Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[10-year anniversary Xbox 360 bundle found on Amazon France]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/10-year-anniversary-xbox-360-bundle-found-on-amazon-france/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/10-year-anniversary-xbox-360-bundle-found-on-amazon-france/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/24/10-year-anniversary-xbox-360-bundle-found-on-amazon-france/#comments "But wait," you might be thinking. "The original Xbox launched on November 15, 2001. The tenth anniversary was last year, why come out with a 10-year anniversary bundle now? What's the deal? Oh my God, can you hear this? Quit listening to my thoughts! Get out of my head!!"

Whoa, chill dude! The American launch was in 2001, but the console's European debut didn't happen until three months later in 2002, hence the 10-year anniversary bundle showing up on Amazon France in 2012. The €280.00 ($375.50) package comes with a 250-gb Xbox 360, two wireless controllers, a boxed copy of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, digital versions of Halo: Reach, Gears of War 2 and Fable 3, as well as a 3-month Xbox Live Gold membership card.

The bundle is set to ship on March 9, and while we appreciate the sentiment and everything, we can't help but feel like a 360 reproduction of this might have been a more touching tribute. Make it happen, Microsoft. We'll give you money.

Joystiq10-year anniversary Xbox 360 bundle found on Amazon France originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10-year-anniversaryamazon-franceanniversarybundlefable-3fable-iiiGears-of-war-2gow2halohalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachmicrosoftxboxFri, 24 Feb 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/23/12-days-of-joyswag-halo-reach-themed-xbox-360-halo-anniversary/#comments Another year, another 12 days of holiday giveaways! Between now and Christmas Day, we're doing the one thing that makes us feel truly alive: giving. Specifically, we're giving you fine folks some of the swag we've managed to collect in our cluttered home offices. And the good will and merriment doesn't stop here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for even more chances to win!

With just a few days left before Christmas, it's time to break out the big, Spartan-sized guns. We've got a 250GB Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360 S but since Halo Reach is sooo 2010, we're complementing it with a copy of this year's Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. And if you want to take Anniversary online so you can relive the magic of the Magnum pistol, we're including Turtle Beach's top-of-the-line PX5 wireless headset. To give you a better chance of getting in on this haul, we're leaving entry open for three days; head past the break to learn how to enter.

Gallery: Halo: Reach Limited Edition Xbox 360 Bundle

Continue reading 12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset

Joystiq12 Days of Joyswag: Halo Reach-themed Xbox 360, Halo Anniversary, and Turtle Beach PX5 headset originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>12-days-of-joyswag-2011343-studiosbungiehalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftxboxFri, 23 Dec 2011 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Verizon FiOS kicking off Xbox 360 streaming TV with 26 channels for subscribers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/verizon-fios-kicking-off-xbox-360-streaming-tv-with-26-channels/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/verizon-fios-kicking-off-xbox-360-streaming-tv-with-26-channels/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/verizon-fios-kicking-off-xbox-360-streaming-tv-with-26-channels/#comments Are you ready to watch a limited selection of channels (26) from Verizon FiOS via your Xbox 360? Verizon and Microsoft sure hope so, this morning announcing plans to offer cable access to Xbox Live Gold members who also pay for Verizon's FiOS TV and internet service plans. That's right: if you pay for a subscription to Xbox Live, and pay for a cable TV subscription, and pay for a cable internet connection, then you can watch 26 of your Verizon FiOS channels on an Xbox 360. Hot ... dog?

Additionally, Kinect "voice and gesture commands" functionality will come with the service, enabling you to shout, "Why am I paying so much to view something I can already watch on my television?" for instance. New FiOS customers can take advantage of an initial promo lasting until January 21 that discounts Verizon's "Triple Play" internet/TV/phone to $89.99 a month (at least for the first two years), and includes both a free 12-month XBL Gold membership and a copy of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

Comcast and HBO are also signed on for as yet unspecified streaming deals with Microsoft. A Bloomberg report from earlier this year indicated that even more content providers had signed on, though Microsoft has only confirmed a handful of said providers thus far.

JoystiqVerizon FiOS kicking off Xbox 360 streaming TV with 26 channels for subscribers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fioshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftstreamingstreaming-cablestreaming-tvverizonverizon-fiosxboxTue, 29 Nov 2011 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Tough Economy: Even Master Chief has to buy Halo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/tough-economy-even-master-chief-has-to-buy-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/tough-economy-even-master-chief-has-to-buy-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/tough-economy-even-master-chief-has-to-buy-halo/#comments
With engagement ring in pocket, Geekadelphia founder (and friend of the site!) Eric Smith was dumped. While most people would be immediately thrown into a deep depression, Smith opted instead to sell the ring and buy a suit of Master Chief armor. He wrote about the ordeal last week in an essay called "Master Grief" on Bygone Bureau, which was promptly picked up by every website in existence.

Which brings us to the above video. What does someone with a full suit of Master Chief's MJOLNIR armor do when a new Halo game - specifically Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary - comes out? If you answered, "pre-order it on Amazon" well ... you're probably right. But if you're Eric Smith, you drag your ass through Center City Philadelphia and film it. You'd think Chief would be on some kind of VIP list.

JoystiqTough Economy: Even Master Chief has to buy Halo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieseric-smithhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymaster-chiefmicrosoftxboxTue, 22 Nov 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Living Monument is live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/halo-living-monument-is-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/halo-living-monument-is-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/halo-living-monument-is-live/#comments The Halo Living Monument is active -- whether it's actually functional for you is an entirely different matter. To celebrate the launch of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, the website allows the Halo faithful to upload an image and be part of this grand marketing opportunity.

The monument is a rotating Master Chief with interactive limbs displaying hexagonal portraits of those who have taken the opportunity to upload a photo onto the internet. That seems about it. We guess you could always have a moment of silence, and pray to the monument that next year's Halo 4 ends up succeeding without Bungie at the helm.

JoystiqHalo Living Monument is live originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-living-monumentmicrosoftxboxTue, 15 Nov 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq tours Halo Anniversary's Kinect features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/joystiq-tours-halo-anniversarys-kinect-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/joystiq-tours-halo-anniversarys-kinect-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/15/joystiq-tours-halo-anniversarys-kinect-features/#comments
Did you know that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary has more than just fancy schmancy high resmolution graphics? Well, it also has some nifty (ish) Kinect features. See them yourself in this Joystiq video tour.

JoystiqJoystiq tours Halo Anniversary's Kinect features originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosxboxTue, 15 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Deja Review: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/deja-review-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/deja-review-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/14/deja-review-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/#commentsWe're of the firm opinion that your time is too precious, too valuable to be spent reading a full review for a game that was already reviewed many, many years ago. What's the point of applying a score to a game that's old enough to be enrolled in the sixth grade? That's why we invented Deja Review: A quick look at the new features and relative agelessness of remade, revived and re-released games.
He needs a weapon.
You never forget your first. Way back in 2001, halfway through my first year of college, my parents unexpectedly bought me an Xbox for Christmas. My first game was Dead or Alive 3, but the one I'll always remember was something called Halo: Combat Evolved. I'd never heard of it before, but the editors of my gaming magazine of choice -- EGM, as I recall -- gave it not one or two or three, but four 10 out of 10s.

I picked up a copy and the rest, as they say, is history. I played through the campaign alone, and again with friends, and again with my brother, and again with my then future in-laws. I played multiplayer at the only LAN party I've ever attended and I got slaughtered, falling countless times to the effortless pistol precision of friends-of-friends who were actually geekier than I was. But it didn't matter, because Halo was a blast.

Ten years later, it still is.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Campaign)

Continue reading Deja Review: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

JoystiqDeja Review: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungiedeja-reviewhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosxboxMon, 14 Nov 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary gets double disc soundtrack release]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-gets-double-disc-soundtrack-rel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-gets-double-disc-soundtrack-rel/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/13/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-gets-double-disc-soundtrack-rel/#comments What if $40 just isn't enough to show your love to your favorite FPS? You're in luck then: Sumthing Else Music Works is release the Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary soundtrack, which features re-orchestrated Halo tunes, as a two-disc album.

The package is $14.9 and gets you two CDs of music, originally created by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori and remade for 2011. There's also a limited edition green vinyl record for $24.99, which has fewer tracks but gets you an MP3 album of the music to download as well. If you really want to show you're the "Lord of the Rings," maybe buy both?

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary gets double disc soundtrack release

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary gets double disc soundtrack release originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halohalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftsoundtrackxboxSun, 13 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Battle of the Brick is a Halo-inspired stop-motion epic]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/battle-of-the-brick-is-a-halo-inspired-stop-motion-epic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/battle-of-the-brick-is-a-halo-inspired-stop-motion-epic/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/12/battle-of-the-brick-is-a-halo-inspired-stop-motion-epic/#comments

Alex Kobbs really likes Halo. He's also pretty good with Legos, as you've likely seen in the past. Today, it appears he can add "accomplished stop-motion film creator" to his resume. His 27 minute stop-motion opus, Battle of the Brick, is well worth the your time.

JoystiqBattle of the Brick is a Halo-inspired stop-motion epic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Nov 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alex-kobbshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykooberz-studiosmicrosoftxboxSat, 12 Nov 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary maps coming to Reach as DLC next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/halo-anniversary-maps-coming-to-reach-as-dlc-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/halo-anniversary-maps-coming-to-reach-as-dlc-next-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/11/halo-anniversary-maps-coming-to-reach-as-dlc-next-week/#comments Hey listen, Halo, we like you and all -- you've always been there for us over the years. But when you come out with a $40 anniversary edition, it's like, that game was fun the first five times we played it. We've got nothing against you, per se, but with Modern Warfare 3 and Skyrim out now, it's just; we can't really commit that much money, you know? It's not you, it's us!

Wait, what's that? You're also releasing the Anniversary Edition maps as DLC for Halo Reach? Oh! For 1200 points (about $15), we'll get six multiplayer maps that are revamps of levels from previous Halo games with new features and areas, and a Firefight map called "Installation 04"? That's much more our speed, Halo!

The maps (and playlists for them) will be live on November 14, so we'll see you there, Halo. And no hard feelings, right? We love you, you know. Just not all the way.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (High Noon)


Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Breakneck map)

JoystiqHalo Anniversary maps coming to Reach as DLC next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftxboxFri, 11 Nov 2011 01:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Microsoft launching 'Halo Living Monument' for Combat Evolved Anniversary]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/rumor-microsoft-launching-halo-living-monument-for-combat-evo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/rumor-microsoft-launching-halo-living-monument-for-combat-evo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/02/rumor-microsoft-launching-halo-living-monument-for-combat-evo/#comments Remember when Halo: Reach launched -- all the way way back in 2010 -- and Microsoft asked us to visit a special website and contribute to a "living monument?" You may better recall the marketing that went along with it, but it would seem Microsoft is prepping a similar campaign for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

Fusible claims to have stumbled upon Halo Living Monument, a site Microsoft seemingly set up and registered only weeks ago, and took the above screen cap. And, sure enough, a month ago, Fusible caught the registration. A quick who.is search shows the domain in question is registered to Microsoft.

With Combat Evolved Anniversary only a few weeks out, we anticipate we'll be seeing the site launch soon. Like, now. Now? How about now?

JoystiqRumor: Microsoft launching 'Halo Living Monument' for Combat Evolved Anniversary originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industrieshalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-living-monumentmicrosoftxboxWed, 02 Nov 2011 02:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary promo trailer not for the uninitiated]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/halo-anniversary-promo-trailer-not-for-the-uninitiated/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/halo-anniversary-promo-trailer-not-for-the-uninitiated/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/31/halo-anniversary-promo-trailer-not-for-the-uninitiated/#comments
If you have, in some Mr. Magoo like fashion, managed to stumble around the last ten years without playing the original Halo, this launch trailer for Halo Anniversary will spoil just about every major plot point. Everyone else: Enjoy.

JoystiqHalo Anniversary promo trailer not for the uninitiated originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halohalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftxboxMon, 31 Oct 2011 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[343 goes behind the scenes of Halo: Anniversary's campaign]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/343-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-halo-anniversarys-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/343-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-halo-anniversarys-campaign/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/18/343-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-halo-anniversarys-campaign/#comments
This latest trailer from Microsoft's 343 Industries goes behind the scenes on Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary's campaign mode, which the team tells us has been carefully updated graphically and with extra features like online co-op mode, skull modifiers, 3D, and even that Kinect functionality we learned about last weekend. And there's a lot of thought going into these features: Master Chief's retro armor, for example, was iterated on for a good six to seven months (including cues from fan feedback after its first appearance at E3) before the team arrived at the final version.

As Franchise Development Director Frank O'Connor himself says, the updated game certainly seems like quite a smörgåsbord for the Halo fan, all for just $40. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is due out on November 15.

Joystiq343 goes behind the scenes of Halo: Anniversary's campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industries3dcampaigngraphicshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmaster-chiefmicrosoftxboxTue, 18 Oct 2011 07:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/halo-waypoint-adding-atlas-a-multiplayer-gps-tracker/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/halo-waypoint-adding-atlas-a-multiplayer-gps-tracker/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/17/halo-waypoint-adding-atlas-a-multiplayer-gps-tracker/#comments
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.

Continue reading Halo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker

JoystiqHalo Waypoint adding 'Atlas,' a multiplayer GPS tracker originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbrady-gameshalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachhalo-waypointmicrosoftmobilenyccnycc-2011waypointwindows-phone-7wp7xboxMon, 17 Oct 2011 08:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Grenade!': Take a look at Halo Anniversary's Kinect functionality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/grenade-take-a-look-at-halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionali/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/grenade-take-a-look-at-halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionali/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/grenade-take-a-look-at-halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionali/#comments
As promised, we've got a quick and dirty video of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary's Kinect functionality, straight from the Halo/343 Industries panel at New York Comic Con. Are you prepared to shout "Grenade!" and have Master Chief straight throw a grenade, all willy nilly? We sure hope so!

Joystiq'Grenade!': Take a look at Halo Anniversary's Kinect functionality originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industrieshalohalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosnyccnycc-2011xboxSat, 15 Oct 2011 22:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary adding 'Analyze Mode' with Kinect [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/halo-anniversary-adding-analyze-mode-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/halo-anniversary-adding-analyze-mode-with-kinect/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/halo-anniversary-adding-analyze-mode-with-kinect/#comments Yes, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary is getting Kinect functionality -- but you knew that already. Despite a bit of news escaping Tokyo Game Show earlier this year about what the functionality entails, we were promised a fuller reveal "this October." And here we are: 343 Industries reps told Halo panel attendees tonight at NY Comic Con that the game will include a variety of new Kinect features, such as analyzing world items.

When in Anniversary mode (read: fancy new graphics mode), players can use Kinect voice commands to "Analyze" various enemies, which will then add said enemies into a readable in-game database ("The Library" -- no, not that Library). What's more, you can also shout "grenade!" and, well, Master Chief will totally throw a grenade. "Reload weapon!" does ... you get the idea. A video showcasing the additions was shown off and we'll have it up for you as soon as possible. It'll arrive in fuller form on Halo Waypoint this coming Monday.

Update: Analyze Mode is only available with Kinect, 343 says, and won't work if you've only got a controller. Sorry folks!

[Image credit: 'Laugh Pong']

JoystiqHalo Anniversary adding 'Analyze Mode' with Kinect [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industrieshalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosnyccnycc-2011xboxSat, 15 Oct 2011 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[When we were your age, we didn't have Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary achievements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/when-we-were-your-age-we-didnt-have-halo-combat-evolved-anniv/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/when-we-were-your-age-we-didnt-have-halo-combat-evolved-anniv/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/when-we-were-your-age-we-didnt-have-halo-combat-evolved-anniv/#comments It's hard to imagine a Halo game without achievements, but in the long passed, black-and-white prohibition-era yesteryear of 2001, that's just how things were. No 'chievos to grind, no Gamerscore to bolster, and only the earliest, fledgling proto-trolls were hurling racial slurs over Xbox Live.

A lot has changed since then, and Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary knows that kids these days couldn't handle a Halo experience devoid of achievements, so jump past the break for a complete list of points you never had the opportunity to earn in the first place.

Continue reading When we were your age, we didn't have Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary achievements

JoystiqWhen we were your age, we didn't have Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary achievements originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343343-Industriesachivementshalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftxboxSat, 15 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary inspires new set of Minimates toys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/halo-anniversary-inspires-new-set-of-minimates-toys/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/halo-anniversary-inspires-new-set-of-minimates-toys/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/halo-anniversary-inspires-new-set-of-minimates-toys/#comments In honor of Halo Anniversary, Master Chief and friends are being remastered again, this time as a new series of Minimates toys. The new "Series 4" includes Cortana, Master Chief, Jacob Keys, and the Prophet of Truth. The Master Chief toy even comes with an even mini-er Cortana!

JoystiqHalo Anniversary inspires new set of Minimates toys originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesart-asylumhalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftminimatestoysxboxWed, 21 Sep 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary's Kinect functionality partially explained]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionality-partially-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionality-partially-explained/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/16/halo-anniversarys-kinect-functionality-partially-explained/#comments Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary may be just a couple months away, but Halo franchise development director Frank O'Connor is still keeping mum on some of the remake's Kinect functionality. He did let a few bits of info slip, however. "For example, you can switch to Classic or Anniversary mode using voice commands," he explained to me in a meeting at TGS 2011 this week. Wait, really? That's it?

"We actually have some more story content in the game that's gonna be supported by Kinect," he added. Unfortunately, either the folks at 343 Industries or its corporate benefactors at Microsoft Studios have deemed the rest of the information too early to mete out. "We've added a really interesting feature we're gonna talk about in October that uses Kinect to add some story to the game."

As interesting as the content may be, it may never make it to the final product -- apparently the October reveal is about more than a carefully timed marketing plan for the re-release of a decade old game. "We're still testing the features, so if it doesn't work, we're gonna change it." And with just under two months to go until launch, 343 had better get a move on.

[Image credit: 'LaughPong']

JoystiqHalo Anniversary's Kinect functionality partially explained originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesfrank-oconnorhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykinectmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiostgstgs-2011tokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2011xboxFri, 16 Sep 2011 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary gets Headlong remake; Reach title update drops Sept. 21]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/14/halo-anniversary-gets-headlong-remake-reach-title-update-drops/#comments If you spent any considerable amount of time with Halo 2, then you've likely stomped around the Headlong map in your billion-dollar boots, helping to fertilize its soil with a few dead bodies. A new and improved version of that large-scale map, dubbed Breakneck, will ship with Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary, 343 Industries announced today.

Some graphical tweaks have been made, but you may notice some layout differences as well. That teleporter on the Blue base's balcony has been replaced with a man-cannon and some panels have been added up there for better cover when moving from building to building. Red side's had an extension added to the Engineering Hallway and lost a chunk of the ceiling in the Office.

343 also sent word on the next big title update for Halo: Reach, due on September 21. Initially, the title update won't change anything for you, but come October 4 a special beta playlist will become active with 4-on-4 Objective and Slayer game modes. Here is where 343 will monitor games so that it can continue to shape Reach.

Feel free to hop into our gallery below to check out shots of the new and improved Headlong Breakneck. You'll get a chance to see it in person when Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary launches on November 15.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Breakneck map)

JoystiqHalo Anniversary gets Headlong remake; Reach title update drops Sept. 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbreakneckbungiehalo-2halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachheadlongmicrosoftmultiplayerxboxWed, 14 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary screens not ideal for time-travel gloating]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-screens-not-ideal-for-time-trav/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-screens-not-ideal-for-time-trav/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-screens-not-ideal-for-time-trav/#comments "Hey, me from ten years ago! Check out how awesome our Halo looks in 2011!"

"We're still playing the same games ten years from now? Good job."

"Well ... uh ... it's in 3D, you know. There's 3D in your house now."

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary screens not ideal for time-travel gloating

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary screens not ideal for time-travel gloating originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-festhalo-fest-2011microsoftxboxTue, 30 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/27/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview/#comments I haven't been particularly skillful at any of the Halo games that succeeded Halo -- a direct result of the fact that the original game possesses a language that the rest of the series eschewed. Perhaps it was a language of simplicity; after all, true success only demanded proficiency with one weapon, the pistol, which could take enemies down in a handful of well-placed headshots. Forget armor abilities, dual wielding and deployable items: There was only gun, and the manner in which you used gun.

While playing Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary earlier this week -- in its single-player, multiplayer and multi-dimensional varieties -- I was struck by how quickly that language came sailing back to me. I probably didn't realize it until that moment, but in the ten years that have passed since the original launch of Halo, I've really come to miss Halo.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Gamescom 2011)

Continue reading Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log

JoystiqHalo Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Like falling off a log originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieshalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-festmicrosoftpax-prime-2011xboxSat, 27 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary adds 3 more maps, including PC version's 'Timberland']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-anniversary-adds-3-more-maps-including-pc-versions-timbe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-anniversary-adds-3-more-maps-including-pc-versions-timbe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-anniversary-adds-3-more-maps-including-pc-versions-timbe/#comments Coniferous Reports from the frontlines of Halo Fest, as relayed by Major Nelson, have revealed three new multiplayer maps for the upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. The highlight of the bunch is probably Timberland, the pine-studded arena from the PC version of Halo (original version pictured), suitable for 8 to 16 players. Next up is Prisoner, a symmetrical map with bridges designed for 2-8 players.

Finally, a new Firefight map has been announced. Titled Installation 04, the map is based on the level "Halo" from the original game, which you might remember as the first level in which Master Chief set foot on the ring world (after crash landing).

Update: We also learned of a neat new feature of the additional Firefight map while perusing Halo Fest: While you hold off the hordes of Covenant, you'll be aided by AI-controlled Marines, further simulating the level from the original game. Just don't, you know, kill them, or else you'll lose valuable points, and also probably fractions of your soul, because that's murder.

JoystiqHalo Anniversary adds 3 more maps, including PC version's 'Timberland' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesbungiecertain-affinityhalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-festhalo-fest-2011mapsmicrosoftpax-2011timberlandxboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary supports 3D TVs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-supports-3d-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-supports-3d-tvs/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-supports-3d-tvs/#comments Microsoft has announced that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will have a 3D display mode. This confirms another piece of information from the report we gave you in February.

Demonstrated to us at the recent Gamescom event in Germany, Halo's 3D intensity is scalable and only works in the game's updated graphics mode. Producer Dan Ayoub claims the framerate will stay "consistent" with 3D activated, even when things get hectic.

The 3D experience will not be available in splitscreen co-op, nor when shifting over to Halo's original graphics engine. Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary will be available on November 15.

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary supports 3D TVs originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industries3dBungieBungie-Studioshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftxboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Examine Halo 4's Warthog in Forza 4's 'Auto Vista' mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-warthog-in-forza-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-warthog-in-forza-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/halo-warthog-in-forza-4/#comments Ever wanted to know the deep lore behind and automotive specs inside Halo's most abundant form of military transportation? You can and you will, provided you pick up Turn 10's upcoming racer, Forza Motorsport 4. At last night's Halo Fest event, the studio announced that the new, Halo 4 model of the ubiquitous Warthog would be featured as an easter egg in the game's spectatorial "Auto Vista" mode.

This means that you'll be able to sail around the new iteration of the car (using either a controller or Kinect-based gestures), manipulating its every feature and learning more about its backstory thanks to some 343-penned narration. The best part? Those voiceovers are performed by Jen Taylor, the actor behind Halo's luminous guide, Cortana.

The worst part? The Warthog's only viewable in Auto Vista mode, and won't be driveable in actual races. We suppose that would be unfair, because, you know, chaingun.

JoystiqExamine Halo 4's Warthog in Forza 4's 'Auto Vista' mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industrieseaster-eggforza-4forza-motorsport-4halohalo-4halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalofest-2011kinect-forzamicrosoftturn-10xboxFri, 26 Aug 2011 11:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Comic-Con video talks terminals]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-comic-con-video-talks-terminals/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-comic-con-video-talks-terminals/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-comic-con-video-talks-terminals/#comments

Comic-Con is the gift that keeps on giving, whether it's the spandex burn from that crazy night at the Marriott, or the sneak-peak videos that keep emerging online. The above video from the Halo Universe panel gives us some more story behind Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and a look at what role the terminals may play in the franchise's future with 343 Industries.

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Comic-Con video talks terminals originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriescomic-con-2011halo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftxboxSat, 30 Jul 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo Anniversary footage shows off Silent Cartographer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/halo-anniversary-footage-shows-off-silent-cartographer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/halo-anniversary-footage-shows-off-silent-cartographer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/halo-anniversary-footage-shows-off-silent-cartographer/#comments
As a special Comic-Con treat, Microsoft has unveiled more than four minutes of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary footage. Narrated by 343's Dan Ayoub, the video shows off the beloved "Silent Cartographer" level, which we saw earlier this year at E3.

There's a lot to see, most notably the game's ability to switch between the original and remastered graphics on the fly. Oh and, lest we forget, the mighty pistol is in there too.

JoystiqHalo Anniversary footage shows off Silent Cartographer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesbungiehalohalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftsdcc-2011xboxFri, 22 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary trades avatar armor for pre-order]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-trades-avatar-armor-for-pre-ord/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-trades-avatar-armor-for-pre-ord/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/18/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-trades-avatar-armor-for-pre-ord/#comments
Master Chief isn't the best at planning ahead. Think about it: When have you not known the guy to land on a planet with just two guns and no secret pouch of ammo? The plan always seems to be some variation of "I'll find some grenades and a Wraith and I'll just figure something out."

If you'd like to buck his example and be fully ready for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary with a pre-order, you'll be rewarded with the exclusive "Grunt Funeral" skull. Even if you're not huge on pre-orders, the idea of activating Grunt Funeral and seeing grunts exploding with the force of plasma grenades every time they're killed may be too much to resist.

Perhaps more enticingly, pre-order customers will also be given Master Chief Avatar Armor, so even if they lack John 117's spontaneity they can still share his fashion sense.

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary trades avatar armor for pre-order

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary trades avatar armor for pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatarshalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftpre-orderxboxMon, 18 Jul 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Half-Minute Halo: An Interview with Jaime Griesemer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/14/half-minute-halo-an-interview-with-jaime-griesemer/#comments "In Halo 1, there was maybe 30 seconds of fun that happened over and over and over and over again. And so, if you can get 30 seconds of fun, you can pretty much stretch that out to be an entire game."

Or maybe even five games. The succinct secret to Halo's success, that half minute of fun, has long been a mantra repeated by developer Bungie, repurposed by game critics, and presumably whispered by Master Chief himself before he tosses a plasma grenade into a gathering of grunts. It's inoffensive, catchy and it sounds about right. Doesn't it?

"Yeah, it's probably the most famous thing I ever said," says game designer Jaime Griesemer. "For some reason it really resonated with the community and got quoted and repeated to the point where I would hear it from people that didn't realize where it had come from in the first place! Especially with journalists." Like many of you, Griesemer has heard the phrase on podcasts (yes, including The Joystiq Podcast) and read it in several articles, such as Clive Thompson's examination of Halo 3 playtesting in Wired. "Some of the guys at Bungie were calling me 'Mr. Thirty Seconds' for a while ... heh."

If only we had paid attention to Mr. Thirty Seconds for about, oh, 30 seconds longer.

Continue reading Half-Minute Halo: An Interview with Jaime Griesemer

JoystiqHalf-Minute Halo: An Interview with Jaime Griesemer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungiehalohalo-2halo-3halo-3-odsthalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachjaime-griesemermicrosoftsucker-punchsucker-punch-productionsxboxThu, 14 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary soundtrack getting full orchestral treatment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-soundtrack-getting-full-orchest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-soundtrack-getting-full-orchest/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-soundtrack-getting-full-orchest/#comments San Francisco-based Pyramind Studios is producing a re-orchestrated soundtrack for Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. 343 Industries, Microsoft, and Pyramind announced that the project is headed up by Microsoft Senior Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth, and Pyramind Studios COO/Audio Director Paul Lipson, and employs both the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco-based vocal group Chanticleer. Bryan Dale is handling the soundtrack's hot, hot licks.

Marty O'Donnell loyalists take note: "We are striving to create the ultimate love letter to Halo fans, and celebrate Marty O'Donnell's and Michael Salvatori's original vision with grace and style," Mellroth points out. Like Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, the re-recorded soundtrack will drop on November 15.

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary soundtrack getting full orchestral treatment originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industrieschanticleerhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarykristofor-mellrothmartin-odonnellmarty-odonnellmichael-salvatorimicrosoftmicrosoft-studiosorchestralpaul-lipsonpyramindpyramind-studiosskywalker-symphony-orchestrasoundtrackxboxThu, 07 Jul 2011 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA['Halo Anniversary has Kinect integration,' says Microsoft Studios' chief]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/halo-anniversary-has-kinect-integration-says-microsoft-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/halo-anniversary-has-kinect-integration-says-microsoft-studio/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/20/halo-anniversary-has-kinect-integration-says-microsoft-studio/#comments When Microsoft registered KinectHalo.com, we all imagined an intense cardio jumping routine punctuated by occasional cries of "Energy sword ON!" While we hope that prototype still exists somewhere in Redmond, it seems like Kinect functionality in Halo won't be as intrusive as we imagined. Microsoft Studios boss Phil Spencer told GameSpot, "As a first party we believe that Kinect will be important to all genres of games [...] even games like Halo Anniversary has [sic] Kinect integration."

Of course, this is the same Halo Anniversary that we first broke news of way back in February, and previewed at E3 this month. Notably, Kinect functionality was never mentioned (or showed) leaving us to speculate on what kind of integration the update has. With games like Forza Motorsport 4, Ghost Recon Future Soldier, and Mass Effect 3 going for a "Better with Kinect" strategy, that's as likely a scenario as any. And it's also the kind of non-intrusive, level-headed implementation we were worried they'd settle for.

[Update 2:15pm - Halo Waypoint forum admin 'bs angel' had this to say about Halo Anniversary's Kinect integration: "Just to let everybody know, the Kinect features we're exploring with Halo: Anniversary are optional and won't affect your core gameplay experience. Our mission, from day one, has been to deliver a faithful recreation of the original game, and we remain dedicated to seeing that through to completion." Sounds like "Better with Kinect," right? Called it!]

[Image credit: 'LaughPong']

Joystiq'Halo Anniversary has Kinect integration,' says Microsoft Studios' chief originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryKinectmicrosoftMicrosoft-StudiosPhil-SpencerSaber-InteractivexboxMon, 20 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Original Xbox controller may return for Halo Anniversary demos]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/original-xbox-controller-may-return-for-halo-anniversary-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/original-xbox-controller-may-return-for-halo-anniversary-demos/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/16/original-xbox-controller-may-return-for-halo-anniversary-demos/#comments Duke Nukem returned this week, and is basically obsolete. Now, in honor of the upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary remake, 343 Industries is considering resurrecting another long-dead Duke: the hulking, maligned original Xbox controller.

Producer Alison Stroll told Giant Bomb that the studio is talking with expert modders (your Ben Heck types) about producing some working Xbox 360 controllers in original "Duke" controller shells. They won't be mass-produced or anything -- if you want to get your hands almost all the way around one, the controllers are planned to be hooked up to demo units at the Halo Fest being held in Seattle alongside PAX, and then sold at the annual Child's Play auction.

JoystiqOriginal Xbox controller may return for Halo Anniversary demos originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriescontrollerdukehalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-festmicrosoftxboxThu, 16 Jun 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Combat revolved]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview-combat-revolved/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview-combat-revolved/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-preview-combat-revolved/#comments
We knew it was coming. We've known it was coming for a long time. So, what's the skinny? What's the story behind the Halo remake, now titled Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary? As it turns out, it's the same game we all played back in 2001. I don't mean that figuratively. The same engine that powered the first Halo is literally still thrumming underneath Anniversary.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (E3 2011)

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Combat revolved

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Combat revolved originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriescertain-affinitye3-2011halo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftsaber-interactivexboxTue, 07 Jun 2011 04:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-vs-halo-combat-evolved-fight/#comments You've seen Halo: Combat Evolved. You've seen Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. But have you seen the two compared side-by-side? We've got you covered! As seen above and in the gallery below, the remastered version of the original Halo has seen some pretty enormous updates. Check out that lighting!

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT!

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary vs Halo: Combat Evolved: FIGHT! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungiebungie-studioshalo-combat-evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmicrosoft-studiossaber-interactivexboxTue, 07 Jun 2011 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-multiplayer-maps-are-for-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-multiplayer-maps-are-for-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-multiplayer-maps-are-for-halo/#comments A total of six multiplayer maps from Halo: Combat Evolved will be playable in Halo: Reach's online multiplayer along with a retooled campaign level for Firefight mode. Halo: CE Anniversary will not support Xbox Live multiplayer whatsoever (outside of co-op). These maps are for loading into Halo: Reach (think: ODST), according to comments made by 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Spike TV. He also said it will be a budget-priced game.

Hit the jump for the teaser trailer shown during Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference.

Update: O' Connor clarified with Joystiq that Anniversary's multiplayer component, while employing the Reach engine, will still be playable on the Anniversary disc itself. The game will also include a voucher to download the maps for play within Halo: Reach.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (E3 2011)

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc]

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-industriesbungie-studiose3-2011frank-o-connorhalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryhalo-reachmicrosoftmultiplayerxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary coming November 15, 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/halo-combat-evolved-anniversary/#comments As expected, Microsoft has announced a remake for Halo: Combat Evolved to celebrate the series' 10th anniversary. The revamped version of the original Xbox launch title will deploy on November 15, 2011, boasting assassinations, online co-op and a fully remastered campaign.

Update: David Ellis, 343 Industries' content producer, hit Twitter to clarify that you can "switch between classic & new graphics" in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. Good to know!

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary coming November 15, 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bungie-studiose3-2011halo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosrelease-datexboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary revealed early by Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/06/rumor-halo-4-halo-combat-evolved-anniversary-revealed-early-b/#comments Halo 4? Halo: Combat Evolved ... Anniversary? Wait ... Halo 4?! Allegedly, these titles (and more) were revealed by Microsoft itself, hours ahead of its 10AM (PT) press conference, on the company's E3 community site. NowGamer supposedly spotted the posting, which has since been removed by Microsoft, but not before a mess of details were loosed. Among them: news that "Halo 4 is on the way."

A scene from the end of Halo 3 prefaces the news, which also teases "but that's not all." As we reported back in February, a Halo: Combat Evolved "remaster" is also apparently in the pipeline. The image says nothing beyond the game being "remastered for a new generation," and dubs it "Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary" -- just in time for the ten year anniversary of Halo 1's original launch in November of 2001. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment, but we imagine we won't hear anything back until Microsoft's official presser in a few hours.

JoystiqRumor: Halo 4, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary revealed early by Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>halo-4halo-combat-evolved-anniversaryleakmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosxboxMon, 06 Jun 2011 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Halo's 10th anniversary, Grunt plushies]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/343-industries-frank-oconnor-on-halos-10th-anniversary-grunt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/343-industries-frank-oconnor-on-halos-10th-anniversary-grunt/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/02/343-industries-frank-oconnor-on-halos-10th-anniversary-grunt/#comments Speaking to Gamasutra, 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor explained just what the studio has in store for Halo now that previous developer Bungie has moved on to other things. While O'Connor noted that 343's main priority is "making sure that Reach is well-tended, and cultivated, and taken care of," there are certainly other projects in the pipeline.

Specifically, O'Connor mentioned the upcoming 10th anniversary of the release of the first Halo. O'Connor referred to the celebration as 343's "main high-level task" for the year adding that the studio will be "doing a lot of things to celebrate that, and there's going to be a lot of cool surprises in this year." Honestly, we'll try to act surprised.

The rest of the interview focuses on how 343 has chosen to expand the Halo universe, branching out into different areas like books and toys. O'Connor stated that everything Halo branded has satisfied a community demand. In other words, fans wanted books or action figures, and 343 capitulated. Perhaps the most surprising demand O'Connor's team is considering: Grunt plushies. While O'Connor admitted that such a product would undoubtedly sell, he defended it by saying, "it's the single most-demanded item that we haven't fulfilled in the franchise history."

Head over to Gamasutra for the full interview.

Joystiq343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Halo's 10th anniversary, Grunt plushies originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-Industriesfrank-o-connorHaloHalo-Combat-Evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftMicrosoft-Game-StudiosxboxMon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Halo: Combat Evolved remake coming this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/halo-combat-evolved-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/halo-combat-evolved-hd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/04/halo-combat-evolved-hd/#comments Joystiq has learned that the previously rumored remake of Halo: Combat Evolved will indeed launch this holiday season for Xbox 360 with a full visual overhaul. Sources explain that the re-release is not Bungie's 2001 Xbox game simply running at a higher resolution -- it's being remade with new art assets. While Halo's audio will likely remain unaltered, the controls will allow for more recent Halo configurations.

The Halo: Combat Evolved remake is allegedly being developed by New Jersey-based Saber Interactive, the company behind TimeShift and Namco's upcoming Inversion, but we've been unable to confirm the nature of the engine powering it. We understand that it's something other than the Reach engine.

The Halo: Combat Evolved update, one of two Halo games currently in development under the watchful eye of 343 Industries, is expected to support 1080p resolution and 3D televisions. Details on multiplayer are supposedly still being worked out, but we understand the remake will likely feature online co-op (the original game supported two-player split-screen co-op).

The game is expected to re-evolve on November 15, 2011, ten years after Halo: Combat Evolved launched alongside the Xbox. Our sources didn't know of any plans to similarly upgrade the recently disconnected Halo 2, but it's hard to imagine Microsoft playing favorites with its biggest franchise.

JoystiqHalo: Combat Evolved remake coming this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustriesHaloHalo-Combat-Evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversarymicrosoftsabersaber-interactivexboxFri, 04 Feb 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Microsoft has 'nothing to announce at this time' regarding Halo remake rumors]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/microsoft-has-nothing-to-announce-at-this-time-regarding-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/microsoft-has-nothing-to-announce-at-this-time-regarding-halo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/01/microsoft-has-nothing-to-announce-at-this-time-regarding-halo/#comments Microsoft has responded to European chatter surrounding a Halo: Combat Evolved high-definition remake by saying, "Right now our focus is on supporting Halo: Reach. We have nothing to announce at this time." Putting that through the Joystiq PR Translation Machine pops out one thing: "42." Clearly, we need to call maintenance.

Eurogamer published the quote from Microsoft after Games Master magazine implied that a Halo remake was underway at 343 Industries (the current Halo custodian), using the Reach engine. Allegedly, the HD Halo would drop next November, to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the original Xbox shooter.

JoystiqMicrosoft has 'nothing to announce at this time' regarding Halo remake rumors originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>343-IndustriesHaloHalo-Combat-Evolvedhalo-combat-evolved-anniversaryHalo-HDhalo-reachmicrosoftxboxWed, 01 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST