Bungie's last Halo Playlist Update

Today marks the day that Bungie passes the torch over to 343 industries and Bungie's last ever Halo matchmaking update.

Its a relatively small update on the surface, but there is stuff behind the scenes to get ready for the transition.

PLAYLISTS

General
* Removed Rebirth from all playlists
* Added community maps Chateau, Eden Minor and Renova to Team Slayer

Premium Battle
* All objective gametypes in Premium Battle now use the Big Team variants
* Removed Hot Potato from Premium Battle

Team Objective
* All gametyes in Team Objective now feature DMR/AR starts (excluding Classic and Pro variants)
* Integrated 3 Flag, 2 Flag Slayer and Speedflag into Team Objective

Grifball
* Updated with latest maps and gametypes from Grifballhub.com

MLG
* Removed MLG King on MLG Zealot



MAPS

Sword Base
* Soft kill added to small ledge

Zealot (not Arena Zealot)
* Soft kills added to specific locations in space

Boardwalk
* Both Sniper Rifles now spawn at 180s with 2 spare clips

Anchor 9 / Unanchored
* Rocket Launcher now spawns at 180s with 1 spare clip

Mt. Lam Lam
* Removed Camo powerup



GAMETYPES

General
* Slayer DMRs game variants now use the default vehicle set
* Big Team Assault gametypes now use 3 second arm time

[Source]


343 is indeed planning to continue to update the playlist, how often or when their first update is planned is unknown at this time. I expect the details of the Transition to be revealed soon.

Halo Reach Credit Resets and Bans

Have you been idling in Firefight or using other methods that Bungie didn't intend for you to do to gain credits in Halo Reach? If you have, chances are you found yourself with either a credit ban or complete reset of your rank and Armory items.


Bungie is letting you dispute your ban or credit reset, but if it turns out that your claim is false you can find yourself with an extended ban or outright matchmaking ban. Tread lightly.

You may dispute your case in this thread.

Xbox Live Update Spring 2011

Details on this update were leaked a few weeks back, but today Major Nelson announced the update officially.

It appears the update will be spread out over the next weeks into different updates. Today's update will bring Paypal to most Xbox Users and a new feature called "Standby mode". If your console is idle for one hour it will go into auto standby mode saving power consumption. You can alter the settings in System Settings. 

I'm not sure if it comes with todays update or one down the road, but a change to the Xbox 360's Disk Format will be coming allowing for more room on the disk and better security.

According to leaked details, Avatar Kinect will arrive May 27th.




The updates may take a few days from its launch to reach the entire globe. I would be willing to bet that everyone on XBL will receive today's update atleast by Sunday if don't receive it today.

May Matchmaking Update Live!

Today the May Playlist Update for Halo Reach went live.

Here are the Major Details:

Action Sack

• Shotty Snipers: Shotguns and Sniper Rifles… don’t forget to bring marshmallows.
• Splockets: Spartan Lasers and Rocket Launchers. It’s like getting punched in the face repeatedly, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR THIS?!
• BOOM! Ball: Play Oddball (Hot Potato) with Grenade Launchers and infinite ammo.
• Hog Potato: Get to the Warthog! Ride it around for points, pile your teammates in for more points. Does anyone else smell gas?
• Shotgun Assault: Play Neutral Bomb Assault with only your trusty Shotgun.
• Dino Blasters: Elites + Concussion Rifles + Bottomless Clip + Jetpack = 42
• Rocket CTF: Play Neutral Flag CTF using Rocket Launchers. Yes you heard me, Neutral FLAG.
• To The Death!: Duel to the death… swing, clang and deliver the final blow with no recharging shields.

Squad Slayer

Squad Slayer is a new 5v5 playlist featuring Squad Slayer (AR/Magnum) and Squad Slayer DMRs (DMR/AR) game variants. Both game variants will be 75 kills to win and offer Sprint, Hologram, Jetpack and Active Camo abilities. Big Party Restrictions will be enforced on parties of 4-5 players, allowing them to only match with other big parties. Maps include Condemned, Uplink, Tempest, Unanchored, Asylum, Uncaged, Ivory Tower Reflection, Countdown, Boardwalk, Powerhouse and Arena Zealot.

• Team Size: 5
• Max Party Size: 5
• Big Party Size: 4-5
• Max Local Players: 4

Team Classic

We’re adding Classic CTF, Neutral Bomb Assault, Crazy King and Oddball game variants to the Team Classic lineup. Additionally, we’re changing starting grenades for all game variants in the Team Classic playlist to 1 frag starts and the Overshield will now give 3x up from 2x. We’ve accepted updated versions of a few maps and added objective gametype support to others.

• Classic CTF: Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Assault: Magus, Noble Creek, Prophet
• Classic King: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Oddball: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet, Rat Trap

Living Dead

The dead rise again! Significant changes are being made to the Living Dead playlist. First and foremost we’re increasing the player count to 12. Next up we’re going to start using the Alpha Zombies game variant as our core offering, but the traditional Infection game variant will remain available for the time being. Alpha Zombies features Sprint for everyone including Zombies, while Alpha Zombies also have infinite equipment usage.

Big Team Battle

Assault is being added to Big Team Battle! In addition to adding Assault, we’re also adding several community maps. The following maps have been considered and some are still being playtested so this is not a final list, some of these may or may not be added.

• Abridged by Schmittler 5000 (Forgetacular BTB winner)
• Wayont by FDL iGet Down (Original map from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Utopie by FDL FiFTy I (Paradiso rebalance from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Renegade by x black kn1ght
• Trident by x black kn1ght
• Temptation by tkblingx2

The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team

Always subject to change, blah blah blah… let’s just assume this is always the case and get on to the good stuff? OK! The following community maps are being considered for integration into The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team where appropriate. Due to the inclusion of community maps, the Team Slayer playlist will be restricted to a maximum of 2 local players. For you wild and crazy split-screen fans, please see the Squad Slayer section above for where you’ll get your 3way and 4way action on.

Also the Noble Map Pack Playlist has been removed and a new gametype was added to Firefight Arcade called "Arcadefight",Weapon Pick ups enabled.. There are more smaller details that haven't been revealed yet, I'll update this post when they become available.

Halo Reach May Matchmaking Update

In Today's Bungie Weekly Update, some of the May matchmaking update for Halo Reach was revealed.

Check out below for the details.

Action Sack

• Shotty Snipers: Shotguns and Sniper Rifles… don’t forget to bring marshmallows.
• Splockets: Spartan Lasers and Rocket Launchers. It’s like getting punched in the face repeatedly, WHY DID YOU ASK FOR THIS?!
• BOOM! Ball: Play Oddball (Hot Potato) with Grenade Launchers and infinite ammo.
• Hog Potato: Get to the Warthog! Ride it around for points, pile your teammates in for more points. Does anyone else smell gas?
• Shotgun Assault: Play Neutral Bomb Assault with only your trusty Shotgun.
• Dino Blasters: Elites + Concussion Rifles + Bottomless Clip + Jetpack = 42
• Rocket CTF: Play Neutral Flag CTF using Rocket Launchers. Yes you heard me, Neutral FLAG.
• To The Death!: Duel to the death… swing, clang and deliver the final blow with no recharging shields.

Edit:  Jeremiah just responded to my thread stating Action Sack will have the "None of the Above" vote option in may.

Squad Slayer

Squad Slayer is a new 5v5 playlist featuring Squad Slayer (AR/Magnum) and Squad Slayer DMRs (DMR/AR) game variants. Both game variants will be 75 kills to win and offer Sprint, Hologram, Jetpack and Active Camo abilities. Big Party Restrictions will be enforced on parties of 4-5 players, allowing them to only match with other big parties. Maps include Condemned, Uplink, Tempest, Unanchored, Asylum, Uncaged, Ivory Tower, Countdown, Boardwalk, Powerhouse and Arena Zealot.

• Team Size: 5
• Max Party Size: 5
• Big Party Size: 4-5
• Max Local Players: 4

Team Classic

We’re adding Classic CTF, Neutral Bomb Assault, Crazy King and Oddball game variants to the Team Classic lineup. Additionally, we’re changing starting grenades for all game variants in the Team Classic playlist to 1 frag starts and the Overshield will now give 3x up from 2x. We’ve accepted updated versions of a few maps and added objective gametype support to others.

• Classic CTF: Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Assault: Magus, Noble Creek, Prophet
• Classic King: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet
• Classic Oddball: Eclipse, Magus, Noble Creek, Prolonged, Prophet, Rat Trap

Living Dead

The dead rise again! Significant changes are being made to the Living Dead playlist. First and foremost we’re increasing the player count to 12. Next up we’re going to start using the Alpha Zombies game variant as our core offering, but the traditional Infection game variant will remain available for the time being. Alpha Zombies features Sprint for everyone including Zombies, while Alpha Zombies also have infinite equipment usage.

Big Team Battle

Assault is being added to Big Team Battle! In addition to adding Assault, we’re also adding several community maps. The following maps have been considered and some are still being playtested so this is not a final list, some of these may or may not be added.

• Abridged by Schmittler 5000 (Forgetacular BTB winner)
• Wayont by FDL iGet Down (Original map from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Utopie by FDL FiFTy I (Paradiso rebalance from the iLoveBTB.com community)
• Renegade by x black kn1ght
• Trident by x black kn1ght
• Temptation by tkblingx2

The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team

Always subject to change, blah blah blah… let’s just assume this is always the case and get on to the good stuff? OK! The following community maps are being considered for integration into The Arena, Team Slayer and Double Team where appropriate. Due to the inclusion of community maps, the Team Slayer playlist will be restricted to a maximum of 2 local players. For you wild and crazy split-screen fans, please see the Squad Slayer section above for where you’ll get your 3way and 4way action on.

• Affinity by GodlyPerfection
• Enclosed by Kymicals
• Kingdom by Sikamikanico
• Synapse by HWM BlacKnight
• Treasury by JoeSki73

May's Playlist update is scheduled to go Live in Early may, but is subject to changes. Next week should bring more smaller details.

Xbox Live is FREE this weekend!

Currently in between Xbox Live Memberships?

Well your in luck. This weekend Xbox Live is FREE. So Silver (Free) members can enjoy all the benefits of being a Gold Member including Netflix,Online Multiplayer,Facebook and so much more!

The Xbox live Free weekend runs from today (April 21st) until April 25th.


[Source]

Top Rank in Halo Reach..Reached

Someone has reached the rank of Inheritor, the top Rank in Halo Reach. In just over 8 months since Reach launched.

The person is:
xXSAVIORS0ULXx 

7933 Games played, the majority (3807) being Firefight. Which he most AFC's (Away from Controller) in.


Is it multiple people or one sad,lonely guy playing on the account? Who knows. 

Halo DLC,Avatar Content on Sale

It appears that select Halo DLC and Avatar Items are on sale today on the Xbox Dashboard.

Halo  DLC on Sale:

- Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack (Orbital, Assembly, Sandbox) on Sale for 200 Microsoft Points

         - Halo 3 Mythic II DLC (Longshore,Citadel and Heretic) is on Sale for 400 Microsoft Points
          
           - Halo Reach Noble Map Pack (Tempest,Breakpoint and Anchor 9) for 400 Microsoft Points

Halo Avatar Items:

          -Halo 3 ODST Marine armor is on sale for 200 points

          -Emile's armor is on sale for 200 points

Xbox Live Sale

There is a sale on the Xbox Dashboard for select Arcade Titles,Game Add-ons and Avatar Items.

"Casual Arcade Games":
Yu Gi Oh! 5D's Decade Duels - 400 pts
A Kingdom for Keflings - 400 pts
Crazy Taxi - 400 pts
3D Ultra MiniGolf 2 - 400 pts
Costume Quest - 600 pts
Monkey Island 2: Special Edition - 400 pts
Faery: Legend of Avalon - 600 pts
Gyromancer - 400 pts

"Core Arcade Games":
DOOM II - 400 pts
Quake Areana Arcade - 800 pts
Zeit 2 - 400 pts
After Burner Climax - 400 pts
Alien Breed Evolution - 400 pts
Alien Breed 2: Assult - 400 pts
Darwini+ - 400 pts
Defese Grid - 400 pts
Unbound Saga - 160 pts

"Awesome Add-Ons":
Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare Bundle: 1000pts
Red Dead Redemption Undead Nightmare pack: 400pts
Halo Wars Historical Battles: 400pts
Halo Wars Strategic Options: 400pts
3D Ultra Minigolf 2 Fairy Tales: 120pts
Mirror's Edge Pure Time Trials: 400pts

"Avatar Discounts":
Break Dancing - 160pts
Ninjas Black Horned Samurai Outfit - 120pts
Fantasy Pets Minotaur companion - 120pts

Check out the dashboard for more details.

New Halo Reach Gametypes released

Bungie has released the new Gametypes from tomorrows Action Sack Playlist (And brought back Alpha Zombies) to the public.

Alpha Zombies
In Halo 3, the Alpha Zombies gametype was used to make various Infection Custom games. Halo Reach shipped without this valued gametype. Now its back in Halo Reach. I haven't quite had the time to tinker with it yet.
Download it here.


With the next two gametypes brings a new gametype category called "Insane".

Haloball
In this gametype, Golf Balls spawn on specific points and players use Gravity Hammers to hit them towards a board which has multiple goals that each have different point values. The goals are created by team specific hill markers labeled as goals with spawn sequencer set to the point value of the goal. If the Golf Ball reaches the goal, it will be scored and your team will score points equal to the score specified in the object properties. Download.

Speedpile
The idea of this gametype was based on Stockpile and allows players to carry multiple flags on their back while still using weapons, vehicles and equipment. When a player touches a flag it will automatically attach to their back and will only drop when they are killed. Flags can be assigned different point values which are displayed above the flag in your HUD. Flags which are worth more than 1 point will be larger and on fire as well. Delivering the flags to your Speedpile goal zone will instantly score them and cause the flags to respawn at their original location. Download.

Power Slayer
This Slayer gametype is designed to allow players to gain special traits based on the types of kills they perform. Currently there are traits for Basic Kill, Melee Kill, Assassination Kill and Headshot Kill. Each time you perform one of these kills you will gain the traits assigned to that kill for 10 seconds. Killing another player during this period will refresh your timer back to 10 seconds and extend your powers. You can also chain them together to gain multiple types of powers, so if you Melee Kill a player and then Headshot Kill a player before your timer runs out, you’ll gain the traits of both kill types. We haven’t finalized the default traits for each kill type yet, but these will also be configurable in custom games so you can create your own!
Download.

Here is a quick example video that I took with what the default traits will be. Do note that there is a timer for the traits but to keep the video length reasonable I did not wait till the timer ran out.






Playlist Update...Update
We've also got word that the Playlist Update should be out by the Afternoon. Community BTB will arrive April 2nd, Action Sack and Team Classic will go up tomorrow as scheduled.

New Playlists coming to Halo Reach, March 29th

On March 29th, Bungie will be deploying the April Matchmaking to Halo Reach. See below for the changes:

ACTION SACK
This is a new 4v4 playlist inspired by community map and game variants. The initial lineup isn’t as insane as some players may expect, we’re using this playlist to introduce new gametypes that we’ve scripted up. We’ll be looking at feedback and suggestions for future additions to this playlist, so drop by the Optimatch forum and tell us about your favorite wacky 4v4 gametypes!

Power Slayer
This Slayer gametype is designed to allow players to gain special traits based on the types of kills they perform. Currently there are traits for Basic Kill, Melee Kill, Assassination Kill and Headshot Kill. Each time you perform one of these kills you will gain the traits assigned to that kill for 10 seconds. Killing another player during this period will refresh your timer back to 10 seconds and extend your powers. You can also chain them together to gain multiple types of powers, so if you Melee Kill a player and then Headshot Kill a player before your timer runs out, you’ll gain the traits of both kill types. We haven’t finalized the default traits for each kill type yet, but these will also be configurable in custom games so you can create your own!

Speedpile
The idea of this gametype was based on Stockpile and allows players to carry multiple flags on their back while still using weapons, vehicles and equipment. When a player touches a flag it will automatically attach to their back and will only drop when they are killed. Flags can be assigned different point values which are displayed above the flag in your HUD. Flags which are worth more than 1 point will be larger and on fire as well. Delivering the flags to your Speedpile goal zone will instantly score them and cause the flags to respawn at their original location. This is not a Stockpile variant, so if you want to setup your own maps to work with the gametype you’ll need to Forge it using the Speedpile game variant to have access to the appropriate labels.

Speedflag
This one is pretty simple, it’s a CTF variant which allows you to carry the flag on your back at all times. Just like in Speedpile, you can still use weapons, vehicles and equipment without dropping the flag. It’s worth mentioning that the only way to drop the flag is to either score or be killed, so make sure you want to carry the flag as long as possible before picking it up, you can’t pass it off to a teammate without sacrificing yourself. This game variant will work with any map which is already setup for CTF.

HammerBall / Hockey
In this gametype, Golf Balls spawn on specific points and players use Gravity Hammers to hit them towards a board which has multiple goals that each have different point values. The map we setup was one we found in the Community and we mirrored it so each team of 4 is back to back with a barrier preventing them from interfering with each other, unless of course you’re playing HammerBall Xtreme. The goals are created by team specific hill markers labeled as goals with spawn sequencer set to the point value of the goal. If the Golf Ball reaches the goal, it will be scored and your team will score points equal to the score specified in the object properties. This brings me to our next gametype… Hockey! Hockey uses a game variant of HammerBall and is played on a hockey rink map that we found in the Community as well.

TEAM CLASSIC
This is a new 4v4 playlist featuring game variants with no equipment and custom settings, as well as remakes of Classic Halo maps we found in the Community.

Player Traits which differ from default Slayer:

• Shield Recharge Rate 110%
• Health Recharge Rate 110%
• Damage Modifier 110%
• Melee Modifier 75%
• Player Speed 120%
• Jump Height 125%
• Player Gravity 150%

Maps we plan to use:

• Battle Canyon
• Dreadnought
• High Noon
• Hydro
• Magus
• Prolonged
• Prophet
• Rat Trap
• Rockout

COMMUNITY BTB
Our first round of Community BTB will run in April, featuring BTB maps from the Forgetacular submissions. Future rounds of Community BTB will be lovingly crafted by our Community Cartographers group.

Maps we plan to use:

• Bendarius Ridge
• Montana Gambit
• Outcrop
• Renegade
• Ridged
• Rift

 MLG
The MLG playlist will be updated with the MLG V3 maps and gametypes.

Random List of Additional Changes

• KOTH now has game variant support for Multiple Teammate Scoring allowing multiple teammates to gain score for their team while in the hill.
• All KOTH matchmaking variants now have a hill movement time of 1 minute.
• All KOTH matchmaking gametypes now allow equipment use while in the hill (2v2/4v4 gametypes limit equipment to Sprint, Jetpack and Hologram – Armor Lock removed from all KOTH loadouts).
• All KOTH matchmaking gametypes now have 1 frag starting grenades.
• Added a HUD widget for CTF gametypes which show when your flag is away from home or held by an enemy.
• More softkills on Pinnacle, Uncaged, Hemorrhage, Countdown and Asylum.
• Modified all default matchmaking map variants to support a static initial hill while playing Crazy Random King.
• Slayer game variants in 6v6 playlists are now 75 to win.
• 3 Ball is now 300 to win.
• Replaced Banshees with Falcons in all non-Invasion gametypes on Breakpoint.
• Increased Banshee respawn time to 180s on Paradiso.
• Decreased the frequency of Bro Slayer and Invasion Skirmish in the Noble Map Pack playlist.
• Replaced all Slayer game entries on The Cage with Uncaged in all playlists.
• Removed all objective game entries on The Cage in all playlists.
• Removed Pinnacle from Team Snipers.
• Removed Evade from The Arena and Double Team gametypes.

[Bungie Weekly Update - 03/18/11]

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 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]

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.

Red Dead Redemption XP Challenge

 

 

 

"The Red Dead Redemption Rockstar XP Challenge has officially begun, ladies and gentlemen. Grizzled veterans and greenhorns alike in Red Dead Redemption multiplayer on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network will be on equal footing as the entire online population works starting today to unlock special avatar rewards for their respective platforms. In lieu of the originally announced "Skin It to Win It" and "I Shot the Sherriff" Challenges to unlock these avatars, the test will now be for players on each console to harness their collective XP earning skills online and get that thermometer up from zero to 100%.

Here's how to do your part. Boot up your platform of choice and jump into any Red Dead Redemption multiplayer session. From Free Roam to Grab the Bag - whatever your pleasure. Enjoy your multiplayer game as you normally would and when your session ends, all of the XP that you accumulate will be automatically added to your platform's XP grand total.
You can track the progress of both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 earnings via the live XP thermometer right above in the page header.

The unlockable avatars will grace your Xbox LIVE and/or PlayStation Home characters with the spiffy Elegant Suit just like the unlockable one Marston himself rocks in the game. And when the occasion calls for something less dressy, there will also be the crimson Posse t-shirt. Each available for both male and female avatars. Check out some preview shots of all the unlockable avatar outfits below."

Full News Story

Coming to Xbox Marketplace

Discounts available December 21st - December 31st,2010:
Super Meat Boy Discounted Price: 800 Savings: 33%
Comic Jumper Discounted Price: 800 Savings: 33%
Toy Soldiers Discounted Price: 800 Savings: 33%
Banjo Tooie Discounted Price: 600 Savings: 50%
Castle Crashers Discounted Price: 600 Savings: 50%
The UnderGarden Discounted Price: 400 Savings: 50%
Risk Factions Discounted Price: 400 Savings: 50%
Afterburner Climax Discounted Price: 400 Savings: 50%
Borderland's Claptrap New Revolution Discounted Price: 400 Savings: 50%
Carcassonne Discounted Price: 400 Savings: 50%


Xbox LIVE Deal of the Week 
Week of December 20 – Forza Car Packs:
World Class Car Pack, 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Summer Velocity Car Pack, 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Exotic Car Pack, 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Road & Track Car Pack, 200 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Audi R8 LMS RC Car, 160 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)
Checkered Flags, 80 Microsoft Points (50 percent off)

 
Xbox Games On Demand:
December 21: Red Dead Redemption
December 21: Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands
December 28: Transformers: War for Cybertron
December 28: Just Cause 2
December 28: Ghostbusters
Xbox LIVE Avatar Marketplace:
December 15: Bomberman LIVE
December 15: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I
December 15: Winter Wear
December 23: Disney Sidekicks
December 23: University Collection (College Football Bowl Season)
December 23: Ninjas Collection
Xbox Game Add-Ons:
December 21: Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam Expansion Pack, 1200 Microsoft Points
December 29: Bomberman Live: Battlefest Bomb-Up Pack I, 240 Microsoft Points
Xbox LIVE Arcade:
December 22: A World of Keflings, 800 Microsoft Points and available worldwide
December 29: Raskulls, 800 Microsoft Points
January 5: ilomilo, 800 Microsoft Points

 Source: Major Nelson

Goodbye to Infection & Race in Rumble Pit

Bungie has confirmed that sometime down the road, All Infection & Race Variants will be removed from Halo Reach's FFA Playlist Rumble Pit. No time or further details have been released yet.

[Source]