Halo: Reach

[GamerMan316]

Halo: Reach multiplayer modes blown wide open

As we predicted with our last post on Halo: Reach, the flow of information on Bungie's final Halo  game -- well, the beta, anyway -- has now become steady and consistent. Today's exclusive preview of the beta's new multiplayer game types (read: not CTF/Slayer/etc.) at 1UP  is further evidence of just such a trend, detailing the Headhunter, Invasion, Stockpile and Generator Defense (quaintly dubbed "Network Test 1 Beta" by Bungie internally) multiplayer modes. Read on after the break for all the details.


Headhunter will see Spartans collecting a skull for each kill they get, a skull that then needs to be deposited into a moving skull receptacle. You're able carry multiple skulls at once, and to fight and use abilities while carrying said skulls -- but if you get capped before arriving at the aforementioned skull depository, say goodbye to that big win.

Stockpile has two teams fighting over four neutral flags, only able to "hold" said flags at the end of each of the round's five minutes. Multiplayer designer Lars Bakken notes, "If you see the other team holding three flags and there's 30 seconds left, you better start sending a couple dudes over to at least get them out of the capture point when the time runs out."

Generator Defense (or "Network Test 1 Beta") introduces Elites into the mix, with Spartans defending a trio of generators while the enormous mandible-laden creatures storm up a hill to destroy them. "This [mode] takes place exclusively on Overlook in the Beta. Defenders have the superior position at the top of a hill, with Attackers trying to claw their way up it," Bakken explains. This mode takes places only on the map "Overlook" in the beta and features smaller teams of three Spartans versus three Elites.

Finally, Invasion is only scantly detailed, though the folks from Bungie allow that it'll take place on Boneyard and will feature lots of vehicles (also: it's huge). The dev also mentions that all of these modes won't initially be available in the beta, which will have "five different playlists active at different points." If the past few days have been any indication, we'll assuredly have more details for you before the beta's May 3 opening day.

[Astrex]

HeadHunter sounds good... Can't wait for the Beta 

[GamerMan316]

Bungie expects 'upwards of three million' for Halo: Reach beta



Are you guys excited for this Halo: Reach thing? Yeah, we're not that concerned with it, but apparently it's kind of a "big deal" or something -- we guess there's a beta coming on May 3? Psh, whatevs. Anyway, according to a Seattle Times interview with Bungie's Brian Jarrard and Chris Carney, the developer is anticipating quite the turnout.

"My expectation is it could be upwards of 3 million people. I think that's a fairly conservative estimate," Jarrard said. "Certainly there will never be a console beta of this magnitude." That's a considerable increase from the Halo 3 beta, which managed to snag 820,000 participants during its 26-day run during the summer of 2007.

Sure, the inclusion of jetpacks undoubtedly raised some eyebrows, but we would never have thought the potential for atomic teabags would be that big of a selling point. C'est la vie.


I won't be one of the three million, thats for sure. 

[Failed]

It might get in the way of you playing Gears 2 ...... still, put BC2 on for sake and enjoy some top MP action!!

[GamerMan316]

It might get in the way of you playing Gears 2 ...... still, put BC2 on for sake and enjoy some top MP action!!

I just don't like Halo enough to bother with a crappy beta thats all, gonna play BC2 later, once i've whored NHL 2K7.

[xnightcrawlerxx]

I just don't like Halo enough to bother with a crappy beta

why waste your time with halo when you can be playing much more awesome games like wolfenstein and the latest disney game

[Astrex]

I just don't like Halo enough to bother with a crappy beta

why waste your time with halo when you can be playing much more awesome games like wolfenstein and the latest disney game

What new Disney game, I must get on that n whore it! 

[Failed]

Isn't it Toy Story 3, or is that not out yet 

[GamerMan316]

I just don't like Halo enough to bother with a crappy beta

why waste your time with halo when you can be playing much more awesome games like wolfenstein and the latest disney game

You know me so well 

[nCogNeato]

DETAILS ON HALO: REACH "LIMITED" AND "LEGENDARY" EDITIONS

Halo: Reach Limited Edition
In addition to the game disc and manual, the Limited edition includes:
- Game disc housed in recovered ONI "black box"
- An exclusive Elite armor set for use in multiplayer modes
- Artifact bag containing Dr. Halsey's personal journal and other classified documents and effects that unravel long-held  - secrets from the Halo universe

Halo: Reach Legendary Edition
In addition to the game disc, manual, and the complete contents of the Limited edition, the Legendary edition includes:
- Noble Team statue expertly crafted by the artisans at McFarlane Toys. Individually molded, hand-painted and individually numbered, this statue is a must-have for any serious Halo fan
- UNSC-themed custom packaging
- An exclusive multiplayer Spartan armor effect

The standard edition of Halo: Reach has an estimated price of $59.99, and the Limited and Legendary editions of the game will retail for $79.99 and $149.99

[Failed]

that's pretty, although i think i'll buy the standard version

[xnightcrawlerxx]

the legendary edition is looking pretty sweet...may have to pony up for it

[Astrex]

What do you think that will be in £?

[GamerMan316]

Halo: Reach Legendary Edition is £100

Microsoft has whipped the wrappers off Limited and Legendary editions of Halo: Reach.

The Legendary Edition will cost £100. Its star piece is a 10-inch statue of Noble Team made by McFarlane Toys. Other edition-exclusive content includes UNSC-themed packaging and a skin for Spartans in multiplayer.

That's as well as the treats in the Limited Edition, which will cost £60. Those treats are a snazzy black case for the game disc, an Elite skin for multiplayer and an "artefact bag" containing fictional character Dr Hasley's journal, papers and other effects.

Both Limited and Legendary editions are being made in finite batches, so when they sell out, they sell out.

Halo: Reach arrives on Xbox 360 in the autumn. Before then, fans will be able to join the multiplayer beta test, which kicks off on 3rd May.

[GamerMan316]

"Birth of a Spartan" live action short coming to TV on April 27
See how Halo Reach's Spartans were created

The Halo Reach beta is going to be massive, and so it seems will be the marketing push behind it. Microsoft has just announced that a new live-action short 'Birth of a Spartan' will be shown on Sky tonight.

While we don't normally report on TV ads, this one sounds much more interesting than usual. It's set to give us a detailed account of the Spartan creation programme, something only previously referenced in Halo Legends and the Halo novelisations.

Carter 259 is the young man selected for bio-augmentation and the terrifying job of battling the Covenant on Reach. Apparently it's being directed by award-winning film maker Noam Murro - and no, we haven't heard of him either.

If you want to catch the short, it's being aired on Sky Sports 2 at the full time whistle of the Lyon and Bayern Munich Champions League match. If you hate football, you can also catch it at the game's official site from 5am that day.