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./----------Game Info--------------------\
Title: Halo3: ODST
Type: FPS
Engine: Modified? Blam!
ETA: Fall 2009
Console: Xbox 360
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\Newest Video/
http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/
Gameplay
Although the gameplay of Halo 3: ODST bears a strong resemblance to previous Halo games, the player does not assume the role of the Master Chief as in the Halo trilogy. Instead, the player controls a lone UNSC soldier in the city of New Mombasa, East African Protectorate (formerly Kenya). Since the soldier, known as an ODST or Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, does not possess Master Chief's advanced armor, reflexes and strength, he is more vulnerable to gunfire; players are forced to act more cautiously. The soldier HUD is different from the previous series, but the aiming reticule remains. While the game is not focused on stealth gameplay, some elements of stealth will be incorporated. It will also include an open world environment.
Campaign
Set before Halo 3, the main objective of ODST is for the player to search through the ruins of New Mombasa and discover what happened to his missing teammates. As the player drops in the ODST pod, the Prophet of Regret's ship is seen jumping into slipspace. After finding a piece of evidence left behind — a sniper rifle hanging on a lamppost, for example — a flashback is triggered and the player assumes the role of the missing soldier. After players find the first beacon, the choice of where to go next is up to the player. It will also include an option which, unlike other Halo games, will allow the player to play the campaign levels in any order they want to.
Multiplayer
ODST's multiplayer offering is identical to Halo 3's, and will ship with a total of 24 maps. Maps consist of the original eleven Halo 3 maps (Construct, Epitaph, Guardian, High Ground, Isolation, Last Resort, Narrows, Sandtrap, Snowbound, The Pit, Valhalla), the Heroic map pack (Foundry, Rat's Nest, Standoff), the Legendary map pack (Avalanche, Blackout, Ghost Town), the "Cold Storage" map, and both parts of the Mythic map pack (Assembly, Orbital, and Sandbox; Citadel, Heretic, and Longshore). In a recent trailer showing gameplay for Halo 3 ODST there is a game mode called Firefight which may be is similar to Call of Duty World at War Zombie mode and Gears of Wars 2 Horde mode.
Setting
The game is set during the events of Halo 2 in the fictional city of New Mombasa.
Characters
The game's protagonist, referred to as "the Rookie", is an unnamed member of the UNSC Marines' Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODSTs) or "Helljumpers". ODSTs often deploy in small, one-man Human Entry Vehicles (HEVs), launched from spaceships in the upper atmosphere. During the game, the Rookie is separated from his four teammates and must find out what happened to them with the guidance of a city maintenance AI known as the Superintendent. Tricia Helfer will voice a character named "Dare," and Nathan Fillion and Adam Baldwin will reprise their roles as Marines from Halo 3.
Posted by urk at 11/21/2008 5:26 PM PST wrote: In the wake of the Halo 3: Recon trailer and Game Informer's recent Halo 3: Recon cover story, we figured it was about time we took a more personal look into the profile of the back-in-black badasses of the UNSC, otherwise known as Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Though you may be familiar with these unique Special Operations squads by way of their campaign contributions in Halo 2 and Halo 3, or via the fictional works associated with the Halo franchise, next Fall you'll be suiting up yourself. It's high time you were briefed.
Thankfully for you, we're not going to just kick this door in layman style. This week, Robt McLees, staunch steward of the Halo Bible, Bungie artist extraordinaire, and grizzled expert in breach and demolition tactics, joins our squad. And he's come loaded for bear. Drop down a few scrolls of the mouse to read Robt's ODST profile and his answers to a handful of questions meant to familiarize you further with the who and what of the UNSC's Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.
Halo 3: Recon - ODST
ORBITAL DROP SHOCK TROOPERS (ODST)
United Nations Space Command (UNSC) Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are under the operational authority of Naval Special Weapons (NavSpecWeap). Their methods of operation allow them to conduct missions against targets that more conventional forces cannot approach undetected.
The ODSTs perform highly specialized, small scale, high-risk operations such as:
• Deep ground surveillance (DGS)
• Direct action (DA)
• Unconventional warfare
• Counter-terrorism operations
• Counter-contraband operations
• Personnel and special equipment recovery/capture
ODSTs are recruited from the Special Operations Groups of all the nations of the Unified Earth Government (UEG). Since the first group of “handpicked volunteers” was activated, ODSTs have been dropping “feet first” into combat.
Q. Dropping “feet first” into combat definitely fits the definition of “high-risk operations.” What kind of screening and training pipeline are ODST potentials put through in order to make certain they are to the task? What is the initial criteria?
A. Every ODST is a veteran from some other Special Operations outfit. Therefore they have already gone through at least two layers of screening and months of intense training—not counting the years of on-the-job-training—before volunteering for the ODSTs. If anything, the selection process is a more stringent third layer of screening that takes place after a point in time that any potential volunteer would have theoretically washed out. There is no age or gender bias—as long as the candidate meets the physical and mental requirements they are guaranteed the opportunity to “try out” for the ODSTs.
Q. Once accepted onto an ODST squad, how is each trooper trained for specific operational roles? What types of specialized armament and weaponry are traditionally employed by the ODST?
A. Potential volunteers are recruited for service with the ODSTs because of their performance in their chosen MOS. As one might expect—once in the ODSTs the training continues. The most obvious specialized gear for the ODSTs is their iconic black and blue helmets and their distinctive grey and black camouflage BDUs/armor. The one unique piece of equipment most heavily associated with the ODSTs is the SOEIV (Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle)—(aka: drop pod and HEV (Human Entry Vehicle)). And finally—they have access to sound suppressed versions of most of the regular UNSC armory.
Q. How many operators make up a standard combat team? Do specialized teams exist or is each ODST squad expected to be equally proficient in terms of capabilities?
A. The number of combat teams can vary from company to company but it usually consists of six to eight—with each combat team specializing in a particular mission-set. A combat team consists of 10 to fourteen operators, each of whom has a specific function on the team. While each combat team is meant to excel in their assigned mission-set, they are expected to be flexible enough to adapt to any given situation.
Q. Is “force multiplication” a primary function of the ODST? How is that role received by conventional UNSC forces?
A. ODST units are not embedded within conventional forces, but they do participate in joint operations. The ODSTs tend to be force multipliers wherever they go. The conventional UNSC forces are glad for the help. They need all the help they can get.
Q. Is there a specific historic action or operation that the ODST are most known for?
A. Everything pales in comparison to the defense of Earth in 2552—and that was a global campaign.
Posted by urk at 11/14/2008 5:45 PM PST wrote:
Game Informed
Many people have already started receiving copies of the latest issue of Game Informer which features a sweet Halo 3: Recon cover story (cover art painted by Bungie concept artist, Jaime Jones). We’re not going to ruin their story so you should definitely go check it out for some firsthand insights into Halo 3: Recon and what you can expect next Fall. However, some excerpts and snippets from the story are starting to spread around the internet and in some cases, causing some concern or confusion amongst our fans. Again, I’m not going to get into too many details because it’s Game Informer’s story to tell, but I did want to clarify two main questions I’ve seen on the interweb:
• So how long is Halo 3: Recon going to be?
Honestly it’s impossible to really quantify this. Even with Halo 3 an individual’s play time can vary dramatically based on difficulty level, modifiers like skulls, and whether or not it’s played individually, cooperatively, or within the multiplayer portions of the game, which can amount to near infinite play time. While it’s true that we view Halo 3: Recon as an extension to the Halo 3 game experience, it’s too early to settle on a specific number of hours of gameplay.
Paul Bertone, design director, was quoted as saying that part of the design process involved finding a story that would fit within a “3 to 5 hour expansion pack.” There are a few points to make here to provide more context and allay some concerns people seem to be having over their expectations for the scope of the game. First of all, while Halo 3: Recon did originate with the goal of building a 3 to 5 hour campaign experience, I can safely say that as is always the case with Bungie, the team is continuing to put more and more into it and the final product will end up being some order of magnitude more than the initial design. Game Informer also touches on the new structure to the campaign experience and how there are basically two separate components to the campaign. The initial play time targets were focused on one of those components. And lastly, there are still plenty of things we’re not talking about with Recon that will further enhance and add to the experience, play time, and replayability of the final package.
I can safely say that at the end of the day, the sum of the parts of the Halo 3: Recon box will add up to a great experience for Halo fans.
• Everyone gets Recon armor for multiplayer!?
Yes, sort of. We did confirm that when Halo 3: Recon is released next Fall, fans will finally have the means to acquire the Recon multiplayer armor for themselves. The “Vidmaster” achievements that were kicked off in the Halo 3 title update a few months ago are the first step on the road to unlocking Recon. Eventually, once you have successfully completed all of the Vidmaster achievements, you will be able to wear the armor. Some of these achievements can be earned when the Mythic Map Pack is released early next year, but you won’t be able to complete the full chain until the retail release of Halo 3: Recon next Fall. So yes, approximately two years after the release of Halo 3, the broader community will finally be able to get their hands on the Recon armor.
Posted by lukems at 10/10/2008 5:43 PM PDT wrote: What is Halo 3: Recon?
Halo 3: Recon is a standalone, disc-based campaign expansion to Halo 3. It will be available at fine retailers around the globe in Fall of 2009.
I read on some Liveblog that Master Chief got out of the drop pod?
Negative, ghost rider. Instead of playing as the Master Chief (like players did in Halo, Halo 2 and Halo 3) in H3: Recon, players take control of an ODST (an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper) who entered orbit just after the slipspace rupture on New Mombasa (that event, you recall, took place as Regret left the planet – and in Halo 2, you followed him as the Chief). Now, players will learn more about what happened on New Mombasa during some of the events of Halo 2.
Is Halo 3 : Recon a 3rd person / squad based shooter?
Nope. "Recon" is definitely first person and it's definitely still a Halo game as you've come to know it. That said, playing as an ODST in this new setting will bring some new twists to the gameplay.
How much will Halo 3 : Recon cost?
The price point has not yet been determined. While there will be a lot of content to enjoy and a great deal of replayability, this is still viewed as an expansion to Halo 3 more so than its equal.
We saw Assembly at PAX 2008, when will we get more downloadable content for Halo 3?
The Mythic Map Pack will be made available via Xbox Live Marketplace in early 2009. “Winter,” as they say. As soon as we have more details we will certainly share them.
Will the Recon campaign content or the other multiplayer maps be available through Xbox LIVE Marketplace?
Beyond the Mythic Map Pack early next year, there are no plans to release other portions of the Recon package outside of the retail box.
Is there a multiplayer component to Halo 3: Recon?
There are multiplayer maps that will appear as a part of the Halo 3: Recon package. This includes the aforementioned Mythic Map Pack in addition to a few others. You can also experience the entire Recon campaign cooperatively with up to 4 players.
Will we get to play as ODSTs in multiplayer now?
No. The multiplayer maps included with the retail package are straight up Halo 3 multiplayer maps. The ODST and other components that make up the Recon campaign are in a separate bucket and not crossing over into the competitive multiplayer realm. Think of it as two games in one.
Will the Halo 3 : Recon multiplayer maps work with "regular" copies of Halo 3?
If you purchase the Mythic Map Pack early next year via Marketplace and your friend waits and gets them with the Halo 3 : Recon retail package next Fall, you can still play together. The multiplayer maps are all part of the Halo 3 "title ID" family, regardless of where or how you get them.
What about other features from Halo 3?
Halo 3: Recon will still make use of Screenshots, Forge and Saved Films just like Halo 3 does.
Will Halo 3 : Recon have new achievements? Are these the same as the ones already "leaked" online?
There are actually two separate buckets for new achievements. The multiplayer achievements will be considered additive to your existing Halo 3 gamerscore. Some of these will be available when the Mythic Map Pack is released on Marketplace early next year. The Recon campaign will include a complete set of unique achievements and a full bounty of 1000 gamerscore to obtain.
This dude at 7-11 told me that there’s a new Campaign version of Forge coming?
Get your Slurpee somewhere else. The maps included with Halo 3: Recon certainly support Forge and the functionality it affords players. But, there isn’t a new Campaign Forge being added to the Halo 3 experience.
I read somewhere that this is the last Halo game Bungie is making. Say it isn't so!
We're not ready to discuss the other projects underway within the studio right now but Halo 3 : Recon does represent the final basket of goodness that we will be delivering for the Halo trilogy. There are no more offshoots or side stories in the works.
Is this the game that Bungie was intending to announce at E3?
Yes, we are happy to finally be able to pull back the curtain and share our latest project with our fans.
Will Halo 3 : Recon still use the Halo 3 engine?
Yes, this is very much an extension of the Halo 3 you have come to know and love complete with all the features included with the original game.
Is this all Bungie has been working on since becoming independent last October?
"Recon" represents one of several projects that we have underway within the Studio but it's the nearest to release and the only one we're able to talk about for now.
If this is an expansion built on top of the existing Halo 3 engine, why will it take two years to create?
Development of "Recon" actually just began in earnest this past Spring. This project is in the hands of a small team and represents our most ambitious release cycle yet as a Studio.
kotaku wrote:Finally! Details! On a Bungie Halo title! Courtesy of Microsoft's TGS address, the Halo 3 singleplayer expansion - first revealed in a trailer a few weeks back - now has a name (Halo 3: Recon), a setting and a rough release date. The expansion will serve as a prequel to the events of Halo 3, with the player taking the role of a UNSC recon soldier, who is our "new hero" for a "new campaign". The expansion will be out in "Fall 2009", with screenshots and video expected sometime soon.
----------------Pictures------------------------------------------------------------------Bungie News: Posted by Shishka at 10/8/2008 9:07 PM PDT wrote:Bungie has several projects underway within the studio, one of which is a brand new campaign experience for Halo 3 that we teased two weeks ago. Now, at long last, we can lift the shroud of secrecy and shed a little more light on what we've been working on.
We'll have more to say later, but for now, check out our official announcement trailer which builds upon the teaser and provides new insights into what awaits next Fall.
Halo 3: ODST Concept Art
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I will post Any updates i find, i hope you to do the same