My Halo News.com

The latest news about the Halo series of games from Microsoft

  • Bungie gets a new tagline

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Awesome – Split-Screen noticed that a new trademark application has been filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office by Bungie, LLC – “We make games that we want to play“. Sounds about right! (Bungie has been saying that this is what they do for a dozen years – but this application was filed just 3 days ago. Guess they finally decided to make a decent woman out of the phrase!) (Louis Wu 20:56:54 UTC)

  • Marissa needs your help!

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    halo@bungie.org
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    You might remember Marissa’s Bunny – Fairfax has been traveling around the US, raising awareness about Marissa’s illness, infantile spasms. We recently got word from Marissa’s dad that Marissa is back in the hospital – her spasms are out of control. He’s hoping that anyone who can send along kind wishes will do so – in his words, “Perhaps the combined goodwill of the internet at large can help, because nothing else seems to be.” Mike – we’re with ya! There are lots of ways to help – from donating money or buying a bunny to simply emailing Marissa with your happy thoughts. Swing by the Marissa’s Bunny website for lots of links.(Louis Wu 20:55:50 UTC)

  • E3 Halo 3 demo uploaded by Jason Sussman

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Zeouterlimits pointed out that Jason Sussman (Bungie Finishing Artist) mentioned in his twitter feed that he’d recorded the Bungie public* demo of ODST – it’s 20 minutes long, and is presented by Brian Jarrard and Curtis Creamer. If you’ve been watching every movie that comes out, you’ve seen most of this before – but it’s nice to see the entire demo, start to finish!
    * ‘public’ means ‘public to E3-goers’, as opposed to ‘behind closed doors’(Louis Wu 20:54:41 UTC)

  • Halo 3 Medal Wallpapers

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    halo@bungie.org
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    A blog called ‘White Rabbit Trails’ has been creating Halo 3 wallpapers based on vectorized versions of the medals you can earn during multiplayer games. The backgrounds are nicely distressed – if you’re looking for simple but attractive Halo 3 images for your wallpaper, check these out. There are three wallpapers per set:
    Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Set 6 | Set 7 | Set 8(Louis Wu 20:53:35 UTC)

  • Halopen Pencast 10

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Firestorm12 sent word that Halopen has released the Halopen Pencast 10, ostensibly recorded at E3, with lots of discussion of Bungie’s upcoming projects.(Louis Wu 20:52:56 UTC)

  • Extremely Awesome, you mean!

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Pete Cooper found out that his Operation: Chastity project was included in an OXM UK article about ‘Gaming’s Most Extreme Fanclubs’ – nice going, Pete!(Louis Wu 15:02:33 UTC)

  • It’s like an old friend, coming home

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Over at the Hushed Casket, rapture takes a close look at the Halo 3: ODST pistol – and compares it to its predecessors. Go rap!(Louis Wu 14:58:31 UTC)

  • Master Chief Theater 3000: Episode 305

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    halo@bungie.org
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    mrsmiley let us know that Pyrosmile’s Master Chief Theater 3000 Episode 305 (covering 343 Guilty Spark) is now live. That poor Jenkins…(Louis Wu 14:57:49 UTC)

  • New Toys

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Hawty McBloggy runs down the Series 6 action figures from McFarlane; go see what’s coming in October!(Louis Wu 14:57:13 UTC)

  • Gettin’ in Character

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Joystiq wrote up a sighting of a Master-Chief-helmeted dude playing Rock Band – we saw him at several booths throughout the day on Wednesday. Thanks to Adam Kovic for the heads-up.(Louis Wu 14:55:32 UTC)

  • Sunday Morning ODST Review Roundup

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Some additional reviews of ODST have popped up (I pass over the two-paragraph, you-could-write-this-by-reading-the-web reviews):

    Grab a cup of coffee and get reading!(Louis Wu 14:52:00 UTC)

  • Halo 3 A Bungie Christmas Pictage

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    halo@bungie.org
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    QuietHALO3MSTR sent us word about his buddy, ReconRevolution, who put together some really nice lawn decorations during the holidays last winter – you can see them in this video (along with a bunch of Halo 3 screenshots). Apparently, he also let Hawty McBloggy know about this – her writeup made me smile. (Louis Wu 23:13:34 UTC)

  • RT: Family Ties

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    Rooster Teeth News
    I cannot wait for what the future of gaming has in store for us after this E3. I wonder if people will look back on it 10 years from now as the moment that things evolved into… whatever it is they might be evolving into. Either way, Milo was cool.

  • Bungie Weekly Update: Cool Content Edition

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    halo@bungie.org
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    The Bungie Weekly Update was posted, as usual, last night – and it’s FULL of goodness. A recap of ODST info released over the week, plus some new graphic goodies… some info about Reach (but not much)… a bunch of rumor-busting answers for questions that have popped up this week… a way to win cool exclusive schwag… and info about the recent Recon screenshot contest. (We should have more info about the Haloscreenshots.com service in the near future.) Go by and indulge! (Don’t forget our Weekly Update Archive, if you have any troubles with Bungie.net, or if you’d just rather read the content on a light background.)(Louis Wu 13:54:18 UTC)

  • TPP: How to Suck Less at Halo Vol.2 – The Prowler

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    halo@bungie.org
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    jake108 let us know that the latest Teabag Prevention article went live recently – they can teach you how to suck less with the Prowler. When to use it, how to use it, and how to fight against one. As always, good stuff!(Louis Wu 13:45:47 UTC)

  • Live from Columbus… it’s MLG!

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    halo@bungie.org
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    Yes, I know, I said there’d be news catchup this weekend. No, it won’t happen this morning. (I’ve got real-life catchup that takes precedence, apparently. Hi, honey!) A few tidbits to tide you over, though… let’s start with MLG Columbus, which has been running since last night. Swing by the MLGPro.com website for full coverage, including live streams, brackets, writeups, summaries, and other sundry goodies.(Louis Wu 13:42:43 UTC)

  • AH: Achievement Alphabet

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    Rooster Teeth News
    So Andrew and I were talking today, and somehow we got into a conversation about the naming of Achievements, which led to the question “Do I have an Achievement that starts with every letter?” We started compiling a list. It was harder than I thought,…

  • RT: Drunk Tank

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    Rooster Teeth News
    Hey everybody, it is Friday so you know what that means…Drunk Tank time! We haven’t posted about it on the front page before however we do have a weekly podcast that we put out on Friday. This release marks our eighth podcast. If you’re a member of…

  • Joyride. A free game and new business model for Microsoft.

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    rapture


    Joyride will be a FREE video game released on the XBOX Live Arcade by Microsoft.

    What’s the catch?  Your Avatar customization and micro-transactions inside the game.

    While the game will be free, Microsoft is betting on the fact that you’ll want to customize your experience.  And I think they’re making a great bet.

    After all, when we play a First Person Shooter or especially when we play a Role Playing Game we customize our character in-game.  Microsoft has tested this theory by marketing “upgradeable” or “exclusive” in-game items, such as the golden lancer in Gears of War 2.

    Gamers want to be unique.  Just look at the armor permutations in Halo 3.  Would you have paid money for a special weapon?  For special armor?  For new abilities and equipment? 

    With Microsoft reporting that they’re expecting to generate $1 Billion, they are already seeing the growth of micro-transactions over their network.  Gamers are spending many millions of dollars of maps and downloadable content that months later would be free to download.  Gamers want exclusive content. 

    In Joyride, you’ll be able to play the game for free and you’ll be playing with your Avatar that you’ve got set-up in your New XBOX Experience dashboard.  You’ll even be able to share some in-game content with other players for free (e.g., you can send them maps that you’ve gotten). 

    However, Microsoft is going to sell you upgrades for the game.  Besides the obvious upgrades that you can make to your Avatar through the soon-to-be-released Avatar Marketplace, you’ll be able to buy in-game content and features for your presence in the Joyride game.  You’ll be able to buy a new car, buy new engines and parts for it in a car marketplace, buy new maps, and unlock new features by paying money.

    While it’s uncertain just what exactly you can buy, I wonder if those that can afford the upgrades will have any advantages over those that can’t.

    I can’t help but wonder how much money MSBungie would have made it they made, say, the Halo 1 pistol a $10 purchase.  Would the majority of hardcore Halo fans have made the purchase?

    I know I sure would’ve.

  • More on Halo 3: ODST. Pistola.

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    rapture
    1. A pistol resembling the one from Halo 1 will be, according to Bungie, the primary weapon of choice in Halo 3: ODST.  Humans will be popping off headshots.  However, Bungie has also said that the Halo 1 pistol  was “ridiculous” indicating that it will some what be toned down.
    2. You’re a human.  You’ll run slower and the enemies will appear larger.  You’re no longer 8-foot tall wearing special armor.
    3. No dual wielding or equipment.
    4. Don’t expect to be able to play as aggressive against the covies as you did as MC. 
    5. Firefight co-op mode is pretty much like the Horde mode in Gears of War 2.

    Developer walk-thrus: