Busy Gamer News

Bungie promised big news for the fifth anniversary of Halo, but alas none of it offers gamers anything new to do today. It's all about future stuff, and there are serious issues with most of the news. First, there's a new Halo 3 ad which debuts Dec. 4 during Monday Night Football. But the footage is all third-party CGI done by Digital Domain because the Halo 3 game engine isn't far enough along for Bungie to feel comfortable showing it. Next, Bungie announced there will be new Halo 2 multiplayer maps due in early-to-mid 2007. Yes, they'll cost money, and - here's the kicker! - you'll only be able to get them on Xbox 360 despite the fact that Halo 2 is an original Xbox title that runs in emulation on the 360! But the really big news is that 360 owners will be too busy with a Halo 3 multiplayer public beta next spring to care about those Halo 2 maps. Again, nothing to do now but wait - thanks for nothing, Bungie...