Halo 3 to feature four-player Co-op

[Miktar]

Here's the details, the game will support four-player co-op via both Live and System Link with up to two player per a television on split-screen. To access the game you go into the lobby and set the mode as Campaign and then invite your friends. Unfortunately, you won't be able to drop into an active co-op game.

The lead gamer plays as the EmCee, while player two gets to control the Arbiter and players three and four control "two brand new Elite characters." Hit the jump for their descriptions.

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.

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.a...thesoundofsack

[Gambit]

I'm just wondering how stuff like save games will work, each player will have a save on the their own HDD right so, if they start a campaign together they must all be present the next time they want to play, or can another player join?

[Miktar]

Probably the same way Halo 2 and Halo 1 coop worked - you unlock chapters when you complete them, and can start a new server from any chapter.

Remember, you can't save from anywhere.

[DeMoN]

Ive seen alot of gameplay movies of Halo 3 and I have to say, graphic wise it looks realy dated. Ja I know graphics arent everything, but it realy looks old and dull imo.

[Miktar]

The gameplay movies you've seen are from the Beta, which had a lot of the graphics toned down or switched off to make the download smaller.

[DeMoN]

I hope your right for all Halo fans. (Im not)

[Miktar]

I know I'm right, I've seen shots from the campaign and they look stunning.

[Mic]

man... you people are so lucking... being able to buy and play halo 3 in the not so near future... and as for me... still thinking if it will be worth it to get vista to play halo 2...

[Toi]

^^ Bud, seriously, just buy the 360.

Unfortunately 4 player co-op is just a dream for me, no Live.

Hmmm, maybe system link. Anyone here tried it before, system linking two 360's?

Anyway, yet another game goes on my must buy list which is becoming way to occupied. Boy we are spoilt gamers.

I'll be the first to say this but..........I didn't find Halo 1 & 2 that good. Look it was good but not as good as people wanted us to believe. Maybe I was just expecting to much.
Am I crazy?

[Miktar]

Nah, Halo 1 and 2 weren't that good - but you have to understand them in context of the first Xbox, and the average college student in the US.

Remember how Doom made college kids skip class, just to deathmatch?

Now imagine that all over again, but their first deathmatch game is Halo, and the console to play it on was relatively cheap and easily bought using your student funding.

[Toi]

^^ Ditto. I couldn't understand all the hype around the first Doom either but do now. I only played the game a few years after its release so I guess the effects kind of worn out by then. So Microsoft hit the nail right on the head with Halo, wonder if it was just pure luck or if they actually aimed it at that market, if so, smart move.

The Xbox wasn't much of a hit outside the US. You think the game would have had the same effect if the Xbox had a world wide launch?

[Miktar]

Yes, because it would have been an entrypoint for many first-time gamers who don't even realize they are FPS junkies.