Halo Reach Defiant Map Pack Annouced

Certain Affinity (The folks who made the Blastacular map Pack for Halo 2) have partnered with Microsoft to create the second Download Content for Halo Reach, called the Defiant Map Pack.

Condemned: Condemned takes place aboard Orbital Station Gamma, a massive space station high in orbit above the planet Reach. Prior to the Covenant’s overwhelming invasion, Orbital Station Gamma provided long range communications for UNSC fleets and a vital lifeline between Reach and Earth. During the Battle of Reach, the station suffered terrible punishment at the hands of the Covenant but a few fortified sections remain intact, fully pressurized, and ready for combat. Condemned supports 6 – 12 players in a variety of action-packed game types, including Team Slayer, Team Objective and Free for All.

Highlands: Highlands takes place on the top-secret Military Wilderness Training Preserve on Reach. The Preserve is a large, wooded area where Spartan super-soldiers trained long before the war with the Covenant began. During the Battle of Reach, the Preserve was the site of key battles between the alien invaders and a group of Spartans who used their familiarity with these UNSC training grounds to significant tactical advantage…but not everyone who enters these woods makes it out alive. Highlands expands the fight with massive-scale engagements for 8 – 16 players in Big Team Battle, Team Slayer and Team Objective.

Unearthed :Unearthed takes the battle for Reach to a large Titanium mine and refinery located in the Viery civilian sector of the planet. This particular mine was built to take advantage of the exposed titanium inside a massive meteor crater. The titanium produced here is used in much of the UNSC hardware, from the chassis of the Warthog to the meters-thick armor plating of capital ships like the UNSC Pillar of Autumn. While this facility was quickly abandoned when the Covenant arrived on Reach, it still has significant tactical (and economic) value and it won’t be long before both humans and Covenant return to battle for control. Unearthed allows up to 4 players to launch a counterassault against the Covenant in Firefight and Firefight modes such as Generator Defense.

The Defiant Map Pack will be released in March (2011) for 800 Microsoft Points.

More Screenshots here.


Halo Waypoint also released the official trailer.

Bungie's Comment on the Leaked Map Pack

In their latest Weekly Update, Bungie noted about the leaked map pack.

It’s been fascinating to see the rumor mill grinding away from the opposite side of the fence these last few years. As a fan, there’s this devilish sense of defiant giddiness that washes over you when you realize you might have been granted access to something much earlier than anyone ever expected. It’s like sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to fondle your presents, surgically removing the tape, and getting your first good look at what will be in store for you in the morning.

Some children get so worked up that they just want to run off, scrawl their name on a scrap of paper, and deliver their triumphant message for the whole entire Internet to see, like a made-for-TV antagonist providing undeniable proof of their dastardly crimes. Others just can’t wait to tear open the wrapping paper and play with some new toys.

Per policy, you probably already know that I’m not going into any details about whatever it is that I'm on about today. I’m already straddling a somewhat ill-defined line with my opening remarks. That said, there is a proper time and a place for this sort of thing, and it won’t be too much longer until everything is out in the open all official like, and things start to make a little more sense.

Stay tuned.

This is sorta mixed message. More Specifically the last part where he says "and things start to make a little more sense".  Which leads me to believe that maybe, 343 industries decided to try their hand at Reach and made a map pack. Maybe this is the Map pack Bungie has been working on after releasing the Noble DLC.

Who knows, only time will tell.


See the blog post below for a link to the HD Pics of the maps.

Leaked Info & Pics of Upcoming Halo Reach Map Pack.

 Edit: Here are some HD Photos of the Maps.


A french news site put up an article about 3 upcoming Maps for Halo Reach. The Map pack is dubbed "Defiant" and features 2 multiplayer Maps and 1 Firefight.

Here's a rough translation of the article:

Here's a story you will not find anywhere else yet, and moreover, an exclusive French, see International ! As the title tells you, here is the name of the next map pack for Halo Reach the Defiant Map Pack ! Again thank you to our ninjas for this extraordinary action, and rather quickly. But now, talking more in detail about this new map pack. Before you disclose everything, I wish to inform you that it is possible that this pack is not made available to the public , for the simple reason that it is also a test for another map pack . Be careful again, but rest assured, you can certainly put your feet on the land.

Let's start with the contents of this pack, which includes 2 multiplayer maps , and little novelty in the DLC card Firefight ! Bearing sweet names Sentenced and Highlands , the map shows it is called FF Unearthed , here also, an overview of recent, at least the icon of the cards you will see appear in your list in local content, in the order listed:

This is typed card BTB, but how to Storm, playable 4 against 4 very easily. This pack will weigh 450MO, and certainly available (if appropriate) for 800 Micosoft Point:

- Unearthed : As a card for the baptism of fire, will be easily playable at 4 against an army of Covenant , and it seems even more open than can be map On the Beach.
- Condemned : It is situated in space, and seems to be human in the frigate destroyed during the mission "A long night of comfort", namely the Savannah . Playable 4 against 4 as it will accommodate the best 12 players .
- High-lands : Map apocalyptic situation, because during your battles, a croisseur Covenant will be happy to lead the rest through its firing to vitrify Reach, as you can see in the pictures below. This card could be adapted to be used as qu'Invasion, and all other game modes, and can accommodate from 8 to 16 players . This card draws much of the essence of Halo: CE .

The News story has since been removed from Halo Destinys site as per order from Microsofts Legal team.

Halo Reach Playlist (should be) Live!

The Halo Reach Playlist Update should be Live by now. Go and Spawn on your Bro, Co-op Style in Three Playlists!

Halo Reach MM Playlist Update Incoming Today

A Huge Playlist Update for Halo Reach is deploying today.

Multiplayer:

 Playlists:

Multi Team: As far as major playlist changes, the most notable is Multi Team which now features 4 teams of 3 instead of 6 teams of 2. Since Rocket Race doesn’t work with teams of 3, we’re upgrading you to Rocket Hog Race! We’ve also added 3 Ball to the lineup to replace the regular Oddball gametype.

Team SWAT: New gametype offerings are now available in the Team SWAT playlist. New gametypes include Oddball, Stockpile and 3 Plots.
Grifball: The Grifball playlist is returning for an extended stay as a Community playlist. We’ve updated to the latest gametypes and maps, as well as added the new maps Pinwheel and Oracle’s Revenge.
Community Slayer: The second round of Community Slayer is coming and with it comes 14 maps (10 new!) built by members of our very own Bungie community. Similar to the previous run, we’ll keep this playlist active for a couple weeks. Play, vote and let us know which your favorite Community maps are in the Optimatch forum!

Gametypes:

Bro Slayer: This new gametype consists of Team Slayer with co-op style spawning, featured on a variety of maps in Team Slayer, Big Team Battle and Noble Map Pack. Similar to Invasion spawning you can cycle through teammates or choose from your backfield spawns, but watch out for backfield spawn campers!

Invasion Skirmish: Think of Invasion Slayer, with no vehicles and after capturing drop zones you get instant weapon drops that alternate between Spartan and Covenant regardless of who caps the zone. You’ll still experience loadout and weapon drop progression as each tier advances. Three flavors will be available including Invasion Skirmish (SvE), Spartan Skirmish (SvS) and Elite Skirmish (EvE). These gametypes will be available on a variety of maps in the Invasion and Noble Map Pack playlists. Spartan Skirmish on Anchor 9 is my favorite, check them out and tell us what you think!

Assault: Players may no longer disarm bombs while their Armor Lock equipment is activated, this affects all Assault gametypes as well as Invasion gametypes with an Assault phase.

Maps:

* The new map variant “Uncaged” is being added alongside The Cage in the Team Slayer playlist.
* The following maps have been updated to support Bro Slayer gametypes, make sure to download the latest version after playing in matchmaking to take advantage of the changes:

o Anchor 9 o Unanchored o Sword Base o Boardwalk o Powerhouse o Countdown o Tempest o Breakpoint o Paradiso o Hemorrhage o Atom o Boneyard o Spire

* The following maps have been updated to support Invasion Skirmish gametypes, make sure to download the latest version after playing in matchmaking to take advantage of the changes:

o Countdown
o Boardwalk
o Powerhouse
o Atom
o Anchor 9
o Unanchored

Firefight:

-Firefight Playlist Removed
-Firefight Limited Brought Back
-Firefight Arcade Brought Back 

Score Attack:
But that’s not all. We’re also making some big additions to Score Attack. We’re filling out the playlist with a whopping 10 different gametypes. Some are takes on existing ideas, but others are community inspired concoctions. Of course this means the leaderboards are going to get reset, but you probably guessed that was coming. Below is the list of all the gametypes:

Score Attack: 5 second respawns, enable IWHBYD Skull.

2X Score Attack: Based on Score Attack, 5 second respawns, Weapon Drops and Hazards enabled, 2x Overshield, 200% Damage and Melee Modifier, 2 each grenade count, Boss Wave is Elite Spec Ops, Grunt B-Day, Cowbell, enable IWHBYD Skull, Update Loadouts so Grenades are set to Unchanged.

Gruntpocalypse: 5 second respawns, Weapon Drops enabled, enable IWHBYD Skull.

Skirmigeddon: Based on Gruntpocalypse, 5 second respawns, every wave is Skirmishers, added evade and hologram, enable IWHBYD Skull.

Sniper Attack: Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, Updated Loadouts to include Sprint and Evade, 2x each grenade count, enable IWHBYD Skull.

Rocket Attack: Based on Sniper Attack, Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, Rocket and Magnum starts, 2x each grenade count, update Boss Wave to be Hunter Kill Team, enabled Cowbell Skull.

FRG Attack: Based on Sniper Attack, Hazards enabled, 5 second respawns, FRG and Needler secondary, 2x each grenade count, enable Cowbell Skull.

Crashsite: Melee Modifier also 200%, enable IWHBYD Skull.

Mythic Attack: 5 second respawns, enable IWHBYD Skull.

Fiesta Attack: Based on 2X Score Attack, 5 second respawns, Random Primary and Secondary weapons, enable IWHBYD Skull."
 

Playlist Updates usually go live between 10am PST and Noon PST.

[Source]

Halo Reach "Classic" Playlist targeted for March

Halo Reach's Playlist Manager Jeremiah/Ninja on Fire has shown a active interest in bringing a Classic Playlist to Reach. Well its going to happen.

According to Jeremiah, the goal is to release the playlist is in March. No Armor Abilities whatsoever and Most likely 120% Movement speed.



Check the links out below for official quotes:

Post 1.
Post 2.

Undead Labs & Microsoft to release new Zombie Franchise

Undead Labs and Microsoft Game Studios have teamed up to bring a new Zombie survival Franchise to Xbox 360.

First up will be a Xbox Live Arcade game nicknamed "Class3". Class3 will be a base for their next,full retail game also nicknamed, Class4. Class4 will be a Open World (or "MMO") Zombie Survival game.

The end is here. Human civilization has been annihilated. The few, scattered survivors must band together, rebuilding civilization in a third-person action game packed with sweet guns, fast cars, hand-to-hand combat, and copious amounts of zombie gore. Players choose where to make their stand, designing and fortifying their settlements, performing daring raids for valuable stores of food and ammunition, and rescuing other playable survivors. The open world develops in real-time, shaped by player actions, with content determined by their choices and the ever-increasing zombie threat.

Full Press Release

Also Check out a Q&A about the two games.

Upcoming Xbox Marketplace Content

Want to know whats coming up on the Xbox LIVE marketplace? Check out below:

  Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week :
Week of February 7 – Retro Shooter:
Duke Nukem Manhattan Project, 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Space Invaders Infinity Gene, 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2, 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter, 400 Microsoft Points (67 percent off)
Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter, 400 Microsoft Points
Galaga Legions, 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)

Week of February 14:
Blacklight: Tango Down, 600 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Risk Factions, 400 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)


Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace:
February 16: Hard Corps: Uprising collection
February 16: Beyond Good & Evil HD collection
February 16: Full House Poker collection
February 16: Bejeweled Blitz LIVE collection
February 16: Torchlight collection
Xbox LIVE Game Add-ons: February 8: Mass Effect 2 Alternate Appearance Pack 2, 160 Microsoft Points
February 8: The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout Pilates, 400 Microsoft Points
February 15: Marvel Super Hero Squad Thanos Throwdown, 400 Microsoft Points
Xbox LIVE Arcade:
February 9: TNT Racers, 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
February 9: Stacking, 1200 Microsoft Points and available worldwide (except Japan)
Xbox 360 Games on Demand
February 8: Darksiders
February 8: Mini Ninjas
February 15: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
February 15: Rapala Tournament Fishing!
February 15: Aliens vs. Predator

Thanks Major Nelson.