We've just confirmed that in the U.S., the Halo 3:ODST Collector's Pack featuring the custom wireless Xbox 360 controller will be a Gamestop exclusive, although it will be available in other regions at participating retailers. The pack, which will set you back $99, is already available for pre-order on Gamestop's site, and includes access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Anyone who pre-orders Halo:ODST, not just Gamestop shoppers, will get the Sgt. Johnson token as well as the Halo: Reach invitation, although you'll be shelling out an extra $40 for the custom controller if you decide to upgrade ... which actually isn't bad considering that they still retail for $49.99. How hardcore of a Halo fan are you? This pack might be your breaking point.
Reader Comments (77)
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:19PM R Planteer said
So I have to pre-order for the beta invite? bah...
This game should be good, but I still havent seen enough gameplay to warrant a pre-order. But beta token for reach...hm....
Reply
This game should be good, but I still havent seen enough gameplay to warrant a pre-order. But beta token for reach...hm....
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:32PM (Unverified) said
That sounds wrong, unless MS was explicitly lying to everyone a week ago. I was under the assumption that the Reach beta was part of ODST and not a pre-order bonus. Can someone wiser (i.e. with more time) straighten this out?
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:05PM Triblade101 said
I'm 99% sure you don't have to preorder it for the beta invite. You just have to have the ODST disc. Of course, there's always that 1% I'm not sure about. :P
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:37PM (Unverified) said
It sounds like it is saying all that you get, not necessarily what you get exclusively with a preorder only.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 9:45PM (Unverified) said
I also wouldn't be surprised if GameStop was wording it in a way which made it seem like the only way to get Reach beta was through pre-ordering it through them. GameStop trying to steal more money? Whaaaat??
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Posted: Aug 27th 2009 5:01PM (Unverified) said
Bungie has said that beta access for Reach will be available to everyone. Gamestop seems to be the only retailer advertising this fact, though. Most recently, Bungie mentioned that Reach access would be through the 'extras' menu option in ODST. So that sounds to me like anyone that has the ODST disc will get beta access, not just pre-orders, and not just Gamestop customers.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:26PM (Unverified) said
so does anyone know if this has a fixed d pad like the soccer green controller. i really do not understand why it was such a limitied release.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:30PM Saria the Cat said
I guess that would be smexy for people who don't already have 2 controllers, even if they aren't Halo fans. The controller is nice-looking even if you don't care for Halo. But as for someone who has enough of 'em, I'll be skipping this.
In other news, I keep seeing an ad on the sidebar advertising a "before and after" weight loss pic, but it's obvious that the before person is NOT the person after, and both are unattractive, so I'd rather stay who I am. :S Most ineffective ad ever.
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In other news, I keep seeing an ad on the sidebar advertising a "before and after" weight loss pic, but it's obvious that the before person is NOT the person after, and both are unattractive, so I'd rather stay who I am. :S Most ineffective ad ever.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:34PM Professor Lario said
Didn't you realize, it actually turns you into a different person! So, while I understand you like who you are, just think of the possibilities of who you COULD be!
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:42PM Saria the Cat said
Well, it does say you lose 3 lbs per week, which is extremely unhealthy, so I guess technically your skin will do some shifting and your body will go into shock and you'll transform into some unhealthy, mutant husk of your former self. At least, that's what I'm getting out of the ad.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:42PM cbarrentos said
@Saria: i know the ad you speak of. i dunno, i really think the "before" girl is cute.
@Professor Lario: i once saw a weight loss ad that transformed a fat black woman into a thin white woman. science is amazing.
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@Professor Lario: i once saw a weight loss ad that transformed a fat black woman into a thin white woman. science is amazing.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:46PM Saria the Cat said
@Dirty: It's sad but hilarious to read on Yahoo answers all the poor boys who want to reverse the potion...BUT THEY CAN'T!
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:21PM TheDarkWayne said
ive seen some of those ads were the person just blatantly sucked in their stomach. More on topic though, Ill be glad to have this collectors controller, I tend to get angry and split controllers in half with an axe from time to time, so a rare halo one will hopefully calm by raging heart
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:23PM Saria the Cat said
I thought only a woman could do that, Batman... ;)
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:35PM (Unverified) said
Beautiful controller . . . but you still have to pay $60 (plus tax) for a Halo game.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:35PM StormEagle said
I have to agree with Saria. I have 6 controllers as it is and although this controller is pretty sweet looking, I'm not going to preorder a game I know nothing about just for a controller and an invite to a beta for a game that I know absolutely nothing about.
And yes Gamestop, you CAN kiss my ass.
Reply
And yes Gamestop, you CAN kiss my ass.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:35PM Temidien said
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Reply
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:36PM Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar said
Geez "Featured", "Breaking", "Exclusive"... Joystiq, wow. It's not THAT big of a news...
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:37PM R Planteer said
Thread Hjack:
My right hand (mouse hand) is starting to hurt. Cutting back on gaming is not an option.
Advice for pain management?
Reply
My right hand (mouse hand) is starting to hurt. Cutting back on gaming is not an option.
Advice for pain management?
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:40PM (Unverified) said
Wear a wrist brace. .It works. ...and then you can be like that fat turd the South Park boys played WoW against in the episode "Love and Warcraft."
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:41PM Dr Stabbingworth said
Man up or start abusing pharms. Equally acceptable.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:44PM R Planteer said
Actually I use my left hand for those long lonely nights, but yeah, guess i should have expected insults and abuse asking for help on a gaming blog.
/sigh
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/sigh
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:52PM Saria the Cat said
Well if you want REAL advice, I'd say you make sure your computer station is ergonomic --- shell out the dollahs to get some nice gel-y pads for your mouse hand and your keyboard, make sure the chair has you sitting with good posture and is at a good level.
For the short term, I use ibuprofen (Motrin) for muscle aches and stuff like that. Hopefully that will help. Depending on the ache, you could try putting something warm or cold on your hand --- frozen peas from the freezer, or heat up some uncooked rice in a clean sock.
Hey, you appealed to my maternal side, so there you go. Haha.
Reply
For the short term, I use ibuprofen (Motrin) for muscle aches and stuff like that. Hopefully that will help. Depending on the ache, you could try putting something warm or cold on your hand --- frozen peas from the freezer, or heat up some uncooked rice in a clean sock.
Hey, you appealed to my maternal side, so there you go. Haha.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:32PM Saria the Cat said
@Shmil: All rice should work as long as it is uncooked. I don't have any white rice either, just brown.
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 4:50PM samfish said
I started using one of this puppies when I started getting pain my my mousing hand:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/166&cl=US,EN
It sure feels like it staved off full blown arthritis or whatever for the last few years.
That said, get a wrist brace, too. I've been wearing one lately, myself, but that's more because I sprained my wrist boxing last week. It still hurts, which frightens me, since I usually have healed from these things by now :\ But yeah, you can get braces specifically meant for typing and stuff.
And, as mentioned, good posture helps a lot, too.
Reply
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/166&cl=US,EN
It sure feels like it staved off full blown arthritis or whatever for the last few years.
That said, get a wrist brace, too. I've been wearing one lately, myself, but that's more because I sprained my wrist boxing last week. It still hurts, which frightens me, since I usually have healed from these things by now :\ But yeah, you can get braces specifically meant for typing and stuff.
And, as mentioned, good posture helps a lot, too.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 6:52PM Shmil said
Ah the logitech trackball mouse my mouse of choice. Though i have the one with the ball between the buttons you use your index and middle finger to move it around and click with your thumb and ring.
It sounds complicated and unintuitive compared to all the other mice in the world but I wouldn't trade it for anything it just works for me.
Reply
It sounds complicated and unintuitive compared to all the other mice in the world but I wouldn't trade it for anything it just works for me.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:37PM Giantenemycrab said
So, let me see if I understand this. You only get access to the Reach beta by pre-ordering ODST or buying this bundle? Is that it? Or do you have to pre-order this bundle too?
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:48PM Giantenemycrab said
So I don't have to pre-order ODST to get into the Reach Beta?
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Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:54PM (Unverified) said
No, just to be clear:
The Collector's Pack (Gamestop only) includes the wireless controller and a Sgt. Johnson token and access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Pre-ordering the game ANYWHERE gets you the Sgt. Johnson token and access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Simply purchasing the game at release anywhere includes access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Whew.
Reply
The Collector's Pack (Gamestop only) includes the wireless controller and a Sgt. Johnson token and access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Pre-ordering the game ANYWHERE gets you the Sgt. Johnson token and access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Simply purchasing the game at release anywhere includes access to the Halo: Reach beta.
Whew.
Posted: Jun 11th 2009 2:57PM Giantenemycrab said
Ok, thank you! Wow, could they have made that anymore confusing?
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