Monthly Archives: May 2012

My Halo Reach “playdate” with 343’s BS Angel.

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I had the honor of being selected to game with Jessica Shea, none other than 343’s Blog manager “BS Angel” last night during 343’s gaming night. I got to play three games with her and had a blast.

First up was a game of Snipers on Ridgeline (for which BS Angel promises to ban all of those who voted for Snipers). I’m not a great sniper, though I managed to go 13/5. She was on my team (and we still managed to win, LOL) Luv ya Jessica…

Next up was a game of Heavies on the repurposed Ridgeline variant “Superstition.” Okay, I’m NOT a fan of heavies in Reach, and though we lost, I still have a fun time.

For the third/final game of the night with BS Angel, we played TU BTB Slayer on Hemmorrhage. I posted a respectable 10/4 K/D w/10 assists.

I wasn’t really trying to play at the top of my game. I was just having fun gaming with BS Angel and chatting her up about Halo 4 stuff. She didn’t reveal anything new (couldn’t). But did say when asked about Forge that we would be VERY happy.

I asked her what aspect of Halo 4 was she looking forward to the most and she quickly said campaign. When probed about info on Spartan Ops and it’s possible reveal of info at E3 this year, she said “mayyybeee.”

During the games I blurted out a “That’s what she said,” and realized I might have made a major faux pa. Instead she laughed. I apologized but she said she’d be more mad if I didn’t say it more. So I did. LOL. She was a great sport and a real nice person to game with. Very cheerful. She genuinely liked gaming with we fans.

Jessica, if you’re reading this, thanks again. And follow me on Twitter, puh-leeeeesss.

-HFFL

Halo McFarlane Micro Ops pics!

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I saw these first hand at Toy Fair and they were amazing. Here are three new pics showing the sets.

These small sets will retail for around $9 U.S. each.

The small boxed sets will retail for around $13 U.S. each.

The large sets will retail for $17 U.S. each.

Some really good stuff here. I can’t wait until these show up at retail. Though, there are a lot more sets on the way besides these. Check out my coverage from New York Toy Fair this year to see more. NYTF Halo McFarlane Micro Ops!

These realistic sets are fantastic for those who want to build a diorama but don’t have the room for the larger McFarlane line. As well, you’ll be able to get sets that will never be done in the larger line.

Personally, I love to build scaled perspective dioramas. That is to say larger things in front smaller things in back. So for instance, I might have a action figure sized ghost in front and one of the micro ops ones in the background to give the illusion of distance, yet keeping the diorama relatively small.

Halo 3: A map retrospective.

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In this 10 minute video the folks from Bungie talk about their maps. This vid was made back when, so it’s from that perspective as if they are new.

Maps looked at are Ghost Town, Avalanche, and Blackout (the remade Lockout).

Personally I loved all three maps for different reasons. Ghost Town was asymetrical and had a really lived in feel. You really needed to have tactics down to own on this map.

Avalanche was a vehicle lovers dream. As a Hog driver and Tank operator, I LOVED playing on this map. There was a weekend in June of 2009 that I recall fondly. I got 420 wheelmen that weekend and two of those games came back to back on Avalanche. In those two games I helped my gunners get Perfections. One with more than 45 kills. the other with around 20.  Great times.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s the vid, enjoy:

ODST Drop Pod available for your XBL avatar!

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This is one of the most interactive Avatar items out there. Very cool.

Below text from HaloWaypoint:

The United Nations Space Command uses Drop Pods for rapid deployment, and now your Avatar can, too! So whether you enjoy jumping out of a spaceship in this Single-Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle, or you are simply looking for a new way to keep your Avatar entertained, you should check out the newest addition to the Halo Avatar Collection, the Drop Pod prop—available on May 15th, 2012 on Xbox LIVE.

Buy your ODST DROP POD HERE! It will set you back 320 Microsoft points which equated to $4 U.S.

UNSC Frigate made of wooden sticks.

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My XBOX Live friend Erickyboo has finished his model of a UNSC Frigate made of wooden sticks. He calls it the Pure Wooden Defender.

Check the vid for this cool fan made ship:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P0_AIKpP3wI

Now if McFarlane made a mini version of the frigate, or Mega Bloks….

Halo 4 LIMITED Edition!

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So now we have a choice of 2 versions. The regular edition is of course the normal $60. The Limited edition will set you back $100.

Here is the info via Gamespot:

$100 premium edition of upcoming sci-fi shooter to include nine maps, early access to six specializations, live-action film; Spartan Ops mode detailed.

Gamers looking forward to re-starting the fight have a new option to consider, as Microsoft today announced the Halo 4 Limited Edition.

The premium bundle includes access to the War Games map pack, which includes nine new environments spread across three future multiplayer add-ons. A release schedule for the map packs will be unveiled at a later date.

A Microsoft representative told GameSpot this afternoon that the map packs will be available for purchase separately after launch through Xbox Live. Pricing information was not made available, but the company said this will be announced later.

Additionally, the Halo 4 Limited Edition grants gamers early access to six specializations, which unlock additional customization options. The six specializations available in the Halo 4 Limited Edition will be made available at a later date to all gamers.

On top of that, the Halo 4 Limited Edition packs in the UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet, which includes an armor customization diagram, a blueprint of the Infinity ship, and additional “insight” into what it means to be a Spartan-IV soldier.

The premiums don’t end there. The Halo 4 Limited Edition also includes various digital content offerings delivered through Xbox Live, as well as the special edition of upcoming 90-minute live-action film Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.

On top of announcing the Halo 4 Limited Edition, Microsoft today also formally took the wraps off Halo 4’s Spartan Ops offering. This mode will offer a weekly series of episodes through Xbox Live that tells the story of the UNSC Infinity and its crew after the events of Halo 4. The episodes will also introduces players to a new team of Spartans called Majestic Squad.

According to Microsoft, the episodes will provide a backdrop for the Spartan Ops game missions, which will also release on a weekly basis. Gamers can take on these objective-based missions either alone or with up to three friends. Further specifics were not offered.

Halo 4 is due for a worldwide release exclusively on the Xbox 360 on November 6. It is a sequel to 2007’s Halo 3, and takes place nearly five years after the events of that game. Halo 4 is currently in development at Microsoft’s new Halo label 343 Industries, the shop that recently took over for series creator Bungie.

–end copy/paste.

Okay so let’s look at this.

For the extra $40 you get:
• 9 more maps
• 6 “specializations” (custom options, but what? Armor? Weapons?)
• UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet – which itself includes:
• Armor Customization Diagram
• Blueprint of Infinity
• “Insight” into what it means to be a Spartan IV (What the hell? Sounds not so intelligent, but okay)
• Special Edition 90-minute “Halo4: Forward Unto Dawn” (Okay, I assume this is all 5 of the 15 minute shorts that will be shown the 5 weeks prior to launch, plus another 15 minutes worth of footage not seen. After all 5 15-minute shorts only equals 75 minutes…)
• and finally “various digital offerings” – what is this you may ask? Likely special armor perms or add-ons like the flaming helmet was for Reach. Also possibly other armor unlocked through HaloWaypoint with a code you’d get in the limited edition set.

So is that extra $40 worth it? I’d say yes. We all know map packs will come out for this. Too bad we won’t have a huge amount to start without buying the limited edition. But then, have we ever known Microsoft to give away map packs? Usually a map pack of 3 costs $10. So with 9 maps that already $30 of the $40 right there. Add up all the other stuff and it’s definitely worth the $10 left. Besides all this, not mentioned is the Limited Edition case. (See pic above) It would be great if that was a TIN case. Even so, it’s still different and more special than the regular edition.

Having access early to some things is definitely a draw for long time Halo fans. I for sure am one of them.

Now the question begs to be asked…So what of a Legendary Edition? If that is to come, I hope it comes with a polystone cast of the Infinity. Maybe 8-10″ long. I’m goign to bet there will be a Legendary edition. That will likely cost another $30-40. We’ll see…

A discussion for and against Jet Pack in Halo 4.

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I just had this discussion over on HaloWaypoint and thought it pertinent to post here. The Bold/Italic text is from another user there. The plain text is my response.

Ban the Jetpack: Can’t be anymore blunt than that. The Jetpack probably the worst AA’s put into reach, If it wasn’t for the infamous Armor lock hogging up the spotlight, The jetpack would be removed from Halo a long time ago, But that didn’t happen… And now the Jetpack is possible threat to Halo 4 Matchmaking and must be fixed/removed at all costs.

Really? The Jetpack is the worst? How about a near perpetual Active Camo that people use to snipe unsuspecting enemies? Only a NOOB does that. Of course you’re right on Armor Lock, and I’m glad it’s gone in Halo 4. Evade is not so good either, that’s what it’s just sprint and not evade in Halo 4. Jetpack makes it fun for those who love to fly around the map. It also has it’s cons. You’re in the open, can’t strafe and end up being an easy target.

Why the Jetpack is flawed:  It breaks map flow…Simple as, What’s the point of Having walls and boundaries when you can simply fly over them. This breaks map control since you can just fly to Power weapons without going through the map and you can Bypass the enemy team. This may seem harmless but then you get maps like sword base where you are just bundled into the top corner of the map because it was specially designed for jetpacks, which is honestly just a load of rubbish and shouldn’t be the case. 

OMG, how many times I’ve heard, “It breaks map flow.” No, it breaks CAMPING. That’s the real issue people who don’t use Jet Pack has. They can’t just stay in one place and wait for unsuspecting noobs to come around a corner. Nope. Instead they have to watch the skies to for a grenade or a well placed rocket.

So to elaborate: Breaks Map Flow/Control Allows for abuse to Map Boundaries/Camping Gives Height adv. They have clear shot on head, Whereas you can only see players feet Forces Players in maps such as Sword base to be played in one corner of the entire map. (Yellow Lift)

Heh, I’ll say rubbish back. It doesn’t promote camping. If anything it inhibits it by not allowing those who are ground based to stay in one spot without having to not only watch their fronts and backs, but now also their “tops.” And I’ve gotten PLENTY of headshots off of would-be jetpackers. True, some map boundries can be exploited with the jet pack. They can also be done with invis among others. It’s just where the boundries are exploited is the difference.

Fixes to the Jetpack: Remove from game Make it a Jump pack (Brutes from Halo 3 but FAR less height) Make it so it can only hover a feet from ground for a short time. Add a Limited Fuel System – You only get a set amount of fuel per life. Can’t fly forever

I won’t agree with the height restriction you want. However, I’ll agree that it should only last for a limited time. Really, anything BUT Sprint should be equipment. While you’re armor may always have a jetpack on it, in this case the equipment would be a fuel canister to enable it to fly for a limited time. Same as invis should be a very limited amount of time as well and should only be picked up.

Your Call 343: So we can continue to have this gimmick in the game which will almost certainly break map flow and become the new armor lock causing havoc in the forums, or you can fix the obvious flaw and make the game flow and play well Your Call. Discuss.

Gimmick? Really? It’s a game. Get over it. We’re talking about 500 years in the future. Super Soldiers with highly specialized armor. They SHOULD have jetpacks. This is Sci-Fi. Not REALISM like CoD.
If you’re going to go the route of gimmick then you’ll have to dis much of any of the halo games. Shields? Not real. At least not in the way they are applied specifically in Halo. Super Soliders? Brain and body augmentation (again to the degree spartans are, not just drugs like steroids). The whole game is gimmick. But it’s fun as hell with those gimmicks. Give me MORE of them if anything. Open them up. I want to see what Spartans can REALLY do.
I don’t always use jetpack. Only on maps where I think it’s more appropriate then other loadouts. If 343 were to take jetpack out now, it would be a huge step backwards. Armor Lock? Yeah, that’s a good move taking it out of the game. But not jetpack. Dont’ you like to feel like “Boba Fett” from time to time?

-HFFL

Halo Avatar minifig pics!

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Here is a gallery of the upcoming Hlao Avatar minifigs. Remember folks, these can be mixed and matched. (with exception to the Warthog)

Cute little things. I believe they are to retail for $3 each and are blind packed in a plastic tube.

McFarlane Halo 4 series 1 Carded pics!

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These two pics have been leaked and I’m happy to bring them to you. The front is Master Chief, which we all knew would be in this wave.

Note however that in this pic there is a San Diego ComicCon sticker. It’s likely this is an early release with the only difference being the sticker itself. Again, Master Chief is in the first wave at mass retail, so unless you just HAVE to have one carded with the SDCC sticker on it, I suggest you pass on it.

The second pic shows the back and there is some interesting information to be read there. Now we know that the first wave consists of: Master Chief, an Elite Zealot, a Grunt “Storm” (Wonder what that means?), and a Spartan “Warrior.” Below that is says to look for Cortana, Spartan “Soldier” (Hmm, SPartan Classes now too, besides loadouts?), a Crawler and a Watcher. The last two are interesting. Are the the fauna of the shiled world “Requiem,” or are they a Forerunner construct like the engineer and just have different jobs that the engineers do?

Here’s a pic of Requiem from the inside. In it you can kind of make out flying animals/constructs that sort of resemble the Watcher. (Click on it to make bigger)

Very near center, just to the right of the middle hanging column is the animal/construct I’m talking about. Could this be a watcher? Or is it an engineer?

At any rate, the back of the card also notes that coming Holiday 2012 there will be a “Secret Enemy Figure.” It goes on to say “Don’t miss this deluxe boxed figure of an enemy unlike anything before.”

Well if that doesn’t whet your appetite for new Halo McFarlane toys, I don’t know what will.

Thanks to “Mr. Sci-Fi” for providing me a link so I could present this to you.

-HFFL