Bungie has posted it’s next H3 weapon slot. This latest edition to the series gives details about the Spartan Laser…

“The latest in our series of Halo 3 weapon and equipment slots, the Spartan Laser is one of the most exciting new weapons in the UNSC arsenal. Read on for new info on what may be the most destructive weapon you will ever wield.”

…very interesting.

Source = http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=charginmalasers

Spartan Laser
Posted by KPaul at 1/31/2007 4:58 PM PST

Excerpt from long-term, in-field interview with the soldiers of E2-BAG/1/7.

Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle (W/AV M6 G/GNR)

Official designation: M6 G/GNR
Length (o/a): 98.8 cm (38.9 in.)
Length (barrel): -blank-
Weight (empty): 19.07 kg (42 lbs)
Weight (loaded): 20.4 kg (45 lbs)
Cartridge: -blank-
Max. effective range: -blank-
Muzzle velocity: 299792458 m/s (983 571 056 f/s)
Magazine capacity: -blank-
Rate of fire: semi-automatic only
Unit Replacement cost: cR. 218000.00

Description:

The M6 G/GNR is a -blank- type laser. It can be used in both anti-vehicle and antipersonnel roles. The weapon has an integrated Wyrd III optics suite (smart-linked).

Observations:

Soldiers appreciate the range, accuracy, and target effect. They view the effect of “our own directed energy weapon” as a combat multiplier due to the psychological impact on combatants that viewed the destruction of the target.

Remarks:

“The M6 is a splendid special application anti-vehicle slash anti-materiel weapon – even if it is a little on the heavy side. The imprudent use of this weapon in the antipersonnel role, which is to say, against non high-value targets – grunts or drones for example — is strongly discouraged.”

“I engaged an enemy chopper at a range of -blank- meters. The target immediately erupted into flames. Both vehicle and rider were eliminated.”

“My spotter positively identified the local bravo kilo sub-chieftain. I engaged the target at -blank- meters. The shot burned an approximately -blank- diameter hole through the target and severely damaged the mauler he had just dismounted.”

“The M6 is one of those rare systems that simultaneously boosts morale, degrades the fighting spirit of the enemy and actually performs admirably as a weapon.”

“Because of their cost and complexity the (M6 G/GNR) and like systems are not going to find widespread adoption. They will remain specialist weapons, at least for the foreseeable future.

“During action on grid -blank-, -blank- a pair of Banshees were harassing our left flank. Our anti-air element was suppressed so I opened a request for fire support. A beam struck the trailing Banshee. The canopy separated from the fuselage and the pilot spilled out right before it burst into flames and pin-wheeled in.”

“The shot entered the rear of the Phantom, killing three Brutes and injuring two others.”

“The equipment required (PP-16979/AM-Sh) to recharge the non-removable battery (BA-53635/PLMD) for the M6 G/GNR does not and never has shipped with the weapon – and for some dang reason I’ve never seen them ship at the same time. Do people not realize that they are two different pieces of equipment?”

This End Toward Enemy

The Spartan Laser is one of the most powerful weapons available to our UNSC personnel on the ground. Heavy to lift, slow to fire and incredibly powerful, the laser’s main purpose is to serve as an anti-vehicle weapon. It is capable of bringing down virtually any vehicle that you can expect to encounter on the battlefield. Along with its effectiveness against vehicles, the Spartan Laser’s precision and power also make it a potent anti-personnel weapon, capable of scoring a kill with a single hit anywhere on an enemy.

The laser requires a quick three second charge before it’s able to fire, at which point it lets loose a red beam of light for a split second. Anything in the path of the laser will be destroyed, multiple enemies, vehicles and objects. Because of this you must be particularly careful of friendlies in the area, as they can be wounded or killed by exploding vehicles or the laser itself.

The Spartan Laser can be effectively implemented in the battlefield in numerous roles. It is an excellent defensive weapon, able to destroy reconnaissance, assault and support vehicles from great range, as well as demolish any foot soldiers. Offensively it can be used to compliment an assault of an enemy base, destroying enemy vehicles so that they are unable to mount a serious counter-attack to a Warthog assault as well as taking down critical targets from a distance.

Seeing Red

Valhalla

The Spartan Laser has seen extensive use in the field at Valhalla, where it is available atop a hill in the middle of the region. As is well-known of Valhalla, by this point, control of this hill is imperative and can decide the battle. A skilled Spartan wielding the laser can effectively suppress an enemy team of four for a short period of time from that position. Whether it be sniping personnel as they shoot off of the mancannon or destroying vehicles attempting to escape, the Spartan Laser is instrumental in the control of the mid-field of Valhalla.

The fear factor of this weapon has also become part of its feature set. There’s nothing quite like a small red beam of light bearing down on your vehicle to dissuade you from leaving a safe area. Because the weapon doesn’t discharge a significant amount of energy until it is actually fired, you can simply “paint” enemies instead of expending a shot on them. It serves all the purposes of suppressing fire without ever needing to fire an actual shot, since you only have a limited number and you’ll want to be careful with them.

High Ground

Within the base at High Ground, the Spartan Laser is available atop the camouflage tower overlooking the beach. Because the assaulting Warthogs and Mongi will not likely come until the gate is open, as well as the likelihood that the enemy team’s sniper will be focused on that camo tower to start with, it’s not always worth rushing. Once the attackers have the gate open, however, the laser will be your best hope for taking down an incoming ‘hog before it reaches the base, if you’re in position.

If the attacking team gains control of the Spartan Laser on High Ground, its greatest advantage to an attacking team is the fact that it is in your hands. You can attack the base without worrying about being destroyed before ever getting inside. Because the base is a tight-quarters area, attackers will find the laser most useful to cover their retreat back to the beach with the objective. The defending team may have a Mongoose and/or a Ghost available to them to pursue the attacking team, but the laser will put a quick end to that as well as those charging out from the gate who don’t notice the thin red beam light tracking them.

Bungie has posted it’s next H3 weapon slot. This latest edition to the series gives details about the Spartan Laser…

“The latest in our series of Halo 3 weapon and equipment slots, the Spartan Laser is one of the most exciting new weapons in the UNSC arsenal. Read on for new info on what may be the most destructive weapon you will ever wield.”

…very interesting.

Source = http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=charginmalasers

Spartan Laser
Posted by KPaul at 1/31/2007 4:58 PM PST

Excerpt from long-term, in-field interview with the soldiers of E2-BAG/1/7.

Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle (W/AV M6 G/GNR)

Official designation: M6 G/GNR
Length (o/a): 98.8 cm (38.9 in.)
Length (barrel): -blank-
Weight (empty): 19.07 kg (42 lbs)
Weight (loaded): 20.4 kg (45 lbs)
Cartridge: -blank-
Max. effective range: -blank-
Muzzle velocity: 299792458 m/s (983 571 056 f/s)
Magazine capacity: -blank-
Rate of fire: semi-automatic only
Unit Replacement cost: cR. 218000.00

Description:

The M6 G/GNR is a -blank- type laser. It can be used in both anti-vehicle and antipersonnel roles. The weapon has an integrated Wyrd III optics suite (smart-linked).

Observations:

Soldiers appreciate the range, accuracy, and target effect. They view the effect of “our own directed energy weapon” as a combat multiplier due to the psychological impact on combatants that viewed the destruction of the target.

Remarks:

“The M6 is a splendid special application anti-vehicle slash anti-materiel weapon – even if it is a little on the heavy side. The imprudent use of this weapon in the antipersonnel role, which is to say, against non high-value targets – grunts or drones for example — is strongly discouraged.”

“I engaged an enemy chopper at a range of -blank- meters. The target immediately erupted into flames. Both vehicle and rider were eliminated.”

“My spotter positively identified the local bravo kilo sub-chieftain. I engaged the target at -blank- meters. The shot burned an approximately -blank- diameter hole through the target and severely damaged the mauler he had just dismounted.”

“The M6 is one of those rare systems that simultaneously boosts morale, degrades the fighting spirit of the enemy and actually performs admirably as a weapon.”

“Because of their cost and complexity the (M6 G/GNR) and like systems are not going to find widespread adoption. They will remain specialist weapons, at least for the foreseeable future.

“During action on grid -blank-, -blank- a pair of Banshees were harassing our left flank. Our anti-air element was suppressed so I opened a request for fire support. A beam struck the trailing Banshee. The canopy separated from the fuselage and the pilot spilled out right before it burst into flames and pin-wheeled in.”

“The shot entered the rear of the Phantom, killing three Brutes and injuring two others.”

“The equipment required (PP-16979/AM-Sh) to recharge the non-removable battery (BA-53635/PLMD) for the M6 G/GNR does not and never has shipped with the weapon – and for some dang reason I’ve never seen them ship at the same time. Do people not realize that they are two different pieces of equipment?”

This End Toward Enemy

The Spartan Laser is one of the most powerful weapons available to our UNSC personnel on the ground. Heavy to lift, slow to fire and incredibly powerful, the laser’s main purpose is to serve as an anti-vehicle weapon. It is capable of bringing down virtually any vehicle that you can expect to encounter on the battlefield. Along with its effectiveness against vehicles, the Spartan Laser’s precision and power also make it a potent anti-personnel weapon, capable of scoring a kill with a single hit anywhere on an enemy.

The laser requires a quick three second charge before it’s able to fire, at which point it lets loose a red beam of light for a split second. Anything in the path of the laser will be destroyed, multiple enemies, vehicles and objects. Because of this you must be particularly careful of friendlies in the area, as they can be wounded or killed by exploding vehicles or the laser itself.

The Spartan Laser can be effectively implemented in the battlefield in numerous roles. It is an excellent defensive weapon, able to destroy reconnaissance, assault and support vehicles from great range, as well as demolish any foot soldiers. Offensively it can be used to compliment an assault of an enemy base, destroying enemy vehicles so that they are unable to mount a serious counter-attack to a Warthog assault as well as taking down critical targets from a distance.

Seeing Red

Valhalla

The Spartan Laser has seen extensive use in the field at Valhalla, where it is available atop a hill in the middle of the region. As is well-known of Valhalla, by this point, control of this hill is imperative and can decide the battle. A skilled Spartan wielding the laser can effectively suppress an enemy team of four for a short period of time from that position. Whether it be sniping personnel as they shoot off of the mancannon or destroying vehicles attempting to escape, the Spartan Laser is instrumental in the control of the mid-field of Valhalla.

The fear factor of this weapon has also become part of its feature set. There’s nothing quite like a small red beam of light bearing down on your vehicle to dissuade you from leaving a safe area. Because the weapon doesn’t discharge a significant amount of energy until it is actually fired, you can simply “paint” enemies instead of expending a shot on them. It serves all the purposes of suppressing fire without ever needing to fire an actual shot, since you only have a limited number and you’ll want to be careful with them.

High Ground

Within the base at High Ground, the Spartan Laser is available atop the camouflage tower overlooking the beach. Because the assaulting Warthogs and Mongi will not likely come until the gate is open, as well as the likelihood that the enemy team’s sniper will be focused on that camo tower to start with, it’s not always worth rushing. Once the attackers have the gate open, however, the laser will be your best hope for taking down an incoming ‘hog before it reaches the base, if you’re in position.

If the attacking team gains control of the Spartan Laser on High Ground, its greatest advantage to an attacking team is the fact that it is in your hands. You can attack the base without worrying about being destroyed before ever getting inside. Because the base is a tight-quarters area, attackers will find the laser most useful to cover their retreat back to the beach with the objective. The defending team may have a Mongoose and/or a Ghost available to them to pursue the attacking team, but the laser will put a quick end to that as well as those charging out from the gate who don’t notice the thin red beam light tracking them.

Just how close are FASA Studios and Bungie Studios? There should be some obvious connections since they are both working at Microsoft Game Studios. After searching through some screenshots of Shadowrun over at Gamespot, I noticed a familiar grin smiling back at me. It looks like the minigun in Shadowrun has a similar (perhaps the same) texture that’s found on the flamethrower in HALO PC. Notice the same curves outlining the mouth on both weapons. The flamethrower made its first public appearance in Gearbox’s port of HALO. However, the flamethrower was actually in the original HALO code on the XBOX title. Was this texture there? Wasn’t there an old minigun in an alpha build of HALO and didn’t it look a lot like Shadowrun’s minigun?

That grinning texture also appears on older and even modern military aircraft. But is that texture homage to Bungie?

How far does the connection go? Is the “FASA engine” a modified HALO engine? Hmm. (a stretch)

Shadowrun is currently in a beta testing phase and is expected to launch later this year.

Check out the Shadowrun minigun and HALO PC flamethrower:

Just how close are FASA Studios and Bungie Studios? There should be some obvious connections since they are both working at Microsoft Game Studios. After searching through some screenshots of Shadowrun over at Gamespot, I noticed a familiar grin smiling back at me. It looks like the minigun in Shadowrun has a similar (perhaps the same) texture that’s found on the flamethrower in HALO PC. Notice the same curves outlining the mouth on both weapons. The flamethrower made its first public appearance in Gearbox’s port of HALO. However, the flamethrower was actually in the original HALO code on the XBOX title. Was this texture there? Wasn’t there an old minigun in an alpha build of HALO and didn’t it look a lot like Shadowrun’s minigun?

That grinning texture also appears on older and even modern military aircraft. But is that texture homage to Bungie?

How far does the connection go? Is the “FASA engine” a modified HALO engine? Hmm. (a stretch)

Shadowrun is currently in a beta testing phase and is expected to launch later this year.

Check out the Shadowrun minigun and HALO PC flamethrower:

I was going through the Burger King at Redstone Arsenal yesterday and noticed that the BK games were just $0.99 with a combo meal. So, I finished out my collection and bought Sneak King for a buck. Supplies are limited. Read my review of Pocketbike Racer and see why I think the game is worth far more than a dollar.

 subscribe to our news

I was going through the Burger King at Redstone Arsenal yesterday and noticed that the BK games were just $0.99 with a combo meal. So, I finished out my collection and bought Sneak King for a buck. Supplies are limited. Read my review of Pocketbike Racer and see why I think the game is worth far more than a dollar.

 subscribe to our news

This game has to be one of the best values you can find. Now for $0.99 with a combo meal, this game has to be one of the best games you can get for the XBOX or XBOX 360. It was released on November 19th, 2006 but can still be found in Burger King’s. Don’t have an XBOX 360? Don’t worry. The same disc works on both platforms.

The game is a racing game in which you drive minibikes around the neighborhood and through people’s frontyard, backyard, and garages. You’ll also race in fantasy stages like a high-rise construction site, a parking lot, a desert ranch, and a lush garden complete with happy little dogs and peacocks. There are four gametypes: race with boosts and power-ups, cone challenge, battle royal, and straight up racing (no boosts). All gametypes are easy to learn and the maps are easy to navigate.

The worst things about this game are that there are only five maps and the singleplayer doesn’t have much replay value after you’ve finished 1st in all the races. While the maps are well made, it would have been great to have a couple of more maps to throw in the mix. There are tournaments in three classes for the four different types of races on five maps. That’s 60 different combinations. Not bad. But, since the races usually only last about five minutes, you can get through all of those tournaments in a matter of a few hours. Once you’ve got all of the achievements (which come pretty easily once you work through the tournaments), there’s little reason to go back and play the singleplayer campaign (unless you want to go tricking, which is really fun).

For me, this game offered up the same kind of racing challenge as the big racing games like Project Gotham Racing. Sure, it may not look as nice (but it’s close in some respects) or have all the bells and whistles that PGR3 has, but when it comes down to gameplay, the two are very similar. That’s what I find amazing about this game.

The maps are well made. In fact, the designers were very creative in making them. They look pleasing to the eye and they are easy to navigate. They work for all gametypes and they work in both directions (except the construction site which has a lot of jumps and dropoffs). Just when you think you’ve got a map figured out, you’ll see a small hole or little ramp in an obscure location. I’m finding that there are all kinds of hidden shortcuts in these maps. In fact, you’ll purposely want to explore off the beaten path to look for the cool things the designers have added to the game either for looks or for a strategic gameplay reason.

In every game mode except for the “straight up racing” there are “gates” placed throughout the maps. The “gates” are two traffic cones with small lights on the ground between them. Passing through the cones gives you more boost. The boost can be traded in to buy weapons (like a bottle rocket, firecracker, flashbang, or bomb) or you can press the “B button” to boost through a turbo mode which quickly burns out. Different colored lights signify a different value of boost that you will get when you successfully make it through the cones. If you hit a traffic cone while passing between them, you won’t get credit for the boost.

Race with boosts: Race around the track as fast as you can. Boost cones are available on all maps.

Cone challenge: The first person through 20 cones wins. You can drive through the track better.

Battle royal: The first person to hit six other players wins. Collect boost from the cones, buy weapons, and use them against your opponents to register a hit.

Straight up racing: Old school racing with no boosts. First to finish wins.

Did I mention that this game supports eight players over XBOX Live? I think that’s amazing for an arcade game that so inexpensive. Also, you can play with up to four players on one screen. Not bad.

Of course, the multiplayer works just like the singleplayer only you are racing against real humans, not the AI. Speaking of the AI, there weren’t too smart. So, the biggest enemy here will be your own driving.

The achievements are easy to get if you play through the singleplayer. You’ll get all of the available singleplayer achievements that way. Just be on the look out for the “win a race with a different character” achievement. If you use the same character, you can race a different character in “timed trials” and set the races to 1 lap and win those for a quick achievement. Definitely the hardest achievements to get are the multiplayer achievements (3) which include winning 25 races online.

It’s hard for me to believe that it took me so long to find this great game. It was released on November 19th just I played it for the first time two months later.

For a buck, how can you go wrong?

Graphics: 8/10
Audio: 8/10
Physics: 8/10
Singleplayer: 5/10
Multiplayer: 8/10
Replay value: 6/10
Achievements: 10/10
Overall: 7.5/10

This game has to be one of the best values you can find. Now for $0.99 with a combo meal, this game has to be one of the best games you can get for the XBOX or XBOX 360. It was released on November 19th, 2006 but can still be found in Burger King’s. Don’t have an XBOX 360? Don’t worry. The same disc works on both platforms.

The game is a racing game in which you drive minibikes around the neighborhood and through people’s frontyard, backyard, and garages. You’ll also race in fantasy stages like a high-rise construction site, a parking lot, a desert ranch, and a lush garden complete with happy little dogs and peacocks. There are four gametypes: race with boosts and power-ups, cone challenge, battle royal, and straight up racing (no boosts). All gametypes are easy to learn and the maps are easy to navigate.

The worst things about this game are that there are only five maps and the singleplayer doesn’t have much replay value after you’ve finished 1st in all the races. While the maps are well made, it would have been great to have a couple of more maps to throw in the mix. There are tournaments in three classes for the four different types of races on five maps. That’s 60 different combinations. Not bad. But, since the races usually only last about five minutes, you can get through all of those tournaments in a matter of a few hours. Once you’ve got all of the achievements (which come pretty easily once you work through the tournaments), there’s little reason to go back and play the singleplayer campaign (unless you want to go tricking, which is really fun).

For me, this game offered up the same kind of racing challenge as the big racing games like Project Gotham Racing. Sure, it may not look as nice (but it’s close in some respects) or have all the bells and whistles that PGR3 has, but when it comes down to gameplay, the two are very similar. That’s what I find amazing about this game.

The maps are well made. In fact, the designers were very creative in making them. They look pleasing to the eye and they are easy to navigate. They work for all gametypes and they work in both directions (except the construction site which has a lot of jumps and dropoffs). Just when you think you’ve got a map figured out, you’ll see a small hole or little ramp in an obscure location. I’m finding that there are all kinds of hidden shortcuts in these maps. In fact, you’ll purposely want to explore off the beaten path to look for the cool things the designers have added to the game either for looks or for a strategic gameplay reason.

In every game mode except for the “straight up racing” there are “gates” placed throughout the maps. The “gates” are two traffic cones with small lights on the ground between them. Passing through the cones gives you more boost. The boost can be traded in to buy weapons (like a bottle rocket, firecracker, flashbang, or bomb) or you can press the “B button” to boost through a turbo mode which quickly burns out. Different colored lights signify a different value of boost that you will get when you successfully make it through the cones. If you hit a traffic cone while passing between them, you won’t get credit for the boost.

Race with boosts: Race around the track as fast as you can. Boost cones are available on all maps.

Cone challenge: The first person through 20 cones wins. You can drive through the track better.

Battle royal: The first person to hit six other players wins. Collect boost from the cones, buy weapons, and use them against your opponents to register a hit.

Straight up racing: Old school racing with no boosts. First to finish wins.

Did I mention that this game supports eight players over XBOX Live? I think that’s amazing for an arcade game that so inexpensive. Also, you can play with up to four players on one screen. Not bad.

Of course, the multiplayer works just like the singleplayer only you are racing against real humans, not the AI. Speaking of the AI, there weren’t too smart. So, the biggest enemy here will be your own driving.

The achievements are easy to get if you play through the singleplayer. You’ll get all of the available singleplayer achievements that way. Just be on the look out for the “win a race with a different character” achievement. If you use the same character, you can race a different character in “timed trials” and set the races to 1 lap and win those for a quick achievement. Definitely the hardest achievements to get are the multiplayer achievements (3) which include winning 25 races online.

It’s hard for me to believe that it took me so long to find this great game. It was released on November 19th just I played it for the first time two months later.

For a buck, how can you go wrong?

Graphics: 8/10
Audio: 8/10
Physics: 8/10
Singleplayer: 5/10
Multiplayer: 8/10
Replay value: 6/10
Achievements: 10/10
Overall: 7.5/10