Halo 3 "X-Button"

By Robert Purchese Published 16 April, 2007

Bungie details new equipment.

This week's Bungie website update has revealed more information about special equipment in Halo 3.

The update comes off the back of a video released by the developer last week, which showed an alpha build of the game undergoing some strenuous multiplayer testing. Alongside the usual gunfights and head-shots were some of the new features, particularly the new deployable special items Bubble Shield and "Tripmine".

These are apparently the first of many collectables that will be activated by thumbing the X-button on your Xbox 360 pad, aiming to add a new layer of strategy to the game.

"You guys did see the final revelation of the mysterious X button. It's what's known (at the moment) as Equipment," the official update states. "The two very plain examples shown in the Vidoc were the Bubble Shield and the Tripmine. Both can be used in all manner of strategic and hilarious ways. There might have been another, but you can wait a month to see that one."

"A piece of equipment will be a rare and valuable find. It will be located, you will pick it up and you will choose when and where to deploy it. As you can see in the HUD, it's indicated that you're carrying it. Pressing X will drop it - not throw it."

You'll get the chance to test this out all for yourself, of course, when the Halo 3 multiplayer beta launches next month. And while you might be able to pick up tips from the diary video, you should be aware the beta build will be different to the alpha one that's on show.

The Equipment won't roll when you deploy it, for example, but drop down by your feet instead. The action-replay feature that lets you watch your deaths will also be changed, presenting itself as a cut-down version of the one in the video - plus the water and other graphical effects are also promised to have been tweaked.

And don't worry if you think these new bits and pieces will break the flow of Halo's much-touted multiplayer experience, as Bungie is confident things will not only remain intact but will be even better this time around.

"Usually, there will be just one available on a map at any given time. Same thing goes for the tripmine, and any other equipment items we may or may not include in the game," the developer explains. "Rest assured, they are incredibly fun to use, and add a subtle layer of strategy, without fundamentally impacting any of the typical Halo 'flow'. In fact, it improves it. There. I said it."

Pop over to Eurogamer TV to see the Halo 3 alpha build in action.

Meanwhile those of you still enjoying the charms of Halo 2 can look forward to some new updates. The update that goes live tomorrow will allow you to buy the two new premium maps, Tombstone and Desolation, and fix some cheating issues with players vying to be the game host.

Bear in mind that you'll have to use the in-game downloader to grab the patch, rather than Marketplace, and you'll need to update Xbox 360 and Xbox if you intend to play it on both systems.

Bungie's aware there may be some teething problems with the update, but is determined to continue to monitor and support the Halo 2 community and keep the online experience fresh and exciting.

Head over to the Bungie website for more information.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (45) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • joeking #1 5 years ago

    Nice! Looking forward to this game!

  • Yossarian #2 5 years ago

    minor correction: the auto-update that fixes some cheating problems etc. already went live last week some time, presumably so the resulting temporary lag/matchmaking issues would be resolved before the maps show up.

    there will be another update a week or so after the maps are available which resets the rankings and updates the matchmaking playlists.

  • SuperZ #3 5 years ago

    ?

  • quantumsheep #4 5 years ago

    "I am an incredibly fun person to be with and I am sure you will all be happy with that.

    I wouldn't recommend ANY games developer to dictate what might be fun to a rip-off of the Doom/Quake series, but with a bit of storytelling and the main character not minding having to miss out on sex or a nice blowjob. "

    I think this is... genius???

  • McDermotX #5 5 years ago

    Is it the button that'll stop them going on and on about the disappointing, average looking multiplayer game (which are better left to PCs) and to focus on anything remotely looking like a next gen single player experience ?
    Edited by McDermotX at 16/04/07 @ 11:57

  • Yossarian #6 5 years ago

    can we lay this 'omg pc shooters supreme!!!!' tedium to rest? I have played more Halo 2 MP than any PC shooter, including all my accumulated hours with the UT series, and with good reason

  • mkreku #7 5 years ago

    The reason being you suck with a mouse and keyboard? ;)

  • McDermotX #8 5 years ago

    Never said anything about PC shooters being supreme, but whereas the likes of Crysis are showing a potentially very strong single player outing and forward looking tech, all showings of Halo3 have been disappointing so far with far too much attention from the devs on the ordinary-looking multiplayer aspect..
    Nothing has been displayed of the single-player (i.e. the MAIN game) so far, but if the multiplayer vids and info is anything, I'm not expecting much from the single player now.
    Plus all the talk of alpha-build videos etc doing the rounds is really starting to sound desperate now, do people really think its going to look/play radically different from what it looks now in the space of a few short months ?
    You only need to look at previous Bungie promises about Halo1 when in dev (not just them, as numerous devs are the same), to doubt their word..
    Edited by McDermotX at 16/04/07 @ 12:10

  • morriss #9 5 years ago

    Why is this a Japanese import?

  • rhinoxious #10 5 years ago

    "Nothing has been displayed of the single-player"

    Except the lengthy video documentary explaning how they've redesigned the brutes to make them a more interesting enemy this time around.

    I think that video told us a lot more about Halo 3 than most preview articles and graphics tarts screenshots tell us about many upcoming titles.

  • bushwod #11 5 years ago

    When Halo 2 was in development Bungie were just as secretive about the single player game as they were this time around, claiming they didn't want to give away any of the story.

    I've enjoyed both the Halo games (and their storylines) and am looking forward to number 3. The constant multiplayer PR hype is just MS trying to make sure gamers don't forget about it in the wake of the PS3.

    I have to agree the graphics are considerably less than mind blowing for a next-gen game, but 'graphics do not a good game make'.

    As for the whole keyboard/mouse thing, their are obviously a lot of people who want to play FPS's with a joypad rather than a mouse and keyboard, myself for one.

  • DUFFKING #12 5 years ago

    Sounds a bit CoD 1-2 killcam stylee.

  • McDermotX #13 5 years ago

    "Except the lengthy video documentary explaning how they've redesigned the brutes to make them a more interesting enemy this time around.

    I think that video told us a lot more about Halo 3 than most preview articles and graphics tarts screenshots tell us about many upcoming titles."

    Please don't tell me that docu impressed you ?
    When I said nothing, obviously I meant in comparison to the multi..
    And there was nothing in that vid or other previews, that'll make people sit up and go WOW.............I'm hoping that we're proved wrong of course, but I doubt it..
    Of course, the game will sell, but that doesn't mean it'll automatically be a great game as the hindsight views of Halo 2 (and to a lesser extent Halo 1) prove.

    Where are the in-depth shots of single player territory? Where are the non-rendered sequences? At this stage even Gears of War, Crysis etc were showing off a lot more of their main games..

  • McDermotX #14 5 years ago

    "When Halo 2 was in development Bungie were just as secretive about the single player game as they were this time around, claiming they didn't want to give away any of the story."

    Liked Halo 1, but thought Halo 2 was a complete letdown in the single-player area, one of the reasons I think 3 will fail in that department.
    They don't need to give away the story or anything like that, just show us something to sugget their focus is on the single-player experience !
    I think the reason they won't is because of the multiplayer fixation, thats fine for all you multiplayer fans, but personally I prefer a little more meat on the bone..

  • Yossarian #15 5 years ago

    ahem.

    rhinoxious I think your cold, hard facts are overlooking the fact that this is Halo, the most overrated game series of all time. let me explain to you why it is the most overrated game series of all time. firstly, I watched someone play it this one time and it didn't look much good even though lots of people said it was good and are patently enjoying it. how feeble-minded! I must disprove their enjoyment! I have made some arguments regarding this point. let me share those arguments with you.

    well how many arguments are there?

    there are three arguments! thusly:

    1: the Halo game series is the most overrated game series of all time.
    2: it is my sworn duty to replicate this opinion in every Halo or Halo-related news stories, review, feature, or article because nobody else could ever have previously held or expressed this unique opinion of mine and it is imperative that people be told or else they might not know.
    3.7bn: omg eurogamer staff but how is this news even hype train weak multiplayer bugs unfinished promises broken abrupt ending cinematic overrated halo halo halo do we have to have a news article every time someone at bungie sneezes drip drip drip no single player footage mouse keyboard controller nobody cares about a goldeneye timesplitters console fps crysis killzone resistance gears alpha beta gamma graphics hype rip-off space marine halo 2.5 level of detail bad lighting can't even see a difference from last-gen this will change games forever in case you couldn't tell I was being sarcastic well here's what I think here is my original thoughts what I think is this well let me tell you how I feel my impressions of the game my opinions let me share them with you better than halo 8/10 revolutionary lol.

    Conclusion: Halo is the most overrated game series of all time. no this does not beg the question, it is clearly self-evidentialised! q.e.d.















    (we get it, guys.)

  • joeking #16 5 years ago

    Why do so many PC gamers bristle at the fact that a lot of people (myself included) would take Halo's single/multiplayer over any shooter the PC has to offer? Why do they care so much? I've never understood it. Fanboysim. It surely is a terrible and cursed affliction.

  • McDermotX #17 5 years ago

    Its not a PC thing at all..
    Its a matter of good gaming regardless of machine. If you enjoy Halo's single/multiplayer game ahead of any PC one, fair enough. But I'm sure there are more than enough people out there who'll figure that the likes of HL2 for example have not been superceded as of yet.
    Criticism of Halo3 showings so far has nothing to do with its 360 origins, just its relatively ordinary previews and over-hyped nature.

  • alpha-0ne #18 5 years ago

    PC gamers will never really get it as there is very little sense of community when compared to halo 2's party system

  • The-Bodybuilder #19 5 years ago

    >"Why do so many PC gamers bristle at the fact that a lot of people (myself included) would take Halo's single/multiplayer over any shooter the PC has to offer?"

    A lot of them are bitter that a console fps is so popular, whilst thier PC fps aren't. They also do not grasp the social aspect of offline multiplayer gaming, seeing as they are usually in solitary-confinment with thier PC monitors and PC Shooter fps 2986.

  • rhinoxious #20 5 years ago

    @McDermotX

    - Please don't tell me that docu impressed you?

    Yes, I found the dev team admitting their mistakes in Halo 2 and trying to improve upon it refreshing viewing.

    -And there was nothing in that vid or other previews, that'll make people sit up and go WOW.

    I wasn't saying there was, but if people get really excited about previews then they're usually either graphic whores or fanboys, or they should know better. I expect Halo3 to be better than Halo2 in terms of gameplay, but I doubt it will have the same impact on me as Halo1 did though. But that's all speculation.

    -Where are the in-depth shots of single player territory? Where are the non-rendered sequences? At this stage even Gears of War, Crysis etc were showing off a lot more of their main games..

    But both of those developers are also hawking engine technology, both those games are adverts. I'm quite glad that Bungie are keeping the single player hidden, I'd rather wait and see and make up my own mind. Even if that means spending my money first.


    @Yossarian

    -rhinoxious I think your cold, hard facts are overlooking the fact that this is Halo

    I didn't think my short post contained any cold hard facts in it. I tend to avoid such things till the games are released. More importatnly I think you're mistaking me for a Halo fanboy/cheerleader.

    As for Halo in general. You have your opinion, and I don't think anything I say will change that. But I really enjoyed Halo1 and even played through it twice (very rare for me these days), Halo2 was comparatively dissapointing in single player compared to 1, but I loved the multi-player, especially over system link with lots of friends.

  • Yossarian #21 5 years ago

    rhinoxious I think you need to read my post again carefully

  • McDermotX #22 5 years ago

    Really have to laugh at some of the insecurity on this thread..
    It wouldn't matter what machine its on.........the bottom line is the game looks and sounds a little underwhelming so far, as is Halo 2 Vista (a PC game, shock horror)..
    This isn't a console bashing view of Halo 3, just an observation of a forthcoming game..............you'll find just as many underwhelming looking games on PC, PS3, Wii etc etc..

    Personally I found Halo 1 good on the original Xbox (didn't transfer well to the PC), and Halo 2 very ordinary (don't expect the Vista one to be any different). The multiplayer end of all titles didn't grab me either being a fairly rudimentary multiplayer setup which although you may find some fun, doesn't push the bar any higher than other, less fashionable games.
    Don't expect this to change with 3, and if the single player aspect isn't the main focus of the devs, it'll just fall into the Halo 2 category again.
    Online multiplayer isn't the be all and end all with everyone, try to understand that.......there are plenty of people out there who just wish devs would concentrate more on the solo side of things..
    Edited by McDermotX at 16/04/07 @ 15:28

  • McDermotX #23 5 years ago

    "But both of those developers are also hawking engine technology, both those games are adverts. I'm quite glad that Bungie are keeping the single player hidden, I'd rather wait and see and make up my own mind. Even if that means spending my money first."

    Does it not worry you ?, not seeing anything special relating to the main game but numerous self-promoting docu vids going on and on about multiplayer..
    Considering the way Halo2 went, do you not think their focus is once again to driven by multiplayer and being top of the Xbox Live charts ?

    Everything shown of Crysis so far, is promoting what looks like a fanatstic single-player experience as well as a game engine which looks leaps and bounds beyond what other devs are aiming for. Not just talking about the flashy graphics, but the level of interaction and advanced physics with your enviroment.
    Halo 3, a far more hyped game, hasn't shown anything even approching that level. Of course, one can argue that that level of interaction will require a more substantial investment than a 360, but in the end we are talking about games and how we like to play them.
    This isn't a chance to compare the 360 latest and greatest with the PC's latest and greatest, more an observation on two similar games for release this generation....and how we think there going to turn out
    Edited by McDermotX at 16/04/07 @ 15:39

  • joeking #24 5 years ago

    "Really have to laugh at some of the insecurity on this thread.."

    I agree. The insecurity emanating from the PC diehards is rather laughable.

    Can't we all just get along?

    /plays games on 360 and PC
    /is going to get a PS3
    /might get a Wii if it gets good games other than Mario, Zelda, Metr....zZzZz

  • Xerx3s #25 5 years ago

    Lol @ the haters in a feeble attempt to downplay anything Halo related.

    I have played shooters. Tons of them. Long before a lot of people even got pc's. I also took the effort of going marathon while others only limited themselves to doom. I've played just about every known and less known shooter out there and for god sake: GIVE IT A REST. Yes, we know the halo franchise makes you feel insecure. Tjees. You made that point very clear the past couple of thousand times you communicated your feelings.

    Not that it really matters of course. When you are still feeling grumpy about the game posting how lame it is this autumn, the rest of us will be enjoying the sp and mp. As for H2 MP being mediocre: lol.

  • McDermotX #26 5 years ago

    PC Diehard !!!!
    Don't make me laugh......school must be over, as all the children are now on the comment section..
    Tried to communicate some misgivings about what we've seen of Halo3, only for everyone to flip out all because someone doesn't share the same viewpoint..

  • Bertie Verified Senior Staff Writer, Eurogamer.net #27 5 years ago

    Why is this a Japanese import?

    I have absolutely no idea. Must have hit various other buttons in a news frenzy.

    /fixes

  • Mr_Brown #28 5 years ago

    Worst secret ever...I was never excited or curious what this would be. Surely your going to be able to change the button layout...making this news worthless really.

  • McDermotX #29 5 years ago

    that is why they're called misgivings.......not fact, as in apprehension..

  • McDermotX #30 5 years ago

    So you're happy with what you've seen of Halo 3, yes ?
    Thats fine...........so you've made a summary of what you've seen..

    So have I, and I'm not as impressed as some. That's fine as well..

    Neither is pointless, as you put it...otherwise no-one would comment on forthcoming games

    I hope Halo 3 single player turns out well, but just repeating what we've seen before, with no real innovation will not elevate it to being a great game.....just more of the same. The lack of any real detail in previews, and decidely average multiplayer info, can be looked at a few ways, and going on similarly hyped games, is rarely a good thing, but lets hope Bungie pull it out of the bag..

    One things for certain, the game will not live upto the expectations that some people have here, but as we seen with Gears of War, a lot of people will not admit to it..

  • McDermotX #31 5 years ago

    Can appreciate that..
    but nothing of the game has impressed me....single or multiplayer, docu vid, print previews etc etc..
    If multiplayer is the best thing about the Halo series (which a lot of people suggest), nothing so far seems to show any real jump in quality.
    Personally I have no anticipation for the game now, which will probably be a good thing by the time it comes out, but HL2 lived upto it, so we'll see if Halo3 does..

    Something like Bioshock is much more appealing showing some logical, tangible progressions for FPS style gameplay, should turn out well with any luck, but will probably get the PC version for obvious reasons..

  • skillian #32 5 years ago

    If we can't agree that Halo is rubbish, can we at least agree that comments threads regarding Halo usually are :)

  • McDermotX #33 5 years ago

    "If we can't agree that Halo is rubbish, can we at least agree that comments threads regarding Halo usually are :)"

    You said it, but compared to your average HD-DVD vs Blu-ray forum thread its positively civil !

  • Xerx3s #34 5 years ago

    PC Diehard !!!!
    Don't make me laugh......school must be over, as all the children are now on the comment section..
    Tried to communicate some misgivings about what we've seen of Halo3, only for everyone to flip out all because someone doesn't share the same viewpoint..

    Lol? Whatever on the pc thing mate. As for the people flipping; maybe people are tired of the same continues spam from haters taking time to tell us all how crap the halo franchise is at every opportunity. It becomes tiresome. You don't see me joining every FF thing telling people how much better the likes of BG2 where compared to FFVI? But what do I know, I don't hate Halo so i'm biased right?

    As for H3, I'm perfectly happy the way it looks now. They don't seem to rape the look and feel that made the first two so good.

    And lol again at mentioning how halo 2 sp failed h1 sp and then mentioning just about the most failed sequel sp campaign game. Seriously HL was ten times better than HL2.

  • joeking #35 5 years ago

    "One things for certain, the game will not live upto the expectations that some people have here, but as we seen with Gears of War, a lot of people will not admit to it.."

    And in this one paragraph, you expose your true mindset. You don't think the game is looking any cop so far. Fair enough, you're entitled to your views. But you've been in this thread all day. What does that say? It says crusade and agenda to me. Voice your opinions once, twice or thrice at most, and then move on. Anything more is trolling. And nobody likes a troll.

  • McDermotX #36 5 years ago

    Actually I'm rarely in the comments section
    Think I may have only posted once/maybe twice before, but from what I've seen today, unless your of the opinion as everyone else, you're wrong.
    No tolerance for anyone else's opinion etc etc..

    I never stated Halo was crap (in fact, I enjoyed the first one very much), but things are not black and white as some here seem to think it is. Just because something isn't making me go WOW, that doesn't mean there a hatred of all things Halo......you are reading far too much into it..

    As for chiming in with a few comments......no agenda behind it at all, but its obviously not a place for a mature discussion about gaming.......at least I found that out today. Like I said earlier, that amount of insecurity in a comment/thread is not good for debate.

    The unfortunate thing about "trolls" as you call them, means that all serious chance of meaningful discussion goes out the window once someone disagrees with certain people's viewpoint..............in my opinion, that is worse than trolling.

    Good luck
    Edited by McDermotX at 16/04/07 @ 18:03

  • joeking #37 5 years ago

    You may well have a point. The problem is that you concede the moral high ground when you say such things as, and I quote, "One things for certain, the game will not live upto the expectations that some people have here" and "but as we seen with Gears of War, a lot of people will not admit to it.." I do not see a tolerant attempt at 'discussion' in this sentences. I see contempt. Indignation. I see a trace of annoyance that "these people refuse to see the truth". And that is why I called you out as trolling.

    I'm not the biggest Halo fan myself. I liked the first game, and was fairly cold on the second. But time and time again I have to sift through Halo 3 threads, a game which I am very excited about, in order to bypass the mindless and routine drivel that the likes of yourself come out with. You ruin these threads time and time again. Instead of a discussion on the functionality of the X button, something I'm looking forward to trying after that last interesting MP video, we are having the same tired old debate, and all because you're so desperate to tell the world that they're WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! and you're RIGHT! RIGHT! RIGHT!

  • Mudo #38 5 years ago

    Not keen on the current look of the Bubble Shield projector - all big and cartoony - but I'm especially glad they've removed the rolling feature which I thought was fairly ridiculous looking.

    I don't like how people and vehicles can move through the Bubble Shield, meaning it only blocks projectiles. Seems silly. Especially as a grenade comes with less speed and force than a warthog, so it's also illogical and I like the technology to be realistic. Or at least, logical.

    I'm glad the equipment is rare though.

    Overrall: Not keen on Equipment as /the/ new gameplay feature - the new innovation, the new evolution in FPS gameplay. Well, that's what it feels like they're trying to do - trying to innovate so it seems like they're doing something new and not just Halo 2 with new levels, which good reviewers on good review sites would not like.
    Well, I'm skeptical.
    But I also don't think the gameplay needs altering anyway - Halo gameplay is super duper as it is. But, as mentioned, good reviewers require some innovation to give the best scores.
    Edited by Mudo at 16/04/07 @ 20:33

  • zendragon #39 5 years ago

    It seems to me this kind of overeaching and viral marketing is running out of steam.

    This game is so important for them that microsoft will spend at least double what it spent for gow and then some.


    Frankly there is no need for every fart about this franchise to be in gaming news.


    Me too about finding the released graphics underwhelming. It can't be can it?

  • Carrybagma #40 5 years ago

    OhMiGd you can do that with the X button ???? OMG well at least I know and my treatment from the doctor can now stop and perhaps I can relax a bit and stop shaking now that the nerve jangling MYSTERY of it all is over phew omg oh wait oh shit oh no hang about aren't there other buttons too ???? omg wtf do they do then ???? omg more buttons more buttons more buttons more MYSTERY oh feck oh fuck oh feck what might they do ??? can you pick things up or put things down fire a gun ??? omg ive got the shakes again hang about EQUIPMENT ??? wtf ??? in a game ???? how did they manage that then ??? omg teh Halo awesomeness nevah ends

    \o/

    Yay for more Halo news! HoW AbOUT AlTERNATING HaLO NeWS WiTH NiGHTS NeWS? We'D GeT ThE BeST Of BoTH WoRLDS ThEN. Oh, AnD RoB DaCHEESE 4 DA HaLO NeWS WiN! MuCH BeTTAH ThAN ThE ToM ThUMB GuY.

  • Mr_Brown #41 5 years ago

    Don't know why everyones having a bitch fight about how its going to be a 'disapointment'...

    Come on lets be realistic shall we, most of whom whos moaning now will fall into the hype train when it comes to a month or two just like the rest of us. And you'll be looking through all the forums and online gaming shops to find where you can get it on launch day and even lining up outside ASDA. Face facts...Halo 2 was a disapointment...aparently. It was still one the biggest and fastest selling games ever, it was until not long ago the most played online game ever on any console. I personally played it to death. So stop whinging, Halo 3 will be the bestest game ever when its released and it'll stay that way for a year or two after until Gears of war 2 comes out. Whether you 'personally think that it sucks' or not, your entitled to your opinion, but it won't change the inevitable.

    The public decide with their wallets and the gamers will decide with their pads...forumites moan with their keyboard and mouse...which is more effective to the game industry huh?
    Edited by Mr_Brown at 16/04/07 @ 22:22

  • Yossarian #42 5 years ago

    guys I covered every possible thought or opinion you are going to come up with on this subject in my post above. haven't you been in a Halo comments thread before?

  • MrAtheist #43 5 years ago

    guys I covered every possible thought or opinion you are going to come up with on this subject in my post above. haven't you been in a Halo comments thread before?

    Well, to be fair, I didnt see the words 'abysmal', 'level' and 'design' in your comment. Edit it and things should be sweet. :)

    PS add 'shoddy' and 'framerate' while you are there. ;)

  • Yossarian #44 5 years ago

    can we just file that under 'The Library'






    wait I like that level :'(

  • NegativeZero #45 5 years ago

    So I guess that the defending team in a single-flag CTF game will get a couple of turrets that they have to deploy strategically with this...