Halo 3 Fact Sheet

[fitbabits]

In preparation of the impending release of the Halo 3 multiplayer beta (note: the beta is NOT a demo), Microsoft sent out a press release detailing the facts of Halo 3...

The Mission:

The Covenant control Earth. The Flood is unleashed. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, Master Chief is the only one that can save the human race. http://www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/halo3/thumb.Halo3_Valhalla-3rdperson-01_tif_jpgcopy.jpg (http://www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/image.php?image=www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/halo3/Halo3_Valhalla-3rdperson-01_tif_jpgcopy.jpg)
4 New Screens Available. Click Above to view them!The entire epic story arc has led up to this moment. Master Chief, the last of his kind, is a warrior born for combat, bred for war… and humanity’s only hope.

The Blockbuster Saga Concludes.

After stowing away on a Forerunner spacecraft, Master Chief, a genetically altered, cybernetically enhanced Spartan supersoldier, must race back to Earth to stop the Covenant once and for all and save mankind. With his artificial intelligence companion Cortana in the grip of the Flood’s intelligent embodiment, Gravemind, Master Chief and his allies are vastly outnumbered. But the stakes are too high to do anything but face them head on.
Continues below...

Don't forget to check out our Beta impressions Right Here (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29799)!

[fitbabits]

...continues...

A Desperate Enemy: A Desperate War.
In “Halo 3,” the third installment of this legendary epic, the war has come to a climax - the Flood continue to grow in numbers and strength, the armies of Earth are scattered and decimated, and the Covenant threaten to activate the Halo, effectively destroying all life in the galaxy. Master Chief’s mission: to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind.

What: “Halo 3”
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Bungie Studios
Format: DVD for the Microsoft® Xbox 360™ video game system; Xbox LIVE™ enabled
Price: Legendary Edition, $129.99; Special Edition, $69.99; Standard Edition, $59.99
ESRB Rating: Pending
Availability: Fall 2007

The Gameplay:
• Next-generation experiences. With the power of the Xbox 360, “Halo 3” raises the bar on the next-generation gameplay experience with non-stop action, an incredible story, massive battles, and visually stunning worlds.
• Stunning single-player action. Epic and compelling storytelling on a scale never before seen in interactive entertainment with new weapons, characters and challenges. You can experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he transcends greatness and becomes a legend.
• Xbox LIVE multiplayer redefined. Working in concert with Xbox LIVE on Xbox 360, “Halo 3” builds upon the unique social multiplayer experience of “Halo 2” and promises to enhance the innovative and evolving online gameplay of “Halo 2” on Xbox LIVE.

The Technology:
• Evolution of a Blockbuster. Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360, “Halo 3” will expand on everything that has made the “Halo” franchise great and will add a wealth of technical advancements
• Next-generation, high-definition visuals. Presented in stunning HD, see the well-known “Halo” universe as it’s never been seen before. State of the art HDR (High Dynamic Range) lighting makes every scene look and feel like the real thing, from terrifying gloom to dazzling sunshine, adding more detail to every weapon, more texture to every character, and more realism to every battle.
• Enhanced AI. Countless foes, each with their own distinct personality, strategy and fighting style, make for better encounters and more replay value, which will culminate in larger scale combat than ever before witnessed on the “Halo” battlefield.
• Split-screen support. Staying true to the original games, “Halo 3” will support four player split-screen and system link gameplay, letting gamers battle it out both online via Xbox LIVE or with a group of friends right in their own living rooms.
• In-depth stat tracking and standings. Made famous as a key component of the renowned “Halo 2” multiplayer experience, Bungie.net will continue to innovate how gamers track their progress, as they view their rankings and stats in real-time.
• Fully positional Dolby® Digital 5.1 surround sound. Duck as a rocket sizzles over head. Take action as the footsteps of a Covenant adversary echo in the distance. Every sound in “Halo 3” is fully positional, bringing the world of “Halo” to an even more vivid level of realism.

Legendary Edition:
Individually numbered and available while supplies last, the Legendary Edition includes a copy of “Halo 3” in a collectible Spartan helmet case. In addition to the game, the exclusive set includes the following content:
• Remastered cinematic material from “Halo: Combat Evolved” and “Halo 2” with developer commentary
• “A day in the life at Bungie” featurette
• High definition “Making of ‘Halo 3’” documentary
• Featurettes on game design, development, and more
• Early game concepts and their evolution over the course of “Halo 3’s” development
• Audio-video calibration tool custom designed by the “Halo 3” graphics and audio team
• Exclusive content from the creative minds of Machinima artists Red vs. Blue and This Spartan Life
• Illuminating “Halo 3” storyboard art book from artist Lee Wilson
The Legendary Edition will be available in limited quantities for a limited time at select retailers.

Limited Edition:
Available while supplies last, the Limited Edition includes a copy of “Halo 3” in a sleek metal collector’s case. In addition to the game, the exclusive set includes the following content:
• High definition “Making of ‘Halo 3’” documentary
• Featurettes on game design, development, and more
• Early game concepts and their evolution over the course of “Halo 3’s” development
• Audio-video calibration tool custom designed by the “Halo 3” graphics and audio team
• Elaborate and compelling “Halo” fiction and art book
The Limited Edition will be available for a limited time at select retailers.

Developer Information:
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years, it has produced games such as the “Marathon” trilogy and the first two “Myth” games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Bungie’s “Halo” franchise is an international award-winning action title that has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.7 million units worldwide, logging over 800 million hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel and more. Bungie is currently at work on “Halo 3,” which represents the third chapter in this “Halo” trilogy and is slated for release in 2007.
So there you have it. Everything you needed to know about Halo 3. The MP beta will be available on May 16th.

[Yellowman]

You know I always found the Covenant a lot more interesting as enemies than the Flood. The Flood seem very... cliched.

[Scramble]

I was dissapointed that the enemies in Halo 2 were the exact same ones that were in Halo 1. I'm not expecting any variety in this game.

The entire epic story arc has led up to this moment
Epic story arc? This series hardly has a story at all. Doom had a much more epic storyline.
Sorry to sound like a hater, but I just don't get what all the fuss is about. When the first game came out, it was a pretty visually fantastic game for a console. Huge areas, vehicles, cool co-op. But it wore thin after a few months. This had better be pretty good to peak my interest.

[CaptStu]

Epic story arc? This series hardly has a story at all. Doom had a much more epic storyline.

Read the books. You will change your mind.

[Yellowman]

It's all very well telling us to read a book but at the same time if the story is actually epic then we shouldn't have to. Did Marathon require books? (yes I know it had a shit load of text) Could you imagine if they made films with stories that were only epic if you 'read the books'?

[bapenguin]

I was dissapointed that the enemies in Halo 2 were the exact same ones that were in Halo 1. I'm not expecting any variety in this game.


Epic story arc? This series hardly has a story at all. Doom had a much more epic storyline.
Sorry to sound like a hater, but I just don't get what all the fuss is about. When the first game came out, it was a pretty visually fantastic game for a console. Huge areas, vehicles, cool co-op. But it wore thin after a few months. This had better be pretty good to peak my interest.

There's plenty of story in the game, regardless of everyone's suggestion of reading the novels. All you have to do is listen to Cortana.

[CaptStu]

It's all very well telling us to read a book but at the same time if the story is actually epic then we shouldn't have to. Did Marathon require books? (yes I know it had a shit load of text) Could you imagine if they made films with stories that were only epic if you 'read the books'?

No, but honestly, I am so objective-oriented in games sometimes that I completely ignore the story.

[TheDancinMan]

I just wanted to come in here and say...

I wanna rock someone in the face with the missle pod. Just, you know, use it on their head like a battering ram. To the face.

[ghost]

Epic story arc? This series hardly has a story at all.

The Halo series has a very intricate and detailed story, the problem you're having is in the story's presentation. It assumes that the player is not only listening to people speak, and paying attention to what is happening around them, but intelligent enough to put two and two together. If all you are doing is proceeding to the next room, mindless killing of aliens, proceeding to the next room, rinse and repeat, then yeah, you're going to miss out on a great deal of the story. Doesn't mean it isn't there, though. Plenty of others are well aware of it, and find it stellar, or at least engaging and fun.

[Ancalagon]

Master Chief’s mission: to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind.

Poor guy lacks ambition.

[DaedalusFolly]

I'm a little behind on digesting Halo 3 information, what weapon is that red spartan about to blast the warthog with?

[Johan]

Fact: The Halo "Hypometer" is broken. Wake me when it's gone gold.

[Telefrog]

I thought the story in the Halo games was pretty decent. It's pot-poiler sci-fi, but it's still engaging and well done.

It's got battles in space, giant enemy walkers, assaults on Earth, alien technology, religious wars, military spaceships crashing into ring habitats, big guns, spunky AI assistants, and over-the-top heroism. That seems pretty epic. Even if you don't like the story, you'd have to agree that it fits the definition of epic.


1. noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2. resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3. heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4. of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.
5. an epic poem.
6. epic poetry.
7. any composition resembling an epic.
8. something worthy to form the subject of an epic: The defense of the Alamo is an American epic.

[Mdot23]

I wanna rock someone in the face with the missle pod. Just, you know, use it on their head like a battering ram. To the face.

can you melee with those? i haven't tried doing it yet?

[bapenguin]

I'm a little behind on digesting Halo 3 information, what weapon is that red spartan about to blast the warthog with?

The rocketpod. It's a new rocket launcher, one of the new "heavy weapons" in the game.

[Shjinta]

Can anyone confirm splitscreen Co-op Story Mode? and not like Halo 2 where someone dies on legendary and you restart at the last checkpoint? The person who thought of that should be fucking shot.

[Gott]

Anyone else a little nervous about the new controls? I'm sure they will be great but I hate fumbling around for the first few games.

I guess it is a nervous excitement, i'm more concerned about getting my beta keys...where the hell are they? I guess they will wait until last minute so people don't sell them on ebay...

[DaedalusFolly]

The person who thought of that should be fucking shot.
I liked that aspect of Halo 2 co-op, otherwise it wouldnt have been very difficult on a supposed 'legendary' difficulty.

[Morratut]

I can't wait for the beta. I'm going to be online and kicking some ass!!! Hopefully :o

[Mdot23]

I upated some more of my impressions in the Impressions thread that BA linked too in the main post.

Gott, the controls take a few games to get used to (I found my self pressing X to reload for a few games just from habit, and ending up deploying equipment, lol) but now that I've played with it for a while, they work well. The only things to get used to are the functions of RB and LB, like reloading independent guns, activating doors, picking up weapons for each hand and getting on vehicles. You'll be fine with it after a few matches.

BA or Doc, have either of you boarded a vehicle yet? I totally forgot about it. i haven't seen anybody do it yet and i haven't had an opportunity to try it.

PS - the lack of douchbags playing right now is glorious. every game has been enjoyable for me, which I'm sure will change on Wednesday when the masses come in.

[ldi222]

Did anyone else get in recently with the "friends and family program?" Ive been playing the beta since Saturday and its awesome. I would say the best of the series, it feels a lot more like HALO1 in that people dont dual weild nearly as much and you seem to have a fighting chance even if you get ambushed.

I totally agree about the "lack of douchebags." The sportsmanship and etiquette right now is sooo much better than the H2 community's snot nosed whining, cheating and bickering. Its like a different game although the party grouping options in matchmaking I think will help this even on public release as well.

Zeal was dead wrong.

[bapenguin]

Anyone else a little nervous about the new controls? I'm sure they will be great but I hate fumbling around for the first few games.

I guess it is a nervous excitement, i'm more concerned about getting my beta keys...where the hell are they? I guess they will wait until last minute so people don't sell them on ebay...

You will press X to reload for your first 5 matches. After that using the bumpers feels much more natural.

[bapenguin]

BA or Doc, have either of you boarded a vehicle yet? I totally forgot about it. i haven't seen anybody do it yet and i haven't had an opportunity to try it.


No. For some reason I don't think it's in there right now. Either that or they made it A LOT more difficult.

[Roc Ingersol]

note: when you put a beta in the hands of the public, it's a demo.

whether Bungie is getting server testing out of it is pretty much irrelevant to anyone who isn't Microsoft or Bungie.
people are playing to see if it's fun. that's a demo.

[Mdot23]

Did anyone else get in recently with the "friends and family program?" Ive been playing the beta since Saturday and its awesome.

Send me an invite later. I'll be on after work playing.

[Scramble]

The Halo series has a very intricate and detailed story, the problem you're having is in the story's presentation. It assumes that the player is not only listening to people speak, and paying attention to what is happening around them, but intelligent enough to put two and two together. If all you are doing is proceeding to the next room, mindless killing of aliens, proceeding to the next room, rinse and repeat, then yeah, you're going to miss out on a great deal of the story. Doesn't mean it isn't there, though. Plenty of others are well aware of it, and find it stellar, or at least engaging and fun.

Oh no, I listened to what Cortana had to say. Obviously, I've played the games. But what it amounts to is nothing more than your generic "Holywood epic". Yeah, there's big explosions, but there's no depth in the story. Main character, aliens, big gun, main character destroys gun to save earth and man kind. Woot. All detail in the middle is the gameplay. Sorry, but I just don't get it. Epic storylines are best reserved for System Shock 2.


*I'm drunk but right :P*

[Roc Ingersol]

Character/story depth has never been a requirement for an Epic.
Beowulf is a pretty one-dimensional guy.

[divinechaos]

When the hell are they gonna stop using the words "next-generation"? Good graphics aren't an option anymore, they are EXPECTED. Especially from a first party game.

[Chameleo]

so much for hoping master chief was a girl. "his", "he" etc.

[Elysium]

The graphics are very true to the Halo style. They are clear and crisp and vibrant. The effects (even though probably not final) are spectacular and visceral. As always, Halo gets the graphics directly affecting gameplay and enjoyment right. Who walks around a multiplayer map admiring the graphics? Get what people notice in the thick of battle right.

What is TRULY next gen is the sound. This is simply the richest sound I have ever heard in a game. This I think is what many developers are missing this generation. Sound can have a huge immersive effect on the game.

And lastly and definately not least, gameplay. I'm not in the F&F Beta but almost all accounts suggest that Bungie has nailed this one. The best parts of gameplay from the first 2 Halos plus some new systems thrown in the mix.

[bapenguin]

What is TRULY next gen is the sound. This is simply the richest sound I have ever heard in a game. This I think is what many developers are missing this generation. Sound can have a huge immersive effect on the game.


The sound of firefights happening around the map is truly shit hot.

[JawaSnack]

Does anyone know if there will be online co-op mode like Gears of War! That is what the Halo games need to add, I'm so damn tired of split screen crap on the same system!

[Morangie]

PS - the lack of douchbags playing right now is glorious. every game has been enjoyable for me, which I'm sure will change on Wednesday when the masses come in.
Take another look in the options. There is a glorious, glorious option unde the voice settings to make it so in every single game you play, you can only ever hear your own party/team. In Halo 3, you never have to hear that 12 year old in matchmaking screaming abuse ever again.

[Zanzibar]

Take another look in the options. There is a glorious, glorious option unde the voice settings to make it so in every single game you play, you can only ever hear your own party/team. In Halo 3, you never have to hear that 12 year old in matchmaking screaming abuse ever again.
OMG, really???

Jesus, they shoulda made that in the Legendary edition only. I'd pay an extra 70 bucks for that alone.

[Mdot23]

What is TRULY next gen is the sound. This is simply the richest sound I have ever heard in a game. This I think is what many developers are missing this generation. Sound can have a huge immersive effect on the game.


I definitely agree with that. I was expecting the gameplay to be solid and polished and the sound/visuals to be rough around the edges. But the sound really is insane even at this stage. One of my favorite effects (I know it sounds stupid and has done before but I still like it) is when you get killed in water and your head gets submerged, the sound gets muffled and reacts appropriately to the water moving around you. Also, the gunshots in the distant, like BA mentioned, are pretty diesel.

[Mdot23]

Take another look in the options. There is a glorious, glorious option unde the voice settings to make it so in every single game you play, you can only ever hear your own party/team. In Halo 3, you never have to hear that 12 year old in matchmaking screaming abuse ever again.

True, I've used it too just to check it out. Def a nice feature. Plus, muting individual people in-game is really fast: hold back, highlight with right stick, press X.

[sol740]

Take another look in the options. There is a glorious, glorious option unde the voice settings to make it so in every single game you play, you can only ever hear your own party/team. In Halo 3, you never have to hear that 12 year old in matchmaking screaming abuse ever again.

Being the huge Halo-nut that I already am I was already sold anyway. However when I read that I gave myself a silent "FUCK YEAH". (Im at work)

[jwbxx]

Doesn't look like anything ground breaking. Added a few more weapons, graphics face lift and the conclusion to halo 2. Excuse me for saying this but I'm pretty sure they could have done all of that in halo 2.

I loved halo 1, and I got hyped for halo 2. But I find no reason to get hyped for halo 3 it's not like they're completely changing the game play or making the fps element more in depth. After playing gears of war, halo game play feels lacking.

[Schnoogs]

I was dissapointed that the enemies in Halo 2 were the exact same ones that were in Halo 1. I'm not expecting any variety in this game..


I felt the same way when I watch Empire Strikes Back :rolleyes:

[LexeL]

let's not say anything we can't take back.

[DeathtollWRX]

I'm soooooooooooooo glad you have the option to only hear your teammates. I would pay extra just for that (as mentioned in a previous post). I can't wait.. finally a game to stop me from playing Halo 2! I'd say since i've owned my X360 I've probably used it for playing Halo 2 about 90% of the time. I dunno, maybe it 's because it's one of the few games i'm good at these days.

[johnymitsu]

It's all very well telling us to read a book but at the same time if the story is actually epic then we shouldn't have to. Did Marathon require books? (yes I know it had a shit load of text) Could you imagine if they made films with stories that were only epic if you 'read the books'?

oh so youd rather endless cutscenes with information thats relevant to the universe but not the game? oh okay lets leave halo up to you then :)

[F3nyx]

oh so youd rather endless cutscenes with information thats relevant to the universe but not the game? oh okay lets leave halo up to you then :)The universe shouldn't contain anything irrelevant to the game. What would be the point? Besides making easy cash from licensed tie-ins, I mean.

Also, Halo cutscenes are skippable anyway, so you don't really have a point.

[johnymitsu]

The universe shouldn't contain anything irrelevant to the game. What would be the point? Besides making easy cash from licensed tie-ins, I mean.

Also, Halo cutscenes are skippable anyway, so you don't really have a point.

yeah i dont think you got my point. he was saying that the sotry was weak and that there was little to it and i was trying to say that the halo universe is awesome but not all the best asspects of the universe are from the game, and if you dont like the stuff outside the game thats okay, its just my opinion.