Weapon of mass distraction (Halo 3) spotted in Iraq

by Christopher Grant { Jan 1st 2007 at 3:22PM }

In what could only be described as a brilliant combination of PR and QA, Microsoft brought their forthcoming money printing device to the soldiers in Iraq for a proper alpha-testing. We know that soldiers spend a lot of their free time playing games -- with Halo near the top of their list -- so who better to test drive the latest outing? Lucky for us there are certain realities of modern life. Namely, if something is supposed to be secret we can be guaranteed pics and blurry video footage! While the screenshots may seem innocuous, savvy netizens have already noticed a discrepancy between the first image and footage peeped in the "Et Tu Brute" video: three grenades versus four. Check out more images and video after the break. Anything else we can extract?

[Thanks Joe and Ben; via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Tags: Bungie, Halo3, Leaked

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

David004 @ Jan 1st 2007 4:53PM

So some shitty pictures and a 3 second video of nothing is news now?

uh_oh @ Jan 1st 2007 3:32PM

Yessss, looks more like halo 1, thank master chief!

KineticOnline @ Jan 1st 2007 3:39PM

Im guessing that its the demo/beta thats going to be released. If it is then it proves Bungie will be holding alot back (i.e the 4th nade etc) and that its nothing more than a hyped demo.

Maylon @ Jan 1st 2007 3:40PM

to #2, ????? Not being an ass, but I really don't understand the comment

Jinkin @ Jan 1st 2007 3:40PM

I wonder if there is any problems with the fine grit from the desert getting into the machines.

Ryan B. @ Jan 1st 2007 3:41PM

Bungie and Microsoft had to know pic/vids would be leaked. But I don't blame him. Forums and such are on fire with it.

There isn't even hardly anything in the way of new info from these, but still I am excited.

Ryan B. @ Jan 1st 2007 3:42PM

that is them not him.

Pat Kessock @ Jan 1st 2007 3:50PM

Maybe one grenade is a campaign-only feature, like the supposed ability to dual-weild swords. I think theyre playing a game of slayer from what i can see.

BigB @ Jan 1st 2007 3:51PM

At #2
You're exactly right. Bungie will be holding back such things as the x button, which has been said by a soldier that it was "locked" in the version they played. And things like the shield 'nade will most likely be held back. Only certain things that have been announced, e.g. the spartan laser, MAY be in there, but for the most part it will be basic weaponry and the secret stuff will come in the final product.

driven2sin @ Jan 1st 2007 4:18PM

and what they really wanted was Wii.
another example of not supporting the troops

BklynKid @ Jan 1st 2007 4:32PM

You'd think these idiots could shoot better video than that. Horrible.

Bubble Guts BG @ Jan 1st 2007 4:42PM

OK now I am Joining the army so I can play Halo 3 Beta demo.

sanchez @ Jan 1st 2007 4:43PM

#10 ... bafoon.

Maylon @ Jan 1st 2007 4:43PM

#9, you and many others I see are coming perilously close to Sony fanboy jackassery. Noone asked for a comment on a Wii.

$Chucky\\\'s Cat$

Chucky\\\'s Cat @ Jan 1st 2007 4:59PM

LOL @ #13, your so right. Nintendo fanboys are usually the ones who rave about their system 'cause they're so happy with it while the SONY faboys post with the logic of a 13 year old.

Rob @ Jan 1st 2007 5:00PM

So when solders aren't shooting people, they're shooting people?

i usually use video games as a fun way to escape life.

Jose @ Jan 1st 2007 5:08PM

@14
This is actually news. Halo3 is basically the biggest Title to be released in 2k7. The fact that MS/Bungie allowed our Troops to play this version of the game over there is a pretty big thing. Specially since no one outside of Bungie/MS has had a chance at play Halo3, for all we know these troops are the first non MS/Bungie employees to play the game.

john @ Jan 1st 2007 5:20PM

wow halo 3 look like stinky ass

Detonator @ Jan 1st 2007 5:27PM

15: Yup, and 360 ppl are the most intellectual ppl in the world, nice statement, the ones I've happened to talk to couldn't be more thick then titanium

Maylon @ Jan 1st 2007 5:26PM

LOL @ 16

Maylon @ Jan 1st 2007 5:27PM

18. wow halo 3 look like stinky ass

So does anything on Youtube

Maylon @ Jan 1st 2007 5:30PM

20. 15: Yup, and 360 ppl are the most intellectual ppl in the world, nice statement, the ones I've happened to talk to couldn't be more thick then titanium

Why are you jumping on this guys nuts? You likey the jrpgs and your manhood was challenged?

diskoboy @ Jan 1st 2007 5:57PM

Ummm.... Shouldn't these guys be out on patrol, or something?

It's nice to know our boys in Iraq are getting things done, over there. Not just waisting time playing video games.

Now that's sarcasm!

Embassy @ Jan 1st 2007 6:26PM

yeh diskoboy...cuz im sure every soldier in iraq was in that small room...their cudnt POSSIBLY be OTHER troops on patrol...since...EVERY TROOP in iraq goes on patrol at the exact same time...

sarcasm is fun!

diskoboy @ Jan 1st 2007 6:37PM

Wow embassy. Did you stay up all night writing that one?

You are absolutely retarded. That was a joke you dumbass.

Mike @ Jan 1st 2007 6:50PM

My, aren't we all feeling hostile today? I just wanted to say that some of the writers from 1up.com played the game a month or two ago against bungie employees. These certainly aren't the first non-bungie/microsoft people to play the game. It's still a bit amusing though.

Matt @ Jan 1st 2007 7:00PM

My God, you people are fucking assholes. Is there not an ounce of intelligence left among gamers? Shut the hell up with the fanboy crap - ALL of it. If you don't care about Halo, then you didn't have to read and comment on this story. It is, however, news to those of us who care. So, shut. The. Fuck. Up.

As for the fourth grenade from the Vidoc, Bungie explicitly stated on their site that the footage from the video was from several months ago. Many of the things seen in the video may have been changed or removed completely - including the fourth grenade. Joystiq really should've known this already.

Bipedal @ Jan 1st 2007 7:19PM

LOL INTERNET.

Ben @ Jan 1st 2007 7:21PM

it's funny- Bungie isn't the first company to do cool stuff for the troops. When I was there in '05, Lucasarts sent our company a bunch of Xbox games. Being one of only two people in my group with an Xbox, I was grateful to get a bunch of free games. Except KOTOR II. But, the thought is always nice.

$Chucky\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Cat$

Chucky\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Cat @ Jan 1st 2007 8:10PM

20. 15: Yup, and 360 ppl are the most intellectual ppl in the world, nice statement, the ones I've happened to talk to couldn't be more thick then titanium

Should be: "than titanium"

sam @ Jan 1st 2007 9:05PM

No way this in Iraq. This has got to be Kuwait. Anyone confirm this from Iraq? I'd be mighty impressed if that were true.

S out.

Embassy @ Jan 1st 2007 11:43PM

diskoboy..

mr pot...meet my friend mr kettle.

pmb @ Jan 2nd 2007 12:26AM

Wow. A post about Halo and Iraq all in one.

Recipe for disaster.

Rogue7(AWG) @ Jan 2nd 2007 10:05AM

This can/ could be from Iraq. Though more than likely Kuwait, Qatar area. But there are alot of gamers in Iraq, lots of peeps linking their 360's everynite for some Halo action. Having come from ther just a few months ago, I can vouch for this. For those that say we should be on patrol 24/7..pay me more, pay me more and I will do a 24/7 job, until then STFU, and sit on your couch with your stub in your hand and a control in the other.

dan @ Jan 2nd 2007 4:49AM

um I wish you guys had ask for my permission before ripping my pics. Not that I mind just would have been the considerate thing to do.

Samik @ Jan 2nd 2007 11:39AM

Well MS knows their target market...trigger happy americans all they want to play is GoW and Halo. And I gues everyone outside the US is like an alien so its the same..shooting the aliens on halo or shooting Iraqis. Funny how nobody is commenting about how crap the graphics look..like they did with Motorstorm!

Phil @ Jan 16th 2007 12:07PM

I agree the footage sucks.

I love everything about halo and H2. and im sure there will still be things in halo 3 that will be complained about. Eg like Halo:CE pistol. and H2 ''noob combo'' etc... that said, i know bungie will be doing their best to give us new exciting weapons, vehicles, levels, A.I and all that. Personally i think the more they cling to Halo:CE and H2 strengths the better really.

I want a playable DEMO this year bungie!!!!! I dont wanna wait till december to get aquainted with halo 3!!! Come on just a multiplayer map or summat we can chew on for a few months so we can quit wasting time posting all this forum crap... :D

get it done!!!.... lol... ty