Halo 3: ODST

[emthreepeeoh]

Not sure what its called yet. Teaser was released today:

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15574

What I've been hearing its a 3rd person squad based shooter. Much like Ghost Recon. No word on the Master Chief's involvement and seems like it takes place during the events of the main Halo 3 story line.

[Le Goat]

Red mentioned it in MS News Thread but yeah, it sounds like the squad shooter.

[Le Goat]

UPDATE] Halo 3 developer posts brief trailer showing ODSTs raining down on a city in their signature capsules; Xbox Live bills project as a "new campaign experience." http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2008/news/09/25/halo3teaser_thumb001.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198181.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;2#) More Images (9) » (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198181.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;2#) Screenshot Index » (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3untitledodstgame/images.html)

Monday night, Bungie Studios posted a teaser countdown clock on their official site, Bungie.net (http://www.bungie.net/). As has been the case in the past, it reflected the studio's obsession with the number 7. As the clock counted down to 7:07 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, it flashed a series of cryptic messages, including "Obey Posted Limits," "Pardon Our Dust," "Proceed with Caution," and "Expect Delays." When the hour was nigh, the site flashed an agonizingly long "rebooting" message, and then posted a brief teaser trailer for one of Bungie's "current projects."

Halo 3 ODST teaser
http://image.com.com/gamespot/b.gif (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3untitledodstgame/video/6198182)
Watch the USNC's feared shock troopers drop from the skies!


Watch (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3untitledodstgame/video/6198182)
Download (http://www.gamespot.com/pages/gamespace/download_ini.php?pid=&sid=6198182&mode=previews)


The trailer doesn't divulge much to the untrained eye. After showing a futuristic urban landscape, the camera--apparently one of a metropolitan artificial intelligence's video feeds--switches to show a series of what appears to be small capsules re-entering the atmosphere. After cutting to several shots of abandoned streets with gunfire in the background, the camera switches to a low-angle shot of hundreds of the capsules streaking through the sky above the city--which is suddenly wracked by a massive shockwave.
After several seconds of a black screen, a brief screen flashes for what appears to be an emergency service transmission, urging the viewer to "Please remain calm." A reboot screen then warns of "Metropolitan disaster!" and cuts to scenes of the same streets, now strewn with smoldering wreckage. A brief "Halo 3" screen pops up, followed by a ground-level shot of one of one of the capsules hurtling at--and then shattering--the camera. The trailer ends with the words "Prepare to drop" and the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live logos.
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2008/268/04odsts908_embed.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2008/268/04odsts908_screen.jpg');)
While of little significance to the casual observer, the word "drop" will have Halo fans' ears tingling. That's because the capsules belong to the Orbital Shock Drop Troopers (ODSTs, pictured top), better known as the feared futuristic paratroopers used by the United Nations Space Command (UNSC), the human alliance in the Halo franchise. The ODSTs also starred in a series of gritty live-action shorts directed by Neil Blomkamp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOvvKegdhRE), would-be director of the in-limbo Halo feature film (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6155526.html).
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2008/268/odsthevcomparison582_embed.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2008/268/odsthevcomparison582_screen.jpg');)
A side-by-side comparison of screenshots from the trailer and from prior Halo games (pictured second) clearly show the capsules have the angular silhouette and signature drag chute of the Human Entry Vehicles (HEVs) used by the ODSTs in prior Halo games. Further examination of a close-up of the capsules (third) and Halopedia (http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)'s schematic of the HEVs (bottom) confirms it is indeed the so-called "Hell-jumpers" that are raining down on the city, most likely the spaceport of New Mombasa featured in Halo 2 and 3.
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2008/268/halo3teaser_screen001463_embed.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2008/268/halo3teaser_screen001463_screen.jpg');)
Bungie reps declined to comment further on the trailer, responding to GameSpot inquires with a curt "neg[ative]." However, the project appears to be the same game that Microsoft senior vice president of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick previously stated was set to be revealed (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194658.html) at Microsoft's E3 2008 press conference before being abruptly pulled. Described as "a game" by Mattrick, the project was accompanied by the exact same countdown teaser (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194053.html) and exact same reveal time of 7:07 a.m.
http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2008/268/HEV-ODST-scaled009_embed.jpg (javascript:open_blog_image_viewer('2008/268/HEV-ODST-scaled009_screen.jpg');)
Though nothing is official yet, the title in question appears to be the "Halo Recon" project that has been rumored for months. A source told GameSpot in July the project will be "a cross between Ghost Recon and Gears of War (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193720.html)." Instead of following the Halo franchise's usual protagonist--the SPARTAN super-soldier Master Chief--it will supposedly follow the exploits of a squad of colonial marines in a "less cartoony" and "more bloody, violent, and grim" tale of a battle between UNSC forces and the pan-racial religious empire known as the Covenant.
[UPDATE] An advertisement for the trailer on Xbox Live describes the cinematic thusly: "High action and deep mystery await players in this new Halo 3 campaign experience. Prepare to drop." Halopedia's editors believe the shockwave in the city is from the Prophet's ship going warp above New Mombasa in Halo 2, raising the possibility that the project could be a Crysis Warhead (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/crysiswarhead/index.html)-style expansion that shows the game's campaign from a different perspective. However, nothing has been officially confirmed as of press time.

[emthreepeeoh]

Sweet.

I hope to god the flood don't show up in this iteration.

[zero]

This looks really interesting but it also has the possibility to be either really good or really bad hopefully they don't mess it up

[Ocelot]

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/9/2008/10/unscdrop.jpg (http://kotaku.com/5060880/halo-3-expansion-is-a-prequel-hits-fall-2009) Finally! Details! On a Bungie Halo title! The Halo 3 singleplayer expansion - first revealed in a trailer a few weeks back - now has a setting and a rough release date. The expansion will serve as a prequel to the events of Halo 3, with the player taking the role of a UNSC recon soldier, who is our "new hero" for a "new campaign". The expansion will be out in "Fall 2009", with screenshots and video expected sometime soon.

I wonder if they will add it as a huge DLC? Probably not. Sounds about in line with what most people were thinking, except those that thought it would be a 2-D platformer featuring some maintenence bot..

[Le Goat]

It will prob be DLC

[Warden]

Long as we pay for it, thats what they care about. If its over 6 hours of play time, DLC won't be possible.

[Ocelot]

I kind of hope it is over 6 hours, and that it's a nice full blown campaign. Not sure if they'll add multiplayer or what- but at the least I imagine they'll add more multiplayer maps to Halo 3. Considering this guy isn't a spartan, I am curious to know how they will manage the health regeneration, or if it will remain intact.

[The Batman]

from G4tv.com

Update: Microsoft has confirmed that Halo 3: Recon will be a full retail DVD release and it will require the previous Halo 3 title to play. No official word yet on whether the title will be offered as a DLC as well.
Shooting straight from Microsoft's Keynote at the Tokyo Game Show (http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/689940/Microsoft_Keynote_Blog_From_TGS_2008.html), Bungie finally reveals details after months of teasers regarding the new Halo 3 campaing. Titled as Recon, the upcoming addition will be a prequel to the events of Halo 3 where players will unload on some Covenant fiends as a UNSC recon soldier.
This brand new hero set on a "new campaign" is expected to arrive in Fall 2009. Make sure to check back for more updates from this year's Tokyo Game Show.

[The Batman]

From IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/917/917938p1.html

This looks fucking sweet.

Top features include the following:



All-new campaign content. The "Halo 3: Recon" campaign is an intriguing side story that takes place during the terrifying events leading up to the Master Chief's return to New Mombasa in "Halo 3." Experience the fate of Earth from the brand-new perspective of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), adding a unique outlook and new gameplay elements to the events that unfold in the trilogy's finale. While the feel of this new chapter will greatly resemble that of previous "Halo" experiences, "Halo 3: Recon" will require players to employ more elements of stealth and cunning than ever before.

A new hero: Prepare to drop. Known for their courage, valor and, at times, insanity, ODSTs are among the fiercest UNSC soldiers, priding themselves on being the first unit deployed into hostile situations. While not as large or supernaturally gifted as their Spartan comrades, these "Hell Jumpers" more than compensate with their ferocious attitudes and unwavering nerve.

Expanded multiplayer collection. No "Halo" experience would be complete without groundbreaking multiplayer content,* and "Halo 3: Recon" gives fans more of what they love. With exclusive new maps and full Forge options, players will find more multiplayer content than ever before with "Halo 3: Recon."

Ever-growing community options. Players will continue to enjoy all the great "Halo 3" technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring and four-player co-op. All of the new multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering endless gameplay customization possibilities for fans.

[Ocelot]

Nice. I thought that stealth may be the way they move this game. If you look closely at the cinematic the guy's weapon has a silencer on it, which originally tipped me off.

41060.html

[zero]

damn that looks good

[Pax Britannia]

I wonder if they decided to go down the stealth route once it became clear we werent getting MGS4 on the 360.

[Le Goat]

I wonder if they decided to go down the stealth route once it became clear we werent getting MGS4 on the 360.

No, I'm willing to bet it's more for the Movie Aspect. They couldn't fit an MC into the Main Character slot so they'll add an actual human to the hero slot and build the new movie around that AND MC. Watch and see...

[emthreepeeoh]

New trailer for what is being called Halo 3: Recon. At first I thought it was the same trailer but a las it was new.

http://i36.tinypic.com/f5d2rl.jpg

LINK (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame)

Looks cool. I like how it is Master Chief-less and focuses on another hero.

[Fiend1138]

If its over 6 hours of play time, DLC won't be possible.

How so? The Oblivion expansion 'Shivering Isles' adds over 30 hours and you can download it off of Live.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/marketplace/e/elderscrollsivoblivion/gamecontent-shiveringisles.htm

[FlyingDuffman]

It's not downloadable content... it's a new standalone game. So get out all those wallets.

I'm excited... I rather liked halo 1-3, it'll be interesting how it pans out.

[Angry Ass Messican Dude]

I think it's really cool how once the brutes were gone the A.I. kicked on the signs telling him witch way to go and lit the way. I assume to keep him out of danger or lead him to his objective. I guess the city A.I. will be kinda like this dudes Cortana.

[RedBEARD]

If this is the city's AI, the "Keep It Clean" message makes sense all of a sudden. Garbage disposal & janitorial services would be automated, most likely, in the future, so this thing's primary objective is probably to keep the city clean...Including removal of Covenant.

[opasewq]

In the latest issue of Game Informer (http://www.gameinformer.com/default.htm), you'll be able to read all about Halo 3: Recon, the upcoming expansion pack from Bungie that will follow an ODST drop soldier in a prequel to Halo 3.

Some gems of information from the magazine have leaked to the internet and we've got some juicy new details straight from Bungie.
The game will be "a three to five-hour expansion pack" that they do not view as being priced at $60.

Furthermore, players will be able to finally get a set of Recon armor by completing Vidmaster Challenge achievements included in the new game.

Halo 3: Recon is set to be released in late 2009 and will be published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox 360

[Fiend1138]

http://www.bungie.net/images/Games/JKLSKESUDLD/concept_art/characters/Halo3-ODST_CharConcept-05.jpg

[Le Goat]

http://media.1up.com/media?id=3673345&type=lg
Hope you don't mind running without shields. If Halo 3: ODST" (http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3169382) writer and creative director Joseph Staten is to be believed, Halo fans are in for quite a different experience once they take off that Spartan armor. Speaking with GamePro (http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/208610/halo-3-odst-interview-with-bungies-joseph-staten/), Staten discussed the stealthier gameplay that will make up a large part of the core of ODST. Among other things, he described the silence SMG, which he said excels at "dropping unwary, unshielded enemies." He also described new tactics for the Brutes, which he said will make them more interesting to fight.
"Brutes in ODST are much more interested in self-preservation than they were in Halo 3 which makes for terrific, multi-layered encounters. They'll lure you into traps, gang up on you - generally make you wish you'd hit them in the flanks instead of hard-charging, Spartan-style," Staten said.
While dealing with those Brutes, players will find their character to be slower, among other things, which means that they can't just sprint to safety. According to Staten, the "golden rule of ODST combat is 'look before you leap.' "
Sadly, it looks like ODST characters won't be playable in the multiplayer modes, so no extra challenge for the truly elite players. But for everybody else, it looks like ODST will have plenty to offer when it arrives this fall.

[taters]

No multi player, generic 'sneaking' style combat, prequel so no continuance of the story...why even make this game?

[Pax Britannia]

No multi player, generic 'sneaking' style combat, prequel so no continuance of the story...why even make this game?

Money.

[Le Goat]

After Bungie's public pronouncements of a budget expansion, game now full price; game retailer's bundle to include game-themed green controller.
Following a canceled E3 unveiling (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6194658.html), Halo 3: ODST was formally announced at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6198820.html) by Microsoft and Bungie Studios. At the time, the game had been billed as complementing the overall Halo 3 experience. Speaking to Game Informer magazine last fall (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6201046.html), Bungie design lead Joe Bertone described the game as "a three-to-five-hour expansion pack," with cinematic director Joe Staten adding that "we do not view this as a $60 title."

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/162/bonuscontroller546_embed.jpg (http://www.gamespot.com/images/6211932/halo-3-odst-to-cost-60-100-ce-gamestop-exclusive/1/?path=2009%2F162%2Fbonuscontroller546_screen.jpg&caption=What%2Ban%2Bextra%2B%252440%2Bbuys.&blog=1&cvr=%2FqR0)What an extra $40 buys. (http://www.gamespot.com/images/6211932/halo-3-odst-to-cost-60-100-ce-gamestop-exclusive/1/?path=2009%2F162%2Fbonuscontroller546_screen.jpg&caption=What%2Ban%2Bextra%2B%252440%2Bbuys.&blog=1&cvr=%2FqR0)

Apparently, Bungie's former owner Microsoft views things differently. Amidst the hubbub of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (http://e3.gamespot.com/) last week, the software colossus/game giant updated the fact sheet and official Halo 3: ODST page on Xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3odst/) with the game's price--a full $59.99.
In a statement provided to GameSpot, Microsoft explained its pricing decision thusly: "At the time [of Bungie's comments], the overall scope of Halo 3: ODST was not yet finalized, and since then, the project has grown increasingly more ambitious. We believe this stand-alone experience is much more than just an expansion. 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 [shown below], and the complete Halo 3 multiplayer collection on a stand-alone disc, we feel this is a good value and tremendous addition to the Halo franchise."
Halo fans with extra cash to burn can choose an even pricier version of the game. GameStop is exclusively offering a $99.99 Halo 3: ODST Collector's Pack (http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75073), which comes with a UNSC-green special edition Halo wireless controller (pictured).
All editions of Halo 3: ODST, however, have two other incentives. Besides three exclusive multiplayer maps, the game disc will contain the levels from the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack, released in April for MSP800 ($10). It will also contain an invitation to participate in the 2010 multiplayer beta of Halo: Reach (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6211445.html), Bungie's mystery-shrouded next chapter in the Halo saga.

[Pax Britannia]

I'm sold.

[Le Goat]

I'm still not entirely sure what Fire Fight is. Is it just a name or does it add something diff? I know and saw the demo, loved it, but just curious.

[Jack Bauer]

firefight sounds pretty much like horde to me