Halo: ODST (Live Action Trailer)

Guys I know I've been saying how I would prefer a Halo movie to be CGI and not live action. But and that's a big but, if that live aciton movie looked like this I would be totally in. The trailer shows a few ODST soldiers getting into the heat of battle and fighting off the covenant. It is simply amazing, Microsoft and Bungie certainly know how to market their mega blockbuster franchise. Enjoy!

Halo 10 year anniversary

Today is Tuesday July 21th 2009 and you know what that means? It means it's the 10 year anniversary since Halo was announced at Macworld 1999. This was before Microsoft even owned Bungie. Steve Jobs announced that Halo would be the game to put Mac gaming back on the map using the OpenGL platform. Microsoft announced that it bought Bungie on June 19th 2000. Then a little over a year later on November 15th 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved hit consoles changing the view on console shooters forever.

It's hard to think that Halo has been with us for so long. I remember going with my mom to buy a bundle on day one from Toys R' Us. The bundle didn't come with Halo so I returned two of the games and got Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee and Halo: Combat Evolved. I always liked games but I don't think I officially became a "hardcore" gamer until Halo came out. So even if the Halo franchise isn't the pinnacle of gaming the way it once was it will always be a part of my life as a gamer. Thank you Bungie :)

Geeksquisite Gaming Diary 6/30/09: Halo Figurines

Ed shows off his unexpectedly growing Halo Figurine collection.

Halo Reach to be Natal Compatible

WHAT!

The idea of a Halo game in cooperation with Natal seems kinda cool with all the ideas people have, chucking grenades like you really are. Crouching to avoid shots would be cool too.

But geez, would they program all of the moves into Natal? That is what I am worried about.

But hey this also means that Natal is going to be released no later than the fall of 2010, but I suspect it will come out sooner. Maybe Spring if we're lucky, and I've got to say there is indeed no better way to kick Natal forward than with a Halo title. But, that hasn't always been the case, Bungie must have been experimenting with Natal for a while now, idk if they did before the announcement of Natal but I wouldn't doubt they had an early look.

Gamestop unveils Halo ODST Exclusive

Gamestop Offer

Gamestop is offering a nice package for those pre-ordering Halo ODST to order from them, in return you will get a controller, a code to play Sgt. Johnson in firefight, the game and the beta code. Wait....PLAY SGT. JOHNSON IN ODST!

This will probably appeal to many hardcore Halo fans, I am one of those people. But to put this in an economic perspective the price tag for this pre-order is a 100 bucks. People are already up in arms about the price of Halo ODST at 60-65 dollars, getting a code for the Reach multiplayer beta was a nice "cushion" among other things to make people believe it's worth full retail. And I won't be stopped by price to get ODST, but the Gamestop deal I'm probably going to pass.

I have three controllers, and while I could use a fourth controller while making machinima, I'll pass. Being able to playing Sgt. Johnson makes me envious nonetheless, but the killer for me is that Project Natal is replacing the controller for about 30 percent of your controllers functions. Only time will tell if it replaces a handheld controller more, but with the rumors of a new console as well I'm not in the mood to hold four controllers for a possibly obsolete console.

But should anyone take this deal, its a sweet deal to be sure. The controller looks sick :D, and being able to play Johnson is pretty awesome. It's kinda funny though, because I kept talking to Rob saying "where does he fit into ODST?" since ODST's trailer clearly shows it takes place after Regret left Earth in Halo 2. And Johnson went with the chief after Regret, but since this is in firefight it makes sense now. But to be able to play only in firefight? meh it's not much for me.

So since an Xbox controller costs about 40 bucks, and this one is special. Your not really paying for the Sgt. Johnson extra, so it's a nice deal. It's not for me, but if you don't have more than two controllers, I recommend it.

Halo: ODST Impressions

When we got a first look at Halo ODST at Microsoft E3, I was a bit skeptical when all of us saw the ODST Shock Troops with Recon and ODST Helmets, those helmets looked silly on the soldiers since i'm used to seeing full spartan armor going with it. I also was hunting to hear Nathan Fillion's voice (being a fan) since he's playing the captain in ODST. Anyway onto impressions...

First of all, Joseph Staten delivered on a fanfare by showing that the "power" of the M6D pistol from Halo: Combat Evolved is back! yes it was stronger than a pistol should be but we loved using it and we finally get it back. No Zoom? either they didn't show it or it made it too strong but that's not too bad. At least we get the power of the M6D slugs back. 

You know how Master Chief didn't really talk? so the ones around him weren't ready to engage in conversations. Well since your playing a rookie marine, I expect some more dialogue in gameplay, bungie had some good dialogue in Halo 3. So I'm betting there are some funny moments coming for us. 

Also, the HUD is different as T.J noticed before I did. But then again it's expected when you aren't a Spartan this time around. 

One of the biggest things finally answered for me was the timeline. Halo ODST comes before Halo 3, but exactly when was not specified until now. At the start of the trailer you see the Prophet of Regret's ship going through slipspace over New Mombasa, you would of thought from the way they handled that in Halo 2 that New Mombasa was destroyed. Nope.

The Gritty, technological future of New Mombasa excited me for the little I got to see, but it looks like you'll tour the city fighting the covenant. Which is great, because when they showed the Halo 2 demo, we got to see the city. We wanted to tour the city ourselves but it never came to be in Halo 2 or Halo 3. But now we shall have that chance. 

One of the things i'm concerned about is, once again, you're not a spartan. So I hope they take the idea that marines might have a harder time against brutes, elites and various covenant. 

Otherwise, can't wait for Halo ODST.