Halo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker

If the Kinect reveal for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary wasn't enough, 343 Industries also targeted fans with some new Halo Waypoint functionality at this weekend's Comic Con. The downloadable app is getting real-time GPS tracking of multiplayer games via a new service called "Atlas." Yes, seriously -- while you're playing a multiplayer game of Halo: Reach, you can use Waypoint's GPS feature via Windows Phone 7 or the web (and other "mobiles," we're told) to watch troop movements from above.

The updated version of Waypoint also adds the ability to send challenges to friends, similar to the weekly ones set originally via Bungie and now via 343 Industries within Reach multiplayer. 343 reps explained that you'll earn in-game credits for completing these challenges based on the difficulty of said tasks, but didn't dive too deeply into how it will all work exactly.

We'll find out soon enough, as the update to Waypoint launches alongside Halo Anniversary on November 15.

Update: We've added two Waypoint vids from Microsoft showcasing the update, one above and one after the break.

Reader Comments (31)

Let me set a waypoint to my next teabag computer....

CERTAINLY COMMANDER

If these little apps are free it could be a hit...

@Timjoy

Waypoint has been free from the get go.

It will be free.

is this really necessary ?

regardless.... that's pretty bad ass.

@Miami Prodigy

So what if it isn't?

It's not hurting anyone.

@Miami Prodigy Sounds cool to me. I'm actually much more excited about being able to create and send challenges to your friends. I think that will be great for clans to make challenges for their members to screen them or keep them sharp. I'm so excited I'm writing run-on sentences.

Hopefully other mobiles includes iOS. I would think it would, but you never know, as sometimes companies get petty about these things.

@(Unverified)

I wanna say Waypoint is on iOS and Android, but I may be thinking of an unlicensed app that does the same thing.

@baby sea tuna

Waypoint is only on the 360 and WP7.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Ok, then my friend has an Android app that does basically the same thing, but isn't the same thing.

@baby sea tuna
I don't think they will port it over. MS is too selfish and say "want this app? then get a WP7"

@DarkNightRJ
Um... why do you say selfish? And why do you say that at all? MS has been the one company that has done some mighty fine representation on all platforms. Is there a good Google voice app on WP7? It took them this long to get one on iOS. Is there iTunes on Android?

Microsoft Bing on iPad is even (well it was before Mango) better than my WP7 Bing built in app. Skype (now a subsidiary of Microsoft) has and will continue to be represented on all OS'. If anyone is going to port their apps to other platforms, it's Microsoft.

Still with that being said, you could very well be correct that it won't port to other OS'. But at least Microsoft puts their stuff on other platforms.

You mean I can track my enemies and beat 'em up jay and silent bob style!?!

*reads whole article*

Oh..

That's pretty neat. Hope more games add some functionality like this.

I was talking to my friend yesterday about something like this. We were playing Horde mode on Gears 3. Unless I am mistaken, local play only allows 2 people in split screen, and his girlfriends son was there, so I handed him the controller. Got the idea that a smartphone app that let you keep track of stuff on the map would be great.

My idea was being something like a spotter, keep an eye on the map, let them know if anything was sneaking up on them. Keep track of what defenses need to be repaired. Heck, maybe even use it as a spotter for a mortar strike, helping determine range for the mortar user.

Of course, I am also the type of person who thinks multiple Wii-U controllers would be great for a sports game where you can make your own plays and keep playbooks hidden from other local players. I like the idea of interconnecting devices. Hell, I liked the Tingle Tuner in Wind Waker.

maybe I'm missing something here. but isn't this just an on screen map on your phone?

@eat it It's a map that shows (in real time) where your team mates are in any Halo Reach game you happen to be playing on your 360 at the time.

It's being added to the Halo Waypoint app that is already available on Windows Phone 7's, along with a new challenge-your-friends function.

It's not "just a map"

@MrXBob

but don't all shooters show where your teammates are? I'm so confused. is this a map that shows where your friends are across all modes?

@eat it Usually you only get a radar.

Now even a GPS has to have multiplayer...

I don't get it... what's the point?

@b3n You don't get how creating challenges for your friends would be fun? Or being able to see where all the action is while you respawn? I'm sad for you.

ill give it 10 minutes until the challenge-a-friend function is glitched for boosting

That looks cool, but does it show enemy players too? Seems like players could have an unfair advantage over those that don't own a smartphone.

That's the whole point. They're trying to get people to buy their phones by giving you achievements and multiplayer Halo cheats. It's genius, but I bet in the long run WP7 ends up like the Zune.

I really hope this is available on superior mobile phones, and not limited to Windows Phone. I know the article says it is it'll be available on other mobiles, but it falls in the "believe it when I see it category".

@Axcalibur

lol apple lol.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is

Well the iPhone is one example of a superior mobile device - as is Android based devices.

It's just sad to think that Joystiq'rs prefer a Windows Phone over an IOS or Android device... Aside from some Xbox Live functionality - the Windows Phone really brings very little to the "mobile table". Of course, it might also be a cheaper option for all the little kids on Joystiq, like yourself.

@Axcalibur
"Superior phones"? I'm sorry... I'm downgrading you for that.

If your phone is so superior why doesn't it have this?

@Bewoulf

So, the Windows mobile platform is superior to both Apple's IOS and Android?

Come on, don't be stupid. As noted in my second post, the only thing Windows mobile has going for it is the Xbox Live integration and that's it.

And as the story says - this app could appear on other phones, a point I even included in my first post. So, it likely will appear on superior cell phones - however until I see it, I'll consider it nothing more than a rumour.

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

Halo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker

Reader Comments (31)

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 8:52AM LEGIONSINGULARGETHUNIT said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 8:54AM Timjoy said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:46AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:42PM Mouthsmasher said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 8:56AM Miami Prodigy said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:47AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:25AM Uncommon said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:00AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:17AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:48AM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:39AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 4:19PM DarkNightRJ said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:05PM Bewoulf said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:01AM Arcana said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:02AM Pure Black World Tendency said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:09AM SThompson said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:23AM eat it said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:08AM MrXBob said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 1:14PM eat it said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 3:35PM SewerShark said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:35AM ShadowXIII said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:38AM b3n said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 1:17PM Gemini Ace said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:56AM aeiah said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 1:51PM J is for me said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 2:05PM jsx92 said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 4:42PM Axcalibur said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 8:24PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 9:05PM Axcalibur said

Posted: Oct 17th 2011 10:07PM Bewoulf said

Posted: Oct 18th 2011 1:23AM Axcalibur said

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