Wanna Play Halo 3? You Can & Soon! (Update 1)

Bungie released some BIG news today regarding two little games called Halo 2 and Halo 3.

First Halo 2: New multiplayer maps! They didn't say how many were to be released nor a price but, one thing they (Bungie) were very clear on is that have to have a Xbox 360 to get these maps. Right about now I can think of at least two people that will hate this bit of news so sorry guys but this wasn't up to Bungie, this was Microsoft's call and although sketchy, maybe by using just the 360 they will look a lot better...? Here's the quote right from Bungie:

"That last point is probably going to rub some of you the wrong way. And frankly, we can’t really blame you for potentially being a little upset at this news. We’re really excited that these maps are coming together and we have the opportunity to give our fans some new content over two years after the game shipped but ultimately, when it comes to pricing and timing and distribution and exclusivity, it’s not up to Bungie. We make games and in this case we’re making maps. Microsoft Game Studios is our publisher and they have the final call on the when/where/how part of the equation."

Next Halo 3: The biggest bomb to drop (This morning at 2am) was the fact that Bungie will be having a public beta test for Halo 3's multiplayer!!! This beta test will be free and will be open to anyone with a Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. I know, I know, all of this is horrible news if you're still clutching on to that ol' black box but, it's Halo frickin' 3! You're gonna have to buy a 360 to play Halo 3 anyway, so to be able to play the Halo 3 beta months before the game is released has gotta be worth something...Right?

(From IGN)

Bungie tested Halo 2 with a much ballyhooed Microsoft internal beta program. Many of the suggestions for tweaks and adjustments to Halo 2 multiplayer came from more than a thousand MS employees trying out Halo 2 on a set of private servers. For Halo 3, Bungie is expanding its testing circle significantly. Next spring, Bungie opens the Halo 3 multiplayer beta to Xbox 360 gamers, allowing fans to try out an unspecified number of maps and game modes and to help Bungie make the strongest online game possible.

"The Halo Nation has a nearly insatiable desire," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of global marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Corp. "We hope a taste of advance Halo 3 gameplay satisfies some of their appetite as we count down to the game's launch later in 2007."

The last bit of news is that there will be a new Halo 3 trailer shown December 4th during Monday Night Football, and apparently will show a, "...unique compelling look at Master Chief and the world of Halo 3." Whatever that means... It's a Halo 3 trailer! Of course it's going to be compelling... Well, that all the Halo 3 news for today, keep checking back for all the latest info.

(Update 1) I've found out about the "real" reason Microsoft has made the new Halo 2 Map Pack available for only the Xbox 360, (other than forcing people to buy a 360) the new maps for Halo 2 will also work on Halo 3! So therefor they have to be formated in such a way that they work for both games, and as such they need to be on the 360. Now as to why Bungie couldn't just make another map pack with just the Halo 2 maps for the good old Xbox, your guess is as good as mine...Yeah, money.

(Via: Bungie)

(Via: IGN)

For All Your 360 News Check Out: 360insight