Editing Halo 3

{{Era|RW}}

{{Game Infobox

|image= [[File:Halo3coverart.JPG|250px]]

|platform= [[Xbox 360]]

|releasedate= '''US''': September 25, 2007<br />

'''UK''': September 26, 2007<br>'''JP''': September 27, 2007

[[Wikipedia:Pan European Game Information|PEGI]]: 16+ (Europe only)

{{quote|Finish the fight.|''Halo 3'' tagline.}}

The game is rated "M" for Mature for blood, gore, violence, and mild language by the [[wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]. Europe's PEGI rating system gave the game a "16+" rating, which serves as a guideline rather than a rule. It is rated "15" by the BBFC for UK release and rated "M" by the OFLC for Australia and New Zealand release. Japan's [[wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]] rating system gave this game a "D" rating.

Upon its release, ''Halo 3'' grossed US$300 million in its first week. More than one million people played ''Halo 3'' on Xbox Live in the first twenty hours. As of January 3, 2008, ''Halo 3'' has sold 8.1 million copies, and was the best-selling video game of 2007 in the United States. Overall, the game was very well-received by critics, with the [[Forge]] and multiplayer offerings singled out as strong features. By March 2009 more than one billion online matches had been played.

''Halo 3'' spans over three different settings, starting with the [[East African Protectorate]] on [[Earth]], then to the [[Forerunner]]s' [[Installation 00|Ark installation]], and finally on Halo [[Installation 04B]]. The game continues the [[John-117|Master Chief]]'s efforts in stopping the Covenant from activating the [[Halo Array|Halo rings]]. The Covenant has become embroiled in a [[Great Schism|civil war]], with the [[Sangheili|Elites]] [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|seceding]] from the main body of the hegemony, now led solely by the [[Prophet of Truth]]. Meanwhile, the [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]] have taken the Elites' place as field commanders in the [[Covenant military]].

{{Spoiler}}

[[File:UNSC Underground Facility Crow's Nest.PNG|right|280px|thumb|UNSC underground facility "Crow's Nest".]]

The Pelican brings them to [[Crow's Nest]] which is used as a local base of operations by the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]. Here, [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]] plan a last-ditch effort to stop the Covenant from activating an artifact built by the long-vanished [[Forerunner]]s who the Covenant worship as gods, uncovered outside the ruins of the city of [[New Mombasa]]. This artifact is believed to be the Ark, which, if activated, will fire the [[Halo Array]], which the Covenant believe will herald a sublimation event called the [[Covenant religion|Great Journey]] and propel the faithful to godhood, but will in fact wipe out all sentient life in the galaxy. Their plan is to have John-117 and a small group of marines punch a hole in the Covenant's anti-air defenses, so that Lord Hood can initiate a low level air-strike on the artifact. Their planning is quickly interrupted when power is cut and the [[Prophet of Truth|High Prophet of Truth]] broadcasts an announcement to all surviving human forces that their doom is inevitable. Soon after that, the Covenant discover the facility and mount a heavy assault. After a brief struggle, the outpost is lost and is destroyed by a bomb activated by John-117. Deep underground, the Master Chief regroups with the surviving Marines and makes his way into the African city of [[Voi]], [[Kenya]] via the [[Tsavo Highway]]. In Voi, John-117 along with a handful of Marines destroy the Covenant anti-air defenses. Lord Hood leads the last of Earth's military ships against Truth and the artifact. As Hood mounts his attack on the Prophet, Truth activates the artifact and creates an enormous [[slipspace portal]], into which all the Covenant ships retreat.

At the same time, the ''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'', a CCS-class battlecruiser controlled by the [[Flood]], a parasitic species which nearly wiped out the Forerunners, arrives suddenly via slipspace and crashes in Voi. The parasite quickly spreads throughout the entire city and infects many, minutes after they arrive. As the Human forces attempt to fight the infestation, many become infected by the Flood. [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]], led by Shipmaster [[Rtas 'Vadum]], arrive at Earth and assist the struggle against the infestation. The Elites inform Commander Keyes that a UNSC construct is aboard the crashed Flood ship, and identify it as [[Cortana]]. After retrieving Cortana, John-117 returned to the Elites' flagship, ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'', to oversee the repairs made by [[343 Guilty Spark]]. However, it is only a recorded message from her. Cortana's message says that the [[Gravemind]] is bringing the infested ''[[High Charity]]'' to Earth with an army of Flood, and that on the other side of the portal is a solution to the Flood infestation, without having to fire the rings. Lord Hood questions Cortana's plan, assuming that it could be a Flood trap, but John-117 firmly tells Hood that he trusts her.

Lord Hood and the rest of the UNSC remain on Earth to defend it against the incoming Flood invasion while Commander Keyes and the Elites journeys through the Portal. Arriving at [[Installation 00|the true Ark]], which is several thousand light years beyond the rim of the Milky Way, the separatists engage Truth's fleet while the UNSC launches a ground campaign. After landing on the Ark, 343 Guilty Spark helps lead the Master Chief and UNSC forces to the [[Cartographer|Ark's Cartographer]], the map room of the Ark, to locate the Control Room of the Ark. In order to access the Control Room, the UNSC and the Covenant separatists must deactivate three shield generators which are inside three separate towers. While SPARTAN-117 and the Arbiter succeed in deactivating the first and second towers, Johnson radios Keyes, telling her that he must retreat due to the heavy enemy assault. When John-117 and the Elites arrived to the third tower, Johnson and his men are nowhere to be seen. After the final shield barrier protecting the Control Room deactivates, the Flood-infested ''High Charity'' arrives via slipspace and crashes onto the Ark, releasing [[Flood dispersal pod]]s as it falls.  

After handling the nearby infestation, John-117 leads the remaining UNSC and surviving [[Sangheili]] forces via armored vehicles in an assault on the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] containing the Control Room, which is heavily defended by Covenant forces. Once inside the Citadel, Truth broadcasts his sermon and reveals the captured Johnson to his followers. Just as Truth is about to force Johnson to activate the rings, Keyes crashes into the Control Room using a Pelican. Knowing she cannot kill all of the Brutes, Keyes realizes that she must kill Johnson and herself to stop the rings from being activated. From behind, Truth kills Keyes, and then using Johnson's hand on the nearby terminal, activates all of the remaining Halos in the galaxy.   

Just as John-117 and Thel 'Vadam reach the top, two [[Flood tank form]]s confront them. The [[Gravemind]], communicating through the two Flood forms, urges the two to join forces in stopping the initiation of the Halos and Truth. With the Flood's help, John-117 and Thel 'Vadam slaughtered all the Covenant forces defending Truth. Upon arrival to the Ark's Control Terminal, they find Johnson mourning over the loss of Keyes, and Truth partially infected. Thel 'Vadam, after a short confrontation with Truth over the true purpose of the [[Halo Array|Halos]], executes Truth with his energy sword, just as John-117 deactivates all the Halos. Shortly after the deactivation of the Halos, the Gravemind betrays them and prevents the duo from escaping, although Johnson manages to using Keyes' crashed Pelican.

The duo manage to escape from the Citadel via an access tunnel near the elevator they used earlier. John-117 then experiences a hallucination of Cortana and follows the figure to a control panel. He then activates the panel, finally learning Cortana's plan: the Ark is manufacturing a [[Installation 04B|replacement Halo]] after the destruction of the previous one. Knowing that the threat of the Flood is undeniably apocalyptic, and that the new ring is unconnected to the rest of the Array, John-117 decides he will activate the new Halo. Needing an Index in order to fire the ring, SPARTAN-117 journeys into the crashed High Charity to retrieve Cortana, keeping his [[High Charity (level)|promise]] and knowing that she still has the Index she acquired from the original [[Installation 04]]. Once retrieved, Cortana instructs the Spartan to overload ''High Charity''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s engines in order to destroy the Gravemind. Thel 'Vadam arrives via Banshee to assist the Spartan in fighting the Flood. The two escape from ''High Charity'' before it explodes using a damaged but still flyable Pelican.

The surviving Sangheili and UNSC personnel return to Earth, leaving only Sergeant Johnson, John-117 with Cortana and the Arbiter to make their way to the new Halo. As they make their way to the new Halo's Control Room, Flood forms arrive via [[Flood dispersal pod|dispersal pods]] to prevent the activation of the Halo. From here, they quickly discover that [[Gravemind]] is attempting to reconstruct itself on the new Halo. As Sergeant Johnson tries to activate the ring, [[343 Guilty Spark]] fires his defensive laser at him after realizing that it will destroy the installation and the Ark. The Monitor then turns against the Spartan and blasts the Arbiter out of the Control Room, leaving the Spartan to destroy Guilty Spark by himself. John-117 successfully destroys the Monitor with the [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle|Spartan Laser]] and tries to mend Johnson. Mortally wounded, Johnson urged the Spartan to send him out "with a bang".  

Back on Earth, Lord Hood holds a [[Voi Memorial|memorial service]] in honor for those who died in the [[Human-Covenant War]], with the Arbiter and many Marines in attendance. With Truth dead, the Covenant defeated, and the Flood wiped out, the long and devastating war is finally over. Though he says he can never forgive the Arbiter for what the Covenant did to the human race, Lord Hood sincerely thanks him for standing by the Master Chief until the end. After the service, the Sangheili return to their [[Sanghelios|home planet]].

After the credits, it is revealed that John-117 and Cortana are still alive aboard the rear section of the ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Dawn]]'', which had apparently torn off before going through the other side of the portal. The SPARTAN floats to a [[cryo chamber]] and as he climbs in, Cortana comments "''I'll miss you.''" He replies "''Wake me, when you need me.''" If the last level is completed on Legendary difficulty, the section of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' that Cortana and the Chief are aboard is seen drifting towards a [[Requiem|Forerunner world]].

''Halo 3'' incorporates many of the gameplay features previously made available in ''Halo 2'', refining the gameplay design and expanding the amount of resources in the sandbox to diversify the gameplay experience. For example, [[dual wielding]] has been retained as a feature in both campaign and multiplayer, HUD elements have been repositioned so that they are more prominently available to the players, and [[boarding (gameplay mechanic)|boarding vehicles]] have more varied animations and are more balanced.

The game enhances the core gameplay design by introducing "[[Equipment]]" as well as giving players the ability to use [[support weapons]]. Equipments is a collection of tools accessible to players to assist them in their objectives. This ranges from [[Bubble Shield|a spherical shield that protects players temporarily]], [[Power Drain|a device that drains power from electrical appliances]] to [[Gravity lift|a device that propels personnel into the air]]. Support Weapons allows players to wield heavy weapons in a third-person perspective at a slower pace.

The campaign in ''Halo 3'' consists of ten levels which tell the story of the final days of [[human]]ity and the [[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction|Covenant separatists']] conflict with the Truth's Covenant forces.

#[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]] - ''"Clear the base, whatever it takes."''

#[[Tsavo Highway (level)|Tsavo Highway]] - ''"Mount up. Get to [[Voi]]."''

#[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]] - ''"Light [[Installation 04B|the ring]]. Destroy the Flood."''

A total of 24 multiplayer maps are available in ''Halo 3''.  

*[[Construct (level)|Construct]]

*[[Guardian (level)|Guardian]]

*[[Foundry (level)|Foundry]]   

*[[Assembly (level)|Assembly]]

*[[Citadel (level)|Citadel]]

*[[Heretic (level)|Heretic]]

Certain service tags are disallowed, and entering them will yield the error message "This Service Tag is currently in use by the UNSC." Generally, tags that identify ''Halo'' characters, trademarks, or offensive words are disallowed. Such tags include: "[[John-117|I17]]", "[[Wikipedia:Nintendo 64|N64]]", "[[Wikipedia:Playstation 2|P52]]", "[[Wiktionary:Ass|A55]]", "[[Wiktionary:Poo|P00]]", "[[Wikipedia:Jew|J00]]", "[[Wikipedia:Faggot (slang)|F49]]", "A23", and "[[Wikipedia:Teat|T17]]". "O00" is blocked due to its usage in [[Temporary Profile]]s. Anything ending in 00 is blocked.

{{main|Armor permutations (Halo 3)}}

An Emblem is a highly customizable image that appears on the right arm of a Spartan and the back of an Elite during multiplayer matches, they are there to give a player an identity for themselves. Halo 3 introduces several new emblems for the player to use along with new backgrounds to further customize that emblem.  

== Appearances ==

''For subjects that appear in the terminals, see [[Terminal/Halo 3#Appearances|here]].''

 

 

'''[[UNSC]]'''

'''[[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]]'''

*[[N’tho ‘Sraom]] {{1st}}

*[[Usze ‘Taham]] {{1st}}

'''[[Covenant]]'''

'''[[Forerunner]]'''

**[[Jiralhanae Captain Ultra|Captain Ultra]]

**[[Brute Captain Major|Captain Major]]

**[[Brute Captain|Captain]]

**[[Brute Bodyguard|Bodyguard]]

**[[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalker]]

**[[Jiralhanae Ultra|Ultra]]

*[[Kig-Yar]]

*[[Mgalekgolo]]

**[[Flood infection form]]

**[[Flood pure form]]

***[[Flood stalker form]]

***[[Flood ranged form]]

***[[Flood tank form]]

*[[Forerunner]] machines

**[[Aggressor Sentinel]]

**[[Constructor]]

*[[UNSC]]

**[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

***[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s

**[[UNSC Navy]]

**[[Office of Naval Intelligence]]

***[[ONI Recon 111]] {{1st}}

*[[Voi Greater Outlands Police Bureau]] {{Fm}}

*[[Western African Committee on Missing Persons]] {{Fm}}

*[[Thel 'Vadam's Covenant faction]]

*[[Earth]]

****[[Tsavo]] {{1st}}

*****[[Tsavo Highway]] {{1st}}

*[[Installation 04B]] {{1st}}

**[[Battle of Earth]]

*[[MA5C assault rifle]] {{1st}}

*[[Unidentified UNSC bomb]] {{1st}} {{C|Story-specific use only}}

*[[Type-27 Mantis]] {{1st}}

*[[Covenant automated plasma turret|Automated Plasma Turret]]

;Forerunner

*[[AV-14 Hornet]] {{1st}}

**[[M12 Warthog LRV]]

**[[M831 Troop Transport]] {{1st}}

**[[M274 Mongoose]] {{1st}}

*[[M312 Elephant]] {{1st}}

*[[M808B Scorpion]]

*[[Cart]] {{1st}}

*[[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle]]

*[[Type-25 Chopper]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-26 Banshee]]

*[[Type-32 Ghost]]

*[[Type-26 Wraith]]

*[[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Wraith]] {{1st}}

*[[Type-52 Prowler]] {{1st}}

*{{Class|CAS|assault carrier}}

*{{Class|CCS|battlecruiser}}

*[[Forerunner Dreadnought]]

*[[Type-31 Seraph]]

*[[Type-47 Scarab]]

*[[Type-52 Phantom]]

*[[Covenant drop pod]]

*[[Bubble Shield]] {{1st}}

*[[Deployable Cover]]  

*[[Invincibility]]  

*[[Cloaking]]

*[[Active camouflage|Active Camouflage]]

*[[Overshield]]

*[[Data crystal chip]]

The game uses an in-house game engine referred only as the "Halo 3 Engine". The unique features in the engine include advanced graphics technologies such as high dynamic range, global lighting and depth of field effects within cutscenes.

''Halo 3'' utilises Waves audio plugin which allows audio to be processed in real time as the game engine generates the audio calls.<ref name="waves">[https://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12878 '''Bungie.net''': ''Waves Audio Plug-ins in Halo 3'']</ref>

{{Main|1=Rank (Halo 3 Multiplayer)|l1=Rank}}

Forge is an "object editor" that can be used to edit multiplayer maps. It does not allow as much freedom to edit/make maps as a PC map editor, such as the ''[[Halo Custom Edition|Halo: Custom Edition]]'' and ''[[Halo 2 Vista]]'' editing kits. Players can, however, edit objects, spawn points, weapons, teleporters and properties of objects on the map, etc. While in a forge map, players may start editing maps by press up on the D pad; when a player goes into edit mode they take on the appearance of a Forerunner Monitor similar to 343 Guilty Spark. The player now obtains the ability to spawn weapons, vehicles and objects in-game, as well as move and adjust them. New DLC maps like Sandbox and Foundry will allow a player to make their own map using the amount of objects included in the map. While the forge may not allow as much freedom as other map editors, it makes it easier for a player to make a map with "simple" objects.

Saved Films allow a player to view any game, campaign or multiplayer, from any angle. It uses game data to re-create the games, which makes file sizes very small (5 MB for a 15 minute multiplayer match). In the film, players can either watch themselves play through an entire mission or match, or use a bird's eye view to see the bigger scope of how the match or mission plays. Players can go anywhere they want, within the limitations of invisible barriers, so that players cannot fly as high as possible or go very far from their character. In multiplayer matches, players can fast forward or rewind the film so that players can relive the parts you missed. Campaign films cannot be rewound for technical reasons. Only the previous 25 games will be saved under the recent films category on the Xbox 360 console. Older films will be deleted.

The Halo 3: Original Soundtrack was composed by [[Martin O'Donnell]] with the help of [[Michael Salvatori]] and was released on November 20, 2007. It is a two-disc set featuring all the music heard in-game, in order of appearance.

Believe was the marketing slogan and campaign for ''Halo 3'' developed by both Bungie Studios and Microsoft. The word "Believe" appears to be honoring the legacy of SPARTAN-117, citing him as a hero of humanity whose brave actions inspired other servicemen of the United Nations Space Command during the final days of the Human-Covenant War. Its been noted that the Believe trailers took place about 50 years after ''Halo 3'''s storyline.

The Starry Night trailer was released on December 4, 2006 during Monday Night Football on ESPN. It shows two children staring at the stars talking about whether there is life out there in the universe, before switching to a dazed [[John-117|Master Chief]] recovering from some form of blast. Once back on his feet, he picks up his helmet and then uses a [[Bubble Shield]] to defend himself from an incoming [[Type-26 Assault Gun Carriage|Wraith]]'s plasma mortar. He then quickly charges forward, eventually jumping over a cliff into a swarm of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant Loyalists]]. It is speculated, yet left to interpretation, that the two children are [[John-117]] and [[Kelly-087]] when they were young.

The Et Tu Brute ViDoc was released before the end of 2006 and was a behind-the-scenes look at the development of ''Halo 3'', specifically focusing on the Brutes in ''Halo 3''. This 7:03 min clip interviews various Bungie employees about the Brutes, their development and flaws in ''Halo 2'', and how they were expanded upon in Halo 3.

{{Halo 3 Versions}}

The launch of ''Halo 3'' also coincided with the release of various games, action figures, collectibles and marketing promotions. Which included a Halo 3 Spartan Edition Controller and [[Halo 3 Covenant Edition Controller]] that features ''Halo 3'' themed artwork from renowned artist Todd McFarlane. The controllers included a Master Chief figurine. While previous ''Halo'' action figure series were produced by [[Joyride Studios]] the studios closure in 2007 allowed Todd McFarlane's [[McFarlane Toys]] to release Halo 3 Action Figures. On September 18, 2007 Wizkids released the [[Halo ActionClix]] collection. The tabletop game features miniature characters and vehicles from the ''Halo'' universe. Microsoft also collaborated with Pepsi-Cola to release the first promotional soft drink for a video game. [[Mountain Dew Game Fuel]] was a soda which was released on August 13, 2007 and was available for 12 weeks to promote the launch of Halo 3. 7-Eleven sold a Slurpee version of the drink along with several collectible cups. On September 16, 2007 Microsoft released a ''Halo 3'' edition of the Xbox 360. The console includes various ''Halo 3'' themed items including a ''Halo 3'' headset, and special exclusive gamer pics and themes only available to those who purchase the console.  As part of the ''Halo 3'' marketing assault Microsoft also released a ''Halo'' Trilogy-theme Zune media player. It features Halo content in many media formats including exclusive artwork from the critically acclaimed ''Halo'' series and a special [[Red vs Blue]] episode. Master Replicas also released ornament [[Halo 3 Scale Replica Weapons|Halo 3 scale replica weapons]]. [[Wikipedia:Burger King|Burger King]] also announced a ''Halo 3'' Promotion from a Microsoft press release on August 9, 2007, the promotion which started September 24  including limited edition FRYPODS and 42 oz drink cups featuring Halo designs and characters on food wrappings. Pontiac produced a special [[wikipedia:Pontiac G6|Pontiac G6]] GXP Street Edition, outfitted with a ''Halo 3'' styled paint job. It was part of a sweepstakes hosted by [[wikipedia:Best Buy|Best Buy]], called the ''Best Buy Play & Win Sweepstakes''.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12761 '''Bungie.net''': ''Best Buy’s Golden Gift to Halo Players'']</ref>

{{Halo 3 Receptions}}

''Halo 3'' was called the most sought-after video game of 2007<ref>[http://www.vita.mn/story.php?id=12329421 '''Vita.mn''': Video games: ''Halo' effect'']</ref><ref>[http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14463/Master-Chief-Immortalized-in-Wax-at-Madame-Tussauds/ '''Team Xbox by IGN''': ''Master Chief Immortalized in Wax at Madame Tussauds'']</ref>, and one of the most hyped video games of all time.<ref name="pittsburgh">[http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_529167.html '''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review''': ''Halo 3 gamers brave midnight openings'']</ref><ref>[http://www.totallygn.com/2009/06/12/halo-3/ '''Totally IGN''': ''Halo 3'']</ref><ref>[http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/halo_s_new_heights_keep_gamers_up_at_night_06-18-2008_09_52_07.html '''Beaumont Enterprise''': ''Halo's new heights keep gamers up at night'']</ref>

Prior to its launch, ''Halo 3'' was expected to be one of the biggest entertainment events of the year<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/e/content/oh/story/entertainment/2007/09/24/ddn092507lifehalo.html '''Dayton Daily News''': '''Halo 3' drops the hammer'']</ref>, and among the biggest entertainment releases of all time.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-15Halo3LaunchPR.mspx '''Microsoft News Center''': ''“Halo 3” to Make Entertainment History on Sept. 25'']</ref><ref>[http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=130125&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1055079&highlight= '''GameStop''': ''Hollywood and GameStop Roll out the Red Carpet for Halo 3 Launch'']</ref><ref>[http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2887&iArticleId=4061398 '''IOL Techonology''': ''Halo 3 vying with movie blockbusters'']</ref><ref>[http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/16187/Halo-3/ '''Daily Star''': ''Simply The Best 7 Days A Week: Game On: Halo 3'']</ref> Additionally, ''Halo 3'' was expected to stir the sales of the Xbox 360 console<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-9783413-17.html '''CNET News''': ''Why 'Halo 3' will decide the Xbox 360's fate'']</ref><ref>[http://www.ioltechnology.co.za/article_page.php?iSectionId=2887&iArticleId=5020969 '''IOL Technology''': ''Microsoft's 'Halo 3' launches amid spectacle'']</ref> - being a "killer application".<ref>[http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2007/09/25/1_HALO25_--_home_entertainme.AR0_ART_09-25-07_D3_C580JGG.html '''The Columbus Dispatch''': ''All hail Halo 3'']</ref><ref>[http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070925-9999-1n25halo.html '''SignOnSanDiego''': ''Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales'']</ref> The craziness of the ''Halo 3'' launch was compared to the madness of the iPhone, Harry Potter books and Star Wars movies releases.<ref name="pittsburgh"/>

*At precisely 6:36pm PST on the 28th of February 2009, in a three minute and nineteen second game of Infection on Foundry, four players participated in ''Halo 3'''s one billionth match.<ref name="billionth">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=CGHV33KGD2R9D3W9V4QY7MF9Q '''Bungie.net''': ''One BILLION Served'']</ref> In comparison, ''[[Halo 2]]'' has to date only had 800 million games played.

*The original ''Halo 3'' before the Auto-Update 2 patch contained 49 [[Achievement]]s, which is a seven reference [[List of "seven" references in Halo|7]]x7=49, and these together are worth 1000 [[Gamerpoint|Gamerscore]] points.

*''Halo 3'' multi-player was shown at the Penny Arcade Expo as the final round of the Omegathon and showed the level [[Guardian (level)|Guardian]] before its release date.

*''Halo 3'' was released on the 25th of September, this is most likely a [[list of "seven" references in Halo|seven]] reference (2+5=7).

*As of 1 March 2009, the total amount of online [[Matchmaking]] time accounted to 2,023,153,340,764 seconds, equal to 64,109 years of playtime.<ref name="billionth"/>

== Gallery ==

=== Logos ===

File:Halo 3 Logo Large.png|Title art.

File:Halo3-GameCover.jpg|Cover art for ''Halo 3''.

=== Promotional art ===

File:Halo 3 promo 1.jpg

File:Halo 3 promo 2.jpg

File:Halo 3 promo 3.jpg

File:Halo 3 promo 4.jpg

File:Halo3 manual 1.jpg

File:Halo3 manual 2.jpg

File:Halo3 manual 3.jpg

File:Halo3 manual 4.jpg

File:Pontiac H3.jpg|''Halo 3'' themed Pontiac

File:Pontiac H3 2.jpg

File:Halo 3 zune.jpg|''Halo 3'' themed Zune

File:Zune Halobox rightside.jpg

File:Halo3-zune.jpg

{{Reflist|2}}

== See also ==

*[http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/default.aspx ''Official project page on '''Bungie.net''']

 

[[Category:Games]]