Gameplay

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{{Era|H3|H3R|RVB|}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}  
{{Ratings}}
{{Center|'''Orbital''' redirects here. For the Mjolnir variant, see [[ORBITAL-class Mjolnir]].}}
 
{{Multiplayer map infobox
{{Multiplayer Map Infobox
|pagegamelabel=H3
|name=Orbital
|name=Orbital
|image=[[Image:Orbital_bnet.jpg|center|300px]]
|image=[[File:Orbital bnet.jpg|center|300px]]
|game=''[[Halo 3]]''
|game=''[[Halo 3]]''
|location=[[Quito Space Tether]]
|devname=<code>spacecamp</code>{{Ref/File|Id=H3EK|H3EK|H3EK\tags\levels\dlc\spacecamp\spacecamp.scenario}}
|terrain=Metal [[UNSC]] walkways
|map=War Games Map_Set/: 420-6<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/earth '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Earth'']</ref>
|weapons=
|location=[[Quito Terminus]], [[Quito Space Tether]]
*[[Battle Rifle]]
|terrain=Metal [[human]] walkways
*[[Mauler]]
|symmetry=Semi-symmetrical
*[[Plasma Pistol]]
*[[Plasma Rifle]]
*[[Rocket Launcher]]
*[[Sniper Rifle]]
*[[Spiker]]
*[[Fragmentation Grenade|Frag Grenades]]
*[[Plasma Grenade]]s
|vehicles=
*[[Ghost]]
*[[Mongoose]]
|equipment=
*[[Bubble Shield]]
*[[Power Drain]]
*[[Regenerator]]
|power-ups=
|gametypes=
|gametypes=
|playernumber=4-12
*[[1 Flag CTF|One Flag]]
*[[1 Flag CTF|One Flag]]
*[[Single Bomb|One Bomb]]
*[[Assault|One Bomb]]
*[[Team Slayer]]
*[[Team Slayer]]
|playernumber=4-12 players
}}
}}
<center>{{Article Quote|"With a lot of situational awareness, and a little luck, hopefully the only thing you will lose is your luggage."}}</center>


{{Article quote|With a lot of situational awareness, and a little luck, hopefully the only thing you will lose is your luggage.}}


'''Orbital''' is one of three maps in the [[Mythic Map Pack]] designed for ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref>Game Informer December 2008</ref> ''Orbital'', along with ''[[Assembly (Level)|Assembly]]'' and ''[[Sandbox (Level)|Sandbox]]'', ships with the [[Halo Wars: Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] of ''[[Halo Wars]]''. It was released on [[Xbox Live]] Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, 2009.
'''Orbital''' is one of three maps in the [[Mythic Map Pack]] designed for ''[[Halo 3]]''.<ref name="gameinformer">Game Informer December 2008</ref> ''Orbital'', along with ''[[Assembly]]'' and ''[[Sandbox]]'', ships with the [[Halo Wars: Limited Edition|Limited Edition]] of ''[[Halo Wars]]''. It was released on [[Xbox LIVE]] Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, [[2009]].
 
==Setting==
{{Main|Quito Space Tether}}
Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the [[Quito Space Tether]], a [[space elevator]] above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere easily. The map is the setting of the [[Epilogue]] in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]], the creators of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformer}}


==Design==
==Design==
Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the [[Quito Space Tether]], a [[Space Elevator]] above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere easily.
It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like [[Capture the Flag]] and [[Assault]], but also has some natural deadlocks that makes [[Slayer]] interesting and [[Infection]] "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformer}} It's a two-story map, and one base is located at the end of the second level hallway. The middle of the connecting horseshoes features a chasm which separates both sides, effectively forming a choke point that is crucial to hold.
 
It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like [[CTF]] and [[Assault]], but also has some natural deadlocks that makes [[Slayer]] interesting and [[Infection]] "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.<ref>Game Informer December 2008</ref> It's a two-story map, and one base is located at the end of the 2nd level hallway. The middle of the connecting horseshoes features a chasm which separates both sides, effectively forming a choke point that is crucial to hold.
 
The map is located on an "empty [[UNSC]] space platform"<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824</ref>, more specifically, the station atop the Quito Space Tether. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]] and [[Wallace Fujikawa]], the creators of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]]. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.<ref>Game Informer December 2008</ref>


It was reported in a [[Bungie Weekly Update]] that one part of the map has a deadly chasm, which can be easily traversed once it is "unlocked". However, this seems to have changed since that information was released, long before the map was ever shown. Orbital has several such locks and switches "to disable and enable access to various parts of the map". However, the only switches currently found in the map are the two door switches in either base (that only open the doors, and do not close them). Currently, there is no way to open up other sections of the map. Orbital has been described as cleanly beautiful, yet haunting and having signs of abrupt abandonment. The map has two exits out of either base, plus a small maintenance hallway leading to the upper level. This makes defending on CTF interesting.
It was reported in a [[Bungie Weekly Update]] that one part of the map has a deadly chasm, which can be easily traversed once it is "unlocked". However, this seems to have changed since that information was released, long before the map was ever shown. Orbital has several such locks and switches "to disable and enable access to various parts of the map". However, the only switches currently found in the map are the two door switches in either base (that only open the doors, and do not close them). Currently, there is no way to open up other sections of the map. Orbital has been described as cleanly beautiful, yet haunting and having signs of abrupt abandonment. The map has two exits out of either base, plus a small maintenance hallway leading to the upper level. This makes defending on CTF interesting.


===Weapon Placement===
===Weapon placement===
[[BR55HB battle rifle|Battle Rifles]] are common throughout the level with two spawning on the starting bases of each side and another two near the middle of each side. [[Type-25 plasma pistol|plasma pistols]] are located on the bottom of the two escalators, [[Type-52 Mauler|Maulers]] are next to the equipment on the junctions, [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenades]] come in pairs scattered around the map, and a pair of [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Spikers]] are found in both hallways which connect the bases to the middle. There are also two [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifles]] located just next to the [[M41 SPNKR|rocket launcher]] spawn. The two main power weapons on this map are the [[Sniper_Rifle#Halo_3_and_Halo_3:_ODST|sniper rifle]] (on the lower side of the pit) and a rocket launcher (on the higher side), though it should be noted that both weapons have had their ammo decreased for balance.


[[BR55HB SR Battle Rifle|Battle Rifles]] are common throughout the level with two spawning on the starting bases of each side and another two near the middle of each side. [[Plasma Pistol]]s are located on the bottom of the two escalators, [[Maulers]] are next to the equipment on the junctions, [[Plasma Grenades]] come in pairs scattered around the map, and a pair of [[Spikers]] are found in both hallways which connect the bases to the middle. There are also two [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|Plasma Rifles]] located just next to the Rocket Launcher spawn. The two main power weapons on this map are the [[Sniper Rifle System 99D-S2 Anti-Matériel|Sniper Rifle]] (on the lower side of the pit) and a [[M41 SSR MAV/AW|Rocket Launcher]] (on the higher side), though it should be noted that both weapons have had their ammo decreased for balance.
[[Equipment]] is also found around; a [[Z-4190 bubble shield|bubble shield]], a [[regenerator]], and a [[power drain]] are put in strategic locations, with the bubble shield and regenerator spawning next to a Mauler and the power drain opposite the sniper rifle in the same junction.


[[Equipment]] is also found around; a [[Bubble Shield]], a [[Regenerator]] and a [[Power Drainer]] are put in strategic locations, with the Bubble Shield and Regenerator spawning next to a Mauler and the Power Drainer opposite the Sniper Rifle in the same junction.
There are two [[M274 Mongoose|Mongooses]] on each base facing the operational doors (only closed in objective games), and a [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghost]] spawns at the attacking base during asymmetrical gametypes.
 
==Orbital PA announcements==
There are two [[Mongooses]] on each base facing the operational doors (only closed in objective games), and a [[Ghost]] spawns at the attacking base during asymmetrical gametypes.
While playing on Orbital, a female and male voice can be heard every once in a while announcing things over a speaker (much like [[The Pit]] and [[Terminal (map)#Male Announcer|Terminal]]). Note that these messages will play randomly even if the game is paused in theatre mode. All of these lines are:
 
**"Welcome to the Quito Orbital Elevator. Please refer to video monitors for current information."
===[[Skull]]===
**"Please use caution. Don't fall in open elevator shafts."
{{Main|Orbital Skull}}
**"Possession of firearms at any orbital facility is strictly prohibited." ''(Ironic, since all players carry weapons, and weapons are freely available throughout the map).''
The skull can be found near the Sniper Rifle spawn point high above the map. It can easily be found, and reached in Forge. The logo of the hidden skull on this level appears to have a symbol that looks like a giant fan. This symbol can be seen on the walls and other areas such as the computer monitors. It has also been interpreted as the general shape of the station itself, which resembles other orbital stations in ''Halo'' canon, such as the [[Tiara]] Space Elevator or the [[Orbital Defense Platforms]] seen in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', respectively.
**"The Quito Orbital Elevator Authority asks all customers to be aware of their surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity or unattended packages, please call the Quito Orbital Elevator Security Hotline." ''(Ironic, since players are mainly concentrated on killing each other).''
 
**"Children must be monitored at all times. Do not leave children unattended."
===Speaker Lines===
**""Upon request, all customers are required to present their valid national identification papers to Orbital Elevator authority personnel."
While playing on Orbital, a female and male voice can be heard every once in a while announcing things over a speaker (much like [[The Pit]] and [[Terminal (Level)#Male Announcer|Terminal]]). Some of these lines are:
**"Transporting hazardous material onto orbital facilities is strictly prohibited." ''(Ironic, since all players carry weapons, live ammunition, and explosives).''
 
**"Please remember to keep your children off the escalators."
*"Welcome to the Quito Orbital Elevator. Please refer to video monitors for current information."
**"Due to security restrictions, all transit between the Quito orbital facilities and the Quito elevator base facilities are postponed until further notice. We appreciate your patience."
*"Please use caution. Don't fall in open elevator shafts." As the fall would be over 5,000 miles if they fell in the main one and it is possible to fall into an elevator shaft on the map.
**"Trash receptacles have been placed around the facility for your convenience."
*"Possession of firearms at any orbital facility is strictly prohibited." This statement is ironic, as all players carry weapons.
**"All Space Camp attendees, please make your way to Gate 1 upon arrival."
*"We advise you to be aware of your surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity or any unattended packaging, please call the Quito Orbital Elevator Security Hotline."
**"Please do not leave your Mongoose running in the corridors."
*"Do not leave children unattended. Children should be monitored at all times."  
*"Upon request, all passengers are required to present their National Identity Certification papers to Quito Orbital Elevator authority personnel."
*"Transportation of hazardous materials is strictly prohibited."  
*"Please remember to keep your children off the escalators." Possibly a reference to ''Mall Rats'', when Brodie admonishes a careless parent whose child gets stuck in an escalator.


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[Image:H3_MP_Orbital_3p-02.jpg|thumb|200px|A battle on Orbital.]]
===Production notes===
[[File:Orbital galaxy.jpg|thumb|The ring-like matter surrounding Orbital; quite possibly a cosmic string.]]
*Orbital, then known as "Moonbase Alpha", was in production as early as October 2007, and was later mentioned again in January 2008.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12857 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update : 10/12/07''] - '' My favorites are what I have already nicknamed Jodrell Bank and Moonbase Alpha.''</ref><ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13160 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 1/11/08''] - ''“Moon Base Alpha” – a codename only -  is definitely still being worked on. It’s received some new lighting and different switches to enable and disable access to various parts of the map. We’re still playing it pretty often. It is a brutal map to play on, that may appeal to fans of Elongation, but is absolutely NOT a remake.''</ref> At this time, it was said to be something that would appeal to fans of the map [[Elongation]]. The map was later teased under the codename "Space Camp" in the 14/02/2008 Bungie Humpday Challenge,<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=13262 '''Bungie.net''': ''Humpday Challenge: Toying With Macfarlane''] - ''While it’s not the prettiest map in all of Halo history (seriously, the upcoming map nicknamed Spacecamp very well might be, IMHO)''</ref> before later being confirmed to be the same map as "Moonbase Alpha".<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13264 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 2/15/08''] - ''In this week’s Humpday Challenge we mentioned a map called "Spacecamp" and its aesthetic beauty. Folks saw that and thought we were mentioning a brand new, never-before-talked-about map. We weren’t, the map we called Spacecamp is actually the map we’ve been talking about for a while now: Moonbase Alpha. While there are undoubtedly other maps in production, we didn’t just give away mention of a new one, we’re at least somewhat careful, sometimes. Moonbase Alpha’s lighting, decorators and general aesthetic continues to impress each time a new build pops up on my dev kit. A small garden of Ivy embraces a shrine in memory of the creators of the Shaw Fujikawa warp drive. And there are crates, oh yes, there are handsome crates.''</ref> More details were later revealed in May 2008 alongside "[[Assembly|Purple Reign]]" and "[[Cold Storage|Smuggler]]", confirming the map's setting of a UNSC space station.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 05/23/08'']</ref> The first screenshot of the map was revealed in November 2008.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=16551 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 11/21/08'']</ref>
*This map's codename was originally "Moonbase Alpha", then later changed to "Space Camp". The map's official name was then changed to be "Orbital".
*This map was first shown in Game Informer's story on ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
*Orbital is the first map in ''Halo 3'' to be set in space. Also, through use of glitches, Orbital offers the first, and currently only, opportunity for players to experience direct exposure to space in ''Halo 3'', except for the Valhalla Banshee glitch found only in the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''. In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', ''[[Boarding Action]]'' is the only map open to space, and in ''Halo 2'', the initial campaign level [[Cairo Station]] and the maps [[Elongation]] and [[Midship]] were the only maps to allow this.
*Some of the computer monitors across the map make reference to [[Cairo Station]].
*The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the Halo 2 trailers.
*Recently the cast of [[Red vs. Blue]] was given permission by Bungie to play on the map and post videos of it on their website. As it turns out it is extremely similar in shape to the ''Halo: CE'' map [[Longest]] and the ''Halo 2'' [[multiplayer]] level [[Elongation]]. It is believed these two maps were inspiration for Orbital.
*Orbital is the first ever map in the Halo franchise to take place inside a [[Space Elevator]].
*Rooster Teeth has said they wish they had the map when they were doing the last episodes of Red vs Blue: Reconstruction, specifically to use as the Freelancer Headquarters.
*The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist [[Chris Carney]].
*The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist [[Chris Carney]].
*It appears that Orbital is hovering above the continent of Asia, although the real-life city of Quito is in Ecuador, South America.
*The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the ''Halo 2'' trailers.
 
===Easter eggs===
*Some of the computer monitors across the map make reference to [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]].
*Several terminals within Orbital have schedules on them labeled with the names of several notable locations in the Halo series, for example: [[Charybdis IX]] and [[Gilgamesh]].
*Several terminals within Orbital have schedules on them labeled with the names of several notable locations in the Halo series, for example: [[Charybdis IX]] and [[Gilgamesh]].
*The lift at the bottom of the shaft has a total of [[7]] flashing lights, another 7 reference.
*The lift at the bottom of the shaft has a total of [[Seven|7]] flashing lights.
*Orbital is the only map in Halo 3 where you can see a [[Halcyon-class Cruiser]] which can be found on the Fujikawa sides of the commemorative murals.
*By the escalator at red base, a newspaper clipping can be found on the floor reading, "Covenant on Earth!", similar to the crumpled newspaper on [[Longshore]].
*Both blast doors leading to red and blue base's can be opened through the use of an obscure small blinking panel placed next to the doors inside the bases (similar to the gate found on [[High Ground]]).
*On the various screens around the map there are text boxes containing the standard [[Wikipedia:Lorem Ipsum|Lorem Ipsum]] text.
*By the escalator at red base, a newspaper clipping can be found on the floor reading, "Covenant on Earth!"
*Many players have escaped from [[Orbital]] via the windows. Using teleporters, players can find their way to an invisible floor above the map, that allows the player to walk around. The death barriers above the map kill players instantly, but they are easy to avoid once a player determines their locations.
*The screens found around the map that show birds eye views of the playing area feature the Lorem Ipsum text[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorem_ipsum [1]] on the left of the picture.
*There is a secret room just under and to the left of the rocket spawn.
*There is a secret room just under and to the left of the rocket spawn.
*When looking at Orbital's heatmap, it can be noted that there is a small room located outside of the playable area.
*The [[Orbital Skull (Achievement)|Orbital Skull]] can be found on this level.
*If you observe some of the small monitors in the level an unknown class of [[pelican dropship]] can be seen.
*At both entries, there are signs that say "''Welcome"'' written in [[Human languages|many languages]].
*At both entries, there are signs that say "''Welcome"'' written in many languages. This shows that many of today's languages are still spoken in 2552.
===Glitches===
*Some of the smaller screens in the tether show an image of two mongooses, even if you remove the mongooses, the image will stay the same.
*Through use of glitches, Orbital offers an opportunity for players to experience direct exposure to space in ''Halo 3'', except for the Valhalla Banshee glitch found only in the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''.
*''Orbital'' makes an appearance in the Epilogue of [[Halo 3: ODST]].
**Many players have escaped from Orbital via the windows. Using [[teleporter]]s, players can find their way to an invisible floor above the map, that allows the player to walk around. The death barriers above the map kill players instantly, but they are easy to avoid once a player determines their locations.
*One of the screens in the Upper Base shows a security camera's veiw of the Mainframe in the lower base, and is apparently a live feed(I tested it with some cones)


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:H3 MP Orbital ENV-06.jpg|An escalator leading towards another chamber, and on the wall is the tribute to [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]].
File:HMCC H3 Orbital Map.png|Orbital Map.
Image:H3 MP Orbital ENV-02.jpg|A loading dock with [[Sniper Rifle]] in sight.
File:H3 Orbital Corridor Concept.jpg|Concept art of the level.
Image:H3 MP Orbital ENV-03.jpg|Another hallway with two [[Mongoose]]s in sight.
File:H3 MP Orbital ENV-06.jpg|An escalator leading towards another chamber, and on the wall is the tribute to [[Tobias Fleming Shaw]].
Image:H3 MP Orbital ENV-04.jpg|A hallway with vegetation on the wall, as well as two information tubes displaying "Welcome" in several languages.
File:H3 MP Orbital ENV-02.jpg|A loading dock with [[Sniper_Rifle#Halo_3_and_Halo_3:_ODST|Sniper Rifle]] in sight.
Image:H3_MP_Orbital_ENV-01.jpg|The main control station.
File:H3 MP Orbital ENV-03.jpg|Another hallway with two [[Mongoose]]s in sight.
Image:Orbital.jpg|Orbital Heatmap.
File:H3 MP Orbital ENV-04.jpg|A hallway with vegetation on the wall, as well as two information tubes displaying "Welcome" in [[Human languages|several languages]].
Image:Orbital_surface.jpg|The surface below.
File:H3 MP Orbital ENV-01.jpg|The main control station.
File:Orbital.jpg|Orbital Heatmap.
File:Orbital surface.jpg|The surface below.
File:H3 - EVA on Orbital.jpg|A Spartan-II passing by a window in Orbital.
File:H3 MP Orbital 3p-02.jpg|A battle on Orbital.
File:H3_Orbital_Galaxy.jpg|A band of the Milky Way Galaxy, as seen from Orbital.
</gallery>
</gallery>


== Sources ==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{Level}}
{{Levels|H3|mode=yes}}
[[Category:Multiplayer Maps]]
[[Category:Mythic Map Pack]]

Latest revision as of 22:12, October 26, 2024

Orbital redirects here. For the Mjolnir variant, see ORBITAL-class Mjolnir.
Orbital
The first Orbital screenshot published at Bungie.net.
Map overview

Game:

Halo 3

Map file name (?):

spacecamp[1]

Lore information

Map designation (?):

War Games Map_Set/: 420-6[2]

Location:

Quito Terminus, Quito Space Tether

Gameplay overview

Terrain:

Metal human walkways

Map layout:

Semi-symmetrical

Recommended number of players:

4-12

 
“ With a lot of situational awareness, and a little luck, hopefully the only thing you will lose is your luggage. ”

Orbital is one of three maps in the Mythic Map Pack designed for Halo 3.[3] Orbital, along with Assembly and Sandbox, ships with the Limited Edition of Halo Wars. It was released on Xbox LIVE Marketplace with the two other Mythic maps on April 9, 2009.

Setting[edit]

Main article: Quito Space Tether

Orbital takes place inside the docking-station for the Quito Space Tether, a space elevator above South America that transports cargo and people in and out of the Earth's atmosphere easily. The map is the setting of the Epilogue in Halo 3: ODST. The map contains plaques dedicated to Doctors Tobias Fleming Shaw and Wallace Fujikawa, the creators of the Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine. Orbital also contains many aesthetic elements, such as windows showing the Earth, electronic devices like display screens, escalators, and even a video phone. Overall the map has a feel of advanced technology.[3]

Design[edit]

It is said to be best for asymmetrical objective games, like Capture the Flag and Assault, but also has some natural deadlocks that makes Slayer interesting and Infection "terrifying". It's essentially two overlapping hallways in horseshoe shaped levels, so each team can see the other one's spawn through a window above or below them, but they are separated. Both bases of the map have operable doors that are important for objective games.[3] It's a two-story map, and one base is located at the end of the second level hallway. The middle of the connecting horseshoes features a chasm which separates both sides, effectively forming a choke point that is crucial to hold.

It was reported in a Bungie Weekly Update that one part of the map has a deadly chasm, which can be easily traversed once it is "unlocked". However, this seems to have changed since that information was released, long before the map was ever shown. Orbital has several such locks and switches "to disable and enable access to various parts of the map". However, the only switches currently found in the map are the two door switches in either base (that only open the doors, and do not close them). Currently, there is no way to open up other sections of the map. Orbital has been described as cleanly beautiful, yet haunting and having signs of abrupt abandonment. The map has two exits out of either base, plus a small maintenance hallway leading to the upper level. This makes defending on CTF interesting.

Weapon placement[edit]

Battle Rifles are common throughout the level with two spawning on the starting bases of each side and another two near the middle of each side. plasma pistols are located on the bottom of the two escalators, Maulers are next to the equipment on the junctions, plasma grenades come in pairs scattered around the map, and a pair of Spikers are found in both hallways which connect the bases to the middle. There are also two plasma rifles located just next to the rocket launcher spawn. The two main power weapons on this map are the sniper rifle (on the lower side of the pit) and a rocket launcher (on the higher side), though it should be noted that both weapons have had their ammo decreased for balance.

Equipment is also found around; a bubble shield, a regenerator, and a power drain are put in strategic locations, with the bubble shield and regenerator spawning next to a Mauler and the power drain opposite the sniper rifle in the same junction.

There are two Mongooses on each base facing the operational doors (only closed in objective games), and a Ghost spawns at the attacking base during asymmetrical gametypes.

Orbital PA announcements[edit]

While playing on Orbital, a female and male voice can be heard every once in a while announcing things over a speaker (much like The Pit and Terminal). Note that these messages will play randomly even if the game is paused in theatre mode. All of these lines are:

    • "Welcome to the Quito Orbital Elevator. Please refer to video monitors for current information."
    • "Please use caution. Don't fall in open elevator shafts."
    • "Possession of firearms at any orbital facility is strictly prohibited." (Ironic, since all players carry weapons, and weapons are freely available throughout the map).
    • "The Quito Orbital Elevator Authority asks all customers to be aware of their surroundings. If you see any suspicious activity or unattended packages, please call the Quito Orbital Elevator Security Hotline." (Ironic, since players are mainly concentrated on killing each other).
    • "Children must be monitored at all times. Do not leave children unattended."
    • ""Upon request, all customers are required to present their valid national identification papers to Orbital Elevator authority personnel."
    • "Transporting hazardous material onto orbital facilities is strictly prohibited." (Ironic, since all players carry weapons, live ammunition, and explosives).
    • "Please remember to keep your children off the escalators."
    • "Due to security restrictions, all transit between the Quito orbital facilities and the Quito elevator base facilities are postponed until further notice. We appreciate your patience."
    • "Trash receptacles have been placed around the facility for your convenience."
    • "All Space Camp attendees, please make your way to Gate 1 upon arrival."
    • "Please do not leave your Mongoose running in the corridors."

Trivia[edit]

Production notes[edit]

  • Orbital, then known as "Moonbase Alpha", was in production as early as October 2007, and was later mentioned again in January 2008.[4][5] At this time, it was said to be something that would appeal to fans of the map Elongation. The map was later teased under the codename "Space Camp" in the 14/02/2008 Bungie Humpday Challenge,[6] before later being confirmed to be the same map as "Moonbase Alpha".[7] More details were later revealed in May 2008 alongside "Purple Reign" and "Smuggler", confirming the map's setting of a UNSC space station.[8] The first screenshot of the map was revealed in November 2008.[9]
  • The male that can be heard over the intercom is Bungie environment artist Chris Carney.
  • The view of Earth on some of the monitors is actually a screenshot from one of the Halo 2 trailers.

Easter eggs[edit]

  • Some of the computer monitors across the map make reference to Cairo Station.
  • Several terminals within Orbital have schedules on them labeled with the names of several notable locations in the Halo series, for example: Charybdis IX and Gilgamesh.
  • The lift at the bottom of the shaft has a total of 7 flashing lights.
  • By the escalator at red base, a newspaper clipping can be found on the floor reading, "Covenant on Earth!", similar to the crumpled newspaper on Longshore.
  • On the various screens around the map there are text boxes containing the standard Lorem Ipsum text.
  • There is a secret room just under and to the left of the rocket spawn.
  • The Orbital Skull can be found on this level.
  • At both entries, there are signs that say "Welcome" written in many languages.

Glitches[edit]

  • Through use of glitches, Orbital offers an opportunity for players to experience direct exposure to space in Halo 3, except for the Valhalla Banshee glitch found only in the Halo 3 Beta.
    • Many players have escaped from Orbital via the windows. Using teleporters, players can find their way to an invisible floor above the map, that allows the player to walk around. The death barriers above the map kill players instantly, but they are easy to avoid once a player determines their locations.

Gallery[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • Orbital Map.

    Orbital Map.

  • Concept art of the level.

    Concept art of the level.

  • An escalator leading towards another chamber, and on the wall is the tribute to Tobias Fleming Shaw.

    An escalator leading towards another chamber, and on the wall is the tribute to Tobias Fleming Shaw.

  • A loading dock with Sniper Rifle in sight.

    A loading dock with Sniper Rifle in sight.

  • Another hallway with two Mongooses in sight.

    Another hallway with two Mongooses in sight.

  • A hallway with vegetation on the wall, as well as two information tubes displaying "Welcome" in several languages.

    A hallway with vegetation on the wall, as well as two information tubes displaying "Welcome" in several languages.

  • The main control station.

    The main control station.

  • Orbital Heatmap.

    Orbital Heatmap.

  • The surface below.

    The surface below.

  • A Spartan-II passing by a window in Orbital.

    A Spartan-II passing by a window in Orbital.

  • A battle on Orbital.

    A battle on Orbital.

  • A band of the Milky Way Galaxy, as seen from Orbital.

    A band of the Milky Way Galaxy, as seen from Orbital.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo 3 Editing Kit, game file H3EK\tags\levels\dlc\spacecamp\spacecamp.scenario
  2. ^ Halo Waypoint: Earth
  3. ^ a b c Game Informer December 2008
  4. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update : 10/12/07 - My favorites are what I have already nicknamed Jodrell Bank and Moonbase Alpha.
  5. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 1/11/08 - “Moon Base Alpha” – a codename only - is definitely still being worked on. It’s received some new lighting and different switches to enable and disable access to various parts of the map. We’re still playing it pretty often. It is a brutal map to play on, that may appeal to fans of Elongation, but is absolutely NOT a remake.
  6. ^ Bungie.net: Humpday Challenge: Toying With Macfarlane - While it’s not the prettiest map in all of Halo history (seriously, the upcoming map nicknamed Spacecamp very well might be, IMHO)
  7. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 2/15/08 - In this week’s Humpday Challenge we mentioned a map called "Spacecamp" and its aesthetic beauty. Folks saw that and thought we were mentioning a brand new, never-before-talked-about map. We weren’t, the map we called Spacecamp is actually the map we’ve been talking about for a while now: Moonbase Alpha. While there are undoubtedly other maps in production, we didn’t just give away mention of a new one, we’re at least somewhat careful, sometimes. Moonbase Alpha’s lighting, decorators and general aesthetic continues to impress each time a new build pops up on my dev kit. A small garden of Ivy embraces a shrine in memory of the creators of the Shaw Fujikawa warp drive. And there are crates, oh yes, there are handsome crates.
  8. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 05/23/08
  9. ^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 11/21/08

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List of campaign levels and multiplayer maps in the Halo series
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