Editing Halo 3: ODST

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{{Game Info Box
|name='''''Halo 3: ODST'''''
|image=Halo 3 ODST Cover.png
|imageSize=250
|Developer=[[Bungie|Bungie, LLC.]]
|Publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|Genre=                 
|US Date Released=September 22nd, 2009
|UK Date Released=
|Game modes=[[Campaign]] and [[Multiplayer]]
|ESRB=Mature (M) <ref>''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 7</ref>
|Platform=[[Xbox 360]] 
|Media=DVD
|Website=[http://http://www.bungie.net/default.aspx Bungie.net]
}}

'''''Halo 3: ODST''''', formerly known as ''Halo 3: Recon'', is a First Person Shooter video game exclusively developed on the [[Xbox 360]]. It is currently being developed by [[Bungie Studios|Bungie, LLC.]], and will published by [[Microsoft|Microsoft Game Studios]]. ''ODST'' is set to be released on September 22nd, 2009 <ref name="[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]">[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]</ref>.

Taking place in the [[Kenya|Kenyan]] port city of [[New Mombasa]], ''ODST'' follows a [[The Squad|squad]] of elite [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] during the [[First Battle of Earth|Covenant invasion of Earth]] on [[2552#October|October 20th, 2552]]. Knocked off course due to the [[First Battle of Mombasa|Mombasa Slipspace Incident]], these six Marines fight through the waste-filled and destroyed streets in order to link up and to destroy and evade the Covenant occupation force in the city. 

''ODST'' is a campaign expansion and prologue to ''[[Halo 3]]'' which will fill in details of what happened in Southeastern Kenya from ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''Halo 3'' <ref>[http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/2317/Halo-3-Recon-Bungie-Speaks/p1 Team Xbox Interview]</ref>. An official five-part prequel comic, ''[[Halo: Helljumper|Helljumper]]'', will be released in the months following up to and after the release of ''ODST'' starting in [[Halo: Helljumper Issue 1|July]] <ref>[http://www.marvel.com/catalog/HALO~colon~_HELLJUMPER.2009.1 Marvel.com Catalog - HALO: HELLJUMPER #1]</ref>. A multiplayer beta of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/features.aspx#beta Bungie.net : Invitation to the Halo: Reach Beta]</ref>, recently announced at E3 2009, will be included with ''ODST''. 

==Overview==
===Speculation===

Although [[Bungie]] consistently stated that ''Halo 3'' was the last game in the trilogy, they never ruled out the possibility of releasing new games set in the same story in the future. An interview by MTV with Don Mattrick (Senior Vice President of Microsoft's Xbox division) revealed that Bungie's game is at the very least Halo-related, and that it is not Bungie's collaborative efforts on ''[[Halo Wars]]'' or ''[[Halo: Chronicles]]'', but a "new" game.
 
Although a proper announcement was meant for July 16th, 2008 at E3, it was canceled by [[Microsoft]] because they wanted to focus on games by first-party developers that were coming out in 2008, criteria which the Bungie project did not fit. It was also stated by Microsoft that they did not want to further lengthen their press conference so as not to stretch the attention span of the attendees, and that they wished to give the new ''Halo'' project an event of its own to release details on it/<ref>[http://e3.g4tv.com/e32008/blog/post/687134/Microsoft_Bungie_Is_Developing_A_Halo_Game.html Microsoft and Bungie are developing a Halo game]</ref><ref>[http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/07/16/microsoft-confirms-bungie-is-developing-new-halo/ Microsoft confirms Bungie is developing new Halo]</ref><ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2008/07/halo-bungie-e3.html Microsoft explains Halo's no-show at E3 game conference]</ref>

The most popular rumor that had surrounded this new title was that it was a squad-based shooter in the ''Halo'' universe with the player filling the role of a [[Veronica|Marine Captain]], but this is untrue as the player will be filling the role of an ODST Lance Corporal, who goes by the moniker of [[The Rookie]]. <ref>[http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/686996/E3_08_Rumor_Master_Chief_Absent_In_Next_SquadBased_Halo_Game.html E3 2008 Rumor: Master Chief absent in next squad-based Halo game]</ref>

Speculation about a supposed third-person shooter, giving the player control of Marines or [[ODST]]'s instead of SPARTANs, circulated long before Bungie revealed their next project would be ''Halo''-related. Originally, rumors held that this would be the Peter Jackson game, [[Halo: Chronicles]]. The presence of [[Christian Allen]], a former [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] and [[wikipedia:Red_Storm_Entertainment|Red Storm]] employee who worked on the [[wikipedia:Tom_Clancy%27s_Ghost_Recon|''Ghost Recon'']] and [[wikipedia:Tom_Clancy%27s_Rainbow_Six|''Rainbow Six'']] series and joined Bungie in early 2007, heightened speculation.

===Known Information===

''Halo 3: ODST'' has been known to be in the pre-production phase since January 2008.<ref name="Bungie Podcast - 1/09/09">[http://download.microsoft.com/download/0/9/2/0921783A-9166-4624-973C-BEB5BB574EF3/Bungie_Podcast_010909.mp3 ''Bungie Podcast - 1/09/09'']</ref>, four months after the release of ''Halo 3''; and was referred to as ''Halo 3: Atlas'' <ref name="Bungie Podcast - 1/09/09"/>

Bungie has confirmed that the game will be a first-person shooter, like the previous three ''Halo'' titles, and that Christian Allen is working on a completely different project within Bungie. Bungie also confirmed that the player will take the role of a surviving Marine, that the game is set in the ruins of [[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]]; and that it will be released on September 22nd,  2009, and that it is the last known ''Halo'' project related to the ''Halo'' trilogy they are working on. In another interview with a number of different gaming sources, they revealed key information about the game: ''ODST'' will be on a standalone disk, it will ''"include some new multiplayer maps, some of which will be a part of the [[Mythic Map Pack]],"'' and it will run on the ''Halo 3'' engine. Bungie has also stated that it will be compatible with ''Halo 3'' multiplayer, provided they have the Mythic Map Pack and ''ODST''. [[Forge]], Saved films, and [[Screenshots]] will be making a comeback.<ref>[http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/2317/Halo-3-Recon-Bungie-Speaks/p1 Team Xbox Interview]</ref>

''ODST'' has been described as "returning players to familiar grounds on a vital top-secret mission. ''ODST'''s gripping story, co-operative campaign and new multiplayer content will have Halo fans 'Preparing to Drop' in Fall 2009". The game is not expected to ship at the full-retail price of $60 as it believed that the game's campaign will only run three to six hours<ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/929/929686p1.html Halo Recon not Full Price]</ref>; however, in one of their weekly updates, Bungie expected that the campaign will last between three and five hours.<ref name="Bungie Update 11/14/08">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16208 Bungie Weekly Update: 11/14/08]</ref>. Over the course of development of ''Halo 3: ODST'', Bungie has expanded it to more of a full game, rather than the expansion that was planned <ref name="IGN.com - Halo 3: ODST Campaign and Firefight Demonstration">[http://video.ign.com/streaming/e3-2009/index.html?start=0&stop=1803&show=0&ep=http%3A//cms001.slc1.qcn3.movenetworks.com/cms/publish/vod/vodclip/foxign/5532.qvt IGN.com - Halo 3: ODST Campaign and Firefight Demonstration]</ref>. This includes a campaign length closer to the size of ''Halo 3'' in terms of average hours from start to completion, to the Firefight mode which was revealed at E3 2009. While previously stating that ''ODST'' wasn't going to be priced like a normal game, the increased depth added into the game was the cause for the $60 USD pricetag <ref name="Halo 3 ODST Priced Like A Full Game, Loaded With Content">[http://kotaku.com/5274549/halo-3-odst-priced-like-a-full-game-loaded-with-content Halo 3 ODST Priced Like A Full Game, Loaded With Content]</ref>.

As of E3 2009, Bungie employees (such as [[Brian Jarrard]] and [[Curtis Creamer]]) have stated that development on the game of ''Halo 3: ODST'' is already completed, and that the footage shown at the convention was from the final build/retail copy of the game <ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/989/989272p1.html IGN.com - E3 2009: Halo 3: ODST is 'Done']</ref><ref>[http://www.gamereactor.dk/grtv/?id=4855 GameReactorTV - E309: Halo 3: ODST Interview]</ref>.

===Gameplay===
[[File:ODST Screenshot 12.jpg|250px|thumb|left|VISR Mode]]
[[File:Battle of New Mombasa.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The First Battle of Mombasa.]]
[[File:The Squad.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The main cast of ''ODST''.]]

''ODST'' has the main protagonist, The Rookie, searching for beacons across the city of New Mombasa.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 3">''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 3</ref> It is up to the player how they get to the specific location, and in what order, giving a very open-world feeling to the game; something for which the main trilogy has been criticized for, due to it's linear gameplay style. It's likely that these "beacons" are drop pods with a locating device on them. Finding one of these objects sends the player back in the game to find out what happened to one of his five squadmates ([[Buck]], [[Dare]], [[Dutch]], [[Romeo]], and [[Mickey]]).<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 3"/> Once you go back in time for a short period, you will take control of the player for around thirty minutes, and play the situations that the particular character went through. Unlike the overall game, these flashback scenes go along the path of the linear gameplay that has been common throughout the original trilogy of ''Halo''.

Due to the fact that you are playing as an [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]], you will not be using the shielding or the motion tracker featured on the [[MJOLNIR]] Battle Armor suits. The Rookie and his squadmates will also lose the ability to dual-wield weapons, such as the [[SMG|M7/Caseless Submachine Gun]] or the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle]].

On the other hand, you will receive a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which will likely give waypoints, mission objectives, and information which will help the player.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 3"/> In addition to the PDA, the Rookie will also have a new "visual mode" known as the [[Visual Intelligence System, Reconnaissance]] (or VISR), which identifies allies and enemies through the HUD on his helmet's visor by illuminating and classifying objects; green outline for allies, red outline for enemies, and yellow outline for important objects. Also the squad has two new weapons, the [[M7S|M7S Submachine Gun]] and the [[M6C/SOCOM]], which the protagonist and most of his comrades land with in Mombasa during the initial drop.

As stated by Bungie in the January 23rd Weekly Update, the [[Sangheili]] will not be appearing at all in ''ODST''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16989 Bungie Weekly Update - 1/23/09]</ref> By December 2008, the game was "representational", meaning that players could experience the game from start to finish, albeit in an unfinished state. The entire Bungie staff was pulled from other duties to play through the game and offer feedback. Among the unfinished elements was the lack of finished dialogue delivered by voice actors; storywriter [[Joseph Staten]] filled in placeholder audio. <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16551 Bungie Weekly Update: 12/19/08]</ref> Bungie's audio director [[Martin O'Donnell]] will contribute music for ''ODST'', as he has done for the previous ''Halo'' games. Due to ''ODST'''s shift to a new protagonist, O'Donnell created new music that was a homage to ''Halo'', though was taken in a new direction. <ref>[http://bpc.bungie.org/Bungie_Podcasts_Halloween_08.zip Bungie Podcast: 10/31/08]</ref>

===Multiplayer===
====Firefight====
{{main|Firefight}}
{{quote|Built on top of Halo 3: ODST's campaign, Firefight is a cooperative game mode that lets you and up to three of your friends put your skills to the ultimate test. It allows you to jump straight into the heart of Halo and experience traditional Halo sandbox encounters with a new, high octane twist.  Though you’ve squared off against most of the enemies you’ll face in Firefight before, you’re not going to be able to rely on your past experiences alone to guide you through all of the action. In Firefight, even the most "harmless" enemy can become a dangerous threat when you’re low on ammo, low on lives, and have your back against the wall. Throw gameplay modifying skulls into the mix and you'll find that the combat can become even more interesting and intense.|Bungie.net: Drop Into Firefight}}

Firefight, a brand new feature to the ''Halo'' franchise and recently announced at E3 2009, is a cooperative campaign gameplay mode. Four players over Xbox LIVE or System Link play to complete a series of Human vs. Covenant matches. All features from the Campaign Scoring, as well as skulls, achievements, and leaderboards of ''Halo 3'', will be featured in ''ODST''. 

Known Firefight maps include [[Security Zone (Level)|Security Zone]], an ONI facility located near the Space Tether, [[Crater (Night) (Level)|Crater (Night)]], which takes place around an unknown area in the [[Mbaraki|Mbaraki District]] and an [[Unnamed Firefight Map (Level)|Unnamed Firefight Map]], a bigger map which takes place on the savanna at the outer edge of [[New Mombasa]]'s highway system.

[[File:ODST Controller.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Controls for ''ODST'' gameplay.]]

====Map Packs====

All map packs (''[[Heroic Map Pack|Heroic]]'', ''[[Legendary Map Pack|Legendary]]'', and ''[[Mythic Map Pack|Mythic]]'') will be available for those who haven't already purchased them over Xbox LIVE Marketplace <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=17195 Bungie Weekly Update - 2/06/2009]</ref>. In addition to the other map packs, an additional map pack will be featured in the ''ODST'' package. These maps are currently known as ''[[Citadel (Level)|Citadel]]'', ''[[Heretic (Level)|Heretic]]'', and ''[[Longshore (Level)|Longshore]]''.

While previously confirmed to only feature a Campaign element as the only gameplay mode, the second disc in the ''ODST'' box will contain all of the maps, which you will be able to play directly from there, without having to download the maps to your Hard Drive and starting ''Halo 3'' <ref name="IGN.com - Halo 3: ODST Campaign and Firefight Demonstration"/>.

<br clear="all">

===Achievements===

{{Halo 3: ODST Achievements}}

==Synopsis==
[[File:The Rookie.jpg|thumb|right|170px|The main protagonist of the game, [[The Rookie]].]]

The game is set on the 20th of October, during the events of ''Halo 2'', in the [[First Battle of Earth]] at [[First Battle of Mombasa|Mombasa]]. 

A number of pods carrying ODST's appear in the sky over New Mombasa to clear out the remaining Covenant forces in the city. The [[Prophet of Regret]]'s ship opens a [[Slipspace]] portal in [[Earth]]'s atmosphere above the city, resulting in an antimatter-matter annihilation accompanied by a physical shockwave and an EMP. The shockwave tears through Mombasa, badly damaging the city. When the EMP reaches the HEV Pods, it destroys their electronics, which prevents them from making a controlled descent, hence they are destroyed on impact with the ground. 

One HEV Pod enters the airspace above Mombasa after the primary EMP has subsided. However, the HEV pod passed through a secondary residual EMP that partially damaged its electronics. Despite this, it still managed to make a pseudo-controlled descent, albeit a rough one; the HEV crashes through the side of a building, knocking its occupant unconscious. As night draws, the lone Marine wakes up, armed only with a submachine gun, and moves forward to secure beacons scattered across the city.

==Appearances==
===Characters===

*'''[[United Nations Space Command]]'''
**[[The Rookie|Lance Corporal "Rookie"]] - The main protagonist of ''ODST''.  
**[[Dare|Captain Veronica "Dare"]] - The Rookie's female commanding officer and [[ONI|Naval Intelligence]] operative <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1">''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 1</ref>. She is voiced by actor [[Tricia Helfer]] <ref>[http://www.spike.com/video/gttv-2009-vgas-e3/3175518 GameTrailer TV: E3 2009 Special]</ref>.
**[[Edward Buck|Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck]] - The former-leader of the [[Unnamed Shock Trooper Squad|squad]].<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/>. Voiced by [[Nathan Fillion]]. 
**[[Taylor Miles|Corporal Taylor "Dutch" Miles]] - The Heavy Weapons specialist.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/> <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 5">''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 5</ref>. Voiced by [[Adam Baldwin]]. 
**[[Kojo Agu|Lance Corporal Kojo "Romeo" Agu]] - The Marksman in the squad, and is quoted as being a "wiseass".<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/>  <ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 5"/>
**[[Michael Crespo|Private First Class Michael "Mickey" Crespo]] - He is the demolitions expert for the squad.<ref name = "Game Informer December '08 page 1"/>. Voiced by [[Alan Tudyk]].
**[[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]] - New Mombasa's Urban Infrastructure A.I. construct.

*'''[[Covenant]]'''
**[[Prophet of Regret]] - One of the three Hierarchs of the Covenant, his only known role in the game is at the beginning where his [[Assault Carrier]] enters slipspace over New Mombasa.

===Locations===

*[[New Mombasa]], [[Kenya]]
**[[Lumumba|Lumumba District]]
**[[Mbaraki|Mbaraki District]] - Most of Dare's squad landed in this district after they diverted their course from the Assault Carrier to the area surrounding the ONI facility directly across from the Space Tether.
***[[Kikowani Station]]
***[[Kizingo Boulevard]] 
***[[NMPD Headquarters]]
***[[ONI Alpha Base]] - This [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Two|Section Two]] facility was the site of a [[Battle of ONI Alpha Base|fierce battle]] that pitted New Mombasa Police and the UNSC Marine Corps, against a Covenant assault from across the bridge. This building was destroyed shortly after the battle for unknown reasons. A Firefight map, known as [[Security Zone (Level)|Security Zone]], takes place in front of the entrance to the facility <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=BWU061209 Bungie Weekly Update 6/12/09]</ref>. 
***[[Tavari Plaza]]
***[[Uplift Reserve]]
**[[Tanaga|Tanaga District]]
**[[New Mombasa Orbital Elevator]] - Completely obliterated by the Slipspace Jump caused by the Prophet of Regret's Assault Carrier, wreckage from this space tether can be seen all across the city. Only the base of the tether and the bottom few rings survived the jump, though the structure can be seen from most places in the city, blazed in an inferno.

===Equipment===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

'''[[Weapon]]s'''

*'''[[United Nations Space Command]]'''
**[[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]]
**[[M6C/SOCOM]]
**[[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]]
**[[M7S Caseless Submachine Gun]]
**[[M9 Fragmentation Grenade|M9 HE-DP Fragmentation Grenade]]
**[[M165 Demolition Charge]]
**[[M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher]]
**[[M68 Gauss Cannon]]
**[[M90 Close Assault Weapon System|M90A Close Assault Weapon System]]
**[[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel|SRS99D-S2AM Sniper Rifle]]
**[[Weapon/Anti-Vehicle Model 6 Grindell/Galileian Nonlinear Rifle|W/AV M6 Nonlinear Rifle]]

*'''[[Covenant]]'''
**[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade]] 
**[[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade]]
**[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer]] <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15956 Bungie Weekly Update 10/14/08] - ''CJ Cowan just made a Brute Chieftain introduce the business end of his Hammer to some dudes.''</ref>
**[[Type-3 Antipersonnel/Antimatériel Incendiary Grenade]]
**[[Type-25 Carbine]]
**[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol]]
**[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae Variant|Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle/Jiralhanae]]
**[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher]] <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16887 Bungie Weekly Update 1/16/09] - ''At one point I found myself inquiring aloud if the Brute Shot had been powered up.''</ref>
**[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher]]
**[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon]]
**[[Type-51 Carbine]]
**[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System]]
**[[Type-52 Pistol]]

{{col-2}}

'''[[Vehicle]]s'''
*'''United Nations Space Command'''
**[[D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship|D77H-TCI "Pelican" Dropship]]
**[[Warthog|M12 "Warthog" Light Reconnaissance Vehicle]]
**[[Mongoose|M274 "Mongoose" Ultra-Light All-Terrain Vehicle]]
**[[M808B Main Battle Tank|M808B "Scorpion" Main Battle Tank]]
**[[M831 Troop Transport|M831 "Warthog" Troop Transport]]
**[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]
**[[UNSC Frigate]]
**{{UNSCShip|Say My Name}}
**{{UNSCShip|Tokyo Rules}}

*'''Covenant'''
**[[Assault Carrier]] <small>(Appearance only)</small>
**[[Type-25 Assault Gun Carriage|Type-25 "Wraith" Assault Gun Carriage]]
**[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Type-26 "Banshee" Ground Support Aircraft]]
**[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Type-32 "Ghost" Rapid Assault Vehicle]]
**[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Type-52 "Phantom" Troop Carrier]]

{{col-end}}

==Marketing==
===Viral Campaign===
{{Main|Superintendent (Viral Campaign)}}

On May 29th, 2008, a viral campaign for ''Halo 3: ODST'' started focused around [[Superintendent (Construct)|the AI of the same name]], New Mombasa's janitorial second generation dumb-A.I. construct that aids The Rookie and his squad in surviving the Covenant occupation of New Mombasa. 

===Trailers===
====Announcement====
{{main|Keep It Clean (Trailer)}}

[[Video:Halo 3: Recon - Announcement Trailer|300px|left]]

First, different screens of areas of New and Old Mombasa come on screen, followed by HEV pods entering the atmosphere. Here you can see the Prophet of Regret's carrier on the right, then it moves behind buildings. The pods come into view as a large explosion (Caused by the Prophet of Regret's carrier entering Slipspace) appears, sending the pods off-course. Then, the Superintendent appears, and shows warning signs and then reboots. All the screens from earlier flash onto the screen, but heavily damaged from the blast. Then, a single [[HEV]] pod falls through the sky, when the ''Halo 3'' Logo appears. The pod then crashes into the camera and goes black, followed by the words 'Prepare to Drop'.

The second part to the trailer, released on the 8th of October, followed on from this - the Superintendent reinitialized itself, attempting to assess the catastrophic devastation and tries to identify the object that survived. Later, after a Covenant [[Phantom]] dropship has passed by, the object opens to reveal a lone surviving [[Unnamed Marine Shock Trooper|Marine Shock Trooper]] to clamber out, wielding a modified M7S Caseless Submachine Gun. The Marine narrowly avoids a [[Jiralhanae]] patrol, before encountering messages from the [[Superintendent (Construct)|Superintendent]], presumably leading him to safety.

Elements from this trailer have dramatically altered from announcement to the present day. 

[[Video:Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|300px|right]]
[[Video:Halo 3: ODST ViDoc - Desperate Measures|300px|right]]

====E3 2009 Gameplay====
{{main|Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer}}

Shown to the press at Microsoft's E3'09 Media Briefing, the first gameplay trailer showcased the events surrounding the campaign and the new Firefight mode. It focuses mostly on the Rookie wandering around the streets of the city, looking for his lost squadmates, along with Dutch who fights during the [[Battle of ONI Alpha Base]].

This trailer also shows the very first glimpse of Firefight, the brand new cooperative game mode designed specifically for ''ODST''.

====ViDoc: Desperate Measures====
{{main|Halo 3 ODST ViDoc: Desperate Measures}}

The first ViDoc of ''Halo 3: ODST'', ''Desperate Measures'' takes a look inside the squad that consists of the main characters in the game. It summarizes the skills that each Marine has, along with what equipment they'll be using in-game. 

Also shown are little clips of the flashback missions, namely, featuring GySgt Buck and LCpl Agu on a landing platform at [[NMPD Headquarters]], where a police Pelican dropship was extracting the two Marines, before getting chased off by two Type-26 Banshee fighters. 

==Pricing==
[[File:ODST Collector's Pack.jpg|180px|thumb|right|The Collector's Pack]]

Early after it's announcement, Bungie stated that they did not see ''ODST'' as a regular $60 game <ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/929/929686p1.html Halo Recon not Full Price]</ref>. At E3 2009, Microsoft confirmed that ''Halo 3: ODST'' would retail at the standard normal price of $59.99 <ref name="Halo 3 ODST Priced Like A Full Game, Loaded With Content"/>, which they think that the game features warrant the normal price tag. 

As a bonus feature for those who pre-order ''ODST'' at select retailers (including such stores as GameStop and Amazon.com), a token to play as [[Avery Johnson|SgtMaj Avery Johnson]] in [[Firefight]] will be included <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/features.aspx#johnson Bungie.net - PRE-ORDER BONUS: Brings Sgt. Johnson into the Firefight]</ref>. 

[[File:Halo3- ODST Sgt. Johnson.jpg|220px|left]]

'''Contents:'''
*''Halo 3: ODST'' Campaign
*''Halo 3: ODST'' "Firefight" mode, a cooperative campaign mode where up to four players can assume the role of an ODST squad and fight together to take on increasingly challenging waves of enemies. Facing increasingly challenging waves of enemies together, striving to earn the highest scores possible, while various ''[[Halo 3 Skulls]]'' are progressively activated.
*Three new maps of a second [[Mythic Map Pack|Mythic]] pack on a standalone disc. 
*All three Multiplayer Map Packs (''Heroic'', ''Legendary'', and ''Mythic'').
*A key to the upcoming ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' Multiplayer Beta. 

===Special Edition===

Despite ''Halo 3: ODST'' only being an expansion pack, a "''Halo 3: ODST Collector's Pack''" is available alongside the standard version. This includes the game itself, along with a limited edition UNSC-style Xbox 360 controller, and will retail for $99 USD. The Collector's Pack is only currently available at GameStop. 

===Strategy Guide===
{{main|Halo 3: ODST Official Strategy Guide}}

Prima Games will release 272-page strategy guide on the release date of ''Halo 3: ODST'' for $25 USD <ref name="''Halo 3: ODST Official Strategy Guide'' on Amazon.com">[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-ODST-Prima-Official-Guide/dp/0761562885/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245259711&sr=1-3 ''Halo 3: ODST Official Strategy Guide'' on Amazon.com]</ref><ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product_ID=74846 ''Halo 3: ODST Official Strategy Guide'' on GameStop.com]</ref>.

Contents include <ref name="''Halo 3: ODST Official Strategy Guide'' on Amazon.com"/>:
*'''Move Out Soldier -''' Complete coverage of the single player missions. With labeled maps for New Mombasa and tactics included for the Legendary level of difficulty.
*'''Team Up -''' Intense Co-Op strategy to ensure you and your squadmates survive. With input from the actual developers and testers to give you the inside track.
*'''Clan Wisdom -''' All Halo 3 multiplayer maps with breakdowns and tips from some of the best clan players out there.
*'''Rise Through the Ranks -''' Detailed info on every Achievement from Halo ODST and Halo 3. More than a list, instructions and tips for every one.

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==Trivia==
*The tagline for the game is ''Prepare to Drop'' referencing the method of Orbital Drop used by the ODST's for quick insertion into operations. 

*A teaser trailer for ''Halo 3: ODST'' was ''[[Keep It Clean]]'' released on September 25th, 2008 at 07:07:07 am PST, which coincided with the one year anniversary of ''Halo 3''. The [[Keep It Clean|trailer]] was viewed through the many security cameras around New Mombasa. The time is an obvious reference to [[seven]].

*After the lone HEV pod drops and the Superintendent is scanning it the screen goes black and the words *SEARCH TERMINATED! [[Office of Naval Intelligence Security Protocol 1A|ONI.SEC.PCTL.1A]] appears. This indicates that the organization [[ONI]] who have done a lot of behind the scenes work in the Halo series terminated the Superintendent search.

*[[Martin O'Donnell]] has been confirmed to be composing the score for this game. Bungie also released the track played in the trailer named "Prepare to Drop" its track length is 1:17, a reference to [[John-117]]. The track is available [http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15841 here]. 

*It has been stated by Bungie that there will be a way to unlock the Recon Armor Permutation in ''Halo 3: ODST''. This method will require you to unlock the current [[Vidmaster|Vidmaster Challenges]].<ref name="Bungie Update 11/14/08"/>, and three more Vidmaster Challenges only available through purchasing ''ODST''.<ref>''Game Informer: December 2008'', page 4</ref>

*On November 25th, 2008, Bungie LLC. renamed the in-development ''Halo 3: Recon'' to ''Halo 3: ODST''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/Blog.aspx?mode=news#cid16289 Bungie.net Blog - ''Halo 3: ODST'']</ref> The reasons to why the upcoming expansion was renamed is due to the player playing the character of an ODST in the game, and to focus attention off of the fact that players will be able to receive [[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|MJOLNIR Mark VI Reconnaissance Armor]]. 

*Though the game takes place during the events of ''Halo 2'' ([[First Battle of Earth]] and [[Battle of Installation 05]]); all of the character, weapon, and vehicle models were taken from ''[[Halo 3]]'', creating an inconsistency within the canon, unless regarded as a Retroactive Continuity.

*During an interview at Gencon 2008 in Brisbane, Australia; [[Alan Tudyk]] commented on a so called ''Halo 3 Supplemental'', in which himself and fellow [[Wikipedia:Firefly (TV series)|Firefly]] actors [[Nathan Fillion]] and [[Adam Baldwin]] would lend their voices to the game.<ref>[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive30.pl?read=886556 Alan Tudyk does voice work for Halo 3 supplemental]</ref> All three of the actors played the role of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Credits]]''</ref> Out of the three, only Nathan Fillion has been confirmed as a cast member for ''Halo 3: ODST''. Assuming that this supplemental is ''Halo 3: ODST'', Tudyk and Baldwin will likely voice members of the [[Unnamed Shock Trooper Squad|squad]] in the game. The ''E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer'' confirmed Fillion, Baldwin, and Tudyk's roles as Buck, Dutch, and Mickey, respectively <ref name="[[Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|''Halo 3: ODST'' - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer]]"/>.

*To accompany the launch of the Xbox 360's new Avatar Marketplace, Xbox LIVE members will be able to purchase a special clothing set featuring the ODST's Battle Armor <ref>[http://kotaku.com/5274407/xbox-360-avatars-getting-new-outfits-props-marketplace Kotaku.com - Xbox 360 Avatars Getting New Outfits, Props, Marketplace]</ref>.

*[[McFarlane Toys]] will release a 6-inch figurine replica of The Rookie as a part of their "Medal Edition" line of Series 6, due out in October 2009 <ref>[http://www.spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=4020 SPAWN.com - Product page for 'The Rookie']</ref><ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news6.aspx?id=13588 SPAWN.com - First Look at 'The Rookie' ODST Action Figure]</ref><ref>[http://www.spawn.com/news/news2.aspx?id=13590 SPAWN.com - Halo Series 6 'Medal Edition' Photography Revealed]</ref>. Included in the package is the M7S/Casless Submachine Gun and exclusive Medals.

*Based on released gameplay footage, it appears that Bungie has taken some action as to fix the 'tunnel vision' issue that many players were bothered with in ''Halo 3''.

==Media==
===Concept Art===

<gallery>
File:The Rookie.jpg|[[The Rookie]], the main protagonist.
File:Close Quarters Combat Trooper.jpg|[[Mickey]] laden in his heavy gear.
File:ODST Sniper.jpg|[[Romeo]] equipped with his marksman gear.
File:Recon Trooper.jpg|[[Dare]] ready for a reconnaissance mission. 
File:SMG Concept.jpg|A modular M7 Suppressed Submachine Gun. 
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-10.jpg|A landing zone for Pelicans.
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-09.jpg|A mysterious room, filled with Human weapons.
File:Halo3-ODST PodConcept-02.jpg|Numerous SOEIV Concepts. 
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-11.jpg|The Mombasa Orbital Elevator base.
File:Battle of New Mombasa.jpg|A fierce battle in the streets of Mombasa.
File:Battle Aftermath.jpg|The same location as before, after the battle. 
File:Halo3-ODST EnvConcept-12.jpg|A waste ridden street corner.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===

<gallery>
File:ODST Screenshot 1.jpg|Rookie up against a Jiralhanae Captain
File:ODST Screenshot 2.jpg|Mission Briefing
File:ODST Screenshot 3.jpg|City in flames
File:ODST Screenshot 4.jpg|Chieftain takes a swing
File:ODST Screenshot 5.jpg|Firefight team
File:ODST Screenshot 6.jpg|Firefight HUD
File:ODST Screenshot 7.jpg|Assault on Mombasa
File:ODST Screenshot 8.jpg|Dutch holds off the Covenant
File:ODST Screenshot 9.jpg|Dutch takes the initiative 
File:ODST Screenshot 10.jpg|Campaign HUD
File:ODST Screenshot 11.jpg|Dutch and Mickey
File:ODST Screenshot 12.jpg|Campaign Co-Op
</gallery>

===Videos===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-3}}
[[Video:Halo 3: Keep It Clean|300px|left]]
{{col-3}}
[[Video:Halo 3: Recon - Announcement Trailer|300px|left]]
{{col-3}}
[[Video:Halo 3: ODST - E3 2009 Gameplay Trailer|300px|left]]
{{col-end}}

[[Video:Halo 3: ODST ViDoc - Desperate Measures|300px|left]]
{{clear}}

==Related Links==
===Internal Links===
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Keep It Clean (Trailer)]]''
*[[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
*[[Mombasa|Mombasa, Kenya]]

===External Links===
*[http://www.bungie.net/Projects/ODST/default.aspx Official ''Halo 3: ODST'' page at Bungie.net].
*[http://www.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx ''Halo 3: ODST'' Field Guide at Bungie.net].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=ournextgame ''Meet Our New Game'' - Bungie.net].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16271 ''The Guide to the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers'' - Bungie Weekly Update 11/21/2008].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=16545 ''Halo 3: ODST Concept Art Blowout'' - Bungie Weekly Update 12/26/2008].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Halo3ODSTsquad ''Meet the Squad'' - Bungie.net].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Halo3ODST_FeetFirst ''Feet First'' - Bungie.net].
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Halo3ODST_Firefight ''Drop Into Firefight'' - Bungie.net].
*[http://www.amazon.com/Halo-3-ODST-Xbox-360/dp/B001HWB68K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1245259409&sr=8-1 ''Halo 3: ODST'' at Amazon.com]
*[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?Product_ID=73841 ''Halo 3: ODST'' at GameStop.com]

==Sources==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Halo Games}}

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