http://xbox.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/halo-reach-vidoc-carnage-carnivale-plus-a-3d-screenshot/

after watching that I'm definitely considering finding a copy of ODST to play the beta... does ODST work like you just have to have the game to start the beta? or is there a code to download it in the box and buying it used will get me nothing?

this will be a real sweet game

4/22/2010 2:42:01 PM

^ There is no code. Buying a used copy will get you into the Beta.

Basically, you put the Campaign disc in and there will be a menu item at the bottom that lets you download the beta. After that, you just select that menu item again to launch it.

You still have to launch the beta from the ODST campaign disc even after you have downloaded it, so renting or borrowing the disc will only work if you hold onto it for the duration of the beta (or as long as you want to play. It should last 3-4 weeks.)

4/22/2010 3:07:19 PM

30 bucks at amazon, free shipping

4/22/2010 3:13:43 PM

stockpile/headhunter looks like good fun. i dont know how i feel about the class system with pre-game loadouts though.

4/22/2010 3:30:33 PM

Quote :

" i dont know how i feel about the class system with pre-game loadouts though. "

ERRONEOUS.

This isn't like Call of Duty's loadout system at all. The player only gets at max 5 preset loadouts to pick from (and only 1 or 2 if it is a competitive game).

There is nothing to unlock, and you can pick a new loadout every time you die.

It's not a class system, it's just picking which Armor Ability you want to spawn with. Everything else is equal. (Sometimes picking certain Armor Abilities will change which gun you spawn with, but these loadouts are always set by the gametype, not the player.)

4/22/2010 4:03:26 PM

I think the jetpack is going to be used by everyone at first to check it out

but eventually the good players will find the other armors more useful and delight in picking the noobs still using it out of the sky like clay pigeons

4/22/2010 4:07:41 PM

Depends on the map. Jetpack sounds very useful for getting around Sword Base.
It will probably be great for sneaking into enemy bases to steal the flag.

The fact that you can change after every death means you can always pick the best armor ability for the current situation.

4/22/2010 4:25:20 PM

They said its very loud so I don't know how much sneaking you can do

It may sound like a low flying jet engine

4/22/2010 4:31:55 PM

Quote :

"It's not a class system, it's just picking which Armor Ability you want to spawn with. Everything else is equal. (Sometimes picking certain Armor Abilities will change which gun you spawn with, but these loadouts are always set by the gametype, not the player.)"

I don't get how thats not a class system if you have certain types of armor with certain guns. that's the definition of a class system.

4/22/2010 4:32:26 PM

"Class System" conjures up things like Recon, Engineer, Assault.

I think of those in terms of Battlefield, where if you choose the Engineer class you spawn with an SMG, a rocket launcher, and a repair tool. If you want to use a sniper rifle you have to pick up the entire Recon kit and will lose the rocket launcher and repair tool.

This Loadout system doesn't seem to group players into different classes. You're all using the same player model and can all pick up the same weapons. Anyone can grab the sniper rifle.

Most slayer games will have every loadout start with the Assault Rifle and the Magnum. The only difference between players will be whether they want sprint, camo, armor lock, or the jetpack.

That's how I see it, at least. It's just semantics what you want to call the system. I just associate the term "Class Based" with something that forces players into a specific role.

4/22/2010 4:51:29 PM

Quote :

"Most slayer games will have every loadout start with the Assault Rifle and the Magnum. The only difference between players will be whether they want sprint, camo, armor lock, or the jetpack"

even still, i don't know how i feel about that. i don't like that people can start out invisible if they want. i liked how they have done it in the past where you have to pick them up like any other weapon

4/22/2010 5:21:59 PM

I'd rather people be able to choose to start invisble, flying, etc. then the same choreographed mad dash for the powerups thats taken place in every level of every Halo game to date

4/22/2010 5:25:07 PM

From http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/04/refined-polished-punishing-ars-plays-halo-reach-multi.ars/

The low down on Load Outs:

From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvDta8m5y58&feature=player_embedded, the Load Out is Armor Perk + Weapon Load outs. It changes your armor ability and what weapons you bring to the battle field.

Quote :

"Certain game modes will ask you to choose from a selection of armor powers, which come with a set loadout when you spawn. You'll still be able to pick up any weapon in the battlefield, but these powers will affect your strategy and give you some advantages in certain situations. The jetpack ... You have a limited amount of thrust, and you can take falling damage if you fly too high and don't have the energy left to break your fall. Spartans can also take the Sprint ability, which is simply a flat run to increase your speed, while taking away your ability to shoot. The Elites can take the Evade power, which allows them to dodge and roll away from attacks, just like they do in the single-player game.... Active Camo is now an Armor Ability as well, giving the player a limited time to be less visible. Standing completely still makes you completely invisible, while walking, running, and shooting makes you easier to pick out. Armor Lock is an interesting ability: when activated the Spartan crouches and becomes completely invincible, but cannot shoot or move. ... if you stay down for long enough, you throw off an EMP charge when you get up, killing the shields of nearby enemies You choose your Armor Power when you spawn, and can change from one to the other as many times as you'd like in a single round. Don't worry: there are still plenty of game modes that don't allow these powers if you like a more classical experience. Each game mode offers different loadouts, with a combination of weapons and Armor Abilities to choose from, and those will be specific to different game modes and maps. In the final version you may also be able to customize these yourself."

Invasion sounds sweet, although I can already hear people bitching about how the Spartan and Elite models are unbalanced.

Quote :

"The largest change in the multiplayer of Halo: Reach is the Invasion game mode. Maps with multiple objectives, played with Spartans against the Elites, will make this mode a hit among fans of a more tactical and team-based experience. The map we played was Boneyard, a large graveyard for decommissioned ships. The Elites have to climb onto a vessel being held by the Spartans, and stand inside set areas for twenty seconds to unlock the next area. The second area features vehicles, upping the scale of the battle, and each progressive step allows both sides to choose from more powerful loadouts and Armor Abilities. Stand in the highlighted section to take control of that area, finally getting access to the power core After opening the second set of doors, the Elites have to steal a power core and walk it to an extraction point to win. At this point in the round there will be Scorpion tanks and Wraiths fighting; there is a Warthog available, as well as Ghosts, and all the loadouts are available. The last push, with the Elite running the power core to safety, can be incredibly chaotic, and team play is essential to win. The round ends either when time runs out or the Elites steal the power core, and then roles are reversed."

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 7:09 PM. Reason : wtf at Armor Lock]

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 7:09 PM. Reason : oops]

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 7:12 PM. Reason : load out vid]

[Edited on April 22, 2010 at 7:12 PM. Reason : lkj]

4/22/2010 7:07:42 PM

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/press/2010/0422-haloreacheditions.htm

info on the limited and legendary editions of reach. I'm going to at least get the limited edition, just because I've gotten the limited edition of H3 and HW and liked what it got me

4/24/2010 8:25:19 PM

armor lock seems OP

4/24/2010 10:11:57 PM

Hopefully they put some sort of additional penalty on armor lock... like you become extra-vulnerable (slow moving, or take more damage, or something) once you de-activate it... at the very least, I'm sure they're aware enough to keep it from being spammable.

Also, don't like the idea of spartans vs elites at all, especially since they have different abilities... I didn't read all of it, but I hope they include a competitive mode in which everyone is the same race... or even a round-based system in which sides/races switch every game. Imbalance is just fine for social play, but in a competitive ranking system (if they'll even have one... probably, given the relationship with MLG), players will demand balance.

[Edited on April 24, 2010 at 11:11 PM. Reason : .]

4/24/2010 11:03:43 PM

^watch the video on Xbox Live about Halo Reach. They're going to have an Arena system that will be ultra competitive.

armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP armor lock seems OP

Seriously, god damn. I can see slow moving after Armor lock being logical, but then again none of the other armor systems have that bad of a penalty. They all have their advantages to counteract an Armor Lock. Jet Pack flies above to a better attacking position, Camo goes invis, Sprint can get away to reset their ambush. I'm sure it will have a 'rock-paper-scissors' feel to it.

But yes, right now I can see Armor Lock being OP and severely abuse-able.

4/25/2010 12:26:11 AM

Armor lock is probably the ability I will use the least.

It doesn't activate immediately when you push the button, it takes a half second for you to be invincible.

You can't move or shoot at all, so the other guy just has to line up a headshot and wait for your invincibility to run out. There's a second afterwards where you aren't invincible but still can't move or shoot.

Seriously, Armor Lock is probably going to be underpowered if anything. I can't wait to grab some plasma grenades and watch some idiot go into Lock. As soon as he pops out I'll stick him and get the kill.

4/25/2010 12:33:36 AM

I think Camo is gonna be the one I end up using most.

4/25/2010 1:40:54 AM

Just got someone to buy me ODST just for the halo reach beta haha.

4/26/2010 1:59:57 AM

ODST can still provide some fun online with all the sandbox maps

4/26/2010 10:33:45 AM

http://www.co-optimus.com/article/3841/halo-reach-s-quot-birth-of-a-spartan-quot-unveils-carter-259.html

live action trailer, aired last night during "V"

very short clip, but i'm assuming there will be more like this.

4/28/2010 8:36:54 AM

pretty damn awesome. i loved the odst ones like this as well. i would love to see a movie if it was like these clips.

4/28/2010 11:08:06 AM

What the hell, Spartans are supposed to be like 8 feet tall, right?

4/28/2010 11:44:43 AM

Yeah, in their suits

No 8 foot tall human would have any coordianation

See every NBA player over like 7'4"

4/28/2010 11:52:21 AM

No, they're much bigger, more coordinated and more powerful even without the armor, thanks to all the biological and cybernetic upgrades they had (according to the books and all). The armor just makes everything more pronounced.

4/28/2010 11:58:14 AM

Well it is 500 years in the future so I'll give them some leeway there

4/28/2010 12:06:45 PM

Full length trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsMmoCB78oM

Not to show my inner nerd too much, but Master chief is a spartan II, the guy in Reach is a spartan III. 2's are the 7 foot giants, 3's are bigger than humans but still smaller and cheaper than a spartan 2.

4/28/2010 12:16:34 PM

Spartan II's are still only like 7 feet without the armor.

4/28/2010 7:14:36 PM

Yeah Spartan III's are supposed to be the generic brand of the Spartan IIs. Much cheaper/faster to produce and therefore much more expendable. There'll actually only be one Spartan II on Bravo team and he's the guy you see carrying around the turret guns.

4/29/2010 8:43:35 AM

I always envisioned what's under the armor as more like Robocop or maybe even Darth Vader. I figured it was more machine than man. Still, I'm becoming more excited about the game with each clip of in-game footage I see.

4/29/2010 2:49:22 PM

http://www.justin.tv/tashi23#r=qW6COd4~

some guys playing the halo reach beta

edit: just started but looks pretty fun.

here's another one.

http://www.justin.tv/tiedtheleader#r=qW6COd4~

the 2nd guy is actually using more weapons. grenade launcher looks sweet. the whole game looks niceeee

[Edited on April 29, 2010 at 3:27 PM. Reason : .]

4/29/2010 3:16:47 PM

We should start a roster for whenever it comes out next week

It will never duplicate the success of The White Warriors for Call of Duty

but maybe it can be a poor man's version of that


TWW Name - Gamertag

Slave Famous - Squadoosh

4/29/2010 3:32:39 PM

i wont be online again till mid-august

but


TWW Name - Gamertag

Slave Famous - Squadoosh
Agent 0 - BulletsForever

4/29/2010 3:34:33 PM

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
Slave Famous - Squadoosh

keeping it alphabetized from the start.

[Edited on April 29, 2010 at 3:38 PM. Reason : .]

4/29/2010 3:38:09 PM

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
Golovko - ktk Golovko
Slave Famous - Squadoosh

keeping it alphabetized

4/29/2010 3:43:36 PM

keeping it alphabetical

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
Golovko - ktk Golovko
Slave Famous - Squadoosh
ThePeter - Raep Seed

4/29/2010 5:07:12 PM

add chronic narnia

4/29/2010 5:10:32 PM

and th3federali

4/29/2010 6:59:09 PM

add Golovko too because my copy/paste is broken

4/29/2010 7:07:22 PM

Here is the Reach beta is action, I wnder how in the hell he got this shit

http://www.justin.tv/hotbloodedgaming#r=V2ql620~

4/29/2010 9:27:58 PM

friends and family of bungie got invites. and there's a few codes that have been sent out online i believe

4/29/2010 9:29:07 PM

Oh OK. If some gets an extra code or direct me to get one that would be awesome, I need one for my homie so he can play it with me. In fact I need two codes so our other homie can play with us as well.

4/29/2010 9:46:33 PM

Just found the ODST/Forza 3 combo on Amazon Marketplace for $34 total...hopefully this guy doesnt take forever to ship it.

4/29/2010 10:18:44 PM

keeping it alphabetical

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
federal - th3federali
Golovko - ktk Golovko
guitarguy - chronic narnia
rtc407 - yfeah
Slave Famous - Squadoosh
ThePeter - Raep Seed

4/29/2010 11:06:26 PM

This game takes getting used to. My first couple games I was getting owned.

You really have to understand how different the melee system is.

Learning the levels doesn't take too long, but until you do it's tough.

You can't jump nearly as high as you used to, but the levels are designed to account for that.

It's fun! Once I got the hang of it I was having a blast.

4/29/2010 11:26:31 PM

keeping it alphabetical

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
BigEgo - Thunder Pack
federal - th3federali
Golovko - ktk Golovko
guitarguy - chronic narnia
rtc407 - yfeah
Slave Famous - Squadoosh
ThePeter - Raep Seed

4/29/2010 11:38:26 PM

keeping it alphabetical

TWW Name - Gamertag

aaronian - sirleche
Agent 0 - BulletsForever
BigEgo - Thunder Pack
federal - th3federali
FriendlyFire - General Shatton
Golovko - ktk Golovko
guitarguy - chronic narnia
rtc407 - yfeah
Slave Famous - Squadoosh
ThePeter - Raep Seed

4/30/2010 12:00:06 AM

i will not be playing this

the demo videos don't get me all hyped up. i'm just not into any FPSes that aren't modern or reality based. i can't deal with the team fortresses, bioshock-types, or the futuristic halo types. hope you fags have fun with this sucks the mw2 team will be broken up over this haha

4/30/2010 3:32:07 AM

the most farfetched thing in the halo universe is the wraith IMO.

4/30/2010 3:42:55 AM