Tag Archives: 343 industries
Halo 4 Xbox 360 Review – A Shadow of its Former Self
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: 343 Industries
Release Date: November 6th, 2012
Platform: Xbox 360
ESRB: M – Mature
Many people considered Halo 4 to be the biggest release of the year. The kickstarter for a new trilogy featuring the return of Master Chief and the introduction of the Forerunners as a new main enemy, Halo 4 begins where Halo 3 left off. The Chief and his AI companion, Cortana, are once again thrown into action when the crippled frigate Forward Unto Dawn encounters a mysterious Forerunner shield world. Waking up to a fight is nothing new for Spartan-117, but this battle has more than a few new twists.
The transfer of the Halo franchise to 343 Industries has been the subject of hot debate since before the new Reclaimer Trilogy was even announced. Many longtime fans were dubious about the infant developer’s ability to carry on the legacy and retain the high quality of classic Halo titles. Others have expressed their unyielding faith in 343 for years. So where does this new title fall? Is it the masterpiece of game design that we all hoped for, or the lackluster shell of what it could have been?
Halo 4 Video Shows Map Remake with New Twist
343 Industries continues their ongoing litany of content videos to promote the upcoming Halo 4, releasing in the US on November 6. Fans have had the privilege of videos covering everything from voice recording to weapons design, and now the as-yet-untested developers have pieced together a short video showing off their remake of the Halo 3 map Valhalla (itself a remake of the classic Halo map Blood Gulch). From what is shown in the video, the reds and blues are still fighting over their two bases in the middle of a box canyon. But there is also a new piece of tech to alter the dynamics of the battle: a man-shaped mech tank called the “Mantis.”
New Halo 4 Vidoc: Return of the Forerunners
As if the hype train wasn’t running at a hundred miles an hour already, 343 Industries just released the latest in their series of video documentaries covering (and mostly teasing) the development and production of Halo 4. This specific documentary sheds light on the enigmatic main enemy in the new game trilogy, the Prometheans. Not one for spoilers, I’ll just say, the Prometheans are much more than just some new aliens to kill. With the Flood absent and the Covenant in disarray during the events following the original trilogy, this is a perfect time for 343 to introduce a new enemy and expand the universe into the games themselves. View the video after the jump.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL8QP6hSU9A&w=560&h=315]
Earn The Dongblainer and More Achievements In Halo 4
343 Industries, the developers tasked with carrying the Halo torch, released the achievements list for Halo 4.
They realize that achievement hunting is an important part of the gaming experience and set out to create achievements that according to their blog, “reward milestones and increase replay value while balancing both difficulty and the breadth of game modes.” They also like to think up funny names like The Dongblainer.
In my professional achievement hunting opinion, this looks like a very good, solid list. I’ve always like the level of difficulty, the types of achievements and their creativity, and the names. The graphic designer in me actually likes these icons much moreso than some of the previous Halo games as well.
You can view the list after the jump. Be warned, there are possible spoilers.
Halo 4 Box Art Revealed
The image was actually sent out in pieces and put together by fans. Microsoft has confirmed that this is indeed the box art for Halo 4.
Wow. That’s all I have.
Source: Game Informer
343 Industries Ambiguous About Expanding Halo Games
In an interview with Game Informer this week, Halo Franchise Development Director Frank O’Connor discussed 343′s intentions regarding the expansion of the Halo universe through games not part of the main series and other media, such as novels, comics, and even a short web series in the works to be premiered on Halo Waypoint in the weeks leading up to the release of Halo 4.
While there is no doubt that the dauntingly vast Halo universe could successfully be expanded upon almost without limit, 343 has decided to focus their efforts on the new trilogy for the foreseeable future.
Halo 4 Hitting Shelves November 6, Also Appearing On Conan O’Brien Tonight
It’s official, Halo 4 is set to release on November 6th. Rumors started popping up yesterday about the release date of Halo 4 based on tweets by Senior Producer at 343 Industries Allison Stroll, and Microsoft’s Major Nelson. It was said that there would be a more official statement made this morning, and here we have it:
Game Informer Reveals May Cover Featuring Halo 4 Cortana
Oh yeah, Master Chief is on the cover too. The revealed image shows off a rather sexed-up Cortana and the May issue is said to come packed with 14 pages of Halo 4 content featuring:
information on where the story is going, hands-on impressions of multiplayer, and intel on the surprising new approach governing every aspect of Halo’s multiplayer experience.
343 Industries also shared a wealth of in-game screenshots and concept art revealing new locations within the Halo universe.
View the full image after the jump.
Microsoft Xbox Showcase: Halo 4 First Look
Since the announcement of Halo 4, developer 343 Industries has kept quiet about their plans for reinventing the series, which has caused concern, argument, and even outright anger among the Halo fan community. But today, the curtain has finally lifted, allowing the Master Chief to once again step into the spotlight of the gaming world.
The first look at the new title, presumably shown at the Xbox Showcase this past week, was officially released on Halo Waypoint this morning, along with a selection of screenshots from the game.
The video covered several aspects of the game, many of which have been the subject of hot debate in recent weeks. It seems as though 343 has finally seen fit to bestow upon its flock the knowledge which they have so desperately sought. The official video includes reveals of the campaign and multiplayer aspects of the game, as well as graphics updates and audio/video techniques. Want to know the details of this long-awaited reveal?
Microsoft Xbox Showcase: First Halo 4 Shots Unveiled
This past week in San Francisco, CA, the best and the brightest industry professionals in the realm of Microsoft’s gaming platform convened to show the press (and, by extension, the world) what they can look forward to in the coming months. Early rumors indicated that a long-overdue reveal of 343 Industries’ Halo 4 (due for release Holiday 2012) would be one of the key highlights of the event.
And, for once, the rumors did not disappoint. At the tail end of the official press embargo, the internet was swiftly graced with screenshots of Master Chief standing on an unknown battlefield, wielding what looks like a cross between an MA37 Assault Rifle and the BR55 Battle Rifle from earlier installments of the series.
The graphics and lighting effects look very impressive, and seem to suggest a somewhat melancholy tone. [Screens after the jump]
