The latest news about the Halo series of games from Microsoft
Since some HBO forumgoers were kind enough to hold open the thread for me, I’m now morally obligated to deliver the goods on the Brute documentary. Given that it is longer and more up-front with its new content than the TV ad, I think a frame by frame analysis, in most places, is unwarranted, so instead I thought I would cherry-pick a few notable quotations or bits of information, and add my own commentary.
For the complete text, click “read more” from the front page.
7 minutes
From Bungle
Bungie’s started making video documentaries, which they have shortened to “Vidocs,” about… well, stuff. They’re professional, and are similar to the FilmOasis stuff we have seen before. This specific one is about the role brutes will play in Halo 3, and it shows some campaign footage, and a bunch of sandbox footage. Absolutely worth the download.
On a more personal note, I got into a mild motorcycle accident, and broke my hand. I couldn’t type for a while, so that’s why there haven’t been as many videos as there could be. To make up for it, I’ll stick a classic machinima vid up tomorrow.
On an even more personal note, Mintz sucks. [Edit by Mintz: Yes.]
Also, I’m going to up the bitrate on the iPod movie next time, and see if that makes it better.
PSP – 31.4MB
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Zune – 12.4MB
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iPod – 12MB
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HaloDev has put up the first of in a series of “Feature Focus” articles. This one, by Talin, is accompanied by a very complex render done by Talin and Veegie and covers the technique of normal mapping to add the appearance of detail to textured polygons. Veegie also produced another, more sedate image of an ODST perched high over a Covenant-invaded cityscape.
HaloDev has put up the first of in a series of “Feature Focus” articles. This one, by Talin, is accompanied by a very complex render done by Talin and Veegie and covers the technique of normal mapping to add the appearance of detail to textured polygons. Veegie also produced another, more sedate image of an ODST perched high over a Covenant-invaded cityscape.
Xbox Live is telling you to walk away from the television set and spend time with your friends and family in the real world this holiday season. At least, that’s the message one might infer from the fact that for several hours now, subscribers can connect to the services to browse the Marketplace or use voice chat, but not play games. Apparently even the single-player features of certain Live-aware games, like Gears of War, are being affected, with users suggested to remove the ethernet cable or wireless adapter from their Xboxes and Xbox 360 consoles to fix it.
Major Nelson’s blog acknowledges the problem and that the Xbox Live team is working on it.
UPDATE: Some users reported that they can get on XBL now, and Major Nelson’s blog has the following update:
I just heard from the Ops team…and we are all set now. They are debriefing now…so I’ll see if I can get anything out of e to share on my show this week.
“e” is a member of the XBL team and a sometimes-guest on Nelson’s weekly podcast.
Xbox Live is telling you to walk away from the television set and spend time with your friends and family in the real world this holiday season. At least, that’s the message one might infer from the fact that for several hours now, subscribers can connect to the services to browse the Marketplace or use voice chat, but not play games. Apparently even the single-player features of certain Live-aware games, like Gears of War, are being affected, with users suggested to remove the ethernet cable or wireless adapter from their Xboxes and Xbox 360 consoles to fix it.
Major Nelson’s blog acknowledges the problem and that the Xbox Live team is working on it.
Trakan, a moderator at the Cheap Ass Gamer forum, has posted scans of an ad for the upcoming Xbox 360 game, Crackdown, in Gamepro magazine.
According to the scan, “specially marked boxes” of Crackdown will include an invitation to the Halo 3 multiplayer beta. This seems to be the first sighting in North America of a sure-fire way to get into the beta test. In Europe, a limited number of guaranteed spots were available, whereas in North America, fans were allowed to register freely for a “chance” for a slot, with selections to be made at a later date.
Trakan, a moderator at the Cheap Ass Gamer forum, has posted scans of an ad for the upcoming Xbox 360 game, Crackdown, in Gamepro magazine.
According to the scan, “specially marked boxes” of Crackdown will include an invitation to the Halo 3 multiplayer beta. This seems to be the first sighting in North America of a sure-fire way to get into the beta test. In Europe, a limited number of guaranteed spots were available, whereas in North America, fans were allowed to register freely for a “chance” for a slot, with selections to be made at a later date.
Tired of waiting for Halo 3 for the story to continue? Eager to join in humanity’s epic struggle for survival? Now the story lives on with Podfiction! This project has been around for a little while and seen it’s share of authors, editors and helpers. Started by Infektion X, the tale now continues on through other authors such as Sil3nt71 and Glewis. Here’s the story so far:
Enter the War by Infektion X – Preface | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
Above the Earth, On the Earth by Sil3nt71 – Chapters 1-4
Battle of Cote du Noir by Sil3nt71 – Chapters 1-2
Discovery: Humanity’s Nightmare by Glewis – Chapter 1
There’s also a community thread if you have a suggestion for a storyline or character. Want to write your own podfiction? Just post in the books forum!
Tired of waiting for Halo 3 for the story to continue? Eager to join in humanity’s epic struggle for survival? Now the story lives on with Podfiction! This project has been around for a little while and seen it’s share of authors, editors and helpers. Started by Infektion X, the tale now continues on through other authors such as Sil3nt71 and Glewis. Here’s the story so far:
Enter the War by Infektion X – Preface | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3
Above the Earth, On the Earth by Sil3nt71 – Chapters 1-4
Battle of Cote du Noir by Sil3nt71 – Chapters 1-2
Discovery: Humanity’s Nightmare by Glewis – Chapter 1
There’s also a community thread if you have a suggestion for a storyline or character. Want to write your own podfiction? Just post in the books forum!
