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Nathan Fillion talks about Halo 3: ODST's Sgt. Buck

by David Hinkle { Jul 9th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Nathan Fillion, the second voice actor revealed for Bungie's Halo 3: ODST, recently spoke about his role in the game to MSNBC. Fillion needs no introduction and has many fans the world over (we loved Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place, too!), so it's great to see him involved with the game.

Fillion will be taking up the role of Sgt. Buck, a man he describes as "a bit hardened" and "a bit cranky." While Fillion's comments pertaining to his own personal interest in the franchise are nice to hear, the best parts of the interview are the sections where Fillion talks about the game's plot. We now know that his character will have a love interest, one that has come back into his life during the game's mission. Oh, and the gameplay footage is kind of nice, too.

We just hope he gets to say his famous phrase in the game: "I seek to behave according to societal standards." That's the line from that Ladybug show, right guys?

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A look at Bungie Pro Video for Halo 3

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 8th 2009 at 6:34PM }

As part of its Bungie Day festivities, Bungie unveiled the latest new service for Halo 3 fans, Bungie Pro Video. Now, those who subscribe to Bungie Pro -- which allows a larger file share and more storage for 750

(~$9.38) per year -- can also render their saved Halo 3 films directly to a WMV video file on Bungie.net. We won't pretend to understand the technical wizardry behind it all, but we decided to take it for a spin and see how well it stacks up to other methods of video capture. After the break, check out some samples of Bungie Pro Video versus our own consumer-level capturing method.

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ODST's Halo 3 maps revealed

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jul 7th 2009 at 2:00PM }

click to open detailed screenshot terrain

With all the talk of fancy open-ended environments, playable flashbacks and new cooperative modes, we'd almost forgotten about ODST's offering of new Halo 3 maps! When it launches later this year, Bungie's latest entry in the epic space hoop saga will include a Halo 3 multiplayer disc, which will contain three new maps (in addition to all the ones you've come to love and die repeatedly in).

Be sure to take a look at "Heretic" (the return of Halo 2's "Midship" arena), "Citadel" and "Longshore" in the gallery below. We've found that staring intently at them while bobbing back in forth in our seats provides a good, albeit imperfect, approximation of actual gameplay. We're just missing the cybernetic crotch thrusting toward us in regular intervals.

Gallery: Halo 3: Citadel, Heretic, Longshore

It's Bungie Day 2009! Win Recon!

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 7th 2009 at 12:15PM }

We really shouldn't have to tell you this, but today -- being the seventh day of the seventh month -- is Bungie Day. It is a day of celebration of all things Bungie, so be sure to schedule some time with Halo 3. You'll really want to make double sure that you do, because Bungie is hosting the "Bungie Vs. The World" playlist, putting forth its best and brightest to compete against the common folk. Oh, and should you best a Bungie team on this playlist, you will win a shiny new set of Recon armor.

Furthermore, Bungie will be revealing new info on some upcoming maps: Heretic, Citadel, and Longshore. As if that weren't enough, the Halo 3 render to video feature -- now called Bungie Pro Video -- will be revealed, and there's a new podcast with Firefly star (and ODST voice) Nathan Fillion(!). Keep your eyes on Bungie.net (and right here, of course) for more details.

Xbox Live Top 10: Halo, can anyone hear me?

by David Hinkle { Jul 7th 2009 at 11:45AM }

Xbox Live sure can, Master Chief, as your game Halo 3 was once again the most played title on Xbox Live. For the week ending June 29, many gamers took to the floating rings in space for some first-person combat, knocking down the duo of Call of Duty: World at War and Call of Duty 4 to second and third place, respectively. The rest of the list posted by Major Nelson is pretty run-of-the-mill, save for what came in last place: Rock Band 2. We can't remember the last time Rock Band 2 populated this list. So, good for you, little game-that-could!

On the XBLA side, it's all about the Worms 2. Explosive sheep were quite the draw, as the sequel to Team17's fragfest managed to beat out another popular XBLA title, Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalker. We guess Magic: The Gathering is all tapped out. Get it? Hello? Where are you going?

Xbox Live Top 10: The Chief is back

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 30th 2009 at 11:00AM }

And the mighty Xbox Live tug-of-war continues this week as Major Nelson reports that Halo 3 has once again wrangled the top spot from Call of Duty: World at War. We'd like to say there were some other -- more interesting -- changes this week, but the rest of the list remains almost completely unchanged. The only other difference is that Fallout 3 replaced Prototype at ninth place, knocking the latter to tenth.

Don't worry, though, we've got a new Halo game and a new Call of Duty game on the way in just a few months. Then we can at least see different iterations of the same series occupying the top two slots. That's something to look forward to, right?

[Image: Pwn or Die]

Master Chief gets civilian-ized

by Xav de Matos { Jun 28th 2009 at 3:30PM }

It's never a slow news day when you can find a picture of Master Chief in a letterman Jacket. PWN or Die features a hilarious gallery of images starring Halo's marquee super-soldier, Master Chief. Usually we recognize the Master Chief from his aggressive "Earth saving" escapades, but these "Senior Yearbook images" show us the UNSC powerhouse has a softer side too. If you've dreamt of Sears Family Portrait style images of the Chief, your prayers have been answered. Or your worst nightmares have come true ... either way, check it out.

Halo-themed Avatar clothing spotted in the wild

by David Hinkle { Jun 27th 2009 at 7:00PM }

Select individuals have been seen sporting Halo-themed Avatar clothing recently, with fine young gentleman Randy No Arms being the latest spotted. It makes sense, considering the guy works for Microsoft, but are these new duds a part of the Avatar rewards beta, or is this the Avatar marketplace at work? Regardless, we're totally jealous he's sporting a slew of Halo-branded clothes, including a hat emblazoned with the UNSC symbol, a shirt with a pair of crossed energy swords, and a nice pair of khaki shorts with the Spartan helmet on the left leg.

Be sure to hit up our gallery below for some shots of the Avatar marketplace from E3, complete with Gears of War 2 and Halo storefronts.

Gallery: Avatar Marketplace

Bungie Day brings chance to win Halo 3's Recon Armor

by David Hinkle { Jun 26th 2009 at 12:45PM }

If you own a calendar, we suggest you mark July 7, 2009, on it, as that day will see select Bungie developers playing folks in Halo 3. Playing with the developers of your favorite game isn't the only exciting news, as the latest episode of the Bungie podcast mentions some folks will walk away with the coveted Recon Armor.

Lasting the 24 hours of July 7, players can step into a new playlist (4 vs. 4) and throw down for their chance at the ever-elusive armor set. There aren't any details regarding what exact maps will comprise this playlist, though it was mentioned that it will feature 32 community-made variant maps. Let's just hope that Bungie doesn't cheat this time around.

[Via IGN]

Rumor: Halo 3: ODST Achievements leaked

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 24th 2009 at 12:44PM }

(click to Scorpion-size)

In what will assuredly not be the last leak of the summer from Halo 3: ODST as we lead up to its fall release, the entire achievement list has allegedly hit YouTube via Game-Tuts. While the list doesn't reveal any shocking surprises, it does tell us quite a bit about where the game's campaign mode will take us.

According to the list, "Vidmaster" achievements will be making an appearance in the game, as well as all the de rigeur cheevos for regular ol' campaign objectives. Also unsurprisingly, campaign scoring and co-op achievements appear to be making a return in ODST. We'd love to tell you more about the rumored achievement list but, alas, we may start walking into spoiler territory if we do -- and you wouldn't want that, right? You'll just have to head after the break for the whole thing, spoilers in-tow (you've been warned!). We've contacted Bungie regarding the validity of this list and have yet to hear back as of publishing.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST (6/1/09)

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Xbox Live Top 10: World remains at war

by David Hinkle { Jun 23rd 2009 at 5:15PM }

Dearest Lorraine,

Microsoft's Major Nelson has brought us another annual status report on enemy movements throughout Xbox Live, and it's not pretty. Conflict has surrounded us, as the enemy, Call of Duty: World at War, has spread like wildfire, becoming the most-played game last week. We tried to flank it with our platoons of Halo 3 and Gears of War 2, but, alas, the enemy had reinforcements in Call of Duty 4. Hope has diminished, and one only needs walk by the injured tent to feel the full force of the enemy's cruelty.

Lorraine, I know not if I will return home. I have managed to live longer than most, but, I feel there's that one bullet out there with my name on it, relentlessly pursuing its new home. Please, take care of my Gamertag when I am gone (I think my Gold subscription ends next month, so look into that), and be sure to earn as many Achievements for me as you can. I suggest you start with Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Yours Truly,
Gus

Xbox 360 hits the big screen at Cowboys Stadium

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 21st 2009 at 6:30PM }

A tipster at our sister site Engadget snapped this shot from Gears of War 2's title screen, while waiting for a controller to be reconnected, on the enormendous 72 x 160-foot 'LED wall' at Dallas Cowboys Stadium late last week. It's reported that the stadium was being set up for the Jonas Brothers' June 20 concert, and the one piloting the system was none other than Steve 'SoneAF1015' Fatone, the group's video director.

Even better, footage emerged on YouTube as well (seen after the break), showcasing the screen in action, though playing Halo 3 as opposed to Gears of War 2. Other shots drop presumably Mr. Fatone (pronounce that as you will) playing Call of Duty 2 and, erm, showing everyone his Gamercard, paltry Gamerscore in-tow. But alas, congrats to you, Mr. Fatone, you've likely just played the biggest game of Halo 3 ever.

Gallery: Giant Cowboys Stadium LED wall caught playing Xbox 360 during downtime

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Pre-order ODST, unlock Sgt. Avery Johnson

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 18th 2009 at 7:28PM }

So here's the news: Pre-ordering Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will net you a token to unlock Sergeant Johnson as a playable character in the new Firefight mode. We greet this news with mixed feelings. On one hand, A.J. Johnson is undeniably a badass. His in-game model is even chomping his trademark cigar. On the other hand, we're not sure if picking Johnson amounts to cheating.

As Halo players well know, the man is invincible. The guy was jumped by the Flood and survived. Hell, we've seen him take a beam rifle to the head without even flinching. Here's hoping his mortality is restored for ODST. Otherwise it just wouldn't be fair. Check out some screens of Sgt. Johnson in the gallery below, and find a list of participating retailers after the break.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Sgt. Johnson pre-order bonus

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Daniel Petric sentenced to 23 years in prison

by David Hinkle { Jun 16th 2009 at 10:40PM }

Daniel Petric, the teenager who shot and killed his mother and injured his father after being cut off from his precious Halo 3 back in 2007, received his sentence today, MSNBC reports. Judge James Burge sentenced the boy to 23 years to cries of mercy from the boy's surviving father, who stated that Daniel "still does not understand why he did something so terrible."

Daniel's sentence is actually a lot lighter than it could have been, as the prosecution was pushing for the maximum sentence of life without parole. The defense's argument was that Daniel was so young and so addicted to the game that he could not be held accountable. Petric, only 17 years old, was even younger when he committed the crime, and the judge's lenience is likely tied to his belief that young Daniel was addicted to the point of delusion.

[Thanks, Aaron]

Bungie: Don't expect to see Master Chief in ODST

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 15th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Given that Halo 3: ODST takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret bugs out of New Mombasa, it's not too surprising to learn that Master Chief won't be appearing in the game. See, everyone knows that the UNSC In Amber Clad -- carrying Master Chief -- jumped into the same slipspace rupture used by Regret. Duh.

Still, if you were sternly hoping that John 117 might make some kind of cameo, those hopes have now been officially quashed by Bungie's Brian Jarrard. Speaking to Multiplayer, Jarrard stated the totally obvious, "Master Chief, at the time this game takes place, is actually off on other parts of the galaxy." Jarrard elaborated, "In this game, it's all about you playing the role of an ODST," adding, "The way the timelines work in this game, Master Chief is off doing something else."

So there you have it, the only place to find Master Chief while playing ODST is where he can always be found: Our hearts.