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Xbox Live Top 10: The Chief is back

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 30th 2009 at 11:00AM }

And the mighty Xbox Live tug-of-war continues this week as Major Nelson reports that Halo 3 has once again wrangled the top spot from Call of Duty: World at War. We'd like to say there were some other -- more interesting -- changes this week, but the rest of the list remains almost completely unchanged. The only other difference is that Fallout 3 replaced Prototype at ninth place, knocking the latter to tenth.

Don't worry, though, we've got a new Halo game and a new Call of Duty game on the way in just a few months. Then we can at least see different iterations of the same series occupying the top two slots. That's something to look forward to, right?

[Image: Pwn or Die]

Master Chief gets civilian-ized

by Xav de Matos { Jun 28th 2009 at 3:30PM }

It's never a slow news day when you can find a picture of Master Chief in a letterman Jacket. PWN or Die features a hilarious gallery of images starring Halo's marquee super-soldier, Master Chief. Usually we recognize the Master Chief from his aggressive "Earth saving" escapades, but these "Senior Yearbook images" show us the UNSC powerhouse has a softer side too. If you've dreamt of Sears Family Portrait style images of the Chief, your prayers have been answered. Or your worst nightmares have come true ... either way, check it out.

Halo-themed Avatar clothing spotted in the wild

by David Hinkle { Jun 27th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Select individuals have been seen sporting Halo-themed Avatar clothing recently, with fine young gentleman Randy No Arms being the latest spotted. It makes sense, considering the guy works for Microsoft, but are these new duds a part of the Avatar rewards beta, or is this the Avatar marketplace at work? Regardless, we're totally jealous he's sporting a slew of Halo-branded clothes, including a hat emblazoned with the UNSC symbol, a shirt with a pair of crossed energy swords, and a nice pair of khaki shorts with the Spartan helmet on the left leg.

Be sure to hit up our gallery below for some shots of the Avatar marketplace from E3, complete with Gears of War 2 and Halo storefronts.

Gallery: Avatar Marketplace

Bungie Day brings chance to win Halo 3's Recon Armor

by David Hinkle { Jun 26th 2009 at 12:45PM }

If you own a calendar, we suggest you mark July 7, 2009, on it, as that day will see select Bungie developers playing folks in Halo 3. Playing with the developers of your favorite game isn't the only exciting news, as the latest episode of the Bungie podcast mentions some folks will walk away with the coveted Recon Armor.

Lasting the 24 hours of July 7, players can step into a new playlist (4 vs. 4) and throw down for their chance at the ever-elusive armor set. There aren't any details regarding what exact maps will comprise this playlist, though it was mentioned that it will feature 32 community-made variant maps. Let's just hope that Bungie doesn't cheat this time around.

[Via IGN]

Rumor: Halo 3: ODST Achievements leaked

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 24th 2009 at 12:44PM }

(click to Scorpion-size)

In what will assuredly not be the last leak of the summer from Halo 3: ODST as we lead up to its fall release, the entire achievement list has allegedly hit YouTube via Game-Tuts. While the list doesn't reveal any shocking surprises, it does tell us quite a bit about where the game's campaign mode will take us.

According to the list, "Vidmaster" achievements will be making an appearance in the game, as well as all the de rigeur cheevos for regular ol' campaign objectives. Also unsurprisingly, campaign scoring and co-op achievements appear to be making a return in ODST. We'd love to tell you more about the rumored achievement list but, alas, we may start walking into spoiler territory if we do -- and you wouldn't want that, right? You'll just have to head after the break for the whole thing, spoilers in-tow (you've been warned!). We've contacted Bungie regarding the validity of this list and have yet to hear back as of publishing.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST (6/1/09)

Continued →

Xbox Live Top 10: World remains at war

by David Hinkle { Jun 23rd 2009 at 5:15PM }

Dearest Lorraine,

Microsoft's Major Nelson has brought us another annual status report on enemy movements throughout Xbox Live, and it's not pretty. Conflict has surrounded us, as the enemy, Call of Duty: World at War, has spread like wildfire, becoming the most-played game last week. We tried to flank it with our platoons of Halo 3 and Gears of War 2, but, alas, the enemy had reinforcements in Call of Duty 4. Hope has diminished, and one only needs walk by the injured tent to feel the full force of the enemy's cruelty.

Lorraine, I know not if I will return home. I have managed to live longer than most, but, I feel there's that one bullet out there with my name on it, relentlessly pursuing its new home. Please, take care of my Gamertag when I am gone (I think my Gold subscription ends next month, so look into that), and be sure to earn as many Achievements for me as you can. I suggest you start with Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Yours Truly,
Gus

Xbox 360 hits the big screen at Cowboys Stadium

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 21st 2009 at 6:30PM }

A tipster at our sister site Engadget snapped this shot from Gears of War 2's title screen, while waiting for a controller to be reconnected, on the enormendous 72 x 160-foot 'LED wall' at Dallas Cowboys Stadium late last week. It's reported that the stadium was being set up for the Jonas Brothers' June 20 concert, and the one piloting the system was none other than Steve 'SoneAF1015' Fatone, the group's video director.

Even better, footage emerged on YouTube as well (seen after the break), showcasing the screen in action, though playing Halo 3 as opposed to Gears of War 2. Other shots drop presumably Mr. Fatone (pronounce that as you will) playing Call of Duty 2 and, erm, showing everyone his Gamercard, paltry Gamerscore in-tow. But alas, congrats to you, Mr. Fatone, you've likely just played the biggest game of Halo 3 ever.

Gallery: Giant Cowboys Stadium LED wall caught playing Xbox 360 during downtime

Continued →

Pre-order ODST, unlock Sgt. Avery Johnson

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 18th 2009 at 7:28PM }

So here's the news: Pre-ordering Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will net you a token to unlock Sergeant Johnson as a playable character in the new Firefight mode. We greet this news with mixed feelings. On one hand, A.J. Johnson is undeniably a badass. His in-game model is even chomping his trademark cigar. On the other hand, we're not sure if picking Johnson amounts to cheating.

As Halo players well know, the man is invincible. The guy was jumped by the Flood and survived. Hell, we've seen him take a beam rifle to the head without even flinching. Here's hoping his mortality is restored for ODST. Otherwise it just wouldn't be fair. Check out some screens of Sgt. Johnson in the gallery below, and find a list of participating retailers after the break.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Sgt. Johnson pre-order bonus

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Daniel Petric sentenced to 23 years in prison

by David Hinkle { Jun 16th 2009 at 10:40PM }

Daniel Petric, the teenager who shot and killed his mother and injured his father after being cut off from his precious Halo 3 back in 2007, received his sentence today, MSNBC reports. Judge James Burge sentenced the boy to 23 years to cries of mercy from the boy's surviving father, who stated that Daniel "still does not understand why he did something so terrible."

Daniel's sentence is actually a lot lighter than it could have been, as the prosecution was pushing for the maximum sentence of life without parole. The defense's argument was that Daniel was so young and so addicted to the game that he could not be held accountable. Petric, only 17 years old, was even younger when he committed the crime, and the judge's lenience is likely tied to his belief that young Daniel was addicted to the point of delusion.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Bungie: Don't expect to see Master Chief in ODST

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 15th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Given that Halo 3: ODST takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret bugs out of New Mombasa, it's not too surprising to learn that Master Chief won't be appearing in the game. See, everyone knows that the UNSC In Amber Clad -- carrying Master Chief -- jumped into the same slipspace rupture used by Regret. Duh.

Still, if you were sternly hoping that John 117 might make some kind of cameo, those hopes have now been officially quashed by Bungie's Brian Jarrard. Speaking to Multiplayer, Jarrard stated the totally obvious, "Master Chief, at the time this game takes place, is actually off on other parts of the galaxy." Jarrard elaborated, "In this game, it's all about you playing the role of an ODST," adding, "The way the timelines work in this game, Master Chief is off doing something else."

So there you have it, the only place to find Master Chief while playing ODST is where he can always be found: Our hearts.

Halo 3: ODST wireless controller is Gamestop exclusive

by Kevin Kelly { Jun 11th 2009 at 2:15PM }

We've just confirmed that in the U.S., the Halo 3:ODST Collector's Pack featuring the custom wireless Xbox 360 controller will be a Gamestop exclusive, although it will be available in other regions at participating retailers. The pack, which will set you back $99, is already available for pre-order on Gamestop's site, and includes access to the Halo: Reach beta.

Anyone who pre-orders Halo:ODST, not just Gamestop shoppers, will get the Sgt. Johnson token as well as the Halo: Reach invitation, although you'll be shelling out an extra $40 for the custom controller if you decide to upgrade ... which actually isn't bad considering that they still retail for $49.99. How hardcore of a Halo fan are you? This pack might be your breaking point.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST controller/pack shots

Impressions of Halo 3: ODST campaign -- Life in a sandbox

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 9th 2009 at 9:00AM }

Call us foolish, but walking into the Bungie demonstration of Halo 3: ODST at E3 last week, we had no idea that the main campaign mode consisted of, more or less, a sandbox environment. Truth be told, we knew of stealth bits and that, as per the title of the game, there was something to do with Orbital Drop Shock Troopers in the story, but not much else.

Bungie's Lars Bakken commandeered "the rookie" -- the character you'll basically use as a vehicle through New Mombasa's variety of flashback missions -- introducing us to the character in an opening cutscene rather reminiscent of previous Halo games from a style perspective. We are introduced to "Dutch" early on, the subject of our one guided flashback mission of the walkthrough, who's a bit of a fast-talking hardass, as ODSTs are wont to be.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST (6/1/09)

Continued →

Joystiq and Bungie call truce, peace declared (for now)

by Dustin Burg { Jun 4th 2009 at 12:27PM }

That picture pretty much says it all: the whole Joystiq vs. Bungie quarrel has been squashed and the competitive tiff has been settled. Let it be known that both the streets of New Mombasa and around the Joystiq Towers metro are, once again, safe to stroll without fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Continued →

Seen@E3: Spartans can drum too

by Dustin Burg { Jun 3rd 2009 at 5:30PM }

Dragging our sleep deprived selves through the convention center, today, we came across a Halo'riffic surprise. An unidentified red Spartan - one that sorta resembled the hue of Red vs. Blue's Sarge - was seen drumming his lil' Spartan heart out at the Lego Rock Band booth. He was thumping to the beat of "The Final Countdown", four starred the tune and we're pleased to report that no drum set victory tea-bagging was performed. It's all about self control, kids.

Hands-on with Halo 3: ODST's new Firefight mode

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 2nd 2009 at 10:15PM }

click to Brute-size

Don't call it Horde mode. Well, actually, yeah, go ahead and call it Horde mode. Just know that there are some significant differences between Halo 3: ODST's Firefight mode and the Gears of War 2 sensation. Still, if you enjoy the thrill of a lone group of human partners staving off dozens of bloodthirsty enemies, Firefight should be right up your alley.