Halo 3 Multiplayer Demo Coming In Spring

Today is the fifth anniversary of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. To celebrate Bungie has announced new maps for Halo 2, a commercial for the upcoming game to be shown on December Fourth, and (most entertainingly) intentions to offer a multiplayer demo of Halo 3 this coming spring. From the lengthy post: "What exactly does this mean? Well, again we can't really get into the details quite yet (notice a theme here?) but we can confirm that our fans will have an opportunity to play Halo 3 multiplayer over Xbox Live BEFORE the final game is available. You'll be playing a little multiplayer and simultaneously providing us with some valuable data to help our development team. We're still working out the details on timing and scope and there will be a lot more info coming in the weeks ahead."

That's Not A Demo

[StingRay02]

You'll be playing a little multiplayer and simultaneously providing us with some valuable data to help our development team.

Granted, I didn't RTFA, as I don't really care, but that line struck me. This isn't going to be a demo, it's a beta test!

Beta on a console

[RingDev]

The odd part is that it is a beta on a console. Something that is usually considered a black box solution. If they are running a beta in an environment where lockups and crashes are not acceptable, they have to be pretty confident in the condition of the engine.

The only thing I can figure is that they will be looking more for playability issues (run speed, reload timers, choke points, etc...) and balancing just prior to launch.

-Rick

Pay to Play!

[Channard]

I don't think you'll have to pay for the Halo 3 commercial, but I'm guessing it'll be release first on Live Gold, a la the Gears of War trailer. You will probably have to pay for the Halo 2 maps, if reports are to be believed. But all the Halo maps released so far eventually became free, so I think I'll just hang around till they're non-premium. If indeed I'm still playing Halo 2 at that date.

Re:Beta on a console

[Anonymous Coward]

Considering the problems they had with cheating in Halo 2 on XBL, I think they are also trying to "cheat-proof" Halo 3 multiplayer as much as possible before it ships.

Halo Not Aging Well

[Anonymous Coward]

The general reaction to the media from Halo 3 has been pretty bad. Back when it came out there weren't that many 'shiny metal' games out - and certainly not green metal ones.

But now days every damn Unreal engine game is full of shiny metal guys and Halo is looking more and more of just another one of the crowd. By the time Halo ships next year there are easily going to be 20 to 30 other 'guys in bulky metal armor' games.

Bungie never was known for their graphics engines - although the Marathon games were state of the art back in their days - most people never looked past the green metal MC and noticed how mediocre the actual Halo engine was in the first two games compared to what else was out at the time.

I get the feeling that most Halo fans are getting themselves prepared for dealing with moving beyond Halo and on to greener pastures(heh).

Re:Still not as good as Halo 1 alpha?

[newgalactic]

Ok, I like the sound of a massive multiplayer experience, that would have made the game better. But was that in existance at all, or was it just an idea. Did Halo 1 alpha have that capability? or was it just a cool idea. If it was only an idea, I would say that you can't take it into consideration when making the statement "Halo 1 alpha is better then Halo CE". Thanks for your input admdrew, your insight is helpful. But Kenja started this thread by making the claim "Still not as good as Halo 1 alpha". I was curious if he/she was making this statement off of first hand experience with Halo 1 alpha, seeing a video clip, or reading some of the preposed ideas out of early bungie.