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[Shafto]

And to think there's the slightest chance of it being free is as naive as one could be. Again, they want to increase ODST's perceived value, that's why these maps didn't get released last fall, and of course they want to make as much money off of Halo proper until their janky attempts devalue the IP.

I actually still think there's a chance (a small one) the maps will go free. I feel when ODST comes out, it'll be an end stamp on Halo 3. By including Halo 3 MP as a freebie essentially, they're basically saying "We've made all the money we can from this - it's time to look to next Fall and Reach".

While this may seem unlikely, given the money grabbing nonsense that went down relating to Halo Wars and Mythic, can you really imagine anyone, after Christmas this year or Spring next year, buying Halo 3 maps as DLC? They'll have, or buy, ODST. Of they just won't care, with all eyes focused on the new girl in town in the form of Reach (by when, i'd like to think, we'll at least know a little more). By this point too, ODST will have dropped significantly in price - and who in their right mind would by 800MSpoints for 3 maps, when likely a few pounds more will get them an entire game along with it.

By this point in time, if I were MS, i'd be making the DLC free, making Halo 3 an increased value proposition and getting a last mini-sales push.

So, in my head, the best marketing plan would be this: ODST maps are exlcusive for 3-6 months (Xmas-Spring). Then, they make all maps free, and we all have happy, fully compatible times.

I'm not predicting the future here - just saying what I think would be the best strategy for MS.

 

[pet]

they're basically saying "We've made all the money we can from this - it's time to look to next Fall and Reach".

next fall will be the "fall" of reach ololol

 

[Sai-kun]

People like you are the reason why majority of the games in Halo 3 matchmaking have lag. Complain all you like about your laggy games but if you have a shitty ass connection to begin with, I do not think you can complain about the game being laggy or you lagging out.

:lol Quit taking me so seriously dude. My connection is frakkin' fine :lol :lol My connection at my mom's is pretty damn solid too, but I have lagged out a few times there. Stupid router being on the other side of the house >:|

 

[feel]

What about people like me who lag out?

Whoa, wasn't thinking about that.

Ok, just penalize people who choose to quit. Quiters will then start yanking their network cables out of their xboxs to circumvent the system, but at least it something.

 

[Nutter]

:lol Quit taking me so seriously dude. My connection is frakkin' fine :lol :lol My connection at my mom's is pretty damn solid too, but I have lagged out a few times there. Stupid router being on the other side of the house >:|

Im just generalizing the entire statement to anyone who says this game is laggy and they themselves have a shitty connection.

 

[EazyB]

I actually still think there's a chance (a small one) the maps will go free. I feel when ODST comes out, it'll be an end stamp on Halo 3. By including Halo 3 MP as a freebie essentially, they're basically saying "We've made all the money we can from this - it's time to look to next Fall and Reach".

While this may seem unlikely, given the money grabbing nonsense that went down relating to Halo Wars and Mythic, can you really imagine anyone, after Christmas this year or Spring next year, buying Halo 3 maps as DLC? They'll have, or buy, ODST. Of they just won't care, with all eyes focused on the new girl in town in the form of Reach (by when, i'd like to think, we'll at least know a little more). By this point too, ODST will have dropped significantly in price - and who in their right mind would by 800MSpoints for 3 maps, when likely a few pounds more will get them an entire game along with it.

By this point in time, if I were MS, i'd be making the DLC free, making Halo 3 an increased value proposition and getting a last mini-sales push.

So, in my head, the best marketing plan would be this: ODST maps are exlcusive for 3-6 months (Xmas-Spring). Then, they make all maps free, and we all have happy, fully compatible times.

I'm not predicting the future here - just saying what I think would be the best strategy for MS.

You raise decent points but I'm still unconvinced. Some things you need to consider:

A lot of people that play Halo 3, and especially those that are interested in the latest DLC, just play the game for the multiplayer. They see ODST and say, I can pay $10 for the latest maps on XBLMP or go out and pay $60 for essentially maps they already bought and 3 new ones.

Those picking up Halo 3 between now and Reach, because Halo 3 may still be considered the big Halo game in the trilogy and because it'll be bundled in the new 360 Elite SKU and it's cheaper than ODST, may stick with Halo 3 if they can acquire all the DLC for cheaper without buying ODST. You say ODST will be much cheaper by the time Reach roles around but Halo 3 was still $50 a year after its release and after two years it's still $40.

Squidhands is probably right, Halo 3's DLC won't be free until Reach is out. At which point they'll begin milking Reach customers. I wish you were right, I'd love it if they just spontaneously decided to make all the content free, but that's not the MS I know.

 

[BerserkerBarage]

Whoa, wasn't thinking about that.

Ok, just penalize people who choose to quit. Quiters will then start yanking their network cables out of their xboxs to circumvent the system, but at least it something.

Here is a thread I made in 2007 with some suggestions I was hoping to see in Halo 3 in regards to quitting.

There have been 2 games that I can think of on the 360 that did not give people the option to quit out of a Multiplayer game: ChromeHounds and Lost Planet. As that thread shows, I was hoping that Bungie would either remove the "quit game" option from the start menu, or make it so the "quit early" tag from the XBL feedback UI would separate gamers into quitters and non-quitters.

Sadly, neither of them happened. I've been a long time opponent of quitting and the problem only has seemed to get worse as Halo 3 has progressed. And I say that quitting is a problem when I play 99% of my Halo 3 time in a full party. I'm tired of it taking 5 minutes to set up a game where the other team quits after we score 1 flag cap. Leaving 4 people to get slaughtered for the next 5 minutes (or however long it takes to score the next 2 flags).

A -1XP penalty was only a relative punishment up until Bungie made XP in Halo 3 worthless (ie 2XP weekends). Now, it's more of a joke to hurt people who legitimately lag out because it certainly isn't a deterrent for quitters.

~B.B.

 

[Flipyap]

Then again it's already messed up that they haven't explicitly said that they'd release it as DLC let alone given it a release date. It's MS though, so I wouldn't be entirely shocked if they didn't say anything through ODST's release to increase ODST's perceived value.

I wish you were right, I'd love it if they just spontaneously decided to make all the content free, but that's not the MS I know.

What other publisher would announce that what's a selling point for some people will be available at a later date for 1/6th of the price?
Should Bethesda have announced that you won't have to buy a $60 game and $50 DLC, because later you'll just get the complete Fallout 3 package in one GOTY edition?

What other publisher made all of their paid downloadable content free after a while (this generation)?
Yeah, it would be nice to have everything for free a year ago, but I don't exactly see Microsoft's actions as evil. They kinda make sense, they're not all that unusual, and I'm glad I didn't have to buy the mythic maps in two $10 parts (I'm sure that's what would happen if not for the gimmick of bundling them with ODST).

100% free DLC maps or not, the community will remain segmented and the playlists will remain a mess because of the way the matchmaking was designed. It's a pain in the ass either way.

Again, they want to increase ODST's perceived value, that's why these maps didn't get released last fall, and of course they want to make as much money off of Halo proper until their janky attempts devalue the IP.

That's okay, so far every Bungie Halo has been janky in some significant way. They'll fit right in.

 

[The Librarian]

A -1XP penalty was only a relative punishment up until Bungie made XP in Halo 3 worthless (ie 2XP weekends). Now, it's more of a joke to hurt people who legitimately lag out because it certainly isn't a deterrent for quitters.

~B.B.

I remember when Halo 3 first came out and noting how big a difference there was in the number of quits per game between Halo 3 and Halo 2. It's sad that the rate had to creep along until they're at the levels they are now.

Edit: Nice response, Flipyap.

 

[EazyB]

What other publisher would announce that what's a selling point for some people will be available at a later date for 1/6th of the price?
Should Bethesda have announced that you won't have to buy a $60 game and $50 DLC, because later you'll just get the complete Fallout 3 package in one GOTY edition?

It shouldn't have been a selling point in the first place. We should have had the entire Mythic map pack last fall but your beloved MS delayed and split them up to sell them with fucking Halo Wars and now ODST.

Edit: Your Bethesda arguement would be more appropriate if Bethesda would've delayed Fallout 3 content to bundle it with Wet and then held onto more DLC content to sell it exclusively with the GOTY edition so people that paid $60 for Fallout 3 had to rebuy the game to access it.

What other publisher made all of their paid downloadable content free after a while (this generation)?

Ubisoft with Rainbow Six Vegas 1 & 2
EA with Battlefield Company
Valve

That's just off the top of my head but there are probably more.

Yeah, it would be nice to have everything for free a year ago, but I don't exactly see Microsoft's actions as evil. They kinda make sense, they're not all that unusual, and I'm glad I didn't have to buy the mythic maps in two $10 parts (I'm sure that's what would happen if not for the gimmick of bundling them with ODST).

They were all part of one pack. The Mythic map pack, split up and delayed by MS to sell copies of Halo Wars and ODST. Who knows how much MS, who sets the price of DLC, would have charged for the pack had it been released when it was ready.

100% free DLC maps or not, the community will remain segmented and the playlists will remain a mess because of the way the matchmaking was designed. It's a pain in the ass either way.

IF the maps were all free the community would be all but segmented. There will be a some without a HDD that wouldn't be able to access the DLC and for them Bungie would leave Lone Wolves, Social Slayer, and Social Skirmish with no DLC required so that they could play.

That's okay, so far every Bungie Halo has been janky in some significant way. They'll fit right in.

Bungie's games have been far from perfect but they're undoubtedly some of the best to ever grace consoles with only a select few able to compete. MS would be extremely lucky to fit in with the likes of Halo 3 and MW on their first game.

 

[Numbers]

The Halo 3 MP disk that comes with ODST will be installable, right?


Anybody want to play some Legendary Tsavo co-op?

 

[Sai-kun]

The Halo 3 MP disk that comes with ODST will be installable, right?


Anybody want to play some Legendary Tsavo co-op?

Probably, but I don't see why you'd want to, considering load times are even longer when you install it.

 

[Flipyap]

It shouldn't have been a selling point in the first place. We should have had the entire Mythic map pack last fall but your beloved MS delayed and split them up to sell them with fucking Halo Wars and now ODST.

Ho ho. I know what "my beloved MS" did, I just don't consider it to be a criminal offense.

A whole lot of video game content could be released at an earlier (or later!) date, but aren't until what the publisher decides to be a good time for release.
While this example is extreme, it simply doesn't bother me. You probably wouldn't even hear about these delays, if they happened to a less talkative developer.

It's a business. (I'm guessing) they know what they're doing. There must a reason the map pack releases are spaced out and no matter when Bungie finished working on them, they probably would be released in 3 map packs at a time, $10 each, because that's the way map packs are released nowadays.
Not only for this game, not only for "my beloved MS"'s games.
If that were the case, the final 3 maps would probably be coming out around this time anyway, and I'm simply glad that instead of paying $10 more, I'll get them with ODST, which likely would be $60 regardless.

Edit: Your Bethesda arguement would be more appropriate if Bethesda would've delayed Fallout 3 content to bundle it with Wet and then held onto more DLC content to sell it exclusively with the GOTY edition so people that paid $60 for Fallout 3 had to rebuy the game to access it.

I'm not saying that both cases are identical, just trying to point out that no publisher will go out to say "don't worry, you'll get a better deal later, we don't want all of your money"

Ubisoft with Rainbow Six Vegas 1 & 2
EA with Battlefield Company
Valve

I don't know about Rainbow Six, but weren't Bad Company maps free from day 1, like Valve's?
I'm talking about all content going from paid to free (like, for some reason Mirror's Edge DLC on the European PSN store).

IF the maps were all free the community would be all but segmented. There will be a some without a HDD that wouldn't be able to access the DLC and for them Bungie would leave Lone Wolves, Social Slayer, and Social Skirmish with no DLC required so that they could play.

The blinking "you can't play this" message on most playlists is very discouraging.
That's exactly what people were complaining about not long ago in this very thread, when they launched the game for the first time, or after a longer break.
That will continue to happen, because the Arcade 360s will continue to exists.
The playlists are a mess because of the way DLC was integrated into matchmaking, the limitations in map selection in playlists isn't good for anyone.

Bungie's games have been far from perfect but they're undoubtedly some of the best to ever grace consoles with only a select few able to compete. MS would be extremely lucky to fit in with the likes of Halo 3 and MW on their first game.

Well, as far as singleplayer goes, I certainly hope they go as far as possible from the "greatness" of Modern Warfare.

 

[Self Induced]

Probably, but I don't see why you'd want to, considering load times are even longer when you install it.

iirc a weekly update said the Halo 3 MP that comes on the ODST disk would be optimized for HD installation.

 

[backflip10019]

Welp, we just got cheated on in MLG. Go figure. They bridged the connection and made us warp around all game. We didn't get a single second of hilll time. Obvious cheating, ban them Bungie.

http://www.bungie.net/Stats/GameStatsHalo3.aspx?gameid=1253840918&player=backflip10019

 

[Domino Theory]

iirc a weekly update said the Halo 3 MP that comes on the ODST disk would be optimized for HD installation.

No, just the first disc (one with FireFight, ODST Campaign, etc.).

 

[Sai-kun]

No, just the first disc (one with FireFight, ODST Campaign, etc.).

Thought so :O

I feel like trying to become a General/Brig, but I'm too damn lazy. And my 41 is in Lone WOlves...>< feels impossible to rank up there

 

[The Librarian]

I don't know about Rainbow Six, but weren't Bad Company maps free from day 1, like Valve's?
I'm talking about all content going from paid to free (like, for some reason Mirror's Edge DLC on the European PSN store).

All the Bad Company DLC that has been released so far has been free.

 

[Louis Wu]

No, just the first disc (one with FireFight, ODST Campaign, etc.).

This.

(The Halo 3 MP in ODST will be identical to the Halo 3 MP we already have.)

 

[Self Induced]

I was under the impression ODST would only be one disk, having Halo 3 MP in the main menu along with Firefight/Campaign/Theater etc.

:/

 

[FilthyLies]

I was under the impression ODST would only be one disk, having Halo 3 MP in the main menu along with Firefight/Campaign/Theater etc.

:/

Nah, they made it VERY clear ODST is two discs.

First Disc has the ODST campaign and Firefight, Second Disc has the Halo 3 multiplayer and the new maps. I think the Reach beta is on the first disc too.

Unfortunate that they had to split it, I would like to be able to switch from normal multiplayer to Firefight without having to switch discs :|

 

[EazyB]

Ho ho. I know what "my beloved MS" did, I just don't consider it to be a criminal offense.

I never implied that MS isn't legally able to do what they have. They're the publisher and IP holder.

A whole lot of video game content could be released at an earlier (or later!) date, but aren't until what the publisher decides to be a good time for release.
While this example is extreme, it simply doesn't bother me. You probably wouldn't even hear about these delays, if they happened to a less talkative developer.

The thing is, MS didn't decide the release dates that would sell the most DLC let alone keep the community alive and well. They choose to ship them whenever these other products were ready to be released. It's obvious Bungie had a certain time-frame in mind in order to ensure strong sales for the DLC as well as keeping the online experience fresh.

The Heroic maps were released on Dec 11th, less than 3 months after the game launched. The Legendary Pack hit April 15th, 4 months later while the Heroic maps went free shortly before. Cold Storage was released July 7th for free (though MS forces people to pay for the Legendary maps in order to play them in MM). At PAX 08 we learned that the Mythic maps were done and ready for a fall release (which woulda been about 4 months after the last pack) but instead only half of them were released on XBL 11 months after Legendary. And now we won't be getting the second half until 6 months after the first half was released or 17 months after Legendary came out. All the while there are no signs of making Legendary free even though it's been over a year since they've been out.

It's a business. (I'm guessing) they know what they're doing. There must a reason the map pack releases are spaced out and no matter when Bungie finished working on them, they probably would be released in 3 map packs at a time, $10 each, because that's the way map packs are released nowadays.

Of course they know what they're doing. They're making bank off of Bungie's game no matter the consequence to Bungie's community. And there's no reason the Mythic map couldn't have come out as one pack. Halo, and other games', maps haven't always been released as packs of 3, something there've been more, other times less.

I'm sure MS is able to pay Bungie to make the maps and sell enough to make a profit, even if the maps went from three months after they've released.

Not only for this game, not only for "my beloved MS"'s games.
If that were the case, the final 3 maps would probably be coming out around this time anyway, and I'm simply glad that instead of paying $10 more, I'll get them with ODST, which likely would be $60 regardless.

It's obvious Bungie had planned for a much earlier, simultaneous release. Under the achievement listings for Halo 3 they're all considered part of a "Mythic Map" Pack and were all done around the same time. The only reason MS can even begin to argue that ODST (a game Bungie went on record as saying they didn't view it as a full title) can be sold for full price. You're still getting charged for this content, the only difference is other consumers, who may not want to play ODST's campaign, have to pay $60 for access to these maps at launch. Do you really think that "MS would've charged $60 for ODST regardless of the amount of content" as valid reason to argue that including these maps exclusively is some kind of act of charity?

Get real.

I don't know about Rainbow Six, but weren't Bad Company maps free from day 1, like Valve's?
I'm talking about all content going from paid to free (like, for some reason Mirror's Edge DLC on the European PSN store).

I really don't see why making the content free in the first place disqualifies it as a method for how publishers deliver content.

More importantly how the majority console publishers have been handling DLC is irrelevant. Many of them do the same thing MS does and many more do it even worse (though delaying content for the most popular 360 game puts MS under more scrutiny). I'm not trying to paint MS as the most evil of evils (Activision holds that trophy) but the disregard for Halo community shouldn't be ignored.

The blinking "you can't play this" message on most playlists is very discouraging.
That's exactly what people were complaining about not long ago in this very thread, when they launched the game for the first time, or after a longer break.
That will continue to happen, because the Arcade 360s will continue to exists.
The playlists are a mess because of the way DLC was integrated into matchmaking, the limitations in map selection in playlists isn't good for anyone.

I really doubt the people that come in here complaining about playlist access don't own a HDD. It's the fact that it's paid and required for certain playlists that set them off. We all no who sets the prices, so no need to go back into that. As far as playlist integration, there's significant evidence that shows MS plays a major role but I won't regurgitate these either. You can fish through the thread and waste your own time.

Well, as far as singleplayer goes, I certainly hope they go as far as possible from the "greatness" of Modern Warfare.

I was speaking to what keeps Halo and CoD at the top of the 360's most played list. If you want to talk SP, I'm not convinced Bungie can deliver a compelling story and wouldn't be surprised if MS delivered something better in those regards. But if we look at gameplay mechanics and level design, MS has a to really pull something out of their ass to compete.

 

[Neverender]

Thought so :O

I feel like trying to become a General/Brig, but I'm too damn lazy. And my 41 is in Lone WOlves...>< feels impossible to rank up there

I fucking hate Lone Wolves now. I got up to like 42 in the first few months of release and now I can't get anywhere >=[

This.

(The Halo 3 MP in ODST will be identical to the Halo 3 MP we already have.)

Do you think the MP disc will have that 'Mythic' variation of the menu that was seen at PAX last year?

 

[Stormtrooper30]

If that were the case, the final 3 maps would probably be coming out around this time anyway, and I'm simply glad that instead of paying $10 more, I'll get them with ODST, which likely would be $60 regardless.

lolwat? The Mythic maps were completed about 11 months ago. As Eazy said, MS delayed these maps for rediculously long times in order to bundle them with other games.
As far as ODST being 60$ reguardless of whether or not it has Halo 3 MP in it? Are you fucking insane? No one

Spoiler

besides the rich bastards here

would pay 60$ for a 5-6 hour campaign and a horde mode.
I want you to think about what Microsoft is doing with this: They are putting half of one game into another. A two year old game. They are putting half of a 2 year old game and 3 maps into another game to hike up the price. We are paying for half of a 2 year old game that we already own. Without the Halo 3 content, they probally would only be able to charge $40. MS delayed the Mythic map pack for a whole fucking year so that they could charge more money on ODST. Fuck.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

In regards to quitting, it's pretty terrible in ranked.
Played a bunch of ranked slayer last night (about to play more now if any are interested), had at least one, generally 2-3 quitters every match (ranged across both teams, not just one).
Pretty disgusting.

 

[GM Bullfrog]

lolwat? The Mythic maps were completed about 11 months ago. As Eazy said, MS delayed these maps for rediculously long times in order to bundle them with other games.
As far as ODST being 60$ reguardless of whether or not it has Halo 3 MP in it? Are you fucking insane? No one

Spoiler

besides the rich bastards here

would pay 60$ for a 5-6 hour campaign and a horde mode.
I want you to think about what Microsoft is doing with this: They are putting half of one game into another. A two year old game. They are putting half of a 2 year old game and 3 maps into another game to hike up the price. We are paying for half of a 2 year old game that we already own. Without the Halo 3 content, they probally would only be able to charge $40. MS delayed the Mythic map pack for a whole fucking year so that they could charge more money on ODST. Fuck.

I was just thinking about this myself. I would be willing to buy ODST used and send Bungie cold hard cash for whatever they would have got if I had bought it new.

 

[The Librarian]

lolwat? The Mythic maps were completed about 11 months ago. As Eazy said, MS delayed these maps for rediculously long times in order to bundle them with other games.
As far as ODST being 60$ reguardless of whether or not it has Halo 3 MP in it? Are you fucking insane? No one

Spoiler

besides the rich bastards here

would pay 60$ for a 5-6 hour campaign and a horde mode.
I want you to think about what Microsoft is doing with this: They are putting half of one game into another. A two year old game. They are putting half of a 2 year old game and 3 maps into another game to hike up the price. We are paying for half of a 2 year old game that we already own. Without the Halo 3 content, they probally would only be able to charge $40. MS delayed the Mythic map pack for a whole fucking year so that they could charge more money on ODST. Fuck.

Even without the three brand new maps, I have a feeling MS would've pushed $60 for the game with campaign, firefight, and the Reach beta.

 

[Louis Wu]

Unfortunate that they had to split it, I would like to be able to switch from normal multiplayer to Firefight without having to switch discs :|

I THINK (though I'm not sure) that if you install the contents from Disc 1 onto the hard drive, having Disc 2 in the drive is enough to authorize use of both discs.

Do you think the MP disc will have that 'Mythic' variation of the menu that was seen at PAX last year?

Your guess is as good as mine; I have no clue about this.

 

[Flipyap]

I was under the impression ODST would only be one disk, having Halo 3 MP in the main menu along with Firefight/Campaign/Theater etc.

:/

I think that would never work because of achievements. They'd all have to go under one title.

I think the Reach beta is on the first disc too.

The beta will clearly be a download, just like the Crackdown one. No way there's even a piece of Reach on the ODST discs (except maybe a teaser).

I never implied that MS isn't legally able to do what they have. They're the publisher and IP holder.

I was exaggerating for effect, I just meant that it doesn't bother me.

The thing is, MS didn't decide the release dates that would sell the most DLC let alone keep the community alive and well. They choose to ship them whenever these other products were ready to be released.

Well, yes, but I'd say that moving it out of Gears of War 2's way was a good idea (when some people leave Halo to try the new - and broken - multiplayer game for a short bit), and then it got close enough to the release of Halo Wars, time when the Halo brand gets some advertising sounds like a good time to release the maps (stupid bundle aside) to me.
Could have brought some new players, and old ones back.
Admittedly, I'm doing a whole lot of guessing here.

Halo, and other games', maps haven't always been released as packs of 3, something there've been more, other times less.

Can't really remember seeing an example of a bigger pack this generation, but that's the Microsoft standard, I think.
Aren't Gears packs always 3 maps, 800 points?

Do you really think that "MS would've charged $60 for ODST regardless of the amount of content" as valid reason to argue that including these maps exclusively is some kind of act of charity?

Get real.

I never said that. I've been saying that I don't expect anything to be free when it comes to this topic.
I'm just saying that this deal fits me. That I'd buy ODST without the maps, but since they're bundled in, then hey, I'm not complaining.

More importantly how the majority console publishers have been handling DLC is irrelevant. Many of them do the same thing MS does and many more do it even worse (though delaying content for the most popular 360 game puts MS under more scrutiny). I'm not trying to paint MS as the most evil of evils (Activision holds that trophy) but the disregard for Halo community shouldn't be ignored.

Ok, that's just the vibe I got from the way you talk about them, and how much better it would be if Bungie were in the hands of a different publisher.

As far as playlist integration, there's significant evidence that shows MS plays a major role but I won't regurgitate these either. You can fish through the thread and waste your own time.

Ouch!
I was thinking more of the design of the playlist system, at the core.
The current situation is pretty much unavoidable because of that.
And ironically, it's only now that I was forced to buy more maps to play in all playlists, that I get the value for my spacebuck from earlier map packs, because the way they were integrated earlier was even worse (as long as I was up to date on DLC buying).


Aaanyway, this has gone for too long.
Let's just hug and agree to water the Gravemind on alternate days.

 

[Kibbles]

Ten Years of Halo.

Video is so awesome. <3 Bungie.

 

[The Librarian]

Ten Years of Halo.

Video is so awesome. <3 Bungie.

Nice. Thanks for this, Kibbles.

Edit: The video was indeed awesome and the screenshots are interesting at the very least.

 

[Flipyap]

As far as ODST being 60$ reguardless of whether or not it has Halo 3 MP in it? Are you fucking insane?

Yeah... I... I guess I am?

No one

Spoiler

besides the rich bastards here

would pay 60$ for a 5-6 hour campaign and a horde mode.

There have been plenty short, full priced games this generation. Some of those without any kind of multiplayer.
And I'm pretty sure none of those had Halo written on the box, yet someone bought them and I'm pretty sure Microsoft would put the same price on it regardless, which is what I was saying.
I wasn't trying to debate how much the game is worth in this way:

I want you to think about what Microsoft is doing with this: They are putting half of one game into another. A two year old game. They are putting half of a 2 year old game and 3 maps into another game to hike up the price. We are paying for half of a 2 year old game that we already own. Without the Halo 3 content, they probally would only be able to charge $40.

Because what the hell is this, Game Cooking Mama?
That's not how I measure quality of video games.

Most of Orange Box's value for me came from how much fun I had with portal, not how many games I already owned were also in the box, or the disappointment that was Episode 2.

 

[kylej]

Yo can someone who knows how to write do the updates that have some weight to them thanks in advance.

 

[Sibylus]

I'll never get over how unbelievable blocky that build of the game was. It's like everything was built out of Lego.

 

[Sibylus]

Except for the Pelican, of course. Lookit that, she almost looks finished!

 

[Flipyap]

Yo can someone who knows how to write do the updates that have some weight to them thanks in advance.

Nah.
They should just get someone who can draw adorable renditions of that green robot, Halo.

 

[minasodaboy]

Ten Years of Halo.

Video is so awesome. <3 Bungie.

i was hoping that they might show some new ODST content at the end or maybe, just maybe a tiny H:R teaser.

oh well. great video anyway.

 

[The Librarian]

i was hoping that they might show some new ODST content at the end or maybe, just maybe a tiny reach teaser.

oh well. great video anyway.

I was hoping for the same thing as the video went along.

 

[urk]

Nah.
They should just get someone who can draw adorable renditions of that green robot, Halo.

You know I can hear every word you guys are saying!

 

[EazyB]

Ten Years of Halo.

That was great. Funny seening little Staten giving Halo demos 10 years ago and still at it.

Aaanyway, this has gone for too long.
Let's just hug and agree to water the Gravemind on alternate days.

http://i30.tinypic.com/cpbpk.jpg

It's all good. I just have no faith in MS and hate it when they handicap Bungie, get away with it, and manage to misplace the blame. Eagerly await the day when Bungie doesn't have to bother with other people's IP.

 

[Neverender]

It's all good. I just have no faith in MS and hate it when they handicap Bungie, get away with it, and manage to misplace the blame. Eagerly await the day when Bungie doesn't have to bother with other people's IP.

They just keep on making Halo anyway

 

[enzo_gt]

Wasn't really big on ODST until a while ago, anyone know if we still get 4 player split screen support for say, Firefight? I know campaign is only 2 players. The world needs more games with 4 player co-op.

 

[Domino Theory]

As far as ODST being 60$ reguardless of whether or not it has Halo 3 MP in it? Are you fucking insane? No one besides the rich bastards here would pay 60$ for a 5-6 hour campaign and a horde mode.

Uh, no.

"No one besides Halo fans" is the correction.

 

[EazyB]

They just keep on making Halo anyway

Still under MS's contract. If they make another Halo game after Reach, they'll have no one to blame but themselves. They've also said that of the 3 games in development, one was in a new IP, and we all know what the other 2 games are.

Wasn't really big on ODST until a while ago, anyone know if we still get 4 player split screen support for say, Firefight? I know campaign is only 2 players. The world needs more games with 4 player co-op.

This question's been brought up a number of times but IIRC Bungie hasn't confirmed anything regarding 4 player splitscreen in ODST. The game is done already though so their silence on the subject may mean it's not in. They have said that ODST is "based off of Halo 3 campaign tech" as a reason for why there isn't matchmaking for firefight, and that may extend into other features.

 

[Schmitty07]

If it wasn't for the entrance to the Reach beta, I probably would hold off on ODST.

 

[The Librarian]

Wasn't really big on ODST until a while ago, anyone know if we still get 4 player split screen support for say, Firefight? I know campaign is only 2 players. The world needs more games with 4 player co-op.

Besides some more screenshots of the campaign and info on more firefight maps, it seems that Bungie has announced everything feature-wise for ODST, so I don't think 4-player splitscreen co-op will be included.

 

[Domino Theory]

Contract or no contract, MS will be Bungie's publisher, unless Bungie makes a PS3 game, but even then MS has first right of refusal for that game. This fantasy world where Bungie can release 7 maps every day for free and have complete and utter control over everything regarding their IP is not going to happen. Why? Because MS will be signing the checks that allow said IP to hit store shelves; to be well-known (advertising) and so on.

Epic owns the entirety of the Gears IP, but do you see them releasing maps for free at any point in time that they choose or making maps free after a certain point in time? No, because MS publishes Gears of War and has a say in these kinds of situations. And don't say Epic is money-hungry or evil like MS because the last map pack that came out for Gears of War 1, Epic wanted it to be free, but MS wouldn't allow it (why would they? They're a business after all, just like Bungie *shock and awe*).

Halo loves Bungie and Bungie loves Halo and will continue to make games for it, not just because it's their baby regardless of who the legal guardians are, but because it makes them bank. No matter how nice, evil, stupid, funny, crazy, smart, dumb, delusional or sane anyone or anything on this planet is, the one thing they have in common is: $_$

But, you don't need me to tell you that Bungie loves Halo and will continue to make games in the franchise whether it's been 7 months or 7 years after they've gone independent:

8bitjoystick: So where do you see Bungie going in five years?

O'Donnell: Now that is a good question. I am going to give you a general quote which I believe is a brilliant quote on my part (chuckles). I think it is hard for a lot of people to understand. I feel really strongly that those who create the IP own the IP even after they sell it. So if you understand what I mean by that.

8bitjoystick: Right sort of like how Rock Band is sort of the child of Guitar Hero even though they sold the IP rights to Activision. It is the real spiritual descendant (of Guitar Hero 1 and 2)..

O'Donnell: Yes. You are absolutely right. I am speaking on a spiritual level but if you are the one that came up with an idea, or say as a composer I am the one who comes up with a theme or a melody and just because someone (buys it). Like you said even with the Flintstones vitamin jingle, that jingle I wrote and I wrote that melody and that is my melody even though I sold it. And I feel the same way about Halo music and I think the entire Bungie team feel that way about what they have created, which is the Halo story, Halo franchise and the Halo IP. We feel very spiritual connected to that IP, we don't own it anymore but it is our baby and it means a lot.

http://www.8bitjoystick.com/2008/05...bungie-independence-and-new-halo-killers.html

 

[GhaleonEB]

Even without the three brand new maps, I have a feeling MS would've pushed $60 for the game with campaign, firefight, and the Reach beta.

If they were going to do that, they might as well have released the maps on Marketplace, made money off them, and sold ODST at $60. But that is not what they did.

The maps were delayed - and Legendary still costs - so MS could bump the price up to $60. It's exactly that simple. Don't believe me? Ask Microsoft. When asked at E3 why ODST costs $60, they pointed out the three new maps and the "value" of having additional paid content on the disc. That was their justification: we still charge for old DLC, and delayed the rest to bundle with ODST, therefore it's now worth $60. It's not complex, they're not hiding it, there is no conspiracy. Microsoft was listing it as a selling point.

In terms of business model, the price differential on ODST will make them mint, probably tens of millions more than otherwise. So it's a smart move from their perspective. As someone working in business (finance, no less), I have to respect that. It's smart marketing.

It's also shitty for the community, in a whole host of ways (Eazy's been all over this). And it is on that basis that we have every reason to complain.

It's not complex: Microsoft is leveraging Halo 3's wildly popular multiplayer game to boost other retail Halo games: Halo Wars and ODST. Sucks for us, great for them, end of story.

Still under MS's contract. If they make another Halo game after Reach, they'll have no one to blame but themselves. They've also said that of the 3 games in development, one was in a new IP, and we all know what the other 2 games are.

Yup. And as Marty said to Edge a few months ago, Bungie will own their new IP.

 

[Flipyap]

You know I can hear every word you guys are saying!

You better!

 

[DancingJesus]

That 10 Years of Halo piece was awesome. Thanks urk.