Previously Bungie’s Joe Staten said they didn’t think of Halo: Recon ”as a $60 title,” this was shortly after its announcement and before it name changed to ODST.
Bungie’s Brian Jerrard added they were ”not viewing this” as a full game release at the time. This E3 revealed a different assessment, with Halo 3: ODST as a full-priced retail package.
”We do not view this as a $60 title,” Staten said back then, with Jerrard adding, ”I think this is going to be a good value and a lot of content but we’re not viewing this as sort of a full game release in the sense of Halo 3.”
Today however retailers have Halo 3: ODST pegged at $59.99, with the exception of the premium pack going for $99 as a Gamestop exclusive offer. Microsoft has responded in defence of the full-price retail tag.
”At the time of those statements, the overall scope of Halo 3: ODST was not yet finalized, and since then the project has grown increasingly more ambitious. We believe this standalone experience is much more than just an expansion,” stated Microsoft.
”Halo 3: ODST provides a new campaign from the point of view of an entirely new character. Combine that with three new multiplayer maps, the entirely new cooperative mode called Firefight, and the complete Halo 3 multiplayer collection on a standalone disc, we feel this is a good value and tremendous addition to the Halo franchise.”
For avid fans of Halo 3 it’s likely you already own the multiplayer maps to be included with the new Bungie offering, meaning you’ll be repaying for already owned content really. Oh dear.
Halo 3: ODST will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 this September 22nd, see the E3 gameplay trailer below.
Source: Eurogamer
