tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12562509667288560202024-03-14T00:53:38.089-05:00TRU7HWe Are Tru7h. Real games, real people, no bull, and that's the TRU7H!MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-55719502910143064502013-02-13T09:19:00.003-06:002013-02-13T09:19:55.209-06:00As one chapter ends...It saddens me greatly to inform all of you that after roughly three years, TRU7Hcommunity (formally Installation343) will be closing down. Now, now, don't be sad. It's for the best. Our fearless leader, me (Mixmasterchief) will be moving on to bigger and better things. The rest of us are already doing other things, but for me it was just too hard to let go. It won't be hard for you to find me if you need me. My email is still on this site (which will not be shut down, ever, it will be let up for old times sake) and I am on other sites! You can find me on these sites:<br />
<a href="http://halo.bungie.org/">Halo.Bungie.Org</a><br />
<a href="http://destiny.bungie.org/">Destiny.Bungie.Org</a><br />
<a href="http://halocouncil.com/">TheHaloCouncil.com</a><br />
<a href="http://halowaypoint.com/">HaloWaypoint.com</a><br />
<a href="http://bungie.net/">Bungie.Net</a><br />
And Many More!!!<br />
<br />
There will be a site that goes up relatively soon that will hopefully fulfill what this site set out and, unfortunately, failed to do. I will be a part of this site, actually. The only thing I can say right now is that it is going to be a celebration of Bungie, Halo, Bungie's upcoming game, Destiny, and other great gaming aspects.<br />
<br />
I want you all to go out and do what makes you happy. If that means you only play video games, then you only play video games. If that means you make movies then please, go be the next George Lucas or James Cameron. Just make sure that you do it because you like it, not because someone thinks you should do it.<br />
<br />
Thank you for everything you all did for us. I hope you all still find my company inviting. Mix signing off on TRU7Hcommunity for the last time.<br />
<br />
/ENDTRANSMITIONMixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-51020771321418073242012-09-19T20:16:00.000-05:002012-09-19T20:16:03.626-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 9.19.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Au is on the horizon</span></strong></span> <br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons Wallpaper" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/covenantweaponry_660.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/covenantweaponry_1280x720.jpg"><span style="font-size: 75%;">1280x720</span></a>, <a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/covenantweaponry_1920x1080.jpg"><span style="font-size: 75%;">1920x1080</span></a></div><br />
Our eyes are bloodshot, our work areas are full of empty energy drink cans, and our beds have filed a formal request to spend more than two hours per night with us. Our spirits <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/19/The-Halo-Bulletin-91912-.aspx#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">remain</a></nobr> high, though, because we're almost there. Au is on the horizon … <br />
<br />
As we <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/19/The-Halo-Bulletin-91912-.aspx#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">work</a></nobr> around the clock to put the finishing touches on Halo 4, our studio is focused on three main things: finding bugs, fixing bugs, and arranging a cage match between Caitie and Hoop (two of our developers on services). Actually, we’re trying to arrange a triumvirate of events, which includes the aforementioned cage match, a Gangnam Style dance off, and a Nerf war but either way, my money is on Caitie. Primarily because I like the thought of keeping my money. <br />
<br />
Our PR and Marketing teams are also going full speed ahead, as they prepare to kick things into overdrive. I snuck a peek at their calendar for the next few months, and let’s just say they have more than a few surprises up their sleeves. Some of those things you will see in stores, others will aid you in your eternal quest for nourishment, and a few of them have the potential to blow your mind. (I say potential because they will blow your mind if you like awesome things, but maybe not if you don’t like awesome things. Take that as you will.) <br />
<br />
By the way, Halo 4 launches in less than 50 days. If you’re not ready, I suggest you get ready, and what better way to do that than by learning about the Covenant weapons you will soon have at your disposal? <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4’s Covenant Weapons</span></strong></span><br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="159" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/covenantweaponry.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
The Covenant weapons in Halo 4 presented us with an interesting design challenge. Traditionally, they haven’t been as popular as their UNSC counterparts, and they get much less use across the board. From a high level, we still wanted them to feel alien, futuristic, and technologically advanced (or at the very least, foreign) when compared to human weaponry, but we also wanted them to be equally viable choices.This was not an easy problem to solve. <br />
<br />
There are a lot of gameplay specific reasons why Covenant weapons function the way they do. The blue/purple/pink color schemes and higher-pitched sound effects are intended to contrast the UNSC weapons and make enemy fire stand out. The projectiles are intentionally slower so that when fighting AI, the player is able to react and dodge them. They also tend to drain shields faster than armor health because it adds tension and creates situations where the player feels like they are escaping a fire fight by the skin of their teeth. In short, the weapons were designed to be fun to fight against, and some of these <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/19/The-Halo-Bulletin-91912-.aspx#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">properties</a></nobr> work against making them fun to use. <br />
<br />
So how did we resolve these issues? On the aesthetics side, we felt like the shiny textures, bright colors, and flawless models of the past made them read a bit too toy-like, so we tried to make everything slightly more grounded. We did that by showing more wear and tear (such as scuffs and imperfections) and using new textures that made the guns look like they were created from hard metallic alloys (instead of plastic). The audio for all Covenant weapons went through several iterations until they felt a bit more punchy and visceral, while still sounding alien. As far as gameplay goes, we changed the weapon properties to make them better equivalents to UNSC weaponry. For example, the projectile speeds are drastically increased when the player uses them so that they are easier to hit targets but when AI fires them at the player, they are slower so that they are still fun to dodge. Finally, we spent a lot of time on the interface components. Two such examples are the zoom scopes, which were made to have a much more alien feel when using the guns, and the digital displays and reticles use of a similar alien language. <br />
<br />
Frank O'Connor (Franchise Development Director), David Ellis (Spartan Ops Designer), and Chris King (Lead Sandbox Designer), along with Jeff Guy, Jayce Diaz, Joel Gifford, Kynan Pearson, Ali Zandi, Alyson Szymanski, Todd Colby, Josh Lindquist, and Chris Howard joined me to share their thoughts about this particular subset of weapons. The Covenant utilizes the following base weapons:<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/plasmapistol.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>PLASMA PISTOL</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-25 Directed Energy Pistol <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Iruiru Armory <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: N/A <br />
<br />
Directed-energy weapon capable of semi-automatic firing and a scaled-burst effect which disables electronics. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - Absolute beast, tempered by the fact that you’ll deplete your charge quickly and are brutally punished for running around with it pre-charged all the time. I had it in one of my go-to loadouts on a semi-permanent basis but I’ve kind of moved away from that, except where early vehicle domination seems likely. <br />
<br />
David - Let me answer your first question: No, we’re not introducing the Halo 2 Noob Combo as a standard loadout in Halo 4. While the Plasma Pistol still strips shields, in my experience it doesn’t track nearly as much at a distance when compared to previous titles. It’s still very useful against shielded enemies (UNSC and Covenant alike) but as Frank mentioned, pay attention to your remaining charge. <br />
<br />
Chris - Don’t be deceived by the toy-ish looks. This is a powerful gun! To be effective with the normal shot, you will need to use it at close ranges because the projectiles are extremely slow relative to other weapons. And since players spawn with it from the get-go as a secondary weapon, we’ve had to retune the number of charge shots down from the past (when charging, the energy drains pretty quickly in multiplayer compared to the past). It’s still a great choice, though, especially on vehicle maps. If you are a fan of the Noob Combo, I’d recommend trying to scavenge a Magnum as a backup. The Halo 4 pistols all have faster animation timings than in the past, allowing you to switch to them faster than any other weapon in the game. Charged Plasma Shot + Magnum headshot = WIN! <br />
<br />
Jeff (Test) - The Plasma Pistol continues its role as one of the strongest utility weapons in the Covenant arsenal. Its ability to strip enemy shields or disable enemy vehicles makes it a dangerous and deceptive weapon in the hands of the right player. There’s something so satisfying about landing a charged shot against a Banshee and watching it fall from the sky, the pilot helpless to avoid his descent to an inevitable barrage of fire from your appreciative team members. The soaring green blasts in any PvP match are a reminder that you are only one good shot away from being defenseless against headshots. The sound of the charged weapon rounding the corner as the player un-crouches from cover to engage you stops your breath for a moment. The sting to a Spartan’s hands when the weapon overloads from charging too long is a bittersweet reminder that the weapon remains destined for the hands of the tactical player.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/needler.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>NEEDLER</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-33 Guided Munitions Launcher <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Lodam Armory <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 18 rounds <br />
<br />
Exotic guided-munitions weapon firing crystalline shards that home in, impale, and detonate on soft targets. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - The Needler is not my favorite weapon in terms of efficacy – and you’ll see that in my Reach stats, but as something I used to only use in cases of last resort, I’m finding it more and more useful in Campaign and Spartan Ops than ever before – and taking out Elites and Promethean Knights by supercombining can be a great way to break up strategic logjams in big encounters. <br />
<br />
David - Here’s some friendly advice for your Legendary Campaign runs in Halo 4: make friends with the Needler. For clearing out Elites and Knights, it has quickly become the pick-up weapon of choice at higher difficulty levels in both Campaign and Spartan Ops. <br />
<br />
Chris - The Halo 4 Needler is probably the most powerful version of the gun to date. I love the new, more mechanical firing sounds of the gun as it feels more visceral. One of the big changes this time around is that the needles stick to shields again (in Reach, the needles only supercombined when shields were down). This makes it deadly for sure. However, its effectiveness is tempered by the overall faster pace of the game, which gives players a better chance of avoiding the needles. If you catch an opponent off-guard, they are in for a world of hurt. <br />
<br />
Chris H. (SDE) - The Needler has received a damage and speed boost, which definitely makes it more powerful this time around. It’s always been a fun gun to use, but now it’s extremely satisfying and almost always a good idea to pick up if found on the battlefield. <br />
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Josh (Senior SDE) - The Needler is so bad-ass, some of us call it the “noobler”. It feels like the Halo 2 Needler to me. It will wreck your -Yoink!-<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/stormrifle.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>STORM RIFLE</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-55 Directed Energy Rifle/Advanced <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Lodam Armory <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: N/A <br />
<br />
Fully automatic, directed-energy weapon, widely considered the successor to the traditional Plasma Rifle. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - This isn’t accurate in terms of power or performance, exactly, but in a way I am reminded of the Brute Plasma Rifle from Halo 2 in terms of ferocity and sheer visceral pleasure. Of course it doesn’t work well at long range and can’t be dual wielded, but that’s my snapshot impression, if it makes any sense. <br />
<br />
David - The Storm Rifle fills a role similar to that of the UNSC Assault Rifle, but somehow the Storm Rifle is just plain more frightening to come up against. Early in development, there weren’t a lot of people using this weapon, despite how effective it was at close range. That changed overnight when the weapons effects and sounds started to come online. <br />
<br />
Chris - This is a fantastic close-range weapon, once you figure out the rhythm on the overheat. I especially love using this weapon on smaller maps or in tight areas as it’s incredibly lethal. It doesn’t have the range or accuracy of the AR but if you manage the heat well, you can continue firing for quite a while and it will give you a significant advantage over other weapons that require longer reloads. It takes some getting used to, though. If you just hold the trigger down and let the gun reach its overheat state, you are faced with a long cool down penalty. <br />
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Alyson (Producer) - The first level of the campaign is set up really nicely for the Storm Rifle. Use a charged shot on the Plasma Pistol to knock down the Elite’s shields, then pop him with the Storm Rifle, and finally finish off the fodder of Grunts. Then pick up the Plasma Grenades for yourself. Mwhahahaha! <br />
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Todd (UI) - Before Halo 4, I was lukewarm on Covenant weapons. I never felt like I got the meaty feedback I got from UNSC weaponry. The Storm Rifle has converted me to the Covenant arsenal – half of my loadouts are customized with it in mind. Its rapid fire rate makes it perfect for run-and-gun, and covering teammates has never been so rewarding. When I engage enemies with the Storm Rifle, it’s like I’m repeatedly slapping my opponent in the face with a thousand fruit roll-ups. Delicious victory.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/carbine.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>COVENANT CARBINE</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-51 Carbine <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Iruiru Armory <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 18 rounds <br />
<br />
Notable semi-automatic mid-range accuracy, firing ballistic rounds unlike most other Covenant weapons. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
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Frank - It’s the Carbine. I have always felt it was a perfectly good sub for BR and DMR and indeed sits somewhere between the two in terms of its utility for my style of play – but I have tended to avoid it every now and then because of the super-visible contrail. For some reason, in Halo 4 that hasn’t been much of an issue for me – or it was my imagination to begin with, but I have been using it more and more and in Campaign, it’s essential. <br />
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David - I can’t decide if it’s the size of the bolts you fire or some other intangible, but the Carbine feels (to me) like the most accurate weapon in the game. I find it especially useful for when I’m waiting to launch an ambush. Against inexperienced foes, the barrage of rapid fire shots can cause enemies to panic and make mistakes… to their doom. As Chris mentions below, it’s great as a finishing weapon. I would recommend pairing it with a Plasma Pistol or Storm Rifle. <br />
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Chris - Mathematically, this is the most lethal long-range rifle in the game in a one-on-one encounter. It fires extremely fast – double the rate of the other rifles. But it doesn’t have the range of the DMR or LightRifle, and each individual shot is relatively weak. A player that can land the bulk of their shots and manage their ammo well can be extremely successful with it, though. Because of its headshot capability, it is also a great weapon for playing cleanup with teammates (have them drop opponent shields and then score the headshot). I love using this weapon but I can only use it in short bursts. The firing rate is so fast, it makes my fingers tired after a while! <br />
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Joel (Test) - The Covenant Carbine is an absolute terror when going up against unshielded foes. Bringing it into Spartan Ops missions against Grunts, Jackals, and Crawlers allows you to quickly drop waves of enemies, provided you can land the headshot. In PVP, it has a little trouble getting through enemy shields, but the precision and high rate of fire allow you to constantly bombard your opponent. <br />
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Ali (Systems Designer) - It’s my go-to weapon on the Covenant side because it’s the anti-Grunt and Jackal weapon from a distance, and it caters to my somewhat stealthy play style. I enjoy the firing rhythm and the punch it delivers.It’s fascinating compared to UNSC rifles because the look, feel and audio feedback are unique and alien, especially when scoped in.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/beamrifle.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>BEAM RIFLE</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-27 Special Application Sniper Rifle <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Merchants of Qikost <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 10 shots <br />
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Extreme-range sniper rifle, charging ionized hydrogen gas into a lethal beam of accelerated particles. <br />
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How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - The Beam Rifle always felt a bit more solid and frightening to me than at least one or two iterations of the UNSC sniper. Now I prefer the UNSC sniper overall, both aesthetically and in terms of performance, but the sonic impact of the Beam Rifle is super satisfying. Like the Carbine, they seem to be easier to find in Campaign than human snipers. It’s also a bit easier to know where you’re being pinged from [with the Beam Rifle]. <br />
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David - First off, I love that a proper Covenant sniper weapon is back for Halo 4. It’s been sorely missed. Secondly, the new HUD elements on the Beam Rifle when zoomed in really help to sell this as a piece of alien technology. As before, the meta-game of managing the heat of your rifle and firing on enemies means that every shot counts. Get too hasty and you’ll be looking down at your dead body in the flash of venting gas. <br />
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Chris - I love the Halo 4 version of the Beam Rifle! This thing is ridiculously large and imposing looking, and it has a really mean firing sound. Because of its enormous size, it does have a decent amount of recoil between shots but the firing rate is the fastest of the snipers and if you manage the heat state of the gun, you can get off all shots in quick succession without an overheat or reload. One other pro-tip on this one: it’s the best sniper rifle for hip shots in Halo 4! <br />
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Kynan (Lead Multiplayer Level Design) - The Beam Rifle is sick. What’s not to like about being able to clear out an enemy team with a single weapon that when used correctly doesn’t require a reload… and the sound is so satisfying.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/concussionrifle.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>CONCUSSION RIFLE</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-50 Directed Energy Weapon/Heavy <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Merchants of Qikost <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 4 rounds <br />
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Similar to other Covenant mortar weapons, firing explosive bolts of plasma at close-range to mid-range distances. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - I have always found this weapon to be useful in close quarters combat and even against vehicles as a “confuser” – and I think the combination of fireworks and physics does a tremendous amount to add chaos and doubt to a battlefield. While I don’t use it except in desperation in Campaign, in MP I will absolutely grab it as a secondary, or when I am out of ammo on a primary. <br />
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Chris - The Concussion Rifle and Brute shot have always been somewhat controversial in that players either love them or hate them – there doesn’t seem to be an in-between. The biggest change to the Halo 4 Concussion Rifle are the stronger physics impulses from the explosions along with faster projectile speed, which makes it work better in more open spaces and from a longer distance. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend trying to use this in a duel with a DMR from across the map. I love the firing rate on this weapon but IMO, the best part about it is the emergent sandbox moments you can get from the strong physics impulses on the explosion. Try drilling a speeding enemy Warthog from the side, and watch as hilarity ensues! <br />
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David - I suppose you can put me in the latter of Chris’s camps as I still haven’t quite been able to wrap my brain around this iteration of the Concussion Rifle quite yet. It’s great against vehicles and the physics impulses are great, but I suppose I’m a simple man and I like blowing stuff up in a shower of fire and brimstone. <br />
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Jayce (Spartan Ops Designer) - Against AI, it can topple vehicles and has a fast enough firing rate to scatter large groups, and against other players it has the uncanny ability to cause confusion and pain at a safe distance. It is the ultimate noise gun, a disruptor that can leave enemies in complete disarray before they die. <br />
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Chris H. - I am impressed with the precision the AI can wield the Concussion Rifle with in Spartan Ops. They are really good at juggling my lifeless body after they obliterate me.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/20/fuelrodcannon.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>FUEL ROD CANNON</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Merchants of Qikost <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 5 rounds <br />
<br />
Typically used against heavy armor by launching charged fuel rods which violently detonate upon impact. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - A great weapon, not exactly a Covenant Rocket Launcher, but not too far off – also one of the weapons that oddly enough, really shows off some of the environment mapping on our surfaces. You really get a “feel” for whatever space you’re in based on the reflectivity and the way it catches color and light. <br />
<br />
David - For me, the Fuel Rod Cannon sits somewhere between the Rocket Launcher and the Brute Shot, with regard to how I use it. Against Covenant or Promethean forces, you can clear out the cannon fodder with relative ease, but against more evenly matched enemies, expect to need multiple hits to drop them. <br />
<br />
Chris - Traditionally, the Fuel Rod hasn’t gotten a lot of love in Halo multiplayer. This has changed in Halo 4. This is another case where I am really excited about the direction the audio and FX teams went in with the weapon. It’s not drastically different but the changes just make it feel that much more satisfying and visceral. As with the other “area of effect” weapons in the game, the projectile speeds have been increased on this one, and we’ve fine-tuned the blast radiuses just a tad. Despite the faster speeds, you will still need to land a couple fuel rod shots to finish off an opponent, as an individual blast isn’t powerful enough to kill someone. Because of the large magazine size on this one, it’s also great for area of denial as well.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="223" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/energysword.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>ENERGY SWORD</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-1 Energy Weapon/Sword <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Merchants of Qikost <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: N/A <br />
<br />
Composed of superheated plasma, this sword remains the preferred close-quarters weapon of specialized Elites. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - I am just eating it with this right now. I thought universal Sprint would give me a huge advantage, but the reality is it flattens it out for me. I used to go on crazy tears with the sword, but now I find myself being stopped short – that “gun game” thing people are referring to more and more seems to be hitting me where it counts during would-be sword sprees. I do find myself on the receiving end of it a fair amount, however. <br />
<br />
Chris - To Frank’s comment, I think one of the mistakes I see people making with our sword is that now that players move faster with Sprint by default, they assume they can just run at opponents and kill them with the lunge from far away. This is a mistake – you still need to be somewhat sneaky with it. That being said, if you can restrain yourself from going all Rambo and just use it in tight spaces, it’s as lethal as ever. Important changes include making it swing much faster than it has in the past and eliminating those pesky melee parries (no more “CLAAAAAANG!” unless the other person also has a sword). One final pro tip: when sprinting with normal weapons, if opponents shoot you, the shots will slow you down a tad. A sword wielding player is immune to this! <br />
<br />
David - It’s big, it’s made of hard light, and it will wreck your world if you’re not paying attention to your surroundings. I think Frank and Chris covered everything else. <br />
<br />
Kynan - I love the sword in combination with the Thruster Pack. There’s no better feeling than sprint jumping off the roof of a building into a crowd below and then thrusting to dodge or close distance, putting you perfectly in range to cut through them all like butter.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 Covenant Weapons" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/gravityhammer.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<strong>GRAVITY HAMMER</strong> <br />
<strong>DESIGNATION</strong>: T-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer <br />
<strong>MANUFACTURER</strong>: Recovered from field (originally Sacred Promissory) <br />
<strong>MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: N/A <br />
<br />
Crude yet formidable close-range Brute weapon, substantially improved by way of a powerful gravity drive. <br />
<br />
How it feels: <br />
<br />
Frank - For me, it’s kind of the opposite philosophy from a lightsaber, an inelegant weapon for a more barbaric time. I love the fact that the splash effect can buy you some distance, even when you whiff it badly. I love the fact that a direct hit is a cast-iron guarantee of success, and I love the fact that you feel almost exactly like Donkey Kong for a similar amount of swings at the “barrels” the sandbox presents you. And yes, I know Mario is the one swinging the hammer, but it’s important to make the Donkey Kong analogy sing! <br />
<br />
David - I think this says everything.<br />
<br />
<img alt="GTFO" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/gtfo.gif" /> <br />
<br />
Chris - The saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies here. This is one of my all-time favorite Halo weapons. There aren’t a ton of changes that we made to it – more like nuanced tweaks. The animation speeds are a tad quicker, the area of effect has been expanded, the damage tuning tweaked but overall, it’s pretty similar to past incarnations. Probably the biggest change comes in the form of the physics impulses – they are much more powerful now to compensate for the beefier vehicles in the game. This has the awesome side effect of making the Gravity Hammer ragdoll players and objects much more than it has in the past. In short, you should expect the hammer to function similar to past versions, but with more showboating flair! <br />
<br />
<br />
And that wraps up today’s feature about Covenant weapons. Don't leave yet, though, because we're about to breakdown the different editions of Halo 4. Join me, won't you?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A breakdown of the different editions of Halo 4</span></strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/halo4_le_heroshotlistings%20esrb_cmyk.jpg"><img alt="A breakdown of the different editions of Halo 4" border="0" height="345" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/halo4_le_heroshotlistings-esrb_cmyk-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
On November 6, there will be several different options available for those interested in purchasing Halo 4. As this information came out in waves, there has yet to be a central location for seeing all the relevant details in one place. Until now. <br />
<br />
Below you will find the different editions of Halo 4, along with what each edition comes with. Clicking on some of the fields will open a picture or take you to an article with additional information. Completionists worrying about the fact that exclusives mean certain items may never be available to them have been noted, and we’re definitely considering ways to make the entire gamut of items available at some point in the (relatively distant, since we obviously wish to give our retail partners plenty of room) future. <br />
<br />
It's also worth noting some readers have noticed that GameStop has stopped taking Limited Edition pre-orders online – and we suspect GameStop gets the lion’s share of US pre-order Limited Edition units. Some overseas retailers have also stopped taking Limited Edition pre-orders so without jinxing it, we can confirm that this generally happens when they run out of inventory. We’ll keep an eye on that situation and keep you apprised.<br />
<br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150"><strong>Edition</strong></td> <td width="100"><strong>Price</strong></td> <td width="250"><strong>Includes</strong></td> <td width="200"><strong>Bonus Digital Content Through Xbox LIVE</strong></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150">Halo 4 Standard Edition</td> <td width="100">$59.99 USD</td> <td width="250">Standard Edition Copy of Halo 4</td> <td width="200">N/A</td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150">Halo 4 Limited Edition</td> <td width="100">$99.99 USD</td> <td width="250">Halo 4 War Games Map Pass<br />
Launch Day Access to Six Specializations<br />
UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet<br />
Special Edition of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</td> <td width="200"><a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/recruit_armor.jpg">In-Game Prime Armor Skin</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/assault_rifle.jpg">In-Game Prime Weapon Skin - Assault Rifle</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/20/retail_emblem__0002_lce_bw.jpg">In-Game Prime Emblem</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/avatar_costume_recruit.jpg">Recruit Armor Avatar Costume</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/avatar_prop_cryotube.jpg">Avatar Cryo-Tube Prop</a></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150">Xbox 360 Limited Edition<br />
Halo 4 Console Bundle</td> <td width="100">$399.99 USD</td> <td width="250">Two Exclusive Forerunner Controllers<br />
Standard Edition Copy of Halo 4<br />
Wired Headset<br />
320GB Hard Drive<br />
Built-in Wi-Fi</td> <td width="200"><a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/fotus_armor.jpg">In-Game FOTUS Spartan Armor</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/fore_sku_maya_03.jpg">In-Game Imprint Weapon Skin – LightRifle</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/emblem_unicorn.jpg">In-Game Unicorn Emblem</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/avatar_costume_fotus.jpg">FOTUS Armor Avatar Costume</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/20/avatar_prop_crawler.jpg">Avatar Promethean Crawler Prop</a></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150">Halo 4 War Games Map Pass</td> <td width="100">$24.99 USD</td> <td width="250">Access to Nine Competitive Multiplayer Maps<br />
(Three Future War Games Map Packs, Each<br />
Including Three Maps)</td> <td width="200"><a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/helmet_scanner.jpg">In-Game Scanner Helmet</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/helmet_strider.jpg">In-Game Strider Helmet</a><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/19/falcon_emblem.jpg">In-Game Falcon Emblem</a></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="150">Standalone Xbox 360 Halo 4 UNSC Limited Edition Wireless Controller</td> <td width="100">$59.99 USD</td> <td width="250">N/A</td> <td width="200"><a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/20/avatar_shirt_unsc_logo.jpg"> Halo 4 UNSC Logo Avatar T-shirt</a></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
And that wraps up this week’s edition of your Halo Bulletin. I’ll see you next week, when you may or may not be getting another new video. Until then… <br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angel MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-21513133869401346012012-09-12T20:59:00.001-05:002012-09-12T20:59:33.728-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 9.12.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pressing Matters</span></strong></span> <br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/pressevent.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Press Event" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/img_3792-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/pressevent2.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Press Event" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/img_3797-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a></div><br />
Select members of the press from around the globe have been visiting the studio the past two days, October 11 is New York Comic Con, and November 6 will be the day you take Halo 4 for its first official spin in your disc tray, plus a few surprises we can’t talk about just yet. We’re ready for these things… are you? <br />
<br />
While you won’t see the results of this week’s press visit until late September, we do have a very special treat for you today in the form of a brand new behind-the-scenes video. The majority of you have probably stopped reading and are now frantically scrolling, searching for that magical play button. For the two of you that <em>are</em> still reading (thanks, Mom and Dad!), I thought we could talk a little about why we invite the press to our studio. <br />
<br />
Over the past several months, we’ve worked hard to get Halo 4 into the hands of as many people as possible. From being playable at events to <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/12/The-Halo-Bulletin-91212.aspx#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">hosting</a></nobr> numerous community parties to inviting fans to participate in private playtests, we’ve used every available opportunity to get, and then implement, player feedback. We can only reach so many individuals in person, though so we try to give the press regular sneak peeks at the game so they can share what we show them with all of you. Think of it this way: We want to reach out and touch every single of you, and press visits help us with that, if only virtually. <br />
<br />
Enough about our wandering hands, though. Let’s talk about the return of the Forerunners, shall we?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Return of the Forerunners</span></strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/promethean.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/promethean-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
As soon as we started concept work on Halo 4, we started looking at potential big pillar features. One of the things that came up early on was a good way to refresh the overall campaign experience, so we decided to create a new enemy race, <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/12/The-Halo-Bulletin-91212.aspx#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">applying</a></nobr> the fundamentals of what makes Halo work to them. While we understand the importance of the Covenant’s role in the game for continuity purposes, we didn’t want to focus solely on those particular species. Thus, the idea for the Prometheans was born. <br />
<br />
There were a bunch of initial ideas the team had come up with, but the real spark of where they’re at today came around discussions we had about if the sandbox is ultimately what differentiates Halo from every other FPS, then what does it mean to the way the legacy AI works and how can we make that better? That very quickly evolved into a theme of adaptive AI. <br />
<br />
Our goal was to design a type of enemy that is highly adaptive from a tactical standpoint, basically transforming the player’s idea of how the world and combat works in order to try and gain the upper hand. If these are advanced beings, it seems like they would be intimately connected with the world they made, so the Prometheans can manipulate their environment and themselves in a way that makes them part of it. That is where you get to the final end result of Forerunners being able to spawn in and out of the world, spawn other creatures, phase back and forth, and environments moving around. They are able to manipulate things in a way we haven’t seen before, and they complement existing mechanics and change the way the player engages in the combat encounter. <br />
<br />
According to Scott Warner, Lead Designer on Halo 4, creating an entire new enemy class was a daunting task. We started with, for all intents and purposes, a blank canvas where anything could happen. There was a super-brief glimpse of Forerunners in Halo Legends, but we wanted to do something different from that so we took as much as we could from already established Forerunner language and put it on the Prometheans. For instance, when you see a Knight idle, there are small and large bits attached at the elbows that are not physically connected but linked in a different way. They have a mystique, a gravity-defying look, similar to Forerunner structures.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knightconceptart.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Concept Art" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knightconceptart-2.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 75%;"><a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knight_800x600.jpg">800x600</a>, <a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knight_1024x768.jpg">1024x768</a>, <a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knight_1280x720.jpg">1280x720</a>, <a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/knight_1920x1080.jpg">1920x1080</a></span></div><br />
We had several goals in regard to the appearance of the Prometheans, but the most important ones were to make them relatable and resonate with the player. To achieve that, we went through weeks of brainstorming and iteration. That process went a little like this: Senior Concept Artist Gabriel Garza would sketch a sheet of character models (which often included up to 20 different variations), and, upon completion, would send it around the studio. Designers, animators, and every other relevant group in the studio would then chime in with feedback. Often times people would react strongly to the same models, so from that initial 20, Gabo (as we call him around these parts) would then grab five and make another 20 out of that five. It was a long and tedious process, but one that is necessary when designing new alien characters. <br />
<br />
There was a lot of design and creative and artistic flux there, where people just didn’t see eye-to-eye on things. Subjectively, it took us a long time to get everybody to a place where they were truly happy with what’s on-screen. Even going up to E3, we weren’t sure how people were going to perceive them. Getting the forms to be something that met the design requirements of what was important and getting people to appreciate their aesthetics was a challenging process. <br />
<br />
After the concept phase was over, we then had to determine what works in-game. One of the very early takes on the Knight included long, folded arms with tentacle-like fingers. It looked awesome, and incredibly menacing, but if it was holding a weapon, its range was extraordinarily (and freakishly!) long. So while it looked great in concept, it wasn’t functional in-game. Every character has to move around, aim, and communicate things to the player, and because it couldn’t do those things effectively, that take of the Knight was taken back to the virtual drawing board and iterated upon again, until we perfected what you see today. <br />
<br />
Halo 4 has a very rich ecosystem of enemies, but ultimately we wanted to give you something you haven’t seen before that is fun to shoot and kill. And hopefully that is exactly how you’ll feel come November 6. <br />
<br />
Now, without further ado, here is what you’ve been waiting for: the Return of the Forerunners BTS. Enjoy. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="youtube-blocker"><div class="blocker" style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"> <div class="blocker-age-gate"><div class="font-replace">Please Enter your Date of Birth</div><div class="frm-blocker"> <a class="agegatebutton" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/12/The-Halo-Bulletin-91212.aspx#"> <span>Submit</span></a> </div></div></div></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">From the desk of the Community Cartographers</span></strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/reach_6411772_full.jpg" /></div><br />
For those of you who need an introduction, the Community Cartographers are members of the Halo community who work directly with the 343 Industries Matchmaking Systems Team to bring the best community maps out of the shadows and into the Matchmaking spotlight. They recently gathered together to sponsor a community challenge, and below are the results of that contest.<br />
<br />
<hr width="700" /><br />
From the Community Cartographers: <br />
<br />
Well, we made it. After two months of downloading, reviewing, and playtesting, the <a href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/post/2012/06/01/Community-Cartographers-Forge-Contest.aspx">Community Cartographers Forge Contest</a> has finally come to a close. Today we are happy to share with you some of the finest community maps we have had the honor of reviewing throughout this process. Sorting through 281 maps proved to be quite the task, but the gems that ultimately shined the brightest really made this a worthwhile endeavor. <br />
<br />
We'd like to start this announcement by thanking all of you who participated, supported, and helped us make this contest a reality. We were lucky enough to have a talented Forging community that made the playtesting and review phases of the judging component of this contest an absolute pleasure. Our purpose as Community Cartographers is to highlight individuals like you who really make Forge into something greater than any of us ever thought imaginable. We are happy to dedicate ourselves to you and guide you in your quest to one day see your map featured in Halo: Reach's Matchmaking. In order to accomplish this feat, your map must meet some pretty stringent guidelines, which is why we built the contest guidelines and criteria the way we did. Please take into consideration that while we saw some unbelievably creative and imaginative maps from this contest, we judged them based on these criteria because we want to see your maps ultimately featured in Halo: Reach's Matchmaking. As promised, we are taking our top 10 finalists and reviewing them with 343i's Matchmaking Sustain Team for possible integration into Reach's Matchmaking suite down the road. <br />
<br />
We are now happy to share the winners with you! For a first-hand look of some of the submissions we had the pleasure of reviewing, and some awesome action-packed gameplay of the three finalists, check out our official announcement video prepared by one of our very own, petetheduck. <br />
<br />
<div class="youtube-blocker"><div class="blocker" style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"> <div class="blocker-age-gate"><div class="font-replace">Please Enter your Date of Birth</div><div class="frm-blocker"> <a class="agegatebutton" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/12/The-Halo-Bulletin-91212.aspx#"> <span>Submit</span></a> </div></div></div></div><br />
In 3rd place, we present to you:<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/timberline1.png" /><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/29249156">Timberline</a> - By <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Career/haloreach/ServiceRecord?gamertag=Eshcka">Eshcka</a></div><br />
Congratulations, Eshcka! Enjoy your prize package: <br />
<br />
3rd Prize: Anniversary Bundle <br />
• Anniversary Map Pack <br />
• Anniversary Theme <br />
• Anniversary Avatar T-shirt <br />
• Top contender for Matchmaking integration <br />
<br />
In 2nd place, we're proud to share with you:<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/cedarhill1.png" /><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/29464450">Cedar Hill</a> - By <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Career/haloreach/ServiceRecord?gamertag=umd%20z">umd z</a></div><br />
Nice work, umd z! Your ordnance will be delivered as promised! <br />
<br />
2nd Prize: Reach DLC Bundle <br />
• Noble Map Pack Code <br />
• Defiant Map Pack Code <br />
• Anniversary Map Pack Code <br />
• Top contender for Matchmaking integration <br />
<br />
And finally, The Community Cartographers are proud to present in 1st place, the Grand Prize package winner:<br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/12/crossdraught5.png" /><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/29241718">Crossdraught</a> - By <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Career/haloreach/ServiceRecord?gamertag=Lethal%20Exactor">Lethal Exactor</a></div><br />
This map truly was the cream of the crop, and we know you will all enjoy it as much as we did. We are happy to present this Grand Prize package to Lethal Exactor. Congratulations! <br />
<br />
Grand Prize: Halo Bundle <br />
• A signed copy of Halo 4 by team members of 343 upon release <br />
• Reach GonD Code <br />
• Halo 3 GonD Code <br />
• Halo Wars GonD Code <br />
• Top contender for Matchmaking integration <br />
• Front page feature in Waypoint News section + Q&A with author <br />
<br />
To get a little one on one with Lethal Exactor, our Grand Prize winner, please look below as we pick his brain on where he drew his inspiration to build this award winning map as well as some other informative hints and tips on how to repeat his success. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>What was the inspiration for Crossdraught and its name? </strong> <br />
<br />
Crossdraught draws inspiration from some of Halo's most memorable and popular multiplayer maps, including Battle Creek (quite obviously), Midship, and The Pit. These maps are all excellent for mid-sized Team Objective games, and that is what Crossdraught aims to emulate. <br />
<br />
I chose the name "Crossdraught" because it represents the long, cross-map sightlines that characterize the map. Draught of course refers to a breeze, and if the map was a real place, I imagine it would be quite windy and cold (hopefully that doesn't reflect my personality). <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Why did you choose Multi-Flag CTF and Neutral Bomb as the best for your map? </strong> <br />
<br />
Crossdraught was designed primarily with Multi Flag CTF in mind, so that was a natural choice. Neutral Bomb is probably my second favorite objective game type, and I think the two-base-style of the map really suits the ebb-and-flow of a Neutral Bomb game. These two game types were also the ones that I completed the most testing for, and the map has therefore been shaped heavily by feedback from CTF and Neutral Bomb games. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Did you run into any difficulties during your map's development? If so, briefly describe them. </strong> <br />
<br />
Quite a few. Although the bases have remained relatively unchanged since the early versions of the map, the side structure and the center of the map have seen many revisions. I had many different ideas floating around my head, but the value of testing proved itself when I saw the shortcomings of most of those ideas in-game. The final layout that I settled on isn't perfect, but it's certainly the best of the many that I tried. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>If you had unlimited control of your map in the future (graphics and all) what would you do with it? What would it look and feel like? </strong> <br />
<br />
I'd definitely take the Covenant route. I was a big fan of the visual style of Assembly in Halo 3, and I think the Covenant theme has been under-represented in Reach. The skybox would be a stormy, electric blue and the map would be flanked by dark, barren and windswept mountains. Overall it would be a foreboding place where you felt you were in a real struggle against both your opponents and the elements. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Tough question, but what would you change about your map if you were to re-create it? Phrased another way, what do you dislike the most about your map and how would you fix it? </strong> <br />
<br />
I'm quite happy with the map overall, but if I were to make it again from scratch I'd probably fiddle around with the side structure a bit more. One of the main dilemmas I faced during the final stages of testing the map was whether or not to directly connect those two side rooms, but I decided not to in favor of them acting as spawn-havens for each team. But I think I made the right choice, so I'd be hesitant to change it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>In your opinion, what would you say the most important aspect of level/map design is? </strong> <br />
<br />
Definitely balance. Structural balance, weapon balance, spawn balance, it's all essential. Each team needs to be given an equal opportunity to win, regardless of whether the map is symmetrical or asymmetric. Each part of the map, and every weapon, needs to have both advantages and disadvantages associated with its use (e.g., a Shotgun may spawn in an open area with long sightlines, as it does on Crossdraught, but is a great help if you can get it inside one of the bases). <br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>If you could add a feature to Forge, what would it be and why? </strong> <br />
<br />
I would, without doubt, add the ability to create and alter terrain. Forge World was incredibly diverse, and I thank Bungie for that, but on the other hand they probably could have preserved a lot of disc space if they'd given the player the tools to create their own terrain (not to the extent of Forge World). For any of you who have spent time in Far Cry 2's map editor, you'll know what's possible. <br />
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<strong>Is there anything you are looking forward to in Halo 4 from the information that we've been given so far? </strong> <br />
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I'm hyped about a lot of things in Halo 4 but I'm probably most keen on trying out the new weapons, abilities, and specializations. Like a lot of people, I'm a tad nervous about the direction Halo is taking, but I'm willing to try new things if they add to the experience, and I think they will. <br />
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<strong>Any tips for forgers out there reading this interview? </strong> <br />
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With the imminent release of Halo 4, and therefore Forge 3.0, I think the best advice I can give for those serious about forging is that you must be sensible and neat. With features like coordinates, magnetism and so on, there's no excuse for messiness. Choose your objects and weapons carefully, and make sure they all serve a purpose. You don't have to have a clear idea of what your map will be when you start, but if you're sensible and neat, chances are it'll turn out pretty well. Good luck! <br />
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<strong>Is there anyone you would like to thank for the success of Crossdraught? </strong> <br />
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I'd like to thank all the good people at Blueprint who helped me test the map and gave me plenty of constructive feedback. I'd also like to thank the Community Cartographers for their efforts in administrating the contest out of their own free time. You're all awesome! <br />
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Thanks for taking the time to participate in the Q&A, Lethal Exactor! Hopefully our Forging community can use your advice and inspiration to mold their Forge creations into beautiful masterpieces as you have. <br />
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And with that, we conclude The Community Cartographers Forge Contest. For Q&As with our runner-up and 3rd place winner, as well as to discuss the results of this contest, please visit our <a href="https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst112931_Community-Cartographers-Forge-Contest-Results.aspx">Community Cartographers Forge Contest Results</a> thread. We are so thankful for everyone who participated, as well as 343 Industries for supplying these top-notch prize packages. We can't wait to see what your talents will create in Halo 4's Forge this November!<br />
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<hr width="700" /><br />
Thank you so much to the Community Cartographers for hosting such an amazing contest, and congratulations to the winners. We’ll be playing on these maps in one of our upcoming playdates, so stay tuned for more information about that particular event. <br />
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And that wraps up today’s edition of your weekly Halo Bulletin. See you next week! Through the scope of a Covenant weapon, if all goes according to plan… <br />
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<3,<br />
bs angelMixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-81335389354966698542012-09-12T20:09:00.000-05:002012-09-12T20:09:56.557-05:00Making Halo 4: Return Of The Forerunners<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL8QP6hSU9A&feature=youtu.be">If you follow this link,</a> you will be blessed with the sight of a new Halo 4 vidoc, and it is wonderful. focusses on the forerunners!MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-76094331234622160452012-09-06T08:03:00.000-05:002012-09-06T08:03:34.199-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 9.5.12<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Let’s talk about PAX, baby</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/post/2012/09/04/PAX-Prime-2012-Little-Chief-and-his-UNSC-Friends-Cosplay.aspx"><img alt="PAX Prime Halo 4" border="0" height="393" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/6/minichief.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
My voice is nowhere to be found, my feet hurt, and I’m beginning to exhibit flu-like <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/05/The-Halo-Bulletin-9512.aspx#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">symptoms</a></nobr>. In the <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/05/The-Halo-Bulletin-9512.aspx#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">gaming industry</a></nobr>, that can only mean one thing: another event has come and gone. And it was definitely <a href="https://twitter.com/peterbcooper/status/243245913500442624">a good one</a>! <br />
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Last weekend, within the walls of the Washington State Convention Center, we revealed a brand-new Halo 4 map (Exile), we announced the return of Grifball (disease officially caught), we had CTF playable for the first time on the floor (introducing the Flagnum), and we shared insight into the storytelling aspect of Halo 4’s Campaign (omg, spoilerz). If you are unfamiliar with this particular event, PAX Prime is a Seattle show exclusively for gaming, and during this year’s three-day extravaganza, <a href="http://twitter.com/rukizzel/status/243208763488751616/photo/1">massive amounts of chocolate</a> were consumed, hands were requested (<a href="https://twitter.com/k_wolfkill/status/241758053978996738">and accepted!</a>) in marriage, and <a href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/post/2012/09/04/Walshy-Plays-Halo-4-A-Halo-4-PAX-Prime-2012-Video.aspx">Halo 4</a><a href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/post/2012/09/05/Nexy-Plays-Halo-4-A-PAX-Prime-2012-Gameplay-Video.aspx"> was played</a>. <a href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/post/2012/09/05/Nak3d-Eli-Plays-Halo-4-A-PAX-Prime-2012-Gameplay-Video.aspx">A lot</a>. <br />
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Some of the greatest moments of the event happened on the floor. The main part of our booth featured 5v5 CTF on Exile, so numerous large groups patiently waited for their chance to check out the newest Halo 4 multiplayer map. <a href="http://twitter.com/CruelLEGACEY/status/243392025678983168">Cliff Bleszinski</a>, along with a handful of fellow Gearheads, stopped by to play a trio of rounds (Hi, Quinn!). Some of our friends from Bungie also indulged in a little CTF, facing off against a determined team of all-powerful <a href="http://twitter.com/TrueUnderdog/status/242033008096456704">Ninjas</a>. We can neither <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://blogs.halo.xbox.com/Headlines/post/2012/09/05/The-Halo-Bulletin-9512.aspx#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">confirm</a></nobr> nor deny which groups came out on top. We can say, however, that good times were had. At least, that’s what we deduced from observing the steady stream of spherical objects bouncing off the helmets of the recently deceased. <br />
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If you missed the news coming out over the weekend, take a second to get caught up by checking out the <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-US/Universe/detail/halo-4-ctf-and-exile-screenshots/f5736d66-ff26-4085-8869-d8200e354553#imageNumber=1">CTF and Exile screenshots</a>, and then watching the Halo: Reborn panel. Go ahead, we’ll wait. For a few minutes, anyway… <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4 CTF</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/082712_ctf_exile_08.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" height="225" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/6/082712_ctf_exile_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We recreated CTF as an all-new experience for Halo 4. Our goals early on were to create a fresh and exciting experience, focusing heavily on team play and being the flag carrier. If you didn’t get a chance to play the new CTF over the weekend at PAX, here are some elements of the new CTF experience. <br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flag Carrier Experience – Picking Up the Flag</span></strong> <br />
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This is easily the biggest addition to CTF in Halo 4, and we’ve made it a huge focus and priority to develop. Before we run through the changes, let’s talk about <em>becoming</em> the flag carrier, which is an experience in and of itself.<br />
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The first thing you’ll notice about being a carrier in Halo 4 is you’ll automatically pick up the flag. Unlike a weapon, you won’t need to hold or press a button to take the flag. We extensively tested different flag pick-up methods and settled on this one as it gets you into the action very quickly. While there will be occasions when you accidentally pick up the flag, we feel this is worth it as you can now easily grab the flag from a tough-to-reach location with just a touch, and there’s a very natural feel to the transition. We’ve also carefully tuned the flag pick-up radius, so you’ll need to be right on top of the flag to grab it. <br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flag Carrier Experience – The Flagnum</span></strong> <br />
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The moment you pick up the flag, you’ll hold the flag in your left hand and draw a Magnum in your right. The Magnum allows you to defend yourself in combat and joust other flag carriers. We’re still working with the exact tuning of the flag carrier’s Magnum, but we’re hoping to give the flag carrier a slight damage boost. As in previous Halo games, your melee attack will still instant-kill. You can’t switch weapons while holding the flag, and there are unlimited reloads on the Magnum. We’ve also added a brand new assassination called the “Flagsassination”.<br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flag Carrier Experience – Movement Speed</span></strong> <br />
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Unlike previous Halo games, you’ll move at full speed as a flag carrier, including jump and strafe. One difference to regular movement is you can’t sprint. However, a huge advantage to the Magnum is forcing enemies to stop sprinting – so in most encounters, you’re on a nearly level playing field.<br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Flag Carrier Experience – You are the Objective</span></strong> <br />
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As soon as you pick up the flag, your HUD will change to highlight the point of delivery. Each player in the new CTF has a special presentation layer that changes based on the current game state. The new HUD features clear navpoints and verbs that let you keep track of the objectives and flag locations with just a glance. When you’re holding the flag, you’ve got a job to do – <em>deliver it</em>! You’ll become the center of attention as your teammates are charged with escorting you, and enemies with stopping you. To help reinforce this, you can’t drop the flag; this makes you the centerpiece of encounters as you move the flag to the delivery point, with teammates escorting you along the way. <br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rule Changes – Scoring</span></strong> <br />
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One of the biggest rule changes to CTF is your team flag is no longer required to be at home to score; we found this keeps the flags moving across the maps through the flag lanes, and helps focus the flag defense, escort, and capture objectives. In a tie game with one point to win, flag carriers and teammates will have a tough decision of running the flag or stopping the enemy flag carrier. We’ve seen this lead to epic carrier vs. carrier battles that were so exciting we even created special rewards for them (more on this later).<br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rule Changes – Defending and Returning the Flag</span></strong> <br />
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When the enemy team drops your flag, the return timer will start. The timer is now clearly integrated into the flag’s navpoint, so it won’t be a surprise when it returns back to your base. Unlike previous Halo titles, standing on the flag will not speed up its return timer. We found this greatly improved the flag attack and defend scenarios as players can use more of the play space around their flag to defend it. It also helps to think of the flags as moving entities across the map, and your job is to keep the enemies moving, and yours in one place. So many games come down to the final moment, and defending your flag for even a few seconds can make all the difference.<br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rule Changes – Overtime</span></strong> <br />
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Overtime is also new and improved for Halo 4, and you’ll get there if time runs out in CTF and the score is still tied. Overtime is now 60 seconds long, and the first team to score wins the match. We’ve added some intense dynamic music in OT to keep the pressure on. <br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scoring</span></strong> <br />
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As in Infinity Slayer, you’ll be earning points in CTF not only for your team by scoring flags, but also for yourself by contributing to your team. Each medal in CTF awards you with medal points, which determine your place on the scoreboard compared to other players. Here’s a quick summary of the medals just for CTF.<br />
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<hr width="700" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Medal Name</strong></div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Description</strong></div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Points</strong></div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Capture</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Deliver the opponents flag to your base</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">100</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Carrier Kill</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Kill an opponent who is carrying a flag</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Kill</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Kill an opponent while holding a flag</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Defense</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Kill an opponent close to your flag, or help return it</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Runner</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Capture 2 flags in one game</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Champion</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Capture 3 flags in one game</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">25</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Assist</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Help a teammate score a flag</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Driver</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Drive a Flag Carrier close to your capture point</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flag Joust</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Kill a flag carrier while holding a flag</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Flagsassination</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Perform an assassination while holding a flag</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15</div></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /> <br />
In addition to CTF medals, you’ll still earn the standard medals you earn in Infinity Slayer. CTF also supports a custom game option that allows you to turn Infinity Ordnance on or off, allowing you to earn Infinity Slayer-style rewards in Capture the Flag. Team scoring is much simpler; the first team to three scores wins. <br />
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<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Playlist Specifics</span></strong> <br />
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We’re incredibly excited to host our CTF hopper at launch, on November 6th. Here’s a preview of our planned settings.<br />
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<hr width="700" /> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table border="0"><tbody>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>Mode</strong></div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><strong>2 Flag CTF Only</strong></div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Teams</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">5v5</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Time Limit</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">12:00</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Score Target</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">3 Captures</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Overtime</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">60 seconds</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Ordnance</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Initial and World</div></td> </tr>
<tr> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Maps</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">5 non-forged maps, tuned for CTF</div></td> </tr>
</tbody> </table></span> <br />
<hr width="700" /><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PAX Prime Q&A</span></strong></span><br />
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<img alt="PAX Prime" border="0" height="300" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/9/6/photo-2.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
As is customary when we release a slew of new information, there are always questions. So the rest of the Bulletin is dedicated to answering as many of them as Frank O'Connor, Kevin Franklin, Kevin Grace, and Brad Welch can handle. Thankfully that’s a lot. <br />
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<strong>What Objective options do we have in Custom Games? -Lycan XIII</strong><br />
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We have many new custom game options coming, especially around the Infinity experience. This means lots of customization surrounding all types of Ordnance. In Objective games, you’ll have full control over player traits, including those of the King, Flag Carrier, and Grif. Each game mode also has multiple custom options specific to that game mode that let you tune timers, settings, and rules. CTF specifically offers tuning the “Flag Return Time/Proximity Return”, “Flag Reset Time”, “Flag at Home Requirement”, “Overtime Length”, and “Flag Carrier Traits”. <br />
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<strong>I like how Exile is an outdoor kind of map. Are there other outdoor-like maps on the Halo 4 disc/future DLC? -F22 Raptor X1</strong><br />
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Oh yes. In fact, our only remake map – still secret – is most definitely outdoors. <br />
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<strong>From the gameplay videos I saw at PAX, there are no medals shown on-screen during the game. This is different from E3 gameplay where medals did show up on-screen. Will medals show up on screen for the final game? -FBI Derrick</strong><br />
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In the final game, medals will show on-screen on the left side, near the kill feed, the all-new combat log, and the ordnance meter. <br />
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<strong>The Halo 4 multiplayer is in-universe. Therefore, Grifball is actually played by Spartans. Does that mean Grifball is now the official Sport of the Spartans? -Meta0X</strong><br />
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Sort of. That is to say, it’s not a-canonical, but it doesn’t serve any particular purpose in the universe. That said, sharp-eyed fans may have already figured out a single item of context from outside the game universe… <br />
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<strong>Will there be a way to disable auto-pickup for Flag/Oddball? -CyReN CE</strong><br />
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At launch and in the launch playlists, we will be deploying CTF as-is. Although it’s possible in the future that we will give players more specific control and choices, this is something we feel pretty strongly about – and is in some ways a new mode, rather than simply an evolution of an existing game type. We understand the reaction this may cause, but there’s method in our madness and we ask your indulgence in the short term. <br />
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<strong>In Grifball, does the ball explode when planted, killing the carrier? -CrazedOne1988</strong><br />
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In the new Grifball, the round no longer cycles after each score; instead it resets at the center of the court. To reduce randomness on spawns when going back to the center, the Grif who scores is no longer killed by the ball explosion. <br />
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<strong>Was all of the announcer stuff like, "You’re holding the flag!", "Hold the ball to score points!", etc. just for all the possible new-to-Halo people at PAX so no one would be confused, or is that how the final build will be? -sliced365</strong><br />
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The Jeff Steitzer Multiplayer V/Os are all recorded fresh and new for Halo. Some are going to be more subtle, some even more “ENERGETIC”, but all will fit into a broad and properly balanced sound scheme and folks should realize they’re also noticing that these things are different, new, and changed – as well as simply more strident. However in testing, and long term testing which is one advantage we always have over the “fresh” audience, it all works out beautifully or vanishes into the background. All that said as warning however, these are not the final mixes, but they’re not wildly off.<br />
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<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/08-08-12_exile_map-02.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot Exile" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/08-08-12_exile_map-02.jpg" style="max-width: 660px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Was the vehicle setup on Exile planned to be what is used in matchmaking? -GhaleonEB</strong><br />
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Vehicle setup was designed to show a ton of content for PAX. That map content will vary dramatically depending on game mode and playlist. <br />
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<strong>In Grifball, can you have rounds enabled to make it so after one arm, it starts a new one? -The Little Moa</strong><br />
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Yes, this can be done by setting the “Score to Win” round in the general custom game settings to “1”. You can also tune the number of rounds in a game, the lives per round, and much more. <br />
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<strong>Since it's a separate game mode now, are there any Grifball-specific medals or post-game statistics? -TrueFlyingCow</strong><br />
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Each game mode has four special statistics. In Grifball, we keep track of “Scores”,” Carrier Kills”, “Ball Kills”, and “Carry Time”. We also have a specific medal for scoring the Grifball. <br />
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<strong>What precautions are you guys taking to make sure that the point system is not exploited? For example, will we be able to just play catch with the Oddball to rack up points? -indubitably1</strong><br />
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The game types, rules, matchmaking criteria and certain hidden systems will contribute towards game mode “congruity.” <br />
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<strong>In the Grifball demo at the panel, you said, "A few more tricks that are developing are the boost and a few other long throws." Can you go into any further detail on what those might be? -TacoPizzaHunter</strong><br />
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As the new Grifball is, well, new, we are still seeing new tricks come up in the play tests. <br />
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The Boost - Hold the ball with a teammate running close and directly in front of you towards the goal. Throw the ball to your teammate, telling him to jump. Immediately hammer smash behind him – pushing him forwards towards the goal. Oh, and try not to kill your buddy. <br />
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Long Throws - As Grif runs forward, jump. At the apex of your jump, aim up and throw the ball. You’ll get a slightly longer throw than normal, letting you make a Hail Mary pass to a teammate cherry picking near the goal. Ball throws are influenced by your character’s movement, so you can do shorter passes by running backwards, and longer ones by running forward. The actual angle of the throw makes the biggest difference, but every bit helps when threading the needle to a teammate. <br />
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<strong>Was the armor that was available in the PAX build the full set? If so, why is there no Mark V armor? -ArchedThunder</strong><br />
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The PAX build contains the full set of armor in Halo 4. In the final game, there are a variety of methods for unlocking armor and armor skins - ranking up, earning commendations, progressing through Specializations and completing goals on Waypoint. Some of the skins, helmets, and the FOTUS armor are exclusive to various retail offers. Some of these items MAY become available to all players at a later date. We wanted to focus on the Spartan-IV armors for Infinity, maximizing the amount of variety across the armor designs. However, we did want to include a reward for completing the Campaign on Legendary, so we decided to use the Mark VI armor as that reward. While we'd love to include every historical variant of the Chief's armor, it's just not possible to fit more armor sets into the available memory.<br />
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<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/082712_ctf_exile_02.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot Exile" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/082712_ctf_exile_02.jpg" style="max-width: 660px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Will stat tracking for kill/death ratio be done separately for the different playlists? All of the changes made to modes like Capture the Flag will do wonders for improving game speed as long as everyone is focused on winning. These improvements start to fade when people are just trying to farm for kills.-indubitably1</strong><br />
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When comparing yourself to teammates, medal points make all the difference and in each mode you’ll earn specific points for not only scoring but also helping your teammates. CTF, for example, has medals for “Flag Driver”, “Flag Assist”, and “Flag Defense”. We will be reporting stats for War Games as a mode, but also for the individual game base variants, meaning the underlying game types like CTF, Regicide, Slayer, etc. K/D ratio in general will only be highlighted for Slayer. <br />
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<strong>Was the entire Grifball arena built in Forge or is it one of the 3 Forge pallets? -N Y K R Y L L</strong><br />
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Grifball, regardless of “where” it lives, was created independently and specifically as its own thing. The environment is somewhat moot. Frankly, it had WAY too much time and effort poured into it, but we loved it. <br />
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<strong>Will there be an option to turn off the white text notifications in the middle of the screen? -The Yanix</strong><br />
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No, but the fact is that it “vanishes” after a few plays. Ask people who’ve played a lot. This is something we spent a lot of time on and is true of many “intrusive” UI, audio and dressing aspects of the game – they provide vital information for certain types of players and quickly vanish for frequent players in terms of intrusion. They were designed, tested and tweaked to achieve this. Watching other people play is almost counter to how it feels in practice. <br />
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<strong>Could you clarify where approximately Exile stands on the small-medium-big-humongousbongus scale when it comes to map size? -Royal Guacamole</strong><br />
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Because it’s laterally narrow, to ME it feels medium, but in terms of literal scale it’s in the top two thirds. However, it’s navigable and playable for four-on-four on foot. Sprint and other speedy aspects of the game make some of these answers somewhat subjective. <br />
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<strong>I noticed that the Mark VI armor for Multiplayer is not the same armor that the Chief dons in Halo 4. What type of armor is the Chief wearing then? -One One Seven</strong><br />
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Very fancy, very custom, very unique “Cortana special” armor. <br />
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<strong>In CTF, you now hold a Pistol with the flag. If I have a Plasma Pistol secondary, will it use that or still pull out a Magnum anyway? -goobot</strong><br />
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The Magnum, or “Flagnum” as it’s been dubbed, is specific to this mode. As we’ve mentioned before, this is similar, but ultimately a replacement for, rather than simply an evolution of, CTF. We understand this is controversial but are now pretty confident the changes will be enjoyed. And as we’ve said in this very article, we will have more information about options and customizability much later.<br />
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<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/08-26-12_exile-ctf-07.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot Exile" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/2012/8/31/08-26-12_exile-ctf-07.jpg" style="max-width: 660px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<strong>Will we be seeing a part II of the "Hero Awakens" video? -Austin7934</strong><br />
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Yes, and sooner than you may think. Unless you’re thinking really soon. Then it will be later than you may think. <br />
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<strong>Members of 2old2play watched much of the video footage from PAX and are finding the armor color to be kind of pastel and eggshell in nature. Are any changes to the quality of color of armor expected in the final release of Halo 4? -DEEP NNN</strong><br />
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As a very old, gray-haired fart, I resent you guys speaking on my behalf. But yes, these are indicative but hardly comprehensive color schemes. <br />
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<strong>Does the Grifball game type support up to 16 players or is it locked to a certain number? - Nuclear Taco 42</strong><br />
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Our officially supported version is 4v4, but the court is setup for 8v8 and there’s much more you can create in custom games and Forge. We’re really excited to see all of the new Grif variants the community puts together. <br />
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<strong>We have now seen the map Exile, built for CTF. I have to say, it looks awesome. Can you tell us how many maps have been built specifically for CTF, and how many others it can be played on? -GristlyStew721</strong><br />
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I agree strongly with your description of how awesome the map is. Most maps were built with team sizes and objectives in mind, but new elements like universal sprint make these modes and maps a little bit more flexible than past games. <br />
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<strong>So far we've seen that some of the weapons have customizable skins. Will this feature be available for, say, the hammer or sword? -Goosechecka</strong><br />
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Both of those items do not have enough visible surface area to justify the hit on disc/RAM/hilt/buttspace. To be honest, I only answered this question so I could coin the term “buttspace.”<br />
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I do believe that freshly-coined term is the perfect note to end on. So, until next week, my friends, when you’ll be seeing a brand new vid…oops. I should probably stop talking now. Until then. <br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angel MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-1457356599174747642012-09-01T21:51:00.000-05:002012-09-01T21:51:04.005-05:00Halo 4 BTS: A Hero AwakensToday at PAX Prime, Halo 4's Panel went down without a hitch. We even got a new BTS/Vidoc. A Hero Awakens tells about how the Master Chief has had to leave his comfort zone for the events of the Halo 4 campaign. A very good watch!<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no01EZ0CgX0&feature=g-all-u">Link-ity Link Link.</a><br />
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Halo 4 releases on November 6th, 2012.MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-35804215560442736242012-08-30T08:04:00.000-05:002012-08-30T08:04:48.902-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 8.29.12<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">When good playtests go bad</span></b></span> <br />
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<img alt="Rage Quilting" border="0" height="300" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/ragequilting.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
In order to aggregate data from numerous types of gameplay situations, we conduct regular take-home tests, and it was during one of these domestic assessments that our current favorite catchphrase was born. Let me explain. <br />
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Many of us here at 343 love playing Halo, but if there’s one thing we love more than that, it’s winning. While our domiciliary playtest sessions exist for a multitude of reasons (one of them being to observe the effects of various real life gaming situations—such as dropped connections, latency, and nagging spouses), we play to win—while gathering the relevant data, of course. <br />
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During one such recent session, our online battles brought us to an outdoor map that features a centrally located, multi-level building. It’s a place that strategic, communicative teams want to lock down and control. (That’s what some people around here say, anyway. The rest make their opinion known through the nicknames of each floor–Jerk 1, Jerk 2, and Jerk 3.) After Red Team successfully secured the advantageous center structure, Blue Team found themselves spending more time on the respawn screen than actually playing. That led to one particularly irate person abruptly and purposely leaving the game. Afterward, that individual emailed their experience to the other playtest participants, making sure to call out their fury-filled reaction. Well, a variation of their fury-filled reaction, I should say, because there was a single, extraneous letter discreetly nestled within their message. We assumed it was extraneous but who knows, actually…maybe they really did take out their indignation by sewing bed covers. And if that’s the case, “rage quilt” was the exact right term to use. <br />
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Enough about angry crafters, though. Let’s talk about PAX, baby!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PAX Prime 2012</span></b></span><br />
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<img alt="PAX Prime" border="0" height="400" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/paxprime.jpg" width="300" /></div><br />
In less than 48 hours, the doors of the Washington State Convention Center will open and thousands of people will descend upon the previously pristine venue, anxious to experience something that can only be described as a gamer’s utopia. We were down there this morning, and the early booth inspection revealed very cool and visible signage hanging from our portion of the ceiling and several super comfy game stations, quietly waiting for the impending flood of Halo fans. <br />
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Within our booth this weekend, we’ll be featuring a few different game types (one that is already announced but will be playable for the first time at an event) and a few different maps (one that will be unveiled for the first time on Friday). Panel-wise, we also have a few things up our sleeve. If you like brand new behind-the-scenes videos, especially ones that focus on storytelling, you should go. If you like demos of not-yet-confirmed game types on beautiful, brand new maps, you should go. And if you just want to know more about Halo 4, let’s just say you should go. <br />
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PAX is going to be flagtastic. And that’s all we have to say about that.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4 Button Layouts</span></b></span><br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="199" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/controlschemes.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
While we’re going to be releasing a decent amount of news at PAX, we didn’t want to leave you hanging this week. So, to satisfy that craving for Halo 4-related information, today we offer you the various button layouts that will soon be at your fingertips. <br />
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Considering the importance of players getting attached to particular layouts (such as Bumper Jumper and Recon), we’ve been very careful with the control scheme design process. Adding something like Sprint, which is equally as important as other actions, has been challenging because it’s competing with the stick-click input typically used for crouching and zooming. <br />
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We’ve tried to stay true to the classic presets you’ve become accustomed to throughout the years. For instance, an important part of Bumper Jumper is being able to jump and melee at the same time while moving and aiming, so we’ve left that intact. We initially experimented with a button swap and brought in some MLG players to test it. After observing the difficulty they had with a modified version of clawing, we had to think about what’s more important, using an Armor Ability or throwing a grenade? Ultimately we decided to leave Bumper Jumper with "Throw Grenade" on the left trigger and "Use Armor Ability" on the “X” button. <br />
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Between bringing back all the Reach button layouts and adding a new one (which is called Fishstick and will be beneficial to those coming from other FPS games), we’re confident you’ll be able to jump right in and be comfortable with the controls. In the whole scheme of things (see what I did there?), the button layout you use will depend on your play style and favorite game modes. <br />
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Halo 4 features the following button layouts:<br />
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<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_boxer.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_boxer-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_bumperjumper.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_bumperjumper-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_default.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_default-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_fishstick.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_fishstick-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_greenthumb.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_greenthumb-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_recon.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_recon-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_southpaw.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Button Layouts" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/halo4_southpaw-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Limited Edition Halo Exclusive Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment</span></b></span><br />
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On Monday, GAEMS announced the <a href="http://gaemspge.com/store/personal-gaming-environments/vanguard">Limited Edition Halo Exclusive Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment</a>. Officially, it’s a “self-contained portable gaming environment.” Unofficially, it’s completely and totally bad-ass. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Stephen Toulouse, GAEMS Product Manager, and grill him on anything and everything relating to this particular product. Before he was able to escape my clutches, here is what he said.<br />
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<img alt="Limited Edition Halo Exclusive Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment" border="0" height="277" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/g190---id-renderings-lid-angle-_-halo-se.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<b>So, Mr. Stepto, how did this amazing product come about?</b> <br />
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When I joined GAEMS earlier this summer, they were already hard at work completing the design of the new Vanguard. It had a lot of features our customers had requested over our previous Personal Gaming Environment, the G155. Vanguard has a much larger screen, better speakers, and an improved case design. It also had a great new stylized look about it that lends itself well to showing off a logo or other graphic design. John Smith, our marketing Director, was already on the lookout for the right partner that we knew our fans would get excited about. Being a Halo fanatic, when we realized it was the perfect match, I got super excited, and even more so when we brought the idea to 343 and they loved it. The more we worked with 343, the more it transformed into a UNSC-branded piece of equipment, something that can tie into any Halo game past, present, or future. It looks fantastic. <br />
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<b>Agreed! Can you tell us a little about the creation process?</b> <br />
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Having spent 18 years at Microsoft, it's fair to say I've been a software guy, not a hardware guy. Working at GAEMS, especially on the Halo edition Vanguard, has given me an incredible education in the design, development, and manufacture of consumer electronics hardware. It's an amazing process! Our design team is both in Redmond and Hong Kong, and works together to figure out how we deliver the things our customers ask for in addition to the ideas we already have. Then, special tooling has to be created to form the molds that the plastic and other materials will be poured into to create various parts. Then we have to think about the screen and how it's mounted and protected. [We also have to think about] how the casing all fits together to make sure that when it’s closed, there's a measure of protection for the console but when it is fully open there's plenty of room and airflow. <br />
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Samples are made and prototypes built. You have to make choices like just how much texture you want the finish of the case to have, and what that means for the tools being created. And that's before we even begin to get into the design work of the logos and their placement, and things like exactly what colors we want on the case to make it look good. <br />
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<b>What was the biggest challenge with making it?</b> <br />
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I think the biggest challenge was timing. We wanted to make sure we could finish the hardware design in time to get the graphic and exterior design finalized to help make sure we have the UNSC Vanguard ready for the launch of the game itself. There are a lot of processes that all have to work in parallel. In terms of the design work for the logos and graphics, 343 was a pleasure to work with. Everyone knew that we have the utmost respect for the Halo universe and wanted to create something Halo fans would be proud to own, so we were very careful to work together to make sure everything was accurate and made sense. <br />
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<b>I think I speak for our community when I say accurate is definitely good. >.> Anyway, what was something unexpected that happened during the design process?</b> <br />
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I made a post on my blog at Stepto.com that discusses how we had to change the handle of the case itself a few times to get it right! You just don't think about stuff like that typically when you think about designing electronics, but it's those types of things that can surprise you or set you back if you don't get it absolutely right. Another thing was that we decided to go with Amazon's Frustration Free Packaging. That's a very interesting process that results in a great customer experience. The UNSC Vanguard is an Amazon exclusive, and it’s a nice experience to get the box, open it, and there's your device. No "box with foam holding another box with foam" situations, and all the packaging is tidy and recyclable. It's a real shock and a pleasant surprise to just open the box and bam! There's your beautiful new UNSC Vanguard right there. <br />
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<b>That’s quite convenient. After you get that sucker out of its package, what sort of place would something like this come in handy?</b> <br />
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Personal Gaming Environments for consoles, something GAEMS created by the way, are typically thought of for their mobility. I know people like myself, Eric Neustadter, and even Frank O'Connor have all used GAEMS PGE's on trips or vacations and have tweeted or spoken about how great they are for that. But another place we're seeing them used is in the home. It's a great way for parents to reclaim their nice 50 inch TV when the kids are out of school for the summer! If the mom or dad wants to watch a movie and the children want to play a game the parents aren't interested in, GAEMS PGE's like the Vanguard are the perfect solution. Not to mention having the console in a self-contained environment that they can secure allows a parent a little more control over gaming and when it happens. <br />
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<b>I do believe that makes parents “Reclaimers”! While I laugh about my Halo joke, go ahead and tell us the most unusual place you’ve ever used it.</b> <br />
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I used mine looking out over the Pacific Ocean on the Oregon coast at a beach house. I was playing Minecraft while listening to the sound of the waves crashing outside! One might say I shouldn't have been playing games and just gone to the ocean, and for sure we did plenty of that. But it's nice during the night to have my favorite entertainment experiences close by to relax and unwind without having to sacrifice anything. <br />
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<b>Add Halo to the equation and I’m sold! Oh wait, you already did that. I guess we should finish this interview then, perhaps with your favorite thing about the Limited Edition Halo Exclusive Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment...</b> <br />
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My favorite thing about this product is that it looks like something a UNSC marine might carry on the battlefield. It's got [such] a nice rugged look to it that you could almost imagine it's a real time uplink or some type of tactical battlefield display. 343 helped us really nail the idea that, while this is a Personal Gaming Environment in our Universe, it's easy to imagine something identical to it looking like it belongs alongside a Warthog. <br />
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Oh, great. Now I want a Warthog, too. Thanks for that, Stepto. <br />
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And on that note, I do believe it’s time to wrap this sucker up. I would say until next week, but I’m hoping to see you at PAX. So until then… <br />
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<3,<br />
bs angel <br />
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P.S.<br />
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<img alt="Nothing to see here" border="0" height="224" src="https://waypointprod.blob.core.windows.net/blogfilestore/storage/blogs/headlines/2012/8/30/classified.jpg" width="400" /></div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-27141589730182117932012-08-29T20:41:00.001-05:002012-08-29T20:44:37.800-05:00Halo 4 at MLG DallasToday, Major League Gaming announced that one of the games in the tournament line up is going to be none other than Halo 4.<a href="http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/halo-4-confirmed-for-mlg-fall-championship-in-dallas-on-november-2-4/"> Click here for the article</a>. I am very happy to see this happen. How about you? sound off in the comments below!<br />
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Heck, yours truly might even get to go up to Dallas and play in the tournament!MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-11828339039427882202012-08-22T23:35:00.002-05:002012-08-22T23:35:33.344-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 8.22.12<br />
<div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">It’s no longer hot in herre</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Frankie feeds the masses" border="0" height="266" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2fIMG_2563.JPG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="400" /><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Frankie feeds the masses</span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Last week, while the mercury in the thermometer soared, we huddled up to our computers and crunched away, battling our way through both heat and producer-driven deliverables. This week the sweltering conditions may have subsided but we continue to crunch, keeping our laser-like focus on the quickly approaching finish line.<br />
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With less than 80 days until launch, the various teams across the studio find themselves at different stages of completion. Animation is wrapping things up, working only on the occasional misplaced pinkie. Localization is in a similar state as they drop in the last of their multilingual text strings. Some parts of the game are (for all intents and purposes) complete, such as audio and achievements. We’re going to touch on both today, so let’s cut the chit-chat and dive into the first of the aforementioned alliterative subject matters, shall we?</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4 Original Soundtrack and Special Edition Remix Album Coming Oct.22</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F2387749&show_artwork=true" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="100%"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Halo is defined by a lot of things. It's defined by the stories of the universe, by the quality and immersion of the graphics, by the constituents of the community that play, share, compete and create in the Halo sandbox, but to me, one of the most memorably definitive aspects of the game is and always has been the music.<br />
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We've talked a lot about the transition between Marty O'Donnell's unforgettably inspiring and foundational music - and the new, radically different approach being taken by our new composer, Neil Davidge.<br />
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Both envelop and engage the player, grounding him or her in a universe and an atmosphere quite unlike any other game series. Both use large orchestras, traditional movie score elements at times – and both explore other genres and styles within those areas. But Marty’s scores lean towards cinematic, orchestral, occasionally metallic, whereas Neil’s skillset leans more towards electronica, at least in terms of instrumentation. It’s not an apple to orange comparison, but they’re different enough to feel distinct stylistically, even to someone who’s never heard either artist before.<br />
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I am certain that when the game ships in November, the comparisons and contrasts between old and new Halo music will have huge energy, passion, and opinion fueling them. But there's something else we've been working on as a creative outgrowth of the game soundtrack.<br />
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Neil Davidge is a pretty legendary figure in the electronic music scene, not just for his work with Massive Attack but also for his compositions and collaborations with other digital and traditional artists. So when Neil approached us with the idea of working with other famous electronic musicians, DJs, and composers to create a completely unique collection of remixes and directly inspired re-imaginings of some of the game's new themes, we jumped at the chance.<br />
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These remixes won't be appearing on the main soundtrack disc - we felt that the entire purpose of an Original Soundtrack is to capture the feel, the atmosphere, and the moment-to-moment feelings of the game itself, so the OST disc will remain entirely devoted to the main game themes and tracks (including some truly incredible supplemental themes from our own in-house composer Kazuma Jinnouchi).<br />
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So just to make sure it’s perfectly clear – the OST, the Original Soundtrack, will be presented just like a movie soundtrack and stand alone, on its own disc. It will be replete with soaring themes, inspirational tracks, emotionally compelling melodies and a soundscape we are genuinely excited about.<br />
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But we wanted to do something more. Something experimental and cutting edge and extraordinarily awesome.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><span id="continue" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F2387765&show_artwork=true" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="100%"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Here in the studio, we have a seriously eclectic mix of music fans, as well as music creators and even a DJ or two. So while the focus on the remixes is largely electronic in nature, there are a couple of very different pieces to reflect that variety of taste and technique.<br />
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As part of this process I've had the personal pleasure of being introduced to new (to me) artists and new musicians through their work, partly in research for the project but increasingly for my own listening pleasure.<br />
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I distinctly remember the two most surprising tracks to arrive - Haven by Hundred Waters and The Beauty of Cortana by Apocalyptica. The former, because it's the first actual Halo “gots its own lyrics” song. It's a haunting, poetic piece of music, but the lyrics, in the context of some of the games events are genuinely moving. And Apolcalyptica's because it's a crazy Finnish mashup of chamber music, Halo, and very heavy metal. Those are my personal standouts – each has their own charismatic appeal, and yet they still fit the overall theme – of the Halo sounds and movements that tie this disc together.<br />
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This remix project is very strictly built from Halo 4. The majority of the tracks are straight up remixes of the game’s epic soundtrack and range in scope from chill or trance to radically rethought deconstructions of our compositions. But all of them are built directly on Halo 4 DNA, assets, instruments, and melodies.<br />
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This is a version of the soundtrack you can safely have in your car's CD player so that when you forget it's there, you don't blast your new date in the face with an especially bombastic sci-fi orchestra piece. Instead, you're playing something that could be (and in fact has already been, in most cases) slipped into a set by a cutting edge DJ.<br />
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I don’t ever want people to think we’re apologizing for video game music. We’re incredibly lucky to have Halo’s musical legacy. In some ways it’s a harder challenge to write great game music than even a movie score –it has to achieve all the same emotional resonance but also has to adapt to constantly shifting pace, cadence and play styles. It’s a technological and interactive challenge on top of the traditional artistic one.<br />
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But this remix effort – this is a push into a space where games typically don’t go. One of my favorite “game” soundtracks of all time is the epic box set of Grand Theft Auto Vice City, with its absolutely essential collection of 80s hits – but that could happily exist outside of a gaming universe – and indeed does, as it’s constantly on my main playlists. In that regard our remix project achieves a lot of that same multipurpose playability, but also embraces the specifics of our game music and reinterprets it in imaginative, inspirational, and thrilling ways. Oh, and one other thing that’s vitally important to us and to Neil and to the soul of this effort - all of the artists are actually gamers and Halo fans themselves. You can feel it in every beat.<br />
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The remix disc won't be for everyone, but I think there’s actually something really approachable about this – and it does one of my favorite things – it lets me hear nuance and detail and layers that I never caught in the original tracks the first time around. It takes you on surprising detours, teaching you about musical genres and subgenres that you maybe never thought to explore. It’s instructive, it’s informative, and it’s didactic.<br />
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A summary of the Halo 4 soundtrack offerings is as follows:</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 Original Soundtrack" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2fH4_OST.JPG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halo 4 Original Soundtrack (available in physical CD and digital formats)</strong><br />
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Available for standalone purchase of $13.98 (U.S. ERP), the Halo 4 Original Soundtrack features 15 themes from award-winning producer Neil Davidge, co-writer and producer of the pioneering trip hop group Massive Attack. Working in collaboration with 343 Industries, Davidge and his production team enlisted a 16-person hand-picked male tenor / bass choir plus 10 females from the London Bulgarian Choir, a full 50 piece orchestra, and a whole host of other performers to bring the music of Halo 4 to life. Those who purchase a physical copy of the Original Soundtrack will receive a free download voucher for three exclusive remix tracks and three additional Davidge tracks not included on the soundtrack but featured in the Halo 4 game. These game pieces will not be available on any other platform other than through the physical CD purchase.<br />
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Halo 4 Original Soundtrack List and Titles (CD & Digital):<br />
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1. Awakening<br />
2. Belly Of The Beast<br />
3. Requiem<br />
4. Legacy<br />
5. Faithless<br />
6. Nemesis<br />
7. Haven<br />
8. Ascendancy<br />
9. Solace<br />
10. To Galaxy<br />
11. Immaterial<br />
12. 117<br />
13. Arrival<br />
14. Revival<br />
15. Green And Blue<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halo 4 Special Digital Original Soundtrack</strong><br />
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The Special Digital Original Soundtrack features the full content of the Original Soundtrack, a digital booklet, as well as six bonus remix tracks composed by renowned producer Neil Davidge and remixed as follows: To Galaxy (Sander Van Doorn & Julian Jordan Remix), Awakening (Gui Boratto Remix), Revival (DJ Skee & THX Remix), Ascendancy (Caspa Remix), Requiem (Bobby Tank Remix) and The Beauty of Cortana (Apocalyptica vs. Neil Davidge Remix).<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halo 4 Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set</strong><br />
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<a href="http://halo4soundtrack.com/usd.html" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Available for preorder</a> today for $75 (U.S. ERP), the Halo 4 Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set includes the following: Halo 4 Original Soundtrack, Halo 4 14-track remix album, Exclusive “Making of Halo 4 Music” DVD containing over 70 minutes of unique behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and recording sessions from Abbey Road, Exclusive hardcover book on the “Making of Halo 4 Music” featuring production and composition notes from Neil Davidge plus exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive artwork images, Exclusive 12” Neil Davidge signed art print, Exclusive 180g heavy weight 12” Vinyl Full color Picture Disk of Master Chief and Cortana in a uniquely designed Sleeve bag, Exclusive Avatar T-Shirt download (Male & Female). The first 5000 orders will all be individually numbered in a limited series and personalized by Neil Davidge.<br />
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Halo 4 Remix Album Track List and Titles:<br />
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1. Awakening – Gui Boratto Remix<br />
2. Green And Blue – KOAN Sound Remix<br />
3. Requiem – Bobby Tank Remix<br />
4. Ascendancy – Caspa Remix<br />
5. To Galaxy – Sander Van Doorn & Julian Jordan Remix<br />
6. Haven – Hundred Waters Remix<br />
7. Revival – DJ Skee & THX Remix<br />
8. Ascendancy – Matt Lange Remix<br />
9. Nemesis – Alvin Risk Remix<br />
10. Solace – Maor Levi Remix<br />
11. Arrival – Norin & Rad Remix<br />
12. Green And Blue – Andrew Bayer Remix<br />
13. Foreshadow – James Iha Remix<br />
14. The Beauty Of Cortana – Apocalyptica vs. Neil Davidge Remix</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4 Achievements</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 Achievements" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2fHalo4Achievements.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Gamerscore, and collecting the breadcrumb-like achievements that augment that magical number, has evolved into an integral part of gaming. Developing and designing these game-specific challenges might seem simple but is quite a bit more complex once you begin digging into the psychology of a gamer.<br />
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Our primary goal when creating Halo 4’s achievements was to reward milestones and increase replay value while balancing both difficulty and the breadth of game modes. Our secondary goal was to live up to Halo tradition with weird ass names for some of them (hello, The Dongblainer!). While you will only be able to speculate on the exact nature of some of these achievements, here’s a peek at their very basic in-game descriptions.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">WARNING: Players looking to avoid spoilers should not read the following list of achievements. Players that didn’t bat an eye when ----- killed ---------- (Ed: Naughty!) should proceed.</strong><br />
</div><table border="0" style="background-color: #060e15; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875em; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; width: 698px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; font-size: 11px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f01.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f01.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Dawn</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 1 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f02.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f02.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Requiem</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 2 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f03.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f03.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Forerunner</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 3 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f04.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f04.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Infinity</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 4 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f05.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f05.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Reclaimer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 5 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f06.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f06.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Shutdown</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 6 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f07.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f07.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Composer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 7 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f08.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f08.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Midnight</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Mission 8 on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f09.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f09.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Wake up John</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete the Campaign on Normal or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f10.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f10.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">I Need a Hero</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete the Campaign on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">40 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f11.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f11.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Legend of 117</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete the Campaign on Legendary difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">70 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f12.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f12.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Lone Wolf Legend</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete the Campaign solo on Legendary difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">90 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f13.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f13.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Skullduggery</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete any Campaign mission with 3 or more Skulls on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f14.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f14.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Bropocalypse</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete any Campaign mission co-operatively on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f15.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f15.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Bromageddon</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete the Campaign co-operatively on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">40 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f16.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f16.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Contact the Domain</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Find a Terminal in the Campaign.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f18.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f18.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Terminus</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Find all of the Terminals in the Campaign.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">50 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f17.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f17.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Digging up the Past</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 1, find and access Chief's record.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f19.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f19.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Midnight Launch</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 2, get significant air in the Warthog at midnight.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f20.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f20.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">This is my Rifle, this is my Gun</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 3, carry a UNSC weapon all the way through on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f21.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f21.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Bros to the Close</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Make it through Mission 4 without one preventable Marine death on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f22.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f22.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Mortardom</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 5, hijack a Wraith and use it to kill at least four enemy Wraiths on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f24.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f24.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Explore the Floor</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 6, trick or force a Hunter to fall to his demise.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f25.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f25.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Give Him the Stick</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 7 in solo Campaign, take out both Hunters using only the Sticky Detonator.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f26.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f26.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Chief, Smash!</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Mission 8, kill 3 Crawlers in one hit with the Gravity Hammer.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f27.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f27.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Not Some Recruit Anymore</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Rank up your Spartan-IV to SR-5.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f28.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f28.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Movin' on Up</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Rank up your Spartan-IV to SR-20.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">30 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f29.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f29.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">I <3 Red vs Blue</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Win 5 War Games matchmaking matches.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f30.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f30.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Dongblainer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Win 20 War Games matchmaking matches.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">30 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f31.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f31.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Operation Completion</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete a Spartan Ops Mission on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">15 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f32.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f32.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">A Legendary Episode</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete all chapters in Spartan Ops Episode 1 on Legendary difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">40 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f33.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f33.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Dedicated to Crimson</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete all chapters in the first 5 episodes of Spartan Ops on any difficulty.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">80 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f34.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f34.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Crimson Alone</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete a Spartan Ops chapter solo on Legendary.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f35.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f35.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Roses vs Violets</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Find one of the RvB Easter Eggs in Spartan Ops.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f36.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f36.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Rescue Ranger</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Save at least one Marine in Chapter 3 of Episode 2 of Spartan Ops on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f37.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f37.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Knight in White Assassination</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Assassinate a Knight in any Spartan Ops mission.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f38.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f38.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">What Power Outage?</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete Chapter 4, Episode 5 of Spartan Ops without losing a generator on Heroic or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f39.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f39.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">No Easy Way Out</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">In Ch 1, Ep 5 of Spartan Ops survive all enemy waves during the defense on Normal or harder.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f40.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f40.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Challenged</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete a Challenge.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">10 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f41.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f41.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Challenger</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Complete 25 Challenges.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">20 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f42.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f42.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Armorer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Change your Spartan's armor in the Spartan Armor card.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f43.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f43.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Badge</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Change your Emblem in the Spartan ID card.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f44.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f44.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">PWND</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Change your Service Tag in the Spartan ID card.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f45.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f45.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">What a Poser!</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Change your Spartan's pose in the Spartan ID card.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f46.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f46.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Cartographer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Create and save a Custom Map in Forge.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f47.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f47.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Game Changer</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Create and save a Custom Game type in War Games.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f48.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f48.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Snapshot!</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Save a Screenshot from the Theater.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f49.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f49.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">The Director</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Save a Film Clip from the Theater.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f50.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Achievement " src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f22%2f50.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 32px; padding: 0px;" /></a></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Sharing is Caring</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;">Upload a File to your File Share.</div></td><td style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 1em; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">5 points</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">PAX Prime 2012</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="PAX Prime 2012" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f23%2fPAXPrime.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
According to their website, <a href="http://prime.paxsite.com/" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">PAX Prime</a> is a little over eight days away. That means those of us tasked with preparing the relevant Halo 4 builds and assets have approximately one week to put the finishing touches on any videos, a new map, and an already-announced-but-not-yet-played-but-will-be-playable game type that may or may not be making an appearance at this event.<br />
<br />
While the previous paragraph may have been lacking in specifics, I have one thing to make up for that, and that’s information about our panel.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saturday, September 1, 5:30pm – 6:30pm</u><br />
<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halo Reborn</strong><br />
Pegasus Theater<br />
<br />
With just a few weeks before Halo 4 launches, and the long awaited return of iconic hero, the Master Chief, 343 Industries will present a look at the evolution of a beloved franchise and the challenges and opportunities in rebuilding a familiar and beloved world. Join the storytellers, artists, and designers of Halo 4 as they show off some of that evolution and reveal even more secrets and features of the weapons, vehicles, gameplay, and characters that you’ll see when the Master Chief returns.<br />
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<br />
Our bodies are ready. Is yours?</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge of the Week</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/DETHKLOKxMETAL/fileshare#?details=19494278" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f23%2fSkulls.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Skulls are difficulty-multipliers that affect gameplay in unique ways. Should you enjoy adding such excitement to your Halo: Reach Campaign experience, this week’s Custom Challenge is for you. To participate, set up a Custom Challenge with your favorite skulls selected under Constraints. Then, upon successful completion of the challenge, the usual credit-based reward will be multiplied based on how many skulls you turned on. This challenge will be active from now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/30281897" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f23%2fScreenshotCA3YRGAG.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
If Campaign is not your thing but competitive Multiplayer is, fret not because this weekend’s Super Jackpot festivities will scratch that itch. For your chance at winning the jackpot, hop into The Arena Friday, Saturday, or Sunday when every game you complete in that particular playlist will give you a chance to win a 39,000-credit bonus.<br />
<br />
<br />
And with that, another Bulletin comes to a close. Thank you, as always, for spending a small part of your day with me. I appreciate it…more than you know.<br />
<br />
Until next week.<br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angel </div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-56470307563499278042012-08-15T20:46:00.003-05:002012-08-16T13:03:34.242-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 8.15.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">It’s getting hot in herre</span></strong></span> <br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Findles meets the Halo 4 Hover-Hand All-Stars" border="0" height="298" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fFindles.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<span style="font-size: 75%;">Findles meets the Halo 4 Hover-Hand All-Stars!</span></div><br />
The temperature outside is 80 some-odd <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/08/15/The-Halo-Bulletin-81512.aspx#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">degrees</a></nobr> today, and the temperature inside is similarly balmy. Between the sun beating down on our studio and the hot pockets of air generated from thousands of machines that rarely reach a sleeping state, our working conditions have reached a near sauna-like level. The scorching days and sweltering nights are not slowing us down, though. The audio team is one week away from having content in across the board, cinematics is nearly polish-complete, and we’re continuing to push hard toward ZBR. <br />
<br />
At this stage of the game (pun totally intended), playtests tend to become slightly more compartmentalized. The time for significant changes and alterations has passed, and tweaking and fine-tuning has moved front and center as we focus on finalizing each individual component that comprises the totality of the Halo 4 sandbox. <br />
<br />
Halo has a history of evolving with every iteration in the franchise. Keeping the essence of Halo while building upon that <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/08/15/The-Halo-Bulletin-81512.aspx#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">foundation</a></nobr> requires a thoughtful and deliberate hand, and we’ve worked hard to craft an experience that consists of not only fan favorites, but also new features that deliver a fun and satisfying gameplay experience. One of those new features is Specializations. Specializations were originally revealed in <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-51612.aspx">the announcement of the Halo 4 Limited Edition</a>, but details were sparse. So, it’s time to dig a bit deeper into this particular aspect of the game. <br />
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WARNING: Numerous words and images inbound…<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4 Specializations</span></strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 Specializations" border="0" height="199" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecializations.png" width="400" /></div><br />
The UNSC Infinity, the largest starship in the UNSC fleet, is your gateway to the Infinity Multiplayer experience in Halo 4 and serves as the center of your Spartan <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/08/15/The-Halo-Bulletin-81512.aspx#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">career</a></nobr>. Here you will build your custom Spartan-IV super-soldier, and progress your multiplayer career across both Spartan Ops and the multitude of competitive War Games modes. <br />
<br />
Halo 4 has fifty levels. Once you have advanced through the standard fifty levels, you will get the option to enlist in a Specialization. You can choose the order in which you tackle unlocked Specializations. However once you select one, you must advance through it completely before enlisting in a separate Specialization. <br />
<br />
Specializations allow you to enlist in specific rank paths. These paths are composed of ten levels each. As you level up through these dedicated paths, you will unlock armor sets, emblems, visor colors, weapon and armor skins, and armor mods – which provide even more options to customize your Spartan-IV to fit your preferred role on the battlefield. <br />
<br />
These armor mods will work exactly like all other tactical and support mods in the game. They are not tied to specific armor for each Specialization, so you don’t have to wear the armor to use that particular mod. They enhance a small part of the sandbox (meaning good players will still be good, and not good players will still be not good), allowing people to play the style they want to play and experience the parts of the sandbox they like on a more frequent basis. <br />
<br />
We consider Specializations end-game content because even if you have “access” to all of them on day one, you will still need to reach level 50 before you can enlist in any Specializations. Think of them as giving you control over extending your level cap. <br />
<br />
Two Specializations – Wetwork and Pioneer – will be available to all players when the game launches, and the rest will gradually be made available in the months following launch. We will be keeping a close watch on player participation post-launch and will roll out the additional six Specializations when the player base reaches certain milestones. There will also be playlists available that do not utilize loadouts or armor mods.<br />
<span id="continue"></span><br />
<br />
Halo 4 features the following Specializations: <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wetwork</span></strong></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Wetwork Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_WETWORK.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<strong>Wetwork Specialization</strong>: Spartan optimization for stealth operations which focus on the elimination of an enemy target with the goal of leaving no tactical footprint behind. <br />
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<b>Stealth Armor Mod</b>: The Stealth armor allows users to move quickly and silently in combat, executing enemy assassinations with lightning fast dexterity. <br />
<br />
The Stealth armor mod – which has very sharp shapes and angles, reminiscent of a knife or blade – does a number of things to help a player that likes to get up close and personal. It adds sound dampening when sprinting, animations are performed faster (to minimize the time you’re vulnerable), and it has a minor effect on Promethean Vision. Typically, when Promethean Vision is activated, people appear red. When you use Stealth, though, only your outline appears red. Many times when someone is using Promethean Vision, they scan quickly so if there’s a lot going on, they may miss you. Or you can hope, anyway. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fwetwork_helmet_gold_001.png">Wetwork gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fwetwork_helmet_blueorange_001_WK-6.png">Wetwork blue/orange visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fWetwork.png">Wetwork armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fWetwork_Variant.png">Wetwork armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fDMR_Profile.jpg">DMR Weapon Skin</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pioneer</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Pioneer Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_PIONEER.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Pioneer Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for deployment into uncharted, hostile territory (such as uncolonized worlds or Forerunner constructs like Requiem) for the purpose of gathering/relaying information. <br />
<br />
<b>Fast Track Armor Mod</b>: The Fast Track armor mod allows Spartans to gain more experiential data from each encounter, effectively ranking up quicker during the process. <br />
<br />
The Fast Track armor mod features armor that has wiring which runs throughout the armor to control temperatures in extreme conditions. Gameplay-wise, it gives the player more post-game experience. In-game, if you get 10 points per kill, you don’t get more at that exact moment, but after the game it modifies the amount of experience your Spartan earns to increase the speed at which you rank up. It’s not for everybody because it takes up a primary spot (that could be used for something like carrying an extra grenade or sprinting longer). And, in case you were wondering, you can’t change to it at the end of a game and get more experience for the entire match. Yes, we’re on to you... <br />
<br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fpioneer_helmet_gold_001.png">Pioneer gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fpioneer_helmet_silverblue_001_PR-6.png">Pioneer silver/blue visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fPioneer.png">Pioneer armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fPioneer_Variant.png">Pioneer armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fPlasmaPistol_34.jpg">Plasma Pistol Weapon Skin</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Engineer</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Engineer Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_ENGINEER.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Engineer Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for the subversion, repair and reconstitution of a wide range of technology, including Covenant and Forerunner complex networks. <br />
<br />
<b>Drop Recon Armor Mod</b>: Armor mod allows users to predict the location and time of an Ordnance Drop through an external suborbital monitoring system. <br />
<br />
The Drop Recon armor mod – the helmet of which has four socket connections for add-ons, depending on the task – lets you know that Infinity Ordnance is coming and what the Infinity Ordnance is. You see the waypoint and type of weapon that is coming down prior to the weapon entering the game (the specific time is still being fine-tuned). Organized teams will find this armor mod useful because, with communication, there is the likelihood you can beat everybody to the weapon spawns your team finds most desirable. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fEngineer_helmet_gold.png">Engineer gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fEngineer_helmet_pinkpurpleblue_EN-6.png">Engineer pink/purple/blue visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fEngineer.png">Engineer armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fEngineer_Variant.png">Engineer armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSuppressor_34.jpg">Suppressor Weapon Skin</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tracker</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Tracker Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_TRACKER.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Tracker Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for long-range target tracking (trans-continent and off-world), particularly in scenarios where conventional tracking has failed or such a substantial time has passed that the trail has gone cold. <br />
<br />
<b>Requisition Armor Mod</b>: The Requisition armor mod allows users the ability to recall their own ordnance requests in order to acquire more helpful weapons in the field. <br />
<br />
The Requisition armor mod – the helmet of which has a scanning device on the front of the visor – allows you to choose a new set of personal ordnance when personal ordnance is granted. When the menu for a personal ordnance appears on your screen, hitting left, down, or right on the D-pad selects the relevant option. When you have Requisition and hit “up”, you receive a new random selection of choices. This armor mod doesn’t have knowledge of what ordnance had previously, so while you’re not guaranteed better choices, you’re more likely to get the weapon you’re good with or your favorite power-up, if you didn’t get it the first time around. <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fTracker_helmet_gold_001.png">Tracker gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fTracker_helmet_purple_001-TK-6.png">Tracker purple visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fTracker.png">Tracker armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fTracker_Variant.png">Tracker armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fBoltshot_34.jpg">Boltshot Weapon Skin</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Rogue</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Rogue Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_ROGUE.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Rogue Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for single-operative missions which require a lone Spartan to be deployed on their own for incredibly long durations of time, even years if required. <br />
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<b>Stability Armor Mod</b>: The Stability armor mod allows users to increase their aiming stability when being fired upon. <br />
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The Stability armor mod – which features several sharp fin elements and sharp angles – makes you flinch less when you’re zoomed in and getting hit. It will be valuable to players that prefer using precision weapons and often find themselves engaged in long-range battles. If two similarly skilled players, both with DMRs and using scopes go head-to-head, the person using Stability has a small advantage. Skill and steady hands will still win the day but Stability allows you to keep your aim on target when facing multiple bullet strikes. Similarly, the player with DMR and Stability will have a larger advantage over a player with AR at long range. But (and yes, there’s always a “but”) the player they're fighting may have made a choice for a different mod in that slot, which may come into play with an additional grenade or something else. Victory is never guaranteed… <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2frogue_helmet_gold_001.png">Rogue gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2frogue_helmet_redorangesilver_001_RG-6.png">Rogue red/orange/silver visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fRogue1.png">Rogue armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fRogue_Variant.png">Rogue armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fCarbine_Profile.jpg">Carbine Weapon Skin</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stalker</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Stalker Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_STALKER.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Stalker Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for target shadowing missions which require tactical invisibility despite operating at an extremely close range to the target itself. <br />
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<b>Nemesis Armor Mod</b>: The Nemesis armor mod allows users to target and track down previous attacking enemies, highlighting them on the armor’s passive sensors. <br />
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Nemesis armor – which features lines that are both strong and stealthy – gives you an icon on your HUD of the last person that killed you. While some people utilize it to get revenge, others use it to avoid that person (for obvious reasons). It’s also useful when playing defense for seeing where an offensive player is going. On maps with limited visibility, Nemesis can provide a short window of intelligence in the movement of enemy players or teams, allowing a respawning team to react and steal a match. In play testing, we’ve seen players trusting the extra information implicitly and falling for feints or being target fixated with the extra information and being lured into unfavorable situations. As with everything in Halo, this upgrade allows you to tailor your play to your style but remember that the enemy team is aware of the ability and will be countering and often using it or another option to tip the scales back in their favor. <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fstalker_helmet_gold_001.png">Stalker gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fstalker_helmet_yellowgreen_001_ST-6.png">Stalker yellow/green visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fStalker.png">Stalker armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fStalker_Variant.png">Stalker armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fBattleRifle_Profile.jpg">Battle Rifle Weapon Skin</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pathfinder</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Pathfinder Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_PATHFINDER.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Pathfinder Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for deep, unconventional deployment within unknown enemy territory and with little to no assistance from command. <br />
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<b>Gunner Armor Mod</b>: The Gunner armor mod decreases the time of weapon overheat when occupying a vehicle weapon position and increases Spartan speed while carrying a detached turret. <br />
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The Gunner armor mod – which was designed to explore alien worlds – has two major functions: One, when you’re on a mounted anti-infantry gun (Warthog and the secondaries of Wraith, Scorpion, etc.), the guns overheat less quickly, allowing you to fire longer at the maximum rate of fire. And two, when you pull the gun off an emplaced mount, you move faster, allowing you to use those guns more effectively offensively instead of just defensively. You still won’t be able to use Armor Abilities or Sprint, but you can move faster, bringing some heavy firepower to any offensive attack. <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fpathfinder_helmet_gold_001.png">Pathfinder gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fpathfinder_helmet_orangegreen_001_PT-6.png">Pathfinder orange/green visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fPathfinder.png">Pathfinder armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fPathfinder_Variant.png">Pathfinder armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fAssaultRifle_34.jpg">Assault Rifle Weapon Skin</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Operator</span></b></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="Operator Halo 4 Specialization" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fSpecialization_OPERATOR.png" width="292" /></div><br />
<b>Operator Specialization</b>: Spartan optimization for the operation and control of a wide-range of vehicles; space, air, ground, and sea. <br />
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<b>Wheelman Armor Mod</b>: The Wheelman armor mod gives Spartans the skill to coax every bit of stamina and durability out of vehicles they are piloting. <br />
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Wheelman armor – which features cylinder packs that could be preplaced with more oxygen or cooling material depending on the mission – makes you suffer the negative effects of an overcharged Plasma Pistol burst for less than the normal time. Vehicles you drive are also more durable over a longer period of time. You can still get hijacked, but the window for that is smaller. <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2foperator_helmet_gold_001.png">Operator gold visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2foperator_helmet_orangepurple_001_OP-6.png">Operator orange/purple visor</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fOperator.png">Operator armor set</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f16%2fOperator_Variant.png">Operator armor set variant</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fMagnum_34.jpg">Magnum Weapon Skin</a> <br />
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Some players will select their Specialization based on weakness, trying to make up for a skill-based deficiency. Others will select their Specialization based on strength, hoping to turn close games into more solid victories. Whichever path you choose to take, you should make a meaningful decision for your play style, no matter what decisions others are making because, as you’ll find out in a mere three months, it’s all fun and games. Until your buddy takes your personal ordnance, that is…<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge of the Week</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Career/haloreach/Challenges"><img alt="Custom Challenge of the Week" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fCustomChallengeOfTheWeek.png" style="border: 4px inset rgb(34, 54, 78);" width="389" /></a></div><br />
Many people love Elites, some for the advantages that come from having quadruple-hinged jaws, others because they find virtual battles against split chins particularly satisfying. Regardless of which group you fall into, you’ll probably get a kick out of this week’s Custom Challenge of the Week. <br />
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To participate, set up a Custom Challenge with Elites as the type of kill. Assuming you’re successful in your Covenant adventures, resulting kills will net you double the usual credit multiplier. This challenge will be active from now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/1107"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f15%2fFirefight.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If my calculations are correct (and they never are), we haven't missed a Super Jackpot weekend in at least four months. We don’t plan on ruining that streak, so the tradition continues, this weekend with Firefight. That means that starting Friday and ending on Sunday, hopping into Anniversary Firefight or Firefight will present you with the chance of receiving a 27,000-credit bonus. I would say go get some, but I already know you will. <br />
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And that, my friends, wraps up yet another Halo Bulletin. I’ll see you next week, when hopefully our weekly communication will be music to your ears. Until then… <br />
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<3,<br />
bs angel <br />
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P.S. <a href="https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst105328_The-Halo-Bulletin--8-15-12.aspx">Discuss</a>.MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-9635615941756036912012-08-14T19:13:00.001-05:002012-08-14T19:15:03.525-05:00Halo 4 specializations will change Halo multiplayer for ever!You’re going to play <a class="autolink" href="http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/110/110563.html">Halo 4</a> this fall. You know it. Your friends know it. Your family knows it. Your significant other knows it (What’s that? You haven’t told them yet? Trust us, it’s probably best to do so sooner rather than later). For Xbox owners, there is simply no bigger game. But with today’s unveiling of multiplayer Specializations – essentially, Spartan mini-classes that will further customize, enhance, and prolong your Halo 4 War Games multiplayer experience – you’re probably underestimating just how much of your life is about to be spent with the Spartan IVs. We’ve got a breakdown of all eight Specialization classes, starting with the basics, along with details straight from the mouth of Halo 4 Spartan Ops designer David Ellis. Buckle up, people.<br />
<div class="aligncenter"></div><div class="articleSubHeader"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Specialization Overview</span></b></div>“When we launch Halo 4 in November, that’s just the beginning,” Ellis tells us. “Specializations are just another <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/15/halo-4-specializations-will-change-halo-multiplayer-forever#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">opportunity</a></nobr> to make the play experience months and even years after release feel fresh.”<br />
With that in mind, a few <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/15/halo-4-specializations-will-change-halo-multiplayer-forever#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">housekeeping</a></nobr> notes: Specializations give you 10 extra levels’ worth of goodies to unlock, including nine levels cosmetic armor items. Those nine include armor sets, skins for those armor sets, a weapon skin, emblems, and a visor color. On the tenth level, you get your gameplay modifying perk – the ultimate prize you really care about that we’ll detail below.<br />
Also, and this is an important part: two of the Specializations – Pioneer and Wetwork – will be available at launch. The rest will come online later…unless you purchase the Halo 4 Limited Edition, in which case you’ll have access to all 10 at launch.<br />
Finally, to answer your question: Yes, your Specializations are usable in Spartan Ops mode.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Wetworks</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/wetworkfullpng-4403f9_800w.png" width="400" /></div>Halo fans who wore the Hyabusa armor proudly in Halo 3 can now walk the walk in addition to talking the talk. As you may have heard in previous Halo 4 multiplayer footage, these Spartan IVs make some serious noise when they move. How could they not? They’re seven-foot-tall superhumans running around frantically while wearing one-ton metal armor. Enter the Wetwork armor mod, which boasts a couple of key stealth-related benefits.<br />
“When someone’s using Promethean vision, they show up on screen as a big red figure,” says Ellis. “With this [mod], you still show up, but the only thing that shows up is your outline.<br />
“And also when you sprint, it adds some sound dampening so you don’t make as much noise when you sprint.” Furthermore, the assassination animation will happen faster for you, leaving you vulnerable for a shorter duration of time. Though Ellis did also clarify an immediate question we had, saying, “You definitely still show up on <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/15/halo-4-specializations-will-change-halo-multiplayer-forever#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">radar</a></nobr>, let me make that clear.” Wetworks is one of the two immediately accessible Specializations available to all players out of the box.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Pioneer</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/pioneerfullpng-9d80c9_800w.png" width="400" /></div>We can’t imagine anyone not starting out by spending a lot of time as a Pioneer, and not just because the other Specializations that everyone will have access to on November 6. Simply, the Pioneer’s Fast Track mod nets you experience points towards the next level at a higher rate, bringing you closer to your high-level goals.<br />
And because we can already hear the gears turning in your head, Ellis and 343 have already planned for the potential exploits of this particular class. “You can change loadouts mid-match, but we put fail-safes in,” Ellis begins. “For Fast Track, you only get extra XP for the amount of time you were using it. You can’t just turn it on right at the end of a match and think you’re going to get extra XP for everything you did in a match.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Engineer</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/engineerfullpng-9d80cc_800w.png" width="400" /></div>In Halo 4 multiplayer, weapon drops won’t be predictable. Rather, they’ll appear dynamically both in location and in content. You might get lucky and get a rocket launcher, and you might be fortunate enough to have that SPNKr drop a mere feet from your location. In the event something good is falling from the sky, the Engineer’s Drop Recon armor mod provides an advantage. “A couple extra seconds before everyone else sees the [drop] coming down, the Engineer is gonna get a heads-up,” Ellis says. Secondarily, he adds, “Based on the distance to the weapon, you can get an arrow pointing you to where the nearest timed ordinance drop is coming in. It extends the range of those popping up on your HUD.”<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Tracker</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/trackerfullpng-9d80c6_800w.png" width="400" /></div>Alternative to the same situation the aforementioned Engineer faces, of course, is this: What if you truck halfway across the map only to discover a lame Covenant plasma rifle? Bummer, right? Well, the Engineer has the ability to turn that frown upside-down with his Drop Recon armor mod.<br />
“When you get an ordinance drop, you get a choice of some grenades, a weapon, and a power-up,” Ellis explains. “What this allows you to do is essentially re-roll. So if the three choices that you have don’t suit your play style, you get a chance to re-roll and get an all-new selection.”<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Rogue</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/roguefullpng-9d80c8_800w.png" width="400" /></div>“In past Halo games, when you’d be zoomed in and take a shot, you’d be taken out [of your zoom],” Ellis reminds us. “Now it’s not necessarily the case. As you’re taking shots [with the Stability mod], it allows you to keep your reticule more stable.” Yep, this one is almost straight out of Call of Duty, as it will also improve your from-the-hip firing accuracy. The Rogue Specialization is tailor-made for players who prefer to snipe their foes from afar. [Editor’s Note: If only Halo 4 had a Halo 1-style super-pistol to go with this mod, I’d be unstoppable. MUHAHAHA!!!]<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Stalker</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/stalkerfullpng-9d80c7_800w.png" width="400" /></div>Described by 343 Industries as “Spartan optimization for target shadowing missions which require tactical invisibility despite operating at an extremely close range to the target itself,” the Stalker packs the Nemesis armor mod, a passive skill that, according to Ellis, “Pops up on the HUD an icon of the last person that killed you.” This also applies to attacking enemies as well, making it useful for both retaliation and revenge. Teams that communicate well can make fantastic use of this perk.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Pathfinder</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="179" src="http://assets2.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/pathfinderfullpng-9d80ca_800w.png" width="320" /></div>This one is pretty self-explanatory. Pathfinders enjoy the Gunner mod, which reduces the cool-down on vehicle weapon overheating and allows you to move faster when carrying a detached emplacement. “If you like grabbing turrets,” suggests Ellis, “This will make you a little more powerful than you would be otherwise.” Ellis may or may not have had an ear-to-ear grin on his face when he said this.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Operator</b></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="224" src="http://assets1.ignimgs.com/2012/08/14/operatorfullpng-9d80cb_800w.png" width="400" /></div>This one’s for all the vehicle lovers out there. “In the past you’ve been able to use an EMP pulse to freeze a vehicle,” says Ellis, recalling far too many memories of having a Running Riot interrupted by a well-placed overcharged plasma pistol burst. “This [Wheelman armor mod] gives you a bit of a resistance against that. It won’t necessarily stop you in your tracks [anymore].”<br />
But wait, there’s more: “This also allows you to recharge the health of a vehicle a little faster. It won’t be fast, but if you can get out of harm’s way, you’re going to recharge the vehicle’s health faster than you would otherwise.” And 343 is encouraging this in a key way: “You’re going to be rewarded a lot more for [driving well and getting assists] than you were before,” clarifies Ellis. “We’re going to encourage people to want to be the driver.”<br />
Before you get the same idea I did, though, take note: multiple armor mods of the same type do not stack. So if you fill a Warthog full of Operators, you won’t create a magic, invincible ride. Sadly.<br />
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<div class="articleSubHeader"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>The End…but Just the Beginning</b></u></span></div>It’s becoming clearer and clearer that Halo 4’s robust multiplayer mode is even deeper than any of us could have anticipated. But with all these new-school Spartan IVs, what about the classic MJOLNIR Mark V look from Halo 1? Does that svelte and simple suit of armor have a place in Halo 4’s sophisticated, story-grounded War Games universe? “I will say that if you’re a fan of nostalgia, we’ve definitely included some options that will scratch that particular itch,” Ellis concludes. And as for other Recon-like armor-related surprises? ““We definitely have some secret [armors) up our sleeves.”<br />
Which of these eight Specializations sounds most awesome to you? Least awesome? Sound off in the comments below!<br />
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<a href="http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/15/halo-4-specializations-will-change-halo-multiplayer-forever">[Source] </a>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-36717532905639643002012-08-09T08:33:00.000-05:002012-08-09T08:33:18.170-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 8.8.12<div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">I was on a boat</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons Wallpaper" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fUNSC_GUN_WallPaper-1.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fUNSC_GUN_WallPaper_1280x720p.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1280x720</span></a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fUNSC_GUN_WallPaper1920x1080.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1920x1080</span></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
We love meetings around these parts. We have meetings to discuss what to serve at meetings (brown foamy liquids are popular), we have meetings to discuss the top 20 best things about meetings (because 10 wasn’t enough), and we have meetings to discuss how to know when you’ve attended too many meetings (our conclusion: there’s no such thing).<br />
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One of my recurring meetings is about Matchmaking. Typically, Frankie suggests bringing back Golden Showers, I yell obscenity-laced tirades in his general direction and then we play SWAT. Lately though, our focus has switched from Halo: Reach to Halo 4. No longer are we discussing cutting back playlists, but instead we’re discussing what playlists we’re going to launch with, along with what we’re going to bring in post-launch.<br />
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You’ll hear more about both later in this Bulletin but first, we need to talk about a subset of the Halo 4 sandbox. Why, you ask? Because last week we skipped the Bulletin, so this week I owe you twice the amount of content. And, in case you were wondering, that content will be delivered in the form of one video (well, two, kind of) and a boatload of (related) words.<br />
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I hope you’re ready.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4’s UNSC Weapons</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fUNSC_weaponry.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Much like past Halo games, the UNSC weapons in Halo 4 are meant to be grounded in modern day tech. They tend to be purpose built with function superseding aesthetics. There are a couple reasons for this – one reason is to make the player feel like an underdog in comparison to the highly futuristic and sophisticated weaponry used by the Covenant and Forerunner enemies. The other purpose is that it provides a good starting point for new players because they already have some familiarity and understanding of the core weapon roles, making them easily relatable.<br />
<br />
Despite the majority of them being similar to modern day military weapons, they do have several specialized power weapons that help convey mankind’s progress when it comes to future tech. These include weapons like the Railgun, Spartan Laser, and Sticky Detonator.<br />
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Before you learn more about the UNSC weapons available in Halo 4, we thought you’d like to see them in action. So, check out the following video, and then continue reading to find out the specifics about what you’ll soon have at your disposal. (By the way, the music in this video is not from the original soundtrack. We’ll tell you more about where it <em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">is</em> from on a later date.)</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="youtube-blocker" style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 390px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 640px;"><iframe class="youtube-player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/s76uMzaQ120" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
If you’d like to hear the UNSC weapon sound effects in all of their not wub-wub-wub glory, here is the same video without the music. And yes, we will be doing the same thing with Covenant and Promethean weapons soon-ish, and we may even show them off on a different level.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><span id="continue" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="youtube-blocker" style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 390px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: 640px;"><iframe class="youtube-player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0o-rwNODTsU" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Frank O'Connor, David Ellis, and Chris King, along with Vic DeLeon, Joel Gifford, Chris Howard, Scott Warner, Bill Clark, Kynan Pearson, Pierre Rivest, and Christopher Hands joined me to share their thoughts about UNSC weapons. The UNSC utilizes the following base weapons:</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fAssaultRifle.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ASSAULT RIFLE</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: MA5D Individual Combat Weapon System<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 32 rounds<br />
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Standard fully automatic firearm of all UNSC branches, effective at both close-range and mid-range combat.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - AR is still pretty much what it always was, a decent mid-range weapon which currently might feel underpowered compared to some prior incarnations, especially in the context of newer guns – but is remarkably useful for certain kinds of panicky encounters, such as close quarters retreating in MP or dealing with swarms of Crawlers in Campaign and Spartan Ops.<br />
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David - I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I definitely feel like I have more control over my bullet spread when pulsing my AR starts than in past games. No doubt about it, the Assault Rifle is definitely still at its best in close quarters.<br />
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Chris - Relative to other Halos, this feels to me like a slightly more powerful Halo 3 AR. Some people might have some prejudice against the weapon because it’s not the newest, flashiest weapon on the block and there are a lot of other things that will catch your eye first. That being said, this is one of the best looking weapons in the game IMO. Gameplay-wise, we’ve tried to extend the range on the AR a bit from what it’s traditionally been and made it a tad more accurate. This is one of my favorite weapons in Halo 4 and I’m particularly fond of pairing it with a long range rifle in MP using the Firepower armor mod.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fBattleRifle.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">BATTLE RIFLE</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: BR85 Heavy-Barrel Service Rifle<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 36 rounds<br />
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Utilizes precise, three-round burst functionality, making it a formidable mid-range, semi-automatic weapon.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
<br />
Frank - Designed to be precise at mid-range and reasonably predictable at long range, the BR is currently my favorite loadout rifle. It’s not as precise or surgical as the DMR and feels more predictable to me than the LightRifle, its closest Promethean counterpart. For headshots and quick takedowns for an intermediate player like me, it’s just a great balance.<br />
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David - Like a well-oiled baseball glove, pick up the Battle Rifle in Halo 4 and you’ll feel right at home. With the BR being hitscan (projectiles register hits immediately upon trigger pull), it is definitely a force to be reckoned with at mid to long range. Roll into battle with a teammate or two at your side, and enemies will turn and run at the mere threat of your groupshots. There’s just something inherently satisfying about that triple thud unleashed with each trigger pull.<br />
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Chris - The firing cadence and rhythm of the BR are music to my ears. This one features a 2x zoom vs. the DMR’s 3x so I tend to utilize it more on smaller maps like Haven and Adrift, although it’s still effective on larger maps as well. It features a tad bit of recoil. This means you will need to realign your target (especially in a prolonged duel) but also has the added upside of being slightly easier to get a finishing headshot as you can focus more on the upper torso and land the headshot via recoil on the second or third bullet.<br />
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Vic - I love playing with the new BR in Halo 4. It feels and sounds oh-so-solid, and I didn’t have to re-learn how to use it, which made me happy. Much to my surprise, the custom skins for it are a nice addition. I didn’t think I’d like them since I lean towards a more purist approach when it comes to the UNSC weapons but after playing around with them, I think they are actually pretty sweet.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f8%2fDMR.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DMR</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M395 Designated Marksman Rifle<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 14 rounds<br />
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Premiere marksman rifle of the UNSC, offering impressive single-fire accuracy at reasonably long distances.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - Laser precise, predictable, but with the associated slower rate of fire, I definitely prefer it in long-range encounters or purpose-specific “mini-snipe” conditions, like taking someone off a turret, for example. In my experience over mid-long range combat, I am invariably defeated when bringing BR to bear, but the closer those encounters are, the less likely it is to happen.<br />
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David - This might surprise some people, but based solely on pure lethality, I’d have to give the ever-so-slight edge to the DMR right now. As Frank mentioned, it’s incredibly precise and simplified with lower rate of fire than in Reach. Now the only info you need to juggle in your head when going toe-to-toe is the middle of the reticle as you line it up to dome your unfortunate foe. For my money, BR with groupshot is greater than DMR, but if you're lone wolfing, DMR is the way to go.<br />
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Chris - This thing is absolutely ridiculous long-range. While it does feature a slight amount of bloom to balance it at extreme distances, for the majority of mid to long range encounters it doesn’t really come into play. The combination of the accuracy, headshot functionality and the improvements we have made to the aim assist system make this one of the best feeling guns in any Halo game IMO. One other thing worth mentioning on this one… I can’t get over how awesome this weapon sounds – it has an insanely meaty punch to each shot and gives me an adrenaline rush just firing it!<br />
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Joel - When compared to the BR, the DMR is better at long ranges and taking down shields, but is a little tougher to pull off that last headshot with. Also, it sounds like I’m firing a cannon with each shot from a DMR. SO MUCH POWER!</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fMagnum.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGNUM</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M6H Personal Defense Weapon System<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 8 rounds<br />
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UNSC's personal sidearm of choice due to its excellence at close-range to mid-range engagements.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
<br />
Frank - I only ever used this weapon historically in Halo: CE because it was a beast (or dual wielded it in Halo 2), and in SWAT because it let me spam in panicky corners. In Halo 4, I am still trying to figure out what to use it for. I seldom pack it as a loadout, but I am getting beaned by it consistently so I may experiment more.<br />
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David - The Magnum in Halo 4 is designated as a secondary weapon and as such it should be a just a little weaker than your primary options. With a faster rate of fire, it’s more deadly than the DMR close-range, but a twitchy trigger finger will limit its effectiveness at longer ranges.<br />
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Chris - The Halo 4 Magnum isn’t meant to compete with the big boys (DMR, BR, Carbine, LightRifle) so its role is a bit different than in the past. It definitely won’t compete with the Halo 1 Magnum (although, what weapon will?). It’s still lethal but best used as a backup (switch to a Magnum to finish someone vs. waiting for a long reload on your primary weapon) or to pair with a fully auto primary weapon like the AR or Storm Rifle (drop an enemy’s shields and then finish them with a single headshot). In the hands of a skilled player though, this thing can still be a beast as it’s one of the fastest firing guns in the game. The other big change I think players will notice is that we have drastically sped up animation times when using a pistol. So you will be able to switch to it quicker, pull off melees and grenade throws faster, etc. than you will with primary weapons.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Specialty UNSC Weapons:</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fShotgun.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SHOTGUN</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M45D Tactical Shotgun<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 6 rounds<br />
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Dominant close-quarters weapon specializing in boarding actions, breach maneuvers, and urban operations.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - Definitely not as overpowered as it has been in the past, it’s a one-shot kill at point-blank range (usually) but I find it’s not quite as deadly as Reach’s in close quarter strafing encounters. I use a LOT of ammo trying to take folks down without risking swapping weapons, if that makes sense.<br />
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David - I’ve always been the kind of guy who loves to jump in the middle of a squad of enemies to see how many I can take out in my blaze of glory. As such, the Shotgun, if I might borrow a phrase, scratches that particular itch for me. With the aesthetic redesign, the Shotgun feels like a future bangstick designed with one purpose: to blow heads clean off their shoulders. Unlike Frank, I actually find this shotgun to be easier to use than the one in Reach, but when getting the jump on enemies, you better make that first shot count. Otherwise, you’ll be left wondering what could have been while waiting to respawn.<br />
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Chris - The new Shotgun model is SICK and definitely reads as a bit more futuristic than the previous versions. It actually has a lot longer range now, less damage falloff, and is quite a bit more powerful than say the Reach version overall, but some of that dialed up power is countered by the other changes in the game like Sprint by default, mobility-based Armor Abilities, and generally faster movement speeds. This is definitely one of my favorite ordnance weapons. I especially love finding one when I have the Speed Boost in MP.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fSaw.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SAW</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M739 Light Machine Gun<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 72 rounds<br />
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Squad automatic weapon used in protracted engagements where sustained or suppressive fire is required.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - I LOVE the way it sounds and feels, but my mistake was approaching it as some kind of mega-powerful AR. It’s not. I still haven’t mastered when to use it, but have had good experience using it to finish players as I close on them, but the speed at which it goes through a clip means you have to make every shot count.<br />
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David - The SAW is, without a doubt, the most psychologically intimidating GUN in the game. It looks unlike any gun you’ve seen before in a Halo game, and packs a world champion-class punch when spraying molten projectiles at everything in your way. The SAW is also incredibly useful as a force modifier when encountering a vehicle on foot. A skilled SAW user will use every tool at his disposal to clear space while shredding surrounding vehicles. The comparison to the AR is apt, but whereas a skilled AR user (yes, they do exist) will use finesse to drop a foe, the SAW almost demands of you to unleash its fury by burning down enemies with overwhelming force. As Frank said, though, you do want to keep an eye out on the ammo count as before you know it you’ll be hearing that familiar “click, click, click” or impending death.<br />
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Chris - We are still dialing in the final range on this one so I think some of Frank’s opinions will change here. I absolutely love the “fireworks” show it puts on though when it fires a barrage of tracers at an unsuspecting opponent. This is one of the fastest firing fully auto guns in the game and fires faster than some of the mounted/vehicle machine guns even to put it into perspective. It features a slight bit of recoil and a lot of spread but makes up for it with sheer brute force and an enormous drum barrel magazine. This is definitely one of my favorite new weapons in the game.<br />
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Chris H. – This is my favorite weapon. It’s like the AR’s mean older brother, or a more mobile turret emplacement.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fStickyDetonator.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">STICKY DETONATOR</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M363 Remote Projectile Detonator<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Acheron Security<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 1 round<br />
<br />
Single-hand, short-range explosives launcher which can detonate remotely and at the operator's discretion.<br />
<br />
How it feels:<br />
<br />
Frank - I love this thing. I love the fact that I can use it strategically or tactically, but it’s definitely a weapon that requires a lot of skill and planning. In reality that’s what it has in common with the Grenade Launcher, but it’s not a replacement. I think the same kind of players will use it though – that is to say folks who like to spend time mastering its nuance. The audio indicator means it’s not a foolproof trap you can set people up with, but when it works, it’s incredibly satisfying. VERY tough to stick people with directly, but fun when it happens.<br />
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David - Risk and reward. Such simple words, and the Sticky Detonator is that concept forged into an instrument of destruction. Against foot soldiers, it requires strategic thinking and lightning reflexes. Against vehicles, it’s more forgiving, thanks to the bigger target to place your shot. My personal favorite is initiating a game of on-foot chicken against a Ghost followed by a stick and side thrust, then calmly detonating as the Covenant vehicle moves a safe distance away. I don’t find myself getting surprised by players who attempt to use it as an area of denial weapon. But against the right enemy you can quickly find yourself carrying imminent death back to your teammates as you jog back for reinforcement.<br />
<br />
Chris - I totally agree with everything Frank and David have mentioned here. This is a really satisfying gun to use! The other thing I love about it is that it really lends itself to creativity on the part of players. I have seen members of the team employ some hilariously awesome tactics with this thing like hiding the sticky detonator projectile inside of empty vehicles, in clever locations on a map like behind grenade pickups, sticking it to a vehicle and then driving said vehicle at enemies and hopping out and detonating it, etc.<br />
<br />
Scott - I find there are three great uses for the Sticky Detonator: Blowing up whole squads of Covenant all at once, sticking a grenade to a Warthog (or, better yet, someone’s face – KABOOM!), and setting up secret Claymore-like placements of grenades in key areas of the map where you know there will be enemies coming by soon.<br />
<br />
Bill - I love the Sticky Detonator because it’s fun to stick a few grenades on a Warthog and drive it around like a parade float with festive streamers trailing behind.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fRailgun.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">RAILGUN</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: Asymmetric Recoilless Carbine-920<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Acheron Security<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 1 round<br />
<br />
Powerful linear accelerator that fires explosive rounds at tremendous speed to efficiently eliminate targets.<br />
<br />
How it feels:<br />
<br />
Frank - The charge time is interesting. It charges quicker than a Spartan Laser (and is weaker, obviously) but is so quick that it’s hard to use on “planned” targets in the way the Splaser was – so you often feel like it goes off before you intended it to and before the target you intended to lead, falls into view. Satisfying for sure and a good backup when trying to take down a troublesome vehicle, but hardly a giant-killer.<br />
<br />
David - First described to me as a junior Spartan Laser, the Railgun is anything but. The quicker charge times allow me to be a little more fast and free in engaging in 1v1 showdowns. I also find it more useful against vehicles in situations where, say, a Banshee gets a drop on me in the open. The lack of a zoom means you have to be careful at what range you’re attempting to engage others, but when you do, the feeling of satisfaction is fantastic.<br />
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Chris - This one has a bit of a learning curve on it because you have to master the quick charge time to be successful but man, once you get it down this is one of the most satisfying weapons to use in the game. It’s really good against vehicles and in tight corridor spaces. It also utilizes some splash damage so it’s great against bunches of enemies as well. Mechanically, it’s somewhat similar to a Spartan Laser – you charge it up and it fires, but unlike a Splaser, you have some control over it. What I mean is that it has an overcharge so you can’t hold it down forever but there is also a small window where you can release the trigger early to fire as well so you don’t have to time your charge absolutely perfectly as is the case with the Splaser. One other pro-tip: Try using this in conjunction with Promethean Vision!<br />
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Kynan - I like the Rail Gun since it’s basically a Sniper Rifle, Rocket Launcher, and Spartan Laser all wrapped into one. You charge it up to shoot a direct damage shot that explodes on impact. WIN!<br />
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Pierre - The Railgun is awesome! The combination of the charge and the one-shot kill makes this weapon the ultimate risk/reward weapon for me. Killing a guy as soon as he pokes his visor around a corner or getting mid-air Railgun kills have to be some of the most satisfying kills the game offers.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fSpartanLaser.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SPARTAN LASER</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: Weapon/Anti-Vehicle M6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 4 shots<br />
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Formidable nonlinear coherent light rifle that is highly proficient at destroying vehicles over impressively long distances.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - I haven’t used it enough to really say how I feel about it. Definitely just as challenging to use as before, but to me it feels less powerful, so you probably still have to control it to deal with big team vehicle maps where it shows up, but it won’t simply stop transit across those maps the way it used to. Also can’t “fan” it like I did in Halo 3.<br />
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David - Currently, I’d put the Laser just below Halo 3’s “red dot of death” and slightly above the Halo: Reach variant. It seems to have slightly less aim assist than Halo 3, but still packs a mean punch when you connect. In matchmaking, you will primarily see this as an occasional ordnance drop on maps and modes designed for BTB.<br />
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Chris - Those are pretty accurate assessments. Still tears apart vehicles and still can be lethal against guys on foot when in the hands of a skilled player.<br />
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Christopher - This is my favorite UNSC weapon. The sheer joy in blowing up that pesky Ghost who was harassing your team, or taking out that Wraith who keeps taking out your team’s vehicles is just great.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fRocketLauncher.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">ROCKET LAUNCHER</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: M41 SSR Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 2 rockets<br />
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Devastating from close-range to mid-range, capable of tracking airborne vehicles after locking onto them.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - It’s definitely got its own flavor in Halo 4 but to me, it’s still the trusty Rocket Launcher. Feels tuned to be a bit more predictable for your opponents, but still does what you intend it to do in terms of direct hits and splash damage.<br />
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David - If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I love any advantage I can use, and the Rocket Launcher is the ultimate advantage for me. It’s big, it fires rockets. What’s not to love?<br />
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Chris - Functionally, it’s similar to past versions. The big differences from past versions are that the projectile speed has been upped a hair to help compensate for the overall faster pace of our game and the splash damage is a bit larger.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo 4 UNSC Weapons" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fSniperRifle.PNG" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">SNIPER RIFLE</strong><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESIGNATION</strong>: Sniper Rifle System 99-Series 5 Anti-Materiel<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MANUFACTURER</strong>: Misriah Armory<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MAGAZINE CAPACITY</strong>: 4 rounds<br />
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Considered the UNSC's best long-range rifle, boasting formidable stopping power and unparalleled accuracy.<br />
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How it feels:<br />
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Frank - Sits for me, right between Reach and Halo 2 in terms of ease of use. I basically couldn’t snipe at all in Halo 3, other than swipe-sniping, so this is a great feeling weapon for my campy style, but I am frequently defeated by DMR players if I get spotted quickly enough.<br />
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David - I have to be honest, I still haven’t been able to get the hang of this version of the Sniper Rifle, but, if I’m being honest, I never really got the hang of any previous iteration either. The new sound of the gunblast as the bullet breaks the sound barrier is incredibly rewarding, but pinpoint aiming is necessary for dispatching folks at extreme distances.<br />
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Chris - The UNSC Sniper Rifle feels really, REALLY powerful this time around. I went back and tried the Halo 3 and Reach Sniper rifles a few weeks back and was surprised how much more visceral ours felt. I think the big changes causing this are the new sound FX and the firing recoil (resets back to center after each shot). The recoil makes it a bit harder to line up again between shots but we have adjusted the accuracy and aim assist to help compensate. Overall, I find that I can be more successful with our Sniper Rifle than I could with the Halo 3 or Reach ones so it’s probably a tad bit easier to use.<br />
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And that wraps up today’s feature about UNSC weapons. Don't think that's the end of the Bulletin, though. Oh no, there's more. A lot more, actually...</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Office of Halo Intelligence: Part 10</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="OHI" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fimageCABNQJU5.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
When we officially hit 100 days out from the release of Halo 4, Frankie got quiet and contemplative, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Frankie in the two years I’ve worked with him, it’s that after quiet and contemplative periods, there are words. Lots and lots of words. Here are the thoughts he managed to get on virtual paper, in traditional OHI-form. By the way, you should probably get comfortable, because long OHI is long.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0in 0.5in; padding: 0px;"><br />
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Where are we now?<br />
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Farther, higher and better than I would have ever thought. I've worked on the Halo franchise since 2004, 2003 if you count a brief and terrifying arrival in the middle of a tornado of development and the start of the road that would end in the launch of Halo 4.<br />
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In that time, I have been privileged to work with people smarter, cooler, more talented and erudite than I could ever hope to be. I have watched artists, engineers, designers, marketers, musicians, testers and a league of support staff, pour heart, soul, blood sweat and tears into a franchise that started with a kind of magic - a charisma and draw that was recognizable even when the game was debuted at Macworld a million years ago.<br />
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I've watched one team - Bungie, grow and flower and prosper and ultimately move onto something newer, different and almost guaranteed to be as incredible as the legacy we at 343 now have the honor to inhabit.<br />
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Bungie, every time they iterated on the franchise, they reinvented it, evolved it, built upon those foundations and occasionally revolutionized it. Their exit from the franchise left us with a gulf to fill. An unenviable task for any developer let alone a nascent collection of Halo enthusiasts with a mix of experience.<br />
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343 started as a tiny group, tasked with taking over the franchise, supporting Bungie through the creation and execution of ODST and then Reach, effectively as a publishing arm. But the ultimate goal was to develop a sequel and take the franchise forward.<br />
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We started with a few folks, experts all, and some incredible production, art and engineering talent - but so few as to be vanishingly small. Big hearts, enormous passion, and unbounded enthusiasm.<br />
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I've said this before and I'll say it again (especially since it's annual review time and a fantastic opportunity to suck up to management): The reason I left Bungie was twofold – an overwhelming, almost unhinged passion for every aspect of the franchise – but also the fact that in handoff meetings, where we were supposed to be handing over the keys to the franchise, it was incredibly apparent that the small group tasked with this transition was incredibly serious about it.<br />
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These weren't marketing wonks*, or bean counters, or cynical opportunists. They came to us and stated simply, “How can we honor this franchise and take it forward meaningfully, respectfully, and bravely?" What they wanted, more than anything, was to love Halo and make more Halo that players loved, too.<br />
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*Sidenote: Our marketing team is amazing. "Marketing" I think is a dirty word in some community circles – probably an assumption that these are soulless salesmen and snake oil vendors concerned only with shipping units. I doubt that's an accurate picture anywhere, but especially on Halo – these women and men are intelligent, thoughtful, creative Halo fans who look first to their own skills and experience and to 343, rather than focus groups, for guidance, and yet still apply science and thoughtfulness to the passion and process. Some of them are artists and creatives and all of them are gamers and players – and all of them are more or less embedded in this team and a vital part of how we are getting this game from dev kits to stores.<br />
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So I jumped ship. It was a tough decision. Bungie's plans, Bungie's innate ability, Bungie's talent – and in no small part the friends I made there, the colleagues I almost literally idolized, made it wrenchingly hard, but I joined Bungie because Halo spoke to me at some primal level. And I left Bungie because I had this feeling that we weren't done with it. That there were stories to tell, worlds to explore, and characters to meet. There were parabolic arcs that characters needed to soar into, and there were faces that needed to be teabagged.<br />
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Ultimately, while my input and influence on the game is light and broad and sometimes deep, I'm really just a very small cog in an ever-growing machine. I am often considered the face of 343 and now Halo – and that's desperately unfair to the people who're crunching on Halo 4, the people who're more erudite, influential, and intrinsically important to its success. And you will get to meet them as we close out this process and put the finishing touches on this game. This isn't some note of false humility or obscured vanity, it's a fact. If I throw a rock, I am likely to hit someone far more important to the ultimate success of this game than I am or will ever be.<br />
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But I have been with the franchise for so long that I know it intimately. Like you, I tend to prefer corners of it – I like SWAT, I like Slayer, I like exploring in Campaign, I rush through the game every time I find a vehicle, I try to use obscure and weird combinations of weapons and tactics. I love exploring the sandbox in MP and Campaign. In short, I'm kind of an average player – but that's a red herring. There are no average Halo players. There are no monolithic groups that like some core aspect of the experience-entire.<br />
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There are groups, subgroups, cliques, cults even, that love the sheer variety of experiences it offers. Take Forge folks – for example – for whom we've tried to make more and better tools, while retaining the playable, approachable tools that experience brings. We'll be working with community cartographers in the run up to launch to create maps for File Shares from day one – giving them somewhat early access to iterate and build game modes and maps that are familiar and original in equal measure.<br />
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We're working with players and testers who just want to do stupid tricks with physics and sandbox elements. We're working with players and testers to make sure we have Campaign and Spartan Ops environments that encourage exploration and imaginative approaches to combat and challenge.<br />
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We're working with pro and competitive players to make sure that the competitive aspects of the game meet or exceed that community's desires and expectations. And selfishly, to provide us with really good material for the multiplayer aspect of our Prima strategy guide, advice I will ignore as I yell “Leroy!!!” and run full speed into a flag base full of well-coordinated opponents.<br />
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We're working with our own designers and internal community resources to apply a new, more concise philosophy with regard to matchmaking playlists. We'll have plenty of variety, but we'll be doing our best to make sure that players are experiencing new stuff like Infinity Slayer, other modes we haven't explained yet, as well as classic Halo styles and more Spartan playlists. But let me be clear – the new stuff is awesome. We WANT you to experience it, to embrace it, to help us move the game forward, while still giving you access to the old school Halo you know and love.<br />
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And we're closing out bugs. Squillions of 'em. Some are polish items, some are experiential, subjective ones, and some are straight up regular old bugs. But we have a long polish phase for this game that started quite a while ago; a process of refinement, honing, balance and clarification that is essential for all the new stuff we're adding.<br />
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There's a thing that happens when we expose new players to the new modes. I'll use Infinity Slayer as an example. It feels like Slayer, of that there's no doubt. If you're awesome like me, you'll pick Recon, with Sprint on X, and inverted aiming and flight controls and rush out into a new level and immediately know what's happening. You'll know how to move, how to navigate, how to win even, but then something new, like an Ordnance Drop rewarding your killing spree will appear. And you'll make a snap decision on what to drop in – a new weapon? More ‘nades? A power up? This decision will be cued by the battle you've just been through. It will change according to your own momentum and your opponent's skill.<br />
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It sounds simple, but it changes everything. There's a newfound variety within those meta-experiences that retains predictability and encourages tactical adaptation, but still feels comfortable. You can drop in a weapon you don't even need, and use it as a honeypot to lure in greedier opponents. It's hard to describe how this simple change affects the pace and urgency of combat, but it does. And even simple stuff, like the warning music that plays towards the end of a game, makes everything just a bit more intense. Faster. Literally more exciting.<br />
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Some of these things are big deals, like loadouts. They don't radically alter the feel of the game, but they refine it, and oddly, maybe even counter intuitively, they create a sense of predictability in combat that's personal – tuned to your preference and play style.<br />
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The new, like any new stuff in Halo, will take some time to be fully utilized and embraced. But this isn't simply new for the sake of new. It's all carefully considered and crafted to speed the experience, to encourage combat, to drive engagement and reward both competition and cooperation. Teams and lone wolves will both appreciate this stuff.<br />
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I am not blowing smoke up your butts. You may end up disagreeing with me ultimately, either in toto, or on specific items, but the gameplay has reached a point where I genuinely find myself having more fun than I have in years, and Halo is and has always been my favorite FPS. This is an escalation of that experience, and I'm glad we took some of the risks we did.<br />
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When the game ships, and in some cases, before that, you'll be able to experience all of this for yourselves, but I am feeling pretty confident about the changes, the evolutions and the additions.<br />
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Technically, we're in that most exciting period of the development process – effectively the content is locked and complete, but the final layering of effects, technology, shaders, final performance tuning and as shallow as this sounds, the final graphic appearance.<br />
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It's a constant source of delight to me to grab a new build, or walk by an artist's monitor and see that a level or feature I already thought looked spectacular was just a foreshadowing of how impeccable or impressive that environment or object looks in the final pass.<br />
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David Ellis, Kevin Grace, Jeremy Patenaude and I often have MP matches with the conceit that we're just staying up to date on progress, but the truth is, we're playing because it is a ridiculous amount of fun. It's insanely addictive and the selection of levels we're going to ship with, I think, is a testament to building spaces that are flexible enough to be fun for just about anything, but find their sweet spot in the modes for which they were ostensibly created.<br />
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Graphically, you've seen some cool stuff, and the tech itself is a very nice hop above prior games in terms of boring fidelity and numbers – something that has happened with every successive Halo game and will continue to do so in the future. But it follows in the admirable (to me at least) tradition of feeling like the concept art. Bungie always nailed this. You need only look at fan-made screenshots of Halo 3 and Reach to see how close the in-game atmosphere matched that of the stunningly imaginative concept art. We at 343 have some near-legendary concept artists and their dizzying feats of imagination always seem like they'd be impossible to replicate in a real engine environment, and yet there they are. Vistas, ideas, worlds that you can explore, inhabit and affect.<br />
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I'd love to tell you that to achieve this fidelity without compromise, though I bet you a hundred dollars one of our engineers could tell me exactly what those compromises are (but I haven't seen them). It's smooth, the draw distances are massive, the effects are stunning and the atmosphere and scale are classic Halo scope. I'm finding MP perf to be buttery smooth, controls responsive and clarity of combat exceptional.<br />
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I am biased of course, to the point of shillery, but some of you have known me long enough to know that I tend to err on the side of terror and humility rather than hyperbolae. But I will hype this team, because it's hype-worthy.<br />
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In a crazy compressed timeframe, we've built a team from scratch (with the somewhat bizarre-but-cool advantage that they came from some of the best games in the industry, with new ideas and philosophies – because they loved Halo already), built a game we think is deserving of the Halo legacy, and created a culture built around a simple shared goal – to make an amazing Halo experience worthy of that game's history and achievement.<br />
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It won't be perfect, that's impossible. We have too many constituents and variables in our game, our audience and our community for that to ever happen. But I think the vast majority of people who've given us their trust and confidence, no matter how warily or askance, will find something in here that meets or exceeds their expectations.<br />
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And for the cynics, an understandable position and one we respect, I think the game may surprise even you guys. Of course time and player experience will tell, but there have been many moments that deepened my confidence in where we are. Some of those moments were big ticket brute force Rubicons, and some small, personal moments.<br />
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Let me tell you one from last week. A larger level, symmetrical, but definitely aimed at on-foot encounters, was the location for a dumb grudge match between me, Josh Holmes, Kevin and Jeremy. I was hiding, trying to use my Promethean Vision to find combatants, when suddenly I hear and feel the sweep of someone else's PV. That sense of panic, of maybe being discovered, sent me fleeing my hiding spot and grabbing the very powerful weapon I had dumped in an Ordnance Drop as a honeypot. I did it too late. Exposed myself for no good reason (his PV sweep had not, in fact, revealed my position) and got sniped for my troubles. It's telling that a moment of failure, of loss, was just as compelling as one of victory.<br />
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And loadouts or no loadouts, there's something about Halo 4 that pushes you to try sandbox elements. I can't quite put my finger on it, but a lot of us agree, the game, the UI, the circumstances often lead you to try new things, experiment, tinker.<br />
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That's not to say our more stripped down experiences don't have their charm. One particular game mode that has a cult following may end up with a mainstream breakout because of the features Kevin Franklin and the MP team have added to it to make it "legit." More on that later.<br />
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And music... well, we'll be updating our music story very soon. But the final recordings and mixes are now being integrated into the code, and it's definitely like the movie process in this regard – a scene that was emotional and intense with either silence or placeholder – is now genuinely moving. And as I've hinted before, we're going to do something with and beyond the OST for music fans that will really have an impact, at least on your commute. More on that soon.<br />
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I don't like calling out individuals in these pieces, because it's ridiculously unfair on the dozens, hundreds of other individuals who've contributed from every discipline to get us this far in the shipping/crunch process, but I am going to anyway. Our producers – unsung heroes and deliberate villains: Chris Lee, Sally Huang, Alex Cutting, Tyler Jeffers, Corrinne Robinson, Kiki (the head vampire of all producers) and many, many more are in the unenviable position of moving all these chess pieces around so we can move into the final shut down process. It's hard. Herding cats doesn't do the problem space justice. This is orchestrating Tribbles and feeding Mogwai after midnight.<br />
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Our bug-shutdown process isn't pyrrhic. It's careful. It's diligent and it's imaginative. It's an art as well as a science, designed to make sure we ship on time, but more importantly, that we ship the game we intended to and don't compromise experience for the sake of expediency. Watching this team collaborate and cooperate and just work like you wouldn't believe is both staggering and inspirational.<br />
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So that's all the positive stuff I can talk about right now. And there are hundreds of people and features and ideas and wonders that I haven't had time – or appropriate opportunities – to message here today.<br />
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But it's not all sweetness and light – we realize we've been short on stuff like BTS (Behind the Scenes) and even simple direct feed footage (easier said than done...) and even clarity on MP stuff. We PROMISE we're going to accelerate that kind of communication as we get further into our shutdown process, and have more people and bandwidth to throw at the community communication that is and will be a vital part of Halo's ouvre.<br />
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The reasons are simple, but not necessarily satisfactory – you guys want to know what it is you're going to spend $60 on this fall, and you shouldn't have to take it on faith, but this isn't just another numbered Halo sequel – the "machine" Bungie carefully evolved over the years had to be built from scratch in our case, and our dev schedule was necessarily compressed to build all that new tech and grow the studio from eight folks to 250 in record time.<br />
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So stuff like Reach matchmaking will suffer in that process as we shut down Halo 4 and continue building its Matchmaking content and infrastructure, and for that we apologize, but we think the benefits will eventually outweigh the downsides. And Reach and Halo 3 of course, will continue to be supported beyond the launch of Halo 4, but of course the focus will be on 4.<br />
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We have to earn your trust. We have to earn your loyalty. We have to do that by shipping a Halo 4 that you love. And that is all we're doing. Everything else is a secondary consideration and I promise you two things here without any dissemblance, exaggeration or dishonesty – I think Halo 4 has the potential to be the best Halo game yet, and if I didn't believe that, or we weren't trying at least, to achieve that, then we'd be doing everyone a disservice. Time will tell. Secondly, we can't do this without this community – without the enthusiasts, fans, critics, cynics, creatives and nutbags that comprise our community and we're nearly done.<br />
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Less than 100 days until you can decide for yourselves.<br />
<br />
Frankie</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">August Matchmaking Playlist Update</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/29666606" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fScreenshotCAGENVWQ.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
As Frankie alluded to in his OHI, the vast majority of our resources right now are dedicated to Halo 4. While that’s great news for those of you that plan on picking up the game in November, it’s not great news to those of you that regularly duke it out on the battlefields of Halo: Reach. August will see a Matchmaking update (next Tuesday, as a matter of fact), but then the monthly updates will go on hiatus while we focus on shipping Halo 4.<br />
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August’s update is about consolidating playlists and streamlining the experience. When we make these decisions, it’s based primarily on population, statistics, and trends, although a few other factors do come into play (such as achievements). Retiring playlists is a painstakingly difficult process, especially as some of those that go away are amongst our personal favorites. However, it is a necessary step when the goal is maintaining the overall health of a matchmaking experience.<br />
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The playlists that are being retired in August’s Matchmaking playlist update are Anniversary BTB, Anniversary FFA, Firefight Doubles, Action Sack, and Squad DLC. We’re also using this opportunity to reorganize the playlists. The new categories will be Standard (i.e. Vanilla), Evolved (i.e. TU), Anniversary, Community, and Cooperative. The following are the screens you’ll see after the update has been implemented:</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Matchmaking" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fStandard.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Matchmaking" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fEvolved.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Matchmaking" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fAnniversary.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Matchmaking" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fCommunity.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Halo: Reach Matchmaking" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fCooperative.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Trimming and consolidating playlists allows those populations to shift to other, often compatible places, creating hoppers with higher populations and lower matching times. Over the last several months, we’ve watched in amazement as Reach’s numbers have sustained (and sometimes even increased). For that to happen at this point in the game’s lifespan is incredible, and we appreciate the millions of you that continue to play this game. So, thank you for continuing to call Halo home, and we’ll continue working hard on the next iteration in the franchise.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge of the Week</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/en-US/career/haloreach/challenges?" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Custom Challenge of the Week" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fcustomchallengeoftheweek.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
If you’re still playing Halo and you still love credits, you’ll want to start preparing that fist of yours because you’ll need it for this week’s Custom Challenge of the week. To participate, create a Custom Challenge with Melee as the type of kill, and you will be rewarded with twice the amount of credits usually earned, assuming you’re successful in your face-punching festivities. This challenge will be active starting now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/29935476" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fScreenshotCAKA41FR.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Whether you pair this weekend’s Super Jackpot festivities with the aforementioned Custom Challenge or not, you’ll probably end up with more credits than you know what to do with if you score this weekend’s jackpot. If you’d like a shot at it, hop into Grifball because completing games in that particular hammer-happy playlist will present you with the chance of receiving a 32,000-credit bonus. The Super Jackpot will be active from Friday until Sunday, so mark your calendars accordingly.<br />
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And I believe that wraps up this installment of your weekly Halo Bulletin. I’ll see you next week, when we’ll be diving into the wonderful world of specializations. Until then…<br />
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<3,<br />
bs angel<br />
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P.S. If you're a Friday Caption Fun wallpaper rotator, here is this week's picture, just for you. Embiggen, snag, and then hit <a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/post/2012/08/03/Friday-Caption-Fun-60.aspx" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">the latest installment</a> to contribute your witty quip. Off you go!</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fFCF.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Friday Caption Fun" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f8%2f9%2fFCF-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 660px; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
P.P.S. <a href="https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst103160_The-Halo-Bulletin--8-8-12.aspx" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Discuss</a>.</div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-56245704865996208532012-07-31T12:21:00.001-05:002012-07-31T12:21:05.793-05:00Go vote for Halo to be in the MLG circuit!<a href="http://feedback.majorleaguegaming.com/forums/116515-pro-circuit-feedback-forum/suggestions/3041253-halo">http://feedback.majorleaguegaming.com/forums/116515-pro-circuit-feedback-forum/suggestions/3041253-halo</a><br />
Go vote now if you love halo and would like to see it back in the MLG circuit! Halo is the reason most of us play games here at TRU7H, and it also put MLG on the map. GO VOTE!!!MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-72755152048135863062012-07-25T21:29:00.000-05:002012-07-25T21:29:13.974-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 7.25.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">What happens in 343, stays in 343</span></strong></span> <br />
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<img alt="343 Whiteboard" border="0" height="298" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2f472784_2103722370384_1099591606_o.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
Our studio is more than a little reminiscent of Vegas right now. The soft glow of <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-72512.aspx#" id="FALINK_3_0_2">monitors</a></nobr> lights a seemingly endless maze of desks. A steady hum of sandbox-related discussion is punctuated by the ethereal melodies of Halo 4’s soundtrack. And every day, everywhere you look, regardless of the time, somebody, somewhere, is shuffling. <br />
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As the clock ticks ever-so-closer to the 100-day out mark, each individual that calls 343 home is heads down in their respective work space, utilizing every single second to make Halo 4 the best it can possibly be. The light at the end of the tunnel is not yet in sight, but we know it’s quickly approaching. <br />
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In June, we started to lock down individual segments of the game. When a mission, map, or portion of the game (such as audio or cinematics) is locked down, that doesn’t mean everything relating to that part is completely finished, but it does mean we’re closer to reaching that point. Nearly all the areas are locked down now, and in August, we expect to be fully transitioned to bug fixing. <br />
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While our world revolves around a certain Spartan super-soldier, we’re fully aware that isn’t the case outside our studio’s walls. That’s why we regularly take the time to remind people of what’s truly important. Take the following interaction, for instance, where Frankie gently reminds someone of another activity, besides playing Halo 4, they should be taking part in come November 6. <br />
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<img alt="Frank Is Funny" border="0" height="191" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fUntitled-1.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
That man has a way with words. <br />
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Speaking of words, it’s time to start dipping into the meat of this week’s Bulletin. Along with an overabundance of text, we’re also serving up numerous images many of you have been clamoring for since San Diego Comic-Con. Oh yes, it’s time to talk about the Halo 4 console. Pull up a chair, won’t you?<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3058.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" height="266" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3058-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For the past few months, whenever anybody would ask if we were going to make a Halo 4 console, my response was, “The <a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/05/16/The-Halo-Bulletin-51612.aspx">Limited Edition</a> is the only thing we’re talking about right now.” Many of you saw through the sneakiness of my carefully crafted words, and those of you that didn’t probably saw the Microsoft Store listing before it was supposed to go live. <br />
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Oops. <br />
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Now that the cat is officially out of the bag, we thought we’d share more images with you, along with a little about the design process. <br />
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We started off with a few different concepts, but most of them were Forerunner in direction. What was interesting about this process was looking both at our universe for inspiration – as well as the fabrication, material, and tech processes that had become available to us. Figuring out what we could do and how those manufacturing and <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-72512.aspx#" id="FALINK_2_0_1">painting techniques</a></nobr> could <nobr><a class="FAtxtL" href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-72512.aspx#" id="FALINK_1_0_0">apply to</a></nobr> the unit was a completely organic, two way process. <br />
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This process was a collaboration between the hardware team, Claire Gerhardt in particular, our art director Kenneth Scott, our Executive Producer Kiki Wolfkill and of course Tajeen and the audio team for sound. Kenneth sketches designs, the hardware team iterates, experiments, researches and prototypes, and we go through feedback sessions, editing various incarnations into the final form. And of course we have to work with our graphics guys on the box and packaging too. <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3042.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3042-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3037.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3037-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3033.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3033-2.JPG" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3024.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3024-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3026.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3026-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3050.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3050-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a></div><br />
There were dozens of iterations with hundreds of changing elements, but it’s kind of a continuum of progress and refinement. We landed on the final design as we went through all of the goals – create a Forerunner-themed object that differed significantly from prior consoles (which is why we ended up with translucent gray plastic – in part to differentiate from the simple metallic finish of the Reach console, which would have been an obvious direction otherwise). Now, interestingly, you can do certain types of paint, finish, and material – but structure is dangerous. We’d talked about bevels, bas relief, extrusions and carvings, but the reality is these three dimensional elements can have serious issues with heat dissipation, Wi-Fi signal strength, and more. So lots of our more hair-brained schemes ended in the cold reality of you know, making sure the console actually works. <br />
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Unlike some of our “historical” Forerunner stuff, we wanted this to feel new, alive – and functional. And specifically, <em>military</em>. Forerunner stuff has typically felt abandoned, and while this still maintains an element of mystery, it also feels organic and vital in a way our previous monolithic Forerunner stuff has not. An interesting note here is that there are a couple of features you simply can’t see in photographs – including paint and finish on the interior of the console, a touch that provides a subtle depth and detail like insect wings, and the inclusion of blue LEDs on the power button and the jewel on the controller. <br />
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The transparent case does a couple of things – the simplest of course is creating a translucent Xbox for collectors – “metallic”, “weird surfaces”, and “translucent” are all popular ‘mod’ schemes for things like custom PCs and consoles, historically. Secondly (and actually more importantly), it speaks to some of the materials and objects you’re going to encounter in the game. The main inspiration comes from an important object in the game that you haven’t seen yet, and while it’s not a literal recreation of that object, having it grounded in the heart of our story was always the number one factor driving our design process – even if it had ended up as a UNSC-themed object (as did one of the controllers) that would have been a prime driver.<br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3082.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3082-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3065.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3065-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3072.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3072-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3060.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3060-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3083.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3083-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3079.JPG"><img alt="The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fIMG_3079-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a></div><br />
Controllers were a little easier to deal with, but not completely without challenges. We decided to make a Forerunner and a UNSC-themed one, given the fact that one would be made available separately and therefore didn’t have to match the Forerunner aesthetic, but we made sure it looked appropriate tonally as part of a set. The Forerunner controller is simply a logical graphical extension of the console itself, but the UNSC one takes elements from Spartan-IV, Infinity and redesigned UNSC liveries. The UNSC branding has undergone a revamp in the wake of the Human/Covenant war – with the starship Infinity leading that resurgent human vanguard, and the imagery is bold, strong, and ascendant. Although the UNSC eagle has a slightly different design when you flip it from positive to negative – a straight reversal resulted in a very snooty looking eagle, so we tweaked it for negative use. <br />
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The addition of little audio DSPs lets us add elements of Forerunner flavor to the “activity” buttons (power and eject), which Tajeen and the audio team culled from various Forerunner technologies in the game. They’re not verbatim recreations of specific in-game items, but rather custom-tuned elements that have a kind of crystalline-metallic quality. We’ve done this before, but picking sounds which have the right tonal quality that “speaks” to the function is oddly challenging. You can’t, for example pick a “power” sound that only sounds like “power on” with a lilting uplift – you have one sample for that function, so you have to pick an audio scheme that accommodates on and off, tonally. <br />
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We went through dozens of variants – and the real challenge wasn’t finding cool sounds, it was finding sounds that worked well at the low volume and limited frequency range of that tiny speaker. This has historically been challenging and probably drove the bulk of the iteration on that aspect. The ones we ended up choosing fit in the sweet spot between clarity and functionality, with fiction and atmosphere as the umbrella.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/F5_POWER_32000.wav">Download the Halo 4 Console Power Sound</a></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/F6_EDGESYNTHE_32000.wav">Download the Halo 4 Console Eject Sound</a></strong></span></div><br />
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The Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console Bundle comes with two exclusive controllers, a standard edition copy of Halo 4, a wired headset, a 320GB hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi, and Xbox LIVE tokens for exclusive Halo 4 in-game and avatar marketplace downloadable content (FOTUS Armor Avatar Costume, In-Game FOTUS Spartan Armor, Avatar Promethean Crawler Prop, In-game LightRifle Skin, In-Game Unique Unicorn Emblem). It is available through your favorite retailer while supplies last, priced at $399.99 (U.S. ERP). The standalone Xbox 360 Halo 4 Limited Edition Wireless Controller, which features the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) emblem on a dark grey translucent body, will include an Avatar T-shirt as exclusive downloadable content and will be priced at $59.99 (U.S. ERP). <br />
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Pre-order today! ;) <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge of the Week</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/en-US/career/haloreach/challenges?"><img alt="Custom Challenge of the Week" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fCustomChallengeOfTheWeek.PNG" width="353" /></a></div><br />
This week, the Halo: Reach Weekly Challenge requires you to complete Tip of the Spear, Legendary, with all Skulls on (LASO). If you’re looking to augment an already enjoyable experience, I highly recommend layering this week’s Custom Challenge of the Week on top of it. What are the particulars? Why, I thought you’d never ask! <br />
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From now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, create a Campaign Custom Challenge with the difficulty set to Legendary, and assuming your venture is successful, you’ll be rewarded with a 50% increase to the total credits earned. I don’t want to pressure you or anything, but you should really play this mission, just to see how it feels…<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/3959094"><img alt="Super Jackpot Weekend" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fSuperSlayer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If both Campaign and tips are not your thing, fret not, because this weekend’s Super Jackpot festivities are… wait for it… super! So super, in fact, that we have selected the aptly named Slayer playlist to house the three-day lottery-like activity. That means that starting Friday and ending on Sunday, hopping into the Super Slayer playlist will present you with the chance of receiving a 34,300-credit bonus. With so many credits to be had, it’s probably time to stop reading, and start playing. <br />
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Before we part ways, though, I want to mention that I’m not sure what next week holds, Bulletin-wise. I’m heading out of town today (I’m already en route, as we speak) and not expecting to be back until next Thursday. So worst case scenario, you’ll get a Bulletin next Friday instead of Wednesday. Best case scenario, next week will be Bulletin-less. Wait, did I get that right? Yup, I think I did. <br />
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Until next time, whenever that may be. <br />
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<3,<br />
bs angel<br />
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P.S. Just in case you're in need of a new desktop ornament, here is this week's Friday Caption Fun image. Embiggen, snag, and then hit <a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/post/2012/07/20/Friday-Caption-Fun-59.aspx">the latest installment</a> to contribute your witty quip. Off you go!<br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fFCF.jpg"><img alt="Friday Caption Fun" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f25%2fFCF-2.jpg" style="max-width: 660px;" width="400" /></a></div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-72492708489564156072012-07-19T15:03:00.000-05:002012-07-19T15:03:57.772-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 7.18.12<div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">RTX and SDCC Q&A</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
As I watch a swarm of rain-swollen clouds descend upon our studio, I am struck by two thoughts: I’m thankful to be back in a place where hoodies are the norm, and I’m pretty sure, as dark and ominous as the sky currently looks, that I could have squeezed more liquid out of the undergarments I wore to both RTX and SDCC than those clouds could ever hope to drop during their entire moisture-laden existence.<br />
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Oh yes, it was hot in Austin and San Diego. And I’ll leave it at that.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fWP_000641-2.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 RTX" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fWP_000633-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hot Trip #1 – RTX<br />
Location – Austin, TX<br />
Average Temperature – 95 degrees<br />
Felt like – You were sun bathing. On the sun.</strong><br />
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RTX, or Rooster Teeth Expo, took place July 7 and 8 at The Austin Convention Center. Amidst the near torturous temperatures, we showed off War Games (the competitive Multiplayer modes of Halo 4) and hosted a panel, all the while wondering why we were there. While that age-old question did not get answered, several others did, especially those about Forge.<br />
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You see, during our 60-minute group discussion, we presented a live Forge demo. It wasn’t just any Forge demo, though. It was the first ever Halo 4 Forge demo. Joining us for the festivities were Certain Affinity - a group of people we just happen to have… well, a certain affinity for. They have a long history with Halo, and we’re excited that tradition is continuing with the next installment in the franchise.<br />
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If you missed the RTX Halo 4 panel, you can watch it in its entirety <a href="https://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Community/Detail/rtx-halo-4-panel/a7cf6abd-bd5b-486b-8be8-bdfe8ed94d20" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">here</a>. Not only will you be introduced to Halo 4's Forge mode, but you’ll also get to hear some totally awesome Halo jokes (It’s worth noting only one of the aforementioned statements is true. And I bet you’ll never guess which one...).</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2888.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 SDCC" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2891-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hot Trip #2 – San Diego Comic-Con International<br />
Location – San Diego, CA<br />
Average Temperature – 81 degrees<br />
Felt like – You were in a sauna. With 120,000 of your closest friends.</strong><br />
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While the heat in Austin was dry, in San Diego it was anything but. The good part about that was the ten-minute walk to the convention center resulted in me losing approximately ten pounds of water weight each and every day. The bad part about that was everybody that visited the Halo 4 booth had to smell the remnants of that water-evaporation process… each and every day.<br />
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Those lacking in the olfactory department were treated to numerous Halo 4-related events. Along with having both War Games and Spartan Ops playable on the floor, the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn cast was on hand to sign posters, as were Steve Downes and Jen Taylor. We also hosted two panels, both of which are currently in a viewable format on YouTube (watch the Halo 4 Fiction panel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQtOU5gZfzI&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=2&feature=plcp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">here</a>, and the Campaign and Multiplayer panel <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymu-1MDzb9M&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=1&feature=plcp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">here</a>).<br />
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All in all, it was a good, albeit sticky, few weeks.<br />
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As is customary when we release a new batch of information, there are questions. So, this week’s Bulletin is dedicated to answering just a few of those inquiries. We’ll resume the normal Bulletin format next week, but for this week, enjoy the RTX and SDCC-themed Q&A, the “Q” of which was provided by you, and the “A” of which was provided by Frankie.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2722.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 SDCC" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2793-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It was mentioned in the Forge demo that there will be multiple Forge environments. Does this mean multiple Forge Worlds with a different setting and theme for each? If so, can we assume different styles of parts for each? - BenPwnsAtGamez</strong><br />
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There will be some aesthetic variety we’ll talk about later – as well as the obvious inclusion of aesthetics and Forgeable objects from specific maps (Forerunner vs. UNSC objects, depending on the content of the environment), but most objects will be UNSC themed – although there’s more to come on that front later.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What sounds (open/close tray, power button) will the Halo 4 console make? - r3m1x3d</strong><br />
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The “close tray” and “power” button sounds were created by Tajeen and the audio team and are based off of sounds made by Forerunner technology, but are custom built for the console – so they are not repeated anywhere in the game verbatim, but you may recognize the basic elements of those sounds from the game. I would describe their sound as “metallic crystal.” But I am pretentious like that.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will we see more Armor Abilities than those already revealed, as well as different secondary weapons besides the Pistol and Plasma Pistol? - u4iX</strong><br />
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You have not seen all of the weapons yet. We have not fully exposed all of the Armor Abilities yet.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2859.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 SDCC" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2840-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So, we've seen the ball-objective have the ability to be thrown from player to player. Are there any specific flag movement modifications? - Heckfu</strong><br />
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What you saw was just a tease. You can expect the full story on returning modes soon.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Will any 343-created Forge maps be released into matchmaking alongside the 10 regular maps? - Link1201</strong><br />
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We won’t be putting Forge creations in the “main” matchmaking areas initially, at least. Certainly Forged variants may go in (rules, the odd object placement) eventually, but we’re still discussing how to promote and enable Forge creations in a way that maintains a separation of that kind of content from the main mix.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With the console bundle, you announced that it would come with exclusive in-game content. Is this in-game content the same as the Limited Edition bundle content? - The Little Moa</strong><br />
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The content is different and unique to each SKU. While we know there are completionists that would like to have it all, it’s not unreasonable to think that we may eventually make all of the content available one day. I would also like to point out, since this is a thing that generates lots of conversation, that the unique or exclusive items are custom created and curated for that purpose or promotion or partner, rather than simply redistributed from stuff created for the shipping game. It’s a subtle distinction I suppose, but in our case a real one.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2920.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 SDCC" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2945-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">CTF looks to be Yellow vs. Green and Oddball looks like Purple vs. Orange. Any reason behind this? - Xx Overkill VR</strong><br />
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Those are the current colors, based on stuff like map palette content, color blindness, all sorts of reasons, but they’re also simply the colors from the build that was ready at Comic-Con, so don’t be shocked if that changes.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">How big are the multiple Forge environments compared to Forge World? - bellz1996</strong><br />
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The environments will be large enough to accommodate just about any design you can think of, from a Lockout remake to a sprawling racetrack. There will be rolling hills, flat, sterile spaces, big, flat indoor areas and everything in between. The difference is that we’ll use more than one environment – an aesthetic – rather than a giant contiguous space like Forge World. There will also be HUGE FLAT JUMBO Coliseum “walls” that you can instantly place as enormous floor tiles (or walls). All the spaces are being designed with flexibility and performance in mind. The inclusion of a new lighting engine and some unique palettes will make things look more varied and connected. Some simple examples – you can make Lockout and The Pit with relative ease and plenty of room. If you want to do something giant and meandering, you’ll have to incorporate some of the environments existing features (hills, cliffs etc).</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2890.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2899-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With the new dynamic lighting in Forge, will we be able to make almost a nighttime looking map? And will there be lights at our disposal as well? - x HoMiiCiDe</strong><br />
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We’ll reveal more about the environments later, and while you won’t be able to make a literal night time version, there will be an element that will enable a starkly different look than the bright daytime maps you’re used to – and the addition of proper lighting and shadowing on and in objects will make a radical difference.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I noticed that there was no "Weapons" menu selection in the Forge demo. Will we have the ability to place weapons on the map in Forge or will we be limited to using ordnance drops and loadouts? - Lehnaru</strong><br />
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The menu in the Forge demo was not only a placeholder, but was actually pretty borked – it was dropped in just for RTX. Naturally the final menu will have complete feature parity with “old” Forge, plus several important new additions, and so yes, of course you will be able to place weapons – and vehicles at will. Custom games will also allow you to define your own loadouts so you will not be limited by your progress in the main Infinity progression.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2810.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2818-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What changes have been made to the multiplayer sandbox since the build we played at RTX? - CaneCutter</strong><br />
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No actual changes have been made, but you only saw a small selection of the potential sandbox content at RTX – specifically, stuff that was firmed up for E3, so it’s older than you think. That being said, there’s been a heck of a lot of tweaking and tuning over the past few months.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In Forge, will the coordinate system we had in Reach be returning? Also, will the Grid be returning as a placeable object in Forge? - Nuclear Taco 42</strong><br />
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Coordinates and grids are returning and will be in some ways more useful thanks to other features like magnets and so on.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What can we expect in terms of playlist setup? - JDHarbs19</strong><br />
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The Halo 4 team is starting work on that stuff now – the MP design team has always felt that a more concise, streamlined set of playlists is essential to a healthy population of new and returning modes.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</span></strong></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2864.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2778-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
Along with the game and console-related questions, there were also several inquiries about Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, our live-action digital series that will debut on Machinima Prime, as well as Halo Waypoint, on Oct. 5, 2012. Mr. Kevin Grace, who stopped by last week with an expertly penned OHI entry, agreed to stop by again this week to answer the most asked queries. Here they are, in no particular order.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">So what’s the story with Chief’s armor? Does that design work with canon/Halo Wars/book covers/everything else?</strong><br />
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Totally works. That design, influenced heavily by the armor seen in The Package from Halo Legends, fits squarely within the Mark IV line of MJOLNIR armor (and all existing stories/depictions from that timeframe in the canon). Does it look exactly like the armor from Halo Wars? Nope, and that’s 100% okay. MJOLNIR armor is constantly evolving and having special variants developed, just like many other major weapons systems (fighter jets/helicopters/capital ships/tanks). There is no “one design only” for each generation of MJOLNIR, as it would lessen the scope of the MJOLNIR project to suggest that those scientists made one suit and then called it a day for a decade or so. But it is important that each generation shares similar characteristics and a signature look (as well as evokes the big-picture Master Chief gold visor/green armor/overall profile), and we think that this version of the armor works well on all fronts.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">What happened to Chief’s voice? That’s not the Steve Downes I was looking (listening) for!</strong><br />
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Quite correct, that’s not the heroic growl you’re used to hearing coming out of that helmet, but just like the armor that is the result of some very specific (and challenging) decisions about how to best integrate Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn into the existing fiction. Light spoiler incoming, but we’ve already announced that the series takes place right around the beginning of the Human-Covenant war, which in our universe means we’re somewhere in the neighborhood of the year 2526. Since most of the time we’ve spent with the Master Chief in the games so far takes place right around the end of that war, which means we’re used to hearing Chief’s voice around the year 2552. Applying a bit of maths, the Master Chief you see and hear in the trailer is around 26 years younger than what you’re used to. I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sound the same 26 years ago, and while we love Steve Downes’ voice it wouldn’t make sense for Chief to have had the same exact voice across three decades of war. Because we wanted to maximize consistency, we first tried to “de-age” Steve Downes’ voice, but all efforts there ended up with something that sounded like an awesome reject from Alvin and the Chipmunks. With that option off the table, we turned to the great casting team we used for the rest of the actors in the show to find us a younger sound-alike voice actor to provide younger Chief’s voice, with the aim being that if you close your eyes and squint your ears just a bit, the voice you hear from Chief makes you think “yeah, put that voice through 26 years of hell and battle and he’ll end up sounding like the Chief I know.” This is a really sensitive subject for a lot of people because voices are so important in connecting to a character, but I think we have a solution that works for both character and consistency… give young Chief a shot, and I hope you’ll agree.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2863.JPG" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f19%2fIMG_2735-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hey, is that the girl from Narnia?</strong><br />
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Quite! And she, like all our cast and crew, is most excellent and was just as excited to be a part of Halo as we were to have her join us for the show.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Who designed the armor those cadets are wearing?</strong><br />
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That armor is a good example of the production and costume designers on the show working very, very closely with artists at 343 Industries. Like all the Halo projects made by 343, we’re building in tons of meaningful connections to and from the game so every little bit of Halo you can get all feels like it solidly fits together in the same universe. What this means, of course, is that paying very close attention to the show will result in some very interesting Halo 4-specific bits and pieces… but perhaps I’ve already said too much. Let’s move on for now!<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Is this an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) training academy?</strong><br />
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Corbulo Academy of Military Science is an academy for the children of high-ranking UNSC officers from all branches of service, and in turn it prepares cadets for careers all across the UNSC. That ODST cadence you heard in the teaser trailer released a few weeks ago is definitely an ODST reference, but that’s more a representation of how respected the ODSTs are among everyone in the UNSC than of a specific course of training for those cadets. Those cadence calls are often ways to remind you how tough you are as you’re running your feet off on tour around the grounds, and what’s tougher to compare yourself to than an ODST? Hint: Not much.<br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I heard that the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition that comes with Halo 4 LE will be digital content. Is that true? If so, as one of the minority whose internet connection isn’t good enough to stream video content without obscene hours of buffering, please tell me that a physical copy will one day exist. -Stolen Snapshot</strong><br />
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Yes, we’re working on making the full show available for sale both digitally and in stores in case you’re not lucky enough to snag one of the Halo 4 limited versions. Plans are still very much in progress and more details on those options will come later. Please stay tuned.<br />
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<br />
I feel like Kevin may have said more than he should have. Oh well, as long as nobody mentions the space mop, we should be okay…<br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angel</div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-73523543143670388252012-07-13T07:39:00.000-05:002012-07-13T07:39:36.590-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 7.12.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Forward Unto San Diego</span></strong></span> <br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fWP_000676.jpg"><img alt="San Diego Comic-Con International" border="0" height="300" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fWP_000676-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
When you are mere months away from releasing a video game, traveling becomes the norm. As you hop between states, and sometimes even countries, you learn to love your suitcase, room service, and well-intentioned cavity searches (I succumb in the name of security. Don’t judge). <br />
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Last weekend, a few of us were in Austin, attending RTX and demoing Forge by day, and battling jumping, chirping bugs by night. This week we’re in San Diego, braving both sun and beach so we can partake in the annual Comic-Con festivities. <br />
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We’ve been looking forward to SDCC for months, because we knew this was the perfect place to unveil Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. While details up until now have been sparse, the time to share cast and storyline specifics, along with a full trailer has arrived. <br />
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As I can finally talk freely about this particular project, I have something very important to say: Daniel Cudmore is a dreamboat. <br />
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Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s rewind a bit and cover the basics.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fHalo4_ForwardUntoDawn_KeyArt_11x17_Final.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fHalo4_ForwardUntoDawn_KeyArt_11x17_Final-2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br />
Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a live-action digital series that takes you back to the beginning of the human and Covenant war and leading into the events of Halo 4. It will unfold through a series of five episodes, and will be initially distributed worldwide by Machinima, debuting on its new channel, Machinima Prime, as well as here on Halo Waypoint, on Oct. 5, 2012. <br />
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Set against the backdrop of a United Nations Space Command military academy, a group of highborn cadets are training to be the next generation of soldiers in the UNSC’s ongoing war with insurrectionists in the outer colonial planets. Among these cadets, Thomas Lasky struggles with his doubts about this war, and with the burden of expectations he may not be able to carry. As Lasky comes to terms with his potential as a military leader, the terrifying alien alliance known as the Covenant arrives and turns his world upside down. Inspired by the Master Chief, he must decide what it means to be a hero.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo: 4 Forward Unto Dawn Cast and Crew</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_1.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_1-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_2.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_2-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_3.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_3-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_4.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_4-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_5.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_5-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_6.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_6-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_7.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_7-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_8.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_8-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_9.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_9-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_10.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_10-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_11.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fpage_11-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" /></a></div><br />
Directed by Stewart Hendler (H+, Sorority Row) and written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (Smallville, Spartacus), Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Tom Green (Dance Academy) as Thomas Lasky, Anna Popplewell (The Chronicles of Narnia) as Chyler Silva, Daniel Cudmore (X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Twilight Saga) as the Master Chief, Ayelet Zurer (Angels & Demons, Munich) as Mehaffey, Mike Dopud (Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol) as General Black, Enisha Brewster (Footloose) as April Orenski, Masam Holden (Grey’s Anatomy, Elizabethtown) as Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Osric Chau (2012) as JJ Chen, Iain Belcher (Supernatural) as Vickers, and Kat De Lieva as Dimah. <br />
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Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is backed by a top-tier production team led by executive producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively. Legacy Effects (The Hunger Games, The Avengers, Avatar) is creating specialized costumes and armor, and visual effects are being designed by an award-winning team led by John Sullivan (The Pacific). Production services are provided by Herzog & Co.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Office of Halo Intelligence: Part 9</span></strong></span><br />
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<img alt="Office of Halo Intelligence" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fOHI.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
Countless people have been working day in and day out on Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, with the goal of making it something truly special. One of those people is 343 Industries Franchise Manager Kevin Grace. In between trips to Canada and California, I asked him if he would be willing to provide you with an inside look at the making of this live-action series. He said no. I then informed him that if I beat him at an arm wrestling match, he’d have to write it anyway. I’ll let you guess who came out on top that day, after you read his very special OHI entry.<br />
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Hello from sunny, crazy, excited and nervous San Diego just about 24 hours before the start of our next big drop of Halo 4 info! By the time you read this, we’ll have already gotten through the Fiction of Halo 4 panel with lots of talk of the Chief’s new story and the trouble we’re going to get him into, Halo Infinity Multiplayer and Spartan Ops’ continuing story payloads in the months after launch, and all of the scheming we’ve been doing to spin books, terminals, and even our new live-action series into the perfect mix of “what’s going to happen next?” just in time for Halo 4’s landing on 11/6. And that’s just the start for San Diego, since we have the Halo 4 gameplay panel coming up soon… <br />
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But Ms. Angel asked me here today to write up a quick intro to Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn for those who just saw the trailer or just found out about that REAL LIVE MASTER CHIEF we have running around on screen. It’s dangerous to say no to bs angel, I’ve learned (the hard way) so here goes: <br />
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Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is the new live-action digital series we’ve been working on in (mostly) secret for the last year or so. The “live-action” up there means we have real live actors,a real live awesome suit of MJOLNIR armor and a real live Warthog to cruise around in. “Digital series” means that once we’re done, we’ll be bringing the show to you first on Machinima Prime (Machinima’s new YouTube channel) and Halo Waypoint once a week starting on 10/5 and leading right up to the launch of Halo 4. First viewing is on us, so to speak, so hey…why not check it out? <br />
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The story of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn hops in the way-back machine a little bit to take you about 30 years in Halo history before the games you know (Halos CE through Reach) to a moment when humanity was fighting essentially a civil war, an insurrection of the outer colonies against the colonies closer to (and including) Earth. In order to keep the officers flowing for this war, the United Nations Space Command set up the Corbulo Academy of Military Science to teach the children of the UNSC’s elite leadership how to lead the war and, just as importantly, how to believe in that war. <br />
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The “believing” part is where it breaks down for Cadet Thomas Lasky, though. He doesn’t buy that this is a justified war and his willingness to question the war doesn’t exactly make him a lot of friends at the academy. He has all kinds of potential to be a true leader, but his questions and some physical problems with cryosleep training drive him to finally deciding that the UNSC isn’t the right place for him…but right as he’s about to sign his exit papers, everything changes. The Covenant attack, almost everyone he knows dies and his only chance to survive is to trust an armored green giant he knows only as the Master Chief. <br />
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After that, it’s explosions and awesome and huge spoilers, so I won’t go any further…for now. <br />
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If you’d like to hear more about Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, check out the latest Sparkcast, which I believe should now be up for your listening enjoyment. We cover a lot in our talk with Mr. Ellis, so bs angel said we could put this write-up on pause for now to let you watch the trailer, listen to the podcast, and maybe check out the panel steam on the web. Then next week we’ll gather back here and answer some of the questions folks will have once they’ve had a chance to meet the show properly. <br />
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So if it’s ok with you, I’ll be back next week with a full report from San Diego and a small bag of answers. Okay? Okay! <br />
<br />
Kevin</div><br />
Wait, did Kevin just agree to come back next week and answer questions about Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn? I think he did! You can leave your inquiry in the discussion thread linked at the end of this Bulletin. And no, “Anna Popplewell is hawt” does not count as a question (It does count as the truth, though). <br />
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So I leave you with <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/Universe/detail/halo-4-forward-unto-dawn-trailer/14419d76-2336-4805-97fa-3af0e1510159">a brand new trailer</a>, <a href="http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/343Sparkast_014.mp3">a brand new Sparkast</a> (<a href="http://social.zune.net/podcast/343-Sparkast/548d416f-70b0-494e-a15e-af19319ba946">Zune</a>, <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/343-sparkast/id399713903">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/waypointrss.xml">RSS</a>), and some brand new pictures, all for your viewing and listening pleasure. I do hope you enjoy all the goodies.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo: 4 Forward Unto Dawn Image Gallery</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_blue_back_vert.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_blue_back_vert-2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fApril_squad_wide.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fApril_squad_wide-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_Brett_Pawlak2.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_Brett_Pawlak2-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_blue_back.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_blue_back-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fLasky_Vickers3.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fLasky_Vickers-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChyler_armor.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChyler_armor-2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_combat_scene.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChief_combat_scene-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChyler_fight_scene.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fChyler_fight_scene-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_directing_cast.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_directing_cast-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fFilming_forest_night.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fFilming_forest_night-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fDimah_JJ.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fDimah_JJ-2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fGeneral_Black.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fGeneral_Black-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fChief_night_green.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fChief_night_green-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fLasky_cryosuit.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fLasky_cryosuit-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_fight_scene.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fStewart_Hendler_fight_scene-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fChief_orange_back.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fChief_orange_back-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fCadets_in_combat_closer.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fCadets_in_combat_closer-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fJJ.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fJJ-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fCadets_in_room_wLasky.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f12%2fCadets_in_room_wLasky-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fWarthog_night_smoke.JPG"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" border="0" height="265" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f13%2fWarthog_night_smoke-2.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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By the way, if you’re at Comic-Con this week, stop by the booth and say hi. Halo 4 would love to make your acquaintance. <br />
<br />
Until next week… <br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angelMixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-13570474493941496832012-07-12T18:51:00.002-05:002012-07-12T18:51:45.185-05:00Halo 4 Limited Edition ConsoleA listing has appeared on the <a href="http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/productID.253528200">Microsoft Store</a> confirming the long suspected existence of a Halo 4 Limited Edition Xbox 360 console.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PyEyiyT8RyRc9xx9usIiCQ4RqLjDaCKrDMBueSD7_d2TuEXSnKoQrSU8VQevbUqjKv2CJ2H3UUL0VLj_eAL9g3w-dSP0AXgMEU3FPwpaWfmffqKW5Uj8KOJmsffQy3vKgZRtofsmsRc/s1600/Halo4+console.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PyEyiyT8RyRc9xx9usIiCQ4RqLjDaCKrDMBueSD7_d2TuEXSnKoQrSU8VQevbUqjKv2CJ2H3UUL0VLj_eAL9g3w-dSP0AXgMEU3FPwpaWfmffqKW5Uj8KOJmsffQy3vKgZRtofsmsRc/s1600/Halo4+console.png" /></a></div><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq"> Begin the Halo Reclaimer saga in style on an Xbox 360 Limited Edition Halo 4 Console. This custom-designed console comes with a 320 GB hard drive, exclusive on-off and eject sound effects, two customized controllers, a Halo 4 Standard Edition game, and downloadable Halo 4 content.<br />
<a href="" name="more"></a></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Exclusive design: Limited-edition, one-of-a-kind console was custom designed by the Halo 4 developer, 343 Industries, and Xbox 360.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Two custom Halo 4 wireless controllers: High-performance controllers boast a range of up to 30 feet and come with a rotating D-pad and blue LED lights.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpb41aGEoZ_ATClcSt8mlqZleWEBSHkeLYPWOJtzJTkwqOJMTirBjF6mHxlgUT_0WUzJB6qf4AT8CDZvrDKjn5H4NZ3Pifcq0vgUibt8DeJlyW839NDhLGcQnyeh8lQXXiZKIovDt9p8/s1600/Halo4+Controller2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpb41aGEoZ_ATClcSt8mlqZleWEBSHkeLYPWOJtzJTkwqOJMTirBjF6mHxlgUT_0WUzJB6qf4AT8CDZvrDKjn5H4NZ3Pifcq0vgUibt8DeJlyW839NDhLGcQnyeh8lQXXiZKIovDt9p8/s1600/Halo4+Controller2.png" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Halo 4 Standard Edition game: Begin the Halo Reclaimer saga right out of the box</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Exclusive sounds: Hear actual Halo 4 in-game sound effects when console is turned on and when the eject button is pushed.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Largest hard drive available: The 320-GB hard drive offers more space for game add-ons and downloadable content, and more memory to store all of your entertainment.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Custom downloadable content: Receive a code to download Halo 4 content from Xbox LIVE, including unique armor skin, unique weapon skin, unique emblem, matching avatar armor, and unique avatar prop.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"> • Black Xbox 360 headset: Chat with friends on Xbox LIVE, or team up and jump in with multiplayer gameplay.*</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5mhM_fXWE4A-KfH-CR_Ay9HBeltJh72blHsAeWnuVbXCK01WuH0modiJBoYQXNK8uyA73T4hazBbH59TD3oLD81v5GChIFo3efTmISNxfnXONvqM6lWMC8osXTfNso2LU5QH3OnNzrU/s1600/Halo4+console2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5mhM_fXWE4A-KfH-CR_Ay9HBeltJh72blHsAeWnuVbXCK01WuH0modiJBoYQXNK8uyA73T4hazBbH59TD3oLD81v5GChIFo3efTmISNxfnXONvqM6lWMC8osXTfNso2LU5QH3OnNzrU/s1600/Halo4+console2.png" /></a></div><br />
It may not be immediately obvious in the pictures, but the console and controllers are actually translucent, I can't wait to see the thing switched on with the new blue LEDs. So bling. :D<br />
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Notice the controllers are also the new-style ones with the twisty D-Pads.<br />
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[<a href="http://www.littleenglishhaloblog.com/2012/07/microsoft-store-confirms-limited.html">Source</a>]MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-902371194660136762012-07-11T12:53:00.001-05:002012-07-11T12:54:00.383-05:00Halo: SILENTIUM January 8th, 2013<div class="text"><br />
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Tor Books reveals title, cover art, and release date of the third Halo novel<br />
by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear</b></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="HALO: SILENTIUM" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/11/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f11%2fComicCon+12+Poster+Halo+Silentium+New+Headline.jpg" style="max-width: 550px;" width="266" /></div><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The final installment in the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling Forerunner Saga</b></span></div><br />
New York, NY – July 11, 2012 - Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC—the largest publisher of science fiction in the world—is thrilled to reveal the title, cover, and release date for the third novel in the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling Halo Forerunner Saga, <b>HALO: SILENTIUM</b>, written by legendary science fiction author Greg Bear. The first two books of the Forerunner Saga, <i>Halo: Cryptum</i> and <i>Halo: Primordium</i> are currently available in trade paperback, e-book, and audiobook. This newest book in the series, <b>HALO: SILENTIUM</b> will release in hardcover from Tor on January 8, 2013 alongside simultaneous audio and e-book editions. <br />
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The <i>New York Times</i> bestselling Halo series of novels, based on the hugely successful Halo videogame franchise, has sold millions of copies, and is part of a global phenomenon that has dominated the science fiction landscape over the last decade. <br />
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In <i>Halo: Cryptum</i>, Greg Bear began a three-book arc set in the era of the Forerunners, the ancient and enigmatic creators and builders of the Halos, which continued in <i>Halo: Primordium</i>. Now, in the last years of the Forerunner empire, chaos rules. The Flood—a horrifying shape-changing parasite—has arrived in force, aided by unexpected allies. Internal strife within the ecumene has desperately weakened Forerunner defenses. <br />
<br />
Only the Ur-Didact and the Librarian—a husband and wife pushed into desperate conflict—hold the keys to salvation. Facing the consequences of a mythic tragedy, one of them must now commit the greatest atrocity of all time—to prevent an unmatched evil from dominating the entire universe. <br />
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Tor Books has proudly partnered with Microsoft and 343 Industries to publish every book set in this iconic universe. Along with the books of the Forerunner Saga, Tor also publishes another all-new Halo trilogy penned by <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Karen Traviss that explores the Halo Universe in the wake of the final events of Halo 3. Traviss’s first novel, <i>Halo: Glasslands</i>, came out in 2011, with <i>Halo: The Thursday War</i> due out in October 2012. <br />
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The Halo franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that have grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. Beginning with the original <i>Halo: Combat Evolved</i> for Xbox in 2001, the rich fiction of the franchise has since inspired a series of blockbuster Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling novels, comic books, action figures, apparel and more. The Halo franchise has sold more than 42 million copies to date, with franchise sales eclipsing $3 billion over its lifetime. <i>Halo 4</i> marks the beginning of a new saga in the iconic franchise, as Master Chief returns to confront his own destiny and an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Developed by 343 Industries exclusively for Xbox 360, <i>Halo 4</i> will release on Nov. 6, 2012.<br />
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<b><u>HALO AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON 2012</u></b></div><br />
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<b><u>Thursday, July 12th</u> <br />
Machinima: The Future of Entertainment <br />
12:00-1:00 PM <br />
<i>Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront</i></b> <br />
Don't miss out on this panel with exclusive footage from Machinima's new channel, Machinima Prime, which focuses on thrilling episodic content, including the much anticipated tentpole series <i>Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</i>. <br />
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<b><u>Thursday, July 12th</u> <br />
The Fiction of Halo 4 <br />
4:45-5:45 PM <br />
<i>Room 6BCF</i></b> <br />
<i>Halo 4</i> heralds the return of one of gaming's most iconic heroes, the Master Chief, in an epic new sci-fi saga. Expanding and enriching the narrative, 343 Industries, with very special panelists, share how the development of stories across the Greg Bear Forerunner Saga, the Karen Traviss Kilo-Five trilogy, <i>Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</i> and <i>Halo 4</i>’s Campaign and Infinity Multiplayer have become connective tissue for <i>Halo 4</i>. Don't miss the exciting premiere of the <i>Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn</i> trailer as well as Q&A with special guests. <br />
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<b><u>Saturday, July 14th</u> <br />
Halo 4: A New Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer <br />
3:15-4:15 PM <br />
<i>Room 6DE</i></b> <br />
<i>Halo 4</i> marks the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, get a glimpse at how they have taken <i>Halo 4</i> in new directions, introducing an ancient threat and the Master Chief's greatest challenge, as well as an innovative and fresh new take on multiplayer in War Games and Spartan Ops. <br />
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<b><u>Saturday, July 14</u> <br />
Giveaway and Signing: Greg Bear <br />
2:00-3:00 PM <br />
Tor Books Booth (#2707)</b> <br />
Come meet Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Greg Bear as he signs copies of <i>Halo: Cryptum</i>, the first book in the <i>New York Times</i> bestselling Forerunner Saga! One lucky fan will have a chance to walk away with a copy of an exclusive poster of the cover of <i>Halo: Silentium</i>, the final novel in the trilogy. <br />
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<b><u>About Tor Books</u></b> <br />
Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, is a New York-based publisher of hardcover and softcover books, founded in 1980 and committed (although not limited) to SF and fantasy literature. Between an extensive hardcover and trade-softcover line, an Orb backlist program, and a stronghold in mass-market paperback, Tor annually publishes what is arguably the largest and most diverse line of science fiction and fantasy ever produced by a single English-language publisher. Books from Tor have won every major award in the SF and fantasy fields, and for the last twenty-five years in a row the company has been named Best Publisher in the <i>Locus</i> Poll, the largest consumer poll in SF.</div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-56133357561528931142012-07-09T18:09:00.002-05:002012-07-09T18:09:08.482-05:00TRU7H Playdate: Bungie Day!Hey guys its Kri77ical here. In this video i'll be showing you just a little piece of the community playdate we had on Bungie Day!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14070091392884314322noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-79235969022344930892012-07-08T18:06:00.000-05:002012-07-08T18:06:05.177-05:00Mix gives us his Halo 4 impressions.<b><u><span style="font-size: small;"></span></u></b>So, I was lucky enough to attend the annual Rooster Teeth Expo. Not only that, but even luckier so to have played Halo 4 during the even. And just when you'd think I had a Geas for it (lol, story joke), I got to play even MORE Halo 4 at a super secret, invite-only, listed event, held from 7-10pm after the doors had closed on the rest of the event Saturday night.<br />
I'm not going to tell you how super giddy and bubbly I was to find a lost Frank O'Connor on the Exhibit floor, who I asked to sign my copy of Anniversary, to which he answered, "Only if you tell me where the Halo 4 panel is." No, instead I shall tell you about how I thought the game was, and a secret or two at the end that I was able to pull from a few people at Certain Affinity and 343 Industries. WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU MY IMPRESSIONS ON Halo 4.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>ARMOR ABILITIES</u></span></b><br />
<b>Hardlight Shield:</b> Hardlight was great, It worked just how I thought it would, it deflected grenades if they hit it (but not very far away). All in all, I liked it a lot. My second favorite for sure! *You Can Crouch While Using It!!!*<br />
<b>Hologram:</b> Holo was very similar to how it was implemented in Reach, but it was far harder to tell if it was a hologram or just another player, which is good for people who use it. I wont lie, I went after one or two in my time with it.<br />
<b>Promethean Vision:</b> I was not at all a fan of this. Mainly because I felt like, yeah you can see through walls, but all it was was a super radar. I could use my radar against it and hear it and take out the other player (I think MLG player, Bravo, caught me doing this to him in a video he was doing.) So, it's not to me.<br />
<b>Thrusters:</b> My favorite, and not only because it got me out of a jam or two. I loved (from a game lovers perspective) seeing some one coming around a wall, having a grenade throw in their paths, and them posting right by it as it blows up. It was definitely one I stuck with.<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">WEAPONS</span></b></u><br />
<b>Designated Marksman Rifle:</b> The DMR is exactly what everyone says it is: A long range weapon. I had a hard time using it up close (which is the type of encounter I found my self in the most.) so I ditched it fast in favor of that good ol' BR! Speaking of which...<br />
<b>Battle Rifle:</b> The old BR is back and better than expected. I loved the sounds (which will be covered latter) and it just felt right. I had no problem with it at any range, and I felt that all the kills I got were deserving.<br />
<b>Assault Rifle:</b> Pure metal. The AR wrecked at close range and made me a very happy camper. ;)<br />
<b>Carbine:</b> The only weapon I felt was god-tier from the entire thing. I got donked on every time I tried to BR a player using it. It was also a satisfying weapon to shoot.<br />
<b>Storm Rifle:</b> Definitely better than I thought it would be. I only used it on two or three people, and killed each one.<br />
<b>Sniper Rifle:</b> The sniper is totally back. It felt to me, when I got a kill, it was like using the Halo 3 sniper, but only way stronger. There was a hard kick back that totally balanced the power. A great weapon.<br />
<b>Sticky Detonator: </b>This was fun, and a great new version of the Pro-Pipe. I got 6 kills with it through out the two day event and each one was a stick. It didn't seem to me like there was much of a damage radius.<br />
<b>Needler:</b> I never thought I'd be able to say it, but I love the Needler. It was fun to shoot, it sounded cool, and it didn't track like a Tomahawk missile. I loved it<br />
<b>Energy Sword:</b> anyone who is a fan of the ridiculous sword of Reach, you wont be happy, but anyone with any type of sense will love the new sword. The clang of a melee and sword swing is out, the sword is nerffed and you have to be like a solid meter in front of someone, instead of 20 meters away. It takes a larger amount of time for the sword to be drawn and swung than it has before, witch is good.<br />
<b>Rocket Launcher:</b> Totally broken, they had absolutely no splash damage at all. If it didn't hit your opponents feet or their body, it wasn't going to affect them. I shoot right in front of my feet and didn't do anything to me at all.<br />
<b>Scattershot:</b> It wrecked in this build. Up close ( farther than past shotguns) it did great. but a little too far required an extra shot or two. A lot of fun to run around with.<br />
<b>Grenades: </b>The grenades were not the Nukes that they are in reach., which is awesome. They are a little harder to place (which is probably because it's a new game) but it was great fun.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>VEHICLES</b></u></span><br />
<b> Warthog: </b>I cannot say how great this vehicle was. It handles like heaven, it was stuck to the ground, and every turn felt as real as possible. I love the new 'Hog.<br />
<b>Mongoose: </b>I got into the mongoose after a little bit of looking for enemies, and thought that it's steering was kind of locked at where it was. I couldn't drive it because it just wouldn't turn.<br />
<b>Ghost:</b> I love the ghost now, it drives real well, it sounded incredible and it was like flying a fighter jet on the ground. Totally worth the Hour and a half I spent in line to play Longbow.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>MAPS</b></u></span><br />
<b>Adrift:</b> The first map I was able to play on. I didn't think it was hard to maneuver, but I did think it was too vertical for my tastes. It was like, at times, I couldn't tell if I was being shot from below or above me. A great map for some Regicide, though.<br />
<b>Haven:</b> Really fun, really well organized, and super easy to learn and navigate. I got my first taste of the legendary sniper on this map and it was awesome. I loved the narrows-like feel to it, while being it's own thing, too.<br />
<b>Longbow:</b> I loved this one as well. Super fun, gotta love those snowy maps, and you could tell that it was tailored for a gametype like capture the flag or something, the whole time I was on it, I thought that it would be great for 8v8.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>GAMETYPES</b></u></span><br />
<b>Regicide:</b> As many of you know, I'm not huge on objective games, I like a little CTF here and there, but that is about it. I am much more of a slayer guy, and Regicide took what I love about Slayer and turned it into an optional-objective GT, which I loved. I had a lot of fun running for the king. about 4 matches in I would stay in second place the whole time and wait for the score to be one or two kills away from victory, kill the king, and steal the crown for a solid victory.<br />
<b>Infinity Slayer:</b> I thought that personal ordinance would totally break the gameplay of Halo, and it really kinda didn't even matter. The way it is implemented is so well done that it just works. and works WELL. I loved the fact that you could go and take an enemies drop if you killed them before they could get it (happened to me once or twice, too). I am super happy it was better than I thought it would be.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>MISCELLANEOUS </b></u></span><br />
<b>Sprint:</b> I loved that everyone loved sprint, and I really liked how you are slowed way down when being shot. it was the perfect balance.<br />
<b>Instant Respawn:</b> Again, I thought this would ruin the game, but it works very well. It was refreshing to be able to run back into the battle just to do it again.<br />
<b>Betra</b><b>yal:</b> I was led to believe that it was impossible to betray a teammate in this build, but on Longbow, while driving around in a ghost, I managed to run a teammate over and get <b><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Steitzer's voice in my ear, telling me what I'd done. I ran around for a bit before being killed and when I hit "X" to respawn, I was greeted by a 7 second respawn timer for the crimes I'd committed. I was happily surprised by it and am glad there is still a punishment for team killing.</strong></b><br />
<b><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong></b><b>Sound: </b>I know it is hard to believe, but the sound in the videos that are compressed online do not do the game justice. Everything was beefy and metal and sounded unreal. Covie weapons sounded truly alien, Human weapons sounded like a horde of metal beasts fist fighting, and the ambient sounds of each map were beautiful. Tojima and Davidge know exactly what they're doing.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>TL;DR</b></u></span><br />
I loved every aspect of the game, and at the party, I was able to let all of Certain Affinity and the 343 guys know that I thought so. I think they were happy to hear it :)<br />
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<u>BONUS:</u> I got to talk to the CA guys, and mess with Jessica Shea, or BSAngel as you might know her, and they were happy enough to give me crooked answers for every question I asked. I asked a CA guy (no names, for anonymity) if the BR in the most recent build was 4 shot v the 5 shot it is now, and he kind of looked around and said, "I don't think I'm aloud to tell you." Which was a steady yes in my books, I ask Jessica a series of Questions ( a little mini-interview, if you will) and here they are:<br />
MIX: How long is the campaign in Halo 4 compaired to any other game in the franchise?<br />
JESSICA: No.<br />
Mix: Okay, is that orb we saw in the E3 demo a cryptum?<br />
Jess: I like to call it a ball thingy.<br />
Mix: Codename confirmed.<br />
Jess: [laughs] yeah, sure<br />
Mix: Is that the Didact?<br />
Jess: Who's the Didact? [laughs]<br />
Mix: Can you give me a yes to any questions?<br />
Jess: Yes, this one!<br />
After that it became us joking around until I let her go and enjoy the rest of the people there. I would like to again thank 343 for inviting me to the event, and say that they definitely got this Halo fan to Believe again.<br />
Halo 4 launches this fall on November 6th.<br />
<br />
MixMixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-38725182396681810312012-07-06T15:19:00.000-05:002012-07-06T15:19:39.153-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 7.6.12<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Explosions everywhere!</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/18009920"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fScreenshotCAS5Z9BK.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Wednesday was an important day in the United States, as we celebrated our nation’s independence by grilling massive amounts of meat, basking in the sun, and blowing stuff up (Please note I initially used a word other than “stuff” in the previous sentence but was told my linguistic selection was not nice or appropriate. Considering I am neither of those things, you would think it would have been okay). <br />
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Anyway, many people in this country plan vacations around the Fourth of July, so it was suggested to me that we skip publishing the Bulletin this week. The thought was that very few people would be around to read it, so we should save the news for a later date. I said, “Forget that. I gots stuff to talk about.” Except I didn’t say “forget.” Nor did I say “stuff.” <br />
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The compromise reached was that I would publish the Bulletin today, when hopefully the majority of our country’s Halo Waypoint-frequenting citizens have aroused from their barbeque and firework-induced slumber. So, if you’re not up, whether you reside in our neck of the woods or not, get up, because shiznit’s about to get real. <br />
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Oops. I didn’t just say that.<br />
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<img alt="Halo 4" border="0" height="300" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fIMG_2089.JPG" width="400" /></div><br />
Since we are a little over four months to launch, there are a million moving parts around the studio right now. We just finished recording something in LA, which is currently titled, ”Halo 4 Theme - Temp Name.” Pretty catchy, eh? We also had a few people in Cannes, France, attending the Interactive and Digital Entertainment Festival - a retail-only event where buyers go to see the latest games. Translations were translated, presentations were presented, and demos were demoed. Beaches were not beached, though, as time did not allow for that. Unfortunately, sometimes priorities make getting a tan challenging. Those of you at RTX will see the proof of that this weekend. <br />
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Speaking of which, RTX is tomorrow. We spent the last few weeks working on the panel, putting it together piece-by-piece, making sure every last part was in picture-perfect position. The final section just snapped into place, and we’re hoping you’ll be pleased with what we created. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. <br />
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Now, before I dip into the meat of this week’s Bulletin, let’s rewind for a minute. At E3, we invited some of the world's top MLG players to come to a special event to try Halo 4's Infinity Multiplayer for the first time. Players went head-to-head with two new game modes, Infinity Slayer and Regicide, across three different maps. Check out this brand new video to hear their impressions, and then let’s take a deep-dive into Infinity Slayer.<br />
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<div class="youtube-blocker"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KowLV6uwpFc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Infinity Slayer</span></strong></span>
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/06/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2f2820837-gallery.png"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" height="223" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2f2820837-gallery2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Team Slayer has always been the most popular mode in Halo, so when we sat down to build the Halo 4 competitive multiplayer experience, we asked ourselves several questions: How do you improve upon Team Slayer, especially after so many iterations? How do you reward players without upsetting the delicate balance and gameplay loop? How do you make it feel different but comfortable at the same time?
The answer to all of those questions comes in the form of Infinity Slayer.
Infinity Slayer is Halo 4’s all-new Team Slayer experience. It is an additional-but-vital mode, with new weapons, vehicles, loadouts and Armor Abilities. The UNSC Infinity takes a large role in this mode, providing players in the game with weapons and ordnance.
For the first time in Halo, you earn points not only for your team, but also for yourself. It still takes a certain amount of kills to win the game (currently one kill equals ten points, and 60 kills wins the game), but now you have your own personal progression loop on top of that.
Halo 4 also brings new medals and rewards to the experience, rewarding players not only for kills, but also style, assists, team support, and objective gameplay. Some of the things that count as “style” are killing an opponent attempting to hijack or skyjack a vehicle, ending an opponent’s killing spree, and killing an opponent that stole your ordnance.
Halo 4 features the new scoring system in all modes, but it makes its biggest impact in Infinity Slayer as players earn ordnance rewards from the UNSC Infinity.
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<img alt="Halo 4 Infinity Slayer Graph" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fInfographic_UPDATED.png" width="260" /></div>
<strong>Infinity Ordnance</strong> - During each Infinity Slayer experience, the UNSC Infinity drops ordnance at the start of the match. So, what used to be a shotgun leaning against the wall in previous Halos is now dropped from Infinity. At carefully-tuned intervals, Infinity resupplies the map with power weapons.
The distance at which you can see these weapons is tuned by map. The more lethal weapons (Rocket Launcher, Scattershot, and Sniper Rifle, for instance) are always on your screen. Mid-tier weapons and grenades are not.
After initial ordnance, the Infinity drops semi-randomized weapons within very specialized constraints, set up specifically by playlist and map settings. These drops occur every few minutes. When Infinity is ready to drop a weapon, it looks at all pre-determined, designer-scripted locations, and then selects one.
You will be able to customize Infinity ordnance in Forge.
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/06/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fSelecting_Ordnance_Speed_02.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fSelecting_Ordnance_Speed_02-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<strong>Personal Ordnance</strong> - As you earn medals, you fill up your ordnance meter. When that meter is full, you earn a reward drop for yourself from the Infinity. The reward comes in the form of three randomized power weapons, grenades, or powerups (two of the former, one of the latter). You can then choose which one you want, and the Infinity will drop the ordnance (if you’re inside, it will teleport in). You won’t get the highest tier power weapons (e.g., rockets) in personal ordnance, but everything you do get is powerfully awesome. And awesomely powerful. And everything in between.
We are still fine-tuning the system but in its current iteration, each successive ordnance takes 30% more to get. On average, each player gets 1-2 ordnance per game. Solid playing may net you three; however, I’ve been unable to confirm. For obvious reasons.
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/post/2012/07/06/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fOrdnance_Overshield.jpg"><img alt="Halo 4 Screenshot" border="0" height="224" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fOrdnance_Overshield-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Powerups are one of the biggest new impact features, and there will be three powerup selections available in Infinity Slayer. Overshield is making a return along with two new additions: Damage Boost and Speed Boost. Powerups are different colors, both on your screen and your character. Overshield is green, Speed Boost is blue (and leaves trails), and Damage Boost is red.
Powerups have a limited duration but are incredibly fun and combo well with the new weapons and Armor Abilities in Halo 4. For instance, the Energy Sword pairs well with the Overshield. Or, if you have a Magnum, selecting the Speed Boost is beneficial so you can quickly reach a power weapon. There are numerous on-the-fly choices and combinations to discover.
Some additional features of Infinity Slayer are perspective scripting and dynamic music, but you’ll hear more about those things later. For now, it’s time to move on to Halo: Reach.
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Halo: Reach Matchmaking Playlist Updates</span></strong></span>
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/6631874"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="300" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fScreenshotCADX7SCP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In one way or another, every single person in the studio is working on Halo 4 right now. As we get closer to launch, the teams that split their time between that game and Reach find their priorities slowly shifting. Because we’re so heads-down right now, working on kicking out the monster that is Halo 4, we are not able to release a Halo: Reach matchmaking update for July.
We are well aware, almost painfully so, that the playlists need to be consolidated and the overall matchmaking experience needs to be streamlined. We’re planning on doing that in August, although, as you recently found out, things can change. Just know that we’re aware it is needed and coming; it’s just a matter of when.
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge of the Week</span></strong></span>
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/filebrowser/Details/7278301"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="300" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fScreenshotCA1GQKI7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The Grenade Launcher is often referred to as the pro-pipe. I’m not exactly sure why (though I’m guessing it’s because it’s similar to a pipe. And it’s pro). Regardless, if you like this oddly-nicknamed weapon, you’re in luck because this week’s Custom Challenge of the Week features everybody’s favorite explosive discharger.
From now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, setting up a Custom Challenge with the Grenade Launcher M319 IGL as the type of weapon will result in 7.5 times the usual multiplier. So go pipe some pros! Or do whatever it is you do with that particular weapon.
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></strong></span>
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/haloreach/Duurk/fileshare#?details=7188648"><img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="300" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fScreenshot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Yet another summer weekend is almost here, and to celebrate this one, we have selected the MLG playlist to house the Super Jackpot Weekend festivities. Starting today and ending on Sunday, hopping into that playlist will present you with the chance of receiving a 32,000-credit bonus. Zero bloom and extra credits? Sure, why not!
And that, my friends, wraps up yet another edition of your weekly Halo Bulletin. Some of you I’ll see in Austin, where we’ll get to experience the 108 degree weather together. Fret not, though, because if I find prescription strength deodorant, everything will be okay. Wish me (and your nose) luck.
<3,
bs angel
P.S.
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<img alt="Halo: Reach Screenshot" border="0" height="400" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f7%2f6%2fEDGE_cover.jpg" width="301" /></div>
P.S. If you still feel like reading after that vicious onslaught of words, we heard that Halo 4 is on the first ever EDGE iPad edition. Apparently it’s even half-price for a limited time. <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/edge-worlds-most-respected/id451410596?mt=8">So go read even more!</a>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-44835146826312678932012-07-05T21:13:00.001-05:002012-07-05T21:13:37.774-05:00Halo 2 Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A2ts7_wHab7zWa9P_w9PXst1hHwLkYMHFggSbo1geXcpi9V01QAZmHtJvUxFtYqN9iKuSlfrKxPEB7QBDLR5NyJwsaAzP1J0JwwnNLhABBBuhJ4fxwBMG1QZUeJAdY-QQ8Rg4_4KO2Q/s1600/halo2Anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A2ts7_wHab7zWa9P_w9PXst1hHwLkYMHFggSbo1geXcpi9V01QAZmHtJvUxFtYqN9iKuSlfrKxPEB7QBDLR5NyJwsaAzP1J0JwwnNLhABBBuhJ4fxwBMG1QZUeJAdY-QQ8Rg4_4KO2Q/s1600/halo2Anniversary.jpg" /></a></div>So, This just came up. apparently, in the newest issue of OXM, it has been confirmed that a Halo 2 Anniversary is in development, as seen over at <a href="http://modernxgames.blogspot.com.es/2012/07/halo-2-anniversary-pode-estar-no-inicio.html">Modern X Games</a>.<br />
I can't say that I'm surprised. Halo Anniversary was a huge success, and I knew that this would be short in suite. Maybe this will make sure that Halo does have a game come out for the fourth year in a row. As long as it doesn't interfere with the season of Spartan Ops running close to it's launch. I also don't think people have to worry about this taking away from the Halo 4 dev team. The game will most likely be outsourced (most likely to Sabre Interactive again) just like Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (2011).<br />
What do you think? Will we see Halo 2 Anniversary next year for a nine year anniversary launch? or wait until 2014 for a ten year anniversary like it's predecessor was?MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-16084465452969571362012-07-01T17:39:00.000-05:002012-07-01T17:39:19.545-05:00The Halo Bulletin: 6.28.12<div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Crossing the Streams" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fAwR0dkuCAAM3ive.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This weekend, the mission designers ordered and ate 40 corndogs. True story.</span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Super Crunch Time</span></strong></span><br />
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The road leading up to Halo 4’s launch is an exciting time. It’s also a busy time, especially when you decide to throw a live-action series (Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn), books (The Thursday War by Karen Traviss and Greg Bear’s third installment in the Forerunner Trilogy), and back-to-back events (RTX and SDCC) into the mix. That’s why those of us that call 343 Industries home have officially transitioned from crunch time into the next critical phase of video game development: super crunch time.<br />
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The Campaign for Halo 4 is playable from start to finish, with some levels being near complete and others still needing some good, old-fashioned elbow grease (in the form of polish and bug bashing). The first several weeks of Spartan Ops find themselves in a similar state, as do the ten multiplayer maps that are shipping with the game.<br />
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Every time I participate in a daily play test, I am reminded of where we started and just how far we’ve come. Sometimes it’s the captivating curve of a skybox and the way it slowly opens itself up to reveal a seductively dangerous world. Other times it’s an animation, where one highly charged moment of your Spartan tackling and assassinating another Spartan makes you feel like the most bad-ass, kick-ass, whatever-other-words-you-can-put-in-front-of-ass super-soldier ever. And every so often, it’s simply catching sight of Requiem’s artificial light delicately dancing upon Master Chief’s visor and realizing, under his body-hugging suit of green armor, he's everything you've always wanted in a man… and then some.<br />
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Wait, did things just get weird? No? Good. I'll continue then.<br />
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We recently wrapped our last day of shooting on Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, with a very happy cast and crew up in Vancouver. Now we're moving directly into the final stage of production: Editorial and Post. There’s still a lot to be done, but every day gets us a little closer to its October release date. You’ll be hearing—and seeing—more about Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn at Comic-Con International, but before we touch on that particular subject, let’s talk about Longbow, shall we?</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2f2820777-gallery.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2f2820777-gallery-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">NAME</strong>: LONGBOW<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">LOCATION</strong>: Northern regions of the planet Concord.<br />
<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">DESCRIPTION</strong>: Located in the northern polar region of the planet Concord, the frigid climate and unique gravitational conditions provide an optimal perch for Longbow Station’s channel-based mass drivers. Before the Covenant War, the UEG launched deep space monitoring relays from here in an effort to study far-flung star systems.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Longbow</span></strong></span><br />
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From Sidewinder to Containment to Snowbound to Avalanche, Halo has a long multiplayer map history speckled with various virtual snow-filled expanses. That history continues into Halo 4 with Longbow.<br />
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The goal of Longbow was to create a playspace that showcases one of our new (and unannounced) game modes. Early in development, we considered several options, including making it something like a big Arecibo-type telescope built into a valley.<br />
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We experimented with having extremes of Fire and Ice on opposite sides, but ultimately decided a glacier theme fit better with the spectrum of themes from other maps. The look and feel really took off from there to be distinctive and atmospheric.<br />
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We wanted a big engineering effort that connected to the war or the resources needed for the UNSC, so when looking at the designers’ initial idea for the map from the top, we began thinking of a Y-shape or loop shape that accommodated this single big machine—a magnetic launcher that works on similar principles as a MAC Cannon. It was an interesting case of trying to make a symmetrical map area feel natural and almost accidental, while still telling an epic sci-fi story.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><span id="continue" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot1.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Lonbow Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot1-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brand spankin’ new Longbow screenshot 1!</span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot2.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Lonbow Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot2-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brand spankin’ new Longbow screenshot 2!</span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot3.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4 Lonbow Screenshot" border="0" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fLongbowScreenshot3-2.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: 9px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Brand spankin’ new Longbow screenshot 3!</span></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
We then had to develop solid visual markers so the players could understand where they were. Each side is a very similar plan and path, but distinct enough to get a peripheral sense of being in a distinct "zone" in the map.<br />
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At one point, we flipped the direction of the entire map. The center building of the launch facility moved north to be a better landmark, pointing the launcher's arms out over the ocean. It’s much cooler to look at, and better for the players' orientation.<br />
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Longbow supports both infantry and vehicle play. On foot, players will notice it's mostly a mid-to-long range map with pockets of close range combat in and around the base structures. However, there are plenty of vehicles (currently Warthogs, Mongooses, and Ghosts) and routes through the map that will make fans of vehicular combat happy.<br />
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If you’re planning on attending RTX, you can let us know what you think of this particular map then. Speaking of which…</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<img alt="Halo 4 RTX Poster" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fRTX_poster_2012_web.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">RTX</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
RTX, or Rooster Teeth Expo, will take place July 7 and 8 at The Austin Convention Center (500 East Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX). That’s a mere nine days away, for those of you that don’t have a calendar taped to your face.<br />
<br />
This will be the first opportunity for the general public to get their hands on the competitive multiplayer modes for Halo 4 (also known as War Games). We’ll have a few different maps and game types playable on the floor, and we’ll also be hosting a panel, where two very special HORSE-loving guests may or may not stop by. Current plan is to have yours truly moderate it, but maybe someone will come to their senses and save you from having to witness my jazz hands in person. You can hope, anyway.<br />
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We have some exciting, albeit small, announcements planned, so we hope to see you there!</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f5%2f9%2fSLEEPER_2048x1536.jpg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fimageCAMQZC0Y.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></a></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Comic-Con International</span></strong></span><br />
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Comic-Con International 2012 will take place July 12-15 at the San Diego Convention Center (111 West Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA). We’re excited to announce that Halo 4 will be playable on the floor, and we’ll also be presenting the following panels, the first of which will feature the premiere of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn trailer. Additionally, you’ll have a chance to receive special prizes at the booth and meet the creative visionaries behind Halo 4 and Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn during special signing events!<br />
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<br />
<u style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thursday, July 12, 4:45pm – 5:45pm</u><br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Fiction of Halo 4</strong><br />
Room 6BCF, San Diego Convention Center<br />
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Halo 4 heralds the return of one of gaming’s most iconic heroes, the Master Chief, in a new, epic sci-fi saga. Expanding and enriching the narrative, 343 Industries, with very special guests, will share how the development of stories across the Greg Bear Forerunner saga, the Karen Traviss Kilo-Five trilogy, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Halo 4 Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer have become connective tissue for Halo 4. Don’t miss the exciting premiere of the Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn trailer as well as Q&A with our special guests!<br />
<br />
Panelists: Brian Reed (Franchise Writer, 343 Industries), Armando Troisi (Narrative Director, 343 Industries), Brien Goodrich (Cinematic Director, 343 Industries), and Forward Unto Dawn’s director, cinematic director and writers (to be announced) Moderated by: Frank O’Connor (Franchise Development Director, 343 Industries)<br />
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<u style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Saturday, July 14, 3:15pm – 4:15pm</u><br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Halo 4: A New Campaign and Halo Infinity Multiplayer</strong><br />
Room 6DE, San Diego Convention Center<br />
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Halo 4 marks the beginning of a new saga in the blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers. Developed by 343 Industries, get a glimpse at how they have taken Halo 4 in new directions, introducing an ancient threat and the Master Chief’s greatest challenge, as well as an innovative and fresh new take on multiplayer in War Games and Spartan Ops.<br />
<br />
Panelists: Kiki Wolfkill (Executive Producer, 343 Industries), Josh Holmes (Creative Director, 343 Industries), Frank O’Connor (Franchise Development Director, 343 Industries), Chris Haluke (Lead Designer, 343 Industries), and others to be announced soon Moderated by: David Ellis (Spartan Ops Designer, 343 Industries)<br />
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Don’t miss this opportunity to get hands-on with Halo 4, and stay tuned for more details as the event gets closer.</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<img alt="Halo: Reach Custom Challenge of the Week" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f6%2f28%2fCCotW.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Custom Challenge fo the Week</span></strong></span><br />
<br />
Halo Waypoint forum member <a href="https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postsm840747_Suggest-a-Custom-Challenge-of-the-Week.aspx#post840747" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(52, 158, 219); -webkit-transition: color 0.2s linear; border: 0px; color: #1fcdc3; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Dr Crackerjak claims to know what the ladies like</a>. How exactly is that relevant to the new Custom Challenge of the Week, you may be wondering? Well, he seems to think persons of the female persuasion enjoy it when you get a lot of kills with the Scorpion.<br />
<br />
To find out if that’s true, set up a Custom Challenge with the Scorpion - M808B MBT as the type of weapon. Resulting kills while in the tank will net you five times the usual credit multiplier. This challenge will be active from now until next Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, so let’s find out if the tank truly beats everything!</div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
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<img alt="Super Jackpot Weekend" src="http://halo.xbox.com/blogs/Headlines/image.axd?picture=2012%2f4%2f5%2fsuperjackpotweekend.png" style="border: none; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div><div style="background-color: #060e15; border: 0px; color: #d3d8de; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px;"><br />
<span style="border: 0px; font-size: small; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Super Jackpot Weekend</span></strong></span><br />
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Summer has officially arrived. That means your days are longer, which in turn means you hopefully have more time for gaming. If that holds true for you this weekend, hop into SWAT because each game completed in that playlist will present you with the chance of receiving a cool 27,000-credit bonus. The festivities start on Friday and end on Sunday, so get it while the getting’s good.<br />
<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, concludes your weekly Halo Bulletin. Next Wednesday is a holiday around these parts, so I’m not sure what will happen with the Bulletin. I guess there’s only one way to find out, right? See you next week… maybe. ;)<br />
<br />
<3,<br />
bs angel </div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-20922331998219536092012-06-27T18:04:00.002-05:002012-06-27T20:42:05.141-05:00Halo 4 Info blowout for employees, surface for fans.Today, Little English Halo Blog was lucky enough to get it's hands on some game retailer employee information and screens. Below, you can see the screens for yourself (click for bigger versions) But, if you don't wanna go through the stuff, here's a rundown:<br />
-10 weeks= season one of Spartan Ops= 50 missions= 12 hours of content. A second campaign.<br />
-2 new vehicles<br />
-10 new weapons<br />
-Darker Campaign<br />
-10 Multiplayer maps at launch<br />
-speculation of a clan type support. (more on the bottom.)<br />
Pics:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, I wanted to talk about a theory that has been popping up since this morning. The idea of a group feature could work like this; say that TRU7H has a group in Halo 4 and there are so many people in that group. We see that there are X out of Y players online and we hit the invite button which sends an invite to all of those players, basically making community playdates a whole lot better.</div>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1256250966728856020.post-88768211386319403182012-06-25T19:50:00.001-05:002012-06-25T19:51:50.446-05:00TRU7H at RTX 2<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJlhL1KDnQM&feature=plcp">We are going to have a presence at the Rooster Teeth Expo on July 7th and 8th, but here is that in video form!</a>MixMasterChiefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03971473701881614467noreply@blogger.com0