Editing Halo 3

{{Title|''Halo 3''}}

{{References}}

{{Game infobox

|name= ''Halo 3''

|image= [[File:Halo3coverart.JPG|300px]]

|developer= [[Bungie|Bungie LLC.]]

|publisher= [[Microsoft Game Studios]]

|engine=[[Blam engine]]

|writer=[[Joseph Staten]]

|composer=[[Martin O'Donnell]]<br>[[Michael Salvatori]]

|releasedate= September 25, 2007 {{C|United States}}<br>

September 26, 2007 {{C|United Kingdom}}<br>

November 14, 2014 {{C|Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One}}<br>

|genre= [[First-person shooter]]

|modes= [[Campaign|Campaign Mode]], [[Cooperative Play|Co-Op]], [[Multiplayer]], [[Forge]], [[Theater]]

|rating=[[Wikipedia:Entertainment Software Ratings Board|ESRB]]: Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Mild Language, and Violence<br>

[[Wikipedia:Computer Entertainment Rating Organization|CERO]]: (D) Ages 17 and up<br>

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

[[Wikipedia:British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]]: 15 (UK only)<br>

[[Wikipedia:Unterhaltungssoftware Selbstkontrolle|USK]]: 18 (Germany only)<br>

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

'''''Halo 3''''' is a [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Bungie|Bungie Studios]] and published by [[Microsoft]]. It is a sequel to ''[[Halo 2]]'' and concludes the original ''Halo'' trilogy. ''Halo 3'' was released on [[2007 (real world)|September 25, 2007]] in Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, North America, and Singapore; September 26, 2007 in Europe; and September 27, 2007 in Japan all exclusively for the [[Xbox 360]].

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, and it is rated "15" by the BBFC for the UK release. The OFLC rated it "M" for the Australia and New Zealand release, although the New Zealand Classification Office later changed the rating to "R16" on December 1, 2017. 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.

Along with ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Halo 4]]'', ''Halo 3'' was released on the [[Xbox One]] as part of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' on November 11, [[2014]]. While initially advertised for a release date of [[2020#July|July 14, 2020]], the game was released on July 13 for PC platforms.<ref>''[[Finish The Fight]]''</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/ChiefCanuck/status/1282875659358883840?s=20 '''Twitter'''']</ref>{{Ref/Note|This article uses the [[Wikipedia:Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Time Zone]] to determine the release date.}}

''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 08]]. 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]] [[Fleet of Retribution|allied]] with humanity against 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]].

The Pelican brings them to [[Crow's Nest (location)|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 (location)|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 ''Ket''-pattern 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. The [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili]], 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 journey through the Portal. Arriving at [[Installation 00|the true Ark]], which is several thousand light years beyond the rim of the Milky Way, the Sangheili 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 Sangheili must deactivate three shield generators which are inside three separate towers. While John-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. While she tries to fight off all the Brutes, Johnson realises that she must kill him 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 escape using Keyes' crashed Pelican.

The duo escapes 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 08|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".  

With the Halo activated, John-117 and Thel 'Vadam race towards the frigate ''[[UNSC Forward Unto Dawn|Forward Unto Dawn]]'' using Johnson's Warthog. With no time to reach the bridge, John-117 uploads Cortana into the frigate to start taking off before the Arbiter is able to take the controls. The front half of the ''Dawn'', containing the Arbiter, makes it through the portal. However, as Halo shakes itself to pieces during its firing sequence and damages the Ark, the portal deactivates as the other half of the ''Dawn'' containing Chief and Cortana enter it. This causes them to rip off from the other half of the ship and be sent to an unknown area of space far enough from the Halo's blast. However, since they didn't come out of the other side of the portal, they never make it back to Earth.

Back on Earth, Lord Hood holds a [[Voi Memorial|memorial service]] in honor of 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]].

== Gameplay ==

''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 player, and [[boarding (gameplay mechanic)|boarding vehicles]] have more varied animations and are more balanced.

Vehicles now feature more complex collision damage based on their size, mass and speed. For example, the Brute [[Barukaza Workshop Chopper|Chopper]] can destroy a UNSC [[Warthog]] with a head-on ram, and colliding head-on with a solid object in a Ghost can kill the player.

=== Campaign ===

#[[Arrival]] - "''Brace for impact.''" (cutscene, tutorial on single player)

#[[Sierra 117]] - ''"Rise up. Start the fight."''

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

#[[Tsavo Highway]] - ''"Mount up. Get to [[Voi]]."''

#[[The Storm]] - ''"Reclaim the city. Make a hole."''

#[[Floodgate]] - ''"Stop the [[Flood|infestation]]. Find [[Cortana]]."''

#[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]] - ''"Search the waste for the [[Cartographer]]."''

#[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]] - ''"Breach the barrier. Stop [[Prophet of Truth|Truth]]."''

#[[Cortana (level)|Cortana]] - ''"Cleanse [[High Charity]]. Save Cortana."''

#[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]] - ''"Light [[Installation 08|the ring]]. Destroy the Flood."''

A total of 24 multiplayer maps are available in ''Halo 3''. As of [[2021 (real world)|2021]], three additional maps were added to ''Halo 3'' in ''The Master Chief Collection'' from the cancelled ''[[Halo Online]]'' - bringing the total map count for this version of ''Halo 3'' up to 27.

==== Default ====

==== Heroic Map Pack ====

<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 3'' page-->

*[[Foundry]]   

*[[Rat's Nest]]

*[[Standoff]]

==== Legendary Map Pack ====

{{Main|Legendary Map Pack}}

<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the halo 3 page-->

*[[Avalanche]]

*[[Blackout]]

*[[Ghost Town]]

==== Cold Storage ====

{{Main|Cold Storage}}

Cold Storage is downloadable through Xbox Live Marketplace for free and is the seventh downloadable map for ''Halo 3''. It was released on 07/07/08, Bungie Day, as a free gift to the entire ''Halo 3'' community around the world.

====Mythic Map Pack====

{{Main|Mythic Map Pack}}

<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the halo 3 page-->

*[[Assembly]]

*[[Orbital]]

*[[Sandbox]]

*[[Citadel]]

*[[Heretic]]

*[[Longshore]]

====''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''-exclusive====

=== Appearance ===

The service tag is how players can be identified quickly on the battlefield, instead of the long names and complex number combinations which are not suitable for battle situations that require quick tactical orders or communication. The service tag is comprised of a letter followed by two numbers. A few examples of service tags are K90, C27, A12, S86, D17, and D21.

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:Fag (slang)|F49]]", "A23", and "[[Wikipedia:Teat|T17]]". "O00" is blocked due to its usage in [[Temporary Profile]]s. Anything ending in 00 is blocked.

According to Bungie, as of March 14 the most used Service Tags by players of ''Halo 3'' are, in descending order, ''[[Wikipedia:James Bond|O07]]'', ''[[wikipedia:M16 rifle|M16]]'' , ''I69'', ''P26'', ''[[Sadie's Story|S80]]'', ''N99'', ''[[Wikipedia:F/A-18 Hornet|F18]]'', ''[[Wikipedia:Water|H20]]'', ''I87'', and ''[[Wiktionary:Die|D13]]''.{{Citation needed}}

==== Armor permutations ====

{{Main|Armor customization (Halo 3)}}

{{Armor/Permutation/H3}}

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.  

==== Colors ====

*'''''Gold''''', '''Yellow''', and '''''Pale'''''

*'''''Sage''''', '''Green''', and '''''Olive'''''

*'''''Teal''''', '''Aqua''', and '''''Cyan'''''

*'''''Blue''''', '''Cobalt''', and '''''Sapphire'''''

*'''''Violet''''', '''Orchid''', and '''''Lavender'''''

*'''''Crimson''''', '''Rubine''', and '''''Pink'''''

*'''''Brown''''', '''Tan''', and '''''Khaki'''''

*'''Black''' can still be used but, only in Forge or Custom gametypes, as a forced player color under general settings.

*'''Zombie''' a slightly more yellowish version of '''Green''' to make players look like zombies. Only available in Forge or Custom gametypes as a forced player color under general settings.

==Appearances==

{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5

|title-1=Characters|

*[[Hocus]] {{1st}}

*[[Reynolds]] {{1st}}

*[[Marcus Stacker]]

*[[Chips Dubbo]]

'''[[San'Shyuum]]'''

*[[Prophet of Truth]]

'''[[Jiralhanae]]'''

*[[Cethegus]] {{1st}}

'''[[Unggoy]]'''

*[[Flipyap]] {{Fm}}

'''[[Flood]]'''

*[[Gravemind]]

*[[343 Guilty Spark]]

|title-2=Species and entities|

**[[UNSC Marines]]

**[[Jiralhanae Captain Major|Captain Major]] {{1st}}

**[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]]

**[[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|Bodyguard]] {{1st}}

**[[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumper]]

**[[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalker]] {{1st}}

**[[Jiralhanae Ultra|Ultra]] {{1st}}

*[[Kig-Yar]] (''Ruuhtian'')

**[[Kig-Yar Major|Major]]

*[[Fish]]

|title-3=Organizations|

*[[Ecumene]]

**[[Forerunner Fleet Command]] {{Fm}}

*[[UEG]]

***[[UNSC High Command]]

****[[UNSC Communications Commission]] {{Fm}}

***[[UNSC Marine Corps]]

***[[UNSC Navy]]

****[[Seventh Fleet]] {{1st}}

*****[[Battle Group Victory]] {{1st}}

*****[[SPARTAN-II program]]

|title-4=Locations|

====UNSC====

*[[7 wood]] {{1st}}

*[[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] {{1st}}

*[[Class-2 Guided Munition Launch System]] {{1st}}

*[[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon]]

*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]

*[[M90 shotgun#M90A variant|M90A shotgun]] {{1st}}

*[[MA5C assault rifle]]

*[[SRS99D-S2 AM sniper rifle]]

*[[Type 14 Magnetic/Anti-Tank Mine]] {{C|Gametype-specific use only}}

*[[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]]

*[[M370 autocannon]]

*[[Machine-linked autocannon#M9109 ASW/AC 50mm|M9109 ASW/AC 50mm]]

*[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]

*[[Class-2 directed energy cannon]]

*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|Gravity hammer]]

**[[Akelus Workshop gravity hammer]]

**{{Pattern|Eos'Mak|plasma pistol}}

**{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}

*[[Plasma cannon]]

*[[Energy projector]]

*[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]

*{{Pattern|Skar'wa|Mantis}} {{1st}}

*[[Sentinel Beam]]

*[[AV-14 Hornet]]

*[[M12 Warthog]]

**[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]

**[[M12 Warthog#Other models|M864 Arctic]] {{1st}}

*[[M808C Scorpion]]

*[[Albatross]]

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

*[[Crassus-class supercarrier]] {{1st}}

*[[D77H-TCI Pelican]]

*[[F-99 Wombat]] {{1st}}

*[[GA-TL1 Longsword]]

*[[S-2 Traxus Cargo Transporter]] {{1st}}

*[[Tractor unit]]

*[[UNSC frigate]]

*[[Chopper]]

**[[Barukaza Workshop Chopper]] {{1st}}

*[[Banshee]]

*[[Ghost]]

*[[Wraith]]

*[[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]] {{1st}}

*{{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}

**{{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}

====Forerunner====

*[[Keyship]]

**[[Forerunner Dreadnought]]

*[[Bubble Shield]]

*[[Power drain|Power Drain]] {{1st}}

*[[Cloaking]] {{1st}}

*[[Overshield]]

*[[Jiralhanae power armor]] {{1st}}

*[[Unggoy combat harness]]

*[[Covenant communication node]] {{1st}}

*[[Covenant storage device|Covenant data storage unit]]

*[[Plasma battery|Covenant plasma battery]]

*[[Roadblock|Covenant roadblock]]

 

|title-9=Miscellaneous|

*[[49-6-39]] {{Fm}}

*[[Equipment Control Key Code]] {{Fm}}

===''Halo: The Master Chief Collection only''===

Following the release of ''Halo 3'' onto the PC version of ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection'', more story elements have appeared, a number of which are carried over from ''[[Halo Online]]''.

The unnamed '''''Halo 3'' Engine'''<ref name="igntrailer">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/706/706251p1.html '''E3 2006''': ''Halo 3 Trailer Impressions'']</ref> is the game engine developed for and implemented in ''Halo 3'' and ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. Its unique features include advanced graphics technologies such as [[wikipedia:High Dynamic Range|high dynamic range]], global lighting, and [[wikipedia:Depth of field|depth of field]] effects within cutscenes.<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158071 '''1 Up''': ''Bungie Says Halo 3 Graphics are Coming Together'']</ref>

''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://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12878 '''Bungie.net''': ''Waves Audio Plug-ins in Halo 3'']</ref>

Matchmaking is where people can play with and against each other through a specially designed search system and multiple playlists. In matchmaking, [[Experience Points|EXP]] and [[Skill (Halo 3)|Skill]] can be earned to raise ranks. Also, on some maps like "Guardian" and "Narrows", various equipment such as the [[Flare]] and [[Radar jammer|Radar Jammer]] have been removed due to balance changes.

=== Veto ===

The Veto system is a new addition to ''Halo 3''. In a game, after the map and game type loads for each player, a 10 seconds countdown starts. If the majority of players in the match decide to veto, by pressing the (X) button, before the countdown ends, a different map and gametype from the playlist will be selected to be played on.  

If a map and gametype is vetoed by a majority of players, the option to veto will be lost during the next countdown. In some cases, players will see the map and gametype change, but players still get the veto option. This is just because the host's connection cannot support the map, or if anyone in the party cannot play the map. When this happens, you still have the right to veto the next map and game type.

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

The ranking system is based on real military ranks. To progress in rank, players must earn the required amount of EXP. For [[Commissioned officer|Officer]] ranks, players must also reach a certain skill level in a ranked playlist. If a player earns a certain amount of experience, but does not reach the required skill level to reach the next officer rank, they will instead be promoted to a higher grade of their current rank (For example, A [[Major]] who earns 200 [[Experience Points|EXP]] but does not have a skill level of 35 will be promoted to Major, Grade 2 upon earning 300 EXP).

Each Officer rank has a "final" grade which is represented by a unique name instead of a number. Gunnery Sergeant also has this feature. Many players judge others that have the grade 4 rank or "gold bars" as a sign of lack in skill, though not necessarily always true. ''Halo 3'' uses the [http://research.microsoft.com/osa/apg/trueskill.aspx Trueskill] system created by Microsoft to determine skill level in ranked playlists.

=== Custom games ===

{{Main|Custom game}}

In the Custom Games Lobby, players are given the option to choose the gametypes and maps players have made and want to play with their friends, these include Custom Game types and Map Variants. Unlike matchmaking, custom games do not give EXP.

==== Standard gametypes ====

In ''Halo 3'', there are a number of options that can be changed for custom games. By pressing X in the pregame lobby the host can change the default options, to whatever the player chooses and can save the changes when finished by pressing X again to save as custom game type.

*Grenade counts (Grenade Regeneration, on or off)

*Weapon pickup (Enabled, Disabled)

**(50%, 75%, 100%, 200%)

*Vehicle use (Full Use, Passenger only, None)

*Motion tracker (off, friendlies only, normal, enhanced)

**Range (10m, 25m, 75m, 100m, 150m)

*Indestructible vehicles (On, off)

=== Forge ===

{{Main|Forge}}

The Theater mode allows players to save films from the [[Campaign]], [[Multiplayer]], and [[Forge]], and also get film clips and screen shots. This feature of ''Halo 3'' has been exploited for making [[Machinima]] videos and Montages.

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.

When playing a film, players can record a particular part of the film from any angle they want. Doing this allows players to look back at their saved clip without having to watch the entire film. Players, however, cannot record clips of campaign films due to unknown technical reasons. If players are in a party viewing a film, they will not be able to record clips, nor take screenshots. Also, players may find that when viewing a film clip in a party, the film will not load until there is only one player left in the party.

Screenshots can be taken in any sort of film; all screenshots taken by Xbox Live players are sent to [[Bungie.net]] via the Internet. You must be in single-player theater or film to take a screenshot. Screenshots that are favored by many or impress Bungie employees may be uploaded to [[Bungie Favorites]].

== Soundtrack ==

{{Main|Halo 3: Original Soundtrack}}

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.

== Marketing promotions ==

=== Viral Campaigns ===

The ''Halo 3'' Beta was a phase in the development of ''Halo 3'', produced by Bungie Studios and organized by Microsoft. A public version of the beta was released to the public for three weeks to give people an early chance to play the game and to test amounts of stress on the servers.

Several months after the Beta was closed down, Bungie released ''Halo 3 Epsilon'', an internal-only ''Halo 3'' build, to Microsoft employees. The Epsilon featured Campaign (both single-player and cooperative gameplay) on the level Tsavo Highway, as well as Forge and multiplayer on six maps: Epitaph, High Ground, Last Resort, Sandtrap, Snowbound, and Valhalla.

==== Iris ====

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. It has been noted that the Believe trailers took place about 50 years after ''Halo 3''{{'}}s storyline.

==== Announcement trailer ====

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 [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|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''.

==== ViDoc: Is Quisnam Protero Damno! ====

The Is Quisnam Protero Damno ViDoc was released several months before the release of the ''Halo 3'' Beta. The video focuses on the multiplayer in ''Halo 3''. This 7:12 minute clip interviews various Bungie employees about the development of the various multiplayer aspects of the game.

Cinema Paradiso is the third and final ViDoc released by Bungie before the release of ''Halo 3''. Released on September 20, 2007 the 7:13 video interviews various Bungie employees about the development of the theater and forge features of the game.

==== E3 2007 Trailer ====

{{Main|Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer}}

Halo: Landfall is a trilogy of short films that were designed to promote the release of ''Halo 3''. Directed by [[Neill Blomkamp]] with props and costume design by [[WETA Workshop]] Landfall tells the story of two [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] on a mission to coordinate Master Chief's rescue.

''Halo 3'' was released in three separate versions. The Standard Edition contains the game disc, manual, and a small poster with the game's control-map and artwork. The Limited Edition, contained in a metal case, contains the game disc, manual, poster, interactive Xbox 360 bonus disc with several featurettes, and a hard cover bound "Bestiarum", which is a collection of information and art covering the species, cultures, and civilizations of ''Halo 3''. The final version was marketed as the "Legendary Edition", which contains the game disc, manual, poster, interactive bonus disc, Bestiarum (on one of the DVD discs), Legendary DVD containing special content exclusive to the Legendary Edition, and a scale replica of the Master Chief's helmet as a case for the three discs.

The launch of ''Halo 3'' also coincided with the release of various games, action figures, collectibles and marketing promotions. This 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-themed [[Halo 3 Zune|Zune media player]]. It features Halo content in many media formats including exclusive artwork from the trilogy and a special [[Red vs Blue]] PSA. 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://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12761 '''Bungie.net''': ''Best Buy’s Golden Gift to Halo Players'']</ref>

There was also a song called [[Face It]] commissioned by Microsoft in Australia, performed by Australian rapper ''Phrase'' and the Australian band ''Karnivool''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFtwu__b31E '''Youtube''' ''- Face it'']</ref>

== Release and reception ==

{{Halo 3 reviews}}

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/Reuse|pittsburgh}}

As with its predecessors, ''Halo 3'' was considered a very successful, record-breaking game. With 1.7 million preorders in the U.S, few expected it not to break any records. 24 hours after release, however ''Halo 3'' had generated a record-breaking $170 million in the U.S, beating the $155 million that Microsoft was expecting. Although Microsoft never released a 24-hour sales figure, it is estimated to have sold in the region of 2.4 - 2.5 million copies within 24 hours of availability in the U.S. - approximately 1.8 million units after 8 hours - with that number increasing to 3.3 million units, 12 days after release. Within 24 hours, over 1.1 million gamers had played ''Halo 3'' on Xbox Live. One week after release, over 2.7 million players - nearly one-third of the total Xbox LIVE members at that time - had played it on Xbox Live. As of November 17, 2008, ''Halo 3'' had reportedly sold 8.8 million copies worldwide.

''Halo 3'' has received mainly positive reviews from both the online gaming sites and country specific magazines. Each review has praised it, stating ''"the winning formula is still apparent"'' with ''"multiplayer constantly surprising and engaging"'', while new features of ''Forge'' and ''Saved Films'' were singled out as particularly interesting new features. ''Halo 3'' has also gone on to win a number of awards from:

*'''''Spike TV Awards''''': Best Multiplayer Game, Most Addictive Video Game Fueled by Dew.

*'''''TIME''''': Game of the Year.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686305_1692236,00.html '''TIME''': ''Top 10 Everything of 2007'']</ref>

*'''''Geezer Gamers''''': Geezer Game of the Year, Multiplayer Game of the Year.  

*'''''Gametrailers''''': 2007's Best Xbox 360 Game of the Year, Best Multiplayer of the Year, Best First Person Shooter

*'''''X-Play Presents "G-Phoria"''''': Game of the Year.  

*'''''EDGE''''': The Edge Award For Interactive Innovation.

*'''''IGN''''': Xbox 360 Best Online Multiplayer, Xbox 360 Most Innovative Design.

== ''Halo 3: ODST'' ==

{{Main|Halo 3: ODST}}

''Halo 3: ODST'' was originally intended to be campaign extension that covered the events of the [[Battle of Earth]], and ends roughly one month before ''Halo 3'' begins. However, during its development, ''ODST'' quickly evolved into what was essentially a full game in its own right. In ''ODST'', the player takes control of an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper as he navigates though the Covenant occupied New Mombasa trying to discover the fate of his fellow squad members.

== Trivia ==

</gallery>

=== Screenshots ===

File:H3 MasterChiefhighres.jpg|Early image of John-117.

File:Val ext3.jpg|The map Valhalla.