Halo 3 Heroic DLC pack free Tues the 25th

by Terrence Stasse { Mar 22nd 2008 at 7:00AM }

So Bungie dropped their latest Weekly Whats Update and it contains some great news. First and foremost there is the news that the first of Halo 3's DLC packs will be free for all to download as of this Tuesday, 2am. So that would be the Heroic Map Pack, which contains the maps, Foundry, Rat's Nest and Standoff. The update also notes that now that the maps are free, they will be required for certain playlists in matchmaking (Ranked Big Team, Social Big Team, Team Slayer and Rocket Race playlists) and will appear in them rather often. To tease those of us who did not buy the download, there is a video of the Heroic maps included in the update as well.

As for the portion of the update that does not involve the Heroic Map Pack, there was the news that there would be a new map reveal coming this Tuesday, so hopefully that puts some rumors to rest. Additionally, there was mention of the new Double EXP Team SWAT playlist, the MLG/ESPN Top 10 Halo 3 plays, and a new episode of their podcast. Even with the game out the door, Bungie manages to keep a good flow of content and news coming to the press. Must be because that's where their community managers started out ....

Tags: bungie, bungie-studios, dlc, halo-3, legendary-map-pack, microsoft, xblm

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JUICED @ Mar 22nd 2008 8:31AM

Thank you

miles @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:36AM

now im kinda pissed, i literally just bought it yesterday!

Gemini Ace @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:50AM

Finally! Christ on a bike that took forever!

NvM @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:53AM

Wow Bungie, I wasn't suspecting this. Thanks.

IncredibleBulk92 @ Mar 22nd 2008 9:56AM

Hmm this might actually tempt me to play more Halo... Who'd have thought that bungie could get me away from my CoD4 addiction.

What's that there are more CoD4 maps being released on the 4th? Oh well nevermind, better luck next time bungie.

Brave @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:05AM

About Fucking Time.

vidGuy @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:24AM

Gotta be kidding me, I just broke down to buy them last week!

todd @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:24AM

Wow, free... don't care for the game but maybe COD4 will follow up with their maps for free.

Disco Ball @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:38AM

For everyone kicking themselves on the head for jsut buying this map, wtf were you thinking? Bungie did the same thing with the map packs in Halo 2, making the old ones free when new ones came out, and I am pretty sure they announced this would be a free map pack in the spring.

Van Faulk @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:38AM

@todd.

Not with activision as the publisher. You know, the company that is trying to out EA EA.

On a side note, this is gonna be one busy tuesday.
Halo maps, plus battle feild beta...plus Ninja Gaiden DS.

Demolition Elmo @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:49AM

Excellent! Now i can get more of my cheapskate mates to join my grifball team in time for the new season!

Bill @ Mar 22nd 2008 10:57AM

Kickass! Maybe I'll have a working console back by then.

I just want a working, non-refurb console Microsoft!!!!
http://xbox360rrod.com

Sgt Barone @ Mar 23rd 2008 11:14AM

i bought this on day one, but it'll be nice to see everyone having it :)

Rob @ Mar 22nd 2008 11:56AM

Great, Finally I will be able to use the ultimate forge map.

Maybe this time I will buy the legendary DLC because the maps in that seem quite promising.

Nathan-DTS @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:26PM

I seriously don't know why people bother with Halo 3 the 3rd in the series sucked on campaign and had a lackluster online mode. With each game the quality deminished and the maps online are of poor quality as well. I may not have a 360 (I have a PS3) but I have played this game and GoW on it at my m8s house. If I were you people I'd not bother getting these maps I myself will stick too CoD 4 and buy there DLC in April.

P.S I am not biased I enjoy my share of the 360 exclusives that I wish were on the PS3: Mass Effect 1/2 (when it comes out), Bioshock 1/2 (when it comes out) and GoW 1/2 (when it comes out)

Your's Sinceerely Nathan-DTS
Enjoy your RROD

iFester @ Mar 22nd 2008 12:55PM

I bought this about a month ago thinking it would be around May they'd be free. I'll still buy the new maps as well as the CoD4 ones. I don't mind buying DLC as I know they're for games I'm playing. Unlike Live Arcade games where I might play one if I'm bored.

damman09 @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:08PM

Thats a nice WTF picture!

Jonah Falcon @ Mar 22nd 2008 1:34PM

Buy both packs, and it'll be like you spent 400 per pack.

Rob @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:41PM

Why do you people keep talking about RROD on completely unrelated posts?

We know that the Xbox RRODs and I'm sure there are plenty of places where you can talk about them but it's not here.

Ghostbuddy @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:42PM

I don't know why so many people are acting suprized about this. Saying; "I wasn't expecting this" , or "I just bought them yesterday".

First off, they did this with every single Halo 2 map pack. Second, they stated they were going to make the first map pack free early spring when it was released.

And third , on wendsday it was announced the third map pack would be released april 15th. A week or two before that in the WU they stated the first map pack would be free before the second came out.

So its really your own fault. Oh well, consider it an investment. Your purchase slightly increased the odds of more map packs. And gave MS more profit, so they will be more likely to continue let Bungie make the map packs free eventually. Even if they don't have any control over the original pricing.

Anyways to people who havn't played the new maps yet, they are pretty good. Standoff is a good slayer/ CTF map. although the bases are really small, compact and yet still manage to have 5 exits/entrances.

Rats Nest is a larger symetrical map. Its alright for slayer, but its good for Assualt and CTF.

Foundry is probably the most valuable map ever created in any MP FPS in DLC. The ultimate Forge map. Allowing you to basically create your own small maps. I suggest you go to B.net and find some people to add to your list to play customs. Because theres a lot of possibilities with this map. I have seen everything from symetrical CTF maps, arena slayer maps, Mongoose motor cross type tracks, survival zombie maps, Griffball , etc.

Even if you have no intention of giving customs ago. Foundry is a worthy addition. Because Bungie can use the same forge tools to make alternate foundrys for matchmaking. The MLG playlist for example, when its released in april, it will use an Arena slayer map created in Foundry. And I think, or atleast hope we will see more of that.

Can't wait for the next map pack. If you look at the top view of Avalanche given in the update, you can see ice in a few spots on the map. Hopefully it makes vehicles slip like the ice on the original.

Ghostbuddy @ Mar 22nd 2008 2:50PM

I don't think im going to take the review of Halo 3 from some one who doesn't own a 360 and can't spell "diminished" seriously. I think I have played Halo 3 enough that I can have my own views on it.

I don't think the campaign was lacklust. The plot and its presentation certainly was. And I don't think Halo 3s MP is worse then Halo 2s. The maps in Halo 3 are generally worse then Halo 2s. But the gameplay itself is better.

JakubK666 @ Mar 22nd 2008 3:31PM

Does it always have to turn into a CoD4 vs Halo 3 flame war?

CoD4 is nowhere near as good as Halo 3.It's just a lot easier.

Hector @ Mar 22nd 2008 5:23PM

You guys didn't mention the Legendary Brawl playlist that's comning along with the new maps...

"a ranked, 12-player Free For All playlist incorporating a mix of the Legendary, Heroic and shipped maps."

vidGuy @ Mar 22nd 2008 5:53PM

Yeah, the $10 is no biggie to me since I got the game free in the mail and haven't invested anything else into it while getting tons of playtime out. It's sucks, but guess I deserve it since I hadn't kept up on map news.

FWIW, I'm getting the new ones when they are out. Sidewinder has always been my favorite Halo level.

George Arauz @ Mar 22nd 2008 6:57PM

BUNGIE!! u rock

c4v3man @ Mar 22nd 2008 7:40PM

Finally,I'll be able to play the maps I bought in online matchmaking...I just wish that the maps were $5, so that more people would have them. I don't think I'll be buying the next set.

On another note, this is going to kill everyone who plays halo3 on a Xbox360 arcade... sucks they'll be limited in their matchmaking choices. Might drive some players over to COD4.

eddyk @ Mar 22nd 2008 7:45PM

Damn !! I was about to buy them 3 days ago !! Thank god I was tired and went to bed !!! :D

Sunny @ Mar 23rd 2008 2:14AM

Why have people been "breaking down" to buy this so much recently? They've always said that it would be free in the spring, and spring has been fast approaching every day now for quite some time.

vidGuy @ Mar 23rd 2008 11:15AM

@Sunny,

The only possible, and obvious, answer is that those people were not aware that the maps would be free in the spring.

Bucfan79 @ Apr 12th 2008 8:51AM

They shouldve been free from the start because those maps werent
worth anything. I paid and played them for a day two and then got
sick of em.

IF I end up buying this Legendary Pack, and it turns out to be as bad
as Heroic, then I will definitely not be buying maps for Halo 3 ever
again. This is there last chance to prove to me they havent forgot
how to make a great map.