The Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will go live on May 16th at 12:00 AM PDT and run through June 6 th at 11:59 PM PDT. That means that folks who purchased specially marked copies of Crackdown, or won a spot in the Beta through the “Rule of Three” or other regional promotions, will be able to log into their Xbox Live Gold accounts, download and play the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta and enjoy an early peek at the multiplayer aspect of the game.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, and are interested, you can still enter the Beta by picking up a specially marked copy of Crackdown, which would ordinarily be a chore, but thankfully Crackdown is an awesome action game which might ironically distract you from the Beta I’m pimping here. Bungie is also giving out a few Friends and Family spots to valued community members, but those are few and far between, so it’s safer to assume you’re not getting in that way.

Now, I will say this again and again – the game you’re going to play one month from now, is Beta software – and while it will look somewhat close to the final game, it IS Beta – and will contain quirks, a couple of roughedges and all that jazz. But we’re pretty confident you’ll find it a dynamic and exciting taste of what’s to come in Fall.

 
This could be you, in May.

The Beta itself consists of three maps – Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound – graphically improved since our first MP screenshots – and all three will be playable in Matchmaking only (that is after all, what we’re Beta testing here). All three maps are suitable for a wide variety of gameplay types, and you will have the chance to try all manner of game types, familiar and new.

There are a number of new features you’ll get to test out – including a new grenade type, a completely different class of weapon and some of the enhanced online functionality we plan to bring to the game – but it should be noted, a lot of secret features are hidden in this Beta. We’re keeping a lot of our powder dry for Fall. In May, when your firing the Spiker, sniping vehicles with the Spartan Laser and sticking fools with the Brute Spike grenade, remember that it’s just a peek-a-boo fraction of what’s to come.

And do me a special personal favor – walk down to the beach, the river or the lake in High Ground and Valhalla, and take a look at the water.

There will also be new guns, vehicles and gameplay features to try – including the mysterious “X-Button” functionality. But you don’t have to wait to find out what that is, since you can now view part of its functionality in our latest Vidoc, “Is Quisnam Protero Damno!” a long look at the making of Halo 3’s Multiplayer game.

Here you’ll meet the Multiplayer team and watch a level get built from concept to completion. You’ll see the care and attention that goes into every aspect, and yes, you’ll see a level or two that nobody has ever seen before.

There are a lot of questions raised in this Vidoc, and we’ll be answering them in the next couple of weeks, so keep checking back for more updates. You’re probably not even reading this huh? You’re watching the Vidoc. I give up.

NOTE: All of the game footage in this doc was taken during the Alpha stage and isn’t even representative of what you’ll see in the Public Beta, let alone the final game. You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall. All the footage is clearly marked Alpha. You’re looking at the features here folks, not the final quality bar – which we’ve set pretty high. Your next taste of that will be in May.

And there’s a ton of stuff in the Vidoc you simply haven’t seen before (including the X-Button) – and it’s well worth the download. Now, there’s nothing like seeing it in 720p in Dolby Digital, so remember this Vidoc is also available today on Xbox Live Marketplace, where big screen TVs can do it more justice than your PC.

Download the Multiplayer Vidoc “Is Quisnam Protero Damno!” here:

NOTE: You must be signed in to "Save As" thanks to Agegate restrictions - otherwise click on the link directly.

QuickTime - 37 MB (320 x 180): Click Here to View
QuickTime - 104 MB (640 x 360): Click here to View

Windows Media - 110 MB (640 x 360): Click Here to View
Windows Media - 32 MB (320 x 180): Click Here to View

NOTE : The Vidoc is also available as a free, high definition 720p download at Xbox Live Marketplace through your Xbox 360 console .

 
Bungie reveals its own detailed analysis of Halo 3's new ultra-light all-terrain vehicle.
 
January 11, 2007 - Things are happening at Bungie.net. First we get the kick-ass Documentary of the Brute and less than a month later we're giddy with the idea of exactly how far we can powerslide on the newly implemented ultra-light all-terrain vehicle, the Mongoose.

Introduced in its latest Website update, Bungie's Mongoose provides an alternate to the Warthog for transporting messages, documents, and light cargo between units. According to Bungie's KPaul, the mongoose "may also be used to transport forward observers, reconnaissance personnel and sniper teams. Its proven versatility has made it a vital asset to field commanders when used as an alternate means of communication."


































What does that mean in Netspeak? It's light, fast, and wily, motherf****. With a top speed of 60 MPH, light weight of 896 lbs., and a 1000cc liquid-cooled, longitudinally mounted, four-stroke, hydrogen-injected ICE. But while it's light and fast, the Mongoose is unarmed and prone to tipping over, requiring smart skilled players to successfully drive it.

Some of Bungie's observations illustrate its strengths and weaknesses:

"(The M274) is pretty nimble for its size; add to that the fact that it can do ninety plus kilo papa hotel over uneven terrain and you've got the ultimate commando hot rod."

"Speed is the only protection this vehicle provides; it is unarmored, noisy, and prone to roll-over. It demands a level of skill from its operator that is impossible to expect from the rank and file during combat conditions. Those not qualified as expert need not apply."

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

"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."
"The first thing everybody does is yank the front cargo cage - if you were to carry anything on it your forward visibility would be obstructed out to about six meters - that and less weight equals more speed… anyway it's the first thing everybody does."

"It's a super versatile ATV in the tradition of the Sperry FCMMagLEV and Willys Jeep; without the former's vulnerable drivetrain or the latter's innards-rupturing suspension."

"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."

"The M274's range is excellent, and that's even before you consider that you can double or triple its range that without severely impacting its max load - just a couple of jerrys of slop¹ and a carbon feeler."

"Some fellas piss and moan about the M274's lack of offensive capability, but it's not meant to be an AFV! Still; with a brave fella riding pillion you should be able to put out enough disencouragement to break contact with all but the most bloodthirsty bravo kilo."

"The (M274) is definitely the most Buddhist land-based motive system in the UNSC's arsenal… I'll just let that sit with you for a while."





The Mongoose, it seems, is not a small Warthog. It's not a small tank or a bomb-equipped motorcycle. It's a quick, light-weight ATV. It's uses are narrow and shallow, but if used smartly, like a real SPARTAN, they can be devastating. The Mongoose offers limited offensive capabilities, but in a capture the flag game, for instance, it could in be instrumental in a quick strike. It's pretty fast, but moreover its quick acceleration is what makes it tough to shoot. Thus, while having no weapons-based defenses, it's quickness, maneuverability and acceleration become its offensive abilities. Oh yes, and there is the matter of the Spartan Laser, which is a slow but powerful laser canon that could devastate a Mongoose. Well, the Mongoose is equipped with an E-brake, giving it the ability to change direction quickly. With a good driver, the Mongoose could ferry a soldier from one campground to another without taking a single hit.

Bungie's new vehicle can only carry two people, the driver and a second soldier. According to Bungie's site, "The Mongoose's primary use is as an objective ferry. While you can use it to branch out quickly and gain control of key areas, ultimately the brass believes that the Mongoose's most appealing trait is its ability to carry the driver and a passenger holding an objective. A driver and passenger can go from base to base or two assailants can grab a Mongoose laying around at the enemy base to transport the flag back to their home base." Sounds like a flag might be a good item to hold while on a Mongoose. Pure speculation on our part, of course. Heh.

Take a look at the shots and for more on the Mongoose check Bungie's site .

 



Bungie Weekly Update
Posted by Frankie at 4/6/2007 4:33 PM PDT

Although you probably forgot about it, after two years of non-stop Multiplayer, Halo’s Campaign mode features lots of cinematics. Now in the past, these were put together by a hard working and talented team that basically comprised Joe Staten and CJ Cowan. And a keg of Pabst. One of the massive changes this generation is the addition of far more cinematics resources. We’re still going to do all the cinematics using the game engine as the basis (for continuity and immersion) but the sheer wealth of tools available to the cinematics team now is staggering.

One of the long-term additions to that team is Lee Wilson, a bona fide Hollywood storyboard artist. He frames and composes many of the amazing shots you’re going to see in the cinematics this time, working in close concert with CJ and Joe. Although Lee is straight out of movie production, he is also a comically stereotypical cheery cockney chappy. Honestly, sometimes I expect him to come in with a chimney brush and a cloth cap singing, “Mary Poppins, Step in Toime!” He is also the greatest plasma grenade stickmeister ever to fight his way out of Saaaarf London.

The beauty of this storyboarding approach is that it eliminates much of the compromise that often goes into the process. A shot is framed – and then it’s replicated by animators and artists pretty much exactly as it was imagined.

In Halo 3, the animation resources available to us are deeper and broader, and the sheer volume and quality of animation is increased exponentially this time around. I’ve already been watching some of the roughed in animatics, and more excitingly, the fully integrated stuff in-game. Right now, it has a lot of placeholder audio and music, but as those layers are spliced in, it’s going to become even better.

I noticed this with a subtle example - a Marine tech sits on a muddy berm and examines a pice of equipment. He shuffles to get comfortable. Now, this kind of subtlelty is hardly new to any form of animation, but it's a good example of how much extra care and energy we're committing to this important area of the Campaign game.

Although there are a ton of straight up technical improvements – such as better lighting, or more realistic faces – stuff like our new lip-synching tech takes a back seat to the actual events going on in the cinematics and the vignette-style cutscenes. From the first level of Campaign, to the final moments of the trilogy itself, we hope to bring you a compelling and stunning conclusion to the story arc and the technology ramp that we’ve built ourselves.

And speaking of technology…

Perhaps the single greatest improvement, and the one on which we have spent most of Halo 3’s development time and resources on, is the trusty UNSC Fusion Core. The safest, most intelligent way to transport and store highly explosive compressed plasma energy. Think of it as a Faberge Egg, filled with plutonium and nitroglycerin. Of course, the reason these things are stored in flimsy glass and aluminum containers it top secret. Suffice it to say that the answer is very scientific.

 
The first fusion core was pretty, but lacked the necessary warning signage seen in the new, improved Halo 3 Fusion Core. The new improved Fusion Core will become important in strange, secret ways in Fall 2007. Consider yourself warned.

 
Here we see the three stages of Fusion Core "stability" from inert to face-meltingly assploded. The trick is to not use them as desks, or hiding places. Rolling and stacking them can be deadly, or rewarding. Depending on your level of skill and patience. Everything you see here is in-game, except the hexagons.

The noble Fusion Core didn’t even exist in Halo. The Xbox at that time, simply couldn’t handle the truth: The truth being that storing explosive superheated radioactive materials in teetering stacks is the wave of the future. So we had crates. And non-explosive boxes. For Halo 2, we decided that crates needed a little more flava – and in this case, the flava was muy caliente! Enter the Fusion Core.

It is a well-known scientific fact that much of an adult brain is devoted to recognizing exploding objects in video games. MRI techniques have shown that up to 80% of your brain’s potential power is actually used for that, and knowing that coins or a rocket launcher are hidden behind a waterfall. The Fusion Core is our homage to your brain’s higher functions. In a Western themed game, it would be a barrel of gunpowder. But this is the future.

 
3D Fusion Core QT VR Apocalypse. It's provocative. It gets the people goin'. Right Click image to Save As.
Use arrow keys to rotate! Are you still not entertained!?

Fusion Cores can be used as weapons, or as traps. Personally I liked tipping them off the elevator in Ivory Tower, or shooting them as an opponent walks by, rather than wasting bullets on multiple headshots. In Halo 3, you’re going to need to use them a lot. Especially in High Ground. Conserve bullets – shoot Fusion Cores - It’s the green thing to do. Also, do not hide behind Fusion Cores. Why are we giving out all this information and imagery about Fusion Cores you ask? Well because they’re about the least top-secret thing in all of Halo 3, and also to distract you from the slightly bad news below. But keep reading, because the news eventually gets better. And then much better.

Sketch’s Halo 2 Matchmaking Update! Read this! It is very, very important.

As you know by now, we’re just over a week away from unleashing two brand new Halo 2 multiplayer maps upon the world. “Desolation”, a remake of the Halo 1 map Derelict, and Tombstone, a remake of the classic “Hang ‘em High”, are both being released on Xbox Live on Tuesday 4/17. For the bargain price of $4.00 you’ll be able to unleash a new can of whoop-ass on these completely re-imagined multiplayer arenas. We’ll have a lot more to say (and show) about each of these maps next week as part of our continuing coverage on Bungie.net.

However, before we can release the new maps, we need to release a new auto-update for Halo 2. My sources tell me this is likely happening at some point next week and there could be a small interruption in play while this update is being deployed.

The primary purpose of this update is simply to enable the game to recognize the new content but we’ve also taken the opportunity to enhance some of our existing Banhammer functionality. This will be transparent to our legitimate players but suffice it to say that we’ve got a few new bells and whistles under the hood that should hopefully further combat and deter cheaters and jerks who are still trying to ruin your fun online. They will know immediately that something has changed.

This update will clear your online networking history which means that for a short period of time, the game won’t have any record of your ideal network capabilities which means you could experience some shaky games until things settle down. Basically over time the game learns what size games you can reliably host in order to give you the best possible experience but initially it’s not going to know if you’re on dial-up or a T1. This should return to a peaceful state of harmony after a few games. It’s also worth noting that the update will erase your “map cache” on your Xbox – this means that the first few games you play after the update could take a little longer than usual to load the maps since they’ll have to be freshly loaded into memory. This also means that the maps will need to be loaded from your Xbox game disc, so if you have a scratched or damaged disc, you could encounter some errors that you might have noticed before since the maps were previously already cached.

The point to all of this is just to let you know that longer load times and potential rocky games are expected and perfectly normal but everything will return to the way it was after you play a few games.

We are currently planning to update the Halo 2 matchmaking playlists the week following the map release (around 4/24). You’ll have some time to download the new maps but once the playlist update comes, please be aware that almost all playlists will require the new maps to play. You can of course play custom games and offline games as much as you want as soon as the maps are released, but on or around 4/24, you will need the new maps to enjoy the majority of the playlists offered in matchmaking. Lastly, in conjunction with a new auto-update, new maps and fresh playlists, we’re going to RESET ALL RANKINGS for Halo 2.

The last time we did a ranking reset was the release of the map pack and corresponding auto-update and we feel it’s right to do it again since the online landscape will be changing. This reset will also even the playing field in a world where the population has diminished somewhat and the majority of players are spread far across the level spectrum. It will pull everyone back together again and make it easier to get into games.

It’s awesome that we still have a steady group of people playing Halo 2 even today and we’re really looking forward to invigorating the online game one more time with new maps and a fresh ranking start before we look towards Halo 3. As always you can share your suggestions, requests and comments about matchmaking in our Optimatch forum here on Bungie.net. Thanks for your support and we’ll see you back on Xbox Live soon!

Thanks Sketch, and now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Audio has seen some noticeable improvements too. Honestly, it’s sounded about perfect for months, but they just keep adding layers to it. Last night during a multiplayer test I heard a few new sounds – including a very convincing waterfall sound in Valhalla, that works really well over distance, and a new sniper ricochet sound that made me poop mah pants. It spanged off a rock behind my head, and even though I had missed the sniper contrail, I knew I was in jeopardy. It sounds hot and fast and frightening. And it isn't just one sound - it's lots of different effects, each scarier than the last. The ricochet sounds are backed up by (in Valhalla at least) a distant echo of the report itself, arriving fractionally after the bullet itself.

The distant muffled battle sounds continue to amaze me, and they’re being tuned frequently. They sound so real, that it’s hard not to think of them as an ambient soundtrack – but they’re all made by real gunfire in the distance. I also noticed a subtle, brief distortion sound when using team chat – kind of a futuristic mic crackle. It’s subtle and brief, but it’s there. Marty laughed when I said I’d noticed all this new stuff in the public beta build and pointed out that his guys (Jay and C Paul) were still adding tons of cool new stuff. And that I would be “amazed.”

Best of all; you guys will get to hear this stuff for yourself in the Public Beta later this spring (more news on that fairly soon) and you’ll get to see how much the graphics have changed since the Alpha. The Public Beta itself will probably be the very first opportunity for you to see some of the new lighting, textures and decorator effects – even the next Vidoc feature (coming soon, but sometime between now and the Public Beta) only features graphics from the Alpha build.

So yeah. Big changes coming. Big changes and big news. Next week is going to be significant. Until then, enjoy this potted history of Mister Chief's evolution.

Discuss this story

 

"Starry Night"

The Halo 3 CG prime time teaser ad which ran one time only - "Starry Night".

"Starry Night"

Brute ViDoc (WMV)

This video documentary deals with the Brutes and how they're changing for Halo 3.

Brute ViDoc (WMV)


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E3 Making Of Documentary

A look at the making of the Halo 3 Announcement Trailer.

E3 Making Of Documentary

Announcement Trailer

The real-time trailer that officially announced Halo 3.

Announcement Trailer

 


02.23.2007

"Halo 3 Logo"

02.23.2007

"Halo 3 : Return of Chief"

Storyboards


02.26.2007

Halo 3 : Storyboards : E3 2006

02.26.2007

Halo 3 : Storyboards : E3 2006

 
M12 Warthog 
 

Right-click to save-as 3D QuickTime movie (15MB) 

Description

The M12 is primarily used in a scouting capacity, or as an integral part of a mechanized infantry unit. In the case of the LRV and LAAV variants it can hold three soldiers including the gunner. The mounted weapon includes a battery for short term operation separated from the vehicle, but normally operates on the vehicle’s power supply. The vehicle is powered by a 12 liter hydrogen-injected ICE and can reach speeds up to 125 kph (78 mph).

A number of variants of the Warthog are in service with UNSC forces, including the M831 TT (which eliminates the support weapon in favor of four side-facing passenger seats), the M864 A (with an enclosed passenger compartment and treads in place of wheels), and the M914 RV (equipped with a towing winch and a heavy duty motor and gear system). 

Weapon Statistics



Weight:
3 tonnes
(3.25 tons)

Length:
6.1 meters
(20 feet.)

Height:
3.2 meters
(10.5 feet)

Width:
3 meters 
(9.75 feet)

Power plant:
12.0 L liquid-cooled hydrogen-injected ICE



Range:
790 kilometers
(490 miles)

Main armament:
M41 12.7mm LAAG
(M12 LRV version)

Main armament:
M68 25mm Gauss Cannon
(M12G LAAV version)

Unit Replacement Cost:
cR. 52000.00


Observations

Overall soldiers had only positive comments for this asset. They believe the vehicle could benefit from greater versatility in mounted weaponry and perhaps an armor upgrade.

 

Field Use

The Hog is a huge, unwieldy, difficult to steer death trap – until you learn how to drive it properly. With proper application of the hand, or “e-brake” the Hog can actually turn on a dime. Massive disc brakes allow the thing to come to a near immediate halt from its top speed of 78mph, and more importantly, swing around rapidly to allow a gunner a better angle on a prospective target.

In combat it is vital that driver and gunner are copasetic. If the wheelman knows where his turret-firing buddy needs to aim, the results are almost always destructive and impressive. The gun itself is simple to use, but presents challenges when being pushed to the limits on a busy battlefield. This movement and unpredictability can be lessened with good driving.

Evasive maneuvers are if anything, more important than offensive attack. It is vital that a driver can get in and out of dangerous situations without flipping the heavy and hard-to-right Hog. A Spartan can pretty much right an upturned Warthog, but that puts the drivers and passengers in a very dangerous situation while trying to rectify a messy crash.

The Warthog’s ostensible scouting and personnel transport purpose should not be ignored in favor of its offensive capabilities. As a matter of fact, for objective based missions, it should be noted that a fast moving Hog with a good driver and a gunner, is the perfect getaway vehicle.

Knowing when to get out is just as important as knowing when to get in. The Hog’s automatic braking systems will bring the vehicle to a sudden, but controlled stop should the driver be ejected, or choose to leave the vehicle. Since there are no doors, you can hop over the sills and take advantage of the vehicle’s momentum to give you a running start when making the transition from vehicle to on-foot maneuvers.

The hog is tough, but a couple of direct hits from grenades, or a well placed rocket, will end its reign of terror almost immediately. Now if only there was some way to make them indestructible…
 

 
Remarks

“(the M12) is sort of a bear to wheel around, but that’s something you gotta expect – the thing is twice the size of my grandad’s car – but it’s something you get used to pretty damned quick.”

“On the battlefield speed is life and the M12 has that in spades – having a great big damn gun don’t hurt, either.”

“One word: hand. brake .”

“I have yet to come up against an obstacle that the warthog couldn’t go right over.”

“The Sarge hates it when we ram stuff, says the ‘hog ain’t indestructible. But it sure feels like it when you’re plowing through a crowd of startled Grunts, though.”

“The seats are unreal! I was thinking of pulling a set out of a parts vehicle and shipping them home… but the wife shut it down – says everyone would be able tell where they came from.”

“Look at these legs – pretty nice, huh? It’s totally from getting in and out’a the ‘hogs. Thirty-six inch damn step height.”

 
"Et tu, Brute?" Video Documentary

The "Et tu, Brute?" ViDoc (a portmanteau of video documentary), released on December 20, 2006, shows how the Brutes have been almost completely redesigned for Halo 3 to better reflect the idea that they are meant to be a worthy adversary for the player. Bungie clarified that none of the graphics shown in the ViDoc are final, and that some elements may be completely redesigned before launch.[24]

The ViDoc explains that the three classes of Brutes have been differentiated, the same way Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 featured different classes of Elites, Grunts, and Jackals. There are 'standard' infantry Brutes, Brute Captains and the Brute Chieftain. All are shown with much heavier armor than the Brutes in Halo 2. The Minor Brutes wear blue armor held together by buckles. The Captains have more elaborate helmets and armor, and the Chieftains have the most elaborate helmets and armor. The color scheme of Elites in the prior games seems to have been applied to Brutes (blue is the lowest rank, red is higher, and gold is the highest). To reflect the Brutes' violent nature, some new animations have been created. Examples shown in the ViDoc include a Brute ripping off the arms of a Marine, a Brute ramming a Marine into a vehicle, and another Brute punching the stomach of a Marine lying on the ground.

The AI has also been updated to incorporate the new idea of a Brute pack. A Chieftain in Halo 3 may order all of its troops to throw grenades at the enemy together, or may decide to focus on attacking one character.

The film also includes many previously unseen elements, such as dual-wieldable Energy Swords (at least, by AI) and the new "spike grenade". Early play tests have shown that these "Spike Grenades" may stick to any surface except water and release directional spikes upon explosion. The Brute Chieftain is seen firing a weapon resembling an un-deployed plasma turret from Halo 2. However, as previously mentioned, the game is still in a pre-alpha stage, and the graphics and game elements in the ViDoc are currently unconfirmed for final release in the game.

Release and related information



The Halo 3 Limited Edition case



The Legendary Edition set for Halo 3

Halo 3 will be released in Fall of 2007. Three versions of the game package have been announced:

Standard Edition (USD $59.99)

Halo 3

Limited Edition (USD $69.99)

Halo 3
Metal Collectors Edition Case
The Making of Halo 3 (featurettes, possibly the ViDOCs, concept art, A/V calibration tool)
Halo Collectors Source Guide (species, factions, story)

Legendary Edition (USD $129.99)

Halo 3
MJOLNIR Mark VI Game Case
The Making of Halo 3 (featurettes, possibly the ViDOCs, concept art, A/V calibration tool)
Halo Collectors Source Guide (species, factions, story)
Exclusive Disc (cut scenes, commentary, featurette on a day at Bungie, machinima content)
Lee Wilson Key-Moments Story Art

Media releases

On May 9, 2006, exactly a year and a half after the release of Halo 2, the announcement trailer to Halo 3 appeared on the Xbox Live Marketplace, shortly before the trailer made its appearance at E3, due in part to the E3 conference's late start. Halo 3's announcement was soon posted on other gaming sites. [25] After some downtime on the official Bungie website, the game was announced officially and the trailer was made available for download.[26]

On June 6, 2006, Bungie Studios released a behind-the-scenes look at the E3 announcement trailer on their website. The video included many elements intended to produce speculation in the fan community. Some of these elements include glimpses of the updated UNSC Marines' appearance, an unknown race holding a new weapon, and Master Chief holding the M90 Shotgun from previous Halo titles. The video also showed different angles and takes of the announcement video, showing how powerful the engine was (and proving the video was not pre-rendered).

Halo 3 screenshot shown in Newsweek magazine.

On October 2, 1UP.com featured an article about the November 14 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM). The magazine featured a "blowout" on the game, featuring new information along with new screenshots and videos available on the 1UP website. [27] In addition, three weeks worth of continuous coverage of Halo 3 was added to the site throughout November.[11]

Bungie began using Halo 3 for its Humpday Challenges, a weekly event where Bungie plays Halo games against members of the community.[28][29]

Joystiq reported a Microsoft blogger claimed Brutes would be a playable race, but this rumor was quickly addressed by Bungie's Frank O'Connor who confirmed otherwise.[30]. However, it revealed that upcoming Bungie gameplay videos would feature "new insights into elements of the campaign and will peel back the curtain on a certain prominent character in Halo 3."[31] O'Connor would later say that Brutes would be "more exciting, clever, graphically impressive, terrifying, numerous and angrier."[32] Bungie promised a "Vidoc" (Video Documentary) focusing on the Brutes, which was released initially on Xbox Live Marketplace at 2AM PST on December 20, 2006.

The soundtrack to the E3 announcement trailer, titled "Finish the Fight", was released on the iTunes Store (December 14, 2006) [33]. So far there is no information on the release of the Official Soundtrack.

On January 1, 2007, gameplay footage of Halo 3 was posted on various websites. Selected army personnel stationed in Iraq were privileged to test a recent build of the game and apparently had recorded the events on-screen. The footage, six seconds in length, contains the first glimpse of up-to-date, real Halo 3 gameplay that the general gaming community has seen. The footage shows a Spartan traversing the multiplayer map, High Ground with Assault Rifle in hand. No other elements were shown. Stills have also been found through the same sources, featuring Halo 3's user interface and stills of gameplay footage.

Beta Testing

On November 15, 2006 it was announced that the online beta would be released to the public in Spring 2007, along with new Halo 2 maps exclusively for Xbox 360 owners. [34]

As of January 24, 2007, registration for the first segment of the beta test selection is closed to North American entrants. However, the Australian and New Zealand Xbox sites are still offering 15 Beta test places (10 for Australia, 5 for New Zealand). Entrants must provide a 25-word opinion on how they think the Master Chief would "finish the fight" in Halo 3. In Europe, the available slots are available through online media outlets. Bungie has stated that this is only "phase one" of the registration process and that there will be more options for players outside of North America to register for the public beta. According to IGN, over 140,000 players signed up to play in the multiplayer beta as of December 13, 2006.[35] Applicants for this segment of the Halo 3 Beta test began to receive acceptance e-mails on January 22, 2007.

On January 3, 2007, Bungie Studios announced that the Halo 3 beta would be obtainable by registering on Halo3.com. However, players must own an Xbox 360, they must have played 3 hours of Halo 2 (between 12:01 AM EST on February 1 and 11:59 PM EST on February 3, 2007) on Xbox Live, and they must be one of the first 13,333 players to have registered on February 5, 2007.[36]

Players may also purchase specially marked versions of the video game Crackdown to download the Halo 3 beta. Only the initial launch shipment copies of the game will include the ability to download the Halo 3 beta. The "Download Halo 3 beta" option will become available in the Crackdown main menu when the beta is released. The Crackdown disk will also be required to launch the Halo 3 beta.[37]

On February 16, 2007 Bungie released a Halo 3 Beta FAQ to answer a number of questions regarding the aforementioned beta test.[38]

As of April 2, 2007 it is confirmed no more copies of Crackdown with the invitation to Halo 3 Beta are being produced[citation needed]. The Beta is confirmed to only have 3-4 Multiplayer maps and will not contain any campaign data.

GRAPHICS

Halo 3 will utilize advanced graphics technologies, as detailed on the Bungie Studios website.[2]. HDR lighting will be employed. Bungie has also stated that the draw distance will be in excess of 10 miles. Certain surfaces, including the Master Chief's visor and the armor of a Ghost, will have real-time reflections. Foliage is physics-enabled, meaning it not only moves in the wind, but actually reacts to the player's presence and bullet fire, and casts real-time shadows and reflections. The new atmospheric and lighting models are sophisticated. Dust and smoke particles add to the realism of the environment, and the haze effect which is often used in video games to save processing power is so realistic that it actually costs processing power. Water is also confirmed to be physics enabled, meaning it will flow around objects in its path. Water will also be realistic enough that it reflects images while simultaneously shows what is underneath the l

AUDIO

There will be many more individual pieces of combat dialogue than in either of the preceding Halo titles, and the AI controlling this dialogue will ensure the exchanges flow naturally and convincingly. Separate recordings have been made for nearby and distant gunfire, making for a more realistic experience. There will also be a greater number of medal announcements in multiplayer, including several "easter egg" medals that will be awarded for very unusual events.[3] Marty O'Donnell is again composing the original score. Actress Julie Benz is not voicing Miranda Keyes for Halo 3,[4] but Jen Taylor will continue to voice Cortana, with Steve Downes returning as the voice of Master Chief.[5]

PLOT

The only plot points that have been revealed so far are that Master Chief is back on a thoroughly conquered and Covenant controlled Earth. Cortana is still a prisoner of Gravemind, and Covenant ships are hovering over an excavation site only a few miles from the ruins of New Mombasa.[6] Elites have left the Covenant, although whether they have made an alliance with Human forces or not remains unconfirmed. Grunts have so far only been shown fighting alongside Brutes.

GAMEPLAY

The new default controller layout will see RB become the "action" button (pick up, reload, activate switch, etc), with the X button being used for an as-yet undisclosed gameplay feature. Also, when dual-wielding, weapons can be individually reloaded using LB or RB. Other buttons are unchanged, but B (melee attack) may also have a different function in a limited context-sensitive situation.
When a player is carrying a second weapon in Halo 3, the secondary weapon will be stored on the character's back or leg holster, depending on the size of the weapon.[7]
The game will feature the ability to record and send video clips via Xbox Live at any time, making Halo machinima even easier for users.[8]

Multiplayer

The matchmaking system from Halo 2 will be revamped. Call signs will be used instead of small HUD emblems to identify allies. Also, Halo 3's matchmaking system will be based on two different ranks, skill and experience, in order to make the system more fair and to reflect the effect of experience on players' profiles.[9]
Bungie also stated that they have redesigned the UI (user interface) from Halo 2, apparently making it easier to generate a custom game in Halo 3 multiplayer.[10]
Hosts will now be able to "advertise" their custom games via Xbox Live Public; players no longer need to adhere to pre-made Matchmaking playlists because they can simply join a custom game hosted by another player. [9]
In the November 11 Bungie Weekly Update, it was stated that due to a "significant chunk" of Halo 2 players being female, there might be an option to have a female voice for the Spartan character in multiplayer.[11]
A new feature dubbed the "A-hole button" will be used to mute players in the game.[12]
"As it stands", the strength of the effect of gravity is customizable as one of the game settings in creating custom games.[13]

Pre-release marketing

As one of the most anticipated videogames in history, the marketing campaign for Halo 3 has been extensive and is planned to be epic in scope. Much of the advertising to date has focused on appealing to the general public, rather than just hardcore fans of the game. Microsoft has announced the launch of an international advertising campaign using the Forerunner Structure imagery (often with massive banners hung from city skyscrapers). The campaign's scope has been compared to that usually seen for a major motion picture.[14]

E3 2006 trailer

A trailer of the game was shown at Microsoft press conference at E3 2006. The trailer ends with the tagline "Finish the fight". The trailer begins in a dry, desolate area, a few miles inland of New Mombasa's remains. Parts of the broken space elevator and bridge are in the background. Through the smoke and rubble, the Master Chief, emerges, occasionally obscured by overlaid images of what appears to be Cortana transmitting a distorted message:

"I have defied gods and demons."

"I am your shield; I am your sword[15]."
"I know you; your past, your future"
"This is the way the world ends."

 

One of these lines is in the Cortana Letters. Fans have noted that the voice of the Gravemind can be heard, speaking Cortana's words, leading many to believe that the Gravemind plays a part in Cortana's speech, and is possibly even using Cortana to speak to the Master Chief. Screaming can be heard before the transmissions, further supporting this hypothesis. Other forces may also be acting on Cortana - in the 'Behind the Scenes' video[16], it is stated, "We don't know what has happened to her since then. We don't know it's Cortana. It could be any sort of bizarre, almost Satanic sort of voice. Something seems wrong." Each transmission is clearer than the last. It should also be noted that Cortana's dialogue is highly reminiscent of, and can be attributed to, the dialogue of Durandal, an artificial intelligence originating from Bungie's previous FPS series of games, Marathon [17]. The Master Chief is seen holding a new MA5C assault rifle, an upgraded version of the MA5B rifle used in Halo: Combat Evolved.

Overhead, a massive Covenant "excavation fleet," as it was called by Bungie, holds position over an enormous crater the Chief is overlooking. Within the crater is a large, circular, metallic structure over three miles in diameter, stated by Bungie to be a Forerunner-related structure. Above the crater, there is an immense maelstrom in the sky caused by "massive, never before seen subatomic forces," presumably caused by the gigantic structure.[citation needed] Banshees and Covenant warships fly towards it, paying no attention to the Master Chief, who backs away from the crater's edge as the structure begins to activate and pieces of the crater's edge crumble away.

The Chief watches as the structure blooms and a round of pronged spires unfold toward the sky as the surrounding Covenant craft slowly fly away from it. A brilliant light rapidly consumes the area, fading to black as Cortana closes with the line, "This is the way the world ends." Cortana's closing words are directly from T.S. Eliot's famous closing words in his poem, The Hollow Men:

This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

The trailer was produced entirely using the Xbox 360 hardware in real-time. After the E³ showing, Bungie demonstrated the real-time nature of the demo by moving the camera around and moving Master Chief to demonstrate the game's visual effects. The Assault Rifle was also fired to demonstrate that the muzzle flash was reflected off Chief's visor in real-time.

The music in the trailer utilized a 60-piece orchestra and a 24-member choir, above and beyond what composer Martin O'Donnell used for Halo 3's predecessors. The trailer fanfare sports a wholly new arrangement, the addition of trumpets, and the noted absence of Halo's signature "monks."[16]

Due to speculation of the identity of the Spartan shown in the trailer, Bungie has confirmed that it is the Master Chief.

[18]

There is also an "easter egg" hidden within the trailer: a wobbling sign on the side of the road which appears to be a "Grunt Crossing" sign. Bungie's official response to the sign was "The New Mombasa City Council had an incredibly efficient public works department until and even during the tragic and devastating Covenant invasion". There is another Easter Egg in the trailer when the structure is activated: Bungie's original Marathon symbol is in the lights around the installation. This picture is a choice of many symbols for players' multiplayer icon in Halo 2 and is an inside-joke which Bungie regularly features in their games. Also, avid fans of the series froze and magnified an image of the Master Chief, and found the Marathon logo imprinted on the Assault Rifle (As seen in the "Newsweek" screenshot below).

ESPN TV advertisement

On December 4, 2006, a 60-second CGI commercial for Halo 3 was aired on ESPN, followed by a release on Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE. The advertisement does not contain any gameplay footage, and was created entirely by Digital Domain, using a mix of live action (for the two children) and animation; Bungie-supplied assets for vehicles and models, and pure CGI.[19]

The ad comprises two main scenes. The first shows two children lying in long grass, (Rumored To Be Cortana And Master Chief) looking at the night sky, wondering whether they will ever meet beings from "up there". The location and identity of the children are deliberately ambiguous; Bungie have stated that this is up to the interpretation of the viewer. This scene then cuts to Master Chief's point of view, waking from unconsciousness after being thrown from a vehicle. He is on Earth, in the middle of the Covenant invasion soon after the events of the E3 Announcement. Separated from the Marines, the Chief evades plasma mortar impacts and engages a group of Covenant Brutes and Wraith tanks. The ad closes with the same "HALO 3", "FINISH THE FIGHT - 2007" and Xbox 360 taglines as the E3 trailer, and an additional caption: the "Jump In" slogan of the Xbox 360 marketing campaign.

Reaction to the advertisement was enthusiastic. It was the first cinematic-quality glimpse into the Halo Universe, designed to appeal to a mass audience. Fans of the series immediately started picking over the imagery for clues relating to the plot or gameplay of Halo 3. Some previously unseen elements include:

A new variant of the Assault Rifle,
The "Bubble Dome", a protective shield resembling a transparent geodesic dome generated by a grenade-like device,
The secondary weapon being stored magnetically on the Chief's back, or on a leg holster for smaller weapons,
The Chief's voice, confirming that actor Steve Downes will continue to voice this role.
The Chief sprinting.

"Et tu, Brute?" Video Documentary

The "Et tu, Brute?" ViDoc (a portmanteau of video documentary), released on December 20, at 2 AM PST, shows how the Brutes have been almost completely redesigned for Halo 3. Bungie clarified that none of the graphics shown in the ViDoc are final, and that some elements may be completely redesigned before launch.[20]

The ViDoc explains that the three classes of Brutes have been differentiated, the same way Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 featured different classes of Elites, Grunts, and Jackals. There are 'standard' infantry Brutes, Brute Captains and the Brute Chieftain. All are shown with much heavier armor than the Brutes in Halo 2. The Minor Brutes wear blue armor held together by buckles. The Captains have more elaborate helmets and armor, and the Chieftains have the most elaborate helmets and armor. The color scheme of Elites in the prior games seems to have been applied to Brutes (blue is the lowest rank, red is higher, and gold is the highest). To reflect the Brutes' violent nature, some new animations have been created. Examples shown in the ViDoc include a Brute ripping off the arms of a Marine, a Brute ramming a Marine into a vehicle, and another Brute punching the stomach of a Marine lying on the ground.

The AI has also been updated to incorporate the new idea of a Brute pack. A Chieftain in Halo 3 may order all of its troops to throw grenades at the enemy together, or may decide to focus on attacking one character.

The film also includes many previously unseen elements, such as dual-wieldable Energy Swords (at least, by AI) and the new "spike grenade". Early play tests have shown that these "Spike Grenades" may stick to any surface except water and release directional spikes upon explosion. The Brute Chieftain is seen firing a weapon resembling an un-deployed plasma turret from Halo 2. However, as previously mentioned, the game is still in a pre-alpha stage, and the graphics and game elements in the vidoc are currently unconfirmed for final release in the game.

Release and related information

Halo 3 will be released in Fall 2007. Three versions of the game package have been announced:

Standard ($59.99)
Collector's Edition ($69.99) (contents unannounced)
Legendary 4-Disc Edition [21] ($99.99)

The Legendary version comes with an exclusive 10" MJOLNIR Mark VI helmet replica (Dimensions are Height 10", Width 8.5" and Depth 11.5"), which acts as a cover for an 11" stand that will contain the four discs: 1) the Halo 3 game disc, 2) behind-the-scenes content at Bungie Studios with new insights into the Halo universe and the making of Halo 3, 3) a high-resolution collection of all cinematics, from Halo 1 and Halo 2 complete with director commentary, and 4) a disc containing certain machinima series (such as Red vs Blue and This Spartan Life), as well as more unannounced content. [22]

On May 9, 2006, exactly a year and a half after the release of Halo 2, the announcement trailer to Halo 3 appeared on the Xbox Live Marketplace, shortly before the trailer made its appearance at E3, due in part to the E3 conference's late start. Halo 3's announcement was soon posted on other gaming sites. [23] After some downtime on the official Bungie website, the game was announced officially and the trailer was made available for download.[24]

On June 6, 2006, Bungie Studios released a behind-the-scenes look at the E3 announcement trailer on their website. The video included many elements intended to produce speculation in the fan community. Some of these elements include glimpses of the updated UNSC Marines' appearance, an unknown race holding a new weapon, and Master Chief holding the M90 Shotgun from previous Halo titles. The video also showed different angles and takes of the announcement video, showing how powerful the engine was (and proving the video was not pre-rendered).

On October 2, 1UP.com featured an article about the November 14 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM). The magazine featured a "blowout" on the game, featuring new information along with new screenshots and videos available on the 1UP website. [25] In addition, three weeks worth of continuous coverage of Halo 3 was added to the site throughout November.[8]

Recently, Bungie has started using Halo 3 for its Humpday Challenges, a weekly event where Bungie plays Halo games against members of the community.[26][27]

Joystiq reported a Microsoft blogger claimed Brutes would be a playable race, but this rumor was quickly addressed by Bungie's Frank O'Connor who confirmed otherwise.[28]. However, it revealed that upcoming Bungie gameplay videos would feature "new insights into elements of the campaign and will peel back the curtain on a certain prominent character in Halo 3." [29] O'Connor would later say that Brutes would be "more exciting, clever, graphically impressive, terrifying, numerous and angrier."[30] Bungie promised a "Vidoc" (Video Documentary) focusing on the Brutes, which was released initially on Xbox Live Marketplace at 2AM PST on December 20, 2006.

In December, the soundtrack to the E3 announcement trailer, titled "Finish the Fight", was released on the iTunes Store (December 14, 2006) [31]. So far there is no information on the release of the Official Soundtrack.

On January 1, 2007, gameplay footage of Halo 3 was posted on various websites. Selected army personnel stationed in Iraq were privileged to test a recent build of the game and apparently had recorded the events on-screen. The footage, six seconds in length, contains the first glimpse of up-to-date, real Halo 3 gameplay that the general gaming community has seen. The footage shows a Spartan traversing the multiplayer map, High Ground with Assault Rifle in hand. No other elements were shown. Stills have also been found through the same sources, featuring Halo 3's user interface and stills of gameplay footage.

Beta Testing

On November 15, 2006 it was announced that the online beta would be released to the public in Spring 2007, along with new Halo 2 maps exclusively for Xbox 360 owners. [32]

As of January 24, 2007, registration for the first segment of the beta test selection is closed to North American entrants. However, the Australian and New Zealand Xbox sites are still offering 15 Beta test places (10 for Australia, 5 for New Zealand). Entrants must provide a 25-word opinion on how they think the Master Chief would "finish the fight" in Halo 3. In Europe, the available slots are available through online media outlets. Bungie has stated that this is only "phase one" of the registration process and that there will be more options for players outside of North America to register for the public beta. According to IGN, over 140,000 players signed up to play in the multiplayer beta as of December 13, 2006.[33] Applicants for this segment of the Halo 3 Beta test began to receive acceptance e-mails on January 22, 2007.

On January 3, 2007, Bungie Studios announced that the Halo 3 beta would be obtainable by registering on Halo3.com. However, players must own an Xbox 360, they must have played 3 hours of Halo 2 (between 12:01 AM EST on February 1 and 11:59 PM EST on February 3, 2007) on Xbox Live, and they must be one of the first 13,333 players to have registered on February 5, 2007.[34]

Players may also purchase specially marked versions of the video game Crackdown to download the Halo 3 beta. Only the initial launch shipment copies of the game will include the ability to download the Halo 3 beta. The "Download Halo 3 beta" option will become available in the Crackdown main menu when the beta is released. The Crackdown disk will also be required to launch the Halo 3 beta. [35] Crackdown was released on February 20, 2007 in the United States and Canada, February 23, 2007 in Europe, and February 27, 2007 in Japan.

On February 16, 2007, Bungie released a Halo 3 Beta FAQ to answer a number of questions regarding the beta.[36]

List of confirmed elements

This section briefly lists elements of Halo 3 that have been confirmed, specifically those returning from the other titles in the Halo series.

Characters


Master Chief
Cortana
Gravemind
Commander Miranda Keyes
Sergeant Major A.J. Johnson
Gunnery Sergeant Pete Stacker

Enemies



Covenant

Jackals (Kig-Yar)
Brutes (Jiralhanae)
Grunts (Unggoy)
Drones (Yanme'e)
Unspecified enemy, "something larger than a Grunt"

Allies



UNSC Marine Corps

UNSC Marine Infantryman
UNSC Marine Dropship Pilots

Human Vehicles


M12 LRV Warthog [37]
M12G1 LAAV "Gauss" Warthog
D77-TC Pelican Dropship
D77 Pelican Gunship
M274 ULATV Mongoose [38]
M808B Scorpion tank

Covenant Vehicles


Banshee
Ghost
Phantom
Capital Ship
Wraith
Mauler[39]
Chopper[39]


Human Weapons/Equipment


MA5C Assault Rifle[40]
BR55 Battle Rifle (modified)[41]
M90 Shotgun
M6 Pistol
M19 SSM Rocket Launcher [7]
M7/Caseless Sub-Machine Gun
S2-AM Sniper Rifle [42]
M9 HE-DP Fragmentation Grenade [26]
M247 General Purpose Machine gun turret
W/AV M6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle (Spartan Laser)[39]
Bubble Shield device (ONI-designed)[43]

Covenant Weapons/Equipment


Particle Beam Rifle (upgraded) [44]
Covenant Carbine (upgraded) [45]
Needler (more powerful but not dual-wieldable) [46]
Brute Shot
Energy Sword
Plasma Grenade [26]
Brute Spiker (Spike Rifle)[7]
Brute Spike Grenade (Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade)[47]
Plasma Pistol [48]
Brute Hammer (resembling Fist of Rukt gravity hammer used by Tartarus)
Covenant Plasma Cannon
Unspecified new weapon[5]

Multiplayer Maps


Snowbound[47]
Valhalla[47]
High Ground[47]
Unspecified "indoor level"[49]

Locations


Earth, Sol System

Kenya, East African Protectorate

New Mombasa and Old Mombasa
The Forerunner Structure
Mt. Kilimanjaro

Other confirmed facts

With the release of the trailer, Bungie declared publicly that the Gravemind, who originally appeared midway through Halo 2, is an intelligence of Flood origin.[citation needed]
Although Halo 3 was planned to end the Halo series, future Halo games are likely. On the Halo 3 FAQ[50] from the official Bungie website it says, "Q: Is this the last ever Halo game? A: It is the conclusion to this story arc." This refers to the two announced games in the Halo universe, including the new Halo Wars by Ensemble Studios. Of the other project, very little is known. Bungie said that it will be on the Xbox 360 and will "be made in partnership with Lord of the Rings and King Kong director, Peter Jackson." [51]

Halo 3, the third game in the best-selling Xbox game franchise Halo, is a highly-anticipated first-person shooter video game under development by Bungie Studios for the Xbox 360. An official announcement on the developers' website states that Halo 3 will end the current story arc of the Halo trilogy. A beta test of the multi-player component of the game is scheduled to be available in Spring 2007. The final version of the game is due to be released in Fall 2007.[1]