Halo 3: Recon

A new campaign is brewing inside Bungie Studios, the same franchise that gave the Halo Trilogy to the world and, thus, changed how the world would look at video games afterwards.

In the Halo Trilogy: Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo 3, a story of the last (apparently) man of his kind, a Spartan, unfolds (He's an genetically and technologically augmented super soldier, capable of feats beyond normal human strenght and endurance) and his fight to free mankind from total anihilation by a religious covenant of alien races who deems humanity unworthy of survival is the main course of action throughout the series.

The Covenant, as mentioned before, is a group of diverse alien races driven by religion and most of them are proficient in war. Needless to say, they are more technologically advanced than humanity: better weapons, more warriors, better warships.

The war with this Covenant goes on for years and we only survive because they can't find all the worlds with human colonies, but they kept looking until every last human soul was glassed. This Spartan is a military experiment codenamed Spartan-117 (the number was used to identify every member of this special force) and almost in the end, his fight leads him to New Mombasa where the story reaches climax. The Covenant finally found Earth and are kept at bay because of the discovery of an ancient Forerunner structure (the Forerunners are the gods of the Convenant, an ancient mega-advanced civilization that left existence without a trace of what happened millenia ago).

It is in this point of the story where Halo 3: Recon will take place, but from a different view. You are now an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), or Helljumpers as they are colloquially known, and must pave your way in a mission in more strategic and stealthy ways than before with Master Chief, now you are a mere human. ODST's, similar to Navy SEALS or the British SAS, are the special forces of the UNSC (United Nations Space Command) and are deployed in hot zones and extremely dangerous missions.

This is all that has been unveiled at the moment, but I believe that Recon will have elements of squad operation, pretty much like Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter in which you lead a squad into hostile zones and give orders depending on the situation. An interesting point of view I might add, but lets wait for more info before jumping into conclusions.

KeeP

iT

CLeaN!

Featured next is the new trailer unveiled by Bungie yesterday (8-Oct-08) at the 2008 Tokyo Game Show:

Video by UNSCleric

Halo in Stereo

I recently saw a webpage (if I can find it again, I will update with the link) that made use of the Screenshot function of the theater in Halo 3 to produce Stereoscopic Images, it really looks good and I know some basic concepts of Stereoscopy. I'm not claiming I did it first but surely I didn't remember so I could use it.

In particular, I can "see" images easier using the parallel viewing technique rather than the cross eyes one. So these images are made specially for parallel viewing. These images are the first ones I make but I think they came out pretty good.

I really like this "new toy" so expect more like these in the future, not only from halo, but I'm thinking PGR3 or Forza Motorsport 2, I don't know, could get interesting, doesn't it?

Enjoy

25.09.2007

El 25 de Septiembre fue un día muy especial, dejando a un lado el hecho estresante de salir tarde o no ir a comer por las remodelaciones en la oficina y además sacar la chamba del diario y encima sacar "pequeñas" tareas que no he visto se utilicen o son solamente para confirmar algo que ya saben pero que no se vuelve a utilizar. Bueno, pero todo esto mejor lo guardo para otro post, hoy vine a platicarles acerca del 25 de Septiembre. Para empezar, este fue el día en el que por fin pude ver a Héroes del Silencio después de 10 años de la última vez que los dejé pasar porque "no me sabía las rolas", tonterías me dí cuenta después. El concierto superó mis expectativas, y no hubo rola alguna con la que no me emocionara. En fin, para los que no los han visto en vivo o los van a volver a ver en esta gira del 2007, les aseguro que no quedarán decepcionados.

El Setlist en Monterrey:

1. El Estanque
2. Deshacer el Mundo
3. Mar Adentro
4. La Carta
5. Bendecida
6. La Sirena Varada
7. Opio
8. La Herida
9. Héroe de Leyenda
10. Con Nombre de Guerra
11. Lágrimas
12. Iberia Sumergida
13. Oración
14. La Chispa adecuada
15. Entre Dos Tierras
16. Maldito Duende
17. Sangre Hirviendo
18. Malas intenciones
19. En brazos de la fiebre

Por otro lado, el 25 fue también el "Launch Day" casi mundial de Halo 3, que es la conclusión de la saga que comenzó con Halo:Combat Evolved y quedaron pendientes por concluir muchas cosas en el Halo 2... "Cortana se ha quedado con el Gravemind!". A pesar que sí está en español, este doblaje no apesta como el doblaje de Halo 2, por otro lado Bungie y Microsoft sí pudieron romper el récord de los 155 millones de dólares durante las primeras 24 horas pues recaudaron mas o menos 170 millones, lo que hace a Halo 3 "the highest grossing entertainment launch in history," incluyendo películas, novelas, etc. El multiplayer para H3 es impresionante pero la campaña esta de no ma... No les voy a decir porqué pero cuando lo vean, lo sabrán. Búsquenme, agrégenme y nos aventamos unos balazos.

Pre-order Now!

So finally I succumbed to the fact that I couldn't wait much longer lest I'd be without Halo 3 for at least the rest of the year. I have had my doubts about buying the game in Mexico for the sole reason of going through the game with an awful translation, Neutral Spanish?? Come on! Nevertheless, I have come to acknowledge the fact that pretty much every game I've played, whether it was bought here in Monterrey MX or in the US&A, the language audio pretty much depends on the language set on the console so in short words, I hope will not be disappointed in the week of the September 25th. I pre-ordered it today, well.... actually yesterday as it is 3:30 of the day after.

I just couldn't bear any longer (now I'm just being dramatic) wondering the outcome without purchasing the movie ticket in the first place. It may be that I've become a big Halo fan, though I may not be considered the best at it. Either way, at this very moment, it has become one of my new favorite things. Maybe it's the thrill of mowing someone down in Live while carrying a detached turret.

Anyway, as you may or may not know, there were three options to choose from: Legendary Edition, Collector's Edition and Regular Edition. The only option left was Game Planet, the game shop without A/C where you can actually smell sweaty nerd salesmen (every time I go makes me rethink all this videogame addiction of mine, really). Negative point #2: I had to pay the full price up-front, and ca$h. Damn! If only I had decided earlier I could have made a deal with Mix-up, anyway. I chose Collector's, a friend of mine is getting Legendary so I will be watching all those beautiful HD video cut scenes from previous Halo games and all the rest of the stuff. Can't wait to join a Team Slayer game back again and Laser someone down. It's time to "Finish the Fight" (That was very halo fanboy-ish... pathetic haha!)

Halo 3 en español??

Estamos a menos de un mes de que salga el tercer y último episodio de la saga que comenzó con Halo: Combat Evolved (o en español: El Combate ha Evolucionado). En estos momentos lo que me está carcomiendo, pues quiero separarlo ya y quiero jugarlo en inglés, es el hecho de que no sé si H3 vaya a tener la opción, como muchos juegos ahora, de seleccionar el idioma del juego según el establecido en la consola. Esto se puede apreciar con todos los juegos recientes que han salido para el 360 y juegos que indican estar totalmente en español tienen el audio también en inglés si el idioma del 360 está en inglés.

Sin embargo, el H:CE seleccionaba el idioma de acuerdo al seleccionado en la consola y el H2 salió totalmente en español "neutro" que, para mí, fue una verdadera decepción escuchar al MC y a Cortana con un acento medio extraño, pareciéndose más a un trabajo de doblaje hecho por Univisión, y como si estuviesen leyendo directamente de un guión sin poner énfasis en las escenas de acción. En una sola palabra, aburrido... más desabrido que un coca al tiempo y sin gas.

Puedo pedirlo en Amazon y enviarlo a unas oficinas del trabajo de mi novia en Laredo, ya que no se pueden hacer envíos de juegos hacia afuera de EU, pero un Tiempo Estimado de Entrega sería imposible de determinar, tal vez hasta 2 ó 3 semanas después del 25/9. Otra es pedirlo en alguna tienda aquí en MTY, ya sea GamePlanet o Mix-up pero la verdad me ardería si el juego está "Totalmente en Español" sin importar el idioma seleccionado en el 360.

He buscado y buscado en los foros de Bungie y Microsoft y lo único que he logrado saber es que depende del 'publisher' si el juego tiene todos los idiomas o solamente uno para cada localidad. Estoy tentado a enviar una correo a Bungie.net y esperar a ver si es contestado. De cualqueir manera ya se sabe, el día de ayer comenzó la impresión de los discos para comenzar con la distribución a nivel mundial. Yo sólo quiero saber si me van a joder con un pésimo doblaje o si va a depender del idioma de la consola. Conociendo esto, mi decisión sería aún más fácil. Mi estimado LI, ¿tendrás algún dato que necesito para disolver mis dudas?

Neill Blomkamp and the Halo movie

Hello IR, it's been a while since I wrote anything here, been very busy completing my objectives at work and writing my dog's (Molko) blog, so I sort of left mine on the side. I was checking out the "Halo: Arms Race" video released at the E3 and realized it was being directed by Blomkamp who, if you happen to know, is the chosen director for the upcoming Halo movie.

According to what I've read, Neill was chosen by Jackson after he watched "Alive in Joburg" which is pretty good and would be very interesting to find out how Neill will work in this project. After all, he will be crucified if the movie doesn't live up to Halo fans expectations. Of course many of them will be disappointed, there will always be fanboys who will never be pleased unless they get something exactly as they imagined it.

Anyway, here's the short film that got NB to direct Halo, followed by two more of his projects, named Tetra Vaal and Yellow, and the directed short film Halo: Arms Race. Happy Viewing.

Alive in Joburg

Tetra Vaal

Yellow

Halo: Arms Race

Who Could Have Known??

The Master Chief at Halo...



lolollolollolollol

Halo 3 Beta Update

Today, at least to me, were released a couple of videos, exclusive to the social network. The new leaks show a new map known only as Epitiah (as someone else mentioned, probably a misspelling). Anyway, enjoy and thank god I bought Crackdown (which I must say is a very entertaining game, actually).

Halo 3 Zanzibar

New post on regarding Halo 3. A leak came out on what seems to be a remake of Zanzibar, named in this instance "Last Resort" or something. Crappy youtube under-100-kb video will make a point, but if you want the nice looking (according to the source, I have yet to download this) video, that's here in this torrent.

If you haven't got your Crackdown copy (otherwise known as Halo 3 multiplayer demo with Crackdown) i say you should better hurry up, I will buy mine this weekend!! I can't freaking wait...

Cheers mates!

New Halo 2 Maps and a Shelby GT500KR

Ok, so you like playing Halo 2, right? Then you will be thrilled to know that Bungie still thinks of their longtime fans even as the much awaited Halo 3 is in the oven waiting to be released, apparently, this winter (which actually makes many of us gamers to wish this year a good bye). Two new maps, Tombstone and Desolation are coming this way this April 17th for just 4 bucks (320 Microsoft Points, aprox). This new maps are based on two of the original Halo, Hang'em High and Derelict.

The story at Bungie.net to prove it's not an aprils Fool joke here, and some screenshots of the new arenas here with a very funny explanation.

On other story, a new pony is on the make by Ford, designated the Shelby GT500KR (KR stands for King of the Road, if you don't know) and will sport a 5.4 lt supercharged V8 delivering 540 nightmares of power. You want one? well, hurry up and save your money. Only a thousand of these mudafuckas will be created. Cheers!

Halo 3 Legendary Edition

Para aquellos que esperan saber todo lo relacionado con Halo, aquí les muestro las cajas que han desarrollado para la tercera instancia del popular FPS de la franquicia Bungie. ¿Quién va a querer la Edición Legendaria? //EDiT :: Esto acaba de llegar... la edición del casco (Legendaria) costará 129.99 USD. ¿Qué onda? Preventa ya?? ¿Quién da más?

Ghosts of Onyx

Damn!!! This book is really awesome! I just finished reading it last night and I must tell you: I was glued to the book and even though I was very sleepy i just couldn't take my eyes off the pages until every letter concerning the story imprinted themselves into my brain. I must say I found several spelling errors, more than the usual found in other books, but the story went so fast I barely had the time to digest every word, instead I modelled every situation, every battle, either in space or at the ground to the detail.

"Die?" Kurt laughed. "Didn't you know?" He told the Elite."...Spartans never die."

Kurt was a Spartan-II characterized by the fact that he had something like a 6th sense that told him something was wrong. Something like a hunch but one the Master Chief learned to pay heed to, for every time it ringed true. Kurt became the LC (Lieutenant Commander) for the secret project of Spartan-III. In a matter of speaking, Kurt was the more humanized of the Spartan-II.

Great book, I can't wait for the next one. I hope it's out by the time I go to Houston for Dir en Grey's concert.

Halo Movie??

A week ago i heard about Universal and 20th dropping out from the Halo project, allegedly becuse of the HUUUGE amount of money being spent in pre-production. They (the studios) wanted Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (the masterminds behind the Lord of the Rings) to lower their demand$$. Anyway the said no and this left no choice for the studios other than running with their money as far as they could.

This, apparently, came as good news for Bungie, Microsoft and Peter Jackson as this would let the make a movie without Hollywood Intervention. Of course, they still need the money, which Peter is trying to get and as of this the movie is postponed for release (nooooo!!!!!) till summer 2008.

"At this time Microsoft, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
have mutually agreed to postpone making a feature film based on the Halo video
game. While it will undoubtedly take a little longer for Halo to reach the big
screen, we are confident that the final feature film will be well worth the
wait."

Let's see if this is done while we are still young.