Microsoft's Major Nelson has posted Xbox Live Marketplace's release schedule for this and next week, with Assassin's Creed II DLC tomorrow. Don't forget Halo 3's Mythic 2 Map Pack because that's out February 2nd. Dead Rising and Halo Wars are now with GOD, they so totally are.
Bungie are on a crusade to bust some myths about Halo: Reach, and one such tale is that it's being developed for Project Natal - no say devs. In fact the upcoming Halo entry is being made with the "traditional Xbox 360 controller" squarely in their thoughts. Could it still support it?
Lionhead Studios' Fable II and Ensemble Studios' Halo Wars is now part of the Classics gang for Xbox 360, which means they're cheaper. These two "blockbuster titles" have joined the "elite selection" of the Xbox 360 catalogue, with Fable II's sequel expected to showcase soon.
Developer Bungie has allayed fan fears for the Halo franchise, first by dispelling rumours it will come packed with Natal - to stay traditional. The second is that the team won't revisit Halo for some 3D work, in fact Halo: Reach is Bungie's own "final conclusion" in the Halo saga.
Bungie has confirmed that a public Beta for Halo: Reach will launch on 3rd May, 2010. This announcement comes from the ongoing X10 event in San Francisco.
Bungie's Marcus Lehto, creative director, has revealed they've kept all that we love about Halo multiplayer in Reach, but took "pretty big risks". This is Bungie's last Halo effort and they want something memorable, with Reach set as a prequel to the original game for Xbox. What risks?
Developer Bungie says they won't be shuttering Halo 3 multiplayer servers just because Reach has launched, recognising it'll take time. They know hardcore gamers can "make their livelihoods" off Halo 3, and admit it will "take awhile" for some to crossover to Halo: Reach.
Halo developer Bungie has said it "might be premature" to think they'll write off the franchise they created, leaving hope they could return to it. The studio admits they of course have a "little special place" in their hearts for Halo, but Halo: Reach is it for the "foreseeable future".
Marcus Lehto of Bungie says the team have an "MP bomb" that they'll "drop on the world" today, revealing Halo: Reach's secret online mode? The creative director would only hint this revelatory news arrives today. The multiplayer beta starts up May 3rd, with a full release this fall.
Bungie has talked about what will keep the hardcore elite from getting bored once they've maxed out Halo: Reach, and it's down to Arenas. More specifically it comes down to earning your way into divisions. This helps out newbies on the field too, as it keeps the elites off it.
The odds of a Halo movie coming out of Hollywood will be almost certain once Halo: Reach launches for Xbox 360, says Bungie's Brian Jarrard. There's "absolutely" more stories in the Halo universe after Reach, which will be the "biggest game ever". There's 'definite movie demand'.
Multiplayer ranking in Halo: Reach is up for some changes from Halo 3, with ranks now based on 'Player Investment' and not Trueskill ratings. 'Player Investment' better reflects gamers' time invested in Halo, not their skill. Pulling off daily challenges earn credits for custom Spartan gear.
Developer Bungie has revealed how for Halo: Reach they had a "very small team just after Halo 3", so they made a huge planet-wide campaign. It was so they could understand all that was happening, and begin to draft the story. They made "completely independent" and crazy missions.
Fans now have 4 names to go with the 4 beta maps Bungie will be testing with in Halo: Reach, which are all human-themed to avoid the plot. There are 2 party type maps, using modes like Headhunter and Slayer, with the 3rd hosting Generator Defense and the last remaining quiet.
Microsoft's Frank O'Connor, creative boss at 343 Industries, has reiterated they'll make a Halo movie "when the time is right." It's a game changer. It's a super game changer, in fact. Microsoft already make "tens and tens of millions" off Halo merchandise, and a film would explode that higher.
Developer Bungie admit that Halo 2's reveal at E3 back in 2003 featured a graphics engine too powerful for the original Xbox; ditched it afterward. They went "through hell" to get it up for E3, but had to admit it was "never going to work" for the full game. It just "couldn't be played" with any tech.
Ex-Ensemble and Windstorm Studios founder and boss Dusty Monk has shed light on the 'Titan' project, the Halo MMO that was canned. Some "changing of the guard" at Microsoft Game Studios altered their priorities, after seeing the major success of the Nintendo Wii.
Bungie has lifted the lid off the four game modes being included in the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta, and swear they didn't intend "crazy". They weren't designed just to "go out with a bang," said Bungie's Derek Carroll. The team remain quiet on 'Invasion', but tease vehicle warfare.
Marcus Lehto is creative director for Bungie and he's blabbed his enthusiasm to get Halo: Reach lovingly burned into our brains this E3. They've "solved some big E3 plans" this week and noting he "can't wait for you all to tune in" this E3 in June for the biggest media blowout.
For those too darn lazy to walk, crawl or get a piggy back ride to their nearest retailer for a physical copy - not to worry. Xbox 360 will get it for you. Halo 3 from team Bungie can now be bought and downloaded through Games on Demand, the Xbox Live digital game store. It costs 20 British coins.