Just announced http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame

Confirmed: Halo 3 Expansion — Screens IncludedBy: Jon Christensen on October 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm

Its official, Bungie’s next project is a Halo 3 expansion titled Halo 3 Recon and will be available on the Xbox 360. Some details have come out of the TGS about the game along with some screens.

The game is a prologue to Halo 3 that was released last year. The new FPS does NOT follow Master Chief — but instead a different UNSC soldier and was designed for a single player experience. Although, Microsoft promises a “groundbreaking” multiplayer experience.
Bungie expects the Halo expansion to come out fall of next year.
Get all the details after the jump directly from Microsoft as well as screens
* All-new campaign content: The Halo 3: Recon campaign is an intriguing side story that takes place during the terrifying events leading up to the Master Chief’s return to New Mombasa in Halo 3. Experience the fate of Earth from the brand-new perspective of a special forces ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), adding a unique outlook and new gameplay elements to the events that unfold in the trilogy’s finale. While the feel of this new chapter greatly resembles that of previous Halo experiences, Halo 3: Recon will require you to employ more elements of stealth and cunning than ever before.
* Prepare to drop: Known for their courage, valor and, at times, insanity, ODSTs are among the fiercest UNSC soldiers, priding themselves on being the first unit deployed into hostile situations. While not as large or supernaturally gifted as their Spartan comrades, these “Hell Jumpers” more than compensate with their ferocious attitudes and unwavering nerve.
* Expanded multiplayer collection:No Halo experience would be complete without groundbreaking multiplayer content, and Halo 3: Recon gives fans more of what they love. With exclusive new maps and expanded Forge options, Xbox LIVE® Gold members will find more multiplayer content than ever before with Halo 3: Recon.
* Ever-growing community options: Enjoy all the great Halo 3 technological innovations, including Saved Films, screenshots, Campaign Scoring, and four-player co-op. All of the new multiplayer maps fully support the Forge editor, offering endless gameplay customization possibilities.”


http://www.slashgamer.com/2008/10/08/confirmed-halo-3-expansion-screens-included/

Should add a different elemental to the normal Halo-style gameplay. No shield, no wicked melee attacks, and no gravity-defying jumps.

Looks like MS is sticking with their Halo one years, Gears the next plan. It's Bungie. Will buy.

Great news. Any other games coming out? (Sorry if that sounds like sarcasm.)

Is this gonna require a copy of Halo 3, or is it a stand-alone/downloadable game?

Love it. Im a little confused about the MP though. Is it an expansion to Halo 3 multiplayer as well, or is this a new standalone multiplayer. IE, this trooper wont have the same abilities as Chief, so Im assuming the multiplayer will be like Halo 3 but completely tailored to the new game/physics?

It would be awesome having a combination of COD4 and Halo 3 style gameplay. I loved so many features that came with Halo 3 but it would be neat to see what a slightly quicker/stealthier gameplay would do

Sounds like a Tom Clancy/COD game to me. Those players will love this game I suppose. Looks like I'll be skipping this one if thats the case.

Looks like MS is sticking with their Halo one years, Gears the next plan. It's Bungie. Will buy.

Halo and Gears are the top two exclusives on the system. Not only did they both set record sales, they also moved alot of 360's off the shelf. They'd be a fool not to continue using that 1-2 punch until it simply doesnt work anymore.

Is this gonna require a copy of Halo 3, or is it a stand-alone/downloadable game?

Good question.. I'm personally Halo-ed out.. but I'd buy an extension or digital download for $29 to $39 bucks.. but if you are talking about another full fledged $60 DVD based title.. ehhh not really interested..

It would be awesome having a combination of COD4 and Halo 3 style gameplay. I loved so many features that came with Halo 3 but it would be neat to see what a slightly quicker/stealthier gameplay would do

I couldnt agree more with you brother. After playing COD4 for the last year.. Halo simply plays too slow for me. I mean its almost hilarious how slow the game plays compared to COD4. Hopefully MS/Bungie are listening.

Is this gonna require a copy of Halo 3, or is it a stand-alone/downloadable game?

found this article (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55205)

Expanding upon last night's official announcement and trailer of Halo 3: Recon (360), publisher Microsoft has confirmed that the Bungie-developed expansion will be a standalone DVD release that does not require the Halo 3 (360) to play....

If it's going to be playing like good ole halo, I might play it for the story. If MP is going to be lame slow game, eh, skippers.

I couldnt agree more with you brother. After playing COD4 for the last year.. Halo simply plays too slow for me. I mean its almost hilarious how slow the game plays compared to COD4. Hopefully MS/Bungie are listening.

I think it's good to have the variety. I love the fact that the top two Live games are so different in their playstyles, but each is equally as good.

TBH, I need to play more COD online, 2, 3, and 4 :( Getting a little Halo'd out.

I'll definitely get it, even just for the Halo story. Will be interesting to see what game play changes there are for this new game.

Downside is having to wait until next year for it. By the time it comes out, COD6 will be here. :D

Count me in. I can't wait.

It sounds like a tactical shooter.

I think it's good to have the variety. I love the fact that the top two Live games are so different in their playstyles, but each is equally as good.

TBH, I need to play more COD online, 2, 3, and 4 :( Getting a little Halo'd out.

check out the COD4 thread :)

if i didnt know any better i have a gut feeling this will turn out to be Microsofts Metal Gear. Remember that Payton (spell chekc) guy that worked on MGS4 is now in MS's fold.
So I agree with Chief Ediri, a tactical shooter. hopefully without that "La Le Ley Lou" bull crap

Definitely a tactical shooter because:

1) Its called RECON. Short for reconnaissance. The definition of which means to secretly inspect or explore an area, especially to gather military information. I highly doubt if your mission on a RECON based game is to eliminate as many enemy as possible.

2) Study the trailer. You saw one Marine soldier and many Convenant. The one Marine soldier was absolutely alone. Looks like a 1 man team. He also only had one visible weapon. And that weapon had a silencer on it. He then proceeded to go the opposite way and purposely NOT engage the enemy.

interesting. i wonder then who is running the billboards? the superintendent?

not this guy?

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd292/tronn4/thesuper.jpg

Yep.. thats the Super

Ok, I watched it again and yes, I will be supremely interested. I just hope that they do try and mix sh*t up and no space jumping crap...

I wonder what weapons are going to be like? I wonder if COD6 will be close to how this plays? Being all supposedly futuristic and everything.

Same stuff like forge, saved films, makes me think that it will be more of the same stuff especially if they're going to be using Havok again that is unless they use another iteration of Havok that will allow for the sprinting and aiming etc.

I've said enough. Time for gaming (or TV time with the ol' lady)

Looks cool. Haven't touched Halo 3 in months though, so I'll check some reviews before jumping into this.

Any mention of how this will be sold, ie. retail disc, or DLC (if so how many points 1600- 3200?)

Looks cool. Haven't touched Halo 3 in months though, so I'll check some reviews before jumping into this.

Any mention of how this will be sold, ie. retail disc, or DLC (if so how many points 1600- 3200?)

Retail disc standalone.

I'm definitely interested. Halo has always provided an enjoyable gaming experience for me.

Interesting but I will wait til I hear more about it.

IGN has an article on this with some videos, screenshots (all CGI rendered of course) sounds cool so far.

I'm excited about it but are we supposed to pretend this guy doesn't look exactly life Chief? :rolleyes:

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/30/728085-halo3_recon_still_01_super.png

I'm excited about it but are we supposed to pretend this guy doesn't look exactly life Chief? :rolleyes:

The helmet's different.

Yeah...WAY different.

http://www.clantemplates.com/renders/gallery/data/media/20/masterchief_screen6.png

LOL

I'm excited about it but are we supposed to pretend this guy doesn't look exactly life Chief? :rolleyes:



Yeah...WAY different.



LOL

Imagine that, two sets of armor designed by the same military guys in the future appearing very similar (also by the same game developers:D) Huh, I never made the connection.

but can't they come up with some excuse to make him look at least slightly different? Oh well.

but can't they come up with some excuse to make him look at least slightly different? Oh well.

They painted him a different color, that qualifies as slightly:p

I wonder if this guy will have shields but since he looks like a human soldier, it bet he's gonna have a health bar.

I wonder if this guy will have shields but since he looks like a human soldier, it bet he's gonna have a health bar.

I wqould guess they bring back the health packs from Halo:CE, or something similar. No shields and no self recharging health.

In the "Ghosts of Onyx" Halo novel, there is armor used called "Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor" (SPI Armor) that is similar to an Elite's cloaking field, albeit not nearly as advanced. A neat game mechanic would have the ODST acquiring this particular armor for use against the brutes. Also, using jackal energy shields would be a neat addition to even the odds!