View Full Version : Halo 3 Multiplayer Open Beta: Online NOW
hezeuschrist
11-15-2006, 06:36 AM
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12231/Halo-3-Multiplayer-Beta-Announced/
One word: Awesome. Glad I never cancelled my Xbox Live account!
Richter Belmount
11-15-2006, 07:39 AM
That is cool but I wonder what bungie may do to remain top dog over gears of war.
sickdrummer420
11-15-2006, 01:51 PM
awesome news. right now i dont care as much because of that damn game called gears of war, but maybe i'll be sick of it by then when the beta for halo comes out. :D
heybtbm
11-15-2006, 06:19 PM
That is cool but I wonder what bungie may do to remain top dog over gears of war.
Gears of War is an excellent game (of course), but the 3rd person 4-player max multiplayer is inherently inferior to a standard 24-32 player online 1st person shooter. Halo and Gears each have their own niche, but Halo is better suited for online multiplayer action.
business
11-16-2006, 01:26 AM
http://www.1up.com/do/media?cId=3144308
All new pictures-^
Anyone else think that we're all kind of jumping the gun on the whole 'hype train' thing? I mean, this game is a year away. Shit, browse 1up for a while and you would think the game is coming out this weekend.
s1lence
12-02-2006, 02:39 PM
I guess beta signup is going to be on www.halo3.com on the 4th. Currently the site just goes to bungie's default homepage.
Lothars
12-02-2006, 02:48 PM
Gears of War is an excellent game (of course), but the 3rd person 4-player max multiplayer is inherently inferior to a standard 24-32 player online 1st person shooter. Halo and Gears each have their own niche, but Halo is better suited for online multiplayer action.
See I think it really depends but IT's not inferior in any means to the standard 24 people matches
mainly because it's so strategy orientated compared to the large multiplayer games.
I would honestly play GoW Multi than Halo Multi because I like how it plays. but it will be interesting how Halo 3 will be.
Niku-Sama
12-02-2006, 03:06 PM
now why the heck in games like these do they feel the need to put a texture on everything? i think it looks like shit, i mean accual shit. they guy looks like hes been made out of verious shades of green colored crap and sculpted!
http://media.teamxbox.com/games/ss/1353/full-res/1163587485.jpg
jcalder8
12-02-2006, 03:14 PM
Anyone know what time on Monday they will open it? Also any idea if they will let people outside the us join?
n.ooka
12-02-2006, 07:22 PM
Anyone know what time on Monday they will open it? Also any idea if they will let people outside the us join?
No worries, the beta is worldwide.8-)
I'd also like to know about what time the beta is going to be open. I'm going to guess midnight or something.
heybtbm
01-23-2007, 04:53 PM
I just received my confirmation letter from MS...I've been accepted to test the Halo 3 online beta! WooHoo!
The e-mail said I will be contacted this week with more details. This is going to be fun...I can't wait.
Oobgarm
04-10-2007, 08:41 AM
Date set. May 16th-June 6th.
http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=MPBetaAndVidocRelease
heybtbm
04-10-2007, 09:14 AM
I cannot stress enough how cool this is going to be. I predict an Xbox Live server crash as soon as the beta is available to download. You just know it's going to take 12+ hours to download...even though it'll only be a gig or so. Anyway...very very exciting.
swlovinist
04-10-2007, 09:48 AM
It looks solid. I cannot wait!
Drag0nsfyre
04-10-2007, 10:17 AM
Fantastic! :D :cool:
ubersaurus
04-10-2007, 12:41 PM
Damn!
I was planning on being in Japan May 17th to June 1st.
I may have to bump vacation plans up a week just so I don't miss the beta.
heybtbm
04-10-2007, 12:44 PM
Damn!
I was planning on being in Japan May 17th to June 1st.
I may have to bump vacation plans up a week just so I don't miss the beta.
That's the spirit!
cyberfluxor
04-10-2007, 09:52 PM
I wasn't impressed with the first or second Halo and from the looks of it H3 doesn't appear to be too special either. I really hope they show me wrong and expect to hear from everyone how it goes because multi-player is one of the most important features in a FPS.
Anthony1
04-11-2007, 02:28 AM
I watched the 7 minute developer video a few times, and I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand, certain things had me grinning from ear to ear, and on the other hand, certain things had me thinking it's basically halo 2 in High Def with a few extra features added on. I'm still looking forward to the Beta even though I'm not a multiplayer FPS guy. I'll certainly get killed a million times during the beta, but I don't mind, cause I'll get a glimpse of the Halo 3 engine.
Really I'm more interested in the single player campaign.
smork
04-11-2007, 03:59 AM
I watched the 7 minute developer video a few times, and I have mixed emotions about it. On one hand, certain things had me grinning from ear to ear, and on the other hand, certain things had me thinking it's basically halo 2 in High Def with a few extra features added on. I'm still looking forward to the Beta even though I'm not a multiplayer FPS guy. I'll certainly get killed a million times during the beta, but I don't mind, cause I'll get a glimpse of the Halo 3 engine.
Really I'm more interested in the single player campaign.
I have high hopes for the single player. I'd much rather play an FPS co-op with a buddy than multiplayer. Local multiplayer (like GoldenEye or TimeSplitters) is great fun....
I was just playing some GoW online multiplayer and getting beat to hell, so I imagine Halo 3 will be worse! :)
kaedesdisciple
04-11-2007, 07:52 AM
Awesome, right after my semester ends! I'll miss the last week, though, as I'll be on a much needed vacation, but I'll still get in a good week or two.
cyberfluxor
04-11-2007, 09:35 AM
smork:
The second I go online I get ousted by players that are always online and live a different life style than me so there's no real competition, just ownage. This is why playing with friends and others locally is great because there's no random matches with people obviously with more experience in the game so it's a more leveled playing field.
Mason P.
04-11-2007, 10:49 AM
smork:
The second I go online I get ousted by players that are always online and live a different life style than me so there's no real competition, just ownage. This is why playing with friends and others locally is great because there's no random matches with people obviously with more experience in the game so it's a more leveled playing field.
agreed. I only play in lan matches. We can get between 8 and 16 player games consistantly, so no real reason to play online with some a-hole people that spend all day on the game.
kaedesdisciple
04-11-2007, 12:28 PM
smork:
The second I go online I get ousted by players that are always online and live a different life style than me so there's no real competition, just ownage. This is why playing with friends and others locally is great because there's no random matches with people obviously with more experience in the game so it's a more leveled playing field.
While I certainly agree, there are few things more satisfying than tearing apart some foul mouthed trash talking 12 year old that knows nothing of patience and strategy.
It gets even more fun when you can get other people in on it. Charisma is a far more effective weapon than a rifle, IMO.
heybtbm
04-11-2007, 12:54 PM
there are few things more satisfying than tearing apart some foul mouthed trash talking 12 year old that knows nothing of patience and strategy.
Patience and strategy? I thought we were talking about Halo.
ubersaurus
04-11-2007, 12:54 PM
LANs are always more fun, but there's something to be said about getting into a match against some trash talking dick, and out-talking him to the point where by the end, he's the one begging for us to shut up >D
So the X button function appears to be dropping certain items, like mines or the bubble shield. I'm down with that. I also assume that this also will let you pick up and place small turrets, although that's not confirmed.
PapaStu
04-11-2007, 11:50 PM
SEXY TIME!
I think I just might have to quit my job a few weeks earlier than planned to get maximum time in on this.
Oh and theres all kinds of patience and strategy involved in Multi-Player Halo... you've just not played with anyone thats decent (and doesn't cheat like a mofo) or not 12 then.
kaedesdisciple
04-12-2007, 08:49 AM
Patience and strategy? I thought we were talking about Halo.
Yup. If you can somewhat accurately predict what your opponent will do, it doesn't matter how fast his trigger finger is. It's not ESP, it's just knowing where people tend to go and how quickly they can get there.
The X factor is, how quickly can one calculate this?
heybtbm
04-12-2007, 09:14 AM
Yup. If you can somewhat accurately predict what your opponent will do, it doesn't matter how fast his trigger finger is. It's not ESP, it's just knowing where people tend to go and how quickly they can get there.
I see what you mean. That kind of "strategy" does come into play during an online FPS. Sometimes memorizing maps isn't enough...you have to know where people hide or camp. You can sometimes predict where people will go from which spawn point and where they'll try to sneak up on you. I guess there is quite a bit of strategy now that I think about it.
GrandAmChandler
05-16-2007, 09:02 AM
Soooooo.... Anyone playing yet? Looks like the servers and bungie's forums are clogged. But Bungie claims at least close to 3000 players are on right now. Anyone from here? Impressions? I plan on downloading this as soon as I am off work.
:2gunfire:
kaedesdisciple
05-16-2007, 09:29 AM
Thanks for reminding me, knew I should have downloaded this while I slept. Oh well, sounds like something to do after work. Sorry Lost Planet, you gotta wait a few weeks lol.
youruglyclone
05-16-2007, 09:35 AM
nothing says fun like dropping a bubble shield, standing completely still, while the enemy rain down bullets on you, and when they try to investigate...2 well placed melees and they go down for the count.
heybtbm
05-16-2007, 09:43 AM
nothing says fun like dropping a bubble shield, standing completely still, while the enemy rain down bullets on you, and when they try to investigate...2 well placed melees and they go down for the count.
I love the fact that you can enter into someones bubble shield and beat them down. Safe haven...my ass!
gepeto
05-16-2007, 09:50 AM
It wont let me download it. I tried and it is telling me to check back at a later date. That sucks
youruglyclone
05-16-2007, 10:02 AM
I love the fact that you can enter into someones bubble shield and beat them down. Safe haven...my ass!
well it's a safe haven from projectiles, I think it's perfectly balanced. you can't shoot them they can't shoot you, it creates a stalemate type situation which can bail you out if your shields have been dropped. I personally was able to defend myself when someone intruded in my shield.
It wont let me download it. I tried and it is telling me to check back at a later date. That sucks
Yep, the Crackdown-included beta has failed to materialize. Bungie's "aware" of the issue and is working on it. Still not available to download.
Oh well ... more time to work on getting 3 backflips in Crackdown's new Buggy :)
Drag0nsfyre
05-16-2007, 10:40 AM
I'll have to probably wait till after work to see if the Crackdown included D/L is available since It's not showing up for me yet as well. :( so with any luck I'll be checking it out tonight. :D
jajaja
05-16-2007, 10:47 AM
nothing says fun like dropping a bubble shield, standing completely still, while the enemy rain down bullets on you, and when they try to investigate...2 well placed melees and they go down for the count.
Is it impossible to get through the bubble shield? If so, that sux. I remember when the balistic shield was introduced in CS 1.6, some servers removed it because it was so strong.
youruglyclone
05-16-2007, 11:02 AM
no people can go through just not bullets and explosions.
jajaja
05-16-2007, 11:03 AM
no people can go through just not bullets and explosions.
Ok, thats good atleast, but if it blocks all bullets and explotions, it seems very easy to just deploy the shield if you're under fire. Altho it is a beta, maybe things change or maybe the bubble shield isnt as bad as it sounds (in my opinion) :)
kaedesdisciple
05-16-2007, 11:25 AM
Yep, the Crackdown-included beta has failed to materialize. Bungie's "aware" of the issue and is working on it. Still not available to download.
Got in a bit over their heads did they? It's not like it was hard to get the Halo 3 beta version of Crackdown, I still see them in every store.
segagamer4life
05-16-2007, 11:48 AM
Got in a bit over their heads did they? It's not like it was hard to get the Halo 3 beta version of Crackdown, I still see them in every store.
this blows.. freakin bungie..... or M$ whatever the case damn them all.
Joker T
05-16-2007, 04:39 PM
Crackdown DL not working for me as well.
This sucks big time.
agbulls
05-16-2007, 04:45 PM
The really crappy thing about this is that the ANGRIER the intertubes get, the less likely we'll see other multiplayer games go public beta in the future. If Microsoft can't make it go smooth, who the hell can?
geneshifter
05-16-2007, 05:02 PM
I've never played a Halo game ever but I am going to buy this is November when I get a 360 again. Hope you peeps have fun.
Vinnysdad
05-16-2007, 06:35 PM
I have been waiting for this for a long time and my Halo 3 download on Crackdown isnt working. Damn you Bungie MS or whoever f'ed up.
Alucard79
05-16-2007, 07:02 PM
My Crackdown download isn't working either. I should have known it wouldn't work since Realtime Worlds is already taking a lot of heat for having a problem with their recent downloads erasing a bunch of peoples stats that they had for Crackdown. Oh well, if it don't work, I have a lot of games for 360 I haven't even played yet, and I'll just wait for my Halo to arrive on my doorstep this November.
Lothars
05-16-2007, 08:22 PM
http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=12468
We're happy to finally announce that the issues being faced with the Halo 3 beta and Crackdown will be resolved shortly. The Microsoft team has found a solution and it's undergoing final testing now. Assuming the test pass goes according to plan, the fix will come in the form of a Crackdown title update within the next two to four hours.
We understand many of you were eagerly awaiting your chance to jump into the Halo 3 Beta and this technical issue has put a damper on your plans. Thankfully the fix is incoming and we're sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Ultimately we hope this will all soon be a distant memory once you pick up the Spartan Laser, launch yourself from a Mancannon and enjoy online shenanigans with your friends.
heybtbm
05-16-2007, 09:00 PM
I'll just wait for my Halo to arrive on my doorstep this November.
Good news...you don't have to wait that long. The Halo 3 release date was announced today: September 25th!
Alucard79
05-16-2007, 10:15 PM
Good news...you don't have to wait that long. The Halo 3 release date was announced today: September 25th!
Well maybe by November the Crackdown Halo beta will be available...
PapaStu
05-16-2007, 10:30 PM
Crackdown Beta is UP.
You'll need to do another system update for the game, and then go to the DL menu in the game. It'll take a minute to show up, and once it does, have fun waiting for the 980sumptin meg file to DL.
Remember, this WILL take a while to download considering how many copies of Crackdown were sold with this Beta Option attached to it and how hard hit the servers will be.
See you bitches online.
EDIT: New Crackdown auto-update is out now, but may take a while to roll out in your area. You can update it manually as outlined below (and elsewhere).
Latest news, I can confirm: The problem is related to the most recent auto-update for Crackdown. If you clear your hard drive cache, run Crackdown and download the update again, then the Halo 3 Beta option becomes available.
Clearing your cache does not delete any saved games or Live Marketplace content, only the title auto-updates you have downloaded in the past. You'll have to download them again next time you play each game.
You do so by going to your hard drive in the Dashboard's System-> Memory menu and pressing Y for options. In the options screen, enter X X LB RB X X and confirm.
7% downloaded :)
Lothars
05-16-2007, 10:39 PM
7% downloaded :)
Nice I am 18% downloaded at the moment
Overbite
05-16-2007, 10:49 PM
I'm downloading it and since it's like 1% every 10 minutes (seriously) I'll be on tomorrow maybe
agbulls
05-16-2007, 10:52 PM
well, its working now. but im stuck at 76%. something is wrong. ahhhh
meancode
05-16-2007, 11:05 PM
from the press release:
"We sincerely apologize for the delay. We know we have a lot of fans that have been waiting for the beta for months, and even took time off of work to start early today. We really appreciate their enthusiasm, and we hope the small delay won’t damper everyone’s enjoyment of the game. Given the circumstances, we will be extending the duration of the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta from June 6 to June 10, 11:59 PM PDT."
PapaStu
05-16-2007, 11:21 PM
I'm just over 66% now. No lagging or delay in my download thus far.
segagamer4life
05-16-2007, 11:25 PM
7% and counting...lol, see u all later.
heybtbm
05-16-2007, 11:25 PM
I'm just over 66% now. No lagging or delay in my download thus far.
Most people seem to be lagging out at 70 - 80% (crossing fingers).
PDorr3
05-16-2007, 11:26 PM
I started off stuck at 1% for like 5 mins but it picked up pace I'm already at 53% after about 10 minutes
heybtbm
05-16-2007, 11:35 PM
I started off stuck at 1% for like 5 mins but it picked up pace I'm already at 53% after about 10 minutes
Bastard.
PapaStu
05-16-2007, 11:43 PM
I'm in!
KILL KILL KILL!
Alucard79
05-16-2007, 11:55 PM
I'll be damned!! It's working!!! Downloading at fairly normal speeds too.
kaedesdisciple
05-17-2007, 12:29 AM
My download has begun, g'night.
SegaAges
05-17-2007, 12:44 AM
I got it and am playing it.
I have come to realize that I suck balls at halo.
Anybody down for some worms :)
gamertag = SegaAgesDP
kaedesdisciple
05-17-2007, 12:48 AM
Shit, I keep getting booted from the download at 1%. I suck so much at halo I can't even download the beta without getting my ass kicked.
SegaAges
05-17-2007, 02:14 AM
I didn't have any problems downloading it.
I don't even understand half of the stuff going on. There are people with like 2 guns on their backs and stuff, I have no clue how to do anything (oh man I love open betas).
segagamer4life
05-17-2007, 09:07 AM
mine took over 4 hours, but it finally downloaded,.... now I am at work :-(
see u all tonight.
segagamer4life
05-17-2007, 09:08 AM
I didn't have any problems downloading it.
I don't even understand half of the stuff going on. There are people with like 2 guns on their backs and stuff, I have no clue how to do anything (oh man I love open betas).
hey man, great screen name and XBL name btw...
Kejoriv
05-17-2007, 09:29 AM
damn, i want a beta code. anyone have a spare? I will paypal you some $$
heybtbm
05-17-2007, 09:46 AM
Initial impressions:
First off...I couldn't figure out how to invert the Y-axis (I do this in all FPS's). While it might be obvious to others...it sure wasn't obvious to me. I did eventually find out where to change it. Problem solved.
The graphics have to be a work in progress. At times, it doesn't look any different than playing Halo 2 at 720p. The beta isn't going to "wow" anyone graphically...that's for sure.
Gameplay is the same as previous Halo's. Shoot, lob grenade, shoot. The dual weapons (especially that "bladed" pistol) are lethal. Two guns are definately the way to go so far. The bubble shield is impenetrable to bullets/rockets etc, but not to another player entering the shield and beating you with their weapon. This already is apparent in people charging you as soon as you activate the bubble shield. As expected, you have to find a shield to use it...it's not standard equipment (like grenades).
The vehicles are essentially (on these maps) big flags saying "here I am...shoot me". Maybe they will be a little more useful on larger area maps. The Halo series maps have always been too small IMO.
All in all...the Halo 3 beta is fun, but not groundbreaking or really much different than Halo 2. This is only after playing 3 games last night, mind you...so take all this with a grain of salt.
s1lence
05-17-2007, 09:50 AM
I believe my download finished last night so I will be on tonight if people want to party up.
First off...I couldn't figure out how to invert the Y-axis (I do this in all FPS's). While it might be obvious to others...it sure wasn't obvious to me. I did eventually find out where to change it. Problem solved.
Do you have "inverted" set as your default for your GamerTag through the Dashboard? The Beta picked that right up from my settings and was inverted from the moment I fired it up.
If anyone wants to get a DP party together for some team playlist action, count me in. GM80
heybtbm
05-17-2007, 10:08 AM
Do you have "inverted" set as your default for your GamerTag through the Dashboard? The Beta picked that right up from my settings and was inverted from the moment I fired it up.
I didn't even know that option existed. Thanks!
s1lence
05-17-2007, 10:26 AM
I didn't even know that option existed. Thanks!
Yeah its pretty sweet it works for all the games that way.