Ed. Note: This is Xav's 777th post at X3F. Fitting, isn't it?
Update: Looks like this was last week's weekly update. We're not sure how we missed it then, but here it is now!
Halo 3: November matchmaking update revealed [update]
Ed. Note: This is Xav's 777th post at X3F. Fitting, isn't it?
Update: Looks like this was last week's weekly update. We're not sure how we missed it then, but here it is now!
Halo 3: Alas, Poor Yorik, it's time for 3 Ball
If you're a Halo 3 gamer or an achievement lover then it's time to sign into Xbox Live and fire up teh Haloz. Why? Because it's time for another Halo 3 Double EXP Weekend that'll aid in your quest for 25 Gamerscore.The new 3v3v3v3 Halo 3 double EXP matchmaking playlist "3 Ball" is available through Sunday and features only Oddball gametypes utilizing (you guessed it) three skulls. The playlist also requires the Legendary map pack, which means you have an excellent chance at earning the newish 25 Gamerscore "Alas, Poor Yorik" achievement. Shakespeare and Halo ... what a perfect pair.
Halo 3: Recon team done with Halo after Recon
Of course, we don't know what any of those secret projects are, so we can't rule Halo out entirely, though Jarrard's words seem to imply that they aren't related to Halo. We'll just have to wait and see. The full interview also includes tidbits on Bungie's community building philosophy, the studio's independence, and how the company feels about the NXE. Hit the source link to check it out.
[Via Joystiq]
Bungie free to develop on other platforms
Talking with GamesIndustry.biz while at the Tokyo Game Show, Bungie's Brian Jarrard revealed that alongside the development of Halo 3: Recon they're working on a new IP, which Microsoft has no restrictions on pertaining to which platforms it'll appear on.
"No, we're not [tied into a specific platform for new IP]," said Jarrard explaining that "in theory we do have every means to go out and find the right ecosystem, the right partners, to align with. So who knows what the future will bring us." Though, Jarrard did praise the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live as a social platform for their past projects including the entire Halo franchise.
That said, we'll wager our entire IRA (which isn't worth much these days) that Bungie's new IP will make its way onto an Xbox platform. It's a no-brainer.
Video: Halo 3 MythBusters crashes Pelicans
After entertainingly wasting a good ten minutes of our weekend, we figured we'd share with you the YouTube video series we've been watching. Behold! It's Halo 3 MythBusters!
DTHclan's Halo 3 Mythbusters - based on a show by the same name - takes a "scientific approach" (saved films) to either prove or debunk common Halo 3 myths. You know, myths like "you can carry three weapons using a glitch in CTF gametypes" or "the bubble shield is in effect before its animation." Each myth is tested and slapped with either a CONFIRMED or
[Thanks, Kevin]
Bungie talks Recon, Forge, achievements and confirms new weapon
Recently, we asked you -our loyal X3F readers - to submit questions for our interview with Bungie's own Brian "Sketch" Jarrard. And boy did you come through! After sifting through hundreds then choosing a few questions, we digitally sat down with Jarrard to clarify questions about Halo 3: Recon, discuss the Mythic Map Pack and chat about other Bungie related topics. Let's just say we learned a lot!
In the interview, Jarrard confirmed that Halo 3: Recon will feature at least one new weapon and a brand new soundtrack, also confirming that the blue / red Covenant outline featured in the Recon trailer is "true to the spirit of the actual game." We also discuss what Recon's Forge won't be and why Bungie chose not to go the route that Far Cry 2 did. As if that wasn't enough exclusive info, we discuss Recon matchmaking, Vidmaster achievements, the Mythic Map Pack maps and even pie. We even snuck in some Humpday Challenge smack talk. Make the jump to read the complete interview.
We need your Halo or Bungie questions
Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be digitally sitting down with team Bungie to chit-chat about Halo 3: Recon, upcoming Halo 3 DLC and any other topics that come to mind. But we need your help.
We formally request that you send us your burning Halo / Bungie related question that only team Bungie can answer. Post your hard hitting (or soft hitting) questions in the comments below, then we'll sift through them prior to Tuesday's interview and hopefully find a few goodies to ask. Bonus points to persons who generate questions that haven't already been answered (ahem) and don't receive a "not comment" response. Now get to it, comment us your Bungie questions ASAP!
Halo 3. Double XP. Rocket Races for me
It's time to fuel up your Mongoose, get an infinite supply of rockets and take to the dirt on a mission for EXP, because it's time for another Halo 3 Double EXP Weekend!
From now through this Sunday, Halo 3 players can partake in twice the EXP earning fun with a new "Rocket Race" matchmaking playlist. The playlist only requires the Heroic map pack, so enjoy the rocketing fun! Oh, and if you don't know what Rocket Races is ... boo to you and get learned.
First Halo 3: Recon details emerge
- "It will be a standalone disc sold in stores in boxes next Fall. It's also going to include some multiplayer maps."
- "It is a first-person shooter still ... It's not a squad-based shooter."
- "As an ODST, compared to playing as in invulnerable Spartan, you are going to have to sort of pick and choose your encounters a little bit differently."
- "It is going to very much feel like Halo. Full feature parity."
Gallery: Halo 3: Recon
TGS 08: Halo 3 Recon trailer is dark and stealthy
Featuring exclusive multiplayer maps, Forge items and four player co-op as well as saved films, screenshot capability and campaign scoring; Halo 3 Recon is sure to light up Xbox 360's when it releases in Fall 2009.
Gallery: Halo 3: Recon
TGS 08: Halo 3 Recon lands Fall 2009 [Update]
Halo 3 Recon, the standalone expansion featuring a new hero and new campaign, hits the Xbox 360 exclusively in Fall 2009.
[Update: According to an Xbox.com News Flash, Halo 3 Recon will take place during the events leading to the return of Master Chief to New Mombasa in Halo 3. The game will feature a brand new campaign, four player co-op gameplay and new multiplayer content. Halo 3 Recon will include exclusive new multiplayer maps and Forge options as well as maintain what gamers loved from Halo 3 including Saved Films, screenshots and campaign scoring.]
Latest Halo novel, The Cole Protocol dated Nov. 25
Written by Tobias S. Buckell, the book follows "an unexplored conflict of the Human-Covenant War" involving the Spartan Gray team. We would venture to guess that the novel covers the events that led to the creation of the Cole Protocol. We are excited.
Latest political smear: He's a Halo player
"Skilled player of the popular video game Halo," the flyer reads, opposite a more politically relevant statment about Fulton Brock -- Hermes' 56-year-old opponent. It continues with a quote from Hermes made in a university newspaper: "I am addicted to Halo, and play almost every night."
We find ourselves wondering if a young Fulton Brock was once accused by an elder statesmen of "Watching the boob tube," or "Reading the Devil's picture books."
[Via Joystiq]
Reminder: Unlock Halo 3's 7 on 7 achievement
To unlock this 0 Gamerscore achievement, you have to enter a matchmaking playlist with exactly 7EXP on the 7th of the month. Seeing that today is October 7th (your next chance will be November 7th), all you have to do is make sure you have 7EXP in any Halo 3 playlist. It's that simple. And for those of you who have earned over 7EXP on all the playlists, Bungie setup a special one day only 7 on the 7th matchmaking playlist called "Icy Treats". Here, you'll start out with 0EXP and play in Cold Storage until you win seven games and earn your 7EXP. Happy unlocking!
Bungie talks H3 video renderer and fileshare update
This week's Bungie Weekly Update is an informative doosie, full of information regarding Halo 3 matchmaking changes, double EXP weekends, fileshare changes and a Bungie PRO video renderer. Wait, wah? Video renderer? Oh yes, children, a video renderer.
Team Bungie just announced that in the not too distant future, Bungie PRO subscribers (who pay 750 MS points a year) will have the ability to take their Halo 3 film clips and render them into WMV through Bungie.net. Wowza! Specifics including resolution, how it functions and its rollout haven't been announced yet, but keep your eyes peeled.
The other big news is next week's launch of an all new Bungie.net fileshare system that'll make tracking files easier, grouping content slicker and showing off your work much simpler. The implementation of tags, content grouping and Bungie cards is super sexy and are all changes we welcome with open arms. Make the jump to get learned and get prepared for next Bungie's Tokyo Game Show reveal next week. KEEP IT CLEAN!
