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Article[/url]]T3: What's inside the Mythic Map Pack?
Brian Jarrard: The Mythic Map Pack includes three brand new multiplayer maps for Halo 3. Sandbox combines large-scale vehicular combat with a limitless amount of Forge customization. Boasting a tiered, open-world layout, “Halo 3” players will be able to build their own unique game experiences using the Forge map editor. Sandbox is a map unlike any Bungie has ever created.
Assembly is set in the heart of a Covenant Scarab manufacturing facility. With two identical bases on either side of this medium-sized map, it’s a perfect environment for both Slayer and objective games like Capture the Flag and Assault.
Orbital, a small asymmetrical map, is set in the docking station of the Quito Space Tether. One-sided games like One Flag, and One Bomb are sure to become quick fan-favorites, but the Slayer faithful will also find plenty of action on this battleground.
T3: How do each of the three maps compare? What are the different kinds of gameplay on offer?
Lars Bakken: Well all three play very differently, which is intentional, because we want to give people variety. Orbital is a very fun, small asymmetric map which is great for one-sided games like One Flag CTF and One Bomb Assault. Assembly is a very balanced symmetrical small team map which is good for Team Slayer and Multi Flag, and Sandbox is basically Forge plus-plus. They each offer different styles of gameplay, which also has the side benefit of filling up different categories in Matchmaking.
T3: What was the original idea behind Sandbox?
Lars Bakken: The original idea behind Sandbox was to give players an open map to play around with in Forge (the social map editor in Halo 3). We gave them Foundry as part of the Legendary Map Pack last year, but that was in a dark warehouse. We thought, “what if we give them a big outdoor space to play around in?” From there it was making sure it was possible to open up the space and give players a little more freedom - freedom to build up or down, as the case may be.
T3: If Sandbox is the successor to Foundry, what improvements or changes have you made to give people more ways to create new maps?
Lars Bakken: Well, Forge itself didn’t see any changes, but the amount of objects you have at your disposal is pretty ridiculous. We added a few new goodies specifically to Sandbox as well. On top of the screen effect filters (which are back) [you can also check them out in the screenshots – T3], there are now a couple dynamic lights to throw around. There is also a new fun object we lovingly call the “Kill Ball.” It basically lets you set up areas where anything that enters it, will be killed. That should offer some fun new possibilities for players and map designers.
T3: How do you decide which kind of maps to work on? Do you pick a location and see what works, or do you go in with a specific gameplay-type in mind?
Lars Bakken: When we’re at the early stages, we really try to cater to a type of game engine (CTF, Slayer, Territories) when coming up with what we’re going to do. Once we figure out we want to do, say a big vehicle-centric, open, CTF style map, then we start thinking about the location. Should it be Human, Covenant, or Forerunner? We’re lucky that we have three distinct styles of environments to play with, which gives the artists some cool challenges and unique opportunities.
T3: Is there any new equipment or achievements to unlock?
Lars Bakken: Yes, there are new achievements associated with each map. I don’t want to talk too much about them, because I think a few of them in particular will be cool for the fans to figure out. As for equipment, no new equipment per-say, however Sandbox is designed for use with the Halo 3 Forge map-editor and will offer fans some new building blocks to play with.
T3: How do you get hold of the Mythic Map Pack?
Brian Jarrard: The Mythic Map Pack will initially be available exclusively as part of the upcoming Halo Wars Limited Collector’s Edition (available on 27th February in Europe and on 3rd March in the Americas).
However, after a little time has passed, the map pack will be available to purchase as a standalone download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
T3: How much does it cost?
Brian Jarrard The Mythic Map Pack will cost 800 points once it’s available for download from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
T3: How does matching work for this – will there be ranked matches available from the launch of Halo Wars Limited Collector’s Edition?
Brian Jarrard: Initially there will be one unranked playlist available on Xbox LIVE for fans who obtain the maps via Halo Wars. Once the maps become more widespread and are available on Marketplace, we will integrate them more fully into matchmaking. In the interim, with the potential population pool being a bit lower than a traditional DLC map release over LIVE, we wanted to make sure we didn’t spread players too thin and create a negative experience as people try to get matched into games. Everyone who gets the maps early via Halo Wars will still have a fun place to enjoy matchmaking in addition to being able to play custom games and start working on their Sandbox Forge masterpieces before the masses download the maps from Xbox LIVE.
T3: Is there any significance in the name 'Mythic'?
Lars Bakken: The significance is that it’s essentially the next step up in difficulty over Legendary in the Halo games. Mythic is a skull modifier the player may turn on to make the game even more difficult. Our map pack naming scheme started at Heroic with the first release, so it was only natural to go to Legendary (with the last one), and now Mythic.
T3: Apart from making new Halo 3 content, Bungie is working on Halo 3: ODST – is there any crossover between the games?
Lars Bakken: Hmmm, that’s an interesting question. There are the Vidmaster Achievements that we’ve talked about a bit in the past. The gist is that if you finish all 4 Vidmaster Challenges in Halo 3, and then also conquer the final 3 Vidmasters in Halo 3: ODST, players will unlock the coveted Recon armour in Halo 3. There just might be some other things too, but I don’t think we can talk about that yet.
T3: If I have a copy of ODST and my friend buys the Mythic Map Pack, will we be able to play together?
Lars Bakken: Yes, absolutely. You’ll be able to play Halo 3 multiplayer together. There is no difference there.
T3: Apart from map content, will there be any other kind of crossover – Master Chief versus ODST deathmatches?
Lars Bakken: Hahahaha... Now, that’s a cool idea. Nothing like that though. ODST is its own story, and we’re trying to keep them separate as this is a side story.
T3: So, to get this straight - to get the Mythic map pack, you can buy the special Halo Wars version, the standalone map pack or Halo 3 ODST – could that be confusing?
Brian Jarrard: Halo 3: ODST will include the complete Halo 3 multiplayer experience which does mean that a lot of players may already have purchased some of the DLC maps over the past year or two. However, there are some brand new exclusive maps and with so much other great content and the ODST campaign also being stuffed into the box, it’s our hope that the final price reflects a great value and doesn’t give anyone the impression that they are paying for something they already bought.
T3: Will there be any more crossovers of this kind?
Brian Jarrard: The upcoming Mythic Map Pack on Xbox LIVE and the retail release of Halo 3: ODST this Fall is all we’re focusing on right now. Well, all that we’re able to talk about that is.
T3: Halo 3: ODST and Halo Wars are almost complete new directions for the series – are there any other genres that the Halo universe could fit with?
Brian Jarrard: That’s the great thing about the Halo Universe – there’s so much foundation to work with, it’s a living breathing world with deep story hooks, interesting characters, galaxy spanning conflict and exotic far off locales. At Bungie, we’re very excited to be taking the series in a slightly new direction with the upcoming Halo 3: ODST, to give players a new perspective and a new experience beyond the story of Master Chief. With the right creative vision and execution, there are plenty of other interesting directions Halo could go. Only time will tell.
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