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Halo 3 ODST priced, collector's pack revealed

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 1st 2009 at 8:15PM }

So much for "value oriented" pricing for ODST. Halo 3: ODST will release on September 22 for $60. There will also be a "Halo 3: ODST Collector's Pack" priced at $100, which will also include a rather attractive special edition controller.

The justification for the full price is the additional Firefight (which is like Gears' "Horde" or L4D's "Survival) multiplayer modes, the entire Halo 3 map pack series and the Halo: Reach beta. Looks like ODST is using the Crackdown gambit, having customers pay for the Reach beta and getting that other game for free. We have the full details of what's included on the disc after the break.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Collector's Pack

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First Halo 3: Recon details emerge

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 10th 2008 at 11:20AM }

Joystiq got a chance to sit down with Bungie's Brian Jarrard to discuss some of the details behind the upcoming Halo 3 experience, Recon. Many questions have been lobbed at the title since it was first officially revealed, and here, without further ado, are some of the answers (politely cribbed directly from Joystiq):

"It will be a standalone disc sold in stores in boxes next Fall. It's also going to include some multiplayer maps."
"It is a first-person shooter still ... It's not a squad-based shooter."
"As an ODST, compared to playing as in invulnerable Spartan, you are going to have to sort of pick and choose your encounters a little bit differently."
"It is going to very much feel like Halo. Full feature parity."

A few other details. Recon (as most have theorized) takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret jumped into slipspace during Halo 2, causing the destruction of New Mombasa. Players take the role of a single ODST -- not a full squad. Also, it would appear that -- as implied by the trailer above -- the Superintendent (the little green circle dude) will serve as Recon's "Cortana." When asked about this, Jarrard replied, "I think your observations seem pretty spot on. It certainly seems like there's a guiding hand of some sort there."

Gallery: Halo 3: Recon

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Photoshop Frankie, then you can haz Recon

by Dustin Burg { May 10th 2008 at 11:45AM }

If you're looking for new Halo 3 information, then this week's Bungie Weekly Update isn't for you because Frankie is still missing in action and isn't doing his job. Though, if you're looking for a new way to earn Recon armor AND a way to mock Frankie publicly, then this week's Bungie Weekly Update IS for you.

Bungie is holding a contest where they're challenging expert (and not so expert) Photoshoppers to take some old Frankie photos (ones where he actually has hair) and mess with him. The three categories for entry include Best Use of Frank's Image via an Existing Internet Meme, Best Utilization of Frank's Image in a Motivational Poster and Best Use of Frank's Image Inspired by a Major Motion Picture and the winner from each category will walk away with Recon. Fire up Photoshop, there's Recon to earn ...

Earn H3 Recon armor with G4's Sarkathlon 2

by Dustin Burg { Apr 16th 2008 at 4:30PM }

G4 is challenging Halo 3 players to another round of Mr. Sark's forging torment which is now being called The Sarkathlon 2. And if you have the right blend of talent and persistence to outshine all your opponents, Recon glory will be yours.

For those out of the know, The Sarkathlon is a custom Halo 3 map that is created to test players' skills, wit and talent with the goal of completing all the obstacles in the fastest time possible. This time, for The Sarkathlon 2, we're being told that the Legendary Map Pack will be used and will be much, much, much more difficult. So difficult that Bungie has partnered with G4 to give the grand prize winner the exclusive (and so so elusive) Halo 3 Recon armor. The Sarkathlon 2 begins tomorrow and will run through Friday, May 2nd so keep your eyes on G4 tomorrow when challenge details and map download information will be revealed.

[Via HBO]

You can has H3 Recon armor for only $6100+

by Dustin Burg { Feb 14th 2008 at 4:00PM }

Being the caring developers they are, Bungie (more specifically, Frankie) is completing his yearly charitable deed by auctioning off one of his one of a kind Mister Chief works of art to support The Brian Morden Foundation. Frankie's Mister Chief artwork (viewable above) is a pastel on canvas representation of love, hate, happy, sad and optimism. It'd be a great injustice to the work if we didn't let you read the what the famed artist has to say about the creation process that went into creating such an amazing piece. Though, be warned. He takes his medium very seriously.

We guess we should also mention that the current bid for the Mister Chief art is sitting at a whopping $6,100. And with another day of bidding to go, we're certain the winning bid will equal that of a small condo purchase. But remember guys, it's for charity. Finally, there's one more thing to mention. HBO confirmed with Frankie that the winning bidder will not only get a piece of priceless artwork, but Bungie will also throw in a complete set of Recon armor to the winning bidder. So, even if you aren't a fan of Mister Chief, Frankie or art, there's always the Recon armor. $6,000+ for Recon armor is, in our opinion, the deal of the century.

A Halo 3 St. Valentine's Day Massacre

by Dustin Burg { Feb 14th 2008 at 10:30AM }

Not since last October's "Living Dead" event has team Bungie released a specially themed Halo 3 matchmaking hopper, but today is the day of love. So, with that in mind, Bungie knew they had an obligation to fulfill.

With the thick ~~stench~~ smell of love wafting through the air, team Bungie will be releasing a new Halo 3 "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" ranked matchmaking playlist. The new playlist is (fittingly) a team doubles slayer fest where players will have to "partner up" to dish out the Valentines pain. Even better is the fact that Bungie promises to hand out special prizes to those gamers who perform amazing feats and perform amazing acts. What the prizes will be and what must be done to earn them is unknown, but we're thinking Recon armor will be in the mix. Yeah, it's possible. But you'll never know what prizes can be won or what fun can be had unless you partner up and play the St. Valentines' Day Massacre playlist. But you'll have to get fragging soon. The playlist love affair will only be available today starting at 1:00PM eastern through Monday, February 18th at 5:00AM eastern. And please, no teabagging.

Really real and wearable Halo 3 Recon helmet

by Dustin Burg { Jan 2nd 2008 at 11:00AM }

Earning the uber l33t Halo 3 Recon Armor from the filthy clutches of Bungie is no easy feat. You must make some sort of community contribution or find a new and adventurous way of killing yourself in-game. Simply put, Recon Armor is cool, but nearly impossible to obtain and that's exactly why Belakor over at the 405th Forums created his own.

Made out of l33t plastic, l33t paint and lots of l33t love is the life-size and fully wearable Halo 3 Recon helmet you see above. And for those who haven't the slightest idea to what Recon armor looks like, take a look at this and compare it to the helmet above. Nearly identical, no? It's a work of art and if Belakor doesn't get some in-game Recon Armor to match his real-life Recon armor then we'll have to rough up the folks over at Bungie. It's only right.

Battlefield 2142 scans of PC Gamer cover story leaked

by Dan Choi { Mar 21st 2006 at 4:21AM }

Battlefield 2142 cover for PC Gamer magazine

The Battlefield 2142 hoopla is starting to look more and more real as scans of the PC Gamer issue in question have surfaced online with BF 2142 featured as the magazine's May cover story.

Digg contributor Iced_Eagle has pointed us to an 8.5MB archive of images from the mag, with 9 pages concerned with 2142 and 2 pages having to do with Half-Life 2: Episode 1. If you're interested in knowing "where your unstoppable 20-foot Mech is," then you'd best get to that reading online or off ASAP.

For those still skeptical of any gaming news outlet coming out with such a story in the general vicinity of April Fools' Day, keep in mind that the game appears to not only be the magazine's cover story, but that its coverage also fills up all those pages of print mentioned earlier. EGM merely dedicated a single page with a brief line in the table of contents to its Apple iGame prank this year, so this would seem like a lot of effort on PC Gamer or some extremely dedicated Photoshopper's part to fool the gaming public. Will this fall prove to be the point when the BF franchise finally frags in the future? At this point, it would certainly seem so. Read on for further details about the game; the cover pic links to the scans.

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