Monday is Bungie Day And You Get The Gifts

[Dr.Finger]

This coming Monday, July 7th, is Bungie Day, and to celebrate Bungie and Microsoft are giving us some gifts. From the Bungie.net weekly update (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14568).

* 7 Exclusive new gamerpictures and a Bungie day theme will be available on Marketplace. These are available for one day only.

* Cold Storage, a free new Halo 3 multiplayer map inspired by the original map Chill Out found in “Halo: Combat Evolved”

* The Legendary Map Pack will drop in price to 600 points
Bungie is also hoping to record the 7 billionth kill in Halo 3 to celebrate Bungie Day

[Earth Djinn]

Awesome. Bungie have always been very good to their fans.

Its been out of use for a little while, and I will be going back to it very soon, but my 'main' gamerpic is actually one from last Bungie day. I look forward to grabbing the content and trying out the new Halo map.

[Tempest261]

Awesome. Bungie have always been very good to their fans.

Its been out of use for a little while, and I will be going back to it very soon, but my 'main' gamerpic is actually one from last Bungie day. I look forward to grabbing the content and trying out the new Halo map.

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

[silv]

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

Sounds like you have a case of the mondays. Free maps are obviously bad.

[ldi222]

This is awesome, chill out was a classic in the original HALO and this port looks very faithful. I like that its designed as a competitive map and will be awesome for custom FFA's with MLG settings, but the default Bungie design looks like a lot of fun too.

[Pluvious]

I am SO over Halo.. yawn.

[MelbaToast]

Chill Out was one of the worst original Halo maps, though. Give me Damnation, damnit!

[ResistanceAddict]

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

LAWL. Yeah, they only give us a free map and free gamerpics. They're such BASTARDS!

[ldi222]

I am SO over Halo.. yawn.

Thanks for sharing, youre the first winner of the "troll a halo thread" award.

Chill Out was one of the worst original Halo maps, though.

Chill out was a classic! I am definitely glad they brought this back but I would like to see some more Halo1 ports such as Prisoner, Rat Race and Damnation (although that was never one of my favorites).

[Cefca]

Chill out was a classic! I am definitely glad they brought this back but I would like to see some more Halo1 ports such as Prisoner, Rat Race and Damnation (although that was never one of my favorites).

I´m with you there!! I liked practically every Halo MP map. I wish they did Damnation...

[Wyrm]

I thought the first Halo had the best maps. And the best gameplay.

[DoubleUranium]

Chill out was a classic! I am definitely glad they brought this back but I would like to see some more Halo1 ports such as Prisoner, Rat Race and Damnation (although that was never one of my favorites).

I spent many many hours playing Chillout with shotguns only. Good times.

[protocol_image]

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

god i'm sick of this term being thrown around in regards to gaming

do you really think that we "console guys" are being held hostage? to me, that just shows how jaded you really are

[Mdot23]

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

You're an idiot.

[Zanzibar]

Chill Out with Crazy King was awesome. I've said it before, there's nothing like entering a room where the Hill just recently blinked out of. Wall-to-wall bodies and blood.

Few H3 maps have the same claustrophobic feel as Chill Out.

[Chrome Dome]

I´m with you there!! I liked practically every Halo MP map. I wish they did Damnation...

I don't even remember the name but the map I miss the most was the one with the two sides (like canyon walls) with the drop into space in between, and the portals from side to side. Man those were good times.

[Cefca]

I don't even remember the name but the map I miss the most was the one with the two sides (like canyon walls) with the drop into space in between, and the portals from side to side. Man those were good times.

Boarding Action. Damn that was a good map!! My friends and I used to play Snipers there.

[Heretic Machine]

Halo PC still has my favorite Halo maps. Death Island FTW (imagine a multiplayer version of The Silent Cartographer).

[Shadowstorm]

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

JPEGs? Way to vastly over simplify it.

Troll moar.

[Wolvie]

So Bungie lets you download some JPEGs for a single day, they rehash an old map, and they still don't make the mappack free... and you're impressed?

You console guys have a serious case of stockholm syndrome.

Shut the fuck up. Seriously, if you don't play Halo and are a PC elitist snob, then go talk about your PC games with your fellow ass hat snob friends on the Gamefaqs message boards. Trolling like this just shows how much of a fucking loser you really are. Do us all a favor and go away. Forever.

Also, I'll be downloading all this shit while wearing my Master Chief on Monday as well.

Edit: we also need Prisoner and Damnation remakes.

[Hemalin]

JPEGs? Way to vastly over simplify it.

Troll moar.

You're right, I think the gamerpics are PNGs.

[ldi222]

Obviously the point was were getting a lot more than a few .png's or .jpg's. I know my clan has been clamoring for a remake of Chill Out since the first one and its a very cool Bungie surprise.

I guess the PC Dev's are still giving away boatloads of content for free but there hasnt been a PC game Ive cared enough about lately to notice. Most of the new maps in Halo3 Ive been playing lately were MLG forge maps which are also free.

Its hard to understand the criticism here for Bungie doing what PC Gamers brag about getting all the time, ironic that instead of giving them props for continuing to give back to the community they are stuck upon the legendary map pack price drop or free gamerpic's as a tangent of absurdity?

[Wolvie]

Obviously the point was were getting a lot more than a few .png's or .jpg's. I know my clan has been clamoring for a remake of Chill Out since the first one and its a very cool Bungie surprise.

I guess the PC Dev's are still giving away boatloads of content for free but there hasnt been a PC game Ive cared enough about lately to notice. Most of the new maps in Halo3 Ive been playing lately were MLG forge maps which are also free.

Its hard to understand the criticism here for Bungie doing what PC Gamers brag about getting all the time, ironic that instead of giving them props for continuing to give back to the community they are stuck upon the legendary map pack price drop or free gamerpic's as a tangent of absurdity?

Indeed. It all boils down to the old PC snobbery I have grown tired of. Don't get me wrong, there are some really cool people that play PC games... but then there are the ones that think the sun rises and sets in a PC tower, and all console gamers are retarded children. In other words, these people are stuck up morons.
And I also think its funny that the moment we get a free map like the PC folk get, one of their ilk turns on the fucking troll button, and cries like a lil bitch.

[Pluvious]

Guys, if you where gaming back when PC updates where free you would understand our bitterness. These days the newest generation of gamers are fine with spending $10 on a map, but us 30-40 year olds where getting bonus map packs with 10-15 maps for FREE. (Epic) Not to mention all the free user made maps that consoles don't get. (UT3 on PS3 is the first time that has happened- and I like that trend)

[Zanzibar]

Guys, if you where gaming back when PC updates where free you would understand our bitterness. These days the newest generation of gamers are fine with spending $10 on a map, but us 30-40 year olds where getting bonus map packs with 10-15 maps for FREE. (Epic) Not to mention all the free user made maps that consoles don't get. (UT3 on PS3 is the first time that has happened- and I like that trend)

I was, and I don't care. How many user-made PC maps have you downloaded that you were disappointed you actually took the time to download it? How many games on those maps that were actually worth playing were sabotaged because some jackass found an exploit that the mapmaker didn't intend? I remember all the Return to Castle Wolfenstein maps that were just awful, and we had to load dozens to find the occasional Mitchell Down masterpiece which STILL had its flaws that we had to use the honor system not to exploit. Thank God we all played on a LAN instead of playing with strangers - there is little honor among online players.

And yes, it was always nice when the original developers put forth free map packs, but that was a long time ago, and the business has changed since the times when a dozen guys could put out a triple-A title. Money talks, and every developer in the industry is under pressure to be on the clock towards making more money as opposed to making free stuff.

Seriously, this is a real question, how many UT3 PS3 user-made maps were actually worth the hassle of compiling etc. for your PS3? What's the ratio of crappy maps versus must-play maps that kept with the spirit of the originals? Also, the graphics quality of the games has taken an exponential leap since the days of RtCW and Counterstrike - how many of those maps look like hacked-together graphical nightmares?

I have not been disappointed by the maps coming from Bungie. Who wouldn't love them to be free - LIKE THIS ONE, and every other map pack has been free after a few first months of being paid for - but I'll blow more on a bad lunch than I have ever paid for any map pack.

[Wolvie]

Guys, if you where gaming back when PC updates where free you would understand our bitterness. These days the newest generation of gamers are fine with spending $10 on a map, but us 30-40 year olds where getting bonus map packs with 10-15 maps for FREE. (Epic) Not to mention all the free user made maps that consoles don't get. (UT3 on PS3 is the first time that has happened- and I like that trend)

I'm 30, I played PC games back then, and I don't mind paying for map packs. $10 is chump change anyways.

[Tempest261]

Guys, if you where gaming back when PC updates where free you would understand our bitterness. These days the newest generation of gamers are fine with spending $10 on a map, but us 30-40 year olds where getting bonus map packs with 10-15 maps for FREE. (Epic) Not to mention all the free user made maps that consoles don't get. (UT3 on PS3 is the first time that has happened- and I like that trend)

Exactly. It has nothing to do with elitism. The maps aren't any more difficult to make today than they were back in the UT1 days when Epic released bonus map packs almost every month that had unbelievable quantities of free content. Yes, games are much more complex today, but the tools have advanced a great deal too. It blows me away what some of these level editors can do now. And Valve doesn't seem to have a problem with releasing gobs of free content without asking for a penny (because they know they'll see a return ). Do you have any idea how old Day of Defeat is? Take a look at this: http://www.steampowered.com/dod/palermo/

Xbox live was built from the ground up to shake as much coin out of the customers as possible. Why do you think it's taking so long for the TF2 maps to come out on Xbox live? Valve is butting heads with *** when it comes to the maps pricing scheme, as if Valve had their way, it would begin to chip away the Xbox live "business model".

I have a 360 and all three Halo games, and they're OK, but the fact that you guys (somehow) adore this business model so much makes the games shittier for both you and me. It's simple: you are cool with paying $10 for a map pack (making the game now $70), but your buddy Bob down the street is a casual player and doesn't want to invest anymore into a single game. You and Bob can't play with each other anymore! And that's what I (and many others) *hate* about this business model: It's not about money- it's about how it fractures the player base. If you buy these map packs, you're part of the problem. I don't think you're stupid- I just think you don't know any better.

[ldi222]

To respond to your well qualified post:

Compatibility of map packs aren't a problem: Most who are active buy them and play the playlists that support them. Currently the new DLC Legendary Map Pack only exclusively prohibits two playlists under DLC.

Bungie's map design is incredibly professional to the level where they have real architects collaborating on virtual design. The port's such as Chill out are only negatively crituqied on how different maps might not work with the changes in Halo3 gameplay, thus jumps are higher and the map seems bigger. However, this port seems the most faithful to the original of any HALO1 ports including Hang em High (in Halo2) which didnt translate well. The symbolism of the BR @ the old Pistol spot sort of illustrates this as a surprise old school tribute on 7/7.

[f1sh3r]

Guys, if you where gaming back when PC updates where free you would understand our bitterness. These days the newest generation of gamers are fine with spending $10 on a map, but us 30-40 year olds where getting bonus map packs with 10-15 maps for FREE. (Epic) Not to mention all the free user made maps that consoles don't get. (UT3 on PS3 is the first time that has happened- and I like that trend)

i'm 32, i'm not bitter and honestly if it's a game i love, i don't mind dropping a few bucks for a map pack. the fact that i'm older makes it easier, i have the 5-10 bucks to spend these days.

all that said, i haven't found any map packs worth buying since gears of war.

It's simple: you are cool with paying $10 for a map pack (making the game now $70), but your buddy Bob down the street is a casual player and doesn't want to invest anymore into a single game. You and Bob can't play with each other anymore! And that's what I (and many others) *hate* about this business model: It's not about money- it's about how it fractures the player base. If you buy these map packs, you're part of the problem. I don't think you're stupid- I just think you don't know any better.

bob needs to get a job and get over it. the majority of gamers are buying the maps, or playing on the old ones, or playing another game.

people pay 15 bucks a month to play WoW and think nothing of it. almost 200 dollars a year, and you're complaining about 10 bucks for a map pack, maybe twice in a game's lifetime?

i think the big problem pc gamers are going to have to get past is shelf life on a game. they are used to games lasting for years and years (see counterstrike) instead of a few months. the next big thing on a console is right around the corner, not 3-5 years down the road. it's a whole different world, and either you adapt, or you sit around and whine on message boards i guess.

edit: oh yeah, the new theme and gamerpics rock btw, and i'm not even a halo fan. i wish other studios would do cool stuff like this.

[Wolvie]

Exactly. It has nothing to do with elitism. The maps aren't any more difficult to make today than they were back in the UT1 days when Epic released bonus map packs almost every month that had unbelievable quantities of free content. Yes, games are much more complex today, but the tools have advanced a great deal too. It blows me away what some of these level editors can do now. And Valve doesn't seem to have a problem with releasing gobs of free content without asking for a penny (because they know they'll see a return ). Do you have any idea how old Day of Defeat is? Take a look at this: http://www.steampowered.com/dod/palermo/

Xbox live was built from the ground up to shake as much coin out of the customers as possible. Why do you think it's taking so long for the TF2 maps to come out on Xbox live? Valve is butting heads with *** when it comes to the maps pricing scheme, as if Valve had their way, it would begin to chip away the Xbox live "business model".

I have a 360 and all three Halo games, and they're OK, but the fact that you guys (somehow) adore this business model so much makes the games shittier for both you and me. It's simple: you are cool with paying $10 for a map pack (making the game now $70), but your buddy Bob down the street is a casual player and doesn't want to invest anymore into a single game. You and Bob can't play with each other anymore! And that's what I (and many others) *hate* about this business model: It's not about money- it's about how it fractures the player base. If you buy these map packs, you're part of the problem. I don't think you're stupid- I just think you don't know any better.

If this had been your original post I doubt anyone would've slapped the elitist badge on you. But you did come off as an elitist douche, so there you go.
But I also agree with the sentiment that ya either need to get a better paying job and buy the maps and play with the rest of us. Or not pay for the maps, quit crying about it, and go back to playing games with free maps.

Because quite honestly you don't really care for Halo games evidently, and you obviously like to play on the PC, which means this doesn't effect you anyways.
In closing, don't pay for the maps, it's your choice. The Bungie maps will all be free eventually, so your belly aching will soon be pointless.

[Gheritt]

Exactly. It has nothing to do with elitism. The maps aren't any more difficult to make today than they were back in the UT1 days when Epic released bonus map packs almost every month that had unbelievable quantities of free content.

There's a really interesting article (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14640) over at bungie.net about the new map

Q: It took a matter of days to finish Chill Out in Combat Evolved, what’s the art pipeline like for doing a Halo 3 DLC map?

MM2: Well, as you can see from the side by side comparisons, there is quite a bit more complexity in a Halo 3 map than there was on Halo CE. This translates to a much longer development cycle with multiple artists working on each environment. They still begin roughly the same way with someone creating very generic spaces, basically boxes with ramps, to make sure the size of each room, the height of each walkway, the length of each jump, etc. feel right. From this point the level goes into Architecting, which is when we begin defining the final shapes and feel of each section of the level, what types of materials go where, a rough idea of how the level will be lit, things like that, so that when another artist begins working on the level, they have a fairly good idea of what the final product will look like and what they should be working towards. After that we go into Finishing which is when we really start to go over every surface and create all of the little details. Finally is Polish, where we go over the entire level with a fine-toothed comb and make sure everything looks exactly how it should.

[Sl1pstream]

I'm going back to Halo this week. I've downloaded the map, I might as well give it a go.

[digitalErich]

Bah, without fail I'm always traveling when these 1-day only things pop up on Live. Oh well, It's not like any of this would really get me back into Halo again, anyway but it's always nice to get free stuff.

Call me when they release a co-op scenario map-pack. I'd drop some serious change for that.