Shot at 2007-07-31
Halo 3 campaign mode to feature online co-op for four
Bungie confirms that upcoming sci-fi shooter will let gamers play
through story as Master Chief, the Arbiter, and two new Covenant Elites.
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Jul 31, 2007 11:01 pm GMT
While Bungie gave the world a good look at the upcoming Halo 3's
multiplayer battles in the form of a hugely populated beta program, it
has been much more tight-lipped about its plans for the sci-fi
first-person shooter's campaign mode. Today the studio confirmed a
much-speculated piece of information about the campaign mode, stating
on its Web site that it will indeed support online cooperative
multiplayer for up to four players.
Since there's only one Master Chief, the four-player online campaign
mode will include three more playable characters: Halo 2's Arbiter and
two of his fellow Covenant Elites. All characters will play
identically, but the Elites will wield Carbines instead of Battle
Rifles. That's an awful lot of firepower to throw into the same
situations as the game's single-player campaign, but Bungie says it's
addressing the various gameplay issues it creates.
"You're going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it,"
Bungie's Web site warns. "We'd certainly recommend Legendary, but we'll
be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and
challenging for multiple players in the very near future."
The online cooperative mode will support the game's film-saving
functions, but gamers will not be able to join in mid-game. Players
will have to congregate in a lobby first, from which point they can
pick up the campaign at any saved checkpoint. As in previous games,
players will have the option of cooperative split-screen play, but it
is limited to two people. However, once matched, a pair can complete
its foursome through system link or by going online.
It’s time for us to sack up and tell you what’s what regarding online co-op.
So you were probably wondering why we didn’t want to commit to two
player co-op online over Xbox Live. We certainly got plenty of mail
asking, no, demanding that we make it happen. Of course we were working
on it, but we were also working on something better. Not two player
co-op. Not three-player co-op, but up to four player co-op. Online. On
Xbox Live, or sure, System Link if you prefer.
That is correct – up to four player co-op in Campaign mode on Xbox Live or System Link.
We’ve been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of
our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our “t”s
were crossed and our “i”s dotted before unveiling this important new
part of Halo 3’s Campaign mode.
Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented
us, were the various gameplay balance issues it adds to the fray. So we
got it all together, polished it, and that’s why we’re revealing it
now. As a result, you’re going to want to play co-op as hard as you can
stomach it. We’d certainly recommend Legendary, but we’ll be revealing
some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for
multiple players in the very near future.
Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign gameplay –
something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on
the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal
snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of
an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The
combinations and scenarios are endless – and you’ll be able to enjoy
them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.
We mentioned that we’ve been having a blast. We have a lot of stories.
Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay
will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise.
Like every other aspect of Halo 3, this mode is chosen from a Lobby.
Simply select Campaign, choose your network (Xbox Live or System Link)
and invite your friends to join you, or they can simply join your
session once it’s set up and in a lobby (but they cannot join a game
once it’s in-progress). They will pop into your lobby instantly, and
when you have all the players you need (anywhere from one to four) you
can begin the game from the beginning – or from any of your saved
checkpoints.
Split-screen co-op is as ever, limited to two players per screen – but
they can if they wish join two other friends online or via System Link.
For fictional reasons, we decided to avoid Halo’s slightly surreal
compromise of two identical Master Chiefs and rather, use this
opportunity to expand the Halo universe just a little bit. Player one
will control the Master Chief, player two will control the Arbiter and
players three and four will get the chance to control two brand new
Elite characters.
Allow us to introduce them:
PLAYER 3 (Sangheili)
Name: N’tho ‘Sraom
Affiliation: Fleet of Retribution/Special Warfare Group/Special Operations
History: N’tho ‘Sraom is the youngest member of his Special Operations
unit and is one of a growing number of human sympathizers amongst the
Sangheili youth. He is a fairly typical young male adult Sangheili—he
began compulsory military service at the end of adolescence, and
remains unmarried with no close, non-familial relationships outside of
his martial order. N’tho Sraom refused to stand idly by while the
Prophets replaced Sangheili units with Jiralhanae packs, and now bears
deep resentment toward those Sangheili politicians who landed his kind
in their current predicament.
Although N’tho ‘Sraom’s romanticized nationalism is emblematic of all
Sangheili, he has developed a healthy respect for humanity—not for
their physical abilities or martial prowess, but for their audacity and
resolve.
PLAYER 4 (Sangheili)
Name: Usze ‘Taham
Affiliation: Fleet of Retribution/Special Warfare Group/Fleet Security
History: Although Usze ‘Taham was born into a respected merchant family
he was fathered by Toha ‘Sumai—one of the preeminent swordfighters of
this age. Usze graduated with honors from the top War College in the
Iruiru region of Yermo, Sanghelios (a distinction he shares with Rtas
'Vadum). Shortly after receiving his first post within the Covenant
Navy he was offered a place on the Prophets’ Honor Guard but he
declined citing “lack of practical experience”. In truth, he had no
desire to be part of a largely ceremonial unit, and at the end of his
third combat tour, Usze ‘Taham again refused the post—even though his
superiors warned him such behavior could be misinterpreted as apostasy.
Since that time Usze has evaded countless punitive actions, at least
two assassination attempts, and served with distinction for two
additional tours before the Schism. Following the dissolution of the
Covenant, he was approached by the Ascetics to become one of their
liaisons within the Navy.
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Every player will have identical abilities – only their appearance and
weapon starts are different (Elites will start with Carbines versus
Battle Rifles for example, depending on the mission). So there you have
it. Mystery solved. Internet dramas ended. Four player online co-op it
is. And a special thanks to the test, engineering, production and
design teams who worked incredibly hard to make this feature happen.
Bam!
