Bungie unveils Avalanche and an April 15th Legendary Map Pack release
by Dustin Burg 
{ Mar 19th 2008 at 2:45AM }
First, let's talk confirmed details. We just learned that the Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack will be released to the XBLM on Tuesday, April 15th for a price of 800 Microsoft points. The new map pack will be comprised of three maps including Ghost Town and two others that have been veiled in secrecy. And, great new for us, this morning Bungie lifted the veil off one of those mystery with the announcement of a Halo: CE Sidewinder inspired map called (drum roll ...) Avalanche! So ... let's talk about it!
Like we said, Avalanche is a re-imagined version of the Halo fan favorite Sidewinder, staying true to the original's snowy scenery and u-shaped layout. But there are a few changes. Avalanche will feature a few additions including a plethora of snow camouflaged vehicles (including Scorpions and Hornets), man cannons and general map tweaks. Though, there will be a few things missing from Avalanche that were semi-iconic in good old Sidewinder. Bungie decided to remove the middle tunnel that ran through the map, because they wanted to focus on vehicular combat and also got rid of those evil, evil ladders. Other than that, Avalanche is a Sidewinder fan's dream come true. Joy!
Jump on over to Bungie.net to read a quick Q&A session with the map's designers and flip through the new Avalanche screenshots we added to the gallery below. Oh, we almost forgot! The geekiest-cool Avalanche factoid is that the map is located on the (WARNING: campaign spoiler alert) the currently under construction Halo installation that we see at the end of Halo 3. Geeky to the max!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
thegame2024 @ Mar 19th 2008 2:51AM
800 points? Jeez
m4xn00b @ Mar 19th 2008 2:54AM
It looks more like Containment than Sindwinder...
UNSCleric @ Mar 19th 2008 3:16AM
Can't wait.
Warpped655 @ Mar 19th 2008 3:30AM
I dunno about this being a true remake of sidewinder... The Map maker in question never worked on the original and apparently made this focus to much on the vehicle combat, when really what made Sidewinder was not only its general set up (the U-shape) but also the fact that there were plenty of options.
SadisticHam @ Mar 19th 2008 4:02AM
800 points ahahahahhahahhahahaaha
HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
...
.....
...HAHAHHAAHHHAAH
Yeahhh...er no.
mossman93 @ Mar 19th 2008 4:44AM
You're up late Dustin.
Bmurph @ Mar 19th 2008 6:04AM
800 pts? I don't know about this one. I bought the last map pack and I don't feel like I got my money's worth out of them.
IncredibleBulk92 @ Mar 19th 2008 6:29AM
800 is too much for 3 maps, I'll wait til their free again. Does that mean that the old map pack is free on April 15th too? I'm waiting for that ;)
Simon @ Mar 20th 2008 7:17AM
Yes, I want to know if the first map pack is free when this releases too? I wanna get into Halo3 online, but don't wanna splash out on maps if it really isn't for me.
Sgt Barone @ Mar 19th 2008 6:55AM
cant freakin wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
todd @ Mar 19th 2008 7:19AM
3 maps 800 points, blah... glad I got rid of it 3 weeks after release.
martin_alvis @ Mar 19th 2008 7:43AM
Still gotta wait till April 15th though.
Damn, I was hoping for a 'Surprise They're On XBLM Now!'
thadwhit @ Mar 19th 2008 7:48AM
Wow lotta Halo Haters. Anyway, yes the first map pack will be free as soon as this one is released. These maps look great. Can't wait.
SadisticHam @ Mar 19th 2008 7:54AM
Not a hater, just not willing to be ripped off either.
martin_alvis @ Mar 19th 2008 8:05AM
I'm dying to see a remake of Death Island next
Brave @ Mar 19th 2008 5:03PM
800 is too much >:|
I find it unlikely that I'd download it anyway
Bac0nator @ Mar 19th 2008 8:56AM
NICE cant wait for this DLC. Halo is a game i can play for hours on end. I wonder if now that the first DLC will be free if it moves to ranked.
Talk about a bunch of cheap a$$es, 800 points is only $11 dollars guys. If thats too much for you then maybe you should get some more subscribers on your paper route.
Intentless @ Mar 19th 2008 9:05AM
11 bucks or 1/6 of the cost of a game is a lot for 3 individual maps. Specially when compared to the pricing of the maps in halo 2. It was 5 bux a pack for 4-5 maps if I recall...
That Guy Greg @ Mar 20th 2008 12:42AM
I love the lil' kids that still think that $10 is too much for anything, but will probably spend that much at Starbucks by the end of the week.
KilgoreTrout XL @ Mar 19th 2008 9:24AM
That's very cool. I remember good times on Sidewinder in Halo: CE. I was a little disappointed with Containment (not horrible, but not that great), so hopefully this one is closer to the mark.
$10 doesn't even show up on my radar. It's ten-f*cking-dollars, whiners. That's TWO beers. I can't believe people still complain about this shit.
STD Spanky @ Mar 19th 2008 9:27AM
Does seem pretty expensive to me, but then Bungie said in the press release they aren't responsible for pricing. Just M$ bleeding us dry again
Big Filth @ Mar 19th 2008 9:43AM
"Talk about a bunch of cheap a$$es, 800 points is only $11 dollars guys. If thats too much for you then maybe you should get some more subscribers on your paper route."
WOW! hillarious. that made me lol.
the funniest is when people say, "400 ms points is ok, but 800?? now way!""
:)
SadisticHam @ Mar 19th 2008 9:44AM
Gotta love the usual LIL KIDS CANT AFFORD $10 remarks.
I'm 19, From England, been through school, been through college and i work full time. I could easily afford to pay but i choose not to. What you don't realize is Downloadable content is new, developers are simply testing the waters.
Seeing how far they can push it, how much they can charge and get away with.
If you think it's ok to pay $10 for three maps then more fool you, only setting yourselves up for getting screwed in the future. I usually try not to bash people for paying for these things, it's there choice, i think it's stupid but hey it's not my money.
But when you get these people come on here and accuse people of not being able to afford it - when chances are mummy and daddy payed for their 360, their Live subscription and their Microsoft points it's a bit much.
Bac0nator @ Mar 19th 2008 9:51AM
Again i repeat, $10 is nothing now a days. $10 is a meal a McDonalds,a sub at Subway, a fancy coffee at Starbucks, or 10L of gas.. oh wait, it wont even buy that now...
And if ya think about it spending $10 on this DLC is worth it, ya can keep playing those maps over and over again unlike a meal from McDonalds that just leaves you with nothing when its over but high blood sugar and some nasty farts
Jasen P @ Mar 19th 2008 9:55AM
It blows my mind that people will shell out 400$+ for a console but complain about paying 10$ for a map pack? You all can't be serious.
I hate to make assumptions but I'm going to have to assume that the people complaining still rely on a monthly allowance provided by their parents.
ZEBRA NINER @ Mar 19th 2008 9:55AM
Hmmm. Seems that we are getting less and less for our money. I remember when getting 4 maps for $10 seemed like a rip off, but I got used to it. 3 maps for $10? How long until we are paying $10 per map?
DeceasedFriend @ Mar 19th 2008 9:55AM
*nerdgasm*
Prophestus @ Mar 19th 2008 9:57AM
Anyone who says "$10 is nothing get a job" is missing the point entirely. We are being bled dry for content that should have came with the game. If i purchase this, along with the previous map pack that came out, my copy of Halo 3 has now cost me about $100...for a game that is weaker than its previous installment.
Deezul @ Mar 19th 2008 9:57AM
I bought the Heroic map pack, but never did the new maps get mixed into the Ranked games I played. Can Bungie PLEASE set up a Ranked hopper with just the new maps, and if you don't have them, you can't go in? I got tired of play BTB over and over just to play the new maps. I'll pass on the Legendary pack unless Bungie does this.
chase421 @ Mar 19th 2008 10:06AM
People aren't whining because they don't have an extra $10 to waste. Almost everyone has $10 bucks to spend, but that could go to rockband tracks, a new game, or two dvds... TWO dvds. I bought the last map pack, and if grifball wouldn't have been created i would have never played any of those maps. Lets face it, you still can't play those maps in matchmaking..(granted the shitty DLC playlist where people gather grifball players and quit out).. We all understand that $10 is only the price of a crappy faceplate, but its about the worth of the maps compared to the $10, and i must say the first map pack was worth less than the shittiest faceplate you can find. The only time that any of the maps were worth playing was custom games, which bungie left out the all sought after custom game search... What it comes down to is that these people don't want to waste their money on crap that will be free crap a little down the road. get over it
EddieGreens @ Mar 19th 2008 10:18AM
I don't really ever play Halo since COD4 came out, but I held on to it for the new maps when they became free. $10 for 3 maps is kind of a rip-off, not that $10 is all that much...if I played the game all of the time I wouldn't have a problem spending the cash. I know I'll spend the 800 pts on the 4 new COD4 maps. =)
EddieGreens @ Mar 19th 2008 10:20AM
do you all think when the Heroic pack becomes free, that those maps will be in higher rotation?
matt mcclard @ Mar 19th 2008 10:22AM
alright random question, anybody know where I can get Halo 3 cheap, my disc broke last night. :(
Intentless @ Mar 19th 2008 10:45AM
I live in america. I make almost 40,000 a year and I have to monitor my money. Car payment insurance RENT food GAS!!!! Phone Tv Internet Health insurance medical bills. Every penny counts. I don't know about you but 10 dollars could make the difference between paying a bill and overdrafting my account for an extra 35 dollar fee. And I don't have the option of getting money from my parents...
STD Spanky @ Mar 19th 2008 10:52AM
The mans got a point, give him a biscuit
DRock067 @ Mar 19th 2008 10:53AM
@chase421
I believe the Heroic DLC can be played in matchmaking. All parties must have the maps. But then the map is chosen at random anyway. When it becomes free i'm sure you will see those maps more often.
George Arauz @ Mar 19th 2008 6:46PM
Sidewinder was my favorite map on Halo. Soo much to do.
evilshindo @ Mar 19th 2008 11:01AM
Agreed m4xn00b,
It definately looks a lot more like Containment than Sidewinder...
Judging from the pics, Sidewinder had more of an Icey wide open playing ground right in the middle...I don't really see that.
Also, for the love a peace, give us Lockout and Couagulation back!
and I've always wanted to know this can someone tell me why there aren't any Hornets in Matchmaking??!!
purpl3spri7e @ Mar 19th 2008 11:04AM
I might actually buy these maps this time.
ZEBRA NINER @ Mar 19th 2008 11:09AM
I understand where everyone is coming from. $10 is chump change in the grand scheme of things. It's just that DLC pricing seems to be on a fast track in the WRONG direction. What will you say when one map DOES cost $10?
So will the next batch of DLC be 2 maps for $10? Honestly, I've moved on to other games at this point, so it's not really a heartbreaker for me, I'm just trying to look at the bigger picture.
thadwhit @ Mar 19th 2008 11:11AM
Deezul and EddieGreens-
The Heroic maps will be in steady rotation as soon as they are free, so everyone will be required to download them.
matt mcclard-
ebay 30 bucks.
For everyone that is complaining about the $10 Price-
Whether or not you think that it is too much, as least the maps become free in a few months if you are patient. I waited for the Heroic Maps, and I will wait for these. If they were never going to be free, I would just buy them. 3 months is nothing to wait for maps for a game that will be played for then next 3 years. Keep making maps Bungie, keep buying them for $10 hardcore players, keep waiting till they're free cheapskates (myself included), Quit whining whiners.
ZEBRA NINER @ Mar 19th 2008 11:13AM
Oh, and no Hornets in forge for these maps sucks! That's my favorite vehicle.
joey @ Mar 19th 2008 11:55AM
Now did Bungie and MS confirm the heroic maps will be free or are we all speculating based on what happened with Halo 2 maps?
Axyl @ Mar 19th 2008 12:12PM
I just laugh on how people try to justify their purchase "Its just 10 bucks". People, every penny counts. And you are just approving of Micro$oft's greediness. When, I pay $67 on a game and I would like it to complete.
Chris @ Mar 19th 2008 12:23PM
I bought the last map pack when it came out. And honestly, the only fun was in Foundry.
Anyways, I'll be getting this one too because I'm a sucker.
Jason @ Mar 19th 2008 12:52PM
To everyone commenting about how expensive the maps are, I totally agree with you - but DON'T BUY them!
So many people I know complained about the price, and then bought them anyway (and complained again). If Microsoft thinks you'll pay that much, that's what they'll keep charging...
Jason @ Mar 19th 2008 12:52PM
@ Jasen P
"I hate to make assumptions but I'm going to have to assume that the people complaining still rely on a monthly allowance provided by their parents."
I'm going to have to assume that you don't pay a mortgage, two car loans, student loans, etc...
It's not about the cost, it's about the value. And value is a matter of opinion, not fact. So buy them, or don't, but shut up.
Gemini Ace @ Mar 19th 2008 12:53PM
When does the stupid first map pack go free? And when does this one go free?
nixy @ Mar 19th 2008 1:05PM
@ all the people that don't have the heroic maps yet, Foundry was worth 800 points alone. The other two were just bonuses to me. I have played Foundry remakes of Chill Out, Lockout, Midship, Warlock, Longest, and Derelict to say the least. Foundry, Foundry, Foundry. Seriously, people. It's a blank canvas.
And on top of all that, all speculation points to the third map in the Legendary pack (codename: Moonlight Sonata) being a Lockout remake. Is Guardian a Lockout remake? Discuss.
800 points is NOTHING. When you bought Halo 3, or CoD 4, or Gears of War, or R6V2 yesterday, you didn't buy an incomplete game. STOP SAYING THAT FUTURE DLC RENDERS THE ORIGINAL GAME INFERIOR. DLC is meant to COMPLEMENT the original game. It's a bloody expansion you're paying for. So if you're too broke or too whiny to handle it, go stand out on a street corner for a little while, and then maybe you'll get your own X3F article about how you're turning tricks for DLC. Maybe then Microsoft will start charging less, hm? Maybe then the government will start a new War on DLC because it's destroying our youth, hm?
I swear, sometimes I want to punch the internet in the face.
Stephen @ Mar 19th 2008 2:12PM
Does this mean the Heroic Map Pack is free now? Jeesh!