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[dslgunstar]

Great post MagniHarvald, Ill write up a response once I get out of class.

One quick thought though: Does the idea of a single-shot BR scare anyone else when you think about how rampant rapid-fire controllers became in R6Vegas and COD?

 

[EazyB]

They're not a replacement for Brutes, that's the Elites. Given how overhauled Brutes were from Halo 2 to Halo 3, I suspect Elites will cover a wide range of tactics given their different classes, and this new enemy will slot in along side them. I'm going to hold off on lambasting the overall enemy sandbox until I see how all the toys fit together. FWIW, I will miss Brute pack encounters.

I really should have labeled my entire post "my concerns" as that's what it consists mostly of. These are far from final judgements and I can only base my comments on the very little I've seen. I'm not too worried about missing the brute enemies as they can be replicated pretty easily with different elites (no jet-pack brutes means a time for the flight elites to make their glorious return) and the packs or swarmers or whatever they were called. My concerns lie with the stuff below:

As for the Brute sandbox, I think it's a good thing that Bungie is paring things down from Halo 3 to make room for the new stuff. I said before that I hope we get some very new vehicle action, because it's hard to improve on Halo 3's. The easy way to do that is by introducing new vehicles. So we lost the bobsled and chopper, but we probably gained a couple new Elite-based vehicles. So the chopper is gone, but I suspect something will fill that void in the sandbox. Or rather, something had better.

Like I said, I actually think most of the brute sandbox is forgetable (bobsled, spiker, spike grenades, hammer) but the brute shot and brute chopper are integral to the vehicular combat in the game. I, like you, play BTB more than anything else and I do so because I love the vehicle combat. Warthogs are boring and ghost only slightly less. The maneuverability, versatility, and overall balls to the wall craziness of the chopper made the vehicle combat for me. The brute show it also probably the most hilariously spectacular way of taking out vehicles in the game. While it is entirely true that some purple weapon could assume these roles, I can't imagine anything I'd change about those two weapons and for whatever reason I don't believe Bungie would just take the brute weapons and shamelessly put purple paint over them.

The article reveals TWO new single-fire headshot capable weaopns - something you've been lobbying for - and you're still railing against the AR?

To be fair it's not explicit that the DMR hasn't just replaced the BR and the other headshot capable weapon happens to be a needler... Though the DMR sounds awesome and could definitely be a better weapon than the BR, you'll have to excuse me if those two additions don't have me bouncing off the walls. That said, my concerns are mostly about the MP component, something we know nothing about. That's why I said it depends on the MP setup. There's good reason to believe it won't be the same as Halo 3 but if it maintained the use of default starting weapons (the AR) with mid-range weapons scattered about (some DMRs) I won't be very happy. Even if it's an AR more to my liking "tighter spread, much slower fire rate, and headshot" to give AR combat some depth, it wouldn't be ideal in my eyes. There's a lot of assumptions floating around in these posts here. And again, my main concerns are for MP, they can do whatever they want with the campaign as far as weapon loadouts for missions.

 

[electricpirate]

Great post MagniHarvald, Ill write up a response once I get out of class.

One quick thought though: Does the idea of a single-shot BR scare anyone else when you think about how rampant rapid-fire controllers became in R6Vegas and COD?

Errr, only if it doesn't have a ROF limit, which I think the only weapon never to have was CE plasma pistol, which could fire like an SMG with an auto trigger. I wouldn't worry about that too much.

 

[Magni]

Great post MagniHarvald, Ill write up a response once I get out of class.

One quick thought though: Does the idea of a single-shot BR scare anyone else when you think about how rampant rapid-fire controllers became in R6Vegas and COD?

Alright I'm off to bed (past 1am here) so I'll read your response in the morning =)

Rapidfire controllers can be renderered useless with good coding (minimumTimeBetweenShots = 0.8; or something like that)

 

[Louis Wu]

(talking about getting sniped on spawn by teammate behind) See answer above.. Play more halo and then you can see how "rare" it is.

Seriously?

Out of your 68,000 matchmaking deaths, what would you estimate is the total number due betrayal snipes as you spawn?

If you say more than 50, I'll wonder if you're lying. (I have 40,000 matchmaking deaths, and I think it's happened to me ONCE.)

And even if it HAS happened 50 times... that's less than one in a thousand deaths. That's something you're gonna gripe about? Really?

 

[dslgunstar]

Errr, only if it doesn't have a ROF limit, which I think the only weapon never to have was CE plasma pistol, which could fire like an SMG with an auto trigger. I wouldn't worry about that too much.

What was the ROF limit on the original Halo: CE pistol? Cause I know my buddies in college could hammer shots on that thing out insanely fast.

 

[Striker]

Great post MagniHarvald, Ill write up a response once I get out of class.

One quick thought though: Does the idea of a single-shot BR scare anyone else when you think about how rampant rapid-fire controllers became in R6Vegas and COD?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoqGLS1U6GQ#t=2m15s

Single shot rifle would be excellent.

 

[GhaleonEB]

To be fair it's not explicit that the DMR hasn't just replaced the BR and the other headshot capable weapon happens to be a needler... Though the DMR sounds awesome and could definitely be a better weapon than the BR, you'll have to excuse me if those two additions don't have me bouncing off the walls.

The BR is confirmed to be returning in the article.

Where? I didn't see anything about that, and the only time the BR was mentioned was when it was used to describe the DMR. Judging from the context, I don't see how it's confirmed.

Hmm, maybe I mis-read it. I looked it over this morning. Gimme a sec...

Mega edit: yeah, I inferred that from the article, it's not stated outright. It says the DMR fits between the BR and sniper, and I assumed it meant that literally rather than was being descriptive. We'll see.

Still, considering your longstanding position on spray and pray, I thought a single-shot headshot weapon either in addition to or replacing the BR, and another separate one would be met with your delight. So color me a bit surprised.

Needle Rifle sounds quite interesting. A mid-range delayed effect single-shot weapon. Could be glorious or horrifying, depending on the implementation.

 

[The Librarian]

The BR is confirmed to be returning in the article.

Where? I didn't see anything about that, and the only time the BR was mentioned was when it was used to describe the DMR. Judging from the context, I don't see how it's confirmed.

 

[Nutter]

Congrats. You just made Juices seem rational.



That problem lies with you, not with the game. If you're unwilling to get your hands dirty and fight up close, then that's your fault. The tripod of Halo is grenades-melee-weapons, not BR-sniper-carbine. Do some sneaking and whack some one in the back, or stick somebody.

:lol

So you do not have a proper answer then?

So this tripod also dictates how you should spawn in an open area(AR) with no cover around you while you get rained down by BR bullets? there is also no skeaking in halo, there is something called the radar. The reason I brought up the number of games is because you fail to realise there are issues with the way spawns are handled in this game. This reminds me how ghaleon doesnt understand how we can always complain about the AR and not spawning with the BR so much when all he used to do is play BTB where you start with the BR [nothing against ghal, i just needed to use this as an example]

 

[godhandiscen]

Can't say anything about the beeping noise, though.

And, honestly, why would expect it would be that bad for MP? What's the way it was done in Halo 1?

You had to go fight for healthpacks. It was a fucking throwback to Quake Arena.

 

[big ander]

Here's where I stand after reading the article.

• Armor abilities. "There was a problem with equipment in earlier games. You would pick a piece up, you really wouldn't understand what it was, and then you'd use it and waste it." Totally! I have the same problems with grenades, I pick it up, and then being the dumbass I am, I'd use it and waste it. Give me regenerating grenades please. I realize there are reasons beyond these, but that quote just came off as dumb as the whole "Not enough disc space for the BR" thing. Anyways, I really don't know what I'd think of this sort of thing if it were implemented the same way in MP.

Bad:

• The assassination mechanic. Is the spectacular animation really necessary. Is it going to be like assassin's creed where all the enemies stop shooting at me so I can complete this animation in peace or will I just get mowed down as my character finishes this elaborate animation? Context sensitive combat sucks. The moment I fail to complete start the animation because the AI switched from unaware to aware without my knowledge I'll hate it forever.

Fucking thing sucks:

• Seriously, there better be choppers in this fucking game. There will be hell to pay if I can drive some lame as truck around but not the chopper. Vehicle combat without the chopper in the sandbox is boring as hell.

I think the armor abilities sound really awesome. Sprinting and camo

Spoiler

and Halo-grams?

sound awesome as switchable modifications. But the reason Lehto gives for ditching equipment isn't good. At all. There are good reasons for the switch to modifications, he just didn't give any.
The assassination doesn't sound like it will slow stuff down. You can only do it when nobody knows you're there, and I'm sure you can be shot at as soon as you're done.
I agree, I want a more varied vehicle sandbox. Not just Human vehicles. The Chopper is awesome enough to merit some story-bending.

Speaking of the story, I really want to know how these Spartan-IIIs and Jorge fit in. I'm confused as to how 3 Alpha team members and 2 Betas survived the suicide missions and became part of this six-man squad. Hope that info will be coming soon.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

Great post MagniHarvald, Ill write up a response once I get out of class.

One quick thought though: Does the idea of a single-shot BR scare anyone else when you think about how rampant rapid-fire controllers became in R6Vegas and COD?

idk, your avatar keeps on distracting me.

Spoiler

there will most likely be a ROF limit on the gun

 

[EazyB]

Halo 3's MP is skewed towards close-range fights. Some of that is due to poor design decisions, some of that to poor coding.

Here are my thoughts on H3 weapon balance (keep in mind I primarily play 4v4, so you BTBers might have some stuff to add).

That there's a damn fine weapon analysis. I'd also like to add that all guns should be "headshotable". Not in the sense that one shot from them will kill an unshielded opponent but that shots to the head will inflict more damage. It would give players an incentive to do less spray-n-pray by rewarding the player who was more consistent with their aiming and more depth to stuff like AR on AR encounters.

 

[enzo_gt]

I cried. Its pretty much everything the fans wanted. Then there is Eazy the missionary :lol

 

[Nutter]

Also honestly the melee damage model needs to be revamped.

Heavier weapons should be doing more melee damage than the smaller ones. IIRC in Halo 2 a jumping melee with the rockets was deadly. So they need to have some sort of model which dictates how much damage is done by each weapon's melee. Also the bullet damage needs to be redone for a few weapons. I am not sure how anyone with a straight face say the weapons in Halo 3 were balanced. Like I said earlier, the laser needs to have a cool down period of a few seconds after its been used, plus if you charge it past a certain level it should fire automatically afterwards. [meaning no more constant charging up to 80-90% and letting off the trigger]

 

[Tashi]

Just read all of the goods. EXCITE!!! I can't wait for the beta.

Also, I refuse to call the new BR, the DMR, I'll just call it the BR. And holy shit the new AR looks awesome...LOOKS...lol

oh and health packs return. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Should be interesting.

 

[Nutter]

Seriously?

Out of your 68,000 matchmaking deaths, what would you estimate is the total number due betrayal snipes as you spawn?

If you say more than 50, I'll wonder if you're lying. (I have 40,000 matchmaking deaths, and I think it's happened to me ONCE.)

And even if it HAS happened 50 times... that's less than one in a thousand deaths. That's something you're gonna gripe about? Really?

I was mostly trying to make a point of how the spawn system is not so great in general the next sentence just got put in there somehow without me taking it out.

 

[op_ivy]

its halo.

it looks GREAT, sounds GREAT. will be great! teehee (i'm giddy)

 

[Nutter]

its halo.

it looks GREAT, sounds GREAT. will be great! teehee (i'm giddy)

I agree the campaign sounds HAWT.

I guess the MP for H3 has dissapointed me a bit, so I am hoping they sort of fix a few things. Now since this article is suppose to be about the single player I will leave any future references and discussions about MP out until Bungie actually talks about MP. I am sure they know what they are doing.

 

[Louis Wu]

Also honestly the melee damage model needs to be revamped.

Heavier weapons should be doing more melee damage than the smaller ones.

Agreed x10.

I REALLY miss the added damage from a flying melee, and I think it's ridiculous that when I'm holding a Brute Shot and the other guy is holding a pistol, we can simultaneously beat each other down.

 

[EazyB]

The BR is confirmed to be returning in the article.

Hmm, maybe I mistread it. I looked it over this morning. Gimme a sec...

As for the needle-based weapon, we obviously need to see it in action. But one that is head-shot capable is unlikely to be as spray-dependent as the current Needler. It's actually an intriguing sounding weapon, a single-shot needler where four shots in rapid succession on target super-combine. Could be wonderous or terrible, depending on the implementation.

The only mention of the article I saw (couldn't read all of the article) was that the "DMR fits somewhere between the sniper rifle and the battle rifle." This is a GI quote and not one from Bungie so I can't be sure if they're revealing that the BR will indeed return (didn't mention it "old UNSC favorites" list but even that can be explained away) or if they were just saying it's between what Halo players know (the Halo 3 sniper and BR) and that the BR may not indeed return. I just don't wanna get my hopes up. Reach seems to be a pretty big game so they may've run out of space for it

I'm also intrigued by the needle rifle but considering it's a needler, which has never really been a competively balanced weapon it's hard for me to get excited about it. The GI article mentions it kills in 3 shots which sounds incredibly OP but (Laser excluded) Bungie's always tried for balance so it's either a power-weapon with large respawns or something else balances out if it's supposed to be a carbine-level weapon. Returning to the 3 shot kill thing, they don't mention if that's just against elites on certain difficulties, whether Bungie told them it was 3 shots in multiplayer, and I have no idea how the headshots and detonation plays into each other. What bugs me is that there are so many questions like these that Bungie probably would've answered for GI but they don't know Halo well enough nor do their core audience want that level of detail so we have to wait...

I was mostly trying to make a point of how the spawn system is not so great in general the next sentence just got put in there somehow without me taking it out.

Nutter, I don't know why you're harping on the spawn system so much. Of course it could be improved but when it does what it does better than almost every other game (see MW2's sorry excuse for a spawning system) and the solutions to the problems that do exist are incredibly technological and complicated I don't think it's fair to criticize it much.

I cried. Its pretty much everything the fans wanted. Then there is Eazy the missionary :lol

Reach is by far my most anticipated game and the game that I'll inevitably get the most play time out of. I'm just expressing my concerns. I could go on about how I like the return of the elites, the spirit dropships, etc. but I don't feel it makes for as good conversation as things like those I brought up. I'm not sure what you mean by me being a missionary but I fucking loath missionaries so excuse me if I'm getting defensive for no reason.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Agreed x10.

I REALLY miss the added damage from a flying melee, and I think it's ridiculous that when I'm holding a Brute Shot and the other guy is holding a pistol, we can simultaneously beat each other down.

This x10 more. Bungie started going in that direction by making the Brute Shot do slightly more damage, but there's a logical conclusion to that line of thinking and I wish it would run all the way through.

I'm wondering if normal assassinations are out, such that just smacking someone on the back won't kill them - it's gotta be one of the "stealth kills" to get the one-hit kill; otherwise why have them?

Not sure how to feel about that. Though maybe it's for the best if I can't get beaten down from the gunner seat of the Warthog when someone vaults over it and whacks me in the head.

I'm also intrigued by the needle rifle but considering it's a needler, which has never really been a competively balanced weapon it's hard for me to get excited about it. The GI article mentions it kills in 3 shots which sounds incredibly OP but (Laser excluded) Bungie's always tried for balance so it's either a power-weapon with large respawns or something else balances out if it's supposed to be a carbine-level weapon. Returning to the 3 shot kill thing, they don't mention if that's just against elites on certain difficulties, whether Bungie told them it was 3 shots in multiplayer, and I have no idea how the headshots and detonation plays into each other. What bugs me is that there are so many questions like these that Bungie probably would've answered for GI but they don't know Halo well enough nor do their core audience want that level of detail so we have to wait...

I thought the needler was well balanced in Halo 3. But that's only because I had a knack for getting triple kills with it in MP.

And yeah, see my edit in the last post. I was going from memory when I read it this morning, and apparently in my excitement I didn't imprint the details correctly, for either weapon. :lol

 

[enzo_gt]

Reach is by far my most anticipated game and the game that I'll inevitably get the most play time out of. I'm just expressing my concerns. I could go on about how I like the return of the elites, the spirit dropships, etc. but I don't feel it makes for as good conversation as things like those I brought up. I'm not sure what you mean by me being a missionary but I fucking loath missionaries so excuse me if I'm getting defensive for no reason.

Nah it's just the hate for the AR I'll never understand. But different strokes right? But I agree with everything else you've said there. SO. PUMPED.

 

[Not a Jellyfish]

From just seeing the GI scans, this beta couldn't come soon enough. Wait is going to feel like an eternity. Also what's everyones speculation on what GI will put up in the Reach Hub tomorrow? Just these screens on the site or something different entirely?

 

[Kibbles]

^ Definitely not the screens, not yet. Probably a Q&A or some other feature. Screens probably won't be put online until a week or two after it hits stores. It's just getting to subscribers now so we got a while yet. We might get some artwork, as noted at the end of the GI article.

I hope Halo: Reach has the smoothness Halo 1 and 2 had. I was just playing Halo 3 not too long ago and it felt really jerky... hard to describe. Felt odd. It's not from playing so much MW2 either because I never play that anymore. My brother plays it on my tag. Although I am in dire need of new Xbox 360 controllers. I'm going for wired next time.

 

[Not a Jellyfish]

^ Definitely not the screens, not yet. Probably a Q&A or some other feature. Screens probably won't be put online until a week or two after it hits stores. It's just getting to subscribers now so we got a while yet. We might get some artwork, as noted at the end of the GI article.

I hope Halo: Reach has the smoothness Halo 1 and 2 had. I was just playing Halo 3 not too long ago and it felt really jerky... hard to describe. Felt odd. Although I am in dire need of new Xbox 360 controllers. I'm going for wired next time.

Good point, won't be the screens. Wondering if it's a Q&A what all it will focus on, most likely SP. Seems like they are going to keep MP underwraps either until the Beta or close till the Beta launch.

 

[The Librarian]

Just read all of the goods. EXCITE!!! I can't wait for the beta.

Also, I refuse to call the new BR, the DMR, I'll just call it the BR. And holy shit the new AR looks awesome...LOOKS...lol

oh and health packs return. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. Should be interesting.

Heh.

 

[BerserkerBarage]

I hope that Bungie takes a long hard look at the problems with the melee system and looks to fix them in Reach.

I understand that the melee lunge was made to help combat internet latency. It's to make melees less host-dependent. Same thing with how they changed the melee after TU1. Their reasoning was that they allowed a time window to account for latency which if 2 melees occurred in, it resulted in a double-beat down.

In the previous system (H2) only 1 person was typically frustrated. That was the person going against the host because the host almost always had an advantage. However, I don't see how that's any different than every other host advantage in a UDP system.

I'm hoping that the melee system in Reach is a combination of HCE (absolutely no lunge because it's built on LAN tech) and Halo 2 (host advantage with minor lunge). I'm really hoping that different weapons carry different melee straights as well. No way getting whacked with a huge Rocket Launcher would do the same damage as an SMG.

And I agree with EazyB (wut?) that all weapons should be headshot capable (as in adding a multiplier to damage). I think this alone would alleviate many of the problems people have with the weapon.

~B.B.

 

[feel]

EDGE cover tease

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=231167?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS

It's from earlier today, but I think it hasn't been posted yet.

 

[Not a Jellyfish]

EDGE cover tease

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=231167?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS

It's from earlier today, but I think it hasn't been posted yet.

Man, I want that hi res or just the full cover for desktop wallpaper.

 

[Slightly Live]

Just woke up. Holy shit I'm happy as a weasel right now.

Will adding the new information to the OP (no scans allowed).

And fuck yeah at the Edge preview!

 

[GhaleonEB]

EDGE cover tease

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=231167?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS

It's from earlier today, but I think it hasn't been posted yet.

Typically media outlets get, at the least, a few pieces of unique art or screens for their stories, if not editorial content. So at the least we should see some different/new stuff in their article compared to the GI one. Regardless, I'd put money on Edge's write up being a lot more informative than GI's. Great mag, and they know their Halo.

So glad I have a subscription.

 

[The Librarian]

Typically media outlets get, at the least, a few pieces of unique art or screens for their stories, if not editorial content. So at the least we should see some different/new stuff in their article compared to the GI one. Regardless, I'd put money on Edge's write up being a lot more informative than GI's. Great mag, and they know their Halo.

So glad I have a subscription.

The people at Edge are really huge Halo fans. Hopefully they'll be able to provide impressions on some of the weapons not made in the GI preview (AR, Sniper, pistol, a new weapon).

 

[EazyB]

Typically media outlets get, at the least, a few pieces of unique art or screens for their stories, if not editorial content. So at the least we should see some different/new stuff in their article compared to the GI one. Regardless, I'd put money on Edge's write up being a lot more informative than GI's. Great mag, and they know their Halo.

So glad I have a subscription.

When should people start getting their issues of Edge?

 

[Ramirez]

I'm gonna be bummed if the health bars make it into MP. The rechargeable shield was one of Bungie's best ideas, why are we regressing?

I also hope melee goes back to the Halo 2 style where certain weapons did more damage, Halo 3's sucks.

New AR looks sweet, will probably still be a pray and spray though, don't get your hopes up on this game being catered to anyone but the dax's of the world when it comes to stuff like that.

 

[Kibbles]

Ahh yes, imagining the awesomeness of an enhanced firefight mode that used these new advances in tech. Massive maps with tons of AI enemies and vehicles flooding the map. Your squad gets in a Falcon and takes off into the sky. As it circles the area from above you switch out to your DMR and pick off enemies below from the passenger seat (all in FP view of course) while your support gunner mows down elites with the turret.

Pew pew pew.

 

[Wizman23]

Health packs again?? Come on Bungie WTF. Worst part of CE and Reach BY FAR. Hopefully that shit stays out of multiplayer.

 

[Blueblur1]

I'm gonna be bummed if the health bars make it into MP. The rechargeable shield was one of Bungie's best ideas, why are we regressing?

I also hope melee goes back to the Halo 2 style where certain weapons did more damage, Halo 3's sucks.

New AR looks sweet, will probably still be a pray and spray though, don't get your hopes up on this game being catered to anyone but the dax's of the world when it comes to stuff like that.

Health bars in MP totally sounds like a bad idea unless the health recharges along with the shield (in MP only, of course).

And while I used to love the different levels of melee damage in Halo 2, it is a overcomplicated system that caused me headaches. A jumping Rocket Launcher or Brute Shot melee would outright kill you until one of the patches reduced the damage levels and made most weapons, if not all of them, inflict the same amount of damage. Also, if you just started moving and performed a melee attack you'd inflict only a small amount of damage but someone running at you full speed took off your entire shield leaving you pretty much screwed if you got surprised by someone turning a corner.

All that stuff felt incredibly cheap and I wouldn't like to see it return.

 

[Imperial Hot]

Can someone tell me what the section on tech/engine upgrades? I wasn't able to read that section due to glare. What's this imposter technology they were describing? I think there was also mention of new lighting and animation technique?

Also did anyone catch mistake they made about this game taking place immediately after Halo:CE.

 

[Pudding Tame]

Regarding the Skirmishers, it's speculation, but it looks like they will fill a niche in the Covenant that has been absent in the previous games (if you don't count buggers).

Considering that shield Jackals constantly turtle behind their shields, Carbine and Sniper Jackals run away it you get to close, and Grunts completely break down when you kill their leader. My guess is Skirmishers are a "cannon-fodder" race (or at least Jackal variant) that acts as competent infantry. While not as strong as elites, I'm betting they won't break like the other low-level races do, and bring the fight to you, or at the very least hold their ground.

 

[Proelite]

Regarding the Skirmishers, it's speculation, but it looks like they will fill a niche in the Covenant that has been absent in the previous games (if you don't count buggers).

Considering that shield Jackals constantly turtle behind their shields, Carbine and Sniper Jackals run away it you get to close, and Grunts completely break down when you kill their leader. My guess is Skirmishers are a "cannon-fodder" race (or at least Jackal variant) that acts as competent infantry. While not as strong as elites, I'm betting they won't break like the other low-level races do, and bring the fight to you, or at the very least hold their ground.

When I was thinking about the Halo prequel back in 2007, I thought there should be an equivalent to the human marine called an assault jackal. Skirmishers seemed to be the answer to marines. All they need is an equivalent two handed plasma weapon to the assault rifle.

 

[Lazslo]

this beta couldn't come soon enough. Wait is going to feel like an eternity.

Just by following the Halo 3 Golden PR yellow brick road, we will probably get some slight information on the beta a month from now, around February19th. From then on, Bungie will be pretty tight-lipped regarding any actual date until around April 9-ish. Around middle of April 2010 they will announce the Beta will go live sometime around the end of May till Middle-end of June. This of course is just going by what happened with Halo 3; I figured since the last beta when off pretty well, it would be smart to follow a similar pattern. Just please, pretty please test the button that makes the Beta go live. Remember last Beta when it didn't go live for like 12 hours into day 1. Longest. Day. Evar.

Also, I feel like Oonsk should be added to this beautiful picture:

 

[Killer]

Health bar? a gun works like Halo 1 pistol? YES!

I don't understand why some of you whining about the health packs? it helps campers to get out of their caves. Besides, those things are what made halo in the first place. good thing to go back to their roots.

 

[Kibbles]

The screen with the civilian truck really looks like crap. I have no idea why they chose to release that one...

FP view screenshot is win. Best one of the bunch. Nee that in 720p ASAP. It'll be a few weeks though... =(

 

[op_ivy]

The screen with the civilian truck really looks like crap. I have no idea why they chose to release that one...

FP view screenshot is win. Best one of the bunch. Nee that in 720p ASAP. It'll be a few weeks though... =(

the FP shot is lovely, but what has my pants raging is the enviro shots with the covie dropship, especially the one in the snow :O

 

[I_D]

People are angry about a health bar? That was my most-missed feature during Halo 2 and 3.


Health bars do not make people backtrack for health, it just lets them have another safety net during firefights.
Shields depleted should not equal death. That's what the health bar is for. It's essentially two levels of health, and it also makes other weapons have a purpose (plasma = take out shields, bullets = take out health).

 

[Revelations]

Can someone list the major differences between Spartan II's and Spartan III's? What make the Spartan II's so much better than the III's?

 

[Kibbles]

the FP shot is lovely, but what has my pants raging is the enviro shots with the covie dropship, especially the one in the snow :O

Oh yes. The elite shot and the Phantom are hawt shots. Searchlight on Phantoms ftw.

 

[VaLiancY]

Can someone list the major differences between Spartan II's and Spartan III's? What make the Spartan II's so much better than the III's?

Lore-wise SP-III, they were easier to make and had less washouts so they were expendable and more plenty.

I will be beaten.