Joystiq

Indie Royale 'Hammerhead' bundle includes Richard & Alice, Primordia and more

Mike Suszek — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST

The latest Indie Royale bundle is now available for the current minimum price of $5.68. The Hammerhead bundle includes Owl Cave's Richard & Alice, Primordia by Wormwood Studios, Pressure by Chasing Carrots, Forge by Dark Vale Games and Pandora Studios' Gas Guzzlers: Combat Carnage. The bundle seems immediately worthwhile to us just for the inclusion of Richard & Alice alone, per our recent review of the game.

Those that pay at least $8 for the Hammerhead bundle will also receive MY OK BBS' chiptune album It's Not Great. There's also a mysterious sixth game in the bundle, likely to be revealed at a later time. The Indie Royale bundle is available on PC until June 7.

Indie Royale 'Hammerhead' bundle includes Richard & Alice, Primordia and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Halo 4, Gears of War Judgment DLC available for free today

JC Fletcher — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST

If you feel like shooting aliens on your Xbox today, you are very likely to be able to do so in a new venue. Both Halo 4 and Gears of War Judgment have new DLC, available at no extra cost.

Having passed certification early, Microsoft has released the Halo 4 "Forge Island" map well in advance of its expected April 11 date. On their own, these aren't the most exciting locations - three big, flat islands - but they're intended to be the base for Forge Mode customization.

Gallery: Halo 4 (Forge Island)

Gears of War Judgment's Execution multiplayer is also available today, along with the map Haven, "courtesy of Maxim and Epic Games." Weird. Microsoft warns that you have to download this DLC directly from the title menu or from the Dashboard. "The dialogue box prompting you to download the pack in the matchmaking menu is not functioning properly and will be fixed as soon as possible."

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (Haven)

Continue reading New Halo 4, Gears of War Judgment DLC available for free today

New Halo 4, Gears of War Judgment DLC available for free today originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 4 getting new Forge Island map for free on April 11

Mike Schramm — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST

343 Industries has announced at PAX East this weekend that Halo 4 is getting a new Forge map, with plenty of blank, open canvas for Halo level makers to paint their creativity on. As you can see in the quick video on IGN's page, "Forge Island" actually has three different islands of varying size, all completely flat and round, to give map makers lots of room to build whatever they want.

The map will also come with some new Forge pieces, which the developers have already used to build a copy of Hang 'Em High. 343 specifically asked at the panel if a fan would be kind enough to remake Blood Gulch on the biggest island, so that's possible too. The new map and related tools are all being released for free on April 11, just a few days after the Castle Map Pack arrives on April 8.

Halo 4 getting new Forge Island map for free on April 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Start planning: Halo 4's Forge maps detailed on video

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:45:00 EST

In the latest Halo 4 video, multiplayer designer Kynan Pearson from 343 and environment artist Lori Zawada from Certain Affinity walk though the game's new Forge maps: Erosion, Impact, and Ravine. We're already planning the ultimate "needlers only" map right now.

Start planning: Halo 4's Forge maps detailed on video originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Certain Affinity developing Halo 4's Forge mode, includes gravity augmentation [Update: now with video]

Jordan Mallory — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST

Halo 4's iteration of the Forge map editor is currently under development at Certain Affinity, the development studio responsible for Age of Booty, Crimson Alliance and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary's multiplayer. The announcement was made during a presentation at Rooster Teeth's second annual RTX event in Austin, TX.

While a wide breadth of changes and additions have been made to the Forge editor, most interesting are the "Player Trait Zones," which allow map builders to modify the characteristics of any players that enter the effected area, changing the height of their jumps, the speed at which they run, etc. It's even possible to reverse the gravity in a given area by using "Grav Volume" field.

Enhancements have also been made to the objects that can be placed by users: Elements can now be locked in place, magnetized and more efficiently duplicated. The editor's lighting system has also been overhauled; objects placed now cast and receive shadows normally. Finally, a map editor capable of bringing our upside-down film noir Halo dreams to life.

Update: Now with video! Thanks, Austin!

Certain Affinity developing Halo 4's Forge mode, includes gravity augmentation [Update: now with video] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo: Reach Invasion mode Forge guide

David Hinkle — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Having a tough time designing Halo: Reach Invasion variants in the game's expanded Forge utility? Yeah, us too -- that is, until we read Bungie's handy little guide for budding modders, which breaks down the process of creating an Invasion map from start to finish.

The guide provides the know-how for setting up CTF and Assault-based objectives (and a host of other options), in addition to the 4-1-1 on creating multiple objectives in each phase of your custom Invasion game. If knowledge is power, then this guide is the equivalent of hooking up your brain to a car battery.

Halo: Reach Invasion mode Forge guide originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo: Reach achievements revealed, Forge showcased

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Bungie's previously teased achievements for Halo: Reach's have finally been revealed through its latest update. 49 achievements can be earned across the campaign, multiplayer and firefight. We've dropped them after the break.

If that weren't enough, there's a whole mess of new Bungie-created Forge maps on display. The update says they won't necessarily make it into multiplayer matchmaking, but if they pass "the same rigors our expertly crafted multiplayer spaces demandm" we could be sticky-grenading people's faces on those maps when the game ships this September. Ha-cha!

[Thanks, Measlesopolis]

Continue reading Halo: Reach achievements revealed, Forge showcased

Halo: Reach achievements revealed, Forge showcased originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo: Reach 'Forge World' and Firefight Versus mode introduced at Comic-Con Bungie panel

Mike Schramm — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Last night at Bungie's Comic-Con panel, the studio went "beyond the canyon" and revealed what's behind the hill in the Blood Gulch remake: "The rest of the map." Turns out this version of Blood Gulch, which will be known as "Hemorrhage" in Halo: Reach, is actually one part of a gigantic five-part map called "Forge World" -- there's an island in the back bay, an outcropping called "The Rock," a hangar built into the cliff overlooking the bay dubbed "The Colisseum," and an open field area up above. The entire map starts out blank, and players will be invited to build their own levels in it using Reach's revamped Forge editor mode.

"Forge World is the evolution of what we've been through with Forge," Bungie Community Lead Brian Jarrard told Joystiq at a Microsoft event following the panel. "How do we expand on it even further, and give people even more flexibility, and more toys to work with?" The answer: by combining very detailed and customizable tools with a variety of variables used in whatever ways players see fit, according to Jarrard. The Forge editor can now apply different physical models to pieces inserted on the map, leaving them fixed in mid-air or even half-embedded in other pieces. Additionally, spawn points can now be easily colored according to team, teleporters can be dropped at will and even customized for vehicles, and gigantic structures (like a multi-level tower) can be summoned and placed just about anywhere.

Gallery: Halo: Reach (Firefight)

Continue reading Halo: Reach 'Forge World' and Firefight Versus mode introduced at Comic-Con Bungie panel

Halo: Reach 'Forge World' and Firefight Versus mode introduced at Comic-Con Bungie panel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie: No new Forge features for Halo 3

Randy Nelson — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:01:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

Bungie's latest community update takes an energy sword to rumors that sprung up following the developer's Edge Award for Interactive Innovation acceptance video. Specifically, the dev clarifies that, "There will be no insertion of Campaign objects, enemies or friendlies via the Forge as folks have speculated." Okay then. What else? Oh, yeah, no "new feature that implements Campaign objects into multiplayer" is in the works, either.

Seriously, folks ... let's be more ambitious with our rumors! The video is clearly hinting at the fact that Halo 4 won't be developed by Bungie, or even Gearbox, but by gamers themselves. That way, if you don't like the story or missions, you'll have no one to complain to but yourself.

[Via X3F]

Bungie: No new Forge features for Halo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Community Content: 241 Edition

Xav de Matos — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Xbox Live, Fan stuff

Each week, X3F showcases the best in Halo 3 downloads with Community Content. To find out how to set up your Bungie.net account, click here. Submit your own ideas at: comcon [AT] xbox360fanboy [DOT] com

This week for Community Content we're doing something a little different. On top of our regular community contributed content for Halo 3, we're browsing through the most popular Bungie.Net downloads as a second recommendation.

Yes, Community Content has doubled in size! We're giving away double the dose of content. Two maps for the price of one. Well, considering they're free--for the price of zero. So, jump in this week for our community submitted content and for our own Bungie.Net recommendation!

Also, make all checks of $0.00 payable to X3F Towers ... kthxbai.

Continue reading Community Content: 241 Edition

Community Content: 241 Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Avoid work with Halo 3 Foundry Designer

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Do you consider yourself something of a level designing virtuoso in Halo 3? Do you dream about creating maps? Maybe you wish you could, but you just don't have the time. You have no excuses now, thanks to Foundry Designer, a flash application created by PureCallum. As its name implies, Foundry Designer lets you create a draft of a level on Halo 3's Foundry map. It lets you place objects, rotate them and it even keeps track of your building budget just like the real thing. Once finished, you can print out your creation for easy reference. We used it to create the masterpiece you see above. We put some real thought into it, and we believe that it's the most balanced map ever created for Halo 3.

[Via ForgeHub]

Avoid work with Halo 3 Foundry Designer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 3 Forge mode art attack!

Xav de Matos — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

A day after showcasing some nice Halo 3 screenshot art we got word of a contest on Maximum Fear that asked gamers to get creative with Halo 3's Forge mode. Halo 3 player Hahka submitted the winning piece, as shown above, and took home a $25 Bungie Store gift card.

Some of the other entries included a shockingly realistic portrait of Bungie's Frank O'Connor and a disturbing recreation of Michael Jackson's mug. Oh, so that's how his doctors figure out how to resculpt his face everytime! Makes sense.

[Thanks David and Nathan]

Halo 3 Forge mode art attack! originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie WWU: Legendary Forge Filters, Items

Terrence Stasse — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Xbox Live, Multiplayer

When the Heroic map pack was being touted by Bungie, their biggest talking point was the Forge possibilities with the map Foundry. With the Legendary map pack Bungie has been rather quiet regarding any sort of new Forge features. Until now. This week Bungie went all out, revealing the specialized Forge items for each of the three Legendary maps. Avalanche has walls, corners, ramps and watchtowers. Blackout has ramps and doors to block off room interiors. And Ghost Town has ramps, bridges and scaffolding.

The real star of the show however, are Forge Filters (see above for a preview of a few). Forge Filters are: "forge objects that change the camera settings to create a variety of effects." Have you ever placed your camera in a very specific location to achieve a precise image effect? Say inside of an explosion or something? Now with Forge Filters, you can CHOOSE the image effect you want applied to you image. And from ANY camera position, even during gameplay!

Wow. Do want.

Bungie WWU: Legendary Forge Filters, Items originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ForgeHub.com Halo 3 Forge contest

Xav de Matos — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Fan stuff

Civil War reenactments are a fascinating thing. People crowd around to watch an epic battle and they already know the outcome. That's like watching Titanic and really hoping they drift past that infamous iceberg. Apparently the folks at Forge Hub are so enthralled with historic battles that they're willing to throw one lucky winner 1600 MS Points in their Shell Shocked Contest. The contest is open to anyone who can create the most accurate portrayal of a historic battle using the Forge mode in Halo 3, but keep in mind D-Day submissions aren't allowed. Why? We think it's because in a world of Civil War reenactments everyone is pretty bored of playing through World War II.

[Thanks, Killer678]

ForgeHub.com Halo 3 Forge contest originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie's homegrown Forge tips

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Halo 3, Fan stuff

Bungie's Brian "Ske7ch" Jarrard has posted some Halo 3 maps he created before the holidays over at Bungie.net. As is all the rage these days, Ske7ch made his creations on Foundry, the map specifically designed for the Forge map editor. In addition to explaining each map in detail and the inspirations behind them, Ske7ch also gives a few modest tips to would be Forgers. First and foremost, those wishing to design a map should think about exactly what kind of map is being made. Maps should be designed with certain game types in mind, like CTF, Slayer, or Assault. Another practical tip is using crates to help line up wall placements. Other things to keep in mind: Forging in multiplayer may not be the best idea, give players landmarks (signs, set pieces, etc.) to help them navigate the map, and remember to just keep at it. Head over to Bungie.net to read his tips in detail and don't forget to queue up Ske7ch's creations in Halo 3 so you can try them out yourself.

Bungie's homegrown Forge tips originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 3 video: more Forge suicide antics

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Halo 3, Fan stuff

Of all the things we figured people would do with the Halo 3 Forge tool, spectacular suicide failed to make the list. We're not sure why, especially considering the mass devotion to blowing up warthogs in the first Halo. However, it seems that the goal now is not only to create dramatic and difficult self-termination scenarios, but to outdo the others before it. Case in point, a video found on Break.com showcasing a very elaborate plasma grenade suicide. You may recall the rather complicated Rube Goldberg kick-the-bucket setup we posted last week, but this one endeavors to take things a little further, even incorporating a mongoose. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading Halo 3 video: more Forge suicide antics

Halo 3 video: more Forge suicide antics originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 3 Forge video: Super Halo Brothers

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Halo 3, Fan stuff

The introduction of the Forge to Halo 3 has set the stage for some very interesting game types and play variations, but there is one aspect of the level editor that we haven't seen much of yet: film making. Sure, anyone can stack some fusion coils and record some epic Mongoose launches (we did), but making something truly creative takes some effort. Case in point, this video of Super Mario Bros. done Halo style. Add some sound effects, graphics, and the oh-so-recognizable soundtrack, and you've got a decent video. Check it out above.

Now, before you leave, we like to issue a call for more interesting Halo 3 clips. Sure, we like awesome grenade sticks, but we'd really like to see some creative utilizations of Forge. Rube Goldberg machines, dominos, whack-a-Spartan: that's what we want to see. Get crackin' fanboys.

[Via MEGATONik]

Halo 3 Forge video: Super Halo Brothers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Download pre-cleared Halo 3 maps for Forge

Dustin Burg — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: Halo 3, Fan stuff

If you've dabbled in the Halo 3 Forge a bit, moved things around and explored you've probably wanted to clear the map and add your own objects free of the default object offerings. But before you go searching for a "clear all objects" option in Forge you should know that there sadly isn't one. Bummer huh? Well, thanks to super helpful Bungie forum member Chevmeister, he painstakingly deleted every single item in each multiplayer map and posted the new cleared maps for everyone to download via his file share. Each map variant can be downloaded via the links over on the Bungie forums, so queue up some maps and Forge away on a blank canvas. Thanks Chevmeister, you kind hearted soul you.

[Thanks, el moco]

Download pre-cleared Halo 3 maps for Forge originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A look into how Halo 3's Forge works

Dustin Burg — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3

Over on Bungie.net our second cousin thrice removed lukems posted an introductory and advanced set of how-to articles on Halo 3's Forge map editor. And, from the looks of things, the Forge seems to be an easy beast to tame and should allow anyone to pick it up and futz around with ease. Of course, there are the controls which may take a little getting used to (as with anything) and a few advanced options, but it looks intuitive enough and should allow anyone to become the map editing God they strive to be. The two articles are an informative look into the world of Halo 3 Forge fun, so get on over to that there Bungie.net and get your read on. Yah hear?

[Thanks, Stubby Boardman and DjDATZ]

Read - Basic Forge stuff
Read - Advanced Forge stuff

A look into how Halo 3's Forge works originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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