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TGS 2008: Bungie drops Halo 3: Recon details

Stand-alone first-person shooter will boast four-player co-op, full 1,000-point GamerScore campaign, and multiplayer maps with additional achievements; next spring's Mythic DLC also packed in.

TOKYO--Though yesterday's unveiling of Halo 3: Recon was not entirely unexpected, it did respark interest in Microsoft's sci-fi shooter franchise. Today at the Hotel New Otani next door to the 2008 Tokyo Game Show floor, developer Bungie Studios called a small gathering of journalists to dish out further information about its new project.

Halo 3 Recon

Bungie talks about the first Master Chief-free Halo game.

On hand was Bungie.net community lead Brian Jarrard and his associate Luke Smith. "Halo 3: Recon is our answer back to our fans," declared Jarrard. "This is a game we felt like we needed to do. Our fans want more Halo 3 content and they want to do more in the Halo universe, and this is really our way to continue to support the Halo 3 fan base and give them something a little bit different than what they were expecting."

Done with the flowery rhetoric, Jarrard got down to brass tacks, describing what Halo 3: Recon is--and what it isn't.

"In a nutshell, Halo 3 Recon is essentially an expansion, but it is also a stand-alone retail product," he said, adding later that there are no plans to distribute it as downloadable content. "It will be sold in a box available next fall and will include hours of new campaign content and an experience from an all-new perspective. You will be playing the role of an ODST [Orbital Drop Shock Trooper], and the Master Chief will not be featured in this game in any way."

"So the events of the trailer take place just as the Covenant blasts out of the city in the end of Halo 2," explained Smith."So while the Master Chief is off on Delta Halo, which is where the original Helljumpers [ODSTs] were introduced, you're back on Earth in the Covenant-occupied city of New Mombasa." When asked if the game's action will be confined to New Mombasa, Smith declined to go into too much detail. "It's less of a galactic romp than Halo 2 and Halo 3, certainly," he said. "[But] the game is certainly rooted in the city environments you see in the trailer."

Halo 3: Recon

The new ODST hero drops into action.

Like Halo 3, Halo 3: Recon will let up to four players play through a full-blown campaign in co-op mode. Unlike in Halo 3, the single-player campaign will have achievements worth 1,000 gamer points. "In addition, there will be some new multiplayer content as well," continued Jarrard. The new multiplayer maps will be augmented by all the maps from the Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack, which will be released next spring on Xbox Live Marketplace. As has been revealed via a recent official Halo 3 update, the Mythic Map Pack will have its own set of achievements as well.

Then Jarrard and Smith shifted into rumor-debunking mode, declaring that Halo 3: Recon is not third-person nor is it squad-based. It will not be a Splinter Cell-like stealth game, but players will have to take a different approach to combat, as their character will not be a Spartan supersoldier like the Master Chief. This new style of gameplay, however, will not apply to Recon's multiplayer maps, which will support "traditional, classic" Halo 3 modes.

Halo 3: Recon is also not the beginning of a new subset of the Halo franchise, a la Halo Wars. "It's certainly a one-off thing," stated Jarrard. "From Bungie's perspective, this is just us giving back to people who are currently playing Halo 3 and keeping that trilogy and that saga going a little bit longer."

The Recon Box.

The Recon Box.

Jarrard also reiterated that Halo 3: Recon is also not the only thing Bungie is working on. "This is just one of a couple projects we have in the studio under way now," he explained. "This is the first time we've tried to have a smaller, nimble, more agile team of people on a project while the rest of the team tackles other projects." He also said that many Recon team members have been at Bungie since work on Halo: Combat Evolved began at the turn of the century. "They're at the core of the Halo universe. This is a fun way for them to try out some ideas they've had on the back burner."

332 Comments

  • jenovaproject

    Posted Feb 14, 2009 9:38 pm GMT

    Halo is a solid game. It's not for the Fl00d of multiplayer locusts who go from fresh new game to fresh new game... in that, it's very much like a PC multiplayer game like TF2, (which you should all get for 360, to encourage Valve to make more multiplatform crossovers, a la Shadowrun, even though they didn't do that game... you get the point, though) where it becomes a sport and ritual.

    It's *solid,* and does what it does well... you'd have to play things other than deathmatch, er... Slayer, to really get it. It's not super original, but honestly, what game is at this point? Not many.

    You could all just be little locust kids, though. What do I know?

  • martusfine

    Posted Feb 14, 2009 1:01 pm GMT

    I've played all the Halo games and beaten them. I currently own the Halo 3. I gotta say that I don't know what the hype is about these games, either. From other comments, it seems I'm not the only one who feels this way. The add-on content does not excite me in the least bit, but I do know there are other who really embrace Halo and that universe. I have to say KUDOS to Bungie for thinking of their fans. I wish other game companies would feel the same way. From what it sounds like the game is designed for fans in mind. I realize companies make game for money and money makes games, but it is kind of nice the fans are at the heart.

  • rocketdanman

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 5:17 pm GMT

    I have always thought that Halo is overrated. Now with another one I think bungie is really beating a dead horse.

  • Molezzi

    Posted Nov 8, 2008 7:28 am GMT

    Thank you thenephariouson... you are a very wise man :-) haha

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Nov 7, 2008 10:02 am GMT

    Molezzi, I agree, although not original what Halo did, it did very well. I prefer more realistic FPS's, as opposed to the runnie-jumpie affairs.

  • Molezzi

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 2:50 am GMT

    im gonna get shot down for this ... BUT i think Halo is one of the most over rated games in history!!! I played the first one and fell asleep. i played to second one and was too bored to finish it :-) i donno what all the hype is all about. its nothing special at all. average FPS...!

  • Cheshnaz

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 5:47 pm GMT

    You all need to stop with the moaning FFS its more HALO!!!! I read thru the comments an i was like woah??? why arn't people like: F@£K YEAHHHH

  • PattonWon

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:36 pm GMT

    im glad you can finally play as a human.

  • ultimate-dragon

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 8:11 pm GMT

    i would like to know if it will still have Zombies whit the people turning into the flood cause that would be awesome.

  • sMeAgOl_VaDeR

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 9:36 am GMT

    what are the other projects bungie are working on? i really want to know!

  • Elim420

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 3:22 pm GMT

    i think this is a GREAT idea for bungie. a lil new for the halo trilogy, might not be so bad. i actualy like the fact that you dont got superabilities like the chief has. will be a lil more challenging. i cant wait to see this game. TAKE YOUR TIME BUNGIE IM COUNTING ON YOU!!!!!!!!

  • DarkFireWind

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 2:23 pm GMT

    So basically your some dispensable marine who fights aliens great... I'm glad their keeping halo going but it just won't be the same without the chief.

  • mankeyador

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 8:34 am GMT

    @itachi100 The only things cysis did better than halo 3 was the graphics and mouse control. everything else halo 3 beat it to the ground in.better weapons, vehicles, sound, co-op, multiplayer, and story. Crysis isn't the best fps on the pc anyway. COD4 is better by longshot.

  • revanent

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 6:43 pm GMT

    ps theres still missing spartons if u read the books

  • revanent

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 6:42 pm GMT

    halo will suck if its turned into a splinter cell type game, bring bk the chief

  • HypnoticToast

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 10:46 am GMT

    At halosniper31:

    Wrong. It is before Halo 3 and the invasion of New Mombasa. If you watched the trailer at all, you'd know that there were BRUTES walking around, not Elites. I think you're thinking of Halo Wars.

    And then there's the fact that the game itself is called Halo 3: Recon.

  • itachi100

    Posted Oct 20, 2008 8:50 pm GMT

    if this was for the PC, id buy it, consoles are too exponsive, n ya plus PC GAMES ARE THE BEST! thats why crysis beat halo 3 BY A LAWNG SHOT!

  • halosniper31

    Posted Oct 20, 2008 9:47 am GMT

    To aragornjer, Its a Prequal to Halo. Therefore the elites are still bad

  • leoleez

    Posted Oct 18, 2008 9:05 am GMT

    wow, I knew they wouldn't let Halo die like that. Theres gonna be alot coming

  • The_Praetor

    Posted Oct 16, 2008 10:15 am GMT

    To shotgun org,

    See: Call of Duty 4?

    Just less "health" than Master Chief.

  • shotgun_org

    Posted Oct 16, 2008 1:48 am GMT

    Hmm, I wonder.. how do they regain armor if they don't have oversheilds..

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 7:58 pm GMT

    Nice move, not too brash...playing it safe and right!

  • aragornjer

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 2:33 pm GMT

    Can't wait for 09. Hope when you have more than 1 player that there are ODSTs rather than marines or elites

  • darkride66

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 11:32 am GMT

    I'm really looking forward to this. I hope they have splitscreen co-op again.

  • Grieftheonly

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 10:51 am GMT

    Basically will be Master Chief with another Skin. If they don't change the HUD to highlight points of interest or the ability to sense enemy movements... I'll call this a flop. For a FPS, this needs some real innovation or change to the system that would become standard in all future bungie fps games.

  • Shishio817

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 10:12 am GMT

    looks pretty sweet. i hope it isn't a cash-in. i was dissapointed by halo 3, but im alot more interested in this.

  • gow117

    Posted Oct 14, 2008 5:51 am GMT

    oh yeah

  • SpartonGhost

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 10:13 pm GMT

    I'm not trying to bash here but...if it isn't "third person, squad based, nor splinter cell" then wtf is it? A standard shooter? just set in the halo storyline?

  • kingmickey2

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 10:05 pm GMT

    Wow, I still ask myself why I don't have a 360 (or PS3)

  • NoseWeed619

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 6:04 pm GMT

    Im so happy that there is going to be another Halo game! I don't care if it's just an expansion pack either. It's going to be awesome never the less.

  • gahzoo

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 5:52 pm GMT

    Laksamanama Posted Oct 12, 2008 2:46 am PT this better be REALLY good, cuz halo should have died with halo 3
    ------------------------------------------------

    Yeah and Final Fantasy should have died with FF VII and GT should have died with GT3 and Mario should have died with Super Mario 64.

    ---------------------------------------------------------

    The games that you listed were not connected to the series at all, but Halo 3 basically wrapped it up, it should have ended, i mean Halo Wars? just get Starcraft 2



    and besides FFVII was overrated, storywise.

  • jimmmzerx

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 2:50 pm GMT

    this game looks great can't wait to get it but they should make games based on the novels fall of reach, first strike, ghosts of onyx, and contact harvest that would be awesome

  • PaulDixon77

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 1:25 pm GMT

    Calverz

    Really where do you see in the story above the comments below which are taken from the source directly. I posted for that reason and to give some people a wider gamut of info on the game, sorry it doesn't meet with your approval m8. Thought I was being helpful, I see now the error of my ways. I'll not bother next time.

    Also the game will be set, mostly at nightime, in the rain in war torn downtowm new mombasa. It looks like it will be on a par with Half Life 2: Episode 1, as far a game length, so I hope that this is reflected in the retail price. That said, Bungie says "We're not viewing this as a full game." How that affects Recon's pricing, however, is still to be decided.

    Should gamers view it as Bungie's metaphorical Half-Life: Opposing Force, giving Halo fans an alternate look at the events of previous games or merely a contract obligating Guitar Hero: Rocks the 80s?

    "I would think of it as our Frozen Throne," Luke Smith told us, pointing to Warcraft III's expansion as the best comparison.

  • Vote_For_McCain

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 1:04 pm GMT

    Looks like a sweet game. Can't wait.

  • Calverz

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 12:31 pm GMT

    Thank you PaulDixon77 for posting that completely pointless kotaku link that has virtually the same info from this page.

  • PaulDixon77

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 12:00 pm GMT

    Check this out for the full story on Halo 3 Recon, well it looks like the story won't be as full as we all would of liked.

    http://kotaku.com/5061475/what-is-halo-3-recon-heres-what-its-not

  • CureForLiving

    Posted Oct 13, 2008 1:50 am GMT

    Somehow after reading that I feel that this game is going to be a short experience, very short lacking in content. I'd almost say cash-in but who knows, it might be just as big as Halo3, too early to tell.

  • Roman_Slayer

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 6:52 pm GMT

    LYTEK Posted Oct 12, 2008 12:13 pm ET "Looks decent...but when it says that H3: Recon has 1000 gamerscore in campaign, does that mean no multiplayer achievements? And can you get achievements in co-op - that's another big thing. Cause playing Legendary solo for me is tough."

    The multiplayer achievements add to Halo 3's gamerscore.

  • GatsuBlackSword

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 10:29 am GMT

    This game better not be a tatical shooter or i'll smack someone if it was mulitplayer online I'm cool with that.

  • LYTEK

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 9:13 am GMT

    Looks decent...but when it says that H3: Recon has 1000 gamerscore in campaign, does that mean no multiplayer achievements? And can you get achievements in co-op - that's another big thing. Cause playing Legendary solo for me is tough.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 6:55 am GMT

    Ahh, Rainbow Six, a series that died after Raven Shield.Died horribly.Is that what gamers look for these days?Nothing but fake crap in their Rainbow Six games?man, i remember when it was a beautiful combat simulation of the utmost quality.

  • termadoyle

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 4:47 am GMT

    I just hope they don't use the same lousy and bad looking graphics engine as Halo3.

  • 13lackfriday

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 11:00 pm GMT

    Kinda disappointing to see all those "rumor" debunked. The squad-based gameplay and 3rd-person perspective (less so for me) were really intriguing and would've offered a new approach to the Halo universe (kinda like HW, but still shooter.) The lack of significant changes (as well as the continued use of the "Halo 3" prefix) makes this feel like it's been reduced to nothing but an expansion or something.
    Still, if the teaser was anything, we definitely still got a badass lead character and dark, gritty world to explore in full cinematic glory.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 10:33 pm GMT

    Another 8 million+ seller for sure. This game will push more XBox 360's off retail shelves. Can't wait. **************************************************
    Laksamanama Posted Oct 12, 2008 2:46 am PT this better be REALLY good, cuz halo should have died with halo 3
    ------------------------------------------------

    Yeah and Final Fantasy should have died with FF VII and GT should have died with GT3 and Mario should have died with Super Mario 64.

  • sensei_hEnRY

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 9:41 pm GMT

    definitely gonna buy it. Halo 3 is good

  • trw534

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 7:32 pm GMT

    cool i ll probably get it because i liked halo 3

  • MrBlake

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 6:28 pm GMT

    Looks good. I think it is great to get the perspective of all the facets of the war against the Covenant, even if the main character you play isn't Master Chief. He's the "superhero", but let's not forget that there were A LOT of Spartans fighting on many different fronts. Should be interesting and enjoyable, and will add to the Halo universe.

  • PaulDixon77

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 5:11 pm GMT

    To tlow0678

    Yes, I can count MGS4, fourth game since the PS1, but there have also been numerous games on the nes, snes and pc engine, msx & psp i think, so the ip has had a least 20+ iterations, thats my point.

    20+ games on about 10 different platforms if thats not milking it then I don't know what is, so if you would kindly read what i said and in context, thanx.

    Check
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_series#Games
    for proof. Anyway don't want to get in a fued over semantics,. Merely making an observation based on peoples comments, saying 4 halo games is milking the ip. Clearly 20+ MGS and 13Final Fantasy games were a bit more extreme, thats all.

    Fanboy me, then if that means i like a particular series and like to share my views and opinions or what I consider a fantastic series then yes, I am.

    What I object to is none xbox devotees, slagging the series off, if you don't like the series and don't even have the hardware on which to play it, why come on to a comments page to slag the software off. To me thats fanboyism in an extreme form. If you don't like it fair enough, I'm sure millions of gamers think its the biggest piece of overhyped #rap. Good for them, you don't have to buy it. There are loads of big franchises that I hate yearly sport game updates, platformers, movie tie ins etc. But I won't go to a big game franchise like MGS4 and slag it off, cause I just don't have the inclination to do so.

  • PaulDixon77

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 2:24 pm GMT

    Lexxzilla

    Yeah man say like critical stealth kills, hunting knife in the back of the skull, of a unsuspecting brute!!!! Throat slit, neck break some cool ass finishing moves, + cover and shoot tactics. Best cover system Rainbow 6 Vegas, bit off the cuff variety, now that would be cool.

  • BloodMist

    Posted Oct 11, 2008 12:36 pm GMT

    Well Nintendo likes variety, something that the 360 and PS3 are sorely lacking.I can see where they're coming from.

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