Halo 3: ODST - PREPARE TO DROP!

[voltron]

First there is this, from the front page:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z283/Hannahsphotos_21/bungiecountdown.jpg


Then this from the forums (12 hrs early in game feed):

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z283/Hannahsphotos_21/fffof4.png

http://www.bungie.net for the countdown. It ends at around midnight EST.

[HiredMan]

This is the one they had going at E3 then pulled at the last minute?

[Antwandemarco]

It's a dragon flying sim that uses motion controls, featuring intense aerial battles.

[drzaius]

lets hope they tell us how to play it right.

[buckstwits]

a new Myth game?

[drzaius]

i thought it was definately halo related in some sense...

[voltron]

i thought it was definately halo related in some sense...

Nah not definitely. It could be though.

[Hyperblau]

I reckon it's going to be a janitor simulator.

[immol8]

Nah, it's a clock-polishing and countdown timer-watching simulator.

[StorminNorman]

Seriously though, Marathon 4 is going to be awesome.

[AranchineD]

They're taking over the Halo MMO that Ensemble Studios was working on.

[Clockw0rk]

They're taking over the Halo MMO that Ensemble Studios was working on.
That was my thought when I saw "keep it clean" - I thought it could be a reference to online conduct. But Bungie aren't stupid enough to compete with WoW, are they?

[voltron]

No way.

[Conky]

I just want some more 4 player co-op. That was the best part of Halo 3.

[SOX]

Seriously though, Marathon 4 is going to be awesome.

And it's going to be Mac exclusive to boot!

[SOX]

HOLY SHIT MARATHON!
lolnotreally

[Cerebral]

Thanks for the countdown Bungie, we know you're still working on Halo 3.

[HiredMan]

So, I reckon it's a new Halo 3/Marathon crossover campaign.

Idea taken from some dude at eurogamer

[Tonez]

Surely that wasn't the announcement they held back at E3?

[HiredMan]

Aparrently it was, had the exact same website countdown.....

[SOX]

So has it happened? What was it if it has??
I'm capped at the moment and it's painful doing anything other than reading the forums ><

[JubeiSaotome]

Halo MMO

[SOX]

Halo MMO

Totally don't believe you..
I'm rolling a warthog!

[Tonez]

Aparrently it was, had the exact same website countdown.....

Yeah I know but I just don't see how that was "exciting" news. I would've thought that with a countdown and the hype they created that it would be a new game (whether Halo or something else).

[AranchineD]

Ooooh, new achievements?

LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS, FATHERS, BUNGIE IS ON THE TOWN!!!

[voltron]

Those new achievements are ALL for an upcoming map pack called Mythic. All of them.

And why are people saying Marathon? The city is New Mombasa from Halo 2. Plus it called out Halo 3 so its either an expansion or another game set in the timeline of H3.

The smart money seems to be on a squad based ODST game similar to GRAW.

[SOX]

And why are people saying Marathon?

Because Marathon is what we want..

[voltron]

Its nice to want things.

[Clockw0rk]

If there are achievements associated with the map pack, then it's likely to be free, isn't it?

Also I'm at work so I can't watch the trailer until this afternoon. Sucks.

[drzaius]

wow. wtf.

[aubergine]

IGN Dissect Halo 3 Expansion Trailer (http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/913/913707p1.html).

[Cerebral]

Also I'm at work so I can't watch the trailer until this afternoon. Sucks.
There really isn't much to watch.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

A Halo 3 campaign update, thats interesting. I was expecting a new standalone game.

I do like the idea of a campaign expansion though.

[Hyperblau]

Janitor Simulator would have been better.

[SOX]

**** yeah, more content!
MORE ELITE ARMOURZ BUNGIE KTHX

[aubergine]

What's hilarious is that only yesterday or the day before I read an interview with the Bungie guy regarding the title update in which he emphatically stated that they weren't doing, planning, working on or generally talking about a campaign expansion.

Given that the teaser trailer makes no sense to anyone and some industry journos are just calling it a campaign expansion while seemingly having no proof of this, we might still have to wait on whether this is really a standalone product set during the Halo1-3 period.

The only solid fact that seems to be accepted universally is that what was once cute drip-feed marketing from Bungie is now just shitfully boring and hurry up and just say something you pretentious douchebags - it's just a computer game not signs and portents of a second coming.

[SOX]

So what is the thing I am slowly downloading on dialup speeds? (aka the KEEP IT CLEAN thingo?)

[aubergine]

Bungie had a countdown to a teaser trailer for a product which people are saying is a Halo 3 campaign expansion. By "people" I don't mean Bungie, just, you know, random people, with blogs and stuff.

You are downloading the trailer. You'd be better off just reading the thing I linked to back there, I haven't bothered watching the trailer. Announce a game or **** off back to your hole as far as I'm concerned, they should have realised they'd be trying people's patience after blowing it at E3.

[Stormyau]

I'm just gonna throw this out there:

What the **** is with all of this nostalgia idiocy? Marathon was an alright game, but it's over 10 years old. Any game produced now will only retain the storyline, which was perhaps the worst aspect of the game back then.

Who gives a shit if Marathon is never revisited, really....

[voltron]

Lol ^^^ yeah exactly.

[voltron]

Guys this is a must read. MUST READ, if you wanna get up to speed on just what the **** is going on this teaser. Its an analysis by the ascendant Justice blog and puts the IGN article to shame.

READ ME! (http://blog.ascendantjustice.com/2008/09/26/into-the-ashen-wake/)

[Conky]

The most I seem to remember of Halo is there are aliens and you shoot them but the IGN article showed its lack of cred when they said the Halo 2 events where near the end. The city bit was at the beginning and was the part of the game I liked the most. It'll be nice to continue on from there.



16 player co-op campaign would be so awesome. GRAW style tactical too.

[Natrak]

Now that I think of it, it wouldn't surprise me if this 'expansion' took place parallel to either halo 3 or prior to it, remember that acceptance speech that referred to Johnson and Miranda Keys being alive when they were supposed to be dead etc.?

Dunno if someone's connected those dots yet, but that just hit me.

[concrete donkey]

isnt this just a downloadable campaign for halo 3?

[voltron]

isnt this just a downloadable campaign for halo 3?

No one knows. They havent said anything other than release the teaser.

Read the ****ing article I posted.

[Xenon1]

Pretty sure its just an add on to the campaign.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/halo-3/achievements/

Observe all the new achievements and level names?

I'm probably wrong or talking about the wrong thing but who cares.

[SOX]

Those new achievements are ALL for an upcoming map pack called Mythic. All of them.


Unless you are talking about another set of achievements, you are totally wrong, a number of them that I looked at were for the Legendary map pack.

EDIT: looked at all of them, the first few were for the Legendary map pack the rest were for the Mythic map pack.

[Dr Skinnybones]

I seriously doubt it's going to be an expansion when Bungie could just release it as a standalone retail release.

[Nic Xtreme]

Guys this is a must read. MUST READ, if you wanna get up to speed on just what the **** is going on this teaser. Its an analysis by the ascendant Justice blog and puts the IGN article to shame.

READ ME! (http://blog.ascendantjustice.com/2008/09/26/into-the-ashen-wake/)

As a real non-fan of the Halo series, I'm a little surprised ~ this teaser trailer really has a different tone to the games. I like it!

Couple that with the rumour posted in that link from GameSpot (that now seems to be just a tad more credible after watching this teaser) regarding a "darker, grittier" entry into the Halo universe - well, consider me very interested!

[voltron]

Unless you are talking about another set of achievements, you are totally wrong, a number of them that I looked at were for the Legendary map pack.

EDIT: looked at all of them, the first few were for the Legendary map pack the rest were for the Mythic map pack.

Yeah sorry thats what I meant. I was speaking to the people out there in internet land that are claiming the new achievements are for the new teaser just announced.

Pretty sure its just an add on to the campaign.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/halo-3/achievements/

Observe all the new achievements and level names?

I'm probably wrong or talking about the wrong thing but who cares.

Yeah youre wrong. Those 'fishy' achievement names that youre referencing are for an upcoming map pack called "Mythic".



I seriously doubt it's going to be an expansion when Bungie could just release it as a standalone retail release.

Exactly. Thats what Im thinking too.

[SOX]

How about episodic content like Ratchet and Clank is doing at the moment? Possibility?

[Dr Skinnybones]

I'm convinced this won't be a downloadable expansion to Halo 3. Bungie have said they won't expand the singleplayer.

As for this new game being episodic? I'm leaning towards no, I think Bungie stand to make much more money releasing as a standalone retail product.

Wouldn't shock me if that Halo Chronicles/Peter Jackson thing was episodic.

[SOX]

I was just reading up on Wikipedia and noticed that Bungie is no longer owned by M$. Sure it's a year old news - but its news to me!
On October 5, 2007, Bungie announced that it had split with Microsoft and become a privately held independent company, Bungie LLC. Despite splitting from Microsoft, the studio will still be producing products for Xbox 360 but is free to develop for other platforms.
Just thought I'd share if anyone was as behind in things like this as me :/

[voltron]

lolmg

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

I'm convinced this won't be a downloadable expansion to Halo 3. Bungie have said they won't expand the singleplayer.

As for this new game being episodic? I'm leaning towards no, I think Bungie stand to make much more money releasing as a standalone retail product.


It's tied to Halo 3 somehow and It's got to be more than a map-pack with the fuss made about it.

[Gemerald]

Anyone done that 4 Ghosts on Legendary + Iron achievement yet, it seems a real pain and as there's 0 gamerscore in it, anypoint in doing it? I'm not excited about the new map pack either as for every good map, there's 4 shitty ones.

[Natrak]

You appear to be looking for the Halo 3 discussion thread.

[Gemerald]

You appear to be looking for the Halo 3 discussion thread.

^ Earlier discussion about the Mythic map pack. All relevant.

[Antwandemarco]

What's hilarious is that only yesterday or the day before I read an interview with the Bungie guy regarding the title update in which he emphatically stated that they weren't doing, planning, working on or generally talking about a campaign expansion.

Given that the teaser trailer makes no sense to anyone and some industry journos are just calling it a campaign expansion while seemingly having no proof of this, we might still have to wait on whether this is really a standalone product set during the Halo1-3 period.

The only solid fact that seems to be accepted universally is that what was once cute drip-feed marketing from Bungie is now just shitfully boring and hurry up and just say something you pretentious douchebags - it's just a computer game not signs and portents of a second coming.

I'm sure when you go to download the movie of xbox live it says something like " download the video for the new upcoming halo campaign!" or some such thingo.

[voltron]

yeah apparently there is a big announcement at TGS regarding whatever this thing is.

[Natrak]

The TGS trailer for the expansion can be found here. (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame)

[voltron]

The TGS trailer for the expansion can be found here. (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame)

Dont let that word fool you though. Its a stand alone game you buy in the shops. The box art was also shown.

Here is a nice write up on xbox.com:

Halo 3 Recon (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2008/1008-reconpreview.htm)

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

So its a standalone sidestory/prequel to the events of Halo 3.

Intriguing.

[Natrak]

Pretty much, but being an expansion I wouldn't come to expect the campaign to be very long. Hopefully it hits at a relatively low price-point.

Also, anyone else notice the brand new gun in the trailer? Or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

[Jay]

Does that mean you would consider Halo 2 and 3 expansions? I'm slightly confused as to what the distinction is.


Obviously I'm being facetious by using 3 as an example, but 2?

[aubergine]

An expansion in the sense that Shivering Isles or Episode 2 are? Not really big enough to call a full game... but if you look at something like, say, Brood War, it's pretty close to being a full game.

if this release requires Halo 3 then it is an expansion. As far as I've gleaned it does and adds stuff to online multiplayer.

if it doesn't require Halo 3 then it's a... thingy. extra thingy. Like "Shadows of the Empire" or "Force Unleashed" are extra thingy's to Star Wars.

Sounds like they are trying to set up a new main character too, hopefully successful.

[Natrak]

It's a 'standalone expansion'. Think Crysis Warhead.

[Jay]

Or that STALKER one I guess.

Anyway I'll no doubt pick it up. I quite enjoy the Halo universe, despite having little idea what the **** is going on.

[naclj]

well im quite intrigued as to how this goes as i was really dissapointed with the H3 campaign (like many others)

the examples used above for standalone expansions are great in the sense that they are all great examples that retain the feel of the main game but manage to creater a smaller more focused/streamlined game that to me was more FUN than the original.

im interested to know how a shock trooper behaves in combat as the good ole halo shield recharge shouldnt apply here.

hopefully they go on a kind of CoD 4 type thing where you bounce in and out of different (non MC) characters some of which meet a grisly end.

but in the very least this should mean no incredibly jarring and stupidly placed cortana/gravemind hey why cant i move cut scene in the middle of a hallway moments


i also like the idea that all of the H3 multiplayer content comes on the disc as now we can completely forget about the H3 campaign

[HiredMan]

There better be co-op!

[Natrak]

From xbox.com article voltron linked to.

Ever-growing community options: Enjoy all the great Halo 3 technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring, and four-player co-op. All of the new multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering endless gameplay customization possibilities.

:)

[voltron]

From xbox.com article voltron linked to.

4 PLAYER COOP BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)


Yeah I was quite pleased upon reading that myself.

[Shorty]

Well, obviously that means we'll have to organise a co-op session when this thing comes out.

[Jickle]

Very happy this will be a seperate release and not a download, since my copy of Halo 3 is Korean ($20, English menus, Korean VAs) and I wasn't sure how this would affect things.

[voltron]

Depending on your interest level I would say to keep an eye on bungie.net for a new podcast. They apparently had one recorded and ready to go for the original announcement date at e3 - but went that didnt happen they filed it away until the appropriate time (now, hopefully).

They should elaborate on just what the hell is going on and what to expect from the new Halo game.

[SOX]

Will it split the Halo 3 online community though?

[Natrak]

Pure speculation; but it wouldn't surprise me if they packaged Halo 3 Recon with the existing maps (including DLC) and any extra maps packaged with Recon could be released as a map pack for those with Halo 3 who aren't interested in purchasing Recon.

[voltron]

Will it split the Halo 3 online community though?

Thats a good question.

[Natrak]

Some new tidbits from kotaku...


Halo 3: Recon is not a tactical squad based shooter. Halo 3: Recon is not Splinter Cell: Halo. Halo 3: Recon is not Brothers In Arms: Halo.
There's a very, very good chance you'll never, ever run into Master Chief. He, and the rest of the familiar Halo cast, won't be popping up for cameos. They're busy "relaxing" on the Delta Halo, saving the world and stuff.
Halo 3: Recon is a first-person shooter, one that's going to feel very much like a Halo game. Instead of playing a super space marine, however, you'll play an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST), one who's not quite so burly or bad-ass.
you'll have to pick and choose your battles a bit more carefully than one faceless Spartan would.
Recon is a standalone release.
It will come with new Achievements totaling 1000 Gamerscore and a new aesthetic.
The single player campaign...will feature plenty of dark, nighttime play.
Bungie says "We're not viewing this as a full game."
"I would think of it as our Frozen Throne,"
Recon's multiplayer is essentially Halo 3's multiplayer.
saved films, four-player coop and the map editor Forge will work seamlessly with the expansion.
Outside of a new bundle of maps, expect the proven same-old, same-old online play that currently satisfies some 900,000 unique Halo 3 players a day.Full Article (http://kotaku.com/5061475/what-is-halo-3-recon-heres-what-its-not)

[Richie]

Sweet well I'll most likely pick it up :D

[sheeps]

Hey, maybe they can use the excuse of it being a prequel to fix the controls.

I hope it's not like every other Halo game where the teasers and opening cinematics make it look awesome and then it quickly becomes repetitive drivel.

The latest FMV teaser for Halo Wars was some of the most interesting Halo-related cinematic I've seen yet. Even the characters had more charisma than any of the other games.

Pity I hate RTS.

[voltron]

Hey, maybe they can use the excuse of it being a prequel to fix the controls.



wat


The controls of Halo are some of the most imitated control schemes in the FPS market. I personally find them perfectly responsive and comfortable to use.

What dont you like about the controls?

[Lex]

here we go

[drzaius]

yeah... lets not go there...
he obviously dislikes more than just the controls!

[sheeps]

here we go

lol..

[Blue]

Pure speculation; but it wouldn't surprise me if they packaged Halo 3 Recon with the existing maps (including DLC) and any extra maps packaged with Recon could be released as a map pack for those with Halo 3 who aren't interested in purchasing Recon.Yeah, I'm expecting this. Or at least, it'll be packaged with all of Halo 3's default maps, and have the DLC available as downloads.

[voltron]

yeah... lets not go there...
he obviously dislikes more than just the controls!

Hey, maybe they can use the excuse of it being a prequel to fix the controls.


Seems pretty specific to me.

For me, the controls are one thing that Halo gets just about perfect.

[AyatollaofRocknRolla]

The latest FMV teaser for Halo Wars was some of the most interesting Halo-related cinematic I've seen yet. Even the characters had more charisma than any of the other games.



I do agree with that. The narrative of the Halo games haven't been that compelling. The Halo universe is fairly interesting though.

[dimorphic]

I've personally found the narrative for all three games (Halo 2 and 3 more so) to be very compelling. I've played through the games multiple times just to experience the story again.

Though the announcement cinematics have kind of led astray compared to the final product (even though that product has been bloody awesome).

[Shorty]

I think the challenge for Bungie here is to create a strong and compelling character to help this game stand on its own in the franchise. Make this guy interesting enough to play and you might be able to overcome the fact that he isn't Master Chief.

[dimorphic]

I agree.

Though the fact that he is an ODST has me halfway there already.

[voltron]

Um, why?

You point your gun and shoot. While I do like the Masterchief and its fun 'being' him, it hardly makes the game. I dont see any reason why having a fleshed out character with backstory and future dreams is going to have any effect of the success of Recon.

I think it will be a great game because it is developed by Bungie.

[Shorty]

Um, why?

You point your gun and shoot. While I do like the Masterchief and its fun 'being' him, it hardly makes the game. I dont see any reason why having a fleshed out character with backstory and future dreams is going to have any effect of the success of Recon.

I think it will be a great game because it is developed by Bungie.

That's true, but I still think that having a properly fleshed-out and compelling character is important because the audience will need to care a little bit about this new character. He's not the Master Chief and I think there's going to be a certain level of "who TF is this guy?" that will need to be overcome. Gameplay mechanics are important as well, but having an interesting story helps draw people into the world more.

[dimorphic]

Let's not kid ourselves too much though. This game will be successful because it's called Halo 3: Recon.

[aubergine]

Game has been put up on JB's site for preorder (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/Product/422437/HALO_3_ODST).

Release date listed at 16 September, probably subject to change.

[Richie]

September?!!?

[aubergine]

Well, it was announced for "Fall" (our Spring) so we knew it would be around then.

[dimorphic]

I think November will be closer to the mark. Not sure what has me thinking that way but it just sounds right.

[aubergine]

I actually thought it would be out in March for some reason. Probably because it's meant to be a little thing. I wonder if the $80 price tag on it was accurate, it's seeming less and less like an expansion and more like a fully fledged spin-off title that simply uses the same multiplayer service (saves them building a new one...)

[Richie]

I thought the same thing basically, a small game that would be out between April and July.

[Dr Skinnybones]

Nah, it's Halo. It was always going to have a high price tag. The new campaign will be polished to a high sheen. Valve have yet to push out their "little chunks of game" in a short time frame and Bungie have a similar dedication to perfection.

[aubergine]

It also neatly fills Microsofts need for a major 3rd/4th quarter release, being Gears, Halo 3, Gears/Fable 2 in previous years.

It probably became more epic than originally intended. Here's hoping.

[sheeps]

Nah, it's Halo. It was always going to have a high price tag. The new campaign will be polished to a high sheen. Valve have yet to push out their "little chunks of game" in a short time frame and Bungie have a similar dedication to perfection.

Valve don't charge $80 for an expansion.

Hell, orange box was cheaper than that and came with heaps of awesome shit.

[aubergine]

I think we need to take the price, date, and actual content as rumour at this point. Full reveal at E3?

[dimorphic]

I don't think it will be much cheaper than $79, maybe $69 ala Banjo 3 but I'm willing to pay it. 10-12 hours worth of brand new campaign content, four player co-op, a new Halo 3 map pack as well as Forge and saved films makes it a more complete package than a lot of crap that is released these days.

[FrozenSoul80]

I thought it was only going to be 4-5 hours?

[Shorty]

I honestly don't mind how long it is or how much it costs as long as one is adjusted to the other. If they're going to charge full price for it then I expect a proper 10-12 hour campaign plus extras. But if it's going to be a 5-6 hour short burn, then I expect to pay a lower price ($50-60).

[sheeps]

Won't you need Halo 3 to play it?

If it's a 4 hour game for almost full price that requires Halo 3 I'll be spitting chips.

Then again, I probably don't want it anyway so maybe I should just butt out.

[Natrak]

It's a stand-alone expansion.

[aubergine]

Yeah I think they are using "expansion" very loosely, perhaps they didn't like to say "Spin Off".

I don't think we need to punish the developers for the crimes of their marketing department though, I'm keen for this, which is weird because I was never a big Halo fan, into it recently.

[Shorty]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already, but in the story your commander Buck is played by Nathan Fillion.

[FrozenSoul80]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already, but in the story your commander Buck is played by Nathan Fillion.

Sold! <3 Nathan Fillion.

[Rypien GT]

I hanging out for ODST. Big Halo fan throughout the series and have always enjoyed playing the various campaign missions through in co-op.

From what i have seen that has been comming out of E3, ODST will have quite a substantial campaign. 4 hours, 5 hours, 6 hours, 10 hours, i dont really care. As long as it plays well then you can always replay the missions (wonder if the skulls can be activated during campaign play in ODST?). Would be good if Bungie offered the game at a reduced price, but i'll still pick it up even if they do the big rip off. Guess i'm a sucker for all things Bungie. Fanboy perhaps.....

I guess its the 4 player co-op where you try and repell wave after wave of enemy while they get stronger and stronger that has me most excited. Its a bit of a rip off from a similar feature from GOW2, but if its fun i dont give a rats ;)

[Shorty]

4, 6, 10 hours of Nathan Fillion is okay with me. :cool:

[Creedy]

4 hours? No thanks.
10 hours? Yes please.

[Shorty]

I'd rather see 6 hours of quality than 6 hours padded out to 12.

[aubergine]

That was a triumph.

[Shorty]

You're making a note here, "huge success"?

[Creedy]

For a full retail priced FPS I'd like to see at least 10 hours worth of quality gameplay. If I'm going to get 4 hours out of it then release it for $20 and dump it on Live as an expansion pack.

[aubergine]

I'm a bit disappointed at the price hike too, but it doesn't change the fact that I got more out of Portal than the majority of "full-length" games ever made.

Hopefully if the campaign is skimpy the new multiplayer features will be very full-featured, although I suspect that they hiked the price as the length of the campaign started to get away from them. I mean shit, I thought this would be out in March or May this year at the latest.

[Shorty]

To be fair, Portal was never released as a full-price title anyway. It was either part of The Orange Box or sold on its own for cheap on PC.

Anyway, I don't think there's a point in setting an arbitrary threshold of "x hours" before a game is worthy of being a full-priced title. As long as the game isn't insanely short (like, say, Terminator Salvation), the game can have as many hours as it needs to tell its story and not wear out its welcome. And if they're going to be packaging the Halo 3 multiplayer content in there as well, that's gonna bump up the value even if the game is less than 10 hours long.

[Creedy]

Like I said, Portal is $20 on Steam, which is perfectly fine.

[sheeps]

Killzone was a full priced game that was about 6 hours long in the end.

The only thing that made it any longer was the fact that I kept dying frustratingly.

[Nic Xtreme]

Killzone was a full priced game that was about 6 hours long in the end.

The only thing that made it any longer was the fact that I kept dying frustratingly.

Gosh Killzone 2 is awesome. I really hope Halo: ODST is good, I prefer the look the game has going for it.

[Creedy]

Took me over 10 hours to finish Killzone 2.

[Munky]

Killzone 2 was aweful IMO.

The blandest game I've played for a long time.

I felt nothing for the characters and the one weapon system was shite.

Nice looking but so generic.

[Dr Skinnybones]

Took me over 10 hours to finish Killzone 2.
but you play on the hardest difficulty, dont you? that'll stretch out playtime.

[Creedy]

I felt nothing for the characters and the one weapon system was shite.

Please don't tell me you felt something for Master Chief because he is the epitome of bland.

[FrozenSoul80]

Please don't tell me you felt something for Master Chief because he is the epitome of bland.

Master Chief is bland, but the characters around him are interesting. Johnson and Cortana are interesting people.

[Shorty]

If he did feel something for Master Chief, it'd certainly say something about how bland the KZ2 characters are. :p

[Munky]

Please don't tell me you felt something for Master Chief because he is the epitome of bland.

I felt nothing for the chief.

But compared to Gear of War, Killzone had nothing as far as personality goes.

[Saxby]

Master Chief is bland, but the characters around him are interesting. Johnson and Cortana are interesting people.

Passionate hatred for cortana always came through when she wouldn't stop interrupting my game in Halo 3.

[drzaius]

MC was endearing in a stoic sort of way.
and the ending on halo3 was pretty moving... in a halo sort of way.

[aubergine]

I'm really torn between finally paying for the Mythic Map Pack or just waiting a short time longer to get it with this.

[Xanafalgue]

Was anyone aware of the big ODST press event they had in Sydney recently? (I think last week).

[aubergine]

Shit, can't have been very good publicity!

Either that or the presser was just to tell them they were embargoed until such and when.

My computer game will involved a villain called Doctor Embargoez.

[FrozenSoul80]

I'm really torn between finally paying for the Mythic Map Pack or just waiting a short time longer to get it with this.

Wait it out, it's only a month away. And the maps aren't that great, anyway.

[aubergine]

I seem to recall the last time I was online with Halo 3 (some months ago now) you needed the Mythic map pack to play some enticing game modes, or maybe it was that someone I was playing against didn't have all the maps and we couldn't play big teams... or something.

I wonder how it will go, you'll need a code to register the maps? Or the maps will all become free maybe. I have two boxes and would like to put all the maps on the second one at once (rather than having to pay for them all again, I've only put the free maps on the second box.)

[Manny M]

Wait it out, it's only a month away. And the maps aren't that great, anyway.

Brilliant... and I was just talked into buying them all the other night... THANKS HIREDMAN!

[HiredMan]

Oops, well, we'd better get some games in so you don't feel completely ruined! ;)

[aubergine]

Ha ha, another victim of the HiredMan.

I'll have to come on again and brush up my "skills".

[Manny M]

Thing is, after taking over an hour to get them all, we didn't even play! :P

[Dr Skinnybones]

I wonder how it will go, you'll need a code to register the maps? Or the maps will all become free maybe. I have two boxes and would like to put all the maps on the second one at once (rather than having to pay for them all again, I've only put the free maps on the second box.)

The MP will be on its own disc.

[aubergine]

I've read that, but does it mean I can install it on multiple consoles? I don't think anyone knows if you have to connect and enter a code to unlock them. I'd much rather have a system like that than having to blow gigs on downloading DLC. It should be on OXM discs but still needs to pay online to unlock.

I think the GOTY Ed of Oblivion you could simply use the second disc to install the Shivering Isles as many times as you liked.

[St@ckboy]

Firefight mode in ODST will have no matchmaking. I guess that's ok, will just have to party up.

http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/08/bungie-why-halo-3-odst-firefight-doesnt-support-matchmaking/#more-349121

[Dr Skinnybones]

I've read that, but does it mean I can install it on multiple consoles? I don't think anyone knows if you have to connect and enter a code to unlock them. I'd much rather have a system like that than having to blow gigs on downloading DLC. It should be on OXM discs but still needs to pay online to unlock.
Oh, I see what you're saying. I just assumed that you would have to run it off the disc. As in, it would act like a normal game and require the disc to be in the drive, restricting one machine at a time to accessing the content.
But now I think about it, the Halo 2 map disc allowed you to install the content as many times as you liked, wherever you liked. *shrugs*

[aubergine]

I think it's more than time that content became free anyway - I don't really see how a few maps warrants the price they charge, but can't blame them, they must be rolling in cash.

[SOX]

Do you guys think you will be able to use your own spartan/elite armour in Firefight mode?

Earning and using all those different armour pieces was pretty cool and I'd be disappointed if you were stuck with an assigned model like in Halo 3 co-op.

[Dr Skinnybones]

Firefight is based on the campaign mode, which is why there is no matchmaking. It could be the same for the character models as well :/

[dimorphic]

Fairly poor that there isn't any matchmaking for it. I mean, I'll only play the game with friends anyway, but if Horde can have matchmaking (piss-poor, but matchmaking nonetheless) then I don't see why Bungie with their superior system cannot put it in.

[aubergine]

There was an explanation that because they used the Halo 3 engine for it, and the Firefight mode was based on the co-op part of the existing engine, they would have had to recode too extensively to get the normal matchmaking to work with Firefight and they decided 1) it was too much bother and 2) that the mode was pitched as a friends/coop mode and doing it with strangers was not a priority at all.

From a resources point of view and the way people are likely to play it, I can understand why they didn't want to start recoding the Halo 3 engine just to appease a smaller group of the players. It's not like Halo 3's online service is particularly wanting.

[Manny M]

Am very much looking forward to getting back into Halo MP, especially Firefight.

Check it: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/firefight-vidoc-halo-3-odst/54891

[St@ckboy]

I'm always up for Halo 3 MP, if anyones keen.

[Clockw0rk]

ODST has been sold early in France. Microsoft threatened to ban people who played it before launch, then retracted that statement when they were told that it was pretty harsh to ban people for buying a game at the store and then playing it.

[FrozenSoul80]

Why the hell did they ship the games to stores a month early?

[Pauly]

question: i do not have any of the extra halo3 map downloads. when i get this game will i have them all? also will it let me use them when playing halo3 to unlock halo3 achievements? is this games mp the same as halo3 or are they seperate?

[Dr Skinnybones]

ODST multiplayer has been described as the full Halo 3 mp experience. That is all the maps including Mythic map pack Because it is Halo 3 MP I would expect that the multiplayer achievements would cross over between the two.

Question is, how many gamerpoints for the single player campaign? how many gp does Halo 3 have left until it hits 2000?

[Pauly]

i always thought this game would be treated separate. as in it would be a new game in your achievements list.

[adam_91vn]

i always thought this game would be treated separate. as in it would be a new game in your achievements list.


Thats my understanding

[Starscream]

Which retailer has the best deal for this?

[adam_91vn]

Which retailer has the best deal for this?

Preorders


EB Games: (includes sgt johnson in firefight)
Game only: $99.95
Game and Controller: $149.95

JB HiFi (online, not including postage)
Both versions include 200 ms points = $3.30
Game only: $79.00
Game and Controller: $129.00

GAME (online, including postage)
Game only: $79.00
Game and Controller: $129.00

CD:WOW(online) have PAL, NTSC (x2) but none of their prices are compareable to the ones above. The controller bundle is $147.95 and afaik it is not Aus Pal.

[Shorty]

So basically EB are charging $20 for Sgt. Johnson in Firefight mode.

[Starscream]

Game offer a free month of LIVE so I might go with them. Better than a Sgt. Johnson code.

[Pauly]

or just wait till release and pick it up for a good $20 cheaper.

[Starscream]

or just wait till release and pick it up for a good $20 cheaper.
So you're saying $59 ($79-$20)?

[FrozenSoul80]

So you're saying $59 ($79-$20)?

HA! I ****ing wish. I bet Big W will have this for a decent price, though. They are usually pretty good with new release prices.

[Starscream]

I can't see any other retailer going less than $70 on release day.

[Pauly]

if you can wait for it to be delivered the interweb is the cheapest. but yeh from a store on release it won't be less than 70.

[JC Henderson]

Having just listened to giant bombcast I got this horrible feeling that in ODST you will play as a flood infected soldier at some point. They wouldn't do that would they?

[FrozenSoul80]

Having just listened to giant bombcast I got this horrible feeling that in ODST you will play as a flood infected soldier at some point. They wouldn't do that would they?

That wouldn't make sense, the Flood weren't on Earth until half-way through Halo 3 and I was under the impression this is set during Halo 2 while Chief is off busting rings.

I swear if there are Flood in this game I'll be very pissed off.

[SOX]

As if they wouldn't put the Flood in a Halo game.

[TAT]

I can't think of where the Flood fit into the story, but I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up.

[FrozenSoul80]

"HEY GUYS, WE HAD FLOOD SAMPLES IN THIS LAB BUT THEY BIT THIS GUY AND ESCAPED"

**** the Flood.

[AranchineD]

HEY I'M A MAGICAL ODST AND WHEN THE FLOOD INFECT ME I RETAIN ALL COGNITIVE ABILITIES EXCEPT NOW I HAVE SUPER STRENGTH AND CAN GO INTO "FLOOD TIME"

If not in the main game then at least in a DLC campaign.

[Munky]

It amazes me that the Flood managed to make an appearance in all three Halo games.

They sucked in Halo 1, sucked harder in Halo 2 and sucked hardest in Halo 3.

I'm not sure where they can with ODST, sucked Harderest maybe?

[AranchineD]

Suck Legendarily?

[naclj]

i never minded the flood in Halo 1. the escaping from the laboratory then through the marsh was one of my favorite stages.

that said i certainly think they have overstayed their welcome.

cant believe this is out next week, it really snuk up on me.
looking forward to some good four player co-op

[adam_91vn]

$68 at Big W from 24th September

[Clockw0rk]

Holy crap, this is out next week? The marketing for this hasn’t really been on par with Halo 3, has it?
Does the multiplayer disc come with all the Halo 3 maps, or just the standard and Free ones?

[FrozenSoul80]

Holy crap, this is out next week? The marketing for this hasn’t really been on par with Halo 3, has it?
Does the multiplayer disc come with all the Halo 3 maps, or just the standard and Free ones?

I've been getting emails about it almost daily from EB Games.

Second disk comes with the entire Halo 3 multiplayer, including all maps and three brand new ones.

[adam_91vn]

Holy crap, this is out next week? The marketing for this hasn’t really been on par with Halo 3, has it?
Does the multiplayer disc come with all the Halo 3 maps, or just the standard and Free ones?


The 24 maps consist of the original eleven Halo 3 maps (Construct, Epitaph, Guardian, High Ground, Isolation, Last Resort, Narrows, Sandtrap, Snowbound, The Pit, Valhalla), the Heroic map pack (Foundry, Rat's Nest, Standoff), the Legendary map pack (Avalanche, Blackout, Ghost Town), the "Cold Storage" map, and the Mythic map pack (Assembly, Orbital, and Sandbox) as well as three new maps (Citadel, Heretic, Longshore). The exclusive maps are also counted as "Mythic" maps and are tied into Halo 3's achievements (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achievement_(Xbox_360)). The Halo 3 multiplayer does not require Halo 3 to play and ships on a separate disc.

[Clockw0rk]

Will Citadel, Heretic and Longshore be available as paid DLC outside of ODST?
(Sorry, I should JFGI but I'm at work so my browsing is limited to short bursts)

[adam_91vn]

Don't think so

[FrozenSoul80]

I bet those three maps are exclusive to the ODST disk so you don't sell it, thus boosting actual sales and not costing Bungie from pre-owned sales.

[Clockw0rk]

Now that you mention it, that seems very likely

[Starscream]

$68 at Big W from 24th September

http://upload.ozbargain.com/2009/09/16/2491_photo.jpg

I heard about this as well.

Too late I've pre-ordered from Game anyways.

[FrozenSoul80]

$68 at Big W from 24th September

But that's a whole extra two days :( How much is it on the 22nd?

[Starscream]

But that's a whole extra two days :( How much is it on the 22nd?
Best deal (I think) is from GAME. $79 + 1 month LIVE pre-order.

[FrozenSoul80]

Best deal (I think) is from GAME. $79 + 1 month LIVE pre-order.

Sadly I only have a choice between Big W and EB Games, unless I order online but I'd like the have it as close to release as possible.

[Starscream]

Sadly I only have a choice between Big W and EB Games, unless I order online but I'd like the have it as close to release as possible.

Tough to price match where you are if Big W will only have 3 copies on sale for Thursday.

[AranchineD]

Might try and get EB to price match Big W so I can trade in some games for it.

[Jickle]

So apparently some people who ordered with GAME have their copies already. Anyone here?

[Starscream]

Not me. :(

Can't go online till after the Rugby league finals. See you all then.

[grimace06]

I played about half of the campaign today.

It's Halo 3 with no duel wielding, night vision and hub world.

Also, no I am not one of the people who pre-ordered from Game.

[FrozenSoul80]

But it is awesome and I have every reason to be excited, right?

[Starscream]

But it is awesome and I have every reason to be excited, right?
Yes. Because we are a team.

[St@ckboy]

I'll be grabbing this at the Midnight launch. Anyone wants someone to play firefight with, my GT is Stackboy Royale.

[grimace06]

But it is awesome and I have every reason to be excited, right?

If you're a huge Halo fan and feel the need to have the fiction fleshed out a little bit more then maybe you can be excited - the awesome part I'm not so sure.

[Starscream]

IGN review is up.

IGN US: 9 (http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1025307p1.html)

IGN UK: 8.6 (http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/102/1026150p1.html)

[FrozenSoul80]

"It plays like the original", "The Flood are nowhere to be seen". I'm wetting myself.

[Cerebral]

Gonna go and trade 3 games in at JB for this. Furious that Stranglehold was just added to their exclusions list, but there wasn't anything last month that I wanted to get!

Edit: ****, they added PGR4 and NBA Live 2008 to it as well. Should've just gotten something with those three.

[Pai Mel]

So if the second disc is basically just Halo 3 multiplayer maps, would that disc be compatible for LAN multiplayer when the other Xbox 360 is running Halo 3?

[adam_91vn]

It would have been nice if they had included matchmaking ability for firefight

[SOX]

I played about half of the campaign today.

It's Halo 3 with no duel wielding, night vision and hub world.

Also, no I am not one of the people who pre-ordered from Game.

How did you get it already?

[adam_91vn]

Probably playing the french version that was leaked a week ago :p

[Pai Mel]

I bought my copy on ebay for $57.53 AUD. It will be shipped from Hong Kong. Well that is if the seller is legit. Their feedback score is 25155 (99.8%) so I'm not really feeling nervous. At least 99.9% of Chinese sellers will send you something, even if it's counterfeit, as opposed to others who just take your money and send nothing.

[Cobla]

12.83GB.There you go. Here I was thinking that publishing it on two discs was more of a 'value proposition' than technical necessity. (ie. "yes the campaign is short, but look how much extra content you're getting - we even needed two discs!")

I'm still not convinced they needed two (what with the doubling up of engine & textures etc) but I do feel slightly less cynical about it, so that's something I guess.

So is anyone going to a midnight launch tonight? I went to the Halo 3 one, but my level of enthusiasm this time around is much lower so I'll be doing more important things, like sleeping so that I can be presentable at work tomorrow. ;)

[Pai Mel]

I'm close to Penriff so I could go to a launch but I'm not that hyped about Halo either. I've yet to finish the original Halo I bought on Live. And then I have to play Halo 2 and 3.

The great thing about being on separate discs is you can lend/sell the campaign disc and just keep the multiplayer disc. I think it may actually be compatible with Halo 3 multiplayer.

[FrozenSoul80]

What will Big W be selling this for tomorrow? I need to know if I should wait until Thursday.

[MrLearner]

Almost here!

[Starscream]

What will Big W be selling this for tomorrow? I need to know if I should wait until Thursday.
I'd guess JB price. $79

[Gee_Yai_Bro]

what the **** does ODST stand for?

[Dr Skinnybones]

Orbital Drop Shock Trooper

add me for MP shenanigans or coop: Dr Skinnybones

[Starscream]

Street date broken in SA earlier today (http://www.overclockers.com.au/pix/image.php?id=rzru4&t=1)

[Xanafalgue]

Been watching some reviews, this is one Halo game I can get behind.

[grimace06]

Street date broken in SA earlier today (http://www.overclockers.com.au/pix/image.php?id=rzru4&t=1)

Looks like David Jones in Rundle Mall.

[SOX]

So is it out tomorrow?

[voltron]

So I find out today that Big W are selling this for $68. 68!! How the hell am I supposed to ignore a saving of over 30 bucks?

Problem is its not til Thursday. I think Im gonna have to be one of those tight asses that goes back a couple days later (to GAME or EB) to retroactively price match a game from 2 days ago. Its just too much of a saving to ignore.

[Jickle]

So I find out today that Big W are selling this for $68. 68!! How the hell am I supposed to ignore a saving of over 30 bucks?

Problem is its not til Thursday. I think Im gonna have to be one of those tight asses that goes back a couple days later (to GAME or EB) to retroactively price match a game from 2 days ago. Its just too much of a saving to ignore.

Are you sure they don't start selling at that price til Thursday? It seems likely to me that the catalogue sale starts on Thursday, but that they'll be pricing ODST at $68 from the get-go.

[FrozenSoul80]

Are you sure they don't start selling at that price til Thursday? It seems likely to me that the catalogue sale starts on Thursday, but that they'll be pricing ODST at $68 from the get-go.

This is what I'm hoping they do. Guess we'll find out tomorrow.

[voltron]

Indeed. I agree with you guys now I think about it.

I hate being a cheap ass, but ***** them. I give enough of my money to GAME anyway. Either they match it or Im getting my 100bux back and driving down the road.

[Starscream]

You paid full pre-order price from GAME?!?!? That's insanity!

[voltron]

well I knew in the back of my mind I would throw down a price match on the day. I just didnt think it would be for $68 lol

For the record I rarely put full price down for a pre order. I only did it this time because Im bit short o cash lately and I wanted to make sure I had it paid for so I didnt squander the cash I had (last week some time).

[HiredMan]

Co-op campaign run tonight! Who's in?

[Clockw0rk]

Ooh, me!
Wait. Nevermind.

[HiredMan]

:( 123

[Silph]

If I was able to get the game today. :(

[Tonez]

Co-op campaign run tonight! Who's in?

**** YOU Hired.

I can't play it till I get home from Adelaide on Thursday night.

[HiredMan]

JeeZUZ! C'mon people!

[FrozenSoul80]

So how much is Big W selling this for today?

[HiredMan]

Dunno, I'm going to head up to the mall to check in a little bit. Probably just end up getting it for $79 at JB..... Co-op tonight FS?

[Tonez]

haha I got my copy yesterday morning. It's sitting in my room waiting for me but I am in bloody Adelaide with miserable weather.

Did I mention I am in Adelaide?

[FrozenSoul80]

Co-op tonight FS?

I don't know yet, apparently there is another big storm heading my way which could kill off the temporary power here. Chances are I'll be in the dark tonight.

[Starscream]

Co-op campaign run tonight! Who's in?

You can be Marcus and I can be Dominic.

Deleted Chapter: Road to Ruin. Guns blazing.

<_<

[HiredMan]

Just picked it up from JB - $79.

Actually getting quite excited! Love Halo co-op. Cant wait to quote Hudson from Aliens during the drop sequence

"We're on an express elevator to hell, going down!"

[FrozenSoul80]

Did you check how much it was at Big W or am I going to have to go out there myself? >_>

[HiredMan]

I didn't soz. Had to be quick (I'm at work).

[Thraxas]

Day off ftw... Been playing it this morning. So far so good... I am shithouse at the game though... having to find health sucks for me, as I want to run into the middle of every fight guns blazing.

Can't wait to try out firefight mode.

[Cerebral]

Ah, might get this game today. If not for all the Halo maps then the fact that I can get rid of 3 games I won't play normally through a trade in deal.

[Lex]

I'm guessing this has 4 player co-op? anyone wanna play with me and my friend Heath tonight? (assuming I get it)

I still can't believe no matchmaking in firefight :/

[Cobla]

Yeah I just can't decide. At this time yesterday I was keen, but the Good Game review last night kinda turned me off a bit. (Short campaign, so-so graphics, admittedly hilarious psychic detective aspect, the fact that Bungie didn't want to charge full price... and yet here we are.)

It does look good, but I just wish it was around the $50 - $60 mark, especially as I've already bought all the previously released map packs.

I'm not sure if I can resist though... and will probably cave by the end of the day. :rolleyes:

Edit: So what's with the no matchmaking in Firefight? Does that mean you can't play with randoms, or simply that they couldn't work 'skill level' matching into the mode?

[Xanafalgue]

Stingy GameSpot just gave it a 9.0, surprisingly.

[HiredMan]

I'm guessing this has 4 player co-op? anyone wanna play with me and my friend Heath tonight? (assuming I get it)

I still can't believe no matchmaking in firefight :/

Yeah dude, and I should be able to get a fourth. You're on my friends list, I'll hit you up tonight. 6:30pm AEST good for ya?

[Lex]

I'll prob be getting home around then, maybe make it 7?

shit, I need to find my mic now...

[HiredMan]

Yemen, 7 is fine. Catch you tonight.

[REQUIEM]

Did you check how much it was at Big W or am I going to have to go out there myself? >_>

$68 ...http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/16817

Since its a gloryfied Exspansion its worth that.

[adam_91vn]

Edit: So what's with the no matchmaking in Firefight? Does that mean you can't play with randoms, or simply that they couldn't work 'skill level' matching into the mode?


Can anyone let me know the deal with this. I am holding back on the purchase for this reason :(

[FrozenSoul80]

Actually, it's $83 at Big W today. EB Games saw through my lies so I couldn't get it cheaper.

[naclj]

well there you go, $68 at big w on Thursday, i have no issues waiting 2 days to pick this up.

looking forward to giving firefight a good run through on the weekend.

it gives me the chance to actually finish Dead space as I've just gotten back into it and am nearly finished

[FrozenSoul80]

In my case I don't feel waiting is a good idea, my local Big W only had two copies.