicles and grenades (yes grenades in mid air) back



Update x4

Single Player:
-Bungie admits the "risks of Halo 2's narratives did not work right (Arbiter stories). They claim Halo 3 won't have those problems and that while it didn't work for Halo 2, Halo 2 made for a richer story which Halo 3 will benefit from
-You play as MC the entire game. You will only play as arbiter if you are playing coop
-The Meta game scores your skill in each level. You can play the meta game in solo or in coop. You get scored for kills, who you kill, how you perform the kills and doing special things like picking up the magic skulls which will create different effects (like Halo 2). They say the skull effects stack so while you could try to play through picking up all skulls for mad points, it would probably make the game impossible. You also lose points for team killing


Update x5

-Warthog Troop Tansport finally appears! We first heard of the idea for Halo 2, but it never made it into the game. Now in Halo 3 (SP at least) there will be a troop transport hog which carries more marines instead of a turret.
Not mentioned in the summary, but there was talk of large, three story tall vehicle called the Elephant that can hold twelve players, and an unspecified(I think...) number of Mongooses. It's only available on Sandtrap(the massive, desert like map that was formerly known as "Shrine"), and it can also be set as a mobile base for CTF games.

Also, Lockout remake called "Guardian", iirc.

Also... My earlier speculation (http://forums.narutofan.com/showpost.php?p=8468943&postcount=43) about those stationary Covenant Shields placed around their encampments being used as deployable equipment in Halo 3 has been confirmed(among many other things in that post). :)