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Halo 3's Chief  (Source: Bungie Studios)
The craze for Halo 3 continues to grow

Microsoft today proudly announced that its highly anticipated Halo 3 video game exceeded one million pre-orders.

The video game is the "fastest selling pre-ordered video game in history," according to Microsoft.  Stores such as Amazon, GameStop, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy accepting pre-orders for Halo 3 are reporting an extremely high level of pre-orders.

"What we've experienced is nothing short of phenomenal," said Bob McKenzie, GameStop senior vice president of merchandising.  "'Halo 3' has eclipsed many previous records and will prove to one of the must-have items of 2007."

To help promote the game, Microsoft and other retailers are offering a number of different products to help coincide with the launch of Halo 3. 

Microsoft is offering the typical collector editions of the video game along with a special edition Halo 3 Zune for military members.  A Halo 3 headset and controller will also be available to users in the future.

The pricey Halo 3: Legendary Editionversion of the game is likely to sell out before the Halo 3 launch.

Pepsi, Doritos and Burger King all have special edition Halo 3 labels and wrappers to commemorate the game's launch. Pontiac and 7-Eleven also plan to use Halo 3 as a marketing tool for a limited time.

Halo 3 is expected to be released on September 25.


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I know I'm not the only one...
By SirLucius on 8/10/2007 3:59:27 AM , Rating: 4
that thinks the Halo series is extremely over-rated. I'll admit, Halo 1 was entertaining, but not nearly the holy grail of games that so many people make it out to be (and severly gimped from it's original concept - see the original E3 demo). Halo 2 was so rushed that any potential it had went out the window. And as much as people praise Halo's multiplayer, I honestly think that's the least appealing aspect of the game. While I would love to be proven wrong, my expectations for Halo 3 are very low, and I honestly don't expect Bungie to deliver. Am I glad to see record sales being broken? Sure. Am I upset that it's Halo causing it? A little.




RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By NotAok on 8/10/07, Rating: 0
RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By Fenixgoon on 8/10/2007 8:22:43 AM , Rating: 4
halo is good, but it's not that good, especially when compared to the plethora of PC FPS games. doing the same level twice (assault on the control room + shutting down reactors) and making long, repeating hallways (library) is *very* annoying.

let me start the list of PC fps games that are better in either SP, MP, or both:

HL, HL2, quake, quake2, quake3, SOF, SOF 2, deus ex, far cry, HL: the specialists, HL: natural selection, HL: TFC, FEAR.

and that's just the tip of the iceberg...


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By NotAok on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By Fenixgoon on 8/10/2007 9:47:45 AM , Rating: 3
i notice you didn't give any reasons ;)

please feel free to explain how/why halo is in fact superior =P


By GhandiInstinct on 8/10/2007 10:22:03 AM , Rating: 2
Fenixgoon wins.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By DingieM on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
By 3kliksphilip on 8/10/2007 2:35:22 PM , Rating: 3
I love Half Life 1. I first played it LONG after games like Soldier of Fortune 2 came out, in fact I believe it was just before Half Life 2 came out in 2004. The atmosphere is incredible in my opinion. Those low res sounds, such as the electricity and 'Warning' samples, simply add to the depressing atmosphere. There are some fantastic set pieces, the enemies are varied and original and each gun has its own feel to it. I loved the house filled with booby traps and explosives... classic. Some parts of the game were genuinely scary, in my opinion. The head crabs jumping out of places made me jump, but that bit with that massive alien with those firey hand things made me hide away in that control room, and when you realize that you have to run right past it and get pursued down that corridor towards that electrical room to finish it off, I held down the W button and closed my eyes (Always a useful tactic if you know that something bad's about to happen).

As for Halo, I've never played any of the full games. On the demo I found it okay, the graphics and scale were impressive and the vehicles fun and the replenishing armour was greatly implemented, but I found it frustrating that your vision was zoomed in. It's hard to describe, but it's like walking about with a 45 degrees field of vision. You're constantly trying to find the zoom out button. I'm sure there's something about this game that's great- besides, a million people can't be wrong.

By the way,, what's wrong with 'still using a mouse and keyboard' ? I can't think of a better aiming device. And how are you sure that Halo 3 will be a must have if you've never played the original?


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By NotAok on 8/10/07, Rating: 0
By rushfan2006 on 8/10/2007 3:44:22 PM , Rating: 5
First there's one fatal flaw in logic here guys.....how is anyone "right" when the topic at hand being debated is purely opinion?

How is one guy's list of what games are the best , the "correct" or "right" list of games versus another?

Maybe I think Far Cry blows Halo out of the water -- for *ME* that may be correct,, for *YOU* it may be ....well a joke.

To debate over opinion is in a word -- pointless.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By Fenixgoon on 8/10/2007 11:17:03 AM , Rating: 2
in response to DingieM and NotAok:

i believe you will find that old games are some of the best around - certainly not because of their graphics, but their incredible gameplay. Starcraft, Baldur's Gate 1/2, Planescape:Torment, Tie Fighter, HL1.

Consoles are caught up in the graphics whore war right now, but when it comes down to it, gameplay makes things last. There's a reason why no RTS has been able to displace Starcraft in its 10 years of life. There's a reason why people look to PS:T and BG for "most influential RPG's". And yes, mouse and keyboard is a better setup for FPS and RTS games.

I don't doubt that Halo3 will sell systems - the first two did, and no doubt the third will as well.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By NotAok on 8/10/2007 11:27:21 AM , Rating: 1
I'm certainly not going to argue with the fact that gameplay > graphics, it's completely true... but that's exactly why halo is so great. (even though it does in fact feature some awesome visuals) The production values and gameplay are so solid it's nuts and, like I said, certainly ranks up there with the best.


By omnicronx on 8/10/2007 11:43:57 AM , Rating: 2
I totally agree with you man, old games have much better gameplay.
First off before is start i am only talking about shooters here;

Unlike games such as quake, quake2, quake3, half-life etc.. one could dispute no halo series game has ever been considered 'the best game out there' compared to other games released at the same time with comparable graphics, technology etc.. The original quake remained unchallenged by any other game for a long time, same as quake2. Half-life 1 was undisputed tops for a while also. The same could be said for half-life 2, although many people would dispute this.

Halo to me started essentially as a niche market, being the best graphics possible on a console, with really fun multiplayer capabilities, but other games had better graphics, and better gameplay on the PC.

But for the average gamer, who cant afford/doesnt want to constantly upgrade their PC, Halo was a hit, being an affordable, fun, and addictive alternative to PC games.

Best shooter game for its time though? i think not.
I was a former PC gamer, but i have become annoyed with having to upgrade yearly to play the latest and greatest, and i find sports, and some 3rd person shooter games fantastic on consoles, but to compare an industry changing 1st person shooters like the quake and halflife to halo is just nonesense.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By Locutus465 on 8/10/2007 3:09:34 PM , Rating: 2
I've played and love many of the games you list (FEAR, HL2 for example)... But for me I like the halo serise a bit more based on the story, mixed between game play and the 4 books. What can I say, I love a good story about the best of the best fighting impossible odds.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By omnicronx on 8/10/2007 3:59:23 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
What can I say, I love a good story about the best of the best fighting impossible odds.


And that differs from almost any shooter game out there how?
I like a hero as much as the next guy, but thats the premise of most shooter games.


By Locutus465 on 8/10/2007 4:43:05 PM , Rating: 2
That is true on the individual level I suppose, but in this case it's the whole of humanity fighting a losing war, and in 3 earth is apparently lost. Factor in all the references to sci-fi movies I love (soldier, aleiens), and there ya go... A story which is, at least to me much more compelling that the others.

Then there's the books, they let you explore much more of the story, and create a whole back story you would otherwise be unaware of.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By BioRebel on 8/10/2007 11:34:55 AM , Rating: 3
Are you kidding? You better be, there are far better shooter games out there than Halo, Half-Life series is one, and then you also have the Unreal series, and even when it comes to console specific titles, Metroid PRime is a far better series than halo.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By peritusONE on 8/10/2007 8:20:23 AM , Rating: 5
quote:
I'll admit, Halo 1 was entertaining, but not nearly the holy grail of games that so many people make it out to be

You have to remember though that the first Halo was released way back in 2001. The only other FPS to offer the kind of atmosphere at that time was Half-Life on the PC (my opinion). Also, the enemy AI was the best anyone had every seen, and add to that near-perfect console controls (and before somebody says it, yes, auto-aim as well), and you had a bonafide hit. Don't forget that it's the first game (that I know of) on consoles that allowed 16-player multiplayer, which enticed a lot of people as well. Many gamers still hold the original Halo in high regards because they remember the great times they had with it.

It's my opinion that most people who don't "get" Halo and hate it either didn't play the original back in "the day", didn't give it enough time because they loved their PS2 and didn't want anything to do with the new XBOX, or they just don't like FPS games to begin with. It's the same kind of stuff I'd say about people who do not hold the original Half-Life in the same regard (minus the PS2/XBOX stuff, of course).
quote:
Halo 2 was so rushed that any potential it had went out the window. And as much as people praise Halo's multiplayer, I honestly think that's the least appealing aspect of the game.

Agreed on it being rushed. Bungie even said they were rushed, and weren't happy with the final product. The multiplayer was successful because of the system, though. I remember people absolutely hating it at first, because nobody had played a multiplayer game where you couldn't go through and choose servers and such. But that was before anyone really understood the party system, and once they got used to it, it's a fantastic way to do things. It's much simpler to find the games you want to play instead of filtering servers and such.

I'll give you one thing SirLucius, you are one of the more relaxed Halo haters out there :). I appreciate the opportunity for discussion instead of the immediate start cursing and saying the words "Halo sucks" over and over.


By encryptkeeper on 8/10/2007 10:07:50 AM , Rating: 2
I know I'm guilty of shaking my head when I see someone squeal with delight over Halo. Half of the problem is the control scheme. I (and probably a good portion of the people who don't like it either) just can't play it. FPS with dual analog sticks? I'm terrible at it. I admit it, that's the main reason why I hate Halo. I went over to a buddy's house for poker, and when we were tired of playing cards, we started on some Halo 2. I admit, I was definitely curious at playing. And I sucked. I'm so used to a keyboard and mouse that I was just gimping it out there. At the same time, even if I had been good at the game, it wouldn't have stood out in my mind simply for the fact that I don't think the multiplayer is as good as something like UT.


By jamesbond007 on 8/10/2007 2:29:06 PM , Rating: 2
You are not the only one, that is true. :) But that's OK!

I'm a *HUGE* Halo fan and you can bet your butt that I will be in line for the midnight release at my local GameStop to pick up my Legendary Edition of Halo 3. I have the books, posters, t-shirts and other sorts of gear. I am a Halo fanatic in every way possible.

The thing that really lures me in is the music; I absolutely ADORE it! To me, there's no better experience than playing Halo with the volume cranked on a nice stereo. When you first discover the flood in Halo 1, the mood and suspense builds and climaxes with unison between the gameplay, game speed, and the tunes. Pure bliss!

As for not being able to play a FPS with two joysticks, it takes some time and is not for everyone. I have beat Halo 1 on Legendary mode well over 100 times. It's a lot of 'invested' time, but hey, it's entertainment for the masses! Just so you know, there are Keyboard/mouse adapters for both the original Xbox and 360 that give you that PC-esque feel and response. (which I really prefer)

I sincerely hope you are wrong in your prediction of Bungie not being able to deliver. :P I will be honest and admit that I did not enjoy the ending of Halo 2 so much. Gameplay was so-so and didn't leave me wanting to play Halo 2 again and again like the first, but the music at least delivered again. (I own all 3 released CDs for the series) Multiplayer was where Halo 2 hit strong and I hope Halo 3 continues that at least.


RE: I know I'm not the only one...
By augiem on 8/11/2007 2:48:56 AM , Rating: 2
Halo seriously started to degenerate when they tried to flesh out the story in Halo 2. The story played like a really bad sci-fi channel movie. If it were a movie in the first place, it would have been totally forgotten. But they're enjoying so much residual success from Halo 1, Halo 3 is sure to be a hit. People will defitely buy because they loved the first even if they didn't so much like the 2nd hoping the 3rd will make up for it. (Remember Street Fighter series? How many of those did you buy hoping to get the same greatness that was SF2?)

That plus the hype-monster is back and bigger than ever this time around. MS has brought a kind of doom to the games industry with their ripped-from-Hollywood marketing battleplan.

Sigh


Resolution
By lompocus on 8/10/2007 2:13:02 AM , Rating: 1
I clicked on the image and was greeted with something bigger than my screen (1680x1050). Are they really doing it 4x AA 30-60 fps 8-16x anisotropic @ 1900x1080 on a 512 mb framebuffer?

I know this was done for the darkness, I have the game and on a 1080i tele there are significant differences between 1080i upscaling and regular 1080 stuff.

Wow, more reasons to get a 360 instead of a PS3. They have 3 1080 FPS games to the PS3's 1 (the darkness, which was multiplatform anyways).

Then there is always the PC...




RE: Resolution
By tdktank59 on 8/10/07, Rating: 0
RE: Resolution
By dutchMasta on 8/10/2007 2:57:52 AM , Rating: 2
360 was always going to be a better console for FPS compared to PS3, since it caters more towards the American crowd (compared to the PS3) and the online component is more popular.

I prefer FPS's on the PC anyway, if I get the 360 or PS3, it'll be for other games (Lost Odyssey/Mass Effect/MGS4/FF13/etc.), but it probably won't be until Summer 08 til I get any next-gen console (I don't count Wii as one, which I already have, pretty lame console/games if you ask me, for now anyway).


RE: Resolution
By Ard on 8/10/2007 3:05:13 AM , Rating: 2
So, if I understand you correctly, you're assuming that because the screenshot, something completely separate from the actual game engine itself, is 1920x1080 the game is going to run in 1080p? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? Since when has the size of a screenshot indicated the end resolution of a game in motion? In any event, all this is irrelevant anyway since Bungie confirmed that the only way Halo 3 is going to run at 1080p is if it's upscaled via HDMI. Oh, since it appears that you don't know, the PS3 has more than just The Darkness running at 1080p natively. They also have Virtua Tennis 3, NBA 07, Ridge Racer 7, Lair (upcoming), Super Stardust HD/Blast Factor AR, GTHD/GT5 Prologue, etc.


RE: Resolution
By DingieM on 8/10/07, Rating: 0
RE: Resolution
By Kilim on 8/10/2007 6:12:59 AM , Rating: 5
Oh.......I see what you did there!!! You placed an $ instead of an S in MS! You sir....are one funny SOB. No seriously, doing that right there lent your argument credibility and the adoration of women.


RE: Resolution
By DingieM on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
RE: Resolution
By DingieM on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
RE: Resolution
By TOAOCyrus on 8/10/2007 8:22:21 AM , Rating: 3
Small correction, all games on the 360 can be displayed at 1080p over component, VGA, and HDMI. Not just HDMI.

In my opinion with currant graphical capabilities a game will always look better if it is run at 720p with better textures, lighting, shaders etc.


RE: Resolution
By lompocus on 8/10/2007 6:32:29 PM , Rating: 2
Not necessarily. Higher Res sometimes = less AA necessary, from my experience on my shiny new pc :D. with 1680x1050 i only ever use 2x.

The textures might look weird in high res, but high-res allows more things to be shown and is just all around better.

By your logic, it would be a better idea to run things @ 1/4 the resolution, put high res textures on them, and then quad-expand the pixels to fit 1900x1080


RE: Resolution
By Assimilator87 on 8/11/2007 4:39:57 PM , Rating: 2
Trying to run 1080p on these consoles is a stupid marketing battle. I'd much rather have the developers focus on putting in more effects and better looking texures at a much lower resolution. It's like, would you rather play Half-life 1 at (Million x Million) or Crysis at 1024x768, or whatever widescreen res is near that?

BTW, the textures in that screenshot look so-so. That's the one thing I never likes with the Halo series. The bumpmapping sucks, just like Half-life 2, and the textures look extremely low res.


halo 3 what...
By JSK on 8/10/2007 1:40:44 AM , Rating: 4
Orange Box is coming... Team Fortress 2, Episode 2.

Now there is something to get excited for.




RE: halo 3 what...
By DingieM on 8/10/2007 9:47:19 AM , Rating: 1
Team Fortress 2 is going to be real funny.

But the old graphics engine of HL2 and episodes makes it a really dull game. Man if you play HL2 just look at the wheels of the train, no circular wheel but an object consisting of 6 sides! Man that makes me want to puke.

Don't get me wrong I had a really good time with HL2...years ago!!
C'mon make a step into the future.

If Valve or whoever makes HL wants to get some decent revenue please make HL3 with an UP-TO-DATE graphics engine....please!!!!


RE: halo 3 what...
By 3kliksphilip on 8/10/2007 2:44:33 PM , Rating: 2
Everybody's looking forward to different bits of that package. I hate it when people go 'OMFG TEAM FORTRESS 2 IS THE MAIN BIT AND THE REST ARE JUST EXTRA'. TF2 will be a fun alternative to the other online games, Portal will be a completely disorientating experience, HL2 Episode 2 is one episode nearer Half life 3, plus one of the characters dies for ever!

What am I most excited about? The upgrades to the engine. Real time lighting will hopefully be ported across to Counter Strike Source (I'm not sure how much of it is real time but the shadows on the characters looks better than before), and those new fangled physics will allow me to make insane levels for CSS online, such as a massive bendy metal structure that people fight on as it slowly collapses, leading to a messy death at the bottom! *Screams*

With Halo 2 just released for the PC, how long will it take for Halo 3 to reach the platform the original was destined to launch on, so many years ago?


RE: Wow!
By brownzilla786 on 8/10/2007 2:41:53 AM , Rating: 3
I really hope this is a great game for both multi-player AND campaign modes. Halo 1 did it perfect, except multiplayer was not live, but the story was fantastic. Halo 2's story sucked but the multi-player was awesome. Now, I hope they got both down right, so it can really be living up to its hype and be the best game on the 360




RE: Wow!
By Cheapshot on 8/10/2007 11:06:13 AM , Rating: 2
FPS on a console is just wrong...

Halo had an immersive environment, but the game speed and muffled playability of the console controller made it a snoozer IMO.

Quake started it all... game speed and "in your face" non stop action is what an FPS is all about.

Unreal Tournament took it to the next level... and anyone who has played it knows that after 8 years it is still a benchmark for shooters to follow.

Unreal Tournament III will dominate Halo 3 in gameplay, environment, and immersiveness... it will simply not get the attention it is due because it is not marketed by M$ even though it was created by Epic who made GoW.


RE: Wow!
By omnicronx on 8/10/2007 11:21:21 AM , Rating: 2
While UT2003/04 were fun for pc, i dont even think there was a xbox version , so the reason why halo will get more attention is not all based on MS, but by the fact halo actually has a fanbase on consoles, whereas the UT series does not. I think the UT3 engine is going to rock, and the graphics and physics are going to be amazing(terrain can be altered physically by gunfire and explosions, i.e you can spell your name in gunfire blow off part of a mountain with a grenade etc..) but because of console popularity and probably amazing online gameplay, halo3 will come out on top.


Fastest selling game only in North america
By hadifa on 8/10/2007 3:35:51 AM , Rating: 4
Based on gamespot article:

http://au.gamespot.com/news/6176418.html?om_act=co...

quote:
Today, Microsoft trumpeted Halo 3 preorder figures for the first time--and while still impressive, they were a fraction of the previously rumored amount. As of this week, one million preorders of Bungie's sci-fi shooter have been made in North America--enough to make it the "fastest-selling video game preorder" in the territory's history .


It is the fastest selling game in North America and not the world.




By lompocus on 8/11/2007 4:22:17 AM , Rating: 3
Amazing. The Australian gamespot is the answer to life, the universe, and everything now...:|


Skewed facts?
By rdeegvainl on 8/10/2007 2:07:18 AM , Rating: 2
Are they not including expansions? like burning crusade? or did they actually out pre order that game? i am at work and they have a web filter that block all things wow so i can't find that info.




Not bad
By Mithan on 8/10/2007 2:29:45 AM , Rating: 2
While I don't expect it to be the "best game ever made", I know editors who have had a chance to play it at Bungie and their "low opinion" of it was turned around and they are excited.

Hopefully it kicks ass and the Master Chief goes out like he came in.




FPS on consoles typically suck...
By DocDraken on 8/10/2007 7:59:34 AM , Rating: 1
Playing first-person-shooters with a standard console controller is awful compared to using a mouse and keyboard, but I guess if you're enough of a console fanatic you could always buy a mouse and keyboard for it. Overpriced of course...




By afkrotch on 8/10/2007 9:29:16 AM , Rating: 1
Too bad the games don't allow you to use a keyboard and mouse on the console.

Supposedely UT3 will allow you to, but only on the PS3. That version is suppose to be more like the PC version, actually allowing you to use PC created mods, levels, etc on the console.

Microsoft needs to unlock their consoles.


halo3
By HardwareD00d on 8/10/2007 11:23:34 AM , Rating: 2
I was in on the Halo3 beta testing, and while it was really fun, there was nothing spectacular in terms of graphics and sound. Gears of War was much better looking and more atmospheric. But the multiplayer modes in Halo3 look to be pretty damn fun.




not available for vista?
By rdeegvainl on 8/10/2007 2:04:31 AM , Rating: 1
Until it is available for PC i won't even consider there games.




pile of crap for kids
By GlassHouse69 on 8/11/2007 4:31:17 PM , Rating: 1
for people that do not have the understanding to build a gaming computer, an xbox360 + halo is a decent way to go.

Being that I am enlightened to computing and building computers, I would never consider playing such a hunk of shit. FPS require a mouse. a thumb cannot move with the speed and accuracy required in a competitive play. joysticks were great to use when I played Ms. Pacman. That's about it.

why does this forum even talk about consoles? dailytech implies innovation, something cutting edge. Not some year old console charging 50-60 dollars for a crap game.

halo1 was ok. I never saw the appeal of it. I tested my theory by giving access of my compy to my younger cousins who play consoles and love Halo1+2. They played half-life2 and battlefield 2142 at 1600x1200 with eye candy turned up. They were blown away and pissed about their xbox/ps investments.




lol
By AntDX316 on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
RE: lol
By fliguy84 on 8/10/07, Rating: -1
"If they're going to pirate somebody, we want it to be us rather than somebody else." -- Microsoft Business Group President Jeff Raikes











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