TGS '07: Bungie triples Halo 3 server capacity

By Emma Boyes, GameSpot UKPosted Sep 21, 2007 3:05 am PT

Studio's head of production says that feedback from multiplayer beta testing was crucial to preparing for the 360 shooter's release next week.

TOKYO--Halo 3 is all set for launch on September 25 in the US and September 26 in Europe--even though the game was briefly available early in the UK. The Xbox 360-exclusive title's launch will be backed up by midnight launch events, with merchandising and advertising already in motion.

Speaking at the CoFesta Forum at the Tokyo Game Show 2007, Bungie Studios' head of production, Jonty Barnes, told attendees at an Xbox 360 session that beta testing the product over Xbox Live had thrown up some interesting surprises.

Barnes said, "The amount of polish feedback was especially helpful, and we also found we had to triple our server capacity." As with any beta test, the company also found numerous bugs, which needed fixing, and solved some usability issues.

Another thing Bungie found was that beta testing the product gave it a push, as it heard feedback from fans who were excited about the game. Barnes said, "And, I have to say, our graphical ambitions were pushed harder in response to our community expectations."

Other technical issues, which the company fixed during the online beta, were balancing the sandbox design and changing network configurations. Barnes said he believes that solid beta testing is vital to ensuring a successful product and added, "The nice thing about it was that we also actually proved that some systems worked."

220 Comments

  • biggy887766

    Posted Sep 26, 2007 6:35 pm PT

    This has got to be the best year for gaming. Halo 3, Call of Duty 4, Crysis, GH3:L, Bioshock, UT3 (hopefully), Brothers in Arms: HH, Quake wars, Assassain's creed, rock band, Fall out 3, PGR4, Forza, and burnout paradise just to name a few.

  • shrink45

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 3:20 pm PT

    Hell yeah beta testing results in a better product! Look at Call of Duty 4, it's being molded by the community! Feedback from players will have a game that's specially tailored for them because of all the help they provide to developers. Halo 3's community is HUGE. Support like that is going to mold a better product. Thank you, Bungie!

  • Xbox_Gamer_117

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 6:32 am PT

    U own Bungie!!

  • Holopaw

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 9:20 pm PT

    Halo 3 is going to be so awesome, I am begining to think it might take GOTY over Mass Effect. Its too early to say tho, Mass Effect could totally rock the gaming world in a different way then Halo 3 has, but what an awesome year for gaming regardless.

  • Seram

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 7:44 pm PT

    A day from now, i'll be at Gamestop. Can't believe Halo 3 is on the verge of coming out, seems like yesterday we were all excited about the announcement trailer of E3 2006...

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 2:04 pm PT

    WoW is a grindathon man dont even go there anyway i hope Warhammer will kick it's backside , and BC got 9.2 halo 3 got 9.5 halo 3 GOTY lol

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 1:46 pm PT

    @Merodach yeah lol now watch all the haters come out the woodwork and spout crap like Gamespot are so biased to Microsoft and Halo tut tut tut , now i cant wait bring it on .

  • Ironwulfen

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 1:45 pm PT

    okay, to you guys saying HALO 3 = GOTY... how about considering WoW : BC ? 9 Million subscribers world wide has got to count for something although I'd admit that it would be SO GOTY if there was no WoW

  • euphoriapihkal

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 1:44 pm PT

    Halo 3 for life.

  • Merodach

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 12:30 pm PT

    HALO 3 GOT A 9.5 WOOT!!! IT ROCKS!!!

  • nev70

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 10:51 am PT

    Just thouyght i'd post another halo avatar !!! NOT LONG NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

  • tylert20

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 5:49 am PT

    Looks like they have beefed up the graphics a little in multiplayer.

  • masterchief1994

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 2:25 am PT

    Bioshock would'nt be GOTY if HALO 3 wasn't coming.It be Assassin's Creed.That's that!

  • darth-revan

    Posted Sep 23, 2007 12:03 am PT

    If halo 3 wasnt coming out this year, Bioshock would be in a near lock for GOTY, so in 2 days we can finally see.

  • therejectx

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 9:35 pm PT

    not too much longer now. soon we can all play the game and decide for ourselves if its the greatest in the series, over hyped, or just an awesome 360 game.

  • MikefStktn

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 9:06 pm PT

    Bungie's Next Project : "Hey-Lo." Media : But you just said Halo was finished with that last entry." " No, maybe you didn't hear me right. It's Hey-Lo,h-e-y-l-o. It will be about an alien federation being subjected to fear while a monster in a green suit terrorizes them as a species and tests their religous beliefs." Media: " What? But that sounds like you're... B: Nevermind what it sounds like we're selling a totally new IP here."

  • HighlyToxic

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 8:05 pm PT

    I wonder what Bungie's going to do next.

  • Holopaw

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 7:44 pm PT

    This is gonna be the longest few days ever ahead, I have avoided any Halo 3 related posts so far however. I want most of it to be new to me, and will enjoy it alot more that way, unbiased from here-say and what have you.

  • jaysonball

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12798

    just look at all the features coming with this game. it's amazing. simply amazing.

  • reptilepyro

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 3:52 pm PT

    a few of my friends already have halo 3 from their modded 360's they say its so sickkk.. i heard there is a pistol/shot gun weapon... i heard the graphics are 10x better than the beta.

Halo 3 Quick Links

Summary | Reviews | News | Previews & Features | Images | Videos | Downloads | Answers | Hints & Cheats | Forum | Check Prices

Check Prices: $19.99 – 58.99

GameStop $39.99 SHOP ›
Dell Home & Home Office $39.99 SHOP ›
Amazon.com $36.99 SHOP ›
advertisement

Related Unions

  • {The Halo Union}

    The Halo Union - Bungie Weekly Update - ...

    • Oct 10, 2009 4:30 pm PT

  • The Xbox 360 Union

    Vote for September Game of the Month Now ...

    • Oct 13, 2009 3:27 pm PT
Halo 3 Boxshot Enlarge the boxshot
Halo 3

Game Stats

Full Game Details »Close

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games
advertisement
Click Here