Editing Halo: Reach

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{{Game Info Box

|name='''''Halo: Reach'''''

|image=Halo Reach (Standard with ESRB).png

|Developer=[[Bungie|Bungie LLC]]

|Publisher=[[Microsoft|Microsoft Game Studios]]

|US Date Released=[[2010|September 14, 2010]]<ref name="bnet"/>

|UK Date Released=[[2010|September 14, 2010]]<ref name="bnet"/>

|Genre=[[First-Person Shooter]]

|Game modes=[[Campaign]]; [[Co-op]]; [[Multiplayer]]; [[Firefight]]; [[Forge]]; [[Theater]];  

|ESRB= Mature (M) for Blood and Violence

[[Luke Smith]]<br/>

[[Tyson Green]]

|Composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]]<br/>

[[Michael Salvatori]]

|Website=[http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Reach/ '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Project Page'']

The game focuses on the a squad of SPARTAN supersoldiers, known as [[Noble Team]], as they fight on multiple locations on the planet Reach to prevent the destruction of the military stronghold and planet from a collective of alien races known as the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. The player assumes the role of the team's newest member, [[SPARTAN-B312]], a [[SPARTAN-III]] from [[Beta Company]].

===Characters and setting===

''Halo: Reach'' takes place in late [[2552]], during the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] [[Fall of Reach|invasion]] of the [[Human]] colony world [[Reach]], which also serves as the main military center of the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. The game follows [[Noble Team]], a six-man special operations unit of one [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN-II]] and five [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]] commandos. The player assumes the role of the team's newest member, [[SPARTAN-B312]] or "Noble Six" and will be defending Reach from its ultimate downfall at the hands of the Covenant.<ref>[http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2503/Halo-Reach/p1/ '''TeamXbox''': ''X10 First Look: Halo: Reach (Xbox 360)'']</ref><ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Project Page'']</ref>

Over the course of the campaign, the players will visit various locales on and above planet Reach, including remote civilian homesteads, high-tech ONI facilities such as [[Sword Base]], the metropolitan city of [[New Alexandria]], as well as a segment of space combat in a [[Sabre]] fighter.<ref>[[Halo: Reach E3 2010 Trailer|'''Halo: Reach''' ''E3 2010 Trailer'']]</ref> The player will also encounter interactive indigenous creatures such as the [[Moa]] and the [[Gueta]].

''Halo: Reach'' takes place on the UNSC fortress world of [[Reach]] weeks prior to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. [[Noble Team]]; a group of [[SPARTAN]] supersoldiers, is called in to investigate the sudden loss of transmission from a communication relay. Expecting [[Insurrectionists]], the team is baffled to discover that it is the work of the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]], and an invasion force becomes apparent. As Covenant begin their [[Fall of Reach|assault on the planet]], the UNSC begin their heroic yet hopeless attempt to halt the brutal alien invaders.

''Halo: Reach'' will feature many new additions to the ''Halo'' sandbox while still retaining the core gameplay. The player damage system will be similar to that of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 3: ODST''. The [[Heads-Up-Display|HUD]] will highlight environmental features and overlay information about them, and the [[motion sensor]] display will be three-dimensional. ''Halo: Reach'' also introduces a refined [[equipment]] system known as "[[Armor Abilities]]." Pieces of equipment can now be selected upon respawning (or picked up of the ground for certain gametypes and campaign); armor abilities will be reusable with a recharge time between uses. A new [[assassination]] system will also be featured, in which holding down the melee button will trigger a context-sensitive, third-person assassination animation. Simply tapping the melee button allows for the old-instant-kill assassination.

The weapon selection has been streamlined from that of ''Halo 3'', so that every weapon has a specific role. The number of different grenade types has also been reduced from that of ''Halo 3'', and [[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade|incendiary grenades]] and [[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|spike grenades]] will not be returning. Human weapons all hit more or less instantly after pulling the trigger, giving them a more powerful feel. There will no longer be dual-wielding available in ''Halo: Reach'', following the same path as ''Halo 3: ODST''. Compensating for this, the weapons that were known as dual weapons in ''Halo 3'' that are now in ''Halo: Reach'' became drastically stronger. The magnum, for example, is now almost as powerful as the M6D Pistol in ''Halo: CE'', and has an even higher rate of fire.

Players will be able to personalize their character's armor with a greater variety of customisation options, and the appearance will be consistent across campaign and multiplayer, unlike in ''Halo 3'' where it would only be seen during multiplayer matches. Like in ''Halo 3'', the armor permutations will only be cosmetic and will not affect gameplay. The design of multiplayer models in ''Halo: Reach'' differs than those previously used in ''Halo 3''; players are limited to a SPARTAN multiplayer model but given the option of changing their character's gender. Players are given the option to play as an Elite multiplayer model, though only in specific gametypes such as Firefight Versus, Invasion and other Elite-specific gametypes. Both multiplayer models have different gameplay properties; the Elite multiplayer model are physically superior, has a fully recharging health and faster shield regeneration than their SPARTAN counterpart. Overall, their only disadvantage is their massive size which makes them much noticeable target.

While the rest of Noble Team will accompany the player for most of the game, ''Halo: Reach'' will not feature any kind of tactical squad mechanic. Much like the [[Arbiter (title)|Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] in ''Halo 3'', the rest of the squad will fight alongside the player, but will not interact with the player, other than certain scripted actions and dialogue. The levels will be more open and teleportation in co-op will be far less strict.<ref name="EDGE">[http://www.edge-online.com/ '''EDGE Magazine'''], ''February 2010''</ref><ref name="GI">[http://gameinformer.com/mag/haloreach.aspx '''GameInformer''']: ''February 2010''</ref>

As seen in the [[Halo: Reach E3 2010 Trailer|E3 2010 trailer]], a small section of the ''Halo: Reach'' campaign level [[Long Night of Solace]] will involve space combats, a new element to the game. This space battle above Reach will be the first and only space combat level played in the saga.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJqw6QvSzXQ '''YouTube''': ''E3 2010 Extended Reach Campaign Mission HD'']</ref><ref name="e32010">'''[[Halo: Reach E3 Campaign Demo]]'''</ref>

The campaign in ''Halo: Reach'' consists of ten levels, nine of which are playable.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_073010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 07.30.2010'']</ref>

#[[Noble Actual]]

#[[Winter Contingency (level)|Winter Contingency]]

#Unknown

#[[Nightfall]]

#[[Tip of The Spear]]

#[[Long Night of Solace]]

#Unknown

#Unknown

#Unknown

#Unknown

The exact number of the multiplayer maps in ''Halo: Reach'' is still unknown, but the following maps have been shown:

*[[Spire]]

*[[Sword Base (level)|Sword Base]]

*[[Zealot (level)|Zealot]]

*[[Beachhead (Halo: Reach Level)|Beachhead]]

*[[Corvette]]

==Features==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

===Characters===

*[[Auntie Dot]] <ref name="IGN Armory">[http://ie.xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14276699/halo-project/videos/halor_armory_montage_072210.html;jsessionid=b2hkkhg3gp1cu?show=hi IGN - The Armory video]</ref> {{1st}}

*[[Avery Junior Johnson]] <ref name="Initial Armor Inventory">[http://www.bungie.net/images/news/inline10/bwu_071610/Reach_InitialArmoryInventor.jpg '''Bungie.net''' — Initial Armor Inventory]</ref>

*[[Carter-A259]] {{1st}}

*[[Catherine-B320]] {{1st}}

*[[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey]] <ref>[[Halo: Reach "A Spartan Will Rise" ViDoc]]</ref>

*[[Cortana]] <ref name="Initial Armor Inventory"/>

*[[Edward Buck]] <ref>[http://hawtymcbloggy.com/2010/06/18/nathan-fillions-halo-dreams-will-never-come-true/ '''Hawty McBloggy -''' Nathan Fillion's ''Halo'' Dreams Will Never Come True]</ref><ref name="Initial Armor Inventory">[http://www.bungie.net/images/news/inline10/bwu_071610/Reach_InitialArmoryInventor.jpg '''Bungie.net''' — Initial Armor Inventory]</ref>

*[[Emile-A239]] {{1st}}

*[[John-117]] <ref name="Initial Armor Inventory"/>

*[[Jorge-052]] {{1st}}

*[[Jun-A266]] {{1st}}

*[[Pete Stacker]] <ref name="IGN Armory"/>

===Events===

*[[Operation: TORPEDO]] {{Mo}}

*[[Operation: GUARDIAN LANCE]] {{Mo}}

*[[Fall of Reach]]

===Locations===

*[[Epsilon Eridani System]]

**[[Fermion|Fermion Remote Scanning Outpost]] {{Mo}}

**[[Reach]]

***[[Natural satellite|Moons]]

****[[Csodaszarvas]] {{1st}}

****[[Turul]] {{1st}}

***[[Unnamed Sabre launch facility]] {{1st}}

***[[Manassas]] {{1st}}

***[[New Alexandria]] <ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyWmnbni02U '''YouTube.com''' — Halo Reach Firefight 2.0 Gameplay Footage]</ref> {{1st}}

***[[Sword Base]] {{1st}}

***[[Visegrad]] {{1st}}

****[[Visegrad Relay]] {{1st}}

*[[Lambda Serpentis System]] {{Mo}}

**[[Jericho VII]] {{Mo}}

*[[Harmony]] {{Mo}}

===Organizations===

*[[Covenant Empire]]

**[[Covenant Army]]

**[[Covenant Navy]]

***[[Special Warfare Command]]

===Species===

*[[Gueta]] {{1st}}

*[[Human]]

*[[Huragok]]<ref name="OMUtB">'''[[Halo: Reach ViDoc: Once More Unto the Breach]]'''</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63_LHQoVyxU&feature=player_embedded#! '''YouTube''': Halo: Reach - 5 Minute Firefight]</ref>

*[[Jiralhanae]]<ref name="OMUtB"/><ref name="HR overview">[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClRHhB6yOMQ '''Youtube''': ''Machinima:  Halo Reach- Invasion, Fireteams, Game Editions Overview: Bungie Explains Episode 8'']</ref><ref name="Update">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_061110 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 06.11.10'']</ref>

*[[Kig-yar]]

**[[Skirmisher]] {{1st}}

*[[Mgalekgolo]] <ref name="Update"/>

*[[Moa]] {{1st}}

*[[Sangheili]]

*[[Unggoy]]

*[[Yanme'e]]<!-- Not available in "Firefight" --><ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_061810 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 6.18.10'']</ref><ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_070210 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 7.02.10'']</ref> <small>(Unknown campaign status)</small>

{{col-2}}

===Vehicles===

*''[[Anchor 9]]'' {{1st}}

*[[Assault Carrier]]<ref>''Halo: Reach'' E3 2010 Campaign Gameplay Trailer</ref>

*[[C709 Longsword-class Interceptor|C709 ''Longsword''-class Interceptor]]

*{{Class|CCS|Battlecruiser}}

*[[Vehicle|Civilian vehicles]]

*[[Covenant Corvette]]

*[[Dropship 77-Troop Carrier]]

*{{Class|Halcyon|Cruiser}}<ref name="boneyard">'''Halo: Reach''', level ''[[Boneyard]]''</ref>

*{{Class|Marathon|Cruiser}}<ref name="boneyard"/>

*[[M12 Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]

*[[M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle]]<ref>[[:File:Blood Gulch 02.png]]</ref>

*[[M274 Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle]]<ref name="HR overview"/>

*[[M808B Main Battle Tank]]

*[[M831 Troop Transport]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach Video Games Awards Trailer|''Halo: Reach'' Video Games Awards Trailer]]''' ''(0:20)''</ref>

*[[Missile Warthog]]

*[[Orbital Insertion Pod]]

*[[Revenant (vehicle)|Revenant]] {{1st}}

*[[S-2 Traxus Cargo Transporter]]<ref>'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''' video ''Fun With Forklifts''</ref>

*[[Sabre]] {{1st}}

*{{Class|Seraph|Starfighter}} <ref name="e32010"/>

*[[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage]]

*[[Type-25 Troop Carrier]]

*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft]]

*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle]]

*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform]] <ref>[http://i33.tinypic.com/24pbadf.jpg '''IGN''': ''Halo: Reach Screenshot'']</ref>

*[[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery]] <ref name="OMUtB"/>

*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier]]

*[[Unidentified flatbed truck]] {{1st}}

*[[UNSC Frigate]]

**{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} {{Mo}}<ref>'''''Halo: Reach''''', level ''[[Overlook]]'', [[Overlook radio conversation]]</ref>

===Weapons===

*[[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]]

*[[Combat Knife]]

*[[Concussion Rifle]] {{1st}}

*[[Landmine]] {{1st}}

*[[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System]]

*[[M9 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose Grenade]]

*[[M41 Light Anti-Aircraft Gun]]

*[[M41 Surface-to-Surface Rocket Medium Anti-Vehicle/Assault Weapon]]

*[[M45 Tactical Shotgun]] {{1st}}

*[[M319 Individual Grenade Launcher]] {{1st}}

*[[M392 Designated Marksman Rifle]] {{1st}}

*[[MA37 Individual Combat Weapon System]] {{1st}}

*[[Sniper Rifle System 99 Anti-Matériel]] {{1st}}

*[[Target Locator]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]]

*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword]]

*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]]

*[[Type-25 Carbine]]

*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]

*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]]

*[[Type-31 Rifle]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]

*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]]

*[[Type-42 Directed Energy Support Weapon]]

*[[Type-51 Directed Energy Rifle/Improved]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-52 Special Applications Rifle]]{{1st}}

*[[Type-52 Guided Munitions Launcher/Explosive]] {{1st}}

*[[Unnamed grenade launcher turret]] {{1st}}

*[[Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle]]

*[[Antigravity Pack]]

*[[Armor Abilities#Drop Shield|Drop Shield]]<ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1098584p1.html '''IGN.com''': ''E3 2010: Firefight in Halo: Reach – Bigger & Better'']</ref> {{1st}}

*[[Armor Abilities#Hologram|Hologram]] {{1st}}

*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV]]

**[[Mark IV(G) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] {{1st}}

*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V]]

**[[Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] {{1st}}

***[[UA Multi-Threat MJOLNIR Mark V(B) Armor|Mark V(B)/UA Multi-Threat variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Commando variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/CQC variant]] {{1st}}

**[[ODST Ballistic Battle Armor#Multiplayer Variant|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/ODST variant]]

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/C variant|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/CQB variant]]

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/EOD variant]]

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/OPERATOR|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/O variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/AA variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/FJ/PARA variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/HAZOP variant]] {{1st}}

**[[Mark V(MP) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/MP variant]] {{1st}}

**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant]]<ref name="Update"/>

*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI]]

*[[ODST Ballistic Battle Armor]]

*[[Sangheili Combat Harness]]

**[[Special Operations Harness]] {{1st}}

**[[Sangheili General|General Harness]] {{1st}}

**[[Sangheili Field Marshall|Field Marshall Harness]] {{1st}}

*[[Armor Abilities#Sprint|Sprinting]] {{1st}}

*[[Jetpack]] {{1st}}

*[[Unnamed Shielding Attachment]] {{1st}}

{{col-end}}

{{Quote|Where there will be a full three-year cycle, it's got all-new tech, akin to the change from ''[[Halo 2]]'' to ''[[Halo 3]]'', not like ''[[Halo 3: ODST|ODST]]'', which is just built on top of the foundation.|Bungie Community Manager, [[Brian Jarrard]].}}

''Reach'' has been in development since the completion of ''[[Halo 3]]'', in the tradition of a full three year cycle and will use a completely new game engine created specifically for the game. It was confirmed in October 2009 that [[Martin O'Donnell]], Bungie's lead composer, had begun casting voice actors for ''Reach''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_101609 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 10/16/2009'']</ref><ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_102309 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 10/23/2009'']</ref>

The [[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta]], used to gather information and tweak gameplay features in the game, ran from May 3 through May 20, 2010. The [[Zero-bug release]] milestone in ''Halo: Reach'''s development was reached on June 24, 2010,<ref>[http://www.nobleactual.com/post/733606058/final-stretch '''Noble Actual''': ''Final stretch'']</ref> and the game's audio, including soundtrack, voices and sound effects, was finished on July 15, 2010.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=27328 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 07.16.10'']</ref> As of August 5, 2010, ''Halo: Reach'' has [[wikipedia:Software release life cycle#RTM|"gone gold"]], meaning all development of the game has been completed and mass manufacturing of the game has begun.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_080610|'''''Bungie Weekly Update''' 08.06.10''</ref> The game is currently on target for its September 14, 2010 release date.

Bungie has taken a new design direction with ''Halo: Reach'', aiming for a more somber and gritty atmosphere. The more serious tone is also reflected in camera angles; instead of long, sweeping shots, the cinematic camera angles are actually made to look as if shot with actual cameras.

In many ways, the character designs, especially those of [[Sangheili]] and human personnel, harken back to ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. Models for enemies and allies boast remarkable levels of new detail in form of higher-resolution textures and more polygons. Enemies and allies will have more individual features to denote ranks and provide more visual variety, such as each soldier having an individual name tag in their BDUs.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_070210 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 07.02.10'']</ref> Bungie made an effort to make the Covenant feel more alien and threatening; for example, the Covenant will speak in their own languages instead of English.

Bungie is using a completely redone version of the ''Halo'' engine for ''Halo: Reach'', with no component left untouched.{{fact}}

The environments, while larger than in the previous games, will be far more detailed. The graphical effects have been drastically improved, allowing for a new atmospheric effects system and more dynamic lighting for dramatic shadows and moving light sources in interiors. The engine was improved with "imposters" systems; this allows very cheap textures far away, and moving closer will make them improve.{{fact}} This was proved with the map, [[Forge World]]. Rain and fogging effects will also be improved. ''Halo: Reach'' also features a new animation system, which smoothly blends movement between standing, walking and running as well as jumps, grenade throws and firing. The facial animation system has been completely revamped, including motion capture. Weapon effects will be amplified to be more powerful and visceral than before, giving the effects a more serious tone. Human weapons will sound more powerful and emit smoke and showers of sparks. Plasma bolts will now burn through material as they hit, and explosions will throw clouds of dirt and debris around.

''Halo: Reach'''s engine will be able to support up to 40 active AI characters and 20 vehicles with AI characters on screen at once, twice as many as in ''Halo 3''. In addition, distant battles between AI characters will follow automated behavior models, which convert into scripted behaviors as the player gets closer, and finally convert to full AI.<ref name="EDGE"/><ref name="GI"/>

The audio design of ''Reach'' was referred to as being more "somber, more visceral" music, as the plot is more character-driven than previous ''Halo'' titles and that it focuses on a planet known to have fallen.<ref name="audio">[http://gamevideos.1up.com/video/id/27382 '''GameVideos''': ''Halo Reach VGA Interview'']</ref>

As of now, it has been stated that the ''[[Halo Theme]]'' will not be heard in the game, but there may be some foreshadowing of ''Halo'' themes.<ref name="EDGE"/><ref name="GI"/>

''Halo: Reach''<nowiki />'s matchmaking allows players to compete with each other over the Xbox Live online service or System Link, for 16 players on the Xbox. The matchmaking system has been improved and redesigned from ''Halo 3''; instead of having experience and rank as two separate features, ''Halo: Reach'' combines these two into a credit system where the player is scored on how well they play in each individual performance, instead of a win/loss system. As players gain credits, they achieve higher military rank, and are able to buy [[armor permutation]]s to customize their SPARTAN and Elites character model. A new matchmaking system called the [[Matchmaking#Halo: Reach|Arena]] is introduced for hardcore/competitive players where they will play in month-long seasons and be put into divisions of either Onyx, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Steel, depending on how well they play. Along with this, Bungie has announced that Campaign will also have matchmaking support as well, though there are not many details on how this will work.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_082010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 8/20/20'']</ref>

The multiplayer mode features standard multiplayer gametypes such as [[Slayer]], [[Capture the Flag]] and [[King of the Hill]], as well as reintroducing [[Race]], a gametype that was once made exclusive only to ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. [[Firefight]] mode, a cooperative gameplay mode that was made present in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', will be featured in ''Halo: Reach'' with much more customizable features, from the skulls that turn on every round to the very enemies the player will face every wave, as well as having Matchmaking support. ''Halo: Reach'' also introduces new gametypes to multiplayer such as [[Invasion]], [[Stockpile]], and [[Headhunter (Game Variant)|Headhunter]].  

The character models in ''Halo: Reach'' differs significantly than their previous architecture in ''Halo 3''; both character models are now composed of different [[Collision Hull|hitboxes]] and have different gameplay properties. The Elite character model are formidably larger, physically superior, having faster shield regeneration and the ability to regain health fully over time than their SPARTAN counterpart. SPARTANs are smaller and weaker than their Elite counterpart and would only regain health to thirds overtime unless they pick up a health pack. For these balancing issues, only specific gametypes in matchmaking allow SPARTANs and Elites to face each other in team-based games.

The ''Halo: Reach'' Multiplayer Beta was a phase in the development of Halo: Reach, produced by Bungie, LLC and organized by Microsoft Game Studios. The beta was made available to those who bought ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and it was released from May 3 through May 20, 2010. More than 2.7 million players participated in the beta during its three-week run on LIVE. After July 21, 2010, Bungie stopped supporting stats and files from the beta.

====Red vs. Blue ''Halo: Reach'' PSA: Deja View====

On July 7, 2010, in honor of [[Bungie Day]], [[Rooster Teeth Productions|Rooster Teeth]], the creators of the popular Halo machinima [[Red vs. Blue]], released a special PSA revealing the return of [[Blood Gulch]], the classic [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] multiplayer map. The video teases the rest of Forge World in the form of a scene where Sarge stands on a cliff admiring the view and commenting on the map's large size.

{{Main|Halo: Reach "The Battle Begins" Campaign Trailer}}

The Battle Begins campaign trailer was released July 29, 2010.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_073010 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 07.30.10'']</ref> The 1:06 trailer showcased several cinematic scenes from the campaign.

The 'A Spartan Will Rise' ViDoc was released August 17, 2010. The ViDoc focused on the characters of the game, with [[Dr. Halsey]] acting as the main narrator.

===Viral Campaign===

{{Main|Remember Reach}}

{{Halo: Reach Versions}}

''Halo: Reach'' is set to be released in three different versions. The Standard Edition comes with the game disc and manual. The Limited Edition is cased in an ONI "black box" and includes an exclusive Sangheili armor set for use in multiplayer modes and an artifact bag containing [[Dr. Halsey]]'s [[Dr. Halsey's Personal Journal|personal journal]] and other classified documents and effects that unravel long-held secrets of the Halo universe. The Legendary Edition contains everything from the Limited Edition along with extra SPARTAN armor effect for use in the game, along with an exclusive hand-painted and numbered Noble Team statue by [[McFarlane Toys]] in UNSC-themed custom packaging. Those in North America who purchase ''Halo: Reach'' on launch day will receive a new variation of the coveted [[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|MJOLNIR Recon Armor]]. Recon will also be available to any who have pre-ordered the game.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=26642 '''Bungie.net''': '' Halo: Reach Launches 09.14.2010! '']</ref> As a bonus, the [[UA Multi-Threat MJOLNIR Mark V(B) Armor]] will be given to customers who pre-order the game at GameStop.

In addition, Bungie has announced that players who have/buy a copy of ''[[Halo PC]]'', can use that same authentication key to obtain a special in-game item or "Visual Flair", which has yet to be shown.<ref>[http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/31/bungie-giving-halo-combat-evolved-pc-players-a-parting-shout-out.aspx '''Game Informer''': ''Bungie Giving Halo: Combat Evolved PC Players A Parting Shout Out'']</ref> Players of Xbox's [[Halo 2]] before the April 14th, 2010 cutoff (Shutdown of Xbox Live v1 Service) will be awarded a special in-game item, or "Visual Flair", which has yet to be shown. If your current gametag has changed since the last time you played Halo 2, or if your current gamertag never played Halo 2, you will not be receiving this item.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_042310 '''Bungie.net''': ''This is the End'']</ref> Halo 3, Halo 3:ODST, Bungie Pro, Halo: Reach Beta all are also displayable in a similar way.

Also, a Reach themed Xbox has been announced.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/vidaudio.aspx?c=58&i=27383 '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo: Reach Unboxed'']</ref> The Xbox will include a 250-gigabyte hard drive, two ''Reach'' themed wireless controllers, headset, and a standard copy of Halo: Reach. The Reach Xbox 360 will also feature Exclusive Elite Armor, Waypoint Avatar Gear, and Halo: Legends Episode: "[[The Package]]",<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGRW8R-rvWM '''You Tube''':''Unboxing Reach'']</ref> as well as custom Halo sound effects from the Xbox itself.

In addition the controllers and headset will be sold separately for $59.99 and $49.99 respectively. The controller will also bring a token for a downloadable animated Covenant Banshee avatar item. The theme includes ONI property tags and more, which according to Microsoft, is canon material in the ''Halo'' universe.<ref>[http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2010/07/halo-reach-xbox-360/ '''Wired.com''': ''New Halo: Reach Xbox to Sport 360 Design, Custom Sound''] - ''The imagery and text on the console isn't just gibberish. It will all have meaning for Halo die-hards.''</ref>

The game has brought the proposal for merchandise, such as [[action figures]]. [[McFarlane Toys]] had announced that they were planning to release a series of ''Reach'' 5-inch scaled figures in September 2010.<ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news6.aspx?id=13664 '''McFarlane Toys''': ''MCFARLANE TOYS TO PRODUCE 'HALO: REACH' ACTION FIGURES'']</ref>

A new comic book series, titled ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - Boot Camp]]'', will be released alongside ''Halo: Reach''. ''Boot Camp'' is a graphic novel adaptation of ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''.

*Early on in the game's development, before coming up with the idea of a prequel for the ''Halo'' trilogy, Bungie considered making a follow-up to ''Halo 3'', with [[John-117]] as the protagonist.<ref>[http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/06/25/bungie-considered-halo-4-starring-master-chief-instead-of-reach-prequel/ '''MTV Multiplayer''': ''Bungie Considered "Halo 4," Starring Master Chief, Instead Of "Reach" Prequel'']</ref>

*On the project page for ''Reach'', located in the "Multimedia" section, the soundtracks to a couple of Reach trailers, "[[Lone Wolf (Song)|Lone Wolf]]" and "[[Uphill, Both Ways]]" by Martin O'Donnell, are available for download for free from [[Bungie.net]].

*''Halo: Reach'' will have 49 achievements, which is a reference to Bungie's love of the number [[List of "Seven" References in Halo|seven]] <math>(7x7=49)</math>.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU_070910 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 07.09.10'']</ref>

*The game's release date, [[2552#September|September 14]], is the same day when Earth's [[Orbital Defense Platform]]s were activated in 2552.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 104''</ref>

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<center><gallery widths="400" type="slideshow">

File:Concept 01.jpg|A Sangheili attacks two UNSC infantrymen.

File:Concept 02.jpg|Emile-A239, Jorge-052 and Carter-A259.

File:Concept 03.jpg|Spartans, UNSC Soldiers, and civilians.

File:Concept 04.jpg|Landscape on Reach.

File:Concept 05.jpg|A bridge leading over a canyon.

File:Doomed.jpg|A battle between Sangheili and SPARTANs.

File:KIuWJ.jpg|Noble Team in combat.

<center><gallery widths="400" type="slideshow">

File:Reach E310 Firefight Beachhead04.jpg|A match of Firefight in progress.

File:Gruntocalypse.jpg|A group of Grunts in the Gruntpocalypse Firefight gametype.

File:Action_04.jpg|A soldier and Noble Six secure a room.

File:Reach Waterfront.jpg|A [[Phantom]] in ''Halo: Reach''.

File:FlatbedTruck.png|Noble Six driving a civilian vehicle.

</gallery></center>

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{{Reflist|3}}

==Links==

*''[[Halo: Reach - Announcement Trailer]]''

*[http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Reach/default.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Official Halo: Reach'' project page]

*[http://welcometonobleteam.com '''Welcome To NobleTeam''': ''Viral Campaign'']

{{Halo Games}}

[[Category:Games]]

[[Category:Halo: Reach]]