According to Bungie's latest stats, you and about 2,533,978 of your closest friends have already cooperatively played through 47,000,000 online games.
"Some new numbers made it out onto the interweb this week that chart the sales progress of our latest little title, Halo 3: ODST. Word is that it's already reached a tremendously stupendous tally of 2.5 million copies sold. When Miller said it was dropping into all stores, everywhere, turns out he wasn't kidding around.
According to our online stats page, you and about 2,533,978 of your closest friends have already cooperatively chewed though a thoroughly frightening forty seven million online games. You've collectively banded together to purge the galaxy of over one billion Brutes and over 1.5 billion Grunts. You, dear friends, are a freakishly-focused and digitally genocidal conglomeration of alien exterminatin' maniacs. The Covenant ain't got nothin' on you. We're just glad that you're on our side.
We're also glad you're playing. Great news like this reminds the hardworking men and ladies on the Bungie team why they do what they do. Thanks for picking up our game."
The guys over at Games.On have just published a interview with Modern Warfare 2's lead multiplayer designer Todd Alderman in which he talks about bringing Halo 3 like video sharing options to MW2 as DLC amongst a lot of other matchmaking, default class and other information.
Modern Warfare 2 is undisputedly the most anticipated game of 2009. We were lucky enough to get an invite to Hollywood, Los Angeles, to get some hands-on time with the multiplayer half of the game, where we caught up with lead designer Todd Alderman. As expected, the online part of the game is amazing: a true evolution of what we experienced in the original and without a doubt the must-own frag-fest of the year. We hit Todd up with a few questions about matchmaking, Aussie lag issues and video sharing. Here is what he had to say.
games.on.net: So, this is your baby? I’ve just been playing the hell out of it, it’s awesome!
Todd Alderman: Yes it is my baby, and thank you.
games.on.net: I have a concern though about the disparity between gamers that are about to play for the first time versus those that have levelled through the unlock system. With all these new features how do you ensure newcomers can come in and be competitive and not just be the cannon-fodder for dudes with red-dot sights and all the perks?
TA: The first way we do it is by ensuring the matchmaking system is good. When we matchmake, we match you with players of your skill. So when it is your first time playing online you will be playing against people who, for the most part, are enjoying their first online game as well. We try to find people who are like you.
Another thing we do is give the default classes a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t normally unlock until later. So every default class is a super pro version of that class. They are simply there so you can compete and have things that other people have, but which you might not get for a while in the create-a-class option. You can use these to level-up. For example, one of the classes has the new Tactical Insertion equipment option (a brilliant new device that allows you to mark your next spawn point) which you do not unlock for a while, but new players can experience it straight away.
You might not know what it is at first, but when you see guys spawning all over the place you’ll start wondering, ‘why does that guy get to spawn wherever he wants, that’s not fair, how did he get that?’ That is definitely a big change we’ve made from the last game: everything that was in the default class last game is unlocked as you progress this game. We actually went to our resident pro players that are really, really good and gathered this great information. They told us what they used and why they used it, and helped us define which default class load-out would work best across all game rules.
Click the read more link if you are on the 360-HQ homepage to view the entire interview from games.on
So there you have it gamers, from the horse’s mouth. It’s particularly interesting that a video sharing feature may be added via DLC down the track. While the lack of an option to region select is worrying, Infinity Ward believe their new matchmaking will make this a non-issue, and hopefully their Aussie employee will raise the alarm if necessary. Later on in the game session we managed to catch up with the networking lead for a casual chat about many things including the X Server, and he expressed enthusiasm about looking into it as a possible option for territories like Australia. We’ll keep you updated if we hear anything more.
Here is the latest report on Xbox 360 LIVE Activity for the week of September 21st, 2008. This includes Xbox Live & 360-HQ Xbox Live statistics combined.
Where we can, we will also display our own list of most played games on XBOX LIVE as tracked by the 360-HQ.com website with all LIVE Activity news..:)
The 360-HQ Xbox LIVE top 10 list is compiled automatically by our the HQ server which tracks each and every gamercard on our site and what game they are playing or have played most recently.
The list below are statistics from XBOX LIVE itself.. Read on..:)
Xbox 360 Top Live Titles
1. Halo 3
2. Halo 3: ODST
3. Call of Duty 4
4. Call of Duty: WaW
5. Gears of War 2
6. Forza 3 Demo (Download the demo)
7. Madden NFL 10 (Download the demo)
8. GTA IV
9. FIFA Soccer 10 Demo (Download the demo)
10. FIFA 09
The above arcade list is based on full versions purchased.
As always for more of the latest gaming info, screenshots, trailers & videos, cheats and much more check back to our site or download and install our FREE 360-HQ toolbar for Internet Explorer, Firefox and most other browsers..
TGS09: 'Project Natal' Awakens Imagination of Video-Game Industry - Here is the latest Project Natal Press Release from TGS09.
Xbox 360 today announced widespread enthusiasm from the world's leading video-game publishers for "Project Natal," a whole new way to play -- no controller required. Developers across the globe have embraced the technology and have begun work on titles that will deliver extraordinary entertainment experiences for everyone to enjoy. Coming just three months after "Project Natal" was unveiled at E3, the announcements at the Tokyo Game Show underscore the swift industry support for the revolutionary controller-free experiences being developed exclusively for Xbox 360, the premier games and entertainment system.
Among the elite publishers actively working on games for "Project Natal" are Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, CAPCOM, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami, MTV Games, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ Inc. and Ubisoft. Together, these publishers account for more than 70 percent of third-party software sales for this generation of console and most of the world's most recognized video game franchises.
"'Project Natal' gives the industry's creators and storytellers the freedom to dream of new experiences and to tell stories never before possible," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "The support of these creative partners testifies to the excitement that 'Project Natal' is generating among the most innovative minds in the industry, and is proof that Xbox 360 not only offers the best games and entertainment today, but will lead with innovation and new ways to have fun in the future."
Further details of publishers' new "Project Natal"-inspired projects will be released at a later date.
Underscoring the widespread enthusiasm for "Project Natal" among the industry's top creative forces, Xbox 360 is hosting a high-powered panel at the Tokyo Game Show featuring three acclaimed Japanese industry luminaries: CAPCOM's Keiji Inafune, creator of "Mega Man" and "Dead Rising," Sega's Toshihiro Nagoshi, creator of "Super Monkey Ball," and Konami's Hideo Kojima, creator of the "Metal Gear Solid" series. The three developers will discuss the possibilities for the groundbreaking new experiences that can only be achieved with "Project Natal."
Unveiled for the first time in June, "Project Natal" is a code name for a whole new way to play. Combining an RGB camera, depth sensor and multi-array microphone running proprietary software, "Project Natal" enables gamers to play in a natural and inviting new way, free from the boundaries of a controller through the use of sight, sound and motion.
Publishers, who received development kits from Microsoft in early June, used the opening of the Tokyo Game Show to voice their excitement about "Project Natal."
"Microsoft 'Project Natal' could fundamentally change the way players experience sports games," said EA Sports President Peter Moore. "At EA, some of our top development teams are experimenting with these tools with the goal of delivering a completely fresh take on genres like sports and racing."
"Activision is encouraged by the innovation that Project Natal will bring to the industry and how it can transform consumers' video games experience. We have development teams working on Project Natal development kits to explore the creative possibilities this new technology affords," said Dusty Welch, senior vice president and head of Publishing at Activision/Blizzard.
"I strongly feel that 'Project Natal' will expand the possibilities of gaming. It's yet another component that adds to the appeal of Xbox 360 and demonstrates to users the broad level of entertainment it provides," said Keiji Inafune, managing corporate officer and head of Research & Development Management Group at CAPCOM. "Personally, I too am extremely excited about 'Project Natal.' It's really going to stir up our creative spirits. I think it's going to bring new ways to play and new surprises to Xbox 360 fans and help further the development of completely original content. 'Project Natal' is definitely something people should look out for."
"Ubisoft sees enormous opportunities with 'Project Natal.' With the 3-D camera, your body can become the interface," said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer of Ubisoft. "Any barrier related to the use of pad controllers that may have existed for potential gamers is now abolished. Ubisoft is already taking advantage of this major evolution to design new types of gaming experiences and attract more people to play video games."
In addition to the broad industry support, Microsoft Game Studios is busy at work creating a diverse slate of experiences that will appeal to a wide variety of entertainment interests.
"'Project Natal' is enabling our team of developers to create experiences we couldn't have accomplished before," said Phil Spencer, corporate vice president, Microsoft Game Studios. "Microsoft Game Studios will help lead the way in bringing 'Project Natal' to life."
While laying the foundation for tomorrow with "Project Natal," Xbox 360 remains the premier device for home entertainment today. Hot new titles for Xbox LIVE Arcade were also unveiled at the Tokyo Game Show, including "Toy Soldiers," "Snoopy Flying Ace," "Bomberman Live: Battlefest" and "RayStormHD," positioning Xbox LIVE Arcade as the premier destination to enjoy the most innovative downloadable games.
Xbox 360 is also set to deliver the best new gaming, entertainment and social experiences for consumers this fall. Not only is Xbox 360 home to the most-anticipated exclusive games such as "Halo 3: ODST," "Forza Motorsport 3," "Left 4 Dead 2," and new content from Rockstar Games including the Xbox retail exclusive "Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City" featuring "The Ballad of Gay Tony," which will also be available for download over Xbox LIVE, it will also be the only place to watch instant-on HD in 1080p1 with Zune video, and listen to personalized streaming radio right in the living room with Last.fm on Xbox LIVE. And with new social experiences custom-made for the television, Xbox LIVE continues to offer the most ways of any console to connect and share with friends and family on Facebook, and post tweets on Twitter.2
Additional information about Xbox 360 at the Tokyo Game Show can be found at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/press/2009/tgs.
“Halo 3: ODST” Releases Worldwide, Marking Bold New Chapter for Critically Acclaimed “Halo” Franchise.
The latest addition to the blockbuster Xbox 360 series delights fans and critics alike with a gripping new story and riveting cooperative multiplayer gameplay
The wait is finally over. Today, a new chapter in the legendary “Halo” saga opens up with the highly anticipated launch of “Halo 3: ODST.” After finishing the fight with Master Chief in “Halo 3,” players now have the opportunity to take a step back in time and experience the “Halo” universe from a whole new perspective.
Last night, more than 7,000 retail stores in the United States and a host of retailers in other countries opened their doors at midnight to usher in a flood of fans who sought to be the first to play the critically acclaimed title. Launch festivities were capped off with a “Halo” franchise celebration at the Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, where Bungie and 343 Industries luminaries were on hand to meet and greet fans and celebrate the launch together.
Xbox 360 exclusive “Halo 3: ODST” is already winning critical acclaim from the nation’s top media outlets. Here’s what they are saying about the game:
“The best Halo game yet,” and “An action-packed thrill ride from start to finish.”
--Game Pro
“It's part Blade Runner, part Saving Private Ryan, and yet in the end it's still definitely Halo.”
--1UP.com
“ODST is simply an excellent game.”
--G4TV’s X-Play
With “Halo 3: ODST,” developer Bungie takes the “Halo” franchise into all new territory. Players are put in the boots of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, some of the toughest and bravest soldiers of the UNSC. Players must search for clues to find out what happened to their squad when a drop into the city of New Mombosa goes wrong, and discover the secret behind the Covenant’s interest in the city.
In addition to a full-fledged campaign, “Halo 3: ODST” introduces Firefight, a new cooperative multiplayer mode where up to four players battle waves of unrelenting Covenant onslaughts. The game also introduces three new “Halo 3” competitive multiplayer maps and contains the complete, standalone “Halo 3” multiplayer experience on a second disc. “Halo 3: ODST” will also act as a key to entry into the “Halo: Reach” multiplayer beta at a later date.
The “Halo” franchise is an award-winning collection of properties that have grown into a global entertainment phenomenon. Beginning with the original “Halo: Combat Evolved” for Xbox in 2001, the rich fiction of the franchise has since inspired a series of blockbuster Xbox and Xbox 360 video games, New York Times best-selling novels, comic books, action figures, apparel and more.
Published by Microsoft Game Studios, the “Halo” franchise of games is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the games are optimized for the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network. To date, more than 27 million copies of “Halo” games have been sold worldwide, driving more than 2 billion hours of gameplay by people connected to Xbox LIVE.
To keep abreast of the latest “Halo” news, follow the Halo Waypoint Twitter @HaloWaypoint. You can also learn more by visiting the Halo Waypoint page at http://www.facebook.com/HaloWaypoint. For more information about Bungie, visit www.bungie.net.
Calling all HALO fans found in the UK and in to all things HALO like ODST, seem you guys and girls will be getting a peek at what all this new game will have to offer by way of the FX channel so be sure to tune in.
The Microsoft MEDIA ALERT reads as follows: Xbox 360 Unleashes the full force of Halo 3: ODST in a stunning live-action, feature-length TV spot
Fans to get their first glimpse of incredible Halo 3: ODST live action footage exclusively in the UK on the FX Channel tonight
Xbox 360 today is thrilled to announce that to celebrate the impending launch of Halo 3: ODST, the full length version of the Halo 3: ODST TV commercial will air exclusively in the UK on the FX Channel (Sky Digital channel 164) this evening.
This ground-breaking 2min 30 second footage, inspired by the upcoming Halo 3: ODST game, will air tonight at 23.41 during “True Blood” and kicks off an exclusive Halo 3: ODST sponsorship of the FX Channel commencing 18th September.
Halo 3: ODST launches on 22nd September, available exclusively on Xbox 360.
Microsoft today began permanently banning gamers they describe as "illegitimate ODST players" from their Xbox Live online service.
Earlier today Xbox Live Chief of Police Stephen Toulouse wrote on his Twitter page that he had seen some illegitimate ODST players, referring to Xbox 360's upcoming Halo 3: ODST, online.
"No early play for you," he wrote. "Commencing permabans."
Toulouse later clarified on his Twitter that people who bought the game early and are playing it safe.
We contacted Toulouse for more details about how widespread the bannings are and how Microsoft is differentiating between legitimate owners of the game, which went on sale at at least one store early, and those who obtained the game through illegitimate means.
Toulouse told Kotaku that he can't go into specifics about how they detect and how many they ban because they don't want to tip off pirates to their methods.
"I can be clear however that this applies to illegitimate copies only, the ban covers the Xbox LIVE account and could possibly include their console depending on the results of our investigations (which are ongoing). We do this from time to time with titles to combat piracy," he wrote to Kotaku. "If a user happens to purchase a legit copy of Halo 3: ODST early, then our problem is not with the user but the retailer who broke the street date. Those individuals will not be punished."
With HALO ODST hitting the shelves real soon there is no real big surprise that BUNGIE is not ready to talk about HALO Reach but what they are willing to do is drop a few hints about whats to come in the future for the HALO world.
Eurogamer reported: Bungie yesterday said that it is in no rush to start talking about Halo: Reach what with Halo 3: ODST yet to ship.
"Obviously right now what we're excited about is the impending launch of ODST, so we don't want to totally start talking about next year's model before this one's even off the assembly line," community lead Brian Jarrard explained in answer to a fan's question about Reach gameplay footage during the Penny Arcade Expo ODST panel.
"But there is a beta that's coming next year, so all you've got to do is sit tight. If you want to be part of Reach from the very beginning then you want to make sure you keep an ODST disc handy," he added.
The firm also reiterated that DLC for ODST is unlikely. "There's no current plans right now for DLC for ODST," senior designer Lars Bakken said in answer to another question. "That could change, but uh..."
"I think what Lars really meant to say was," Jarrard took over, winning a laugh from the huge crowd, many of whom had to queue for over 45 minutes to get their seats, "the team's working really hard on another really huge game coming out next fall [Reach]." We think Jarrard went on to say that DLC may be "a consideration down the road" depending on the success of Firefight, but the tape's a bit garbled by hooting Halo fanboys so we can't be sure.
As for the rest of the panel, an eight-strong group including Marty O'Donnell and Joe Staten enjoyed taking the piss out of one another as they talked about the development of ODST, which is out on 22nd September, and specifically how they fleshed out the New Mombasa night-time setting with cues from film noir.
There was also much ribbing about getting rid of the battle rifle, previews of some of O'Donnell's lovely music, and some cool footage of Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, Nolan North and Tricia Helfer recording their dialogue. Upload plz.
Today, Microsoft unveils a “Halo 3: ODST” live-action short, a 90 second ad spot for the eagerly awaited Xbox 360 exclusive, “Halo 3: ODST.” The ad debuts today exclusively on MySpace at www.myspace.com/gametrailers and IGN.com. The “Halo 3: ODST” live-action short is a haunting, action-packed production that charts the life of a UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, or ODST.
In addition to the online debut of the 90 second short, Halo fans in the United States will be treated to a special, extended two minute 30 second version exclusively on Spike TV on Monday September 7. The extended version will premiere during “Band of Brothers” at 10:30 PM ET/PT.
The short will also be available to download on Xbox LIVE starting September 8.
For the production of the “Halo 3: ODST” live-action short, Microsoft and Bungie partnered with ad agency TAG SF, Legacy Effects (props), Asylum (visual effects) and Final Cut (editing). The short features an original musical score written and produced by Human. The short was directed by Rupert Sanders with MJZ, the director of the award-winning “Halo 3” ad spot “Believe.” The short was filmed on location in Budapest, Hungary.
Also launching today at 6:00 p.m. PT is a unique “Halo 3: ODST” interactive experience site on www.xbox.com/halo. Visitors will be in control of an Operations of Naval Intelligence (ONI) application that blends science, psychology and analysis to evaluate which ODST candidates are best suited for upcoming missions in “Halo 3: ODST.” Featuring over 20 minutes of interactive content, visitors can interact with the evaluations of the four ODST squad members they will be fighting alongside in “Halo 3: ODST” in order to dive deeper into the fiction of the game. Microsoft and Bungie worked with AKQA SF and TAG SF on the experience site.
Suit up and prepare to drop September 22 when “Halo 3: ODST” hits retail stores worldwide.
With Halo 3: ODST releasing right around the corner (September 22 2009.) We at 360-HQ figured we would offer up everyone a little treat here. The official Achievements list with pictures! Remember this is an exclusive list and 360-HQ is where you saw it first
Well not much to say about this other than I'm super stoked to play this game, there are 47 Achievements and it looks like all but 3 can be achieved while offline, and only 2 requiring you to play online with other people. Let's hope those difficulty ones are stackable like in Halo 3.
Stoked to play this, comments? Post on our forums here
Click the link below to check out the achievement list and all info regarding Halo 3: ODST
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