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.

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.

Potential DLC for Reach, Already?

The screenshot clearly shows a potential gamerscore of 1250, the game only released with 1000 possible achievement points.  DLC coming so soon?

Bungie reveals "Forge World"

If you haven't seen this ViDoc 'Forge World' released by Bungie, then you need to watch it.  Everything you have ever wanted to do in Forge, now will be possible, easier, bigger and cooler than ever before.  They have taken 5 maps and combined it into one huge world for you to forge.

Halo: Reach launches Sept 14 2010.

Firefight 2.0 Trailer

Microsoft has revealed that Firefight will be returning in Halo Reach, due out in September of this year.  Along with the classic firefight mode you played in Halo: ODST, there will also be Default, which is a jump in, jump out sort of play (think of it as casual), Generator Defense which was available in the Halo Reach beta and Rocket Fight Mode, which is armor and rockets only.  You can watch the trailer below to see some of the action and new weapons we didn't see in the beta.

No word on whether or not Firefight will be available in matchmaking or if it is a solo/co-op only feature.  Sure would be nice if they would incorporate the outstanding matchmaking system they have, into firefight.  I personally would probably still be playing firefight on ODST if they had it available as matchmaking but most my friends have moved on from the game and while it is fun solo, online would make it even greater. One can only hope...

Halo Reach Campaign Trailer

Microsofts press conference at E3 revealed the first glimpses into Halo Reach's campaign.  Looks like we will be taking a flight through a serious space battle this time around.  Reach is scheduled for a release date of September 14th, 2010 as an XBOX360 exclusive.

Halo: Reach ViDoc "Carnage Carnivale"

Halo: Reach Beta Multiplayer Gametypes

May 03 2010 is quickly approaching (although to me it seems like an eternity) which means the Halo: Reach beta is close.  When you first get into the beta through your copy of Halo 3: ODST or via free code provided by Microsoft, you will notice you only have two options, Matchmaking and Theater.  Bungie has said they want to put the focus on Matchmaking and to do that, they need us to play it so we can experience any bugs, complain about them and they can fix them. 

Gametypes that you can play in the Halo: Reach beta:

• Grab Bag: Includes Slayer with Assault Rifle and Magnum starts. Want a long range game, vote for 'Pro'.  Also includes 1 Flag, Crazy King, Oddball and Three Plots (from Halo 2, cap and defend three neutral territories).  You will also find a new game type here, Covie Slayer (Elite on Elite evasion).
• Free for All: Unless you are the Juggernaut, you will have a Gravity Hammer and be on fire, literally on fire.  You'll be close to unkillable, really fast and unbound by the laws of gravity but these power-ups are limited.  Once your indicator on your HUD turns from a skull to a bullseye, you are back to normal with no power ups and you are now the Juggernaut, and a target.  10 points per kill as the Juggernaut and 5 points for killing the Juggernaut, goes to 150. No armor abilities, no load outs.
• Headhunter: Score 25 skulls to win or cash in 10 at one time for a Skullamanjaro which ends the game instantly. Skulls drop out of dead opponents and when you pick them up, a number appears about your head, everyone else can see this number and you ultimately become a bigger target the more skulls you have in tow.  Your drop all your skulls you are carrying when you die.  To score, you must deposit the skulls into one of your territories and territories move so there will be no camping.  This gametype will be FFA for the beta but will also have team play in the full game.
• Stockpile: Two teams fight over four neutral flags, flags are scored by bringing them into your teams designated territory and protecting them until the time reaches zero.  Flags are collected every 60 seconds.  If the flag is not in your territory when the timer reaches zero, it doesn't count, even if you are carrying it.  To win, score a total of 10 flags, score the most flags in 10 minutes.  FYI - You cannot carry a flag while using an Armor Ability, so no jetpacking the flag off, it will drop from your hands instantly if you try.
• Generator Defense: Three Spartans defend three generators from three assaulting Elites.  To win the round, the Elites must destroy all three generators.  Spartans can defend by activating a temporary blast shield on the armed generators which locks it down for 30 seconds before it can be armed again.  This gametype is not confirmed for the final game, it is merely a beta test.  If you like it, let Bungie now and perhaps it will be included.
• Invasion: Mystery...

Microsoft Handing out Freebies

On April 15 2010 Microsoft will be discontinuing the XBOX Live service for original XBOX games playable on both the XBOX360 and original XBOX, this includes Halo 2.  While you can still play Halo 2 offline, online multi-player will no longer be available.  I suggest you get in your flashbacks of Halo 2 fun in before the cut off.

On the bright side of things, since Microsoft is discontinuing this service and many of us are still playing Halo 2, Microsoft has decided to give away some freebies to ease our suffering.  If you receive an email from Microsoft, you will receive a free, three-month XBOX Live Gold Membership, 400 Microsoft Points and an invitation to the Halo: Reach Beta which launches May 03 2010.  By the looks of Halo: Reach, I don't think I will have too much trouble letting go of Halo 2... although I really will miss Terminal and Ivory Tower.

"March Multiplayer Madness" : Halo:Reach Multiplayer

Bungie and Microsoft have released a trailer showing the first in-game footage of the much anticipated Halo:Reach.  This video shows only multiplayer footage and by the looks of it, it will be fraking AMAZING!  Can you say "jet packs"?  It also shows a new game type "Spartans vs. Elites" which one can only imagine what that involves.



The beta launches on May 03 2010 while the full game is set to release in Fall 2010.

Halo: Reach ViDoc "Once More Unto the Breach"

Get an inside look at the upcoming Halo: Reach with the developers at Bungie.  Multiplayer Beta launches May 03 2010.

Halo: Reach Beta Starts May 03 2010

Microsoft and Bungie have finally announced the official start date of the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta, jump in starting May 03 2010. 

You can only access this beta through your Halo 3: ODST disc so if you don't have it, you are out of luck. Halo: Reach is expected for full release Holiday 2010.

10 Pages of Halo: Reach in Feb 2010 GameInformer

GameInformer revealed their February 2010 issue's cover today showing a group of Spartan soldiers, one with a very interesting new skull helmet.  This issue will hold the first details of Bungie's 2010 Halo: Reach and promises to deliver 10 pages worth of information, art and screenshots.  Halo: Reach is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release and those that have purchased Halo 3: ODST will have access to the beta (date yet to be announced).

VGA Premiere of Halo: Reach

Bungie kept their word and during the VGA's premiered their new trailer for Halo: Reach.  Not much shown here other than introducing characters, including a female spartan and the crew getting ready for a fight.

Video Courtesy of That Video Game Blog

Halo: Reach, Reaching?

The hugely announced upcoming game Halo: Reach (set to release in 2010) will be showing a never before seen trailer this Saturday during the VGA's. This trailer is not the pre-rendered trailer we have all already seen but actual in-game footage but not live action. Let's hear what Major Nelson had to say about it in his latest podcast, "It's all going to be in-game stuff. This is not CG, this is not live action, like all the kids on Twitter are speculating. You'll get a first glimpse of the world of Reach, which is phenomenal. I think it's going to be the biggest game of next year by far. Folks loved ODST and thought it was great, but when people see the huge leap forward Bungie is taking with Reach... Everyone that I've talked to that's been on the team and seen it is incredibly excited about that game."

So is Halo: Reach really going to be as great as it sounds and the Best Game of 2010? It is going to be up against games such as BioShock 2, Mass Effect 2, Super Mario Galaxy and Fable III, just to name a few titles expected to release in 2010. What do you think?

Halo Reach Trailer

So far, not much has been released or announced regarding the upcoming Halo Reach for the XBOX360 developed by Bungie. What we do know, is that the beta for Halo Reach will be available to play with purchase of Halo 3 : ODST which is set for release on September 22, 2009 which will hopefully tell us all what the game is really about. Halo Reach is rumored for a Holiday 2010 release. Here is the Halo Reach video trailer from E3 2009.