Bungie Says A Heartfelt Farewell to Halo

Bungie is singing the sad song of goodbye as the company parts ways with its flagship franchise, Halo, which is being taken over by internal Microsoft studio 343 Industries. In an open letter to fans that was posted on Bungie.net, the developer expressed its thanks to fans for their devotion to the franchise. This letter also marks the end of Bungie's 20th anniversary celebrations which have been a truly heartfelt celebration of the Halo franchise.

Eric "urk" Osborne, Community Manager for Bungie, wrote, "Halo is yours now. In many ways, it always has been. Its new caretakers will strive, just as we did, to be worthy stewards but you have the package. Hold these characters and stories and worlds to the same unflinching standards you did while we were at the helm, but allow them all to blossom and change and grow in the ways that they must."

The letter pays tribute to the dedication and passion of the fans and restates that all the proceeds from the 20th Anniversary activities will be donated to charity. The end of the letter gets a tad bit emotional as well. "One day, we will awaken to a wondrous new place and we will remember just what it was that drew us together at the beginning of it all. We will look up to the heavens and find hope."

Osborne also teased in the letter about Bungie's next project as Bungie.net prepares to relaunch. According to Osborne, "We'll be undergoing a metamorphosis of our own. Very soon Bungie.net will change, culminating with the launch of our next universe at some unknown time in the future."

"Afterwards, we'll be going dark on our studio's next major endeavor - the creation of a brand new universe. You'll have a home here should you choose to stay, but our next project demands an unwavering focus. We owe it to ourselves to make something better then we have before. We owe it to you, as well."

While it is a sad day for Halo fans in terms of Bungie's departure from the franchise, it is a good day due to the fact that the company isn't going anywhere in terms of making video games. Whatever this new project is, I'm sure it will be just as good as Halo if not better. Farewell Bungie, you did us proud.

Source: IGN - Bungie's Halo Send-Off

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Halo: Reach Disk Read Error and Freezing Explanation

Imagine you are running through a multiplayer map of Halo: Reach. You just started a game of SWAT, and you are eagerly pursuing your opponent trying to get that oh so satisfying "First Strike" medal and BOOM! Your game freezes. As your team goes on to battle the enemy, you are left with the utter feeling of an Epic Fail as you sit dumbfounded at why this brand new game has suddenly crashed.

If this sounds like you, then you aren't alone. Multiple reports have come in from all over about freezing and disk read errors with Bungie's latest time sucking megahit Halo: Reach. I don't know about you, but nothing frustrates me more than freezing and disk read errors, especially considering that my last Xbox 360 did those very two things quite frequently and at inconvenient times for me.

So, what exactly is happening with probably the most played game at the moment? From information given by users of Bungie's Halo: Reach message boards the problems of freezing and disk read errors seem to be primarily on first generation launch Xbox 360s, specifically those with 20GB hard drives, although a small percentage of Elite owners have also experienced problems.

When Microsoft was contacted for an explanation, they gave an official statement. "We are aware of a very small number of customers reporting that their copy of Halo: Reach is causing a 'disc read' error. Those affected should contact Microsoft customer support at 1-800-4MY-XBOX (1-800-469-9269) for troubleshooting assistance."

Aside from this major flaw, the only other issues reported have been minor, like disappearing avatars, dropped multiplayer games, inexplicable checkpoint placement and the like, nothing too game killing. Halo:Reach was the most anticipated of all the Halo games and is said to be Bungie's last Halo game. While any problem with a new game is bad, this one doesn't seem to be a game killer.

Source: G4TV

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Halo Reach is Finally Here

Finally, the highly anticipated game, Halo: Reach, is being released at midnight tonight! Bungie’s first-person shooter Halo games have been smash hits, and Halo: Reach is set to be the best of the bunch. Corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios stated, “With Halo: Reach we're delivering on our promise to redefine blockbuster entertainment experiences and ultimately help make this year the biggest ever in Xbox history.”

Tens of thousands of retailers will be ready to supply fans with their copies of the game at exactly midnight. There will be three different packages that will be sold in stores: the $59.99 Halo: Reach Standard Edition, which is simply the game; the $79.99 Halo: Reach Limited Edition, which is the game encased in a black ONI box, exclusive armor set, and an artifact bag; and the $149.99 Halo: Reach Legendary Edition, which is everything from the Limited Edition package plus a McFarlen Toys Noble Team statue, UNSC-themed packing, and exclusive Spartan armor effects.

If you’re a Halo fan, then I’m sure that you’ve already pre-ordered your copy of Halo: Reach, but if not, then you can run out and grab your copy. This game is sure to be a winner, so you will definitely want to check it out. Pick up your copy at any video game store.

Is Halo: Reach not your kind of game? Check out the top video games of 2010.

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Preorder Halo Reach for Less from Newegg

Halo: Reach is set to be released on September 14, 2010. It is the story of Noble Team, a force of courageous Spartan soldiers each with unique deadly talents, and their last desperate stand on the planet Reach. The teams main concern is to fight against the Covenant and preserve the human race. You follow the group on their vital mission during the planet's darkest hours.

This game has an epic and engaging campaign mode and a fantastic multi-player mode. There are new weapons, vehicles, and abilities. Halo: Reach features the largest-scaled battles to ever be found in a Halo game. Whether you’re playing by yourself or online with friends, Halo: Reach will be a captivating and challenging experience. Every time you play through the game is different and unique.

There are stunning new technical advancements with this latest version of Halo. This game features next generation art, audio, AI, animation, and special effects.

Halo: Reach for Xbox 360 can now be pre-ordered from Newegg for $44.99 with free shipping. In stores it will cost you $59.99, so this is a great deal. If you’re going to purchase Halo: Reach, you might want to consider buying it from Newegg.

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Halo: Reach's Player-Investment System

Fans of Bungie's Halo series have noticed that the multiplayer, for the most part, works basically the same from game to game. The only way to distinguish one player from another was by the color of armor they wore and the symbols they had. Bungie tried to one up that in later games by adding special armors that you could win like the coveted Recon Armor in Halo 3. Well now Bungie is adding in a whole new component to the multiplayer in their newest (and possibly final) Halo game Halo: Reach.

The new system is being titled Player-Investment and it is Bungie's answer to the sort of RPG-influenced multiplayer experiences and level systems found in games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. As seen in Modern Warfare 2, the perks and experience upgrades were solely for multiplayer use only. Bungie, however, is hoping to bring all players under one roof, both single-player and multiplayer alike. According to Luke Smith, Bungie's Player-Investment Designer, " Whatever your preferred flavor of Halo is, we're gonna find a way to reward you. Whatever you enjoy doing in multiplayer, we're gonna find a way to reward you. Through the Player Investment System, you're going to be building an identity for the first time in a Halo game."

Bungie has detached the Trueskill ranking system that drove matchmaking in Halo 3. In Halo 3, on-screen ranking users saw reflected how different players would be matched up competitively. This just basically means that a high ranking player would more than likely be a good player. However, that may not necessarily be the case in Halo: Reach. More specifically, Trueskill is handling matchmaking still but the Player-Investment System is more reflective of the amount of time a player has dedicated to the game, not necessarily their skill. It seems like it resembles the Prestige mode in Modern Warfare 2. A high ranking Prestige does not necessarily mean you are good, it could mean that you spent a lot of time playing.

The Player-Investment System is driven by credits (shortened to cR in the game). Players will receive credits by simply playing the game either by blasting your way through the single-player campaign or by going through round after round of multiplayer. The amount of credits you receive from playing, however, varies depending on what you do in the game. Different actions award different amounts of credits though Bungie is being very careful to not encourage player actions that could potentially damage the overall experience of the game. Challenging tasks, like multiple consecutive headshots in a certain amount of time, will produce a lot of credits. Bungie is currently in the works of balancing the credit system but overall, credits drive the Player-Investment System by increasing your military rank as well as allowing you to purchase customization items in Halo: Reach's "Armory".

Fans of Modern Warfare 2 have undoubtedly noticed a sense of player inequality. Rank one players are naturally unable to go toe to toe with a higher ranking officer due to lack of perks, equipment and weapons. Bungie doesn't want the same thing ti happen in Halo: Reach. All the extras earned in the game via credits are strictly different helmets, shoulder pads, chest plates and other accessories used to create an entirely unique look. "There are no in-game benefits to Spartan armor. It would definitely make Halo something different than what it is." said Smith.

Probably one of the coolest things about the customizable appearance is that it isn't restricted to just multiplayer. The same, unique Spartan you are using against your friends online is exactly the same one you use in the single-player campaign, customizations and all. You can even see your customized Spartan in in-game cut-scenes. "When the cut-scene comes up in campaign, we ant you to see you," said Smith. "For instance, that trailer that we showed with the helmet and soldier picking it up, the Noble 6 trailer, that helmet is going to be your helmet. If you're pink and adorned with unicorns, that's how you're going to look. With Reach, this is your story, this is your identity, this is your version of a story that we want you to be a part of."

Another feature Bungie is adding to multiplayer, mainly for the people who are not that good at Halo's multiplayer style, are Challenges. There are two types of Challenges, daily and weekly. The Challenges are Bungie-designed obstacles that provide goals, some short some not so short, that can be achieved solo or with a group. Many of the Challenges will also have a notable difficulty curve as well. According to Smith, "Some of the simpler daily challenges are aggregate actions like kill X amount of dudes, help kill X amount of dudes etc... Sometimes those dudes we want you to kill are gonna be in multiplayer, or they're going to be in another mode. sometimes it's going to say just kill anyone anywhere, we don't care what you do, just kill people and we will reward you for that."

Commendations are another added feature to Halo: Reach. Commendations are persistent medals that reflect a players actions over a long period of time. If you are a player that plays a majority of the game sniping people, then your Commendations will show that. The profile you build up could eventually represent a snapshot of your Halo style which could provide a better understanding amongst friends about your strengths. Plus, earning Commendation medals also earns you credits. According to Smith, "There are guys out there who just want to drive people around. We haven't done a good job of reinforcing that kind of behavior in the past and Commendations are one way we are doing that."

This new Player-Investment System could create a more efficient, more persistent player experience that extends to both single-player and multiplayer users. Now those of you still feeling the burn of your friend getting that Halo 3 Recon Armor, you got a whole new set of things to play with. This new system could very well bring payers (like myself) that have turned away from the same old Halo multiplayer experience. I for one know that I can't wait to get my hands on this game and try out the new system. The multiplayer beta for Halo: Reach goes live on May 3rd with the full version of the game coming out later this year.

Source: G4TV

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Halo 3: ODST

The Halo Franchise is one of the biggest selling games series in history. The original Halo, which debuted on the original Xbox in 2001, was one of the fastest selling games ever and became an instant classic. Since then the Halo has spawned two sequels and a strategy game and has now even branched off into a spin off type game with the new Halo 3: ODST.

In the 2004 game Halo 2, the Covenant, the alien antagonists of the series, discovered the location of Earth and launched an all out assault on the African city of New Mombasa. The United Nations Space Command (UNSC) was able to repel most of the fleet though a single ship landed above the city. The ship eventually escaped via a slipspace jump which created a shockwave that destroyed most of the city. Halo 2's storyline follows the carrier to the ring world of Halo.

Halo 3: ODST takes place after the ship retreats and the marines go off to fight the Covenant. Players take control of a rookie ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) who lands in New Mombasa with his team to figure out what happened in New Mombasa, what happened to the citizens and what happened to the Marines that went to defend it before them.

ODST is the first Halo game to offer players a perspective not from that of the first three game's protagonist known as Master Chief. The story takes place in the same time frame as Halo 2 but from a different point of view.

Since players are not assuming the role of the super human Master Chief, and are instead playing as an average rookie soldier, gameplay will be slightly different. Players will not possess the ability to jump as high or to run as fast. Players will also not have the same damage absorbing energy shield that Master Chief has. Instead, players health will be based on a stamina threshold. Players can regain stamina by resting however, should damage more than that of their stamina bar be taken, players will experience a permanent health loss which can be regained through the use of medpacks scattered throughout the game.

To offset the lack of special abilities, the ODST will have access to brand new weapons for the series which include a suppressed sub-machine gun and a pistol throwback to the original Halo pistol. The players HUD (heads up display) has also undergone a few changes. Now players will be able to enter a scan mode similar to the one seen in Star Wars: Republic Commando and other games. This new feature is called the VISR (Virtual Intelligence System Reconnaissance). The VISR gives you a compass and targeting reticule and outlines enemies in red and important objects in yellow though has no radar.

The campaign of ODST can be played either solo or with up to three other players. As the rookie, your goal is to discover what happened in New Mombasa while trying to regroup with your team. Players receive flashbacks via pieces of evidence found in the game's environments at which point the player takes control of that missing soldier. After you find the first beacon, the next step is up to you thanks to the open world demographic of the game allowing you to play the campaign levels in any way you want.

It wouldn't be a Halo game if it didn't have multiplayer. Halo redefined online multiplayer and it is a necessity for the multiplayer of ODST to be top notch. ODST is a branch off of Halo 3 so it doesn't have its own multiplayer maps. Instead, players will be able to play all 24 multiplayer maps from Halo 3. These 24 maps consist of Halo 3's original maps (Construct, Epitaph, Guardian, High Ground, Isolation, Last Resort, Narrows, Sandtrap, Snowbound, The Pit and Valhalla), the Heroic Map Pack (Foundry, Rat's Nest and Standoff), the Legendary Map Pack (Avalanche, Blackout and Ghost Town), the Cold Storage Map Pack and the Mythic Map Pack (Assembly, Orbital and Sandbox). ODST will contain three new maps (Citadel, Heretic and Longshore). The multiplayer comes to ODST via a second multiplayer disc shipped with the game. ODST will also include a fully integrated version of the Forge map editor from Halo 3.

There is also a new multiplayer mode in ODST called Firefight. Firefight is basically Halo's version of Horde (Gears of War 2) or Nazi Zombies (Call of Duty: World at War). Players will team up to take on increasingly more difficult waves of enemies to see how long the can last. Each player has a set number of lives and the game only ends when all players are dead. Firefight's 10 maps will be unlocked as players progress through the story. Players will be awarded medals for performing special kills and individual and team scores are tracked throughout the match.

Needless to say that ODST will be able to bring both hardcore Halo fans as well as new fans and could quite possibly bring back some fans that grew tired of the traditional Halo gameplay. It adds a lot of new features without completely removing everything that was great about the first three games. Halo 3: ODST is shaping up to be one of the best games of the year and players will get to decide that for themselves when the game releases worldwide September 22, 2009.

Source: IGN