Earlier today IGN revealed info on the War Games Map Pass. Now we take a look at concept art for each of the 9 maps.

First coming in December the first of three packs is Crimson pack with the following three maps:

Wreckage: a blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures

Harvest: You venture into the human colony environs of the planet
Of note this is the first planet documented as having had combat with the Covenant.

If Harvest the map is anything like this concept it looks to be a BTB map. Just look at the wide range and multilevel bridges between the ravine.

Shatter: Explore a human foray on an alien moon

This map looks somewhat spooky and for that I can see it being a good FLOOD infection map depending on it’s final size. Also looks good for small objective gametypes.

The second of the map packs is Majestic and is due in February 2013. It will bring us the following three maps:

Landfall: emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world

Now wouldn’t it just be great if we finally got some type of watercraft?? Hmmmm. This map would be perfect for it.

Monolith: exposes you to the naked vacuum of space — and the firepower of opposing teams

Just an amazing looking concept. I wonder what the final map will look like. Is that a huge kill ball in the middle? Could it be another Cryptum? We’ll have to wait until February of next year to find out (or unless 343 tells us before hand).

Skyline: distinct industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces

The third map pack is Castle. I wonder if that’s a reference to Castle base on Reach, or possibly for Nathan Fillion’s TV series. You know he’s a HUGE Halo fan. LOL. This map pack comes out in April of 2013. Yikes, so far away… It will bring us:

Daybreak: set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range

I like the concept pic. Though the holes in the mountains are strange. Then again, this is an alien world, so not all of the same rules apply there as on Earth.

Outcast: plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice

There’s something I really like about this concept pic. I can’t quite put my finger on it.  Maybe the relative confined spaces yet with enough room for larger scale combat. Dunno, but I can’t wait to see more of it.

Finally, Perdition: takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl

Please let me know what YOU think of these concepts. Do you like the direction the future map packs are taking? Do you like the names of the maps? Can you see yourself forging on them?

Please feel free to reply. I’d love to read your comments.

-Sal

Courtesy of IGN:

343 has announced downloadable content details for Halo 4. Three map packs will be available including three maps each and are set to arrive between December 2012 and April 2013. Players will have the option of purchasing a Halo 4 War Games Map Pass for $24.99 (2,000 Microsoft Points) that will offer access to the packs at a 15% discount as well as a unique in-game Falcon emblem. The Map Pass is included for free with the Halo 4 Limited Edition, and two unique in-game helmets (Scanner and Strider) will be offered when the Pass is purchased separately.

The Crimson Map Pack will be released in December 2012 and includes three maps: Wreckage, Harvest and Shatter. According to 343, players will “witness the chaos of a clash of civilizations” in Wreckage and see a “blend of claustrophobic spaces and dangerous exposures.” Players will also “venture into the human colony environs of Harvest” and “explore a human foray on an alien moon in Shatter.” The Majestic Map Pack, due in February 2013, includes Landfall, Monolith and Skyline. As 343 describes, “Landfall’s emphasis is on infantry battles against a glittering ocean on a distant world, while Monolith exposes you to the naked vacuum of space — and the firepower of opposing teams. Skyline’s distinctly industrial feel provides new challenges in somewhat familiar, but occasionally confined spaces.”

Finally, the Castle Map Pack is scheduled for April 2013 and offers Daybreak, Outcast and Perdition. “Daybreak is set in a military facility against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range,” 343 says, “while Outcast plunges you into the warrens, canyons and arches of an alien edifice. Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban sprawl, with tactical speed and situational awareness its key features.”

Source

You can also check out their Halo 4 concept art gallery here!

A really good trailer here. Mostly campaign with bits of multiplayer as well. Toward the end, note the Didact’s hand. It has 2 opposable thumbs and 4 other fingers. OOhhhh, I just am dying with anticipation for the game to come out already!

-Sal

Brought to you by IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey.

He talks with Kynan Pearson about the map, different game types, vehicle usage and armor abilities.

This is a good walkthrough though I feel we don’t quite get enough time in each area.

I love everything about the map except one thing. Trees. Those trees do not look believable at all. I hope they are better at the final release, otherwise I hope we can remove them. I rarely harp on anything Halo, but this is one time in one specific instance that something just isn’t quite up to par.

The rest of the map though? Awesome. Well textured and a snow map. SO glad to have one of those return.

-Sal