Bungie drops Shock-Trooper Halo 3 teaser

[UPDATE] Halo 3 developer posts brief trailer showing ODSTs raining down on a city in their signature capsules; Xbox Live bills project as a "new campaign experience."

Halo 3: ODST

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Monday night, Bungie Studios posted a teaser countdown clock on their official site, Bungie.net. As has been the case in the past, it reflected the studio's obsession with the number 7. As the clock counted down to 7:07 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, it flashed a series of cryptic messages, including "Obey Posted Limits," "Pardon Our Dust," "Proceed with Caution," and "Expect Delays." When the hour was nigh, the site flashed an agonizingly long "rebooting" message, and then posted a brief teaser trailer for one of Bungie's "current projects."

Halo 3 ODST teaser

Watch the USNC's feared shock troopers drop from the skies!

The trailer doesn't divulge much to the untrained eye. After showing a futuristic urban landscape, the camera--apparently one of a metropolitan artificial intelligence's video feeds--switches to show a series of what appears to be small capsules re-entering the atmosphere. After cutting to several shots of abandoned streets with gunfire in the background, the camera switches to a low-angle shot of hundreds of the capsules streaking through the sky above the city--which is suddenly wracked by a massive shockwave.

After several seconds of a black screen, a brief screen flashes for what appears to be an emergency service transmission, urging the viewer to "Please remain calm." A reboot screen then warns of "Metropolitan disaster!" and cuts to scenes of the same streets, now strewn with smoldering wreckage. A brief "Halo 3" screen pops up, followed by a ground-level shot of one of one of the capsules hurtling at--and then shattering--the camera. The trailer ends with the words "Prepare to drop" and the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live logos.

While of little significance to the casual observer, the word "drop" will have Halo fans' ears tingling. That's because the capsules belong to the Orbital Shock Drop Troopers (ODSTs, pictured top), better known as the feared futuristic paratroopers used by the United Nations Space Command (UNSC), the human alliance in the Halo franchise. The ODSTs also starred in a series of gritty live-action shorts directed by Neil Blomkamp, would-be director of the in-limbo Halo feature film.

A side-by-side comparison of screenshots from the trailer and from prior Halo games (pictured second) clearly show the capsules have the angular silhouette and signature drag chute of the Human Entry Vehicles (HEVs) used by the ODSTs in prior Halo games. Further examination of a close-up of the capsules (third) and Halopedia's schematic of the HEVs (bottom) confirms it is indeed the so-called "Hell-jumpers" that are raining down on the city, most likely the spaceport of New Mombasa featured in Halo 2 and 3.

Bungie reps declined to comment further on the trailer, responding to GameSpot inquires with a curt "neg[ative]." However, the project appears to be the same game that Microsoft senior vice president of interactive entertainment Don Mattrick previously stated was set to be revealed at Microsoft's E3 2008 press conference before being abruptly pulled. Described as "a game" by Mattrick, the project was accompanied by the exact same countdown teaser and exact same reveal time of 7:07 a.m.

Though nothing is official yet, the title in question appears to be the "Halo Recon" project that has been rumored for months. A source told GameSpot in July the project will be "a cross between Ghost Recon and Gears of War." Instead of following the Halo franchise's usual protagonist--the SPARTAN super-soldier Master Chief--it will supposedly follow the exploits of a squad of colonial marines in a "less cartoony" and "more bloody, violent, and grim" tale of a battle between UNSC forces and the pan-racial religious empire known as the Covenant.

[UPDATE] An advertisement for the trailer on Xbox Live describes the cinematic thusly: "High action and deep mystery await players in this new Halo 3 campaign experience. Prepare to drop." Halopedia's editors believe the shockwave in the city is from the Prophet's ship going warp above New Mombasa in Halo 2, raising the possibility that the project could be a Crysis Warhead-style expansion that shows the game's campaign from a different perspective. However, nothing has been officially confirmed as of press time.

370 Comments

  • zurco

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 8:48 am PT

    Now this might just be my over indulged brain hoping for another master chief game but i did notice that this game is called HALO 3 RECON, not HALO 4 RECON, there may still be hope left for a HALO 4, i am still hopeful for another installment in the HALO universe with MASTER CHIEF headlining it.

  • MrTibb1es

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 7:48 am PT

    wait is this realy going to be halo4 or just an add on campian to halo 3

  • sMeAgOl_VaDeR

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 10:20 am PT

    i loved halo 3 i bet this one will rock too!!!

  • mingfu

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 2:25 pm PT

    sounds intriguing

  • mbchfdh2

    Posted Oct 6, 2008 8:49 am PT

    I don't mean to be a misery-guts, but even if this game's good, it does nothing to challenge the view that the Xbox is simply a Halo-box.

    I love the Halo triolgy. I own them all. I bought two first-generation Xboxes (one straight, one modded), and I'm onto my second 360 (I got the Red Ring a year ago...), so no-one can dispute my loyalty to the Xbox or Halo brands. But for Christ's sake - can we please have something other than a Halo game to get excited about?!

    Too Human was crap, as I always knew it would be (I got censured for trolling when I said it would suck - any chance of an apology, Gamespot...?), and other than a couple of decent XBLA games and GTA IV, there's been nothing I've wanted to buy for over a year. OVER A YEAR! That's pathetic, Microsoft. PATHETIC.

    I'm sure some of you think that Gears of War 2 will be the answer to all your prayers, and maybe it will be - but it won't answer mine. I thought Gears of War was good, but terribly overrated (Edge had it right giving it 8 out of 10, in my opinion...). So, before anyone raises Gears 2 in defence of the 360, I say this - I'm not interested in that either.

    I'm sick of waiting for something genuinely exciting to come out - like Knights of The Old Republic for the original Xbox, which was staggeringly brilliant. SICK OF IT. And I won't wait any longer.

    I've defected to PS3 - I bought one yesterday, with MGS4. Admittedly, I was looking to get into Blu-ray anyway, and I'll buy 360 games occasionally because all of my friends own 360s, and Xbox LIVE is a vastly superior online service...

    ... but all the same - listen-up, Microsoft. One of your most devoted fans has lost faith in you. Do something about it.

  • Ctrainrules

    Posted Oct 5, 2008 2:21 pm PT

    Whatever it is its going to be sweet!!!!!!! Love bungie!!

  • ShadyRanger

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 6:09 pm PT

    I am really looking foreward to this update, im sure it will only strengthen this already elite game.

  • shotgun_org

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 11:26 pm PT

    If this is going to be a game, I'm gonna get it. I've always wanted to play Halo on the ODST or Marines story

  • DaveA6489

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 4:06 am PT

    THIS LOOKS GLORIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • roemdawg

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 2:52 pm PT

    No Master Chief? That could lead to a worldwide riot...

  • Maul_88

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 1:36 am PT

    Man ERECTION ON ME! New Halo Franchise. ERECTION!

  • Roman_Slayer

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    Cabal23 Posted Sep 30, 2008 10:26 am PT "Meh...Halo is so last decade. "

    Just so you're aware, Halo: Combat Evolved was published in 2001. I don't realy see how something that hasn't even existed for a decade could be "so last decade"

  • ascalon94

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 6:22 pm PT

    what do u guys not understand this isnt going to be halo 4 or anything like that thsi will be a new series of its on Juat because they put Halo 3 at the end of it doesnt mean it will be halo 4 i mean if it was halo 4 wouldnt they say somethign like THE FIGHT ISNT OVER i mean really this is somethign new and it wil be better then any halo game to come out.. but halo 3 still rocks

  • Futil1ty

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:15 pm PT

    I think Halo 3 actually had the worst ending. The actual gameplay was epic, but the story was a letdown. The first Halo did the same thing as the third, but I still think they pulled it off better the first time.

  • Cabal23 posted Sep 30, 2008 7:26 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Cabal23

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 7:26 am PT (hide)

    Meh...Halo is so last decade.

  • sam6996

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 4:23 am PT

    For the first tme halo 3 out of al the halos has a good ending and then bungie decides to make another sequel. God these guys r gonna be rich

  • livinondaedge

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:26 pm PT

    afrosud12 you are an idiot...Microsoft doesn't make computers dumbass...they only make software for computers...and I think this new Halo edition would be great.

  • BARRICADE_28

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:21 pm PT

    Hopefully this game will have, unlike Masterchief, some characters that actually TALK and have some DEPTH to them. It would be great to base the game around a few ODST's that you really get to know & care about instead of just some dudes in cool armour.

  • CursiveSaturn

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 5:50 pm PT

    So glad to hear that they are going away from MC for a little. He was a badass dude and all but its getting a dat bit worn out. Hopefully this next game will be pretty sweet.

  • doktron

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 4:29 pm PT

    Whats with Halo 3???Since u cant play it on a computer I just want to know when Halflife Episode3 is coming out?
    Anybody?

  • klugenbeel

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 10:47 am PT

    Halo 3 was pure Bliss. It had everything great, fun, and the best of bosth halo 1 and Halo 2, wrapped into 1 game. The idea of this squad based Halo thast has been rumored before still excites me, Halo is a great game, plain and simple.

  • the_sorrow_MGS_

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 9:39 am PT

    Halo 3 was one of the greatest gaming experiances ever! The last Warthog ride was pure gaming delight.

  • Keitha313

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:58 am PT

    Another Halo....Well i dont particulary care what anyone thinks of my opinion but simple put if their going to create another Halo for the love of god please make it alot better than their last Halo game, Because honestly their last game just didnt feel right sure they had the wonderful graphics but the feel of the game just felt boring too similiar to Halo 2 that was the problem, But anyways im sure it'll get a good rating whether its good or not well on this site.

  • danielb12345678

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 7:58 am PT

    it is an entire level editor it lets you make maps from scratch and place a.i where ever you whant so basically you can make campaign levels

  • afrosud12

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 5:12 am PT

    idea, when it says HALO perpare to drop. maybe they're making a whole new halo game, i.e. drop halo 3 and play the new halo. and HALO 3 was only like a 1/4 of the full game. maybe we only finished some of the fight?

    and world69star69 you'll never own an MS console? is that right? but you'll own a Microsoft computor... haters never make much sense...

  • moving_fusion

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 4:33 am PT

    I'm sure this will be ok but ffs Bungie just tell me what happens to Master Chief after Halo3!!!! He's been in stasis on that ship for a while now and it just aint right...

  • Makhdoom82

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 2:54 am PT

    There is going to be a HALO 3 ... WOW !!!

  • BrayneDrayne

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 2:11 am PT

    @ Zealot: Well, I dont agree with the trolling, but I do with the sentiment. I always got the feeling I was playing a different set of games to everyone else whilst playing Halo.. Not that they're bad, I just don't get what all the fuss is about.

  • brian_13un

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:40 am PT

    Good ONE!!

  • bniceballer208

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 8:59 pm PT

    Is This going to an expansion download for Halo 3 on xbox live?


    ~SoFly~

  • ZEALOTzeus

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 5:49 pm PT

    not nearly as bad as your attempt to troll firesage

  • firesage423

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 5:00 pm PT

    this better not blow as much as halo does..

  • Mothman301

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    sweet!!

  • ctburesch

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 12:37 pm PT

    Know it all gamers. Keep spewing your nonsense.....

  • NinjaMunkey01

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 10:15 am PT

    Looking at the characters there maybe it will be a little more tactics orientated, like SWAT or something.
    Halo 3 was good, but Im not a huge fan of run and gun hit all the enemies games. I would like some sort of cover system.

  • NevsterUK

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 10:09 am PT

    Halo 3.2 ftw, although Bungie leaves a lot in question with this new teaser. I hope they reveal some more information soon!

    I'd still prefer a Halo 2 style expansion pack with some more maps and some more forge features though... Ah well, one can only hope.

  • world69star69

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 8:40 am PT

    The only way I will ever play a halo game is if it comes to the pc at the same time as the 360 release. Microshaft are greedy bastards who steal devs from the pc and make them do 360 games only, then shut them down..enesemble, fsaa anyone? Bungie was originally a mac-pc developer and halo was supposed to come out on pc, but ms stole them for the first xbox. I will never own a ms console, they make horrible hardware, they have super shady business praticess and they are ignoring the pc gamers who made them what they are. Why do you think vista is such a horrible bloated os? MS was paying too much attention to 360 so the other products suffered for it.

    I played Halo3 at a friends house and thought it was a meh shooter. It wasn't really anything different then halo2. The pc has much better fps games on it so halo didn't interest me in the least. Now that bungie is free from th MS chains, they should be working on a new ip, give halo a rest, and make somthing multiplat, so ps3 and pc owners can give it a go!

  • Nick_Thelot

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 2:34 am PT

    I saw a couple of people go apesh*t on yutube saying that this was just a viral ad for the Mythic Map Pack, but it obviously isn't. The MMP isn't going to be a 'new campaign experiance' at all
    And the new achievements won't have anything to do with it, i think the stand alone expansion sound like the most plausable explaination

  • night_haunter

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 1:57 am PT

    HELLJUMPERS FTW!!!!!!!!!!!

  • hollow56771

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 1:35 am PT

    this game is definitely a expansion pack cause they already added 24 achievements

  • Lach0121

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 5:23 pm PT

    @mike, ive read all the books and the part about them being more gruesome, i cannot agree with... but about them being a squad of kick but rather than an invincible one man i can agree with..
    they are haloverse's version of US Navy Seals/ British SAS soldiers. they are bad A$$.

  • Niffirg6

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 4:17 pm PT

    HOLE-EY-SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIII*BEEEEEEEP*!!!!

  • mikeisaniceguy

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 12:33 pm PT

    It would be nice to learn more about the ODST's. If you've read the book you learn that they are jealous of Master Chief. They are more of a kick butt squad instead of a invincible one man. They are also more gruesome than M.C.

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