New Halo 2 Maps.

[Solid Snake]

Here is a link to the bungie site giving details on 4 of the new maps:
Bungie.net New Maps (http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory.aspx?story=maptacular&p=2747963)
These 4 maps will be available via XBox live in late April, 2 will be free and 2 you will have to pay for. They will also be on the $19.99 disk available in May.

The pictures are way to big to put on the board so here are direct links to the screen shots. Pretty impressive.
Containment (http://i145.exs.cx/img145/5203/h2mpcontainment6by.jpg)
Warlock (http://i145.exs.cx/img145/9057/h2mpwarlock6xe.jpg)
Sanctuary (http://i145.exs.cx/img145/3686/h2mpsanctuary0hw.jpg)
Turf (http://i145.exs.cx/img145/2479/h2mpturf7gq.jpg)

[Bond]

Awesome. I can't wait for the cheat fixes... I'm getting really tired of all the cheaters.

[dropCGCF]

"warlock" reminds me of old Turok multiplayer maps.

[KillerGremlin]

Cool as that might be, it's still disapointing to see that only 2 are free, and that you have to drop cash for the others. Although, that was expected. Especially after seeing how much content was left out "to not have to prolong the release" of the game. I call bullsh*t on Microsoft, but I'll be getting the maps, being the big hypocrite that I am.

[Bond]

If you took the time to read the press release you would see that all the maps will eventually be free.

[Solid Snake]

I have taken a break from Halo 2 for a while, once these new maps come out I will be playing a lot more. They are also supposed to fix the different cheating thats been going on when the release the first 4 maps and new playlists. Cheating is probably the biggest reason I stopped playing, it will be very refreshing not to run into that anymore.

One of the playlists that I am really looking forward to is the 2 vs 2.

[KillerGremlin]

If you took the time to read the press release you would see that all the maps will eventually be free.

I did. By then most people will already have dished out the cash to play them.

If anything, Microsoft is using this as a test to see how many people are willing to dish out money for new maps. It's not enough that you have to pay 50 dollars a year for Microsoft's servers, so naturally content will cost more. I mean, Valve is making people pay for new content on Steam, and Blizzard is making people pay additional money, on top of server fees, for new content too!?!?! Right?

See, if Nintendo was smart, and if they weren't a bunch of greedy corporate whores, they would have said, "we don't want to go online because we are worried that the payment system will eventually go corrupt." Of course, that's really out of place for Nintendo.

[Crash]

obviously warlock is the redone wizard.... which i hate

[thatmariolover]

Just got the press release from MS today from their retail department:

Console gaming will never be the same again, as Microsoft Game Studios has announced a June 28 release date for the highly anticipated Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack. The multiplayer expansion pack, which is the first of its kind for a console title, contains nine new multiplayer maps to push gamers' skills to their limits. The retail package also contains two new videos: an animated side-story from the single-player story in New Mombasa and a mini-documentary that includes interviews with the map designers, combat strategies and fly-throughs of the new maps. The retail pack also allows gamers who prefer offline play via system link and split-screen to upgrade their Halo 2 experience with new maps. The retail version of the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack carries a suggested retail price of $19.99 (U.S.).

As a special bonus, Xbox Live subscribers will get an early chance to check out four maps from the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack in late April. Two maps, Containment and Warlock, will be presented by Mountain Dew at no cost to Xbox Live subscribers. Two additional maps, Sanctuary and Turf, can be purchased via Xbox Live for $5.99 (U.S.). To complete the Map Pack collection, subscribers can download the five remaining maps on June 28 for $11.99 (U.S.).

Set in a Forerunner environment on Delta Halo, Containment is a massive, icy outdoor environment suitable for vehicle combat and large team objective games such as Capture the Flag. Warlock, a small to midsized indoor arena set in ancient Forerunner ruins, offers ample opportunities for a variety of game types such as Territories, Slayer, Team Slayer and more. Located in the streets of Old Mombasa near the wreckage of a downed Covenant Scarab, Turf is a midsize asymmetrical urban combat environment with narrow streets, dark alleyways and heavily defended buildings. The sunlit remains of an ancient Forerunner temple, Sanctuary is a medium-sized symmetrical environment excellent for Capture the Flag, Assault, Territories and Slayer games.

[Crash]

june? WTF

[thatmariolover]

june? WTF

Be sure to read the middle paragraph.

[Crash]

yeah, but i'd rather buy the disk... are they going to let us download the video and documentary from xbox live?

[KillerGremlin]

Microsoft can already smell the money.

[Solid Snake]

They are hoping that the hardcore Halo fans will pay the $5.99 for the two new maps at the end of April and buy the 19.99 disk in June. Or better yet download all the maps and buy the disk for the videos and extra features.

As for me I will probably just downlaod the 2 free and then buy the disk in June.

BTW, did we just get the May release date wrong or did they delay it?

[Crash]

WARLOCK (remake of wizard) in wonderful d3

http://www.bungie.net/images/games/halo2/screenshots/warlock_4.mov