Halo 3, 4 player Co-op Details inside

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!

Im liking the look of the blue one. I dont like the purple on that much and never did like the arbiter but he does have some better armour now. Hated the old one and always said he needed a better type.

The purple one looks like it has an atmosphere mask. I like it. I like them all.
THem alls sexy as hell.

would have been nice to have a marine, but then they wouldnt have had an over-shield, so whichever player got him woulda been pissed off

i dont like the purple one, to purplish, the elites should go back to thier home worlds colors, yellow and (forgot) and thats just a ranger suit with more protection, not amospheric, and no jet-pack, id like him if u get jeck pack

Haha, yah that would be awesome.

I just realized that the Arbiter is duel wielding a Plasma Pistol and Plasma rifle, with a carbine on his back. It looks sexy. Amazing graphics. And for once, the MC's hands dont look retarded.

My favorite elite is the blue one and the aribter looks cool but i dont like the purple elite.

I like the purple Elite just because of the atmospheric look.
The blue elite looks more classic, and because of that he is awesome.

yea, the purple one looks crapola, but the blue armour is sexy as hell

Is the blue one player 3 or 4?

He is player 4. Player 3 is a spec ops, and therefore has purple armour

You know what there the A-Team! lol

Hahahahaha
Yes!

I can name the weapons all four of them are carrying.

MC: Primary = AR / Secondary = Sniper
Arby: Primary = Plasma Rifle and Plasma Pistol / Secondary = Carbine
Players 3 and 4: Pimary = Carbine / Secondary = Plasma Rifle

spartan123209 wrote:

I can name the weapons all four of them are carrying.

MC: Primary = AR / Secondary = Sniper
Arby: Primary = Plasma Rifle and Plasma Pistol / Secondary = Carbine
Players 3 and 4: Pimary = Carbine / Secondary = Plasma Rifle

oooh, and hes gone and got it wrong if you look , you'r notice tht MCs secondary is a BR, you can see the outlines of the mag and if it was a Sniper Rifle, it would proberly be poking the arbiters leg

[NR] Spartan wrote:

spartan123209 wrote:

I can name the weapons all four of them are carrying.

MC: Primary = AR / Secondary = Sniper
Arby: Primary = Plasma Rifle and Plasma Pistol / Secondary = Carbine
Players 3 and 4: Pimary = Carbine / Secondary = Plasma Rifle

oooh, and hes gone and got it wrong if you look , you'r notice tht MCs secondary is a BR, you can see the outlines of the mag and if it was a Sniper Rifle, it would proberly be poking the arbiters leg

OWNED!!! [NR] Spartan FTW lol.

AvidWriter117 wrote:

I like the purple Elite just because of the atmospheric look.
The blue elite looks more classic, and because of that he is awesome.

it isnt atmosphered, it looks but isnt air tight, look at his legs and arms, u can see their open oh and the blue one and the arbhave FAT ASS FEET and are like dwarves!

well, if you look at a good quality render of a atmospheric Elite in Halo2, they look the exact same.

u cant tell me other wise >+( i see it isnt LOOK CLOSER *puts long glasses on and twistes them to focus*











_________________
women aren't all mini-skirts and skinny tank-tops, they have hair thin underwear too!
I may wear all of the above, but don’t make fun of my tough seducing attitude >=D

Hey they all look beastly to me so im cool with them and i like Purple cause hes got an infiltrator look to him. blue cause hes got kickass armor, arby cause hes Arby hes cool, and Master cheif cause hes well....master chief.

i read the article and think it sucks that you cant have 4 player co-op on the same machine and i also think that it stuck you cant have a team of Spartans completing the job. cause they wouldn't have to all be the MC after all its co-op and not the single campaign which is more along the lines of the story.

though i have to agree with the majority of you guys they do look cool AWESOME GRAPHICS

Pheonix092 wrote:

[NR] Spartan wrote:

spartan123209 wrote:

I can name the weapons all four of them are carrying.

MC: Primary = AR / Secondary = Sniper
Arby: Primary = Plasma Rifle and Plasma Pistol / Secondary = Carbine
Players 3 and 4: Pimary = Carbine / Secondary = Plasma Rifle

oooh, and hes gone and got it wrong if you look , you'r notice tht MCs secondary is a BR, you can see the outlines of the mag and if it was a Sniper Rifle, it would proberly be poking the arbiters leg

OWNED!!! [NR] Spartan FTW lol.

LoLz, cheers pheonix

You guys do know bungie fixed the problem with the elites they are no longer easier to kill, so now its safe to play as an elite.

i didn't notice there was a problem

Yeah what problem in Halo 2 i found it just as easy to kill elites as other people on live some of the best players ive seen use elites.