halo3blogs.com

to visit the relocation of our blog. It will contain all the same information just at a different URL.

halo3blogs.com

to visit the relocation of our blog. It will contain all the same information just at a different URL.

Below is an area of Boneyard in March.

When the Bungie teams got thier hands on this place, they turned it into this:

Amazing what Bungie did with the map in only a few months. No extra space was added and this is the same area. Bungie informs that The first space you need to be familiar with is the exterior expanse set between the cliff wall and the frigate itself. This ground is where the attacking Elites will be spawning at the outset the match. Scraps from derelict and dismantled machinery provide plenty of cover from the hail of DMR fire the Spartans will be raining down on you from above.

Invasion is supposivly bigger than Sandtrap. There is a large inside that can be infiltrated at many, many points. Keep moving! Camping will do you no good. There are simply too many places to go, so there will be no one central area for fighting! Finish the Fight!

Ok, so oyu guys have gotten an inside scoop on the Halo Reach Map Boneyard which Bungie decided to keep a secret until now. And, of course, this is not the only secret Bungie has kept, yes i’m talking about Invasion. This gametype sounds completely different and way better than what we anticipated. Lets give you the break down:

There will be two sides of Spartans and Elites (Like Generator Defence) that go through 3 phases of objectives. In the end, it is likely that, either side will be ready to commence a madd execution on the other side.  Now, the story goes down like this: Elites were dropped off on docks to steal much needed data. Spartans hit the drop to try and stop them. Easy…

Phase 1:

Ok, so phase one starts out with Elites trying to get through a locked door. The only way to do this is by destroying one of the two generators found in the commonwealth. It takes 20 seconds to power the locked doors down, but you only have 4 minutes. But, remember, you got those Spartans Soldiers standing in your way. Good luck. If Elites can not destroy the generator, Spartans win.

Elite Loadouts

• Warrior (Plasma Repeater, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Evade)
• Assassin (Needler, No Secondary, 1 Plasma Grenade, Active Camo) – only available in Invasion, not Invasion Slayer

Spartan Loadouts

• Scout (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Sprint)
• Marksman (DMR, No Secondary, 1 Frag, Sprint) – only available in Invasion, not Invasion Slayer

Vehicles On Map

• NONE

Phase 2:

If Elites do make it past the door, a new objective awaits. Here, again, the same concept as in  phase 1 is in effect. Elites need to stand in one of the three territories in the area for 20 seconds. Spartans will be there to stop them, and Elites only get an editional 4 minutes added to whatever time you have left over from phase 2. Once the security is down, the data core is there for taking.

Elite Loadouts

• Dark Assassin (Needler, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Active Camo)
• Zealot (Needle Rifle, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Evade)

Spartan Loadouts

• Guard (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Armor Lock)
• Recon Marksman (DMR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Sprint)

Vehicles On Map

• Warthog
• Ghost
• Wraith

Phase 3:

Now, for elites to win the game, they need to snatch the Data Core, run outside and deliver it to the Phantom. Yep, you can’t do it alone, especially in only 4 minutes. That’s why you are hooked up with the following loadouts and vehicles.

Elite Loadouts

• Ranger (Plasma Repeater, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Jetpack)
• Royal Zealot (Needle Rifle, Plasma Repeater, 3 Plasma Grenades, Evade)
• Gladiator (Energy Sword, Plasma Repeater, 2 Plasma grenades, Evade)
• Champion Assassin (Needler, Plasma Repeater, 3 Plasma Grenades, Active Camo)

Spartan Loadouts

• Airborne (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Jetpack)
• Expert Marksman (DMR, AR, 3 Frags, Sprint)
• Operator (Shotgun, Magnum, 3 Frags, Armor Lock)
• Grenadier (Grenade Launcher, AR, 3 Frags, Sprint)

Vehicles On Map

• Warthog
• Scorpion
• Ghost
• Banshee
• Wraith

So basically, Spartans are hanging in, trying to stop the Elites from finishing an objective. If Elites can not finish a phase in 4 minutes at anytime, Spartans win!

People really beleived that Invasion would be an all out slayer game. Well, they are still right. Bungie also unleashed a new gamemode called Invasion Slayer. Lets break this down:

This is first team of spartans or elites to 100 kills. There are 3 Phases each making drops by enemey better. Check them out

Phase 1 (0-25 kills, or until the 4 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons (Rocket Launcher, Sniper Rifle)
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons (Plasma Launcher, Focus Rifle), or a Ghost

Phase 2: (26-50 kills, or until the 8 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Warthog
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Ghost, or a Banshee

Phase 3: (51-75 kills, or until the 12 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Warthog, or a Scorpion
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Ghost, or a Banshee, or a Wraith

Gametype Durations for Beta

Now, as some of you may know, all the Gametypes will not be released at once.

Bungie does not want us to expect the Beta going any less than two weeks or any more than a month.

Stuff Not in Beta

Bungie quotes what will not be in the Beta on May 3rd (These will be in the actual game)

Seems there was a bit of confusion coming out of the most recent press previews (and from some of leftovers we neglected to strip out of the menus. Whoops!). Here’s some stuff you won’t find in the Beta (it’s super awesome): Scarabs, the Mongoose, Night Vision, Brutes, Push to Talk, Race, Squad Regrouping, puppies that never die, that purple WIP map from the ViDoc, Team Chat, melees from behind that don’t kill dudes with one pop, muffin tops, Bumper Jumper…oh wait, Bumper Jumper is back.

Controls:

Last but not least, Bungie has finally revelaed the different control sets for Halo Reach. They are a little different, so get used to using these new and improved controls! The Controls on the D-Pad are probably the biggest change in controls:

Above are the Default controls. If you cannot read the picture, here is what the buttons do:

1. LT: Use grenade
2. LB: Use Equipment
3. RT: Use weapon
4. RB: Melee Attack
5. Start: Game Menu
6. Back: Multiplayer Score
7. LS: Crouch (Click)
8. RS: Zoom View (Click)
9. D-Pad Up: Team Chat
10. D-Pad Left: Night Vision
11. D Pad- Down: Open Mic/ Regroup
12. Y: Swap Weapon
13. X: Action/ Reload
14. A: Jump
15. B: Switch Grenade

Below is an area of Boneyard in March.

When the Bungie teams got thier hands on this place, they turned it into this:

Amazing what Bungie did with the map in only a few months. No extra space was added and this is the same area. Bungie informs that The first space you need to be familiar with is the exterior expanse set between the cliff wall and the frigate itself. This ground is where the attacking Elites will be spawning at the outset the match. Scraps from derelict and dismantled machinery provide plenty of cover from the hail of DMR fire the Spartans will be raining down on you from above.

Invasion is supposivly bigger than Sandtrap. There is a large inside that can be infiltrated at many, many points. Keep moving! Camping will do you no good. There are simply too many places to go, so there will be no one central area for fighting! Finish the Fight!

Ok, so oyu guys have gotten an inside scoop on the Halo Reach Map Boneyard which Bungie decided to keep a secret until now. And, of course, this is not the only secret Bungie has kept, yes i’m talking about Invasion. This gametype sounds completely different and way better than what we anticipated. Lets give you the break down:

There will be two sides of Spartans and Elites (Like Generator Defence) that go through 3 phases of objectives. In the end, it is likely that, either side will be ready to commence a madd execution on the other side.  Now, the story goes down like this: Elites were dropped off on docks to steal much needed data. Spartans hit the drop to try and stop them. Easy…

Phase 1:

Ok, so phase one starts out with Elites trying to get through a locked door. The only way to do this is by destroying one of the two generators found in the commonwealth. It takes 20 seconds to power the locked doors down, but you only have 4 minutes. But, remember, you got those Spartans Soldiers standing in your way. Good luck. If Elites can not destroy the generator, Spartans win.

Elite Loadouts

• Warrior (Plasma Repeater, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Evade)
• Assassin (Needler, No Secondary, 1 Plasma Grenade, Active Camo) – only available in Invasion, not Invasion Slayer

Spartan Loadouts

• Scout (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Sprint)
• Marksman (DMR, No Secondary, 1 Frag, Sprint) – only available in Invasion, not Invasion Slayer

Vehicles On Map

• NONE

Phase 2:

If Elites do make it past the door, a new objective awaits. Here, again, the same concept as in  phase 1 is in effect. Elites need to stand in one of the three territories in the area for 20 seconds. Spartans will be there to stop them, and Elites only get an editional 4 minutes added to whatever time you have left over from phase 2. Once the security is down, the data core is there for taking.

Elite Loadouts

• Dark Assassin (Needler, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Active Camo)
• Zealot (Needle Rifle, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Evade)

Spartan Loadouts

• Guard (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Armor Lock)
• Recon Marksman (DMR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Sprint)

Vehicles On Map

• Warthog
• Ghost
• Wraith

Phase 3:

Now, for elites to win the game, they need to snatch the Data Core, run outside and deliver it to the Phantom. Yep, you can’t do it alone, especially in only 4 minutes. That’s why you are hooked up with the following loadouts and vehicles.

Elite Loadouts

• Ranger (Plasma Repeater, Plasma Pistol, 2 Plasma Grenades, Jetpack)
• Royal Zealot (Needle Rifle, Plasma Repeater, 3 Plasma Grenades, Evade)
• Gladiator (Energy Sword, Plasma Repeater, 2 Plasma grenades, Evade)
• Champion Assassin (Needler, Plasma Repeater, 3 Plasma Grenades, Active Camo)

Spartan Loadouts

• Airborne (AR, Magnum, 2 Frags, Jetpack)
• Expert Marksman (DMR, AR, 3 Frags, Sprint)
• Operator (Shotgun, Magnum, 3 Frags, Armor Lock)
• Grenadier (Grenade Launcher, AR, 3 Frags, Sprint)

Vehicles On Map

• Warthog
• Scorpion
• Ghost
• Banshee
• Wraith

So basically, Spartans are hanging in, trying to stop the Elites from finishing an objective. If Elites can not finish a phase in 4 minutes at anytime, Spartans win!

People really beleived that Invasion would be an all out slayer game. Well, they are still right. Bungie also unleashed a new gamemode called Invasion Slayer. Lets break this down:

This is first team of spartans or elites to 100 kills. There are 3 Phases each making drops by enemey better. Check them out

Phase 1 (0-25 kills, or until the 4 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons (Rocket Launcher, Sniper Rifle)
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons (Plasma Launcher, Focus Rifle), or a Ghost

Phase 2: (26-50 kills, or until the 8 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Warthog
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Ghost, or a Banshee

Phase 3: (51-75 kills, or until the 12 minute marker)

• Spartan Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Warthog, or a Scorpion
• Elite Weapon Drops: Power Weapons, or a Ghost, or a Banshee, or a Wraith

Gametype Durations for Beta

Now, as some of you may know, all the Gametypes will not be released at once.

Bungie does not want us to expect the Beta going any less than two weeks or any more than a month.

Stuff Not in Beta

Bungie quotes what will not be in the Beta on May 3rd (These will be in the actual game)

Seems there was a bit of confusion coming out of the most recent press previews (and from some of leftovers we neglected to strip out of the menus. Whoops!). Here’s some stuff you won’t find in the Beta (it’s super awesome): Scarabs, the Mongoose, Night Vision, Brutes, Push to Talk, Race, Squad Regrouping, puppies that never die, that purple WIP map from the ViDoc, Team Chat, melees from behind that don’t kill dudes with one pop, muffin tops, Bumper Jumper…oh wait, Bumper Jumper is back.

Controls:

Last but not least, Bungie has finally revelaed the different control sets for Halo Reach. They are a little different, so get used to using these new and improved controls! The Controls on the D-Pad are probably the biggest change in controls:

Above are the Default controls. If you cannot read the picture, here is what the buttons do:

1. LT: Use grenade
2. LB: Use Equipment
3. RT: Use weapon
4. RB: Melee Attack
5. Start: Game Menu
6. Back: Multiplayer Score
7. LS: Crouch (Click)
8. RS: Zoom View (Click)
9. D-Pad Up: Team Chat
10. D-Pad Left: Night Vision
11. D Pad- Down: Open Mic/ Regroup
12. Y: Swap Weapon
13. X: Action/ Reload
14. A: Jump
15. B: Switch Grenade

Halo Reach Standered Addition:

Yeah, it’s the basic addition that casual players will buy. This is simply the box and the game that will likely be sold for $59.99. If you are not a super hard core gamer, don’t be ashamed if you just buy this.

Halo: Reach Limited Edition:

This is where Bungie starts to test how big of a Halo fan you really are. The Price is $79.99, and the Limited Edition Bundle comes with the following:

I would say this bundle is really for Semi Big Time Halo Players. Don’t buy this if you are an ameture. But, of course, this is my opinion. Buy whatever you feel is right!

Halo: Reach Legendary Edition

Here us what the hardcore gamers get! It will be priced at $149.99 and if you like Halo Reach toys, this is to-die-for! This bundle includes:

For those of you planning on spending the money for the Legendary Edition, this is the toy you will recieving!

Remember, these are limited edition bundles, so you can only buy them while supplies last! So pick up your bundle when the game comes out as soon as possible and get ready for some Reach!

Halo Reach Standered Addition:

Yeah, it’s the basic addition that casual players will buy. This is simply the box and the game that will likely be sold for $59.99. If you are not a super hard core gamer, don’t be ashamed if you just buy this.

Halo: Reach Limited Edition:

This is where Bungie starts to test how big of a Halo fan you really are. The Price is $79.99, and the Limited Edition Bundle comes with the following:

I would say this bundle is really for Semi Big Time Halo Players. Don’t buy this if you are an ameture. But, of course, this is my opinion. Buy whatever you feel is right!

Halo: Reach Legendary Edition

Here us what the hardcore gamers get! It will be priced at $149.99 and if you like Halo Reach toys, this is to-die-for! This bundle includes:

For those of you planning on spending the money for the Legendary Edition, this is the toy you will recieving!

Remember, these are limited edition bundles, so you can only buy them while supplies last! So pick up your bundle when the game comes out as soon as possible and get ready for some Reach!

The following stats will be visible about all Halo Reach Beta users on Bungie.net

Service Record:

• Game History List
• Post Game Carnage Reports

Career Stats:

• Stats by Game Type
• Stats by Map
• Commendations

File Share:

• Screenshots
• Films
• Rendered Videos

Global Stuff:

• Some Global Stats
• Playlist
• Unified File Searching (tag searches on bungie.net work in-game and vice-versa)
• File Download/Upload to Xbox
• File Rating and Tagging (connected to in game ratings and tags).
• Rendering of Reach Films (with Bungie Pro and Render Minutes)

Long story short, there is so much different information that you can gather from bungie.net.There are stats on weapons and how many kills you have with each weapon. File share can be viewed and downloaded straight to your xbox gamertag.

Tom Gioconda Explains

We have a bunch of nifty new stats that are interesting – average kill distance and average death distance are early favorites. Many players who aren’t familiar with Bungie.net may not realize we added file tagging and searching to Halo 3 a while ago, it will be cool to see them get used by the full population. And, of course, video rendering was added really late to Halo 3, and we have it for the Beta for Reach.

Here is another photo of extra carnage stats:

But remember all of this can only be accessed at www.bungie.net on May 3rd!

The following stats will be visible about all Halo Reach Beta users on Bungie.net

Service Record:

• Game History List
• Post Game Carnage Reports

Career Stats:

• Stats by Game Type
• Stats by Map
• Commendations

File Share:

• Screenshots
• Films
• Rendered Videos

Global Stuff:

• Some Global Stats
• Playlist
• Unified File Searching (tag searches on bungie.net work in-game and vice-versa)
• File Download/Upload to Xbox
• File Rating and Tagging (connected to in game ratings and tags).
• Rendering of Reach Films (with Bungie Pro and Render Minutes)

Long story short, there is so much different information that you can gather from bungie.net.There are stats on weapons and how many kills you have with each weapon. File share can be viewed and downloaded straight to your xbox gamertag.

Tom Gioconda Explains

We have a bunch of nifty new stats that are interesting – average kill distance and average death distance are early favorites. Many players who aren’t familiar with Bungie.net may not realize we added file tagging and searching to Halo 3 a while ago, it will be cool to see them get used by the full population. And, of course, video rendering was added really late to Halo 3, and we have it for the Beta for Reach.

Here is another photo of extra carnage stats:

But remember all of this can only be accessed at www.bungie.net on May 3rd!

Grab Bag

Choose this gametype and play all your favorite games randomly! Roll your luck and see what you get!

Free for All

This is for you players that don’t belive teamwork is the key. Go around on your own and kill everyone in sight. When you have a skull over your head, you will realize you are super fast, defey gravity and have a Gravity Hammer. Once your skull becomes a bullseye, you are no longer super powered. Someone else it. First person to 150 points, 10 points for every Juggarnt kill and 5 points for each player that somehow kills the Juggarnat.

Headhunter Extra

 Click the link in the first part of the post to see the description for this game.

Bungie has now revealed that in the Beta, this game will be all man for themselves. When you buy the game when it comes out, there will be a team version. Bascially the scoring works like this:

• 25 Skulls to Win
• Deliver 10 skulls at once and receive Skullamanjaro, you will automatically win

Well, thats all Bungie gave us this week. Bungie claims that next weeks info is supposed to be amazing! We will just have to  wait until then.

Grab Bag

Choose this gametype and play all your favorite games randomly! Roll your luck and see what you get!

Free for All

This is for you players that don’t belive teamwork is the key. Go around on your own and kill everyone in sight. When you have a skull over your head, you will realize you are super fast, defey gravity and have a Gravity Hammer. Once your skull becomes a bullseye, you are no longer super powered. Someone else it. First person to 150 points, 10 points for every Juggarnt kill and 5 points for each player that somehow kills the Juggarnat.

Headhunter Extra

 Click the link in the first part of the post to see the description for this game.

Bungie has now revealed that in the Beta, this game will be all man for themselves. When you buy the game when it comes out, there will be a team version. Bascially the scoring works like this:

• 25 Skulls to Win
• Deliver 10 skulls at once and receive Skullamanjaro, you will automatically win

Well, thats all Bungie gave us this week. Bungie claims that next weeks info is supposed to be amazing! We will just have to  wait until then.