It seems that Luke Smith first dropped the one-word bomb of confirmation in the NeoGAF forums, but in case anyone had any doubts, Smith immediately followed up with an official post on Bungie.net, which was then posted about just about everywhere, including HBO, The Hushed Casket, Xbox360Fanboy, GameSpy, and even Major Nelson.

So the long and the short of it is that, in line with fan expectations, Halo 3 will have online cooperative player over both System Link and Xbox Live. In fact, doing last year’s shooter supreme Gears of War one better, it will support not just two players, but up to four players in this mode.

Smith tells us why Bungie was silent until now on this most-requested feature:

We’ve been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our “t”s were crossed and our “i”s dotted before unveiling this important new part of Halo 3’s Campaign mode.

Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented us, were the various gameplay balance issues it adds to the fray. So we got it all together, polished it, and that’s why we’re revealing it now. As a result, you’re going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it. We’d certainly recommend Legendary, but we’ll be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for multiple players in the very near future.

Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign gameplay – something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The combinations and scenarios are endless – and you’ll be able to enjoy them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.

We mentioned that we’ve been having a blast. We have a lot of stories. Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise.

Check out the full article at Bungie.net for details on the Elite characters that cooperative players 3 and 4 will have to choose from; players 1 and 2, of course, are the Master Chief and the Arbiter, as widely suspected after the multiple appearances of the pair in the E3 Campaign Trailer.

Even though I might be posting this a little late. I still can’t keep the exciting news about the now-official statement from Bungie, that confirms that we will be PwNiN Brutes, Grunts and Profits together online. Now players will be able to gang-up in a room of four, to get some single-player action through Xbox Live. We’ll be able to play as one of four characters, Master Chief, Arbiter, N’tho ‘Sraom, or Usze ‘Taham.

Here is a history lesson on the new playable characters:

Name: N’tho ‘Sraom

Affiliation: Fleet of Retribution/Special Warfare Group/Special Operations

History: N’tho ‘Sraom is the youngest member of his Special Operations unit and is one of a growing number of human sympathizers amongst the Sangheili youth. He is a fairly typical young male adult Sangheili—he began compulsory military service at the end of adolescence, and remains unmarried with no close, non-familial relationships outside of his martial order. N’tho Sraom refused to stand idly by while the Prophets replaced Sangheili units with Jiralhanae packs, and now bears deep resentment toward those Sangheili politicians who landed his kind in their current predicament.
Although N’tho ‘Sraom’s romanticized nationalism is emblematic of all Sangheili, he has developed a healthy respect for humanity—not for their physical abilities or martial prowess, but for their audacity and resolve.

Name: Usze ‘Taham

Affiliation: Fleet of Retribution/Special Warfare Group/Fleet Security

History: Although Usze ‘Taham was born into a respected merchant family he was fathered by Toha ‘Sumai—one of the preeminent swordfighters of this age. Usze graduated with honors from the top War College in the Iruiru region of Yermo, Sanghelios (a distinction he shares with Rtas ‘Vadum). Shortly after receiving his first post within the Covenant Navy he was offered a place on the Prophets’ Honor Guard but he declined citing “lack of practical experience”. In truth, he had no desire to be part of a largely ceremonial unit, and at the end of his third combat tour, Usze ‘Taham again refused the post—even though his superiors warned him such behavior could be misinterpreted as apostasy.
Since that time Usze has evaded countless punitive actions, at least two assassination attempts, and served with distinction for two additional tours before the Schism. Following the dissolution of the Covenant, he was approached by the Ascetics to become one of their liaisons within the Navy.

Here is more detail about this exciting feature:

“So you were probably wondering why we didn’t want to commit to two player co-op online over Xbox Live. We certainly got plenty of mail asking, no, demanding that we make it happen. Of course we were working on it, but we were also working on something better. Not two player co-op. Not three-player co-op, but up to four player co-op. Online. On Xbox Live, or sure, System Link if you prefer. That is correct – up to four player co-op in Campaign mode on Xbox Live or System Link. We’ve been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our “t”s were crossed and our “i”s dotted before unveiling this important new part of Halo 3’s Campaign mode.

Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented us, were the various gameplay balance issues it adds to the fray. So we got it all together, polished it, and that’s why we’re revealing it now. As a result, you’re going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it. We’d certainly recommend Legendary, but we’ll be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for multiple players in the very near future. Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign gameplay – something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The combinations and scenarios are endless – and you’ll be able to enjoy them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.

We mentioned that we’ve been having a blast. We have a lot of stories. Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise. Like every other aspect of Halo 3, this mode is chosen from a Lobby. Simply select Campaign, choose your network (Xbox Live or System Link) and invite your friends to join you, or they can simply join your session once it’s set up and in a lobby (but they cannot join a game once it’s in-progress). They will pop into your lobby instantly, and when you have all the players you need (anywhere from one to four) you can begin the game from the beginning – or from any of your saved checkpoints.

Split-screen co-op is as ever, limited to two players per screen – but they can if they wish join two other friends online or via System Link. For fictional reasons, we decided to avoid Halo’s slightly surreal compromise of two identical Master Chiefs and rather, use this opportunity to expand the Halo universe just a little bit. Player one will control the Master Chief, player two will control the Arbiter and players three and four will get the chance to control two brand new Elite characters.

A lot of us found out about the EGM article when it was leaked, but out of respect and a little CYA we didn’t want to spill the beans on the podcast before the article was published. Now that the article is in circulation, the curtain has been lifted! Behold some of the latest revealed features:

• New brute dual-wieldable shotgun: the “Mauler.” Look good to you or a bit weird?
• Gravity hammer from Tartarus is now usable. Send vehicles flying or hit the ground and push back grenades, etc. Got any ideas for cool customs with this?
• New brute vehicle similar to the Spectre… will it differentiate itself enough? Will it be stronger with a better turret and more protection for passengers?
• New human vehicles: Hornet small flying vehicle and warthog with troop carrier in rear… will these be in multiplayer? What if they are?
• New equipment: portable shield like the covenant ones from Halo 2 and a shield recharger. Which one interests you more? How do you see these being used in strategies?
• New multiplayer map: Guardian (aka Jub-Jub) is the “spiritual” successor to Lockout. Do you think it lives up to the legacy so far? Can you pick out any changes?
• New multiplayer element/vehicle: the Elephant. It’s a vehicle that moves slowly, has a turret, holds 12 and has a flag/assault plant spot! Will moving bases really provide that much of a strategic element? How can you see this being used?
• New Elite armor variants… but do the Elites still have a structural disadvantage with headshots? You like the new look options?
• 4 player co-op online CONFIRMED! This is going to make for some serious tales from the foxhole.
• Meta-game in campaign: Compete in co-op for fastest complete time, most headshots, most vehicle boards, etc. Do you see this extending the life of campaign and co-op?
• FORGE: the coolest thing ever. Edit Halo 3 maps and share them online! Got any ideas already for maps we’ve seen?
• Forge games: you can switch to a spartan in forge and fight, and it keeps score! This makes for some really creative customs… got any ideas?

Got answers to these questions? Want to tell us what part of this gets you excited? Let us know! Send in your comments by clicking submit news & tips on the right side of the page. If it’s good and we have time, we’ll read it off on the show and make you famous. Be sure to include your gamertag so we can give you credit. Deadline is Thursday Night at 6pm EST, so hurry!

‘nuff said.

Luke Smith’s confirmation:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7249107#post7249107
IGN:
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/809/809569p1.html
Joystiq:
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/31/its-official-halo-3-has-four-player-online-co-op/
Some other site:
http://n4g.com/xbox360/News-55843.aspx

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