August 11, 2009 Xbox Live Update

On August 11, 2009 the new update for Xbox Live was released to some mixed reviews. The ability to rate marketplace games and sort by said rating will make using the Xbox Live Marketplace much more user friendly. The update also brought along a new Avatar Marketplace, where you can buy items for your avatar with Microsoft points. Video playback with Netflix also runs smoother. A few unannounced things were added as well, such as a logo saying how long you or anyone else have been an Xbox Live subscriber. An Avatar awards page was also added, but as of now, is unused. It's said that some games will start offering these Avatar Awards that you can wear or use with your avatar, much like the Avatar marketplace.
Games on Demand is where the criticism comes in. You can now download full Xbox 360 games right from the Internet. These 6GB+ games will take over an hour to download at speeds of true 1MB/S. Pretty convenient, right? If you don't mind spending more than twice as much per game, then have at it. But Oblivion from Games on Demand is 39.99, a game you can find for 14.99 in stores. This being said, you don't even get the physical copy of the game, you get a digital copy fully playable from your Xbox 360 Hard Drive. You get bored of the game, there is no trading it in or selling, because it's a Digital Copy of the game, not a physical copy. Microsoft doesn't seem to understand this. They justify the pricing system by stating that they're adding a lot of convenience by making the games available from home 24/7. But a lot of gamers (like myself) would much rather have a physical copy. It looks better in a collection and you retain some of the games value. I personally believe Games on Demand will be a waste of time, space, and money, unless Microsoft changes their pricing.

Halo 3: ODST

Halo 3: ODST

Release Date: September 22, 2009
Genre: First-Person Shooter

Cost: $60

ESRB Rating: "M" for Mature

ODST is going to be somewhat similar to the Halo Trilogy, yet very different. You will play as an ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper), NOT the Master Chief. You will no longer have the benefits of the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Suit that Spartans wore. Therefore, your health/shields will not recharge, you will instead require the use of medkits to recover health. This will also make you slower, and weaker than the Spartans. Running head first into a gun fight will get you killed much faster than a Spartan.

There are rumors about this being a stealth game.. These are reported false, but there will be stealth elements.

Halo 3: ODST will also include a new 4-player multiplayer co-op gameplay type called "Firefight" where players take on increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Much like Gears of War's "Horde" mode.

Halo 3: ODST will be released on two discs. Campaign and co-op mode are accompanied by an Extras menu that gives access to the Halo: Reach beta, the next installment in the series. The second disc includes ALL the multiplayer maps and game modes released for Halo 3, plus three new multiplayer levels for Halo 3. These maps are the maps included in Legendary map pack, Mythic map pack, Heroic map pack, Cold Storage, and 3 new maps.

Halo 3: ODST is available for pre-orders in two formats. One is the regular release that includes the above mentioned articles. There is also a Gamestop exclusive pre-order for the Halo 3: ODST Collectors Pack, which will include the game and also an exclusive, laser etched Wireless Controller. The Collectors Pack, of course, also comes with a higher price-tag of $100. Both editions include Sgt. Johnson available for play in Firefight mode when pre-ordered.

Halo 3 Weapon Specs

Table of Contents:

Assault Rifle	Missile Pod
Battle Rifle	Needler
Beam Rifle	Plasma Cannon
Brute Shot	Plasma Grenade
Covenant Carbine	Plasma Pistol
Energy Sword	Plasma Rifle
Firebomb	Rocket Launcher
Flamethrower	Sentinel Beam
Frag Grenade	Shotgun
Fuel Rod Gun	SMG
Gravity Hammer	Sniper Rifle
Machine Gun Turret	Spartan Laser
Magnum	Spike Grenade
Mauler	Spiker

Assault Rifle

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Low Magazine Size -- 32 rounds Fire Mode -- Automatic Ammunition Type -- 7.62x51mm FMJ(Full Metal Jacket) Rate of Fire -- High, Fully Automatic 750-900 Rounds/min Accuracy -- * Average (In Bursts, Close Range) * Low (Continuous Fire, Farther Range) Range -- Close Description: The Assault Rifle has been brought back from the first installment in the Halo series with a few modifications like greater accuracy, more range, and more damage per hit. Accuracy is high when fired in bursts, and the overall accuracy of this weapon is good at medium ranges (even higher at close). This is a very good all round weapon that can be effective in almost all situations if used correctly, and is an even better weapon with grenades, and melee attacks (this goes with any weapon).

Battle Rifle

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- * Medium Against Shielded Enemies * Low-Medium Against Flesh (Excluding Headshots) * Overall Damage: Medium Magazine Size -- 36 rounds Maximum Ammunition -- 144 Rounds or 4 Magazines Fire Mode -- Three Round Burst Ammunition Type -- M634 9.5x40mm X-HP-SAP (Experimental, High Penetration, Semi-Armor Piercing)Rate of Fire -- Average, 2.4 Bursts per SecondAccuracy -- HighRange -- Medium Description: The Battle Rifle was one of the most popular weapons in Halo 2 for players with good aiming. In Halo 3, Bungie has balanced the weapons in a way that doesn't overshadow other weapons, yet not underpowered. With reduced aim assist, this weapon takes even more effort to be used effectively. And the new, heavier, sound is so rewarding. You're in a battle. Bring your Battle Rifle.

Beam Rifle

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- High Magazine Size -- 100 Battery units (18 shots) Maximum Ammunition -- 100 Battery Units (18 shots) Fire Mode -- Semi-automatic Ammunition Type -- Accelerated Particle Beams Rate of Fire -- Average Accuracy -- Very High Range -- Very Long Range Description: The Covenant beam rifle appears to be the Covenant forces' answer to the Sniper Rifle. Very little information has been confirmed about this weapon or its potential capabilities. This weapon does not use ammunition and will overheat when fired too quickly for too long, keeping the Beam Rifle on par with the human Sniper Rifle.

Brute Shot

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Medium to High Magazine Size -- 6 Maximum Ammunition -- 16 (including used clip) Ammunition Type -- High Explosive Grenades Rate of Fire -- Medium Accuracy -- Medium-High Range -- Close, Medium, Semi-long Description: The Brute Shot has been changed, going from a hard-to-find but effective weapon to a mainstay of campaign and a solid choice in multiplayer. It fires grenades which explode on contact, doing serious damage, especially in confined spaces.

Covenant Carbine

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Overall Damage: Medium Magazine Size -- 18 rounds Maximum Ammunition -- 90 rounds or 5 magazines Fire Mode -- Semi-automatic Ammunition Type -- Radioactive Projectiles Rate of Fire -- Medium, 4.5 rounds/sec (approx.) Accuracy -- High Range -- Medium to Semi-Long Ranges Description: Unlike the Battle Rifle, the Carbine has seen few changes since Halo 2. It remains a powerful and accurate semiautomatic weapon with a moderately-sized clip. Because of the changes made to the Battle Rifle however, the Carbine is now far more accurate than its human counterpart, and is rapidly overcoming the second-class status it had in Halo 2.

Energy Sword

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 100 charges (Single and Multiplayer) Rate of Fire -- None (Melee Only) Accuracy -- Very High Range -- Close, short range Description: The Energy Sword (also known as the Plasma Sword) returns, with a battery and a reduced lunge to bring it into the overall balance. It also has specific medals attributed to it.

Firebomb

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- High Ammunition Type -- Incendiary gel Range -- * Can be thrown 10 meters (32.8 feet) * Blast radius: 3.4 meters (11.2 feet) Description: The Type 3 AP/AM grenade is a Brute device that breaks when thrown, releasing a flaming gel that sticks to hard surfaces. The gel burns for around four seconds and can be used as a barrier or to kill players directly.

Flamethrower

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- High Magazine Size -- 100 fuel units Maximum Ammunition -- 7 Canisters or 700 fuel units Fire Mode -- Burst fire Ammunition Type -- Pyrosene-V Accuracy -- High Range -- 13.4 meters (44 feet) Description: The flamethrower is a support weapon, strong against both vehicles and ground units, but balanced by a relatively short range and limited ammunition.

Frag Grenade

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 1 grenade Fire Mode -- Thrown Ammunition Type -- M9 HE-DP Grenade Rate of Fire -- Slow Accuracy -- Depends On Throw Range -- Depends On Throw * Killing radius: 5 meters (16 ft) * Casualty radius: 15 meters (49.5 ft) Description: Frag grenades have seen a drastic power nerf to make it fit more into the balance of the game. It can be devastating to infantry if used correctly. A well timed frag can also tip a Warthog.

Fuel Rod Cannnon

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very high Magazine Size -- 5 rods Maximum Ammunition -- 30 rods Ammunition Type -- Fuel Rods Rate of Fire -- Average (2 round per second) Accuracy -- Medium Range -- Medium Description: A heavy Covenant weapon that is a counter to the Rocket Launcher. Before Halo 3 it was only available for multiplayer use in Halo PC.

Gravity Hammer

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Large Fire Mode -- Gravity Explosion Range -- Close Description: A weapon similar to that of Tartarus' in Halo 2. A melee weapon that has a lunge shorter than the energy sword but has the power to knock back projectiles or vehicles out of the way.

Machine Gun Turret

Technical Specifications: Magazine Size -- * 200 (Unmounted) * Unlimited (Mounted) Fire Mode -- Fully Automatic Ammunition Type -- Projectiles Rate of Fire -- High Description: Remember being sniped in Halo 2 when you were using the turret? This time round you can pick up the turret and move position! So no more easy target for snipers. Not only can you walk with this thing but its more powerful and the aim too has improved. Go take out their whole team or that one annoying Mongoose!

Magnum

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- * High (shielded enemies) * Very High or instant kill* (flesh damage, *headshots) * Overall Damage: Medium-High Magazine Size -- 12 Rounds Maximum Ammunition -- 40 Rounds or 5 Magazines Fire Mode -- Semi-Automatic Ammunition Type -- 12.7 mm x 40 SAP-HE (semi-armor-piercing high-explosive) Rate of Fire -- About 2 Rounds per Second Accuracy -- Medium-High Range -- 50 meters (152.5 ft) (Close to Medium) Description: The M6G Magnum is a dual-wieldable semiautomatic pistol that does great damage to shields and flesh, has a headshot bonus, and is accurate out to medium range. It resembles Halo's M6D Magnum, but lacks a scope and does slightly less damage.

Mauler

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- * High (close ranges) * Low-medium (medium ranges) Magazine Size -- 15 rounds Fire Mode -- Pump Action Ammunition Type -- 8-Gauge Magnum Buckshot Rate of Fire -- Low-Medium Accuracy -- Low Range -- Short Range Description: A dual wieldable Brute shotgun that has less power than the human varient when single wielded, but can be more powerful when two are wielded.

Missile Pod

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Medium to High Magazine Size -- 8 Maximum Ammunition -- 8 Ammunition Type -- Missile Rate of Fire -- Medium Range -- Long Description: One of the new support weapons introduced in Halo 3. Like all support weapons, it slows the player and forces a third-person perspective. The missile pod can be thought of as a rebalanced answer to Halo 2's tracking rockets: it has a larger ammunition capacity than the rocket launcher and is capable of tracking vehicles, but each missile does less direct and splash damage than a rocket.

Needler

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Variable - Low to Very High Magazine Size -- 30 needles Maximum Ammunition -- 120 needles Fire Mode -- Automatic Ammunition Type -- Crystalline Explosive Projectiles Rate of Fire -- Variable - Average to High, 3 to 10 rounds per second Accuracy -- High (Homing) Range -- Short-Medium Range Description: The Needler is back and more powerful than ever! However, it is now only single wieldable. But can seriously pack a punch at mid-close range.

Plasma Cannon

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Medium Magazine Size -- Unlimited Maximum Ammunition -- Unlimited Fire Mode -- Fully Automatic Ammunition Type -- Superheated Plasma Rate of Fire -- 300 RPM Accuracy -- Medium Range -- Medium to Medium-Long Range Description: The Plasma Cannon, like it's Human counterpart, the Machine Gun, is a 3rd person Support Weapon that can be pulled off from the covenant turrets on a level.

Plasma Grenade

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 1 grenade Fire Mode -- Thrown Ammunition Type -- Plasma Rate of Fire -- Slow Description: A Grenade of Covenant origin. That sticks to enemies and vehicles. It has seen a slight nerf in general, like the Frag Grenade. But still can be devastating if used correctly.

Plasma Pistol

Technical Specifications: Magazine Size -- 100 battery units Maximum Ammunition -- 100 battery units Fire Mode -- Semiautomatic Ammunition Type -- Superheated Plasma Rate of Fire -- Semi-automatic Accuracy * Medium * Overcharged:Semi-homing Range -- Close to Medium Description: The Plasma Pistol is the most basic of the Covenant weapons. The non-charged shot has little use. However, the overcharge can completely deplete enemy Shields allowing an easier kill with other weapons or it can overheat a vehicles engine, not allowing it to move for a few seconds. Pistol Whips! However it still allows the turret on the Warthog to fire.

Plasma Rifle

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Medium Magazine Size -- 400 charges per energy core per rifle Maximum Ammunition -- 400 charges per energy core per rifle Fire Mode -- Discontinuous Automatic Ammunition Type -- Superheated Plasma Rate of Fire -- High, 5 rounds per second Accuracy -- Moderate Range -- Short to Medium Range Description: A rifle of Covenant origins that fires plasma bolts at the enemy. Like most Covenant weapons that fire plasma it helps to deplete shields faster than Human weaponry.

Rocket Launcher

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 2 rockets Maximum Ammunition -- 8 rockets or 4 magazines Fire Mode -- Anaconda surface-to-air missiles Rate of Fire -- Low Accuracy -- Perfect, no COF Range -- Short to Medium Range Description: The rocket launcher oncemore has no vehicle lock-on. That attribute was lost to the Missile Pod. In the Beta, the rocket had slight auto aim, it would bend course very slightly towards a player.

Sentinel Beam

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- High Magazine Size -- 100 battery units Fire Mode -- N/A Constant Laser Beam Range -- Close to Long Range Description: A laser or Forerunner origin. The weapons of the sentinels. The Sentinel Beam is a battery powered laser.

Shotgun

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- * Very high, instant kill (close ranges) * Low-medium (medium ranges) Magazine Size -- 6 rounds Fire Mode -- Pump Action Ammunition Type -- 8-Gauge Magnum Buckshot Rate of Fire -- Low-Medium Accuracy -- Low to Medium Range -- Short Range Description: The shotgun now sees a slight reduced clip. But is still devastating at close range.

SMG

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very Low Magazine Size -- 60 Rounds Maximum Ammunition -- 240 Rounds or 4 Magazines(Single-Wielded) Fire Mode -- Automatic Ammunition Type -- M443 5x23mm Caseless Rate of Fire -- High, Fully Automatic, 15 rounds per second Accuracy -- Moderate to Low Range -- Close to medium Description: No longer the default starting weapon as it was in Halo 2. This weapon is still dual wieldable. It works well at close, to medium ranges and is considered to be similar to the Spiker. The SMG has increased accuracy and range, making it much more effective than it was in Halo 2. The SMG also has a faster rate of fire.

Sniper Rifle

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 4 rounds Maximum Ammunition -- 24 rounds or 6 magazines Fire Mode -- Semi-Automatic Ammunition Type -- 14.5x114mm AP-FS-DS(Armor-Piercing, Fin-Stabilized, Discarding Sabot) Rate of Fire -- Average, About 1 Round per Second Accuracy -- 97.3% Range -- Close, Medium, Long, Very Long Description: Long Range Sniper rifle with 5-10x scope. The Sniper Rifle can kill faster than Any other weapon in the game, due to its Single head-shot kill ability. It is the most inferentially accurate weapon in the Halo series. It's Covenant counterpart is the Beam Rifle. It is rare to find multiple Sniper Rifles on maps. It is favorite to most long-range shooters. It is a VERY powerful weapon (boasting single head-shot kills and two shot kills on the rest of the body) It now has a Night-vision scope (on the scope display when not scoped-in). The Sniper Rifle is VERY effective at long ranges, but can also be effective at Medium ranges, or Close ranges if used correctly.

Spartan Laser

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Very High Magazine Size -- 5 shots Ammunition Type -- Laser Rate of Fire -- Semi-Automatic Accuracy -- Very High Range -- Long Description: Portable Power! The Halo 3 Spartan Laser is one of the new members of the Halo armory. It is designed for anti-vehicle use, but is also very effective as an anti-personnel weapon. The directed energy mechanism fires a highly charged laser beam that, if it hits, totally destroys the target. A brief charge time before firing and a small laser "pointer" coupled with humming noise makes surprise attack with this weapon somewhat tricky, but players caught out in the open against the Spartan Laser are usually left counting down to their respawn.

Spike Grenade

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Low to Very high Magazine Size -- 1 Grenade Rate of Fire -- Low Accuracy -- Killing radius: 3 meters (10 ft) Casualty radius: 11 meters (36 ft) Description: The Spike Grenade, a Brute technology, is one of the two new grenade types introduced in Halo 3. Spike grenades can be stuck to nearly any surface, including players, and spray shrapnel in one direction when they explode. Like a Plasma Grenade, sticking an opponent with a spike grenade is fatal.

Spiker

Technical Specifications: Damage per Hit -- Medium Magazine Size -- 40 rounds Ammunition Type -- Superheated Metal Spikes Rate of Fire -- 480 rounds/minute Accuracy -- Medium Range -- 40 meters (131 feet) Description: What some people call it the brutes SMG. It shoots out the spikes like the Spike Grenade.