Halo: Reach Map, Castle by RedLace

Castle by RedLace
Symmetrical bases surround a large castle in the sky.
(4 - 16 players) Team Slayer, Slayer, Capture the Flag, Multi-Flag, 1-Flag.

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Halo: Reach, Noble Map Pack out Nov 30 2010

Microsoft announced today that Nov 30 2010 will mark the release of the first DLC map pack for Halo: Reach for an additional 250 gamerscore.  The Noble Map Pack will be 800 Microsoft Points and include three new multiplayer maps, low orbit Anchor 9 (2 - 8 players), the abandoned shoreline facility Tempest (8 - 16 players) and a frozen xeno-archaeology site Breakpoint (8 - 16 players). 

Anchor 9

Within the confines of this low orbit dry-dock, UNSC craft undergo rapid repair and rearmament in support of the enduring war effort. But for the small squads of infantry who now fight over the mirrored interior hallways and open central hangar bay, this platform no longer provides any safe harbor whatsoever – whether the close quarters combat is occurring inside or out of its artificial gravitational field.

Tempest

This abandoned shoreline facility bends both sea and sky to an unnatural purpose, but the ground itself has quickly become another all too familiar battlefield. Though the two opposing symmetrical bases may never reveal their ancient purpose, both now offer makeshift shelter and access to strategic routes perfectly suited for small and large scale skirmishes alike.

Breakpoint

Atop this icy precipice, the Invasion continues. These modular archaeological labs were never intended to withstand such a large scale onslaught of Covenant military power, but the information being extracted here may prove vital to humanity’s survival. In response to the imminent Covenant threat, UNSC ground and air assets have been deployed to bolster entrenched Spartan countermeasures. This site must yield salvation, or it will become a grave.

Microsoft XBOX 360 Fall Dashboard Update

Some of the major changes for the Fall 2010 XBOX 360 dashboard update include ESPN3, NetFlix Search and a new Zune Marketplace.  However, there are many smaller changes to in addition to a new look.  All of which is going live sometime between now and Nov 04 2010, which marks the launch of Kinect.

Some of the minor changes include improved voice quality for XBOX Live Party Chat, improved experience for choosing a new gamertag (which is actually quite lame and involves your Avatar spinning a wheel), streamlined in-dashboard virtual keyboard, improved XBOX Live Marketplace UI and browse experience, more proportional avatars to work better with Kinect, easier access to wireless networks, ability to sign-out other controllers and profiles from one controller and a new browse experience for 100% completed games.

Halo: Reach Ranking Breakdown and Credit Requirements

Halo: Reach has a ranking system based on credits, the more credits you earn by playing the game, the higher your rank.  Currently, Bungie has only made ranks available up to Lt. Colonel Grade 3.  Bungie has confirmed that any credits you earn once you max your level, are still applied toward your next rank and when the remainder of the ranks are made available, you will likely skip ahead multiple ranks.  Currently, only 1% of Halo: Reach players are at the current level cap, myself included.

The rankings are listed below along with all their credit requirements.

• Recruit – 0 cR
• Private – 7,500 cR
• Corporal – 10,000 cR (+2,500 cR) 
• Corporal Grade 1 – 15,000 cR (+5,000 cR)
• Sergeant – 20,000 cR (+5,000 cR)
• Sergeant Grade 1 – 26,250 cR (+6,250 cR)
• Sergeant Grade 2 – 32,500 cR (+6,250 cR)
• Warrant Officer – 45,000 cR (+12,500 cR)
• Warrant Officer Grade 1 – 78,000 cR (+33,000 cR)
• Warrant Officer Grade 2 – 111,000 cR (+33,000 cR)
• Warrant Officer Grade 3 – 144,000 cR (+33000 cR)
• Captain – 210,000 cR (+66,000 cR)
• Captain Grade 1 – 233,000 cR (+23,000 cR)
• Captain Grade 2 – 256,000 cR (+23,000 cR)
• Captain Grade 3 – 279,000 cR (+23,000 cR)
• Major – 325,000 cR (+46,000 cR)
• Major Grade 1 – 350,000 cR (+25,000 cR)
• Major Grade 2 – 375,000 cR (+25,000 cR)
• Major Grade 3 – 400,000 cR (+25,000 cR)
• Lt. Colonel – 450,000 cR (+50,000 cR)
• Lt. Colonel Grade 1 – 480,000 cR (+30,000 cR)
• Lt. Colonel Grade 2 – 510,000 cR (+30,000 cR)
• Lt. Colonel Grade 3 – 540,000 cR (+30,000 cR) - CURRENT MAX
• Commander – 600,000 cR (+60,000 cR)
• Commander Grade 1 –650,000 cR (+50,000 cR)
• Commander Grade 2 – 700,000 cR (+50,000 cR)
• Commander Grade 3 – 750,000 (+50,000 cR)
• Colonel – 850,000 cR (+100,000 cR)
• Colonel Grade 1 – 960,000 cR (+110,000 cR)
• Colonel Grade 2 – 1,070,000 cR (+110,000 cR)
• Colonel Grade 3 – 1,180,000 cR (+110,000 cR)
• Brigadier – 1,400,000 cR (+220,000 cR)
• Brigadier Grade 1 – 1,520,000 cR (+120,000 cR)
• Brigadier Grade 2 – 1,640,000 cR (+120,000 cR)
• Brigadier Grade 3 – 1,760,000 cR (+120,000 cR)
• General – 2,000,000 cR (+240,000 cR)
• General Grade 1 – 2,200,000 cR (+200,000 cR)
• General Grade 2 – 2,350,000 cR (+150,000 cR)
• General Grade 3 – 2,500,000 cR (+150,000 cR)
• General Grade 4 – 2,650,000 cR (+150,000 cR)
• Field Marshall – 3,000,000 cR (+350,000 cR)
• Hero – 3,700,000 cR (+700,000 cR)
• Legend – 4,600,000 cR (+900,000 cR)
• Mythic – 5,650,000 cR (+1,050,000 cR)
• Noble – 7,000,000 cR (+1,350,000 cR)
• Eclipse – 8,500,000 cR (+1,500,000 cR)
• Nova – 11,000,000 cR (+2,500,000 cR)
• Forerunner – 13,000,000 cR (+2,000,000 cR)
• Reclaimer – 16,500,000 cR (+3,500,000 cR)
• Inheritor – 20,000,000 cR (+3,500,000 cR)

Fight Like a Girl

The annual FLAG Fight Like a Girl Halo tournament to help fight cancer is now accepting sign-ups.  The tournament takes place on Oct 23 and Oct 24 2010 with four different events to play in Halo Reach for a good cause.  Events include;

• Halo: Reach FFA Double Elimination Tournament
• Halo: Reach 2v2 Double Elimination Tournament
• Halo: Reach 4 Player Firefight Matchmaking (starts Oct 22 2010)
• Halo: Reach "Play with Bungie" Event

All proceeds benefit the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and NCCC.  To register for an event or to donate, go to the Official Site.