Xbox One Gets a Halo MCC Bundle

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Dust Storm

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With the recent success of the latest Halo: The Master Chief Collection Content Update, Xbox announced yesterday that it will now have an Xbox One bundle that includes MCC.  The bundle is priced alongside the rest of the Xbox One bundles we’ve seen at $349 and will include a Digital Download code for the game.  The bundle includes the console, one controller and a headset, and will be available within the next week or so.  If you’ve been waiting for the woes of the game to come to and end before jumping on board with Xbox One, now is a great time to consider picking up this bundle.

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Pax East 2015 Sales for your Gaming Gear Needs

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Dust Storm

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If you’re looking to grab some gaming gear, now’s the time to take advantage of Pax East savings.  Whether you’re at the expo this weekend or at home catching all the action from the web, many retailers are offering discounts on their products.  Over on the Halo Waypoint Store, you can use the code “OFFICIALHCS” at checkout to receive 15% off any HCS items or other Halo apparel.  Over at GUNNAR Optiks, you’ll receive 15% off any purchase at their booth #5200 or online using the code “PAX15” at checkout.  If we hear about any more sales this weekend, we’ll make sure to update this post.

Update: ASTRO Gaming also has a sale for 20% off any headset when using the code PAXEAST15 at checkout.

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MCC Patch Notes: Mar 3rd

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Dust Storm

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The latest patch for Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available for download.  The patch is shaping up to live up to the hype as we’ve played several matchmaking and custom games with significant improvements of the things addressed in the update.  Here’s the info you need to know:

Matchmaking

  • Made a variety of updates to improve matchmaking performance and success rates
  • Improved matchmaking search times/time to match
  • Improved stability throughout the matchmaking process across all titles

Parties

  • Improved party stability

Halo 2

  • Made improvements to multiplayer shot registration
  • Improved campaign stability across a variety of levels
  • Addressed stability issues for matchmaking and custom games
  • Fixed issues around resuming H2A Campaign from “remastered” mode
  • Improved medal display consistency

Halo: CE

  • Fixed issues regarding aim assist which resulted in the reticle being pushed away from an enemy
  • Improved shot registration consistency between host / client in peer-to-peer custom game matches
  • Resolved a variety of UI inconsistencies, including team color randomization, medals, and in-game scoreboard display
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The Silent Cartographer: Evolved Now Available from CMT

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Dust Storm

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At Pax East we had the privilege in meeting one of the team members of the Custom Map Team developing their third version of the remastered Halo: Combat Evolved campaign.  What some people didn’t know is that they had been working on a completely new, re-envisioned design of the iconic mission, The Silent Cartographer.  This version is completely remastered including new textures, weapons, enemies, encounters, secret pathways, and much more.  You can find links to download and info on how to play the mod over on Halomods.  Listen to our interview with Masterz1337, one of the CMT members in episode 443.

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Vic DeLeon Leaves 343 Industries

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Dust Storm

RukarBQue '13 - Vic & RUL

Earlier today on his Twitter, Vic DeLeon, Lead Artist on the Halo franchise, announced that after working on the Halo franchise for 12 years, he is leaving 343 Industries.

My dear friends,

A few weeks ago I decided after almost 12 years spent working on the Halo franchise it was time for me to move on to something else. Don’t panic! Halo 5 is in good hands and it’s almost finished. The art is flawless -the best yet, and I know you’re all going to love it. I can’t announce what I’m doing next, but rest assured there are some very exciting things coming soon… Thanks for all the love over the years, all the patience, and thank you for listening to, and looking at all my nonsense.

-v

Vic DeLeon was featured on The Sprint, showing his work on the map Truth during the map design process for the Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta.  We are incredibly proud of the work he’s done with the franchise and thank him for his 12 years of efforts and lasting marks in the universe.  Best wishes on your future endeavors, Vic.

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Waypoint Update: February 27th

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Dust Storm

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The finish line is in sight for the next Content Update for the Master Chief Collection as it heads off to Xbox for certification.  According to Bravo from the latest Community Update, the update “will improve stability, matchmaking, the party and invite system, and more,”  which has been rumored to provide major fixes everyone has been hoping for.  Playlists are getting swapped around again with Team Ball, a mix of Team Oddball and Ricochet, replacing SWAT and Team Snipers.  Finally, if you’re interested in more statistics like power weapons with the most kills, players who played the most games, and players with the most Breakout wins, check out the update.

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Podtacular 464: Halo 5 Beta Breakdown – Breakout and Strongholds

Posted on March 1, 2015 by Dust Storm

Halo 5: Guardians is shaping up to focus on the competitive aspect of Halo, which we got a glimpse of during the beta.  Breakout was featured as the new experience coming to Halo multiplayer, and with the modifications to base player traits and the round-based, slayer-type matches, strategies are key to success.  Unyshek joins us on this podcast, being one of the few people to get a perfect, no-deaths game of Breakout, helping us dissect the Breakout gametype and maps.  Strongholds was also introduced as a spin off Territories and King of the Hill, but provides a scoring system that could make for some great comebacks.  Listen in as we discuss strategies and conjure some interesting ideas for these modes if we were making them.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:51:03 — 79.9MB)

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