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"Halo: Reach spoiled us all. We all thought Halo 3 was cutting edge when it became the first Halo game on a current-gen console, but it was really Halo: Reach that brought the franchise to the 360 in a proper fashion. Halo 3: ODST was intended to breach the gap between the two games, and it launched about a year before Reach. I didn’t have the slightest interest in playing some quickie side-story where I wasn’t controlling a cyborg Spartan killing machine. Why play a Halo game if you’re goi..."
The first entry in a new weekly looking at different methods of Storytelling in games. This week we take a look that the silent protagonist, and compare some games that use it well with some that do not.
"The grand adventure that is Fable has never really turned out to be that grand at all. Three games into the series and I’m still waiting for the RPG experience of a lifetime Peter Molyneux keeps promising me. Maybe he should stop posing for Turtleneck Monthly every chance he gets and check in on the development of his series."
Microsoft's Halo has a big hero in big armor but here are some ways you never expected to see Master Chief as. Unless you thought about Master Chief a crime fighter, to Master Chief a drug user to a pimp!
""Halo is yours now. In many ways, it always has been. Its new caretakers will strive, just as we did, to be worthy stewards but you have the package. Hold these characters and stories and worlds to the same unflinching standards you did while we were at the helm, but allow them all to blossom and change and grow in the ways that they must."
for full story for more info."
"As 2011 gets rolling, it’s only natural to look back on 2010 and, since we’ve just made it through the first 10 years of the 2000s, the past decade as well. From 2000-2010, the game industry has seen plenty of ups and downs, and no company better exemplifies that than Microsoft. From the unassuming release of the Xbox in 2001 to the ambitious Kinect this past November, the company has had its share of hits and misses."
"Not all achievements are created equal, however. Some, or maybe I should even say MOST, are pretty easy to complete. I mean, upon release, Microsoft allows developers to include a variable number (typically around fifty) of achievements for a total gamerscore of 1000 points, so a large percentage of achievements are awarded for beating campaign chapters on any difficulty or for performing tasks that must be completed in order to complete a game. That’s not to say that all chapter-completion s..."
IGN ponder one of the greatest mysteries that face gamers today: Why don't we finish more video games? No matter how much money seems to be spent on a game, the price never guarentees completion. Why is that? IGN attempt to delve into the minds of gamers world wide in order to answer this question. Personally, I think it's down to the fact that games get awefully pretencious after you've poured oh-so-many hours into them. But, what do you think?
"Since Halo: Combat Evolved, the multiplayer Bungie has produced is practically unparalleled on consoles, with each title reinventing and complicating the formula, establishing its own identity along the way."
"In an interview with Develop, the studio's communications manager, Brian Jarrard revealed that Bungie is building brand new internal tech for their next game. Development for the Activision published title is well under way."
The Halo series is one of the best series franchise that was ever created, and it is one of the most hyped title. The series started with Halo: Combat Evolved and the latest is Halo Reach, no wonder why this series has this much of popularity, it all started from the very first killer app. The series has an overall natural feeling of epicness for the fans, the answer to the question is the fan. Without the existence of the loyal Halo fan, it wouldn't be that popular.
The game has a story t...
While we all want our games to be better the second time round, many suffer from over compensation, or in some cases, they change developers all together, and the character of the game changes.
Sometimes for the better, sometimes not so. OXCGN looks at 5 different franchises in its first of several game comparisons, come check them out and have your say.
"Let's take step back: it is now November 2001. The internet still isn't big, broadband is a pushing innovation, and that brand new "Xbox" launched from Microsoft. But what did that big, ugly system have that made anyone want it? The PS2 install base was already huge, and Gamecube had launched 3 days before it, setting it at a bad starting point ($300 for a gaming console was quite ridiculous at that time). But something strange happened. Word started getting around of a game on the Xbox that ..."
Halo 3: ODST and Left 4 Dead 2 will be re-released in Japan under the Platinum Collection label, which is the Japanese equivalent to Platinum Hits in North America.
"NBC station KSDK in Texas has a story about an 11-year old boy who received pornographic pictures through Xbox LIVE while playing Halo online with people he didn't know. The mother was correct to report the incident to the police and to Microsoft but the Xbox 360 also contains many parental controls to prevent Xbox LIVE from becoming XXXbox LIVE for your kids. This article will take a look at the steps needed to ensure your child doesn't talk with someone or view something you don't want."
"I am speaking of video games of course, but I realize some of you may feel the need to indulge that barbaric tradition of lighting things on fire and watching stuff blow up. Fortunately, the world of gaming offers several easy (and safer) methods of satisfying your craving for ‘splosions."
Xbox Evolved posts a new video about the new Red versus Blue epispode created by Rooster Teeth Productions using the Halo series in this Machinima creation.
"Memorial Day is more than just another day for you to head over to your neighbors, have a beer, a burger and trade the latest stories. It’s a day when you remember the veterans who’ve sacked up to travel the world over and defend the freedoms we hold near and dear by doing the job that needs to be done. While there are multiple dynamics to how Warfighters get said mission accomplished – it sometimes results in the need to annihilate enemies with grim precision. As it has always been with Vide..."
"Both Sony and Microsoft could learn a little something from Nintendo and how they handle their major franchises and mascots. Microsoft has milked the Halo franchise to the point that the original developer can’t stand the idea of making another one. Sony on the other hand has pushed the God of War franchise a bit too much (six releases, with a seventh coming in Ghost of Sparta in under five years), but hasn’t sacrificed quality for quantity as fans of the series and critics alike both rave ab..."
"Halo is one of those game franchises that, like the Mario and Zelda before it, really doesn't need an introduction. The first game in the series was released in 2001, as a launch title for the original Xbox. Since then, the series has gone to spawn numerous sequels and spinoffs, including the upcoming Halo: Reach. To celebrate this anticipated event, here are some little known facts about the franchise that redefined online console gaming, and made dual wielding guns feel totally new even tho..."
"Guinness World Records revealed its reader-voted list of the "Top 50 Videogame Series" of all time, with Bungie's flagship franchise Halo taking the number one spot. The company, which tracks and recognizes record-breaking achievements, notes that the series is the "Best-Selling First-Person Shooter (FPS) Franchise Ever", too."
"But Infinity Ward are shedding staff like nobody's business - and the MW franchise is 'damaged', according to rival EA. Who better to save the Modern Warfare series from oblivion than the most celebrated FPS developer in the world?
Bungie and Activision are bosom buddies - and it's not as if the publisher doesn't have the money and power to (a) Increase Bungie's headcount so it can work on two projects and (b) Change the Washington-based firm's mentality of concentrating solely on one IP."
The top Live titles from 3rd May - 10th May.
1 Modern Warfare 2
2 Halo 3: ODST
3 Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta (Pre-order the game)
4 Halo 3
5 Call of Duty: WaW
6 FIFA 10
7 Battlefield Bad Co. 2
8 GTA IV
9 Call of Duty 4
10 Gears of War 2
All Age Gaming's John Elliott brings us the 5th developer profile. This fortnight he looks at renowned Halo series developer BUNGIE. See inside for a look into the famous Xbox developer.
"Because of the release of the Halo: Reach Beta, we’ve decided to make a little review of the huge Halo series. It is time, as Halo: Reach marks the conclusion of a grand series, to consider what the franchise created and developed in order to understand its future."
"The Halo franchise on the original Xbox and Xbox 360 is one of the biggest in gaming. It covers not only the successful trilogy of games and two side games (Halo Wars and Halo 3: ODST) but also books, toys, board games, slurpees, animated movies, live-action commercials, and almost a full live-action movie. So where does Bungie take the next project? "Even bigger and better" according to design director Joe Stanten."
"When it comes to games, this generation of home consoles hasn't seen nearly as many exclusive as systems in the past did. But both Sony and Microsoft have done quite well at securing a few great exclusives each. And of course we're running down the sexiest female characters to appear in those titles. We did a list of the top five sexiest female characters to appear in Playstation 3 exclusives last week and we have to show the same respect to the women of the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 made it pre..."
"Microsoft has dropped the ball in so many instances now that it may be completely impossible to recover. Fans of the mega-company's gaming hardware have to face some facts at this point when it comes to the franchises that Microsoft had used to establish the Xbox brand in the first place. They're gone."
"In addition to the success of 4J Studios’ conversion of Perfect Dark, Microsoft has published the titles leading the race for Xbox LIVE activity on both Xbox 360 and the original Xbox systems, as well as the top selling titles on the often overlooked Xbox LIVE Indie Games channel."
Through March 27th Amazon.com is offering $50 gift card with purchase of Xbox 360 2010 Spring Bundle. With free shipping and no taxes in most states this is the best promotion ever available for this brand new bundle featuring Halo 3: ODST and Forza 3.
"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 22nd March, 2010 - From today, Microsoft is shipping the new Xbox 360 Easter pack, which offers more value than ever. For the same price of $449*RRP, the Xbox 360 Elite console now comes with two highly acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusives: "Halo 3: ODST" and "Forza Motorsport 3." The Xbox 360 Elite Easter pack is perfect for those who want a premium gaming and entertainment experience."
All Age Gaming's Ian Crane and Sussan Nunez attended a Microsoft event where Robbie Bach, Microsoft’s President of Entertainment & Devices Division spoke about Microsoft's Surface and Project Natal. Ian and Sussan give a full low down on the event and some technical discussion on the two technologies.
"Here, in no specific order, are 10 things you need to know coming out of X10 today:
• The Halo Reach multiplayer beta will kick off on May 3. You will be able to access the beta via the Halo 3: ODST game disc.
• Dead Rising 2 will release in North America on Aug. 31, Japan on Sept. 2 and Europe on Sept. 3.
• Dead Rising: CASE ZERO an exclusive download only on Xbox LIVE, will launch prior to the full game and provide a playable prologue that bridges the story between the two titles.
• Ala..."
"Nothing is certain in today’s game industry. But the closest you’ll come to a sure thing is that movies based on video games suck. There are exceptions, sure. But most of the time, gamers end up regretting their ticket purchase after watching their favorite game get some off the wall adaption on the silver screen that fails to encompass any of the elements that made the game so good. So to save the movie industry some time, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 games that need to get big screen ..."
"Mythic 2 Map Pack will be available on Xbox LIVE for 800 Microsoft Points. Mythic Map Pack 1 and 2 are also included in Halo 3: ODST, which includes the complete Halo 3 multiplayer map collection, an all-new campaign and the incredibly popular cooperative experience, Firefight. Halo 3: ODST will act as a key to the upcoming Halo: Reach multiplayer beta which goes live later this Spring."
"Facelifts and other forms of cosmetic surgery aren’t just for aging MILFs, dried-up Hollywood C-listers and 40 stone blobs who have to get forklifted out of their beds. No, sometimes our favourite game stars need a bit of a nip and tuck too. After all, there’s no point battling hordes of the undead or saving the planet from a cult of religious alien zealots if you’re sporting last season’s armour or an out of date ‘do. In the spirit of self improvement, the following image-conscious character..."
"When a phrase catches on, it really catches on. You can't turn a corner in the internet gaming community without seeing an article complaining about Nintendo's laziness. IGN is already plagued with two of them.
But the sheer mind-crushing irony of these articles almost makes them too funny to complain. The pot really is calling the kettle black. Has anyone ever taken their crosshairs off of Nintendo to aim at the same old song and dance that other developers are cashing in on? Apparently n..."
"Deciding the victor in terms of unique users that have logged-on to play online, Halo 3 remains the most popular Xbox LIVE title of the 2009 calendar year. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 take second and third place respectively, while Call of Duty: World at War and Gears of War 2 manages to round-out the top five. Resident Evil 5, however, has been split into two entries – that of the North American and European release, and that of the Japanese title under ..."
"Last year, 2009, turned into a sensational twelve months for Activision as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 ended the year as the best-selling videogame topping the coveted 2009 All Formats Chart, according to data released today by ELSPA/GfK Chart-Track. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has continued to set new records since its release in November last year, grossing more than £67 million in its first week of sales."
"As games get more cinematic, the trailers are only going to get more elaborate. This year brought us great efforts from the likes of Bungie, Rockstar and Valve, with trailers featuring everything from live action sequences to the voice talents of Patrick Stewart. Here are some of our favorites."
". This is neither the "best of" or a "top 10" list, but rather a look at some of the coolest game trailers released during the year that got our blood pumping and our thumbs sweaty. And just so some of the really cool trailers don't feel left out, they made it into the nominees' listing. So everyone wins, sort of"
"Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
Halo 3: ODST
Halo Wars
Katamari Forever
Killzone 2
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
The Maw"
""This is a very useful video guide that will help you locate the all-important Audio Logs in Halo 3: ODST for the Xbox 360. If you get all thirty audio logs, they will combine to form a meta-game entitled 'Sadie’s Story'. In addition, finding the logs will also unlock several Achievements."
"
"It’s easy to see that video games make perfect gifts and the best time to shop for those lucky people on your receiving list would be now. With retailers preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday as Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaches, chances are, you’ve already seen some great offers. But let’s not decide on anything just yet. After all, what fun is it to gift-giving if that special gamer doesn’t enjoy it right?"
"10. Resident Evil 5 - Capcom
Outstanding graphics and the addition of Co-op play to Capcom's long running Survival Horror series place Resident Evil 5 in our number 10 spot. Plagued with controversy over charging extra for multiplayer, an antiquated control system, and what some might call a racial slant to the game, Capcom still managed to craft one of the most entertaining gaming experiences of the year. Now if they could only make the Resident Evil series scary again....ah if wishes were ..."
Celebrating the 360's fourth anniversary IGN takes a look at the top 25 games on the console including some new and old releases over the years. The list is comprised of a wide variety of genres and features XBLA games for those looking for something on a budget. 360 owners can see what they've missed out on and put on their list for the holiday season.
"Article Excerpt:
"I can hear what you are saying to yourself right now, and your cheetos are in the second drawer. (Underneath where you keep your silverware.) That's not what you are thinking? Oh. You are questioning my title with outrage and anger. "Why Hamsterfist you are crazy!" There are plenty of great games released this fall, none of which are disappointing. Now who's the lunatic? You, my dear reader are. But the advertisers and game developers thank you for rushing to the defense..."
Black Friday is right around the corner gamers and AnalogHype has the Ultimate Gamer's Black Friday guide to help you navigate through the madness. The guide includes the stores to get consoles, games, and tips on how to survive the event with some money left in your pocket.
"Halo Waypoint, the new virtual home for all things Halo, launches today on Xbox LIVE, and will be the exclusive destination for full-episode previews of Halo Legends beginning Saturday, November 7th 2009. Available for Halo fans worldwide following a successful preview period, Halo Waypoint brings all the richness of the Halo universe together in one place. Halo Waypoint features daily updates of fresh, exciting content such as developer interviews, trailers and screenshots, exclusive video f..."
Ah it's that time of year again, when you're going to be browsing websites or running to the mall for last-minute gift-giving. I mean, really, who does Christmas shopping before the week of? Pfft.
So here's part one of our annual holiday guide. In these pages you'll find hardware and video game gift ideas. Basically we look at our reviews from 2009 and gather them up if our staff liked the products. If you're wondering why we haven't included any of the major upcoming titles, keep in ...
"Halo is arguably one of the most recognizable gaming franchises in the industry today. Halo Combat Evolved was singlehandedly responsible for not only selling an insane amount of Xbox machines and securing Microsoft’s place in the console gaming world but also for bringing developer Bungie out of relative obscurity and catapulting them up to compete with the big boys. However, the Halo sequels have often been criticized for being too derivative and for failing to push the envelope. So when..."
"Of the publishers taking steps to combat the pre-owned effect, Microsoft has been most obvious in their approach. The recent, and hugely successful launch of Halo 3: ODST saw retail discs accompanied by the promise of an invitation to join the Halo Reach Beta Testing Phase in 2010 – but only as long as the retail disc remained in your possession."
"For the campaign of Halo 3: ODST, players take control of the squad’s newest member: “The Rookie”. For contextual reasons unknown, although possibly due to some sort of hilarious military hazing ritual, Rookie never speaks or removes his helmet. He may also have to do the rest of the squad’s washing up and laundry, although the game doesn’t let you stay on your drop ship long enough to find out. The action takes place somewhere around the end of Halo 2 in the series’ chronology. The ODST ..."
The NPD Group has released their hardware and software numbers for the month of September, representing sales for the United States for the five week period of August 30th to October 3rd.
Notables this month:
Hardware numbers:
NDS: 524.2k (104.84k per week)
PS3: 491.8k (98.36k per week)
WII: 462.8k (92.56k per week)
360: 352.6k (70.52k per week)
PSP: 190....
2009 has been a great year for us gamers. While there are still a few anticipated AAA titles to come, we have hand picked 6 games that have already been released that will more than likely be on the shortlist for the 2009 Game Of The Year.
"With Bungie obviously eager to explore new facets of the Halo universe, it’s staggering as to why they didn’t explore equally new facets of game play, either. The weapons, vehicles, and enemies of ODST are, at best, shinier, slightly prettier versions of their two-year old counter-parts. That’s not to say there’s no improvement, because there is. But ultimately, Halo 3: ODST is a step sideways rather than a step forward."
Ah yes, another Halo game. Like 'em or not, the franchise is showing no signs of slowing down. Bungie brings us Halo 3: ODST this year, utilizing a little more creative freedom with Master Chief out of the picture.
It's a solid game -- a little bit of the old along with all the new stuff. Definitely a must-try for Halo fans, or even those looking for an enjoyable multiplayer shooter.
Hopefully this is the last late review you have to put up with / we have to push out.
All Age Gaming's Phong Nguyen bring's us the 12th AAG "The Week That Was". This week he discusses Halo 3: ODST's sales performance, the Uncharted 2 MP demo, Playstation Home update, Wii Fit Plus and New Super Mario Bros release dates and more!
"The M12 ‘Warthog’ LRV is an A-reg 1984 Land Rover Defender 110, rescued from the GumTree 4×4 yard before its eventual scrapping due to MoT failure. Rebuilt by Props Studios, the vehicle has been fitted with an entirely new body and lifted suspension, along with as a heap of other modifications. It’s thought that the vehicle will arrive in London in full working order."
A few hilarious satires of warning labels from some choice games going all the way back to the SNES and Genesis. If you are in the mood for a quick chuckle, check out some of the images.
"Bungie got fed up with making smash hit titles and slightly tweaking the game to improve upon a winning formula to take a gamble on a different genre of game while being forced to stick to the Halo name.
The game falls short of being a successor of Halo 3, while failing at striking out to become a more realistic and adult shooter. It's also extremely short, with virtually no replay value. It feels as though this should have been a DLC side mission rather than a full priced retail game."
"This walk through will provide you with the easiest, fastest route from beginning to the end of the campaign. Please note, this guide will most likely contain some spoilers but I have done my utmost to keep things as vague as possible."
"Well Halo 3: ODST has finally hit stores worldwide and boy what a lead up it has been. With the Real life Warthog dropping in Sydney for gamers to see and feel, Midnight launches around EB and special offers all throughout the Xbox Community, it seems that ODST has been much more well received instead of being labeled a hyped up meh!! game.
Coming in a 2 disc format with Disc 1 containing the main ODST campaign and Co-Op Firefight, with Disc 2 containing all 24 maps for Halo 3 Online Multi..."
Halo 3 ODST just got cheaper with more savings from retailers. With a 15% off the original price seem like its worth it for fans of the series. Check it out yourselves to see if its worth the price for you.
"ODST. Your first question when Bungie renamed this game from HALO 3: Recon to ODST was probably, what the heck is ODST. It stands for Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, they are a group of the hardest and most deadly soldiers in the UNSC (think the equivalent to our Navy Seals). Also referred to as Hell-jumpers because of the unique way they are inserted into battle. Their mode of transportation is a small 1 person drop pod which is fired from the UNSC ships above the battlefield. They don’t have sh..."
All Age Gaming's John Elliott takes a look at the newest entry in the Halo series, Halo 3: ODST. Is ODST just an expansion as many have claimed or is there enough packed in to warrant the full game price. Read on to find out.
"Halo 3: ODST provides a short prequel to Halo 3 and bridging chapter to the events occurring in New Mombasa after the cataclysmic event that befell it in Halo 2. With your squad mates, players are dropped into the city just as a massive explosion decimates the surface below. Consequently the squad is separated and players must take up the role of the Rookie as he battles for survival in a city now teeming with hostile elements. As he struggles to reunite with his friends, the rookie must unco..."
"Despite the absence of one Master Chief, Halo 3: ODST delivers a genuine game of Halo. The fine tuning of level structure, weapon balance and enemy placement are immaculately cohesive in their design, and the plot is stretched just as thin despite the surprisingly interesting premise. To regard Halo 3:ODST as a compliment to Halo 3 may well be the most fitting appraisal, but to suggest that it hasn’t justifiably made the leap from expansion to a full-priced retail boxed product would be compr..."
OXCGN's Alex Baldwin does the first of several Halo ODST reviews from OXCGN. Alex does his bit going through the Campaign Mode in Single Player. The Co-Op and Multiplayer aspects will come in separate reviews, as many do prefer one mode over the other, so OXCGN have done it "a little bit different" this time round.
Slip over and check it out, plus some great pics and even artwork.
"Today is a special day for the majority of 360 gamers… today once again is Halo day. The day when some people stay up until the wee hours of the morning just to play their game first or for some of us more ’sane’ people (like me) who wake up at around 9am… they might make it down to store sometime during the daytime to pick their shiny new copy of Halo: ODST.
So with glee I downed my bowl of Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut breakfast cereal (get on this people, its good stuff) as quick as I could. ..."
"Halo WayPoint is a new destination on Xbox LIVE for Halo fans around the world. It will inform fans of the latest Halo news and activities, and grant access to content ranging from interviews, trailers and screenshots, to exclusive video footage and community content that you won’t find anywhere else. This along with more features is finally up today."
Unless you've been living under a rock you probably are aware that Halo 3: ODST is available in all stores everywhere today 09.22.09. Bungie has given Xbox Live users a little treat for the release of the game.
All Age Gaming's Ian Crane last night attended one of the many midnight launches held for the newest entry into the Halo series, Halo 3: ODST. Ian gives us his thoughts on his late night launch experience.
"Electronic Theatre representatives made their way down to the local city centre to deliver you a first-hand account of the festivities, with GAME stores nationwide reopening at 11:30pm last night with the specific intention of placing Halo 3: ODST in as many Xbox 360 gamers’ hands as possible."
"Throughout the course of this past weekend, September 17th – 20th, the Paris Game Festival took place over on the continent, showcasing some of the best games of this year and the hopefuls for 2010. Big name publishers such as Microsoft, Sony, Activision, Electronic Arts, Nintendo and Square Enix were joined by a raft of development studios and accessory manufacturers, each attempting to wow their audience with their latest and greatest releases."
Spawn Kill writes about the upcoming race for this year's GOTY crown, and a few of its main contenders. The article also covers how GOTY is usually determined and how the chances are looking for certain contenders this year. Teabags also reveals his hand, guessing that huge sales will stand for nothing as he hopes Uncharted 2: Among Thieves will rise to the top.
"ODST Is almost here...As we all make preparations for Tuesday the 22nd of September to perhaps take time off work? Skip school? Go to the midnight launch and sleep all day? Or maybe simply to just pick it up at the end of the day. This all could be void since the retailer GAME, has shipped Halo: ODST early to many online buyers.
Reports are coming in from various websites such as Whirlpool, Palgn or Xbox.com.au that buyers have already received their copies."
Unleash your inner fanboy with Xbox 360 inspired Zune HD Originals. Custom backgrounds, colors and everything else you need to make your new Zune HD match your favorite Xbox 360 games.
"Sumthing Else Music Works, through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack featuring the original musical score from the highly anticipated videogame Halo 3: ODST composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori. The 2-disc set will be released simutaneously with the game on 22nd September 2009 to retail outlets through Sumthing Else Music Works www.sumthing.com, and will be available for digital download on Sumthing Digital ..."
Can't wait for Halo 3: ODST? Feel like being a jerk and watching the ending before you earn it by beating the game on Legendary difficulty? You're in luck because the French have leaked the Legendary ending cinematic.
The video is in French but has English subtitles. Video is at the source -- just watch at your own risk!
For those of you who haven't figured it out yet:
THIS IS A MASSIVE SPOILER.
A look at the top five exclusive games coming out this fall for the Xbox 360. If you're excited about the upcoming titles releasing on the Xbox 360 this fall, then this is the list to see.
All Age Gaming's Ian Crane takes a look at the next game in the Halo branded games, Halo 3:ODST. Is ODST just an expansion of Halo 3, or is it a worthy game in its own right? Read on to find Ian's early impressions.
"Halo Wars was a test bed for Microsoft. Once it sold a million copies. Microsoft knew that they could turn the franchise into different genre brands. They also knew that they couldn't sell Halo 3: ODST for the “budget price” of a expansion that they spoke of at E3 2008 because Halo Wars sold so well."
All Age Gaming's John Elliott looks at the tough decision most of us face over the next few months each year, what games(s) do I buy with so many good ones coming out? John gives us his Top 5 games to get for the Xbox 360 this holiday season.
A list of the top games you should look into while making your September gaming purchases. With every system offering a solid game this month, you'll definitely be buying a couple games this month for one of your favorite systems.
Looks like some gamers got there hands on Halo 3 ODST a month before there release date. Microsoft is investigating this problem and going to take action on the people who been playing on live with the game
With all the talk about the PS3 Slim and the Xbox 360's price drop, All Age Gaming takes a look at the value of money of the consoles now and whether the 360 has the quality exclusives it needs to stop potential console buyers swaying towards the PS3.
"Microsoft has released a brand new Halo 3: ODST trailer this weekend, showcasing the new co-operative gameplay mode, Firefight. This second Halo 3: ODST “ViDoc” gives Sgt. Johnson the spotlight, allowing the man with the plan to deliver your objective with his typically candid wit."
ALex Baldwin takes a look at how gaming could be influenced by the new trend in Sci-Fi Movie making as games ideally mature. Majority of these titles are aimed at mature audiences, so games need to move ahead, Slip over and see what Alex has to say on the matter.
And what Halo the MOvie could have been,perhaps now the powers to be might allow the movie to be made ? One never knows in the land of movie making.
"Bungie is trying to make entry into Halo: Reach's beta as easy as possible -- at least if you pick up Halo 3 ODST next month. Bungie explained to Joystiq at GamesCom ODST's main menu will host an "extras" tab, which will contain access to the Reach beta once it activates sometime next year.
Bungie considers the beta to be "a big part of the value of the disc." And as much as the studio hopes that the beta launch will "work like buttah," we're already preparing to shut down our tips box on ..."
"Eurogamer has announced that twelve of the games industry's biggest publishers have signed up for this year’s Eurogamer Expo. Sony, Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Ubisoft will all bring playable games to the event, along with Eidos, SEGA, Capcom, Konami, 2K Games, Bethesda, Namco Bandai and Deep Silver."
"Receiving far less attention than both Halo 3 and Halo Wars have prior to and since their respective releases, Halo 3: ODST may not be the show stealing release Microsoft and developer Bungie have been hoping. Though the game will undoubtedly sell well, any chances of it being a record breaker seem decidedly slim at present, and the two companies responsible are undoubtedly aware of that."
"Blend Games has now revealed that several thousand votes had been cast, and in a shocking revelation declared M.A.G. the undeniable champion. With nearly three quarters of all votes cast going in it’s favour, Zipper Interactive’s M.A.G. has obviously reached a boiling-point of anticipation."
OXCGN had the opportunity to go early to the Xbox, Bungie event last Thursday and get a ride in the real-life Halo Warthog, talk with Curtis Creamer, and have over 1.5hrs hands-on with the upcoming Halo 3: ODST . . .
See how Bungie, WETA Studios and Microsoft presented this event in their usual high dollar fashion, it was an excellent night, and yes, the warthog ('Hog) is fully operational!
"RatedG4Gamer Johnny was present at the Halo: ODST Event held at Cockatoo Island. Curtis Creamer from Bungie was present along with a real life Warthog that was developed by Weta Workshop and used in for the Halo movie shorts."
"Fans of the Halo series really just have to be pinching themselves. Halo 3 still rules Xbox Live activity, Halo Wars gives us command the universe and Halo 3: ODST is right around the corner.
What more could you want? What's that? A new ODST trailer and twitter account to follow? Done. How about a Halo website that meets all your Halo needs? Check. Sorry Halo haters."
"Good morning. You seem to be up pretty late by our clock - it's past midnight. What's the matter, can't sleep? Yeah, us neither.
Since you're already here, might as well settle in, make yourself comfortable, and fire up our latest Halo 3: ODST ViDoc. It's takes a good look at Sgt. Buck and his squad of battle-hardened ODSTs. The very same squad you'll be dropping into New Mombasa with, so you should spend some time and get cozy with this crew. Of course, if you're in a time zone wher..."
"In the end it all goes back to Beattie's quote. With four bestselling games (and two more on the way), several comic book series, a whole library of novels, toys from a variety of companies (including a few exclusive designs that were only available at Comic-Con), continued efforts to create a movie and now a compilation of anime episodes, Halo has become one of the biggest cross-media franchises in the world. While Star Wars is still a bit of a stretch, the adventures of Master Chief and the..."
"When asked by Eurogamer whether one of its unannounced titles is indeed Halo 4, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford replied “we're not going to talk about anything”, after which a PR representative reportedly terminated the interview, stating simply “we can’t talk about that”.
In total Pitchford refused to answer the question four times.
Bungie recently admitted that once the upcoming Halo: ODST and next year’s Halo: Reach are out of the way, it is likely to step away from the cult shooting ..."
"Our time at the Halo 3: ODST press event wasn’t all hands off. Whilst we weren’t able to get any hands on time with ODST’s single player campaign, savoring what we saw from our demonstration, we tucked into some serious downtime with the new co-operative multiplayer mode Firefight."
"The staff from Electronic Theatre have joined us to break down which game deserves your vote: M.A.G or Halo 3:ODST. The entire thing will take place over the course of three rounds with one round per week. This week, we cover the topic of Multiplayer Versatility."
"We all know how big a nerd Marc Ecko is; he says it himself all the time. In fact he loves video games so much he helped produce his own game called Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. It was released three years ago and received decent reviews. His love for video games doesn’t stop there; today Ecko has released a Limited Edition line of Halo T-shirts."
With this years iteration on the Halo franchise vastly approaching LVLONE gives you a little sneak peak on what you can aspect from HALO 3 ODST. Set to take place before the events of Halo 3, war is upon them and its the drop soldiers jobs to figure out what exactly went on down there.
"Microsoft and Bungie have today released the details the on three yet to be unveiled multi-player maps for the forthcoming Halo 3: ODST. Due for release on September 22nd, 2009, Halo 3: ODST will follow in the footsteps of Crackdown, offering those who purchase the title the chance to participate in the Beta testing phase of the next Halo release, Halo Reach. Halo 3: ODST will have a suggested retail price of £39.99 and is rated PEGI 16+. A collector's edition will also be available, details ..."
Halo 3: ODST is coming and it's going to be big, but now it's going to be bigger. Why? Because ODST is going to be released with the Halo Reach beta so now fans can get a little taste of what a true next-gen Halo will look, feel, and play like.
"Infinity Ward is arguably the king of first person shooters. After producing the stunning Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, they are hard at work getting there latest game, Modern Warfare 2 ready for release in November."
Bungie creative director, Joseph Staten, sat down to talk with the Seattle Times in a recent interview and offered some news about the upcoming Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach. He said how that ODST will be more dramatic than previous games and will have a mystery aspect to it as you piece together what happened to the rest of the ODSTs. However, the notable thing he mentions is that the city in ODST will be like "an 'open world' model popularized by the 'Grand Theft Auto' games." Players can ch...
"In what will assuredly not be the last leak of the summer from Halo 3: ODST as we lead up to its fall release, allegedly, the entire achievement list has hit YouTube via Game-Tuts. While the list doesn't reveal any shocking surprises, it does tell us quite a bit about where the game's campaign mode will take us.
"
With the earlier Halo 3: ODST press release reiterating information from E3, we also have new screenshots from Bungie -- and a hi-res cutout shot of the guy.
All three feature the pre-order bonus character Sgt. Johnson in Firefight.
"Microsoft has today revealed the official pre-order incentive for the forthcoming Halo 3 ODST, due for release across Europe on September 22nd, 2009. There's no word yet on whether this will include the Halo 3: ODST Collector's Edition previously revealed by Electronic Theatre, but is available alongside the Halo: Reach beta promotion revealed at Microsoft's Pre-E3 Press Conference."
"One question that should be raised, however, is that of the announcement of Halo: Reach. Will the Halo franchise looking set to receive an annual outing, could the early announcement of the next instalment see consumers loose faith in Halo 3: ODST as a full retail product?"
Those of you who've been following news on the latest Halo title about to hit shelves might remember that back in the early stages of the game, Bungie had announced that they wouldn't charge gamers 60 bucks for the game. However, retailers have shown to be charging $59.99 for the game and $99 for the premium pack which features the Halo 3: ODST controller. So, what's changed since then? According to Bungie, they've added a lot more content than they had initially planned back when the first a...
Okay, so we're all well aware that Halo 3: ODST was not the biggest attraction at E3 this year. It maintains enough popularity and support for Microsoft to keep their appointment books tight, severely limiting the number of people who got to see the in-depth demo behind closed doors.
Design director Paul Bertone and Firefight lead designer Lars Bakken (awesome, awesome name) manned the demo and divulged all they could without absolutely spoiling the whole thing. No videos or photos were ...
GameObserver takes a hands-on look at Microsoft's upcoming Halo 3: ODST, a game based around a recruit Orbital Drop Shock Trooper who is embroiled in an epic story. The game promises a new, darker look, which might just be what the franchise needs for a change of pace.
"E3 has come and gone, but has left a plethora of gaming announcements in its wake. Arguably, Microsoft boasted the most exciting and surprising conference out of the three, with mentions of big name titles such as Forza, Left for Dead and Alan Wake, as well as system updates and even a whole new motion capture idea dubbed Project Natal, that's under development. In case you missed the happenings of E3, I'll do a quick run through of Microsoft's conference, and give you a run down of Project N..."
"June 2009:
* Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again (DSi) - 6/8/09 ♦
* PROTOTYPE - 6/9/09 ♦ ♦ ♦
* EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis - 6/10/09 ♦ ♦ ♦
* Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 - 6/10/09 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
* The Conduit - 6/23/09 ♦
* Fight Night Round 4 - 6/25/09 ♦ ♦
* Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood - 6/30/09 ♦ ♦ ♦
* Mushroom Wars - 6/30/09 ♦
July 2009:
* Hannah Montana PSP bundle ♦
* NCAA Football 10 - 7/14/09 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
* Unbound Saga - 7/16/09 ♦
..."
"The Halo trilogy has taken millions of players world-wide on an epic, exciting and sometimes emotional journey of hope, despair and survival against all odds. As Microsoft's flagship franchise, we would all be silly for thinking they might sit there and let it go stale."
"Followers of the Halo series will be eagerly anticipating the latest release due on September 22nd 2009; Halo 3: ODST. However, many may have become despondent by the teasing titbits Microsoft has been proffering to the public about said game the over the last year. Well finally, Electronic Theatre can offer you some genuine news about one of the more interesting features of the new release; Firefight."
"At a press event last night, Bungie's Joseph Staten teased that the Halo 3: ODST controller's cryptic text should provide some clues into the mysteries of New Mombasa (if he did his job correctly, he said). Since our ability to decipher Bungie's clues has always left something to be desired (what's a Master Chief?), we thought we'd take some close-ups and ask The Internet to give it a shot.
So, The Internet, tell us: what secrets does this controller hold? We'll scrub through your comments..."
"Following their Pre-E3 Press Conference last night in Los Angeles, Microsoft have today revealed details on a special edition retail release of Halo 3: ODST, Halo 3: ODST Collector’s Pack, due to launch in Europe simultaneously on September 22nd, 2009."
Teaser video as seen at E3 2009 Xbox 360 Media Briefing. Halo Reach will arrive some time in 2010, and a beta key is to be made available upon the launch of ODST.
"At approximately 6:28pm GMT this evening, Microsoft kick-started this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) with their invitation-only Press Conference, highlighting the forthcoming year of Xbox 360 events. Electronic Theatre now brings you the full rundown of the event, with an insightful analysis of how each revelation will affect you, and the way you play games."
That's right folks, the release date for Halo 3: ODST has been announced for September 22nd 2009, and the game will include a Multiplayer Beta of Halo: Reach. Keep tuned for more details as they come.
"The gaming world is gearing up for this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, which is arguably one of the most exciting times of the year in this industry. Many games will be showcased and as with past shows, there are likely a few surprises in store as well.
A wide array of first and third person shooters have been confirmed to appear at this year’s event. Here is a look at some of the ones that we’re interested in getting a glimpse at the most:"
This is a must download of The Bender this week. We preview EVERYTHING that will happen and E3 (and even things that might not happen). The show runs a little longer than usual and we cut the news down to a minimal as we all get excited for our trip to E3! Grab the MP3 by clicking here or load us up in iTunes by clicking here
Well the figures speak for themselves, and one would wonder - what's next and why are they clearing the decks. My money has ALWAYS been on the fact the next new motherboard, Valhalla will heard in the X720.
With movement like this, it could be the case, and not in 2012 as some have said, but mention of it will be in late 2009 with possible release alongside the current 360 in 2010
"ID Software was once the king of the first person shooter genre. They started it all with their iconic game Wolfeinstein and later on down the track the Doom series. Rage will be using ID’s new game engine labelled “id Tech 5” and at this stage it will have a mix of the FPS genre along with racing. Not a lot is known about Rage but what we do know so far is that Rage takes place in a post-apocalyptic world similar to the Mad Max movies. Designer Tim Willits revealed that the game takes place ..."
Though Bungie has long since departed from Microsoft, the makers of the Xbox 360 have no intention of letting one of the biggest gaming franchises ever go to waste. During the weekend, Microsoft dropped a hint about the future of the Halo series and franchise, by way of a job listing on their website. Calling it an "immersive new world", it's evident Microsoft plans to further the franchise past FPS and RTS and give us a taste of a Massively Multiplayer Online Halo game.
"So the Game Developers Conference’s 09 (GDC’s) brought a couple of surprises so far. A new Zelda for the DS, third party motion controls for 360, a new Ratchet & Clank for our PS3 comrades, and the entry of Warner Bros to the fray that may well have had fanboys disorientated and asking “Errr… what’s up doc?”
But where’s the goods from Microsoft? Some would lead you to believe that Microsoft has announced its full line up just like they had this time last year… oh yeah, that’s the problem…
..."
"So a lot of gamers have adopted the name "Halo 4" for now, and silly little fanboy arguments are already popping up. Well, I think they're rather silly -- like the one over Halo 3's "Finish the fight!" slogan. Hey, everyone kind of assumed the fight was finished after John-117 and the Arbiter sent the Covenant running home with their tails between their legs, leaving behind a trail of dead Prophets and Brutes... and those little guys with funny English.
Safe to say most of us are hoping ..."
Recently Microsoft and Bungie touted the milestone one-billionth game played on Halo 3's online component. Even more recently, talk is up about Halo 3:ODST, and what the plot is concerning the game. However, what is most prevalent is mentions of Master Chief's return to the Halo series once more. As is seen in the last paragraph, Halo franchise development director Frank O'Connor clearly teases that Halo 4 has a strong possibility of showing up.
"
Master Chief and Arbiter aren't be too safe walking around that world map. See what happens when they come across a....random battle.
Just an FYI. Master Chief is Knight class, while the Arbiter is a Mage"
World renowned machinima series Red vs Blue is back with a new season, following on almost directly from where it left off after mini series Reconstruction. Part 1 has already been uploaded and the gags come quick and fast, you don't need to like Halo to enjoy this entertaining romp.
"Our little trip to the future ends today, with the 10 hottest Xbox 360 games to be released in 2009! We have already analyzed the best upcoming games for PC systems, PlayStation 3 consoles and Wiis, so if you didnt check them out already, now its a good time to do so. Otherwise, read on to find out our favorite upcoming Xbox 360 titles. Choosing just 10 games was (just as it happened with all the other platforms) pretty tough, but the list below should reflect the best of the best!"
"Desirai and John are big-time "Halo" players. She games under the name SickNDeHead. He plays as PsychoVandal. They met when she lived in New York and he was in Florida. She'd become Xbox Live friends with his roommate, and they slowly started to play games together, regularly. When he didn't show up online one day during the time they usually played, she sent him a message and her phone number.
"I was drawn to her laugh," John said in a phone interview with MTV News earlier this week. "I h..."
"Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, has today announced Halo Trilogy The Complete Original Soundtracks featuring the award-winning original music scores by Bungie Audio Director Martin O'Donnell and Co-Composer Michael Salvatori plus four preview tracks from the forthcoming Real-Time Strategy game Halo Wars, composed by Ensemble Studios Audio Director Stephen Rippy. Halo Trilogy The Complete Original Soundtracks is released tomo..."
![Box shot of Halo 3: ODST [Europe]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvWGJveF8zNjAvQWN0aW9uL1Nob290ZXI=/halo_3_odst_frontcover_small_6xbYS5bHnV1c3jN.jpg)