First Look: Halo Reach Beta

As many of you know, yesterday (March 3rd) is the first day of the Halo Reach Beta for all of you that already own Halo 3: ODST. First of all, the beta is a staggering 1.31 GB (or thereabouts) and even with a fast connection will take about 5-10 minutes. If you have a super slow connection or one that is notoriously glitchy, let me tell you right now that you should just set up the download and go eat dinner or something. It’ll take to up to a half hour sometimes. The big thing to remember is that since you’re using the ODST disc, you have to keep the download screen up because if you close it, the system will think that you mean to play ODST and not continue your download. Once the download is done, you’ll find a very nice welcoming screen. You’ll get the chance to

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Bungie Enters 10-Year Partnership with Activision Blizzard

Only three years since splitting off from Microsoft in 2007, Bungie (makers of Halo, Myth and Marathon) have entered a 10-year exclusive partnership with Activision (hot off the heels of the whole Infinity Ward fiasco) for their next action game universe. Under this agreement, Activision gets worldwide publishing rights for all future Bungie games based on this new intellectual property. Games like Halo that Bungie owned already will still be their property. The only stuff Activision gets to keep is the new stuff. “We chose to partner with Activision on our next IP because of their global reach, multi-platform experience and marketing expertise,” said Harold Ryan, President of Bungie, in a press release this morning. “From working together over the past nine months on this agreement, it is clear that Activision supports our commitment to giving our fans the best possible gaming experiences.” Activision expects this partnership to become very

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New Motion Comic on Waypoint this Saturday

This Saturday a brand new motion comic comes to Halo Waypoint. The comic is based on “The Return” from Tor Books’ Halo Evolutions anthology. It will be premiering this Saturday, April 3. Here is a summary of “The Return”: “The Return” follows a lone Elite Shipmaster upon his return to a human planet he had glassed during the Human/Covenant War, and his reflection on his actions and their meaning in a post war galaxy. One of the first stories to be told in the Halo universe post-Halo 3, “The Return” was written by Kevin Grace, Managing Editor for 343 Industries, and is illustrated , directed and produced by ONE, the talented artist behind the Waypoint-favorite “Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian” motion comic. Maybe you haven’t visited Halo Waypoint in awhile, but they have released a schedule that gives you reasons to come back. Monday – 3/29 • Spotlight: Lord

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March Multiplayer Madness Trailer for “Halo: Reach”

Sure, the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta doesn’t open until May 3, but guess what? Bungie’s letting you have a look right now! The very first video from the alpha build, entitled “March Multiplayer Madness,” is our very first look at multiplayer. As a reminder, players will be able to access the beta, which launches in just two months, through “Halo 3: ODST.” “Halo: Reach” is being published by Microsoft and launches in autumn 2010 exclusively on Xbox 360. The “March Multiplayer Madness” video is available now on Xbox LIVE….or you can just look below. Video Games | Halo: Reach | Multiplayer Beta Trailer XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

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Guest Preview – Halo: Reach

For movies, it’s Star Wars. For books, it’s Harry Potter. And when it comes to the monster epic series for gaming, it’s hard to argue that Halo doesn’t stand alone. Quite simply, there’s no other IP with the expanse of titles and updates as the Halo universe. Add in the soundtracks, novels, comics, action figures and other Halo-related merchandise and arguably only George Lucas could possibly grock the kind of fan frenzy that a new Halo game can garner. Title: Halo: Reach Developer: Bungie Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Release date: 2010 At X10 in San Francisco last week, Bungie Studios announced Halo: Reach, the latest addition to the Halo universe, would open its multiplayer beta on May 3. No word as to when the full title will officially release, but that didn’t stop Bungie community and PR director Brian Jarrard from showing off the pre-alpha build and giving us an

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First footage of Halo: Reach shown at VGAs

The Spike VGAs were mostly new trailers and reveals with some awards scattered in there. One of the trailers we saw was for the new Halo: Reach. We’ve previously had zero information on Halo:Reach so it was nice seeing a trailer for the anticipated prequel to the Halo trilogy. The trailer is from the game’s opening cinematic and introduces the audience to the Noble Team – a squad of battle-hardened Spartan Soldiers. Halo: Reach is launching in Fall of 2010 for the Xbox 360. The multiplayer beta will be in the spring which gamers can only be a part of if they pick up Halo 3: ODST. Video Games | Spike TV VGAs 2009 | Halo: Reach Exclusive In-Engine Debut XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

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New Halo Waypoint Content and information

Thanks to the awesome community manager at Halo Waypoint, we have new information about the upcoming destination! Halo Waypoint launches on November 5 for fans to access “all things Halo”. Launched from 343 Industries and Certain Affinity, Halo Waypoint will have news and activities as well as new content. Halo Waypoint will give Halo gamers a career system tied to in-game accomplishments across multiple Halo games. The career tracking will include Halo 3: ODST, Halo 3, Halo Wars and all Game Add-on content for those titles at launch. Halo Waypoint will also showcase previews of Halo Legends, the anime anthology, starting November 7. Halo Waypoint will be available to Xbox Live Silver members only for a short time! The trial runs until November 26, after that it will be only available to Gold subscribers. Below is a video that is a walkthrough of Halo Waypoint’s interface and features:

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Halo 3 ODST sells 2.5 m

Amongst some controversy about whether or not Halo 3: ODST should have been a full priced game, it has sold 2.5m units worldwide since it’s launch. USA Today has the sales amounting $125m in revenues. “We have a plan [for the Halo franchise] that goes out at least six years,” 343 Industries’ Frank O’Connor stated. “Eventually, it will become very apparent that there is a plan for the way the canon all ties together and the way the comic books and the novels all tie together.”

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GamingAngels Play Halo 3 This Sunday

GamingAngels invites you to join us and the GamerBeauties on Sunday night for some Halo 3 action as part of our 4 year anniversary. The prize closet has been stocked and there are some goodies to give out to random people who join us. We’ll be starting up at 7pm Eastern/4pm Pacific, playing various multiplayer maps. Check this post for updates & GamerTags. GamerTags: GamingAngel, KrystalineDream, xCHICKAMUNGUSx, GB Uncertain, Paizle, Rawr Its Nicole, GB GunPwdrNLace

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Halo fans may want this 1:2 scale bust of Master Chief

One2One Collectibles has announced the release of a 1:2 scale bust of Halo Master Chief. The bust will be available in late October and the company is taking pre-orders now. The bust is 1:2 scale because it stands 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide. They will also be releasing more busts of other Halo characters in the future. Which may make this irresistible to collectors. The busts are hand painted and are limited to 650 units. You can find more information on the bust at one2onecollectibles.com. the bust is $224.99.

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