Halo b-day gift: H3 demo, Marathon arcade?
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Nov 14th 2006 at 5:30PM }
The internet and wild speculation are like peanut butter and chocolate; they just go together. Today's wild speculation began when I ran across this entry on Phuze (which actually looks like a cool ezine). The speculations goes a little something ... a-like-a this: Bungie reported in their most recent update that there was a special "BIG" Halo announcement coming this week, in celebration of Halo's fifth anniversary on Wednesday, November 15th. 1UP's Halo 3 page lists a "Special Halo Announcement" as part of tomorrow's coverage. Phuze speculates that this announcement is probably something along the lines of an official release date -- and we agree -- but proffers the tantalizing possibility of something more. What if, wonder of wonders, it's an actual playable Halo 3 demo? Is it possible? Very slightly, yes. After all, as Phuze notes, all these game journos were playing a multiplayer build as early as last month, so it's possible (not to mention it's a great way to make 360 owners forget about the PS3).
Allow us to add even more fuel to the fire. Tomorrow, as most of you are no doubt aware, is Wednesday. Wednesday typically marks the release of a new Xbox Live Arcade title. Could Bungie have an Xbox Live Arcade title lined up for the anniversary of Halo? If they do, what better way to celebrate Halo's birthday than by releasing its spiritual prequel, Marathon? So there you have it. If Bungie releases Marathon on XBLA tomorrow, you heard it here first. If they don't ... well then why the hell were you listening to us in the first place?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Glenn @ Nov 14th 2006 6:46PM
I am actually hoping that tomorrows arcade game is Small Arms, which should be released this month... About the Halo3 it would be Awsome to see a demo of this game!
Erik @ Nov 14th 2006 5:38PM
My Guess: Release date and NOTHING more.
Before Halo 2, Bungie had a habit of building our hopes just to smash them to bits. Tomorrow will be no different.
Grant @ Nov 14th 2006 5:39PM
That would be SICK! First XBLA game I would purchase since Geometry Wars.
Uberplum @ Nov 14th 2006 5:42PM
Seeing a playable demo is about as likely as Sony giving up on games consoles. Oh, wait...
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/14/analyst-sony-will-miss-ps3-launch-targets/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6146328.stm
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/original/used-ps3-store-price-hits-1200-in-japan-214177.php
;)
Abe @ Nov 14th 2006 5:57PM
Wow. Since when did Drudge start reporting for you guys?
Kidding. Anyway, marathon would be cool, but I'd rather take a video of actual Halo 3 multiplayer action. A demo is the last thing I'd expect.
NEO1X @ Nov 14th 2006 5:58PM
Maybe to celebrate the birthday of Halo CE they will just give us the Mutliplayer on live in the arcade. One can dream can't he...
DSK UK @ Nov 14th 2006 6:20PM
Weren't Bungie working on a pirate type game for XBLA??? - I could have been drinkin something at the time, but i'm sure something was mentioned (with screenshots)
InvadErGII @ Nov 14th 2006 6:22PM
I'm recalling something Bill Gates said a year or two ago about the PS3 walking right into Halo 3. If there really is a demo out tomorrow, perhaps he wasn't making an early assumption after all.
Tyler @ Nov 14th 2006 6:35PM
A demo would be killer. Release just one multiplayer level. People will play the crap out of it, letting Bungie know what to work on. Plus, it would draw major attention away from PS3 and Wii
todd @ Nov 14th 2006 6:49PM
Marathon drool, I'd prob buy that one!
Oozer @ Nov 14th 2006 6:56PM
If it's "Pimps At Sea," Bungie's long in development pirate epic, then I'm going to need new shorts.
I'm guessing it's a new trailer. I seem to remember them heavily hinting that a new trailer would be out before the end of the year in an update a couple weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised if it's Marathon though. After all, there have been rumors that they've been working on an XBLA port of that for months.
SuicideNinja @ Nov 14th 2006 8:06PM
"(not to mention it's a great way to make 360 owners forget about the PS3)"
(in Darth Sideous' voice) "Good, good!"
No kidding. Take that new rocket launcher and aim it at the PS3, Sony, and all of it's employees.
jesus @ Nov 14th 2006 8:10PM
its crazy but i think that marathon is going to come out on live arcade
they usually let you know what game is gonna come out on live arcade on tuesday the only time they didnt doom came out
Jenny Talia @ Nov 14th 2006 8:23PM
I doubt that it would be a Halo 3 demo. I would be surprised if they stole GOW's multiplayer thunder like that.
I am guessing that it will be a video featuring a release date and a new anniversary theme and gamer pics.
Forceusr @ Nov 14th 2006 9:46PM
I rocked out to Marathon on the Mac years ago and would love to play it again. I'm betting on a release date or a video for H3, though.
MK84 @ Nov 14th 2006 9:58PM
Hmm... Halo Arcade? Like the unofficial Halo Zero maybe.
BovineDeath @ Nov 15th 2006 3:24AM
Defender is coming out on arcade. :(
I would be very surprised to see a demo, it will more than likely just be an announcement or video.
Luke @ Nov 15th 2006 3:33AM
I very seriously doubt this is true, but one could speculate that the comments in EGM about Halo 3's campaign mode looking very polished could mean a demo of it. They made so many remarks about how multiplayer was lacking graphical polish and attention to detail that I doubt we'll see a demo of it for some time if ever. That, and Bungie just doesn't seem like a company that would use demos. Why would they when they don't need to. I'd buy Halo3 without seeing a single trailer or screen shot.
Jeff @ Nov 15th 2006 6:21AM
Today marks the fifth anniversary of Bungie's Halo: Combat Evolved. To celebrate (and run interference on their competitors both launching new consoles during this week), Microsoft and Bungie made three announcements that will probably make some Halo-fans tinkle a lil' bit.
# Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta -- Spring 2007: While the release doesn't go into specifics about how the multiplayer demo will be distributed -- it will be available in Spring of 2007 -- it does promise that "Through the resulting feedback, Bungie Studios will be able to further refine and hone the end result of Halo 3." Will the demo be distributed over Xbox Live? Will this be a beta that you pay incrementally for? Could it be a software or hardware pack-in? Playing Halo 3 multiplayer early is good news, but how will we get it?
# Halo 2 Xbox 360 Exclusive Content -- Spring 2007: New multiplayer maps (yeah, it's plural in the official PR) are headed to Halo 2 exclusively for the Xbox 360 (sorry to still-using Xbox gamers) this spring.
# The first Halo 3 television ad will air on Dec. 4: The 60-second spot will air during the Dec. 4 ESPN Monday Night Football game. The spot will be made available for Xbox 360 users to download via the Xbox Live Marketplace. In the wake of the spot, the second video documentary of Halo 3's creation will be released with new music from Marty O'Donnell.
Oh, and that image above? That's just the first image from Halo 3's single player campaign regular player.
there you go
KilgoreTrout XL @ Nov 15th 2006 8:58AM
So, Jeff, I guess the only question is whether or not the new maps are going to be damnation and sidewinder, damantion and chill out, damnation and derelict, damnation and prisoner, or damnation and a modified vertion of damnation. Right? RIGHT!?!
Ok, so My buddies and I enjoy damnation. Sue me. THis is fantastic news. The new maps will bring back all the anticipation and excitement back into the halo universe. actually, it may done so already.
But the biggest news here is the beta. This will go a long, long way to help prevent gaping loopholes and cheating opportunities when the game is released. The Halo 2 beta was exclusively distributed to MS employees. That's one hell of a cheat-deterrent.
In fact, theyou could even say that a respectable Halo player who is picked for the beta would owe it to the community to figure out every possible way to cheat, boost, mod, etc..., exploit them early and often, and then document the hell out of it. Lets hope that there's an official statement in the release specifically allowing beta testers to do this.
Jeff @ Nov 15th 2006 9:29AM
Sorry I should have posted my source. It is up here http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155273 I was not as impressed as I was made to believe I would be. But the announcement is grounded in the reality I should have known it would be. Stupid high expectations.