- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Sorry this post is long but I thought this article was easily as good as a weekly update, or even better. It has some new information in it and it confirms a lot of things people argue about or assume even though Bungie has never officially announced anything.
"The Collector's Edition comes in a cool metal case, and may contain one or two other surprises." hmmmm, no clue.
"Now that Halo 2 supports 16 players on System Link, with voice support and a screen for everyone who wants one, it's likely to be just as popular as in the original Halo." Voice for system link! That could be very awesome. Glad to see that lan parties are still a high priority.
"You may also want to invite a buddy to play through in Campaign mode in co-op, so make sure you buddy up with someone with skills, and not that kid who wears the helmet and mittens from down the block." It's not a for sure but I thnk that this locks it down that co-op will be the same, just 2 players on a split scren. Too bad, I was hoping for 4 players and system link co-op. And before all you young ones flame I know that it's not set in stone. It's just my opinion.
"OK, so you can play Halo 2 on your own. You can play split screen coop with a buddy. You can play split screen deathmatches without Live. You can even play 16 player System Link games." Enough said. It's official now. Ths spilt screen co-op with a buddy really reinforces that co-op will just be 2 people on one xbox.
"It's easy, it's useful and it opens up Xbox Live to the rest of the internet universe, and more importantly, will link you, your Gamertag and Halo 2 to Bungie.net, which will in turn link you to rich, detailed Halo 2 stats." So what if you don't want to sign in and stuff? Will you not not have any stats and therefor no one will play with you on xbl?
"We think that competitive play with Bungie.net as a hub for clans and stats is going to be HUGE! And we're going to support those stats and clans with all kinds of cool, exclusive articles news and events. " I know this is cool BUT, clans can be a pain in the but on xbc or am I the only one who noticed this. I'm not a 'full time online player". I'll be playing system link more often. I might be average to good but if I'm not in a clan will anyone besides new people, notice the nice way I phrased that Shishka, play with me?
"Halo 2 supports team chat: press a button to communicate directly with your team," This is the first I have heard of this and it's a great feature!
"If a Covenant soldier is behind you, he'll sound like he's behind you.That becomes especially important in multiplayer games when the radar is turned off, you can actually hear the direction of approaching footsteps or vehicles and plan your tactics to suit. An explosion directly behind you means it's time to get moving, even the rattle of falling shale and debris can be a useful clue. If someone is creeping up behind you with a Sword, there's no other clue than footsteps." I like that idea!
"You can simply see more detail, and pick out players who might otherwise be hidden in a combination of blurry 480i display and in-game camouflage." Okay? Does in-game mean something like finding a bush or is the active camo back? I hope it's back.