So Bungie dropped their latest Weekly Whats Update and it contains some great news. First and foremost there is the news that the first of Halo 3's DLC packs will be free for all to download as of this Tuesday, 2am. So that would be the Heroic Map Pack, which contains the maps, Foundry, Rat's Nest and Standoff. The update also notes that now that the maps are free, they will be required for certain playlists in matchmaking (Ranked Big Team, Social Big Team, Team Slayer and Rocket Race playlists) and will appear in them rather often. To tease those of us who did not buy the download, there is a video of the Heroic maps included in the update as well.
As for the portion of the update that does not involve the Heroic Map Pack, there was the news that there would be a new map reveal coming this Tuesday, so hopefully that puts some rumors to rest. Additionally, there was mention of the new Double EXP Team SWAT playlist, the MLG/ESPN Top 10 Halo 3 plays, and a new episode of their podcast. Even with the game out the door, Bungie manages to keep a good flow of content and news coming to the press. Must be because that's where their community managers started out ....
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
3-22-2008 @ 8:31AM
JUICED said...
Thank you
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3-22-2008 @ 9:36AM
miles said...
now im kinda pissed, i literally just bought it yesterday!
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3-22-2008 @ 9:50AM
Gemini Ace said...
Finally! Christ on a bike that took forever!
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3-22-2008 @ 9:53AM
NvM said...
Wow Bungie, I wasn't suspecting this. Thanks.
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3-22-2008 @ 9:56AM
IncredibleBulk92 said...
Hmm this might actually tempt me to play more Halo... Who'd have thought that bungie could get me away from my CoD4 addiction.
What's that there are more CoD4 maps being released on the 4th? Oh well nevermind, better luck next time bungie.
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3-22-2008 @ 10:05AM
Brave said...
About Fucking Time.
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3-22-2008 @ 10:24AM
vidGuy said...
Gotta be kidding me, I just broke down to buy them last week!
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3-22-2008 @ 10:24AM
todd said...
Wow, free... don't care for the game but maybe COD4 will follow up with their maps for free.
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3-22-2008 @ 10:38AM
Disco Ball said...
For everyone kicking themselves on the head for jsut buying this map, wtf were you thinking? Bungie did the same thing with the map packs in Halo 2, making the old ones free when new ones came out, and I am pretty sure they announced this would be a free map pack in the spring.
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3-22-2008 @ 10:38AM
Van Faulk said...
@todd.
Not with activision as the publisher. You know, the company that is trying to out EA EA.
On a side note, this is gonna be one busy tuesday.
Halo maps, plus battle feild beta...plus Ninja Gaiden DS.
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3-22-2008 @ 10:49AM
Demolition Elmo said...
Excellent! Now i can get more of my cheapskate mates to join my grifball team in time for the new season!
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3-22-2008 @ 10:57AM
Bill said...
Kickass! Maybe I'll have a working console back by then.
I just want a working, non-refurb console Microsoft!!!!
http://xbox360rrod.com
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3-22-2008 @ 11:56AM
Rob said...
Great, Finally I will be able to use the ultimate forge map.
Maybe this time I will buy the legendary DLC because the maps in that seem quite promising.
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3-22-2008 @ 12:55PM
iFester said...
I bought this about a month ago thinking it would be around May they'd be free. I'll still buy the new maps as well as the CoD4 ones. I don't mind buying DLC as I know they're for games I'm playing. Unlike Live Arcade games where I might play one if I'm bored.
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3-22-2008 @ 1:08PM
damman09 said...
Thats a nice WTF picture!
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3-22-2008 @ 1:34PM
Jonah Falcon said...
Buy both packs, and it'll be like you spent 400 per pack.
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3-22-2008 @ 2:26PM
Nathan-DTS said...
I seriously don't know why people bother with Halo 3 the 3rd in the series sucked on campaign and had a lackluster online mode. With each game the quality deminished and the maps online are of poor quality as well. I may not have a 360 (I have a PS3) but I have played this game and GoW on it at my m8s house. If I were you people I'd not bother getting these maps I myself will stick too CoD 4 and buy there DLC in April.
P.S I am not biased I enjoy my share of the 360 exclusives that I wish were on the PS3: Mass Effect 1/2 (when it comes out), Bioshock 1/2 (when it comes out) and GoW 1/2 (when it comes out)
Your's Sinceerely Nathan-DTS
Enjoy your RROD
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3-22-2008 @ 2:41PM
Rob said...
Why do you people keep talking about RROD on completely unrelated posts?
We know that the Xbox RRODs and I'm sure there are plenty of places where you can talk about them but it's not here.
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3-22-2008 @ 2:42PM
Ghostbuddy said...
I don't know why so many people are acting suprized about this. Saying; "I wasn't expecting this" , or "I just bought them yesterday".
First off, they did this with every single Halo 2 map pack. Second, they stated they were going to make the first map pack free early spring when it was released.
And third , on wendsday it was announced the third map pack would be released april 15th. A week or two before that in the WU they stated the first map pack would be free before the second came out.
So its really your own fault. Oh well, consider it an investment. Your purchase slightly increased the odds of more map packs. And gave MS more profit, so they will be more likely to continue let Bungie make the map packs free eventually. Even if they don't have any control over the original pricing.
Anyways to people who havn't played the new maps yet, they are pretty good. Standoff is a good slayer/ CTF map. although the bases are really small, compact and yet still manage to have 5 exits/entrances.
Rats Nest is a larger symetrical map. Its alright for slayer, but its good for Assualt and CTF.
Foundry is probably the most valuable map ever created in any MP FPS in DLC. The ultimate Forge map. Allowing you to basically create your own small maps. I suggest you go to B.net and find some people to add to your list to play customs. Because theres a lot of possibilities with this map. I have seen everything from symetrical CTF maps, arena slayer maps, Mongoose motor cross type tracks, survival zombie maps, Griffball , etc.
Even if you have no intention of giving customs ago. Foundry is a worthy addition. Because Bungie can use the same forge tools to make alternate foundrys for matchmaking. The MLG playlist for example, when its released in april, it will use an Arena slayer map created in Foundry. And I think, or atleast hope we will see more of that.
Can't wait for the next map pack. If you look at the top view of Avalanche given in the update, you can see ice in a few spots on the map. Hopefully it makes vehicles slip like the ice on the original.
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3-22-2008 @ 2:50PM
Ghostbuddy said...
I don't think im going to take the review of Halo 3 from some one who doesn't own a 360 and can't spell "diminished" seriously. I think I have played Halo 3 enough that I can have my own views on it.
I don't think the campaign was lacklust. The plot and its presentation certainly was. And I don't think Halo 3s MP is worse then Halo 2s. The maps in Halo 3 are generally worse then Halo 2s. But the gameplay itself is better.
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