Tag Archives: Halo 4 News

Halo 4 Post-PAX East Q&A! The Halo Bulletin 3.28.13

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Hi there, back again with this weeks bulletin. Sorry for the late post, Destiny news took up my time and then Forge Island came out unexpectedly earlier today so… I’ve been busy. Not much in the way of news from this weeks bulletin, as 343 just wrapped up their events at PAX East over in Boston. They have a Q&A instead of the normal bulletin format, which will return next week. The Halo Bulletin 3.28.13!

PAX East Q&A

Bulletin Divider

Are there any plans to further support Halo 4 after the next title update?
–SitriStahl

We intend to support Halo 4 through Matchmaking, events, essential fixes and playlist design for a long time to come – and while there are no announced map packs after Castle releases later this spring, we have some cool ideas about future content and support that we’re tinkering with right now.
–Frank 

Will Multi-Team be 4 teams of 3? What game types will be included in that playlist?
–DANGER B0Y

Multi-Team, which launches with the Castle Map Pack, will consist of six teams of two. A couple of the modes that you can expect at launch are Slayer and Oddball. Who knows… maybe we’ll throw SWAT in there as well.
–Quinn 

Can we expect to see some universal balance changes applied to the default game settings?
–D34D D34D D34D

Yes. You can expect to see global tweaks to the sandbox much like the adjustment of the Boltshot in the previous title update and the Warthog’s Gauss cannon in this one.
–Quinn

What weapon balancing is being considered right now?
–NinjaWuu

We’re constantly keeping an eye on the overall state of the game and its sandbox. We’ll let you know more as soon as we can.
–Quinn 

Is the TU weapon manipulation focused solely on damage and rate of fire or are there more variables that can be changed: Aim assist, bullet magnetism, bloom, spread, recoil, etc.?
–THEcareh

We have several knobs that we can use when it comes to weapon tuning, a few being auto-aim, projectile accuracy and rate of fire.
–Quinn 

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PAX East, Community Forge FFA Playlist, Title Update 1.04! The Halo Bulletin 3.20.13

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HELP ME

Hi there, Chief Landless here, back once again breaking down and highlighting this weeks Halo Bulletin. As always you can read it here, but lets get onto the highlights!

PAX East Attendees:

  • Thursday, 6pm-12am – Mad Catz Unveiled
    • Exclusive private party with hands on preview of upcoming Halo 4 multiplayer content (winners invited to this pre-PAX event were announced in the bulletin… wish I had known about this sooner, lucky them)
  • Friday 5-6pm – Halo 4 Multiplayer: Past, Present, & Future Panel
    • Play Castle Map pack on the convention floor
    • Hear from Kevin Franklin, Andy “Bravo” Dudynsky, Jessica Shea (bsangel), and Burnie Burns from Rooster Teeth
  • Friday – Sunday 10am-6pm – PAX East Floor Experience
    • Play the Castle Map Pack early!
    • Daily Majestic Themed FFA competition. Last person standing wins a GAEMS Halo UNSC Vanguard Personal Gaming Environment. (One competition per day!)
    • Also giving away a GAEMS via twitter during their usual Friday HaloWaypoint Twitter giveaways

Matchmaking Update – March 25th

  • Spartan Ops Encore Episode 9
  • Majestic FFA Playlist replaced by Community Forge FFA Playlist
    • Maps (download them via the links & check them out early):
    • This playlist will last for a little while before changing into the finalized FFA playlist with on-disc maps, Majestic DLC, and some of the above forge maps.
  • Team Throwdown Playlist will be updating from v2 settings to v3 settings
    • Team Slayer on Haven, Monolith, Skyline, Abandon, Shutout, Simplex
    • CTF on Simplex, Adrift, Skyline, Monolith
    • King of the Hill on Monolith and Haven
    • Extraction on Dispatch and Adrift
    • Oddball on Skyline
  • Doubles Pro settings will replace “Deluxe” Settings and converted to 4v4 in Team Throwdown.
  • Lightning CTF will be added to Action Sack Playlist
    • Lightning CTF is a fast-paced game mode in which players start with LightRifles, the Flag is transported on the Flag carrier’s back, and one shot anywhere on the body will kill. I suggest you start training with a ridiculously high sensitivity and LightRifle loadout immediately. 

That is it for this weeks bulletin, the sneak peak information in regards to the next title update (1.04) is located here in another post.

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Halo 4 Title Update 1.04

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Destruction

This weeks Halo Bulletin gave us a sneak peak into some of the upcoming fixes with the next Halo 4 Title Update, which is presumably expected to launch around the Castle Map Pack Release (April 8th, 2013)

Here are some of the features in the next title update:

  • Enabled “X-Markers” on the HUD to designate when and where teammates are killed.
  • Updated Active Camo to fully reveal players when they fire all weapons.
  • Reduced the auto aim, magnetism and damage on the Gauss Warthog.
  • Fixed an issue in which some players at SR-130 did not see their Specialization on their in-game Player Card.
  • Fixed various issues with ordnance navigation markers.
  • Fixed various join-in-progress issues with Flood.
  • Added the ability to make weapon adjustments via backend tuning.

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

ONE SHOT ON MY X! The Halo Bulletin: 3.13.13

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This weeks Halo Bulletin is quite brief, but it lays the frame work for things to come. You can read it here, but onto the highlights!

  • No more Weekly Playlist Updates. Moving to bi-weekly updates (Next update will be March 25th)
  • Castle Map Pack Trailer was released (click here to watch)
    • 3 new Multiplayer maps for Halo 4
      • Perdition, Outcast, Daybreak
      • 800 Microsoft points (or “free” to War Games Map Pass owners)
      • April 8th, 2013 release
  • March 18th – Studio producers will release their map pack coverage videos
  • March 22nd – Castle Map Pack featured in a panel and playable at PAX East in Boston
  • March 25th – Next playlist update: Adding more game variants to Team Action Sack Playlist
  • April 1st – Castle Map Pack Strategy videos by 343 Industries, Achievement list, and pre-launch livestream with 343.
  • April 8th – Castle Map Pack release

Now onto those items without a specific date:

  • Upcoming updates to many existing playlists to prepare for CSR launch sometime in April
  • Still finalizing the new FFA playlist
  • Working towards “how to bring objective game types to larger parties” (hint: Big Team Objective perhaps?)
  • Plenty of exclusive PAX East panel information
  • “X Marker” upon death will be returning. i.e. a “X” indicator will appear where your teammates have recently killed so you can shout “ONE SHOT ON MY X!!”

They also added some details to the 3 maps for the Castle Map Pack

castle_wallpaper_daybreak_1920x1080

Daybreak: Although it is currently being used as a military staging ground, this fertile world will one day be colonized.

Description: Operation: Daybreak is effectively a cluster of ONI research facilities and sensor relays residing in the vast highlands of Saviron, on the blue-green planet Oban. With the destruction of so many worlds at the hands of the Covenant, this planet is now undergoing preparations to make it a home for millions of human refugees. In the meantime, the UNSC Navy continues to use it as a key staging ground for a number of highly classified military exercises.

castle_wallpaper_outcast_1920x1080

Outcast: Dissident strongholds such as this one helped foment several anti-centralization movements.

Description: One of the few worlds left unscathed by the Covenant, the remote outer colony of Talitsa has always had a strong anti-centralization and pro-colonial autonomy sentiment, even since before the war. The UNSC halted several early political uprisings in the colony’s major population centers, but this only fostered a more radical form of dissent, now in the form of secluded and heavily armed redoubts. Ultimately, these sites would provide the foundation for a number of major political movements.

castle_wallpaper_perdition_1920x1080

Perdition: City-wide evacuation orders have confirmed that the unstable thermal reactor cannot be contained.

Description: New Carthage has always been a prime example of a healthy, growing colony, even since before the war. Hidden below the city of Pilvros, however, one of the thermal reactors which provided clean and safe energy in the past has now gone critical. While a large-scale evacuation effort is underway, scans of the reactor section are quickly acquired to help analysts determine the root cause of this impending disaster.

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Halo 4 Castle Map Pack Trailer

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  • 3 Medium to large size multiplayer maps (in no particular order):
    • Perdition
    • Outcast
    • Daybreak
  • April 8th, 2013 Release date
  • 800 Microsoft Points (or “free” with the War Games Map Pass)
  • 9 New multiplayer achievements totally 250 Gamerscore

“343 Industries today announced the third major expansion in the Halo Infinity Multiplayer experience, the Castle Map Pack, launching Monday, April 8. Developed by Certain Affinity, in collaboration with 343 Industries, the Castle Map Pack brings players three medium-to-large, stunning maps that emphasize vehicular warfare and large battles over open spaces, where team strategy is key to successfully conquering the battlefield.

Daybreak places you amidst military facilities, against the backdrop of an idyllic mountain range, while Outcast plunges you into the natural tunnels and arches of a secluded rebel outpost. Perdition takes players into the heart of an urban battleground, where tactical speed and situational awareness are essential to achieving victory. The Castle Map pack provides 9 new Achievements worth a total of 250 Gamerscore.”

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Action Sack, Team Fiesta, & More! The Halo Bulletin: 3.6.13

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legends-in-the-dark_660

Here’s this weeks Halo Waypoint Bulletin! Looks like their introducing some nifty graphics into it so go and check it out! Also they have segment where they interview Greg Bear, author of Cryptum, Primordium and the soon-to-be-released Silentium. All can be read here, but on to the highlights!

March 11th, 2013

  • Spartan Ops Encore of Episode 7
  • Team Action Sack Playlist
    • 4 vs. 4 Playlist
    • Binary Slayer
      • Decreased Gravity, Speed, Sniping and thruster packs. IGN showcased it in December
    • Lightning CTF
      • Lightrifle – one shot anywhere kills. 5 second Respawn, touch flag return, no motion sensor. Flag carrier keeps Lightrifle out while running the flag.
    • Rockets & Rails
      • Rocket Launchers, Railguns, and Jet Packs.
    • Team Fiesta
      • Random Weapons. Expect to be killed by everything from the Halo 4 sandbox in one game.
    • And more to come! Even by Monday (March 11th)!

They are also working finalizing the FFA playlist to incorporate both Infinity Rumble and Rumble pro along with specifically tuned Majestic DLC map variants.

They also stated they are actively working on a “BTB Objective” like playlist. No set date.

That’s all folks!

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Extraction, Dat Tarp, & More! The Halo Bulletin: 2.27.13

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Regicide by Ryuu Katsuro

Back again with an overview of the latest Halo Waypoint Bulletin! Here’s the juicy details on Halo 4’s upcoming Matchmaking updates and fixes. You can read it in it’s entirety here but here are the highlights:

Halo Waypoint File Browser (Online File Share component) went live this week. Here’s the link http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/games/halo4/filebrowser just sign in and begin searching for content!

It's a Tarp by Minolta1034

March 1st, 2013

  • Spartan Ops Encore: Episode 6
  • Extraction Playlist
    • 5 vs. 5
    • Extraction still available through Team Throwdown & Majestic Team DLC Playlists
  •   Capture the Flag Playlist Update
    • Add two maps: Simplex and Settler
      • Simplex: “an arena-style map from community forger SaLoT, has seen the spotlight in both the Community Forge Test and Team Throwdown playlists”
      • Settler: “a fast paced, semi-symmetrical on-disc Ravine variant that rests atop a verdant cliff side“
  • Rumble Pro Fix: Motion Tracker will be turned back on
  • Majestic FFA DLC Join In Progress window will be evaluted/monitored and probably adjusted accordingly
  • Majestic Team DLC Playlist respawn times will be adjusted as well

Extraction Playlist Details

Mode Extraction
Team Setup 5 vs. 5
Score to Win 5
Loadouts Custom
Instant Respawn Disabled
Death Cam Enabled
Motion Tracker Enabled
Personal Ordnance Disabled
Active Sites Map Dependent
Site Location Sequential
Site Movement On Extraction
Arming Time 3 Seconds
Extraction Time 45 Seconds
Conversion Time 3 Seconds
Timer Pause Enabled

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Halo 4 Web File Share (Browser) is now Available!

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Filebrowser-tarp

Here we have it, the final web portion to Halo 4’s File Share system. For those that don’t know, the in-game version launched not that long ago, and now the website/online version is live!

It is used to quickly scan through the huge collection of screenshots, map variants, and custom games created by the community. And in turn, download them, or queue them to download the next time you turn your Xbox console on.

As it stands right now, the File Browser is almost 100% working, there are a few issues (i.e. downloading screenshots to your computer without having the screen-cap) but these should be fixed very soon.

Bsangel, Jessica Shea, the community manager for 343 Industries dropped many hints over the past few days. Informing us that she wants “lots of #Halo4Tarp screenshots when the web file browser goes live” via twitter. And then today she dropped this hint in the Waypoint forums with this image attached.

Here’s the link so you can begin browsing the amazing community created content. Just sign in with your Xbox profile and you’re underway! https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/halo4fileshare/filebrowser

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

Halo 4 Majestic Map Pack Achievements Info

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achievements majesticThe Majestic Map Pack DLC achievement list was posted today by Bravo over at Halo Waypoint. There are a total of ten brand new achievements, totaling 250 gamerscore.

These achievements will be released alongside the Majestic DLC on Monday.

Callin' in the Big GunsCallin’ in the Big Guns – 40 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, call in 3 ordnance drops during the same game.

 

I Thrust at TheeI Trust at Thee – 20 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, perform a melee kill right after using Thrust Pack.

 

Didn't See It Comin'Didn’t See It Comin’ – 10 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, assassinate an enemy who’s in zoom mode.

 

Bird of PreyBird of Prey – 50 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, perform 5 ‘airsassinations’.

 

 

Bullet SpongeBullet Sponge – 30 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, get the ‘Close Call’ medal twice during one match.

 

I See You!
I See You! – 10 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, kill 5 enemies while Promethean Vision is active.

 

Clever Girl
Clever Girl – 10 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, kill 5 enemies while Active Camo is active.

 

Flash of Light
Flash of Light – 30 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, get a Double Kill or higher with one Pulse Grenade.

 

Last Man Grinning
Last Man Grinning – 20 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, get 4 kills using the SAW without dying.

 

Pigs Can Fly
Pigs Can Fly – 30 Gamerscore
In Majestic DLC matchmaking, kill 3 enemies while they are using Jet Packs.

 

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!

February Title Update! The Halo Bulletin: 2.20.13

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So I decided to separate the information from this weeks bulletin to make it easy to reference to and digest. If you want the matchmaking information click here. Here’s the list of items for Halo 4’s next title update which should appear sometime next week (no official date). Please note things may be added later.

Gameplay

  • Reduced the range of the Boltshot’s damage scaling over distance. The previous effective range for 1-hit kills was around 20-25′. The range has been reduced to 15′.
  • Fixed an issue where modified loadouts were not being saved correctly.
  • Fixed an issue where attempting to sprint while crouching using “hold to crouch” would cause players to be unable to shoot for 1-1.5 seconds.
  • Fixed an issue where some players were not able to get into matches on new map/game variants after playlist updates.
  • Fixed a DLC-related Join-in-Progress issue that kicked players back to the title screen.
  • Fixed various issues regarding glitched Autosentry deployment.
  • Fixed an issue where one player per session was unable to stay scoped with the Flagnum.
  • Fixed an issue where clients playing multi-round matches were not propelled by Man Cannons after the first round on Wreckage.
  • Fixed an issue for players who had licensed content for the specialization offer, and had the free Map Pack content, but did not have the Map Pass or Map Pack license by displaying a new error message: “You have Map Pack content that requires a license. Please purchase the War Games Map Pass, purchase the Map Pack individually, or delete the Map Pack content from your console.”

Vehicles

  • Fixed issues with friendly fire against vehicles. If FF is disabled, damage/EMPs from friendly sources will no longer damage vehicles that are fully controlled by your team.
  • Fixed an issue with where the Wraith secondary turret became disabled when shot with a Plasma Pistol. The feature has been updated to be consistent with previous Halo titles.
  • Fixed a Mantis functionality exploit that allowed pilots to survive planted grenades.

Specific Game Modes

  • Friendly fire turned off in Flood to prevent exploits.
  • Fixed Flood character models to allow for Warthog and Mongoose use.
  • Fixed an inconsistency with King of the Hill deathcam.
  • Fixed an issue where the Grifball would get stuck in geometry and never respawn.
  • Fixed the issue for Extraction where players did not regain full control of their character for extended periods of time after interacting with a site.
  • Fixed multiple Extraction scoring issues, including an overtime fix that ensures that a victory will not be awarded to a team who is controlling the go-ahead extraction point when the game ends.

Custom Games

  • Fixed an issue that did not allow players to create respawn timers or disable instant respawn in custom games.
  • Fixed an issue on Shatter where players couldn’t start a custom Dominion game.
  • Fixed an issue where the Ordnance game options reset when scrolling up or down in custom games.
  • Fixed an issue where custom game descriptions did not appear in the “Settings” preview screen.
  • Fixed inconsistencies and bugs in the final death cam for custom games.

Spartan Ops

  • Fixed an issue where the “Dedicated to Crimson” Achievement could not be unlocked.
  • Fixed an issue where players in Spartan Ops Episode 6 Mission 1 were able to look around before the vignette.

Miscellaneous

  • Fixed a selection of issues where theater clips were missing map-specific audio, including ambient noise and announcer voice.
  • Fixed File Share preview images for films and map variants.
  • Fixed issues with in-game translations.
  • Fixed title screen camera clipping.
  • Fixed an issue with Forge pieces and the shadows they create.
  • Fixed aliasing split screen HUD issues.
  • Fixed an issue where some saved films of Forge games featured no Forge lighting.
  • Fixed incorrect “change description” text in File Browser.
  • Fixed assorted crashes.

– Chief Landless

Geronimo!