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{{Era|H3}}
{{Title|''Halo 3''}}
 
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{Article Quote|A Hero must rise. Believe...}}
{{References}}
 
{{Game infobox
{{Game Info Box
|name= ''Halo 3''
|name='''''Halo 3'''''
|image= [[File:Halo3coverart.JPG|300px]]
|image=HALO 3 BOXART.jpg
|developer= [[Bungie|Bungie LLC.]]
|Developer=[[Bungie Studios]]
|publisher= [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|Publisher= [[wikipedia:Microsoft Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]
|engine=[[Blam engine]]
|US Date Released= September 25, 2007
|writer=[[Joseph Staten]]
|MX Date Released= September 25, 2007
|composer=[[Martin O'Donnell]]<br>[[Michael Salvatori]]
|UK Date Released= September 26, 2007
|platform= [[Xbox 360]]<br>[[Xbox One]]<br>PC
|Genre= [[First-person shooter]]
|releasedate= September 25, 2007 {{C|United States}}<br>
|Game modes=[[Campaign Mode]], [[Multiplayer]], [[Forge]]
September 26, 2007 {{C|United Kingdom}}<br>
|ESRB= Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Mild Language, and Violence
September 27, 2007 {{C|Japan}}<br>
|Platform=[[Xbox 360]]  
November 14, 2014 {{C|Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One}}<br>
|Media=DVD
July 13, 2020 {{C|Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC}}
|Website=http://www.bungie.net/
|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>
[[Wikipedia:Australian Classification Board|ACB]]: Mature (M) for Moderate Science Fiction Violence
}}
}}
{{Quote|Finish the fight.|''Halo 3'' tagline.}}


'''''Halo 3''''' is a first-person science fiction shooter game developed by [[Bungie]] that was released for the [[Xbox 360]] console. Although the final game is not continuing from the end of Halo 2, ''[[Halo: Uprising]]'' fills in the gaps. It is the sequel to ''[[Halo 2]]'' and finished up the current story arc that the previous two games have followed. Halo 3 is one of the greatest games in the world with features such as its many achievements and Armor permutations as well as its gameplay and Forge and its graphics. Halo Wars is the next upcoming game in the series although it takes place before the events of Halo:Combat Evolved. It was released on September 25 in North America and Australia, the 26th in Europe and the 27th in Japan. It has been rated '''M''' for Mature (blood, gore, violence, and language} by the [[wikipedia:Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]].
'''''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]].


== Release ==
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.
[[Image:Halo3Symbol.gif|thumb|The Halo 3 Logo]]
The release date for the final game was ''September 25, 2007'' in North America and Australia , ''September 26, 2007'' in Europe, and ''September 27, 2007'' in Asia. Halo 3 is officially out in stores across the world.


An internal build, the ''Halo 3'' alpha build, was released in April 2007 for [[Microsoft]] employees. A public beta test, the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]'', was rolled out in Spring 2007 and was scheduled for online play at midnight (U.S. West Coast Pacific-Time) on May 16th, 2007 - June 10, 2007, although there were [[Halo 3 Beta Errors|certain technical difficulties]] in its distribution. After that, Bungie collected all the feedback from the beta and sought to improve their multiplayer through it, with the final game coming out four months after the end of the beta. On August 10, 2007 another ''Halo 3'' build, ''[[Halo 3 Epsilon]]'', was released to Microsoft employees, featuring [[Forge]] and [[multiplayer]] aspects. It went gold on August 29, 2007.
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.


There are three versions of Halo 3: the [[Halo 3: Standard Edition]], a Limited [[Collector's Edition]], and the very limited [[Legendary Edition]].  
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.}}


{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 0.5em auto;"
== Synopsis ==
!valign="right"| Version
=== Characters and setting ===
!Standard
''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]].
!Collector's
!Legendary
|-
|Price
|$59.99 USD
|$69.99 USD
|$129.99 USD
|-
|Game Disc & Manual
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|-
|Interactive Xbox 360 Disc
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|-
|[[Bestiarum]]
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes*
|-
|Legendary DVD
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|-
|Master Chief Helmet Replica
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ffdddd" | No
|style="background: #ddffdd" | Yes
|-
|}
<small><center>''* Additional content on DVD''</center></small>


Reviews were recently released from a number of high profile gaming websites:
The game takes place after the events of the ''[[Halo 2]]'', directly after the events that transpired in ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.


*Gamespot- 9.5/10
=== Plot synopsis ===
*IGN- '''9.5/10'''
{{Spoiler/begin}}
*TeamXbox- '''9.5/10'''
[[File:Master Chief & The Arbiter.jpg|left|260px|thumb|John-117 and Thel 'Vadam in the East African jungle featured in the level "[[Sierra 117]]".]]
*1up- '''10/10'''
The storyline begins approximately two weeks after the events of ''[[Halo 2]]'', on [[2552#November|November 17th, 2552]]. [[John-117]] enters [[Earth]]'s atmosphere and crash-lands in an [[East African Protectorate|east African]] jungle. After being retrieved by [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Johnson]], [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]], and a handful of [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]], the group makes their way through the jungle toward a designated extraction point. Covenant forces are sighted in the area and Johnson makes a strategic decision to split the group up to reduce their chances of getting spotted. John-117 and Thel 'Vadam continue on their way to the extraction zone with the second squad, fighting off numerous [[Jiralhanae|Brute]]-led Covenant troops in the process, but upon reaching the extraction zone, Avery Johnson's [[D77H-TCI Pelican|Pelican]] group consisting of two Pelicans, are ambushed and shot down by [[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshees]]. Johnson and his men are then captured and taken prisoner by a number of Brutes led by a [[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Brute Chieftain]]. John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and company fight their way through hordes of enemies and eventually rescue them, after which a Pelican arrives and picks them up.
*Gametrailers- '''9.8/10'''
*ComputerVideogames- '''9.6/10'''
*OXM Australia- '''10.0/10'''
*Famitsu- '''9.69/10'''
*X-Play- '''5/5'''
*Reviews on the Run-'''10/10'''
*'''Average: 97%'''


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


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.


When the game begins, [[Master Chief|John-117]] is back on Earth, where the Covenant loyalists (Brutes, Drones, Grunts, Hunters and Jackals), led by the Prophet of Truth, have laid waste to most of the planet. Humankind's population has been reduced to a mere 200 million, and is backed against the wall, fighting for its very survival. The only reason humans have made it this long is that the Covenant is preoccupied by an excavation site a few miles from the ruins of New Mombasa, where they have uncovered a massive Forerunner structure (seen in the E3 2006 trailer), buried under the planet's surface for thousands, if not millions of years.
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.


[[Sergeant Major Johnson]] and the [[Arbiter]] retrieve the Master Chief from a hasty jump from orbit, landing in the east African jungle. The three of them manage to make it to Crow's Nest, a 21st century facility used as a local base of operations by the UNSC. Shortly after they reach their destination, the Covenant mounts an attack on the facility, and it is during this time that the Chief starts receiving disturbing transmissions from Cortana. After a brief struggle, in which the outpost is lost, Master Chief receives orders from Commander Keyes and Lord Hood to clear a way into the African city of Voi, and destroy all Covenant anti-air defenses in preparation for an all-out assault on Truth and the artifact. After the Master Chief and the Arbiter destroy the defenses, Truth activates the artifact and creates an enormous slipspace portal, into which all the Covenant ships retreat. As Keyes follows the Dreadnought a Covenant ship controlled by the Flood arrives by slipspace and crash lands nearby, and the parasite quickly spreads throughout the city.
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.  


The Master Chief and the Arbiter attempt to fight off the Flood and retrieve a recording of Cortana from the Flood ship. After they have completed all of their objectives, Guilty Spark arrives by an Elite drop-ship. Once the Arbiter and Master Chief are evacuated, the remaining Covenant fleet proceeds to glass the parts of Africa that have been infected. This amplifies the hard feelings between Lord Hood and Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum, the Spec. Ops Leader of Halo 2 and new leader of the elites. Once the Elites and Lord Hood decide to follow Truth, the remaining Elite ships - approximately 9 and 3 UNSC Frigates leave Earth via the slipspace portal and find themselves near an immense artificial structure, (where they engaged a fleet 3 times their size and won) which is soon revealed to be the Ark. They find that the Ark is in fact positioned outside of the Milky Way galaxy, just beyond the Halo rings' effective firing range. Guided by Guilty Spark and temporarily assisted by the Flood, the Chief and the Arbiter push their way to one of the communication arrays of the Ark, where they barely manage to stop The Prophet of Truth from activating the rings. Commander Keyes dies as she tries to kill herself and Sergeant Johnson to stop Truth from activating the rings.
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.


In the meantime, the highly flood-infested ship "High Charity" arrives by Slipspace jump. After executing The Prophet of Truth, the Arbiter and the Master Chief discover that a replacement ring has been constructed by the Ark to replace the one destroyed by Master Chief. The Chief decides to activate the ring so as to destroy any chance the Flood has from spreading even further. However, the Chief and the Arbiter first take a detour through High Charity to recover Cortana, who, under the grasp of Gravemind, had the activation Index for the replacement Halo. After rescuing the AI, they destroy the Covenant home world as they make their escape, which seemingly kills Gravemind.
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.


When they arrive on the newly built Halo, they quickly discover that Gravemind is still alive, and attempting to reconstruct itself on the new Halo. The Chief, Arbiter, and Sergeant Johnson quickly make their way to the control room, where they attempt to fire Halo. Guilty Spark realizes that this will destroy his new ring because it is not fully ready yet, and kills Sergeant Johnson as he tries to activate the ring. Master Chief then destroys Guilty Spark, activates the ring, and barely manages to escape with the Arbiter on the UNSC frigate 'Forward Unto Dawn'.
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.


Back on Earth (March 3, 2553), a memorial service is held for fallen UNSC personnel. A memorial has been constructed from part of a spaceship, atop a hillside which Lord Terence Hood orders will "remain barren". Affixed to the memorial are flowers, photos, and messages. Among the images seen on the memorial are that of [[Miranda Keyes]] and A. J. Johnson. After the service, Lord Hood tells the Arbiter that "I remember how this war started, what your kind did to mine. ...I can never forgive you, but...you have my thanks for sticking by him until the end. Hard to believe he's dead.". The Arbiter then replies, "Were it so easy". It is implied that John did not survive to make it back to Earth. Following this, the Arbiter and Shipmaster depart, bound for the Elite homeworld. Further alluding to Master Chief's death is the numbers "117" scratched into the space ship fragment, next to the insignia of a Naval [[Master Chief Petty Officer]] (John 117's rank) if read correctly it says Master Chief 117.
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".  


After the credit roll, footage is shown of the Master Chief and Cortana on-board the rear section of ''Forward Unto Dawn'', which had apparently torn off during the slip-space jump; the pair are drifting through space. Cortana tells John she will drop a distress beacon, but that it could be years before they are found. The Chief makes it to a cryotube, and as he is climbing in Cortana comments "I'll miss you". He replies "Wake me; when you need me".
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.


If the game is completed on the [[Legendary]] difficulty, the section of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' that Cortana and the Chief are aboard is seen drifting towards an unknown planet.  
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]].


=== Halo 3 Levels===
After the credits, it is revealed that John-117 and Cortana are still alive aboard the rear section of the ''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]].
{{Spoiler/end}}


''Finish the Fight.''
== 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.


#[[Arrival]] - Brace for impact.
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.
#[[Sierra 117 (Level)|Sierra 117]] - Rise up. Start the fight.
#[[Crow's Nest (Level)|Crow's Nest]] - Clear the base, whatever it takes.
#[[Tsavo Highway (Level)|Tsavo Highway]] - Mount up. Get to Voi.
#[[The Storm]] - Reclaim the city. Make a hole.
#[[Floodgate]] - Stop the infestation. Find Cortana.
#[[The Ark (Level)|The Ark]] - Search the waste for the Cartographer.
#[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]] - Breach the barrier. Stop Truth.
#[[Cortana (Level)|Cortana]] - Cleanse High Charity. Save Cortana.
#[[Halo (Halo 3 Level)|Halo]] - Light the ring. Destroy the Flood.


=== Halo 3 Walkthrough ===
The game enhances the core gameplay design by introducing [[Equipment|deployable equipment]] as well as giving players the ability to use [[Weapon types#Turret|turret weapons]]. Equipment 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]]. Turret weapons allow players to wield heavy weapons in a third-person perspective at a slower pace.


A Halo 3 Walkthrough/Guide has been released alongside the actual game. The walkthrough/guide, as of September 25, is available in stores. It is official.
{{Expand-section}}


=== Controls ===
=== Campaign ===
[[Image:Controller_Halo3.jpg|thumb|200px|Default Halo 3 Control Scheme]]
The campaign in ''Halo 3'' consists of ten levels which tell the story of the final days of [[human]]ity and the [[Fleet of Retribution|Sangheili's]] conflict with the Prophet of Truth's Covenant forces.
Because of differences between the Xbox original and Xbox 360 controller, and the addition of the new "equipment", there are a few differences on controls.
* Right bumper: ''Click''-Reload, ''Hold''-Pick up weapon, exchange equipment, get in/out of vehicle, activate.
* Left bumper: ''Click''-switch grenades, reload (if dual-wielding) ''Hold''-dual wield (when available).
* Right trigger: Fire weapon
* Left trigger: Throw grenade, Fire secondary (if dual-wielding)
* Left thumbstick: Move (Forward, Back, Strafe Left, Strafe Right)
* Left thumbstick (click): Crouch
* Right thumbstick: Look/Aim (Up, Down,Left, Right)
* Right thumbstick (click): Activate scope/zoom
* D-pad: Scroll through menu, up-team talk channel (Multiplayer), up-toggle monitor/spartan mode (Forge), toggle flashlight (Campaign)
* A button: Jump/Select
* B button: Melee/Back, pick support weapon up if in stationary mode.
* X button: Deploy/Activate equipment
* Y button: Switch weapons
* Right Bumper, Left Bumper, Click-in Left Analog Stick, A, Down on D-Pad for 3 seconds: Lowers weapon (proof its real: [http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20252 [1]])
** Right Bumper, Left Bumper, Click-in Left Analog Stick, A, Up on D-Pad for 3 seconds: Makes current camera angle/position coordinates visible.


You may also change controls to Halo Classic, as the control scheme as in Halo and Halo 2. Many other layouts have returned such as the Southpaw and others.
#[[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."''


=== Multiplayer ===
=== Multiplayer ===
[[Image:600px-Mongoose.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Mongoose, one of Halo 3's new vehicles.]][[Image:Spikers.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Spikers and visible secondary weapons are two of Halo 3's new features.]]
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.
*The [[Man_Cannon|Man Cannon]] is a new feature in Halo 3 capable of catapulting a player across a [[Multiplayer|multiplayer]] map. It seems to have replaced the teleporter from Halo 1 and 2. In Halo 3, the man cannon can send you halfway across [[Valhalla|Valhalla]]. Although it shoots you relatively far you are vulnerable while flying through the air. If you go through the man cannon with a vehicle it will send the vehicle just as far.
*Energy Shield doors have been added to some multiplayer levels, which allow players to pass through, but cannot be shot through. Spike grenades can stick to these walls.
*A new "Veto" system has been placed into the Halo 3 Matchmaking. Before the game starts for any game, players can choose whether to veto them out. If more than half of the player's votes are cast to veto, the game will assign a new map and gametype.
*You now can customize the helmet and armor on multiplayer, but each of these permutations must be unlocked before they can be used.
*There is no Clan support in Halo 3.
*The matchmaking system from Halo 2 will be revamped. The system will be based on two different ranks, skill and experience, in order to make the system more fair and to reflect the effect of experience on players' profiles.
*Call signs will be used instead of small HUD emblems to identify allies. Example: your ID is E77, and a team mate looks in your direction an arrow saying "E77" will appear over your head; in the game, if pointed at, your gamertag will appear.
*A female voice will be in the final multiplayer game but the male voice will be the default. This will affect what sounds the player makes when being wounded or killed.
*Bungie has stated that the MJOLNIR Armor variants will not play an important role in campaign, and that it is just for aesthetic appeal in multiplayer. However, that does not mean they won't make any appearances in other corners of the Halo universe.
*If you are boarded when you are in a scorpion or wraith you cannot exit the tank until you are dead or the boarder gets off.
*You can attack using an enemy vehicle, for example, take a rocket launcher and jump on the back of an enemy mongoose that’s being driven. Make sure you jump onto the part you want to be on. You will then be riding it with your enemy and able to either use the given turret or your own weapon.  Note: This doesn’t work for all vehicles.
*You can also beat down the driver of a Mongoose or Warthog if you enter the driver's passenger seat. For example, if an enemy Mongoose or Warthog drives near you, board the passenger's seat of the vehicle(Mongoose:Backseat;Warthog:"shotgun" seat), aim at the driver, and melee him until he dies.  Note: The driver can exit the vehicle while attempting to melee him.


== Features ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
==== Default ====
*[[Construct]]
*[[Epitaph]]
*[[Guardian (map)|Guardian]]
*[[High Ground]]
*[[Isolation]]
*[[Last Resort]] 
*[[Narrows]] 
*[[Sandtrap]]
*[[Snowbound]]
*[[The Pit]]
*[[Valhalla]]


=== Online & 4 Player Co-Op ===
==== Heroic Map Pack ====
[[Image:One Spartan and Three Sangheilis.jpg|200px|thumb|All four playable characters for Co-Op.]][[Image:The Four Heroes.jpg|200px|thumb|The four characters in action]]
{{Main|Heroic Map Pack}}
The previous installment of the Halo series had implemented a 2-player Online Co-Op play (As seen in the "Switch to Co-Op" option in the Pregame Lobby). But was taken out of the final version due to balance and connection issues.
<!--dates of release and previous prices belong on the map pack page, not on the ''Halo 3'' page-->
*[[Foundry]]
*[[Rat's Nest]]
*[[Standoff]]


Originally Bungie confirmed Co-Op play on a system with two player split screen. They later confirmed a 4 player Co-Op option over Xbox Live or System Link.[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack] Unlike previous Co-Op renditions this time each player takes on an individual canon approach. The first player will be [[Master Chief]], the second will be the [[The Arbiter]], the third will be [[N’tho ‘Sraom]], with the fourth being [[Usze ‘Taham]].
==== 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]]
{{col-2}}
==== 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.


This will encourage replaying the game more and enjoying the game differently. Each player has the same abilities, with only their starting weapons differing: for example, if the Chief starts with a [[Battle Rifle]], the Elites will start with a [[Covenant Carbine|Carbine]]. None of the Elites are able to activate any form of invisibility or active camo as they were able in Halo 2.
====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]]


N’tho ‘Sraom and Usze ‘Taham are characters added for the 3- and 4-player Co-Op. The two new Elites, joining the Arbiter and Master Chief, both have real bios and appropriate fiction, but they will not be appearing in the cinematics and so on. They are designed to be believable and useful allies, without affecting the fictional arc in a negative way – but they do appear in the game in both single and co-op mode.
====Mythic Map Pack II====
{{Main|Mythic II Map Pack}}
*[[Citadel]]
*[[Heretic]]
*[[Longshore]]


=== Forge ===
====''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''-exclusive====
{{Main|Forge}}
*[[Edge]]
Forge is an "object editor" that can be used to edit multiplayer maps.
*[[Icebox]]
It was originally called a map editor until Bungie showed what one could do with it. In Forge, you can edit objects, spawnpoints, weapons, and properties of objects on the map, etc.  And, when playing a map on forge, players may take control as a monitor (very similar to 343 Guilty Spark) and will obtain the ability to spawn weapons and vehicles in-game, as well as move/adjust them too. Players will also have the ability to set traps or create teleporters to warp their friends into other places or set traps for their enemies. The monitor also has the ability to claim the respawn points and create new ones.
*[[Waterfall]]
{{col-end}}


=== Saved Films ===
=== Appearance ===
==== Service tags ====
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.


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) These films can also be shared with Bungie.net. In the film, you can either watch your own player play through the entire mission or you can go a different way: bird's eye view. you can go anywhere you want, but they will limit your movement so that you cannot fly as high as possible or go very far from your character. You can also fast forward or rewind the film so that you can relive the parts you missed. Only your previous 25 games will be saved under the recent films category on your console. Older films will be deleted.
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.
=== Equipment ===
{{Main|Equipment}}
*[[Bubble Shield]]
*[[Power Drain]]
*[[Trip Mine]]
*[[Portable Gravity Lift]]
*[[Radar Jammer]]
*[[Flare]]
*[[Regenerator]]
*[[Deployable Cover]]


==== Campaign Only ====
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}}


*[[Invincibility]]
==== Armor permutations ====
*[[Automated Turret]]
{{Main|Armor customization (Halo 3)}}
*[[Cloaking]]
There are two player models which players can choose from, the standard [[SPARTAN-II Program|SPARTAN]] model or an [[Sangheili|Elite]] model. Each model has several armor permutations which can be combined. All armor permutations do not have any effects on gameplay.
{{Armor/Permutation/H3}}


==== Power Ups ====
==== Emblems ====
{{Main|Multiplayer Emblems}}
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.


*[[Custom Power Up]]
==== Colors ====
*[[Active Camouflage]]
There are ten base and primary colors, each with three shades of one another that are used to customize your multiplayer color and emblem. On the armor detail color, there is a small painted VI most noticeable on Mark VI shoulder.
*[[Overshield]]
*'''''Steel''''', '''Silver''', and '''''White'''''
*'''''Red''''', '''Mauve''', and '''''Salmon'''''
*'''''Orange''''', '''Coral''', and '''''Peach'''''
*'''''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.


=== Weapons ===
==Appearances==
===Original ''Halo 3''===
''For subjects that appear in the terminals, see [[Terminal (Halo 3)#Appearances|here]].''
{{Featurelist|secondcolumn=title-5
|title-1=Characters|
'''[[Human]]'''
*[[John-117]]
*[[Avery Johnson]]
*[[Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Terrence Hood]]
*[[Hocus]] {{1st}}
*[[Reynolds]] {{1st}}
*[[Marcus Stacker]]
*[[Chips Dubbo]]


These are the weapons known to be in the game:
'''[[Sangheili]]'''
*[[Thel 'Vadam]]
*[[Rtas 'Vadum]]
*[[N'tho 'Sraom]] {{1st}}
*[[Usze 'Taham]] {{1st}}


==== [[Covenant]] ====
'''[[San'Shyuum]]'''
*[[Prophet of Truth]]


*[[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|Plasma Grenade]] (Grenade)
'''[[Jiralhanae]]'''
*[[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]]
*[[Cethegus]] {{1st}}
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] (Dual Wieldable)
*[[Tartarus]] {{Mo}}
*[[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifle]] (Dual Wieldable)
*[[Type-26 ASG|Shade]] (Stationary)
*[[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|Fuel Rod Cannon]]
*[[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|Needler]]
*[[Type-50 Sniper Rifle System|Particle Beam Rifle]]
*[[Type-51 Carbine|Covenant Carbine]]
*[[Type-52 Automatic Plasma Cannon|Plasma Cannon]] (Support)


==== [[Covenant Loyalists]] ====
'''[[Unggoy]]'''
*[[Type-25 Carbine|Spiker]](Dual Wieldable)
*[[Flipyap]] {{Fm}}
*[[Type-25 Grenade Launcher|Brute Shot]]
*[[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]]
*[[Type-2 Antipersonnel Fragmentation Grenade|Spike Grenade]]
*[[Type-52 Pistol|Mauler]](Dual Wieldable)
*[[Firebomb]]


==== [[Forerunner]] ====
'''[[Flood]]'''
*[[Gravemind]]


*[[Sentinel Beam]]
'''[[Artificial intelligence]]'''
*[[Cortana]]
*[[343 Guilty Spark]]


==== [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] ====
|title-2=Species and entities|
*[[Human]]
**[[UNSC Marines]]
*[[Sangheili]]
**[[Special Operations Sangheili|SpecOps]]
**[[Sangheili Major|Major]]
**[[Sangheili Minor|Minor]]
*[[Jiralhanae]]
**[[Jiralhanae War Chieftain|War Chieftain]]
**[[Jiralhanae Chieftain|Chieftain]]
**[[Jiralhanae Captain Ultra|Captain Ultra]] {{1st}}
**[[Jiralhanae Captain Major|Captain Major]] {{1st}}
**[[Jiralhanae Captain|Captain]]
**[[Jiralhanae Bodyguard|Bodyguard]] {{1st}}
**[[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumper]]
**[[Jiralhanae Stalker|Stalker]] {{1st}}
**[[Jiralhanae Ultra|Ultra]] {{1st}}
**[[Jiralhanae Major|Major]]
**[[Jiralhanae Minor|Minor]]
*[[Unggoy]]
**[[Special Operations Unggoy|SpecOps]]
**[[Unggoy Heavy|Heavy]]
**[[Unggoy Major|Major]]
**[[Unggoy Minor|Minor]]
*[[Kig-Yar]] (''Ruuhtian'')
**[[Kig-Yar Major|Major]]
**[[Kig-Yar Sniper|Sniper]]
**[[Kig-Yar Minor|Minor]]
*[[Lekgolo]]
**[[Mgalekgolo]]
*[[Yanme'e]]
**[[Yanme'e Minor|Minor]]
*[[Flood]]
**[[Pod infector]]
**[[Flood combat form]]
**[[Flood carrier form]]
**[[Flood pure form]] {{1st}}
***[[Flood stalker form]] {{1st}}
***[[Flood ranged form]] {{1st}}
***[[Flood tank form]] {{1st}}
*[[Artificial intelligence]]
**[[Smart AI]]
***[[Avatar]]
**[[Sentinel]]
***[[Aggressor Sentinel]]
***[[Constructor]]
***[[Guardian Sentinel]] {{1st}} {{C|Hologram only}}
**[[Monitor]]
*[[Fish]]


*[[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] (Support)
|title-3=Organizations|
*[[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle]]
*[[Ecumene]]
*[[LAU-65D/SGM-151|LAU-65D/SGM-151 Missile Pod]] (Support)
**[[Forerunner Fleet Command]] {{Fm}}
*[[MA5C Individual Combat Weapon System]]
*[[UEG]]
*[[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System]] (Dual Wieldable)
**[[UNSC]]
*[[M7/Caseless Submachine Gun|M7/Caseless Sub-Machine Gun]] (Dual Wieldable)
***[[UNSC High Command]]
*[[M9 HE-DP Grenade|M9 HE-DP Fragmentation Grenade]]
****[[UNSC Communications Commission]] {{Fm}}
*[[M41 SSR MAV/AW|M41 SSR MAV/AW Rocket Launcher]]
***[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
*[[M90 Close Assault Weapon System|M90A Close Assault Weapon System]]
****[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s
*[[M7057/Defoliant Projector]] (Support)
***[[UNSC Navy]]
*[[SRS99D-S2 AM Sniper Rifle]]
****[[Seventh Fleet]] {{1st}}
*[[W/AV M6 G/GNR|W/AV M6 G/GNR Spartan Laser]]
*****[[Battle Group Victory]] {{1st}}
****[[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare]]
*****[[SPARTAN-II program]]
***[[Office of Naval Intelligence]]
****[[ONI Recon 111]] {{1st}}
**[[Voi Greater Outlands Police Bureau]] {{Fm}}
**[[Western African Committee on Missing Persons]] {{Fm}}
*[[Covenant separatists]]
**[[Fleet of Retribution]] {{1st}}
*[[Covenant]]
**[[Covenant military]]
**[[Covenant fleet]]
**[[Vheiloth]]
*[[Flood]]


=== Vehicles ===
|title-4=Locations|
*[[Epoloch system]] {{1st}}
**[[Requiem]] {{1st}}
*[[Installation 00]] {{1st}}
**[[Cartographer]]
**[[Foundry (location)|Foundry]] {{1st}}
**[[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] {{1st}}
*[[Installation 08]] {{1st}}
**[[Control Room (Installation 04)|Control Room]]
**[[Phase pulse generator]]
*[[High Charity]]
**[[Sanctum of the Hierarchs]]
**[[Mausoleum of the Arbiter]]
*[[Sol system]]
**[[Earth]]
***[[East African Protectorate]]
****[[Kenya]]
*****[[Crow's Nest (location)|Crow's Nest]] {{1st}}
*****[[New Mombasa]] {{Mo}}
******[[Mombasa Tether]] {{c|Wreckage}}
*****[[Outpost C9]] {{1st}}
*****[[Voi]] {{1st}}
******[[Traxus Factory Complex 09]] {{1st}}
******[[Traxus Factory Complex 71]] {{1st}}
*****[[Voi Municipal Water Pump House 03]] {{1st}}
*****[[Tsavo]] {{1st}}
******[[Tsavo highway (location)|Tsavo Highway]] {{1st}}
*******[[Checkpoint 8]] {{Fm}}
****[[Tanzania]]
*****[[A2 Hydroelectric Facility]] {{1st}}
*****[[Arusha]] {{Fm}}
*****[[Mount Kilimanjaro]] {{1st}}
*****[[Zanzibar Island]]
******[[Wind Power Station 7]]
***[[Sector 331]] {{Fm}}


==== Covenant ====
|title-5=Events|
[[Image:Starry Night by the Ark.PNG|200px|thumb|right|A Covenant Carrier Battle Group]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft|Banshee]]
**[[Battle of Installation 05]] {{Mo}}
*[[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]]  
**[[Battle for Earth]]
*[[Type-25 Wraith|Wraith]]
**[[Battle of Installation 00]] {{1st}}
*[[Type-52 Anti-Aircraft Artillery|Anti-Air Wraith]] Usable through a [[How to Pilot an AA Wraith|glitch]].
***[[Battle of the Citadel]]
*[[Great Schism]]
*[[Raid on High Charity]] {{1st}}
*[[Raid on Installation 08]] {{1st}}
*[[Voi Memorial]] {{1st}}


==== [[Brute Sandbox]] ====
|title-6=Weapons|
====UNSC====
;Usable
*[[7 wood]] {{1st}}
*[[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] {{1st}}
*[[Class-2 Guided Munition Launch System]] {{1st}}
*[[BR55HB battle rifle]]
*[[LAU-65D/SGM-151 missile pod]] {{1st}}
*[[M247T machine gun]]
*[[M41 rocket launcher]]
*[[M41 Vulcan]]
*[[M512 smooth-bore high-velocity cannon]]
*[[M6 Spartan Laser]]
*[[M68 Gauss cannon]]
*[[M6C/SOCOM]] {{MCCo}}
*[[M6G magnum]]
*[[M7 SMG]]
*[[M7057 flamethrower]]
*[[M7S SMG]] {{MCCo}}
*[[M9 fragmentation grenade]]
*[[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}}


*[[Type-25 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Brute Chopper]]
;Unusable
*[[Type-52 Infantry Support Vehicle|Brute Prowler]]
*[[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]]
*[[M370 autocannon]]
*[[Machine-linked autocannon#M9109 ASW/AC 50mm|M9109 ASW/AC 50mm]]
*[[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]
*[[Point-defense gun]]
**[[M870 Rampart point defense gun]]
*[[Surface-to-air missile launcher]] {{1st}}
*[[Improvised UNSC bomb]] {{1st}} {{C|Story-specific use only}}


===== Non-Usable =====
====Covenant====
;Usable
*[[Class-2 directed energy cannon]]
*[[Fuel rod cannon]]
*[[Class-1 directed energy cannon#Light plasma cannon (Prowler)|Light plasma cannon]]
*[[Energy sword]]
**[[Type-1 energy sword]]
*[[Plasma grenade]]
**{{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}}
*[[Gravity hammer (fiction)|Gravity hammer]]
**[[Akelus Workshop gravity hammer]]
*[[Jovokada Workshop spike grenade]]
*[[Orgudam Workshop firebomb]] {{1st}}
*[[Spike cannon]]
*[[Spiker]]
**[[Paegaas Workshop Spiker]]
*[[Plasma pistol]]
**{{Pattern|Eos'Mak|plasma pistol}}
*[[Plasma rifle]]
**{{Pattern|Okarda'phaa|plasma rifle}}
*[[Brute shot]]
**[[Jovokada Workshop Brute Shot]]
*[[Plasma mortar#Type-26 35cm Directed-Energy Mortar|Type-26 Directed-Energy Mortar]]
*[[Shade]]
**{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}}
*[[Needler]]
**[[Type-33 needler]]
*[[Fuel rod gun]]
**{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}
*[[Beam rifle]]
**{{Pattern|Sulok|beam rifle}}
*[[Carbine]]
**{{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}
*[[Ukala Workshop Mauler]] {{1st}}
*[[Plasma cannon]]
**{{Pattern|Pek|plasma cannon}}


*[[Type-52 Troop Carrier|Phantom]]
;Unusable
*[[Assault Carrier]]
*{{Pattern|Shuku|sentry turret}} {{1st}}
*[[CCS-class Battlecruiser]]
*[[Energy projector]]
*[[Covenant Seraph-class starfighter|Seraph Fighter-Interceptor]]
*[[Focus cannon]]
*[[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarab]]
*[[Heavy plasma cannon]]
*[[Plasma cannon (starship)|Plasma cannon]]
*[[Pulse laser turret]]
*{{Pattern|Skar'wa|Mantis}} {{1st}}


==== UNSC ====
====Forerunner====
 
;Usable
*[[Behemoth-class Troop Transport|Elephant]]
*[[Sentinel Beam]]
*[[AV-14 Hornet|AV-14 Hornet]]
*[[Warthog#M12 Warthog LRV|M12 Warthog LRV]]
*[[M12G1 Warthog LAAV|M12G1 Warthog LAAV]]
*[[M274 Mongoose ULATV|M274 Mongoose ULATV]]
*[[M808B Scorpion MBT|M808B Scorpion MBT]]
*[[M831 TT Warthog|M831 TT Warthog]]
===== Non-Usable =====
 
*{{UNSCShip|Adriatic}}
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican|D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship]]
*[[Albatross|Albatross Heavy Dropship]]
*[[C709 Longsword-class Starfighter|C709 Longsword Fighter-Interceptor]]
*{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} (FFG-201)
*{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} (FFG-307)
*[[Military Cargo Trucks]]
 
== Characters ==
[[Image:HailToTheChief.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Screenshot of The [[Master Chief]]]][[Image:Master Chief & The Arbiter.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The Master Chief and the Arbiter]]
=== Major Characters ===


|title-7=Vehicles|
==== UNSC ====
==== UNSC ====
;Usable
*[[AV-14 Hornet]]
*[[M12 Warthog]]
**[[M12 Chaingun Warthog]]
**[[M12G1 Gauss Warthog]]
**[[M831 Troop Transport]]
**[[M12 Warthog#Other models|M864 Arctic]] {{1st}}
*[[M274 Mongoose]]
*[[M313 Elephant]] {{1st}}
**E-2073 46833-S {{1st}}
*[[M808C Scorpion]]


*[[John-117|Master Chief SPARTAN John-117]]
;Unusable
*[[Cortana]]
*[[Albatross]]
*[[Avery J. Johnson|Sergeant Major A.J. Johnson]]
*[[Cart]] {{1st}}
*[[Miranda Keyes|Commander Miranda Keyes]]
*[[Crassus-class supercarrier]] {{1st}}
*[[Lord Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Sir Terrence Hood]]
*[[D77H-TCI Pelican]]
*[[Drop pod]]
**[[M8823 drop pod]]
*[[F-99 Wombat]] {{1st}}
*[[GA-TL1 Longsword]]
*[[S-2 Traxus Cargo Transporter]] {{1st}}
*[[Tractor unit]]
*[[UNSC frigate]]
**{{Class|Charon|light frigate}} {{1st}}
***{{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} {{1st}}
***{{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} {{1st}}


==== Covenant Separatists ====
==== Covenant ====
;Usable
*[[Chopper]]
**[[Barukaza Workshop Chopper]] {{1st}}
*[[Banshee]]
**{{Pattern|Irdnekt|Banshee}} {{1st}}
*[[Ghost]]
**{{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}}
*[[Wraith]]
**{{Pattern|Zurdo|Wraith}}
*[[Qavardu Workshop Prowler]] {{1st}}


*[[Arbiter (character)|The Arbiter]]
;Unusable
*[[Rtas 'Vadum|Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum]]
*{{Pattern|Kerel|assault carrier}}
**''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' {{1st}}
*{{Pattern|Ket|battlecruiser}}
**''[[Indulgence of Conviction]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Drop pod]]
**{{Pattern|Udka|Assault Carapace}}
*[[High Charity]]
*[[Seraph]]
**{{Pattern|Kai|seraph}}
*[[Scarab]]
**{{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}}
*[[Wraith]]
**{{Pattern|Ogab'd|anti-aircraft Wraith}} {{1st}}
*[[Phantom]]
**{{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}}


==== Covenant Loyalists ====
====Forerunner====
;Unusable
*[[Keyship]]
**[[Forerunner Dreadnought]]


*[[Prophet of Truth]]
|title-8=Technology and equipment|
;[[Equipment]]
*[[Bubble Shield]]
*[[Power drain|Power Drain]] {{1st}}
*[[TR/9 Antipersonnel Mine|Trip Mine]] {{1st}}
*[[Portable gravity lift|Portable Gravity Lift]] {{1st}}
*[[Radar jammer|Radar Jammer]] {{1st}}
*[[Flare]] {{1st}}
*[[Regenerator]] {{1st}}
*[[Deployable Cover]] {{1st}}
*[[Invincibility]] {{1st}}
*[[Forerunner automated turret|Automated Turret]] {{1st}}
*[[Cloaking]] {{1st}}


==== Flood ====
;[[Power-up]]s
 
*[[Active Camouflage]]
*[[Gravemind]]
*[[Custom Powerup]] {{1st}}
*[[Overshield]]


==== Forerunner ====
;Armor
*[[343 Guilty Spark]]
*[[Jiralhanae power armor]] {{1st}}
[[Image:Brutecaptain.jpg|100px|thumb||right|A render of a [[Brute]] Captain]]
*[[Kig-Yar combat harness]]
*[[Kig-Yar targeting headgear]]
*[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]]
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]] {{c|upgraded helmet only}}
**[[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI|Mark VI]]
***[[ROGUE-class Mjolnir|Rogue]] {{1st}}
***[[CQB-class Mjolnir|CQB]] {{1st}}
***[[EOD-class Mjolnir|EOD]] {{1st}}
***[[SECURITY-class Mjolnir|Security]] {{1st}}
***[[RECON-class Mjolnir|Recon]] {{1st}}
***[[SCOUT-class Mjolnir|Scout]] {{1st}}
***[[EVA-class Mjolnir|EVA]]
***[[Project HAYABUSA]] {{1st}}
*[[ODST armor]]
*[[Sangheili harness]]
**[[Arbiter body armor]]
**[[Ascetic harness]] {{1st}}
**[[Assault harness]] {{1st}}
**[[Commando harness]] {{1st}}
**[[Flight harness]] {{1st}}
**[[Ultra-class armor]]
**[[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]]
*[[Unggoy combat harness]]


==== Co-Op Characters ====
;Other
*[[N’tho ‘Sraom]]
*[[Covenant communication node]] {{1st}}
*[[Usze ‘Taham]]  
*[[Covenant storage device|Covenant data storage unit]]
*[[Plasma battery|Covenant plasma battery]]
*[[Roadblock|Covenant roadblock]]
*[[Data crystal chip]]
*[[Covenant watchtower]]
*[[Distress beacon]] {{1st}}
*[[Energy shielding]]
**[[Sangheili personal energy shield]]
*[[Fusion drive]]
*[[Holotank]]
**[[Portable holo-pedestal]]
*[[Identification friend or foe]]
*[[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]]
*[[Medical scanner]] {{1st}}
*[[Methane tank]]
*[[Portable computer]]
*[[Repulsor engine]]
*[[Shield door]]
*[[Fusion coil|UNSC fusion core]]
*[[UNSC Navy uniforms]]
**[[UNSC Navy Service Uniform]]
**[[UNSC Navy working uniform]]
*[[Z-9930 Information Vector Console]] {{1st}}


=== Minor Characters ===
|title-9=Miscellaneous|
 
*[[49-6-39]] {{Fm}}
==== UNSC ====
*[[Equipment Control Key Code]] {{Fm}}
 
*[[Remote Network Control]] {{Fm}}
*[[Pete Stacker|Gunnery Sergeant Pete Stacker]]
*[[Sangheili (language)]]
*[[UNSC Marine Corps|UNSC Marine Infantryman]]
*[[Standard Issue Personel - Mobile Field Bunk]] {{1st}}
*[[Reynolds|Gunnery Sergeant Reynolds]]
*[[UNSC site operation security initiatives]] {{Fm}}
*[[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|UNSC Marine Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]]
}}
*[[Office of Naval Intelligence|Office of Naval Intelligence Personnel]]
*[[UNSC Citizens]]  
 
==== Covenant Separatists ====
 
*[[Elites (Sangheili)]]


==== Covenant Loyalists ====
===''Halo: The Master Chief Collection only''===
{{Main|Halo: The Master Chief Collection}}
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]]''.
{{/Appearances/MCC}}


*[[Prophets (San 'Shyuum)]]
== Development ==
*[[Brutes (Jiralhanae)]]
=== Design ===
*[[Jackals (Kig-yar)]]
{{Expand-section}}
*[[Drones (Yanme'e)]]
*[[Grunts (Unggoy)]]
*[[Hunters (Lekgolo)]]


==== Flood ====
=== Engine ===
{{Main|Halo 3 Engine}}
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>


*[[Infection Form]]
=== Audio ===
*[[Combat Form]]
''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>
*[[Carrier Form]]
{{Expand-section}}
*[[Pure Form]]
*[[‎Ranged Form]]
*[[Stalker Form]]
*[[Tank Form]]


== Halo 3 [[Multiplayer]] ==
== Matchmaking ==
{{Main|Matchmaking}}
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.


=== Xbox Live ===
=== Playlists ===
{{Main|Playlist}}
Playlists are lists of different game variations from free-for-all to team games. They are split into Ranked, Social, Hardcore, Community, DLC, Tournaments and Double EXP Weekends.


If you have the vision camera you will be able to video chat with your friends, and there are now two ranking systems, one of which is based on actual military ranks instead of numbers. This number is your total amount of games and your rank increases the more you play any matchmaking gametype (including unranked). The ranked gametypes are apparently still ranked by numbers.
=== 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.  


=== Maps ===
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.
[[Image:H3 map.jpg|right|thumb|A concept model of High Ground.]]
*[[Construct (Level)|Construct]]
*[[Cottonball (Level)|Cottonball]] - Working Title
*[[Epitaph (Level)|Epitaph]]
*[[Foundry (Level)|Foundry]]
*[[Guardian (Level)|Guardian]]
*[[High Ground (Level)|High Ground]]
*[[Isolation (Level)|Isolation]]
*[[Last Resort (Level)|Last Resort]]
*[[Moonbase Alpha|Moonbase Alpha]] - Working Title
*[[Moonlight Sonata (level)|Moonlight Sonata]] - Working Title
*[[Narrows (Level)|Narrows]]
*[[O.K._Corral|O.K. Corral]] - Working Title (first thought to be Standoff's working title)
*[[Purple Reign (Level)|Purple Reign]] - Working Title
*[[Rat's Nest (Level)|Rat's Nest]]
*[[Sandtrap (Level)|Sandtrap]]
*[[Snowbound (Level)|Snowbound]]
*[[Standoff (Level)|Standoff]]
*[[The Pit (Level)|The Pit]]
*[[Valhalla (Level)|Valhalla]]
*[[Warthog, Inc. (Level)|Warthog, Inc.]]- Deleted or Renamed


==== Heroic Map Pack ====
=== Ranks ===
{{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).


On Monday, November 19 Microsoft announced that the first Map Pack for Halo3 would be released on December 11 for 800 ($10.00) Microsoft Points. The maps included in this Heroic Map Pack are:
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.


*The symmetrical valley of '''[[Standoff]]''', with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types.
== Modes ==
*The vast, labyrinth passages of the '''[[John Carpenter's Prince of Dorkness (Level)|Rat's Nest]]''' bring something completely new to the multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise. Strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, this map is ideal for big team battles.
=== Custom games ===
*'''[[Foundry (level)|Foundry]]''' is the ultimate Forge map. Players can edit nearly every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, placing stairways, walls, bridges, and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map imaginable.
{{Main|Custom game}}
*The maps will be free as of March 11, 2008.
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.


=== Gametypes ===
==== Standard gametypes ====
<!--In-game description-->
*[[Slayer]] - Kill your enemies. Kill your friends' enemies. Kill your friends.
*[[Oddball]] - Hold the skull to earn points. It's like Hamlet, with guns.
*[[King of the Hill]] - Control the hill to earn points. Earn points to win. It's good to be king.
*[[Capture the Flag]] - Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize their flag, and return it to your base to score.
*[[Assault]] - Carry your bomb to the enemy base, plant it, and defend it until it detonates.
*[[Territories]] - Defend your territory and control the land. Teams earn points for territories they control.
*[[Juggernaut]] - If you meet the Juggernaut, kill the Juggernaut.
*[[Infection]] - The timeless struggle of human versus zombie. If you die by a zombie's hand, you join their ranks.
*[[VIP]] - One player on each team is Very Important. Take down the enemy's VIP for points, but take care of your own.


*[[Assault]]
==== Custom gametypes ====
*[[Capture the flag]]
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.
*[[King of the Hill]]
*[[Oddball]]
*[[Juggernaut]]
*[[Slayer]]
*[[Territories]]
*[[VIP]]
*[[Infection]]
 
Players can also set up custom games. [http://www.subnova.com/20070518.221403/ Custom game settings] from the Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta give us an idea of what can be defined in custom gametypes.
 
=== Custom options ===
 
In Halo 3, there are a number of options that can be changed.


Options that can be changed:
*Damage resistance
*Damage resistance
*Shield multiplier
*Shield multiplier
*Shield recharge rate
*Shield recharge rate
*Immune to headshots
*Immune to headshots
*Grenade counts (grenade regeneration, on or off)
*Grenade counts (Grenade Regeneration, on or off)
*Infinite ammo
*Infinite ammo
*Weapon pickup disabled
*Weapon pickup (Enabled, Disabled)
*Player speed
*Player speed
**(25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 125%, 150%, 200%, 300%)
**(25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 125%, 150%, 200%, 300%)
*Player gravity
*Player gravity
**(50%, 75%, 100%, 200%)
**(50%, 75%, 100%, 200%)
*Vehicle use (passenger only)
*Vehicle use (Full Use, Passenger only, None)
*Motion tracker range
*Motion tracker (off, friendlies only, normal, enhanced)
**(10m, 25m, 75m, 100m, 150m)
**Range (10m, 25m, 75m, 100m, 150m)
*Indestructible vehicles (on, off)
*Indestructible vehicles (On, off)
*Player forced Colors (Like Black or Zombie)
**Meaning all players in game will be forced to the color of your choice.
*Over shields and active camouflage can be given to a certain team/player or everyone on spawn or re-spawn.


=== Player Customization ===
=== Forge ===
 
{{Main|Forge}}
{{Main|Armor Permutations}}
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 (Windows Vista)|''Halo 2'' for Windows 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.


Originally discovered in the Halo 3 Beta code by hackers, high levels of player customization have now been confirmed by GamePro's June issue.
=== Theater ===
:''"Halo 3's online mode offers new armor permutations that allow players to customize their persona's from head to toe."'' it has also been confirmed that  you can unlock armor permutations via campaign and online.
{{Main|Theater}}
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.


:''IGN AU: "How do they actually find it? Is it linked to multiplayer or single player?"
==== Films ====
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.


:''Lars Bakken: "It's linked to the entire game, and the way it's unlocked is through milestones that you hit, with achievements. It's linked to a point total basically, in your achievements."
==== Clips ====
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.


:''IGN AU: "Through single player and multiplayer."
==== Screenshots ====
 
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]].
:''Lars Bakken: "Yep, for both, it's combined."''
 
{{MJOLNIR Variations}}
 
{{Elite Variations}}
 
==== Variants ====
 
===== Spartan =====
 
*[[MJOLNIR Armor|MJOLNIR Mark VI Armor]] - Mark VI (Same armor from [[Halo 2]] and Halo 3)
*[[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/V variant|EVA Armor]] - Extra Vehicular Activity armor (Mark VI/V Variant)
*[[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/C variant|CQB Armor]] - Close Quarters Battle armor (Mark VI/C Variant)
*[[Mark V MJOLNIR (Armor permutation)|MJOLNIR Mark V Armor]] - Mark V (Same helmet from [[Halo: Combat Evolved]])
*[[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/EOD variant|EOD Armor]] - Explosive Ordnance Disposal armor (Mark VI/EOD Variant)
*[[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon Armor]] - Mark VI/R Variant armor (for use by Bungie)
*[[ODST Armor]] - Orbital Drop Shock Trooper armor (Helmet only)
*[[Mark VI MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/S variant|Scout Armor]] - Mark VI/S Variant armor
*[[Mark V(m) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Security Armor]] - Mark V(m) armor
*[[Hayabusa Powered Assault Armor|Hayabusa Armor]] - Project: HAYABUSA armor
*[[Mark VI(A) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Rogue Armor]] - Mark VI(A) armor
 
===== Elite =====
 
*[[Elite Combat Armor]] - Standard Elite armor.
*[[Elite Assault Armor]] - Similar to Ranger Elite armor. Worn by [[Usze 'Taham]].
*[[Elite Flight Armor]] - The Elite Flight armor. Worn by pilots.
*[[Elite Commando Armor]] - Similar to [[Elite Assault Armor]], but more smoothed. Worn by special commando forces.
*[[Elite Ascetic Armor]] - Similar to [[Elite Assault Armor]], but with fan like protrusions. Worn by the Ascetics.
 
 
To unlock these armor types certain achievements and single player actions must first be taken. A lot of them come naturally from completing the campaign on various difficulties. If you have your eye on a particular one, a guide can be found [http://www.haloeastereggs.net/story.php?id=142 here]. Note: This guide does have errors.
 
=== Bungie Pro ===
 
Bungie Pro is a online storage to store your Forge, and Screenshots and films online. Xbox Live Gold people get more storage space.
 
=== File Share ===
 
File Share is only avalible to Xbox Live Gold.


== Soundtrack ==
== 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.


The [[Halo 3: Original Soundtrack]] album was released on November 20, 2007. It is a two-disc set featuring all the music heard in-game, in order of appearance. As the [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]] the music is in more of a medley format. However, similar to the [[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]], tracks are divided into 'suites' corresponding to each level in the game.
== Marketing promotions ==
=== Viral Campaigns ===
==== Beta and Epsilon ====
{{Main|Halo 3 Beta|Halo 3 Epsilon}}
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.


A number of bonus tracks and a third-party song will be contained on the second disc of the album, 'LvUrFR3NZ' by Princeton.
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.


Previews of the Soundtrack can be heard on the official site<ref>http://www.halo3ost.com/</ref>.
==== Iris ====
{{Main|Iris}}
On June 11, 2007, at 10:26AM PDT, the viral marketing campaign for ''Halo 3'' started, with a believed "hacking" of Bungie.net's forums throughout the next several months fans followed the various clues and hints to unlock "servers" which would reveal the final moments of the Forerunners. [[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life|Cradle of Life]]: The Cradle of Life is a short flash animation web comic, and is one of the first parts of the Iris campaign.


== Marketing Promotions ==
==== Believe ====
 
{{Main|Believe}}
=== Viral Marketing ===
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.
{{Main|Iris}}
On June 11th, 2007, at 10:26AM PDT, a viral marketing campaign for ''Halo 3'' started, called "''[[Iris]]''".


=== Trailers ===
=== Trailers ===
 
==== Announcement trailer ====
==== Announcement Trailer ====
{{Main|Halo 3 Announcement Trailer}}
{{Main|Halo 3 Announcement Trailer}}
At E3 2006, [[Bungie]] released their announcement trailer.  It required long hours and hard work from many, many Bungie staffers, and utilizes real-game assets, fiction and locations from parts of the "real" game."  It shows [[John-117]] walking through some wreckage of the [[New Mombasa]] space elevator with [[Cortana]] appearing at several intervals to give her lines. He then arrives at a cliff where the [[Covenant]] forces are hovering over a [[Forerunner]] structure (believed to be the Ark).  The trailer ends with the Forerunner structure opening and firing a beam of light.
''Halo 3'' was officially announced via a cinematic trailer rendered in real-time, on May 9, 2006 during the Microsoft press conference. The reveal utilized real-game assets, fiction and locations. The trailer shows John-117 walking through wreckage of the [[New Mombasa]] space elevator with Cortana appearing at several intervals. He then stops at the edge of a cliff where the Covenant forces are hovering over a [[Forerunner]] [[Portal at Voi|structure]].  The trailer ends with the structure opening and firing a beam of light.


The Trailer fueled speculation about what was going to happen in the game, particularly [[Cortana]]'s last line in the trailer: "''This'' is the way the world ends,"<ref>''Please have Cortana's lines pronounced so that I don't see 36 threads about it.''<BR><BR>"I have defied gods and demons." <BR><BR>"I am your shield, I am your SWORD."<BR><BR>"I know you, your past, your future."<BR><BR>"This is the way the world ends."<BR><BR>[[Frankie]] --[http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=weeklyupdatemay1206 Weekly Update May 12, 2006]</ref> which references the first of the [[Cortana Letters]]. The line itself refers to [[wikipedia:T._S._Eliot|T. S. Eliot]]'s ''The Hollow Men'', which ends:
==== Starry Night ====
{{Main|Starry Night}}
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.


:''This is the way the world ends''
==== ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute? ====
:''Not with a bang but a whimper.''
{{Main|Halo 3 ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute?}}
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''.


Cortana's emphasis on "this" implies she is rejecting the poem, and that the world will end with a bang. Likely referring to the Halo's being activated.
==== ViDoc: Is Quisnam Protero Damno! ====
{{Main|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.


==== Starry Night Trailer ====
==== ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso ====
{{Main|Starry Night}}
{{Main|Halo 3 ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso}}
Starry Night Trailer was released on December 4, 2006 with its format designed for TV Ads.  It shows two kids staring at the stars talking about whether there are aliens before switching to a dazed [[Master Chief]] recovering from some form of blast.  Once he gets back on his feet, he uses a [[Bubble Shield]] to defend himself from an incoming [[Wraith]] plasma mortar and then charges forward, eventually jumping over a cliff into a swarm of [[Covenant Loyalists]].
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 ====
==== E3 2007 Trailer ====
{{Main|Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer}}
{{Main|Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer}}
The final trailer for Halo 3 was released during E3 2007.  Unlike the others, this trailer focused on showing various gameplay and movie clips. While the trailer did little to further knowledge about the Halo 3, it confirmed many speculations about the game, the least of which was that the [[Arbiter]] and the [[Master Chief]] will fight alongside one another in the game at some point.
Revealed at the end of Microsoft's E3 press conference on July 11 this trailer was the final trailer to show off the actual game itself and unlike the previous trailers, the ''Halo 3'' E3 2007 trailer focused on showing various gameplay and cinematic clips. While the trailer did little to further knowledge about the ''Halo 3'' plot, it confirmed many speculations about the game, the least of which was that the Arbiter and the [[John-117|Master Chief]] will fight alongside one another in the game.
 
==== Halo: Landfall ====
{{Main|Halo: Landfall}}
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.
=== Merchandise and Promotions ===
{{Halo 3 editions}}
''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.


==== Believe ====
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>
{{Main|Believe}}


''A hero must rise. Believe...''
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>


Believe is a Microsoft marketing campaign for Halo 3.
== Release and reception ==
{{Halo 3 reviews}}
''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/Reuse|pittsburgh}}


It features the word "Believe" as a tagline, and appears to be honoring the legacy of SPARTAN-117, citing him as a hero of the United Nations Space Command Defense Force whose brave actions inspired other servicemen during the Human-Covenant War. It has also been cited that it has been linked to the popular messageboard Neogaf.
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.


==== Arms Race ====
''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:
{{Main|Halo: Arms Race}}
Arms Race is a trilogy of short films designed to promote Halo 3 as well as test the potential for a live-action [[Halo Movie]].


=== Products and Collectables ===
*'''''Spike TV Awards''''': Best Multiplayer Game, Most Addictive Video Game Fueled by Dew.
[[Image:Halo3-360.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Halo 3 [[Xbox 360]].]]
*'''''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>
*Halo 3: [[Collector's Edition]].
*'''''Geezer Gamers''''': Geezer Game of the Year, Multiplayer Game of the Year.  
*Halo 3: [[Legendary Edition]].
*'''''Gametrailers''''': 2007's Best Xbox 360 Game of the Year, Best Multiplayer of the Year, Best First Person Shooter
*[[Halo 3 Spartan Edition Controller]].
*'''''X-Play Presents "G-Phoria"''''': Game of the Year.  
*[[Halo 3 Covenant Edition Controller]].
*'''''EDGE''''': The Edge Award For Interactive Innovation.
*[[Mountain Dew Game Fuel]] is a new version of Mountain Dew soda which was released on August 13th, 2007 and will be available for 12 weeks.
*'''''IGN''''': Xbox 360 Best Online Multiplayer, Xbox 360 Most Innovative Design.
*Bungie has worked with Jasman Toys and they will be showcasing the new [[Halo Laser Tag Replica Guns]].
*Tod McFarlane's line of [[Action Figures#Halo 3 (Available Spring 2008)|Halo 3 Action Figures]].
*There is a Halo 3 edition of the Xbox 360. It was released on September 16th, and will have other things in the box like a wired Halo 3 headset.
*The [[Halo 3 Zune]] is a Zune in a Halo Trilogy-theme. It features Halo content in many media formats. Included in the Zune, are trailers, music, and artwork, from the critically acclaimed Halo series.
*[[Halo 3 scale replica weapons]]. These are just ornaments and are not toys.
*[[Burger King]] announced a Halo 3 Promotion from a Microsoft press release on August 9th, 2007 including limited edition FRYPODS and 42 oz drink cups.


=== Trivia ===
== ''Halo 3: ODST'' ==
[[Image:Pumaontire.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Puma on Tire]]
{{Main|Halo 3: ODST}}
*In one screenshot, the word "Puma" can be seen on the tires of the [[Warthog]], this is possible homage to the popular online [[Machinima]] series [[Red vs Blue]], which uses the Halo game engine. "Puma" came from Episode 2, where Red Team was discussing what to name their new LRV (a warthog), and "puma" came up as a suggestion.
''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.
*In screenshots in the campaign mode and the Halo Trailer, there is [[Master Chief]] armed with the new [[MA5C Assault Rifle]], and in the middle of the gun, there is the [[Marathon]] symbol, [[:Image:Marathon on AR.JPG|Click here for Image]].
*For Christmas 2006, Microsoft & Bungie gave the U.S. soldiers in Iraq a chance to play the Halo 3 multiplayer public pre-alpha. <ref>[http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12501/US-Soldiers-Get-to-Play-Halo-3-Beta-Footage-Leaked/]</ref>
*On Cops & Robbers commercial for the 360 at the XBL Marketplace one of the license plates says HA LO307 aka Halo 3 07.
*From Bungie.net weekly update (9/14/2007). Car Number 40 driven by David Stremme has been decked out for Halo 3. He is, allegedly, a big Halo fan.
*Hollywood Arts announced an auction for a voice cameo in Halo 3 on February 6, 2007. The auction was held from February 17, 2007 to February 24, 2007.<ref>http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/761/761866p1.html</ref> The auction was won by the members of [[Rooster Teeth|Rooster Teeth Productions]], the makers of [[Red vs Blue]]. <ref>[[Bungie podcast]] Episode III</ref>.
*The above cameo can be found in the second level, Crows Nest, where you can find a man beating on a door and demanding to get in. The conversation changes depending on your difficulty level; [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlGr_vdxKlc here] is a “Youtube” video showing all the conversations.
<p>
*The game has 39,377 lines of dialogue, most of them randomly triggered during gameplay.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20971 Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source] - HBO, November 12, 2007</ref>
*In several of Cortana's messages to the Chief she quotes [[Dr. Halsey]]'s lines from [[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]. This is logical considering Cortana was created with a flash clone of Dr. Halsey's brain.


*The chances of two people having the same service on Xbox Live is 2574 to 1. You would need 2575 people for at least two of them to have the same service tag.
== Trivia ==
*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://halo.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.
*For Christmas 2006, Microsoft and [[Bungie]] gave U.S. Troops in Iraq a chance to play the ''Halo 3'' multiplayer alpha build of the game.<ref>[http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12501/US-Soldiers-Get-to-Play-Halo-3-Beta-Footage-Leaked/ '''Team Xbox''': ''U.S. Soldiers Get to Play Halo 3 Beta, Footage Leaked'']</ref>
*On the Cops & Robbers commercial for the Xbox 360 at the Xbox Live Marketplace, one of the license plates says HA LO307, or ''Halo 3'' 07.
*The game has 39,377 lines of dialogue, most of them randomly triggered during game play.<ref>[http://nikon.bungie.org/news.html?item=20971 '''Halo.Bungie.org''': ''Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source'']</ref>
*The original ''Halo 3'' before the Auto-Update 2 patch contained 49 [[Achievement]]s, which is a seven reference [[Seven|7]]x7=49, and these together are worth 1000 [[Gamerscore]].
*To date, the Campaign kill count online has surpassed the current Human population on [[Earth]].
*Argos, a UK retail store, started accidentally selling copies of the game one week prior to the actual release date. All ''Halo 3'' products were removed from shelves when the store realized its mistake. However, a number of copies still made it into the hands of the public and a video showcasing the ending made it onto YouTube.
*''Halo 3'' multi-player was shown at the Penny Arcade Expo as the final round of the Omegathon and showed the level [[Guardian (map)|Guardian]] before its release date.
*''Halo 3'' has been referenced in [[List of outside references to the Halo series|various examples of outside media]]. Footage of ''Halo 3'' can be seen in an episode of [[wikipedia:Sarah Connor Chronicles|The Sarah Connor Chronicles]] and [[wikipedia:Glee (TV series)|Glee]] as well as in the feature film [[Wikipedia: Jumper (film)|Jumper]], [[Wikipedia:Bride Wars|Bride Wars]], [[Wikipedia:Knight Rider (2008 film)|Knight Rider]], and [[Wikipedia:|CSI: Miami]], although in Jumper and CSI, an original Xbox controller is used. Also, ''Halo 3'' game play is featured in music videos for the songs <nowiki>'</nowiki>''[[Wikipedia:Beggin'#Other cover versions|Beggin]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> by [[Wikipedia:Madcon|Madcon]] and <nowiki>'</nowiki>''[[Wikipedia:Riverside (song)|Riverside]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki> by [[Wikipedia:Sidney Samson|Sidney Samson]]. In addition, in the movie [[Wikipedia: Eagle Eye|Eagle Eye]], the two main characters venture into a Circuit City, where they receive shocking news. In the background before they enter a room, one can see a ''Halo 3'' promotional poster behind them. This poster can also be seen in the background in ''[[Wikipedia:The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008 film)|The Day the Earth Stood Still]]''.
*''Halo 3'' was released on the 25th of September, this is most likely a [[seven]] reference (2+5=7).
*[[Forge]] is one of the new features not seen in previous games. Along with [[Theater]] mode, these two allow things not available in other games. Forge is accurately described as an object editor, allowing the player to customize many aspects of the game from scenery to weapons.
*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/Reuse|billionth}}
*Players who played this game with their current LIVE account will unlock the ''Halo 3'' [[Nameplates|Visual Flair]] in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
*During development, Bungie staff planned out where all the missions take place on the Ark, including cut content. This was done to assist level designers with the creation of skyboxes among other things for the game.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=Lorestream|fYaxRoAf96s|HALO|Halo Lore Stream: The Halo Array|Y=2018|M=04|D=06|343 discuss the Halo Array}}


{{Ref}}
==Gallery==
===Logos===
<gallery>
File:EPK H3 Logo.jpg|The full ''Halo 3'' logo.
File:Halo 3 Logo Large.png|The abbreviated version of the ''Halo 3'' logo.
</gallery>


== Related Links ==
===Cover art===
<gallery>
File:Halo3-GameCover.jpg|The cover art for ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Full Cover Art No Logos.jpg|The full cover art.
</gallery>


=== Internal ===
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:Halo 3 promo 1.jpg|Concept art of John-117 leading a group of ODSTs.
File:Halo 3 promo 2.jpg|Concept art of John-117 standing behind Cortana.
File:Halo 3 promo 3.jpg|Concept art of John-117 with Pelican flying overhead.
File:Halo 3 promo 4.jpg|Concept art of UNSC personnel in a town.
File:H3 - Manual interior.jpg|Concept art of John-117 amidst the ruins of the [[Mombasa Tether]].
File:H3 - Poster Chief-Arby.jpg|Concept art of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and John-117.
File:H3 - Concept - Master chief.jpg|Concept art of John-117 with an [[M41B SPNKr]].
</gallery>


*[[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]]
=== Screenshots ===
*[[Halo 3 Credits]]
<gallery>
*[[Starry Night|60sec ESPN Commercial Starry Night]]
File:H3 MasterChiefhighres.jpg|Early image of John-117.
*[[ViDoc: Et Tu Brute]] - a 7 min documentary about the Brutes ViDoc: Et Tu Brute
File:Val ext3.jpg|The map Valhalla.
*[[ViDoc: Is Quisnam Protero Damno]]
</gallery>
*[[ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso]]
*[[Halo 3 Beta]]
*[[Mountain Dew Game Fuel]] - Halo 3 themed Mountain Dew
*[[Halo 3 Zune]] - A limited edition Microsoft Zune.
*[[Halo 3 Achievements]]
*[[Halo 3: The Cradle of Life]]
*[[Halo 3 Official Strategy Guide]]
*[[Halo 3: Original Soundtrack]]
*[[Burger King]]


=== External ===
=== Manual cover art candidates ===
<gallery>
File:Halo3 manual 1.jpg|Proposed cover art for the ''Halo 3'' manual featuring John-117 in a group of Marines.
File:Halo3 manual 2.jpg|Proposed cover art for the ''Halo 3'' manual featuring John-117 standing in front of a Pelican.
File:Halo3 manual 3.jpg|Proposed cover art for the ''Halo 3'' manual featuring John-117 and Cortana.
File:Halo3 manual 4.jpg|Proposed cover art for the ''Halo 3'' manual featuring John-117 and the Arbiter fighting together.
</gallery>


*[http://besthalovids.blogspot.com Best Halo Vids] - Collection of videos
===Promotional material===
*[http://h3customs.com H3Customs] - Find Halo 3 custom game matches
<gallery>
*[http://mjolnirtactics.com/ Online Campaign & Multiplayer Guide]
File:Pontiac H3.jpg|The ''Halo 3''-themed Pontiac.
*[http://mjolnirtactics.com/skulls.html Skulls Guides] - Skull guides with pictures
File:Pontiac H3 2.jpg|The interior of the Pontiac.
*[http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?link=Halo3Announcement Bungie's Announcement]
File:H3 Promotional Chief image.jpg|Image of [[John-117]] used in several Halo 3 promotional works.
*[http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0494232/?fr=c2l0ZT1kZnx0dD0xfGZiPXV8cG49MHxrdz0xfHE9aGFsb3xmdD0xfG14PTIwfGxtPTUwMHxjbz0xfGh0bWw9MXxubT0x;fc=22;ft=43;fm=1| IMDB Entry on Halo 3]
File:H3 EGMCover.jpg|Artwork of three [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]]s featured on the cover of [[Wikipedia:Electronic Gaming Monthly|Electronic Gaming Monthly]].
*[http://www.haloeastereggs.net/eastereggs.php?gamename=Halo%203 Halo 3 Easter Eggs]
File:H3 EGMCoverAlt.jpg|A recolored version of the previous artwork.
*[http://halo3.com Halo 3 Website] - Main Halo 3 Website
File:H3 Teaser Rd8 01HR.jpg|Title promotional poster.
*[http://halo.msn.com/ ''Halo 3'' at MSN.com]
File:H3 Promotional Poster.jpg|Promotional poster.
*[http://www.Halo3spot.com  Halo 3 News]
File:H3 Promotional Poster Horizontal.jpg|Expanded version of the promotional poster.
*[http://halo.psythik.com The Halo 3 Custom Match Finder] - The next best thing to the now non-existent XBL Public
File:H3 ChiefPromo1.jpg|Promotional sketch of John-117.
*[http://www.playlandstation.com/2007/10/01/halo-3-high-resolution-photoshop-brushes/ Halo 3 Photoshop Brushes] - Very detailed high resolution brushes.
File:H3 ChiefPromo2.jpg|Another promotional sketch.
*[http://halocharts.com Leaderboards and Player Stats tracked over time]
File:H3 ChiefPromo3.jpg|Another promotional sketch.
File:H3 Concept GameProSketch1.jpg|Concept sketch of the ''Halo 3'' ''[[Wikipedia:GamePro|GamePro]]'' magazine cover.
File:H3 Concept GameProSketch2.jpg|Another concept sketch of the ''GamePro'' cover.
File:H3 - Multiplayer concept art.jpg|Finalized artwork for the ''GamePro'' magazine cover.
File:H3 Concept OXMCover.jpg|Concept of a ''Halo 3''-themed cover for the ''[[Wikipedia:Official Xbox Magazine|Official Xbox Magazine]]''.
</gallery>


[[es:Halo 3]]
==Notes ==
[[fr:Halo de 3]]
{{Ref/Notes}}
== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}


==See also==
*[[Halo 3 credits|Halo 3 Credits]]
*[[Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide]]


[[Category:Halo 3]]
== External links ==
*[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/default.aspx ''Official project page on '''Bungie.net''']


[[Category:The Real World]]
{{Navbox/Media/Games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:3, Halo}}
[[Category:Halo 3| ]]
[[Category:Canon]]
[[Category:Bungie games]]

Latest revision as of 05:59, September 24, 2024

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Halo 3
Halo3coverart.JPG

Developer(s):

Bungie LLC.

Publisher(s):

Microsoft Game Studios

Writer(s):

Joseph Staten

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell
Michael Salvatori

Engine:

Blam engine

Platform(s):

Xbox 360
Xbox One
PC

Release date(s):

September 25, 2007 (United States)
September 26, 2007 (United Kingdom)
September 27, 2007 (Japan)
November 14, 2014 (Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox One)
July 13, 2020 (Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC)

Genre(s):

First-person shooter

Mode(s):

Campaign Mode, Co-Op, Multiplayer, Forge, Theater

Rating(s):

ESRB: Mature (M) for Blood and Gore, Mild Language, and Violence
CERO: (D) Ages 17 and up
PEGI: 16+ (Europe only)
BBFC: 15 (UK only)
USK: 18 (Germany only)
ACB: Mature (M) for Moderate Science Fiction Violence

 

"Finish the fight."
— Halo 3 tagline.

Halo 3 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie Studios and published by Microsoft. It is a sequel to Halo 2 and concludes the original Halo trilogy. Halo 3 was released on 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 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 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 July 14, 2020, the game was released on July 13 for PC platforms.[1][2][Note 1]

Synopsis[edit]

Characters and setting[edit]

Halo 3 spans over three different settings, starting with the East African Protectorate on Earth, then to the Forerunners' Ark installation, and finally on Halo Installation 08. The game continues the Master Chief's efforts in stopping the Covenant from activating the Halo rings. The Covenant has become embroiled in a civil war, with the Elites allied with humanity against the main body of the hegemony, now led solely by the Prophet of Truth. Meanwhile, the Brutes have taken the Elites' place as field commanders in the Covenant military.

The game takes place after the events of the Halo 2, directly after the events that transpired in Halo: Uprising.

Plot synopsis[edit]

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Promotional image for Halo 3 featuring John-117 with an MA5C assault rifle and Thel 'Vadam with a Vostu-pattern carbine on the campaign level Sierra 117.
John-117 and Thel 'Vadam in the East African jungle featured in the level "Sierra 117".

The storyline begins approximately two weeks after the events of Halo 2, on November 17th, 2552. John-117 enters Earth's atmosphere and crash-lands in an east African jungle. After being retrieved by Sergeant Major Avery Johnson, Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and a handful of Marines, the group makes their way through the jungle toward a designated extraction point. Covenant forces are sighted in the area and Johnson makes a strategic decision to split the group up to reduce their chances of getting spotted. John-117 and Thel 'Vadam continue on their way to the extraction zone with the second squad, fighting off numerous Brute-led Covenant troops in the process, but upon reaching the extraction zone, Avery Johnson's Pelican group consisting of two Pelicans, are ambushed and shot down by Banshees. Johnson and his men are then captured and taken prisoner by a number of Brutes led by a Brute Chieftain. John-117, Thel 'Vadam, and company fight their way through hordes of enemies and eventually rescue them, after which a Pelican arrives and picks them up.

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 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 Forerunners 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 pods 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 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 forms 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 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 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 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'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 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 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 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 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 home planet.

After the credits, it is revealed that John-117 and Cortana are still alive aboard the rear section of the 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 Forerunner world.

Spoilers end here.

Gameplay[edit]

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 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 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.

The game enhances the core gameplay design by introducing deployable equipment as well as giving players the ability to use turret weapons. Equipment is a collection of tools accessible to players to assist them in their objectives. This ranges from a spherical shield that protects players temporarily, a device that drains power from electrical appliances to a device that propels personnel into the air. Turret weapons allow players to wield heavy weapons in a third-person perspective at a slower pace.

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Campaign[edit]

The campaign in Halo 3 consists of ten levels which tell the story of the final days of humanity and the Sangheili's conflict with the Prophet of Truth's Covenant forces.

  1. Arrival - "Brace for impact." (cutscene, tutorial on single player)
  2. Sierra 117 - "Rise up. Start the fight."
  3. Crow's Nest - "Clear the base, whatever it takes."
  4. Tsavo Highway - "Mount up. Get to Voi."
  5. The Storm - "Reclaim the city. Make a hole."
  6. Floodgate - "Stop the infestation. Find Cortana."
  7. The Ark - "Search the waste for the Cartographer."
  8. The Covenant - "Breach the barrier. Stop Truth."
  9. Cortana - "Cleanse High Charity. Save Cortana."
  10. Halo - "Light the ring. Destroy the Flood."

Multiplayer[edit]

A total of 24 multiplayer maps are available in Halo 3. As of 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[edit]

Heroic Map Pack[edit]

Main article: Heroic Map Pack

Legendary Map Pack[edit]

Main article: Legendary Map Pack

Cold Storage[edit]

Main article: 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[edit]

Main article: Mythic Map Pack

Mythic Map Pack II[edit]

Main article: Mythic II Map Pack

Halo: The Master Chief Collection-exclusive[edit]

Appearance[edit]

Service tags[edit]

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: "I17", "N64", "P52", "A55", "P00", "J00", "F49", "A23", and "T17". "O00" is blocked due to its usage in Temporary Profiles. 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, O07, M16 , I69, P26, S80, N99, F18, H20, I87, and D13.[citation needed]

Armor permutations[edit]

Main article: Armor customization (Halo 3)

There are two player models which players can choose from, the standard SPARTAN model or an Elite model. Each model has several armor permutations which can be combined. All armor permutations do not have any effects on gameplay.

v • d • e
 
List of armor permutations in Halo 3
Bungie Armor • CQB • EOD • EVA • HAYABUSA • Mark V • Mark VI • ODST • Recon • Rogue • Scout • Security • Katana
MCC-exclusive Spartan armor
Air Assault • Aviator • COS • Compass • Deadeye • Demo • Hammerhead • Hivemind • Infiltrator • Lancer • Mirage • Navigator • Nomdagro • ODST (COMM • DEMO • HVY • TAC) • Pioneer • Rhine • Soldier • Suture • Tanker • Warrior
MCC-exclusive Elite armor
Fractures Spartan armor

Emblems[edit]

Main article: Multiplayer Emblems

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[edit]

There are ten base and primary colors, each with three shades of one another that are used to customize your multiplayer color and emblem. On the armor detail color, there is a small painted VI most noticeable on Mark VI shoulder.

  • Steel, Silver, and White
  • Red, Mauve, and Salmon
  • Orange, Coral, and Peach
  • 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[edit]

Original Halo 3[edit]

For subjects that appear in the terminals, see here.

Characters

Human

Sangheili

San'Shyuum

Jiralhanae

Unggoy

Flood

Artificial intelligence

Species and entities

Organizations

Locations

Events

Weapons

UNSC

Usable
Unusable

Covenant

Usable
Unusable

Forerunner

Usable

Vehicles

UNSC

Usable
Unusable

Covenant

Usable
Unusable

Forerunner

Unusable

Technology and equipment

Equipment
Power-ups
Armor
Other

Miscellaneous


Halo: The Master Chief Collection only[edit]

Main article: Halo: The Master Chief Collection

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.

Species and entities

Organizations

Locations

Weapons

Technology and equipment

Miscellaneous




Development[edit]

Design[edit]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Engine[edit]

Main article: Halo 3 Engine

The unnamed Halo 3 Engine[3] is the game engine developed for and implemented in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST. Its unique features include advanced graphics technologies such as high dynamic range, global lighting, and depth of field effects within cutscenes.[4]

Audio[edit]

Halo 3 utilises Waves audio plugin which allows audio to be processed in real time as the game engine generates the audio calls.[5]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Matchmaking[edit]

Main article: Matchmaking

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

Playlists[edit]

Main article: Playlist

Playlists are lists of different game variations from free-for-all to team games. They are split into Ranked, Social, Hardcore, Community, DLC, Tournaments and Double EXP Weekends.

Veto[edit]

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.

Ranks[edit]

Main article: Rank

The ranking system is based on real military ranks. To progress in rank, players must earn the required amount of EXP. For 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 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 Trueskill system created by Microsoft to determine skill level in ranked playlists.

Modes[edit]

Custom games[edit]

Main article: 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[edit]

  • Slayer - Kill your enemies. Kill your friends' enemies. Kill your friends.
  • Oddball - Hold the skull to earn points. It's like Hamlet, with guns.
  • King of the Hill - Control the hill to earn points. Earn points to win. It's good to be king.
  • Capture the Flag - Invade your opponent's stronghold, seize their flag, and return it to your base to score.
  • Assault - Carry your bomb to the enemy base, plant it, and defend it until it detonates.
  • Territories - Defend your territory and control the land. Teams earn points for territories they control.
  • Juggernaut - If you meet the Juggernaut, kill the Juggernaut.
  • Infection - The timeless struggle of human versus zombie. If you die by a zombie's hand, you join their ranks.
  • VIP - One player on each team is Very Important. Take down the enemy's VIP for points, but take care of your own.

Custom gametypes[edit]

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.

Options that can be changed:

  • Damage resistance
  • Shield multiplier
  • Shield recharge rate
  • Immune to headshots
  • Grenade counts (Grenade Regeneration, on or off)
  • Infinite ammo
  • Weapon pickup (Enabled, Disabled)
  • Player speed
    • (25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%, 110%, 125%, 150%, 200%, 300%)
  • Player gravity
    • (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)
  • Player forced Colors (Like Black or Zombie)
    • Meaning all players in game will be forced to the color of your choice.
  • Over shields and active camouflage can be given to a certain team/player or everyone on spawn or re-spawn.

Forge[edit]

Main article: Forge

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 and Halo 2 for Windows 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.

Theater[edit]

Main article: Theater

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.

Films[edit]

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.

Clips[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Main article: 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[edit]

Viral Campaigns[edit]

Beta and Epsilon[edit]

Main articles: Halo 3 Beta, Halo 3 Epsilon

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[edit]

Main article: Iris

On June 11, 2007, at 10:26AM PDT, the viral marketing campaign for Halo 3 started, with a believed "hacking" of Bungie.net's forums throughout the next several months fans followed the various clues and hints to unlock "servers" which would reveal the final moments of the Forerunners. Cradle of Life: The Cradle of Life is a short flash animation web comic, and is one of the first parts of the Iris campaign.

Believe[edit]

Main article: Believe

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.

Trailers[edit]

Announcement trailer[edit]

Main article: Halo 3 Announcement Trailer

Halo 3 was officially announced via a cinematic trailer rendered in real-time, on May 9, 2006 during the Microsoft press conference. The reveal utilized real-game assets, fiction and locations. The trailer shows John-117 walking through wreckage of the New Mombasa space elevator with Cortana appearing at several intervals. He then stops at the edge of a cliff where the Covenant forces are hovering over a Forerunner structure. The trailer ends with the structure opening and firing a beam of light.

Starry Night[edit]

Main article: Starry Night

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 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 Wraith's plasma mortar. He then quickly charges forward, eventually jumping over a cliff into a swarm of Covenant Loyalists. It is speculated, yet left to interpretation, that the two children are John-117 and Kelly-087 when they were young.

ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute?[edit]

Main article: Halo 3 ViDoc: Et Tu, Brute?

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![edit]

Main article: 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.

ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso[edit]

Main article: Halo 3 ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso

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[edit]

Main article: Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer

Revealed at the end of Microsoft's E3 press conference on July 11 this trailer was the final trailer to show off the actual game itself and unlike the previous trailers, the Halo 3 E3 2007 trailer focused on showing various gameplay and cinematic clips. While the trailer did little to further knowledge about the Halo 3 plot, it confirmed many speculations about the game, the least of which was that the Arbiter and the Master Chief will fight alongside one another in the game.

Halo: Landfall[edit]

Main article: Halo: Landfall

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 ODSTs on a mission to coordinate Master Chief's rescue.

Merchandise and Promotions[edit]

Features Standard Collector's (Limited) Legendary
Image of contents Halo 3 Standard.JPG Halo 3 Limited.JPG Halo 3 Legendary.JPG
Game disc & manual Yes Yes Yes
Interactive Xbox 360 disc No Yes Yes
Bestiarum No Yes (Book) Yes (DVD)
Legendary DVD No No Yes
Master Chief helmet case No No Yes

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 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. 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 Pontiac G6 GXP Street Edition, outfitted with a Halo 3 styled paint job. It was part of a sweepstakes hosted by Best Buy, called the Best Buy Play & Win Sweepstakes.[6]

There was also a song called Face It commissioned by Microsoft in Australia, performed by Australian rapper Phrase and the Australian band Karnivool.[7]

Release and reception[edit]

Internet sites
Reviewer Score
Gamepro 5/5
TeamXbox 9.3/10
IGN 9.5/10
GameInformer 9.75
1up A+
Gametrailers 9.8/10
Famitsu 37/40
X-play 5/5
ComputerVideogames 9.6/10
GameSpot 9.5/10
Country magazines
Official Xbox Magazine (UK) 9/10
Official Xbox Magazine (IT) 9.8/10
Official Xbox Magazine (US) 10/10
Official Xbox Magazine (Australia) 10/10
Compilation websites
Metacritic 94%
Game Rankings 93%

Halo 3 was called the most sought-after video game of 2007,[8][9] and one of the most hyped video games of all time.[10][11][12] Prior to its launch, Halo 3 was expected to be one of the biggest entertainment events of the year,[13] and among the biggest entertainment releases of all time.[14][15][16][17] Additionally, Halo 3 was expected to stir the sales of the Xbox 360 console[18][19] - being a "killer application".[20][21] The craziness of the Halo 3 launch was compared to the madness of the iPhone, Harry Potter books and Star Wars movies releases.[10]

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.[22]
  • 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[edit]

Main article: 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[edit]

  • 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.[23] In comparison, Halo 2 has to date only had 800 million games played.
  • For Christmas 2006, Microsoft and Bungie gave U.S. Troops in Iraq a chance to play the Halo 3 multiplayer alpha build of the game.[24]
  • On the Cops & Robbers commercial for the Xbox 360 at the Xbox Live Marketplace, one of the license plates says HA LO307, or Halo 3 07.
  • The game has 39,377 lines of dialogue, most of them randomly triggered during game play.[25]
  • The original Halo 3 before the Auto-Update 2 patch contained 49 Achievements, which is a seven reference 7x7=49, and these together are worth 1000 Gamerscore.
  • To date, the Campaign kill count online has surpassed the current Human population on Earth.
  • Argos, a UK retail store, started accidentally selling copies of the game one week prior to the actual release date. All Halo 3 products were removed from shelves when the store realized its mistake. However, a number of copies still made it into the hands of the public and a video showcasing the ending made it onto YouTube.
  • Halo 3 multi-player was shown at the Penny Arcade Expo as the final round of the Omegathon and showed the level Guardian before its release date.
  • Halo 3 has been referenced in various examples of outside media. Footage of Halo 3 can be seen in an episode of The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Glee as well as in the feature film Jumper, Bride Wars, Knight Rider, and CSI: Miami, although in Jumper and CSI, an original Xbox controller is used. Also, Halo 3 game play is featured in music videos for the songs 'Beggin' by Madcon and 'Riverside' by Sidney Samson. In addition, in the movie Eagle Eye, the two main characters venture into a Circuit City, where they receive shocking news. In the background before they enter a room, one can see a Halo 3 promotional poster behind them. This poster can also be seen in the background in The Day the Earth Stood Still.
  • Halo 3 was released on the 25th of September, this is most likely a seven reference (2+5=7).
  • Forge is one of the new features not seen in previous games. Along with Theater mode, these two allow things not available in other games. Forge is accurately described as an object editor, allowing the player to customize many aspects of the game from scenery to weapons.
  • 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.[23]
  • Players who played this game with their current LIVE account will unlock the Halo 3 Visual Flair in Halo: Reach.
  • During development, Bungie staff planned out where all the missions take place on the Ark, including cut content. This was done to assist level designers with the creation of skyboxes among other things for the game.[26]

Gallery[edit]

Logos[edit]

  • The full Halo 3 logo.

    The full Halo 3 logo.

  • The abbreviated version of the Halo 3 logo.

    The abbreviated version of the Halo 3 logo.

Cover art[edit]

  • The cover art for Halo 3.

    The cover art for Halo 3.

  • The full cover art.

    The full cover art.

Concept art[edit]

  • Concept art of John-117 leading a group of ODSTs.

    Concept art of John-117 leading a group of ODSTs.

  • Concept art of John-117 standing behind Cortana.

    Concept art of John-117 standing behind Cortana.

  • Concept art of John-117 with Pelican flying overhead.

    Concept art of John-117 with Pelican flying overhead.

  • Concept art of UNSC personnel in a town.

    Concept art of UNSC personnel in a town.

  • Concept art of John-117 amidst the ruins of the Mombasa Tether.

    Concept art of John-117 amidst the ruins of the Mombasa Tether.

  • Concept art of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and John-117.

    Concept art of Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and John-117.

  • Concept art of John-117 with an M41B SPNKr.

    Concept art of John-117 with an M41B SPNKr.

Screenshots[edit]

  • Early image of John-117.

    Early image of John-117.

  • The map Valhalla.

    The map Valhalla.

Manual cover art candidates[edit]

  • Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 in a group of Marines.

    Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 in a group of Marines.

  • Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 standing in front of a Pelican.

    Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 standing in front of a Pelican.

  • Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 and Cortana.

    Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 and Cortana.

  • Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 and the Arbiter fighting together.

    Proposed cover art for the Halo 3 manual featuring John-117 and the Arbiter fighting together.

Promotional material[edit]

  • The Halo 3-themed Pontiac.

    The Halo 3-themed Pontiac.

  • The interior of the Pontiac.

    The interior of the Pontiac.

  • Image of John-117 used in several Halo 3 promotional works.

    Image of John-117 used in several Halo 3 promotional works.

  • Artwork of three Spartan-IIs featured on the cover of Electronic Gaming Monthly.

    Artwork of three Spartan-IIs featured on the cover of Electronic Gaming Monthly.

  • A recolored version of the previous artwork.

    A recolored version of the previous artwork.

  • Title promotional poster.

    Title promotional poster.

  • Promotional poster.

    Promotional poster.

  • Expanded version of the promotional poster.

    Expanded version of the promotional poster.

  • Promotional sketch of John-117.

    Promotional sketch of John-117.

  • Another promotional sketch.

    Another promotional sketch.

  • Another promotional sketch.

    Another promotional sketch.

  • Concept sketch of the Halo 3 GamePro magazine cover.

    Concept sketch of the Halo 3 GamePro magazine cover.

  • Another concept sketch of the GamePro cover.

    Another concept sketch of the GamePro cover.

  • Finalized artwork for the GamePro magazine cover.

    Finalized artwork for the GamePro magazine cover.

  • Concept of a Halo 3-themed cover for the Official Xbox Magazine.

    Concept of a Halo 3-themed cover for the Official Xbox Magazine.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ This article uses the Pacific Time Zone to determine the release date.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Finish The Fight
  2. ^ Twitter'
  3. ^ E3 2006: Halo 3 Trailer Impressions
  4. ^ 1 Up: Bungie Says Halo 3 Graphics are Coming Together
  5. ^ Bungie.net: Waves Audio Plug-ins in Halo 3
  6. ^ Bungie.net: Best Buy’s Golden Gift to Halo Players
  7. ^ Youtube - Face it
  8. ^ Vita.mn: Video games: Halo effect
  9. ^ Team Xbox by IGN: Master Chief Immortalized in Wax at Madame Tussauds
  10. ^ a b Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Halo 3 gamers brave midnight openings
  11. ^ Totally IGN: Halo 3
  12. ^ Beaumont Enterprise: Halo's new heights keep gamers up at night
  13. '^ Dayton Daily News: Halo 3' drops the hammer
  14. ^ Microsoft News Center: “Halo 3” to Make Entertainment History on Sept. 25
  15. ^ GameStop: Hollywood and GameStop Roll out the Red Carpet for Halo 3 Launch
  16. ^ IOL Techonology: Halo 3 vying with movie blockbusters
  17. ^ Daily Star: Simply The Best 7 Days A Week: Game On: Halo 3
  18. ^ CNET News: Why 'Halo 3' will decide the Xbox 360's fate
  19. ^ IOL Technology: Microsoft's 'Halo 3' launches amid spectacle
  20. ^ The Columbus Dispatch: All hail Halo 3
  21. ^ SignOnSanDiego: Microsoft pins Xbox 360 hopes on 'Halo 3' sales
  22. ^ TIME: Top 10 Everything of 2007
  23. ^ a b Bungie.net: One BILLION Served
  24. ^ Team Xbox: U.S. Soldiers Get to Play Halo 3 Beta, Footage Leaked
  25. ^ Halo.Bungie.org: Halo Dialogue Statistics, from the source
  26. ^ YouTube - HALO, Halo Lore Stream: The Halo Array (Retrieved on Apr 6, 2018)

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

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List of games in the Halo franchise
Original trilogy
Sequel FPS games
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Strategy games
Twin-stick shooter games
Virtual reality games
Arcade games
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Tabletop games
Board games
Cancelled projects
Rejected pitches and internal prototypes
*Asterisks indicate upcoming releases
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