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{{Infobox VG
|title = Halo 3
|image = [[Image:Halo 3 final boxshot.JPG|256px]]
|developer = [[Bungie]]
|publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|resolution = 640p<ref name=640p/>
|designer =
|composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]]<br />[[Michael Salvatori]]
|series = ''[[Halo (series)|Halo]]''
|engine = Proprietary "Halo Engine"<ref name="igntrailer" /> with [[Havok (software)|Havok Physics]]<ref name=engine>{{cite web |url = http://www.havok.com/content/view/555/53/ |title = Havok comes to you with Halo |accessdate = 2007-10-10 |date = [[2007-03-10]] |workr = Havok.com |quote = To create the immersive game environments, Bungie once again chose Havok Physics.}}</ref>
|version = 1.2 (September 23, 2008)
|released =
{{vgrelease|NA=September 25, 2007<ref name=releasedate>{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12467 |title = Finish the Fight on September 25, 2007 |accessdate = 2007-05-16 |author = Smith, Luke |date = [[2007-05-15]] |publisher=[[Bungie.net]] |quote = On September 25, 2007, players will be able to finish the fight they started in Halo: Combat Evolved and continued in Halo 2. Halo 3 will be released in Europe on September 26, 2007.}}</ref>}}
{{vgrelease|EU=September 26, 2007<ref name=releasedate />}}
|genre = [[First-person shooter]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[Cooperative gameplay|co-op]], [[Cooperative gameplay|online co-op]], [[multiplayer]], [[online multiplayer]], Forge, and [[Halo 3#Campaign Scoring|Meta-game]]
|ratings = {{vgratings|ESRB=M17+|PEGI=16+|BBFC=15<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/1FB3194D3E47659580257341004F4642?OpenDocument|title=''Halo 3'' BBFC Rating Page|publisher=bbfc.co.uk|year=2007|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref>|OFLCA=M<ref>{{web cite|url=http://www.classification.gov.au/special.html?n=46&p=156&sTitle=Halo+3&sTitleExact=1&sMediaGames=1&sDateFromM=1&sDateFromY=2003&sDateToM=10&sDateToY=2007&record=221739|title=''Halo 3'' Game (Multi Platform)|publisher=The Classification Board and Classification Review Board|publisher=classification.gov.au||year=2007|accessdate=2007-07-18}}</ref>|OFLCZ=R16+|CERO=17+}}
|platforms = [[Xbox 360]]
|media = [[DVD-9]]
|requirements =
|input = [[Gamepad#Xbox 360|Gamepad]], [[Xbox 360 accessories#Headset|Headset]]
}}

'''''Halo 3''''' is a [[first-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Bungie]] exclusively for the [[Xbox 360]]. The game is the third title in the [[Halo (series)|''Halo'' series]] and concludes the [[story arc]] that began in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and continued in ''[[Halo 2]]''.<ref name="announcement">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Halo3Announcement |title = Halo 3 Announced |accessdate = 2007-08-06 |author = Achronos |authorlink = Bungie Studios|date = [[2006-05-09]]|work = [[Bungie.net]]}}</ref> The game was released on September 25, 2007 in Australia, Brazil, India, New Zealand, North America, and Singapore;<ref name=releasedate /> September 26, 2007 in Europe; and September 27, 2007 in Japan. On the day before its official release, 4.2 million units of ''Halo 3'' were in retail outlets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6179772.html| title=Analyst: 4.2M Halo 3s already at retail | accessdate=2007-09-24 | author= Sinclair, Brendan | work = [[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

''Halo 3''{{'}}s story centers on the interstellar war between 26th century humanity, led by the [[United Nations Space Command]], and a collection of alien races known as the [[Covenant (Halo)|Covenant]]. The player assumes the role of the [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]], a cybernetically enhanced supersoldier, as he wages war in defense of humanity, assisted by human [[Marine (military)|Marine]]s as well as an allied alien race called [[Elite (Halo)|Elite]]s, which is led by the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]]. The game features vehicles, weapons, and gameplay not present in previous titles of the series, as well as the addition of saved gameplay films, file sharing, and the Forge map editor; a utility which allows the player to perform modifications to multiplayer levels.

''Halo 3'' grossed US$300 million in its first week.<ref name="sales"/> More than one million people played ''Halo 3'' on [[Xbox Live]] in the first twenty hours.<ref name="1milxbox"/> As of January 3, 2008, ''Halo 3'' has sold 8.1 million copies,<ref name="2008-01-03 sales"/> and was the [[2007 in video gaming#United States|best-selling video game of 2007 in the U.S.]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17006 | title=NPD: 2007 U.S. Game Industry Growth Up 43% To $17.9 Billion | author=Brandon Boyer | publisher=[[Gamasutra]] | accessdate=2008-01-18 | date=2008-01-18}}</ref> Overall, the game was very well-received by critics, with the Forge and [[multiplayer]] offerings singled out as strong features; on [[Game Rankings]], ''Halo 3'' ranks as the eighth highest rated Xbox 360 game to date.<ref name=gr/> A prequel to the game, ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', is currently under development by Bungie.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Halo3 campaign ss.png|thumb|left|[[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] aims his Assault Rifle at a group of [[Covenant (Halo)#Grunts|Grunts]]. An activated equipment, called the bubble shield, is shown.]]
The gameplay of ''Halo 3'' builds upon the previous iterations of the franchise; it is a [[first-person shooter]] which takes place on foot, but also includes segments focused on [[vehicle|vehicular]] combat. The balance of weapons and objects in the game was adjusted to better adhere to what [[Bungie Studios]] Multiplayer Designer Lars Bakken describes as the "Golden Triangle of ''Halo''".<ref name="golden">Bakken, Lars. "[[Marketing for Halo 3#"Is Quisnam Protero Damno!"|Is Quisnam Protero Damno!]]" [[Bungie Studios]], 2007. (in English)</ref> These are "weapons, grenades, and melee", which are available to a player in most situations. ''Halo 3'' contains the ability to dual-wield, where a player forgoes grenades and melee attacks in favor of the combined firepower of two weapons simultaneously. Most weapons available in previous installments of the series return with minor cosmetic and power alterations. Unlike previous installments, the player's secondary weapon is visible on their player model, holstered or slung across the player's back.<ref name="1up prev">{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|date=2006-11-06|url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?pager.offset=2&cId=3155028|title=''Halo 3'' Xbox 360 Preview|publisher=[[1up.com]]|accessdate=2007-10-25}}</ref> ''Halo 3'' introduces "support weapons", which are exceptionally large, powerful, and cumbersome two-handed weapons which drastically limit the player's normal combat options and slow them significantly, but offer greatly increased firepower in return.<ref name="ignburning">{{cite web |url = http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/812/812177p1.html |title = Burn, Baby! Burn! |accessdate = 2007-08-10 |author = Goldstein, Hilary |date = [[2007-08-10]] |work = [[IGN]] |pages =1-2 }}</ref> In addition to weapons, the game contains a new class of usable items called Equipment;<ref name="ign review"/> these items are found in the game world and have various effects and functions, ranging from defensive screens to shield regeneration and flares. Only one piece of equipment can be carried at a time.<ref name="edge179" /> The game's vehicular component has been expanded with new drivable and [[Game artificial intelligence|A.I.]]-only vehicles.<ref name="Gamespot"/><ref name="Bungie-podcast082707">{{cite web |url = http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/8/5/d85ce76f-0cb2-41df-aaae-a8c96790332b/Bungie_Podcast_082807.mp3|title = Bungie Podcast |accessdate = 2007-09-02 |author = Bungie Studios |date = [[2007-08-03]]}}</ref>

''Halo 3'' also adds new features not directly related to gameplay. One such feature, known as 'Forge', is a map-editing tool that enables players to insert and remove game objects, such as weapons and crates, into existing multiplayer maps.<ref name="Bungie-podcast082707" /> Almost all weapons, vehicles, and interactive objects can be placed and moved on maps with Forge.<ref name="BWU-07-08-03">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12685 |title = Bungie Weekly Update: 08/03/07 |accessdate = 2007-08-05 |author = O'Connor, Frank |date = [[2007-08-03]] |work = [[Bungie.net]] |archiveurl = http://nikon.bungie.org/bwu/index.html?item=139 |archivedate = 2007-08-04 |quote = [...] placed a RIDICULOUS number of exploding fusion cores [...] respawn times set to as close to "instant" as Forge allows [...]}}</ref> Players can enter Forge games and edit and manipulate objects in real time. A budget limits the amount of objects that can be placed.<ref name="H3Manual">''Halo 3'' Manual (Silverlight), [http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/halo3.aspx available online from Microsoft.com].</ref> Another new feature are 'Saved films', which allows players to save up to 100 films of gameplay to their Xbox 360's hard drive,<ref name="100 gamesaves">{{cite web |url = http://nikon.bungie.org/bwu/index.html?item=135 |title = Bungie Weekly Update |accessdate = 2007-09-02 |author = Smith, Luke |date = [[2006-09-02]] |work = [[Halo.Bungie.Org]]|quote = Players will be able to save up to 100 total films (this is also referenced to in a podcast that it is all items, so 100 films, or 20 "forges" and 80 films, et cetera}}</ref><ref name="h3betaSavedFilms">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/content.aspx?link=h3betaSavedFilms |title = Saved Films and File Share |accessdate = 2007-05-16 |author = O'Conner, Frank |date = [[2007-05-15]] |work = [[Bungie.net]] }}</ref> viewing the action from any angle and at different speeds. The Saved Films are only game data (not an actual video) and this allows the file sizes to be smaller than a true recording. All games are recreated in real-time on the Xbox 360 using the ''Halo 3'' engine.<ref name="handson">{{cite web |url = http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/20070511-mulitplayerbeta.htm |title = Hands-On: Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta |accessdate = 2007-05-12 |author = Atkin, Denny |date = [[2007-05-11]] |work = Xbox.com }}</ref> ''Halo 3'' offers a form of file sharing, where items such as saved films, screenshots, custom game modes, and Forge settings can all be uploaded to the 'File Share'. Anyone can browse user created content that has been uploaded to Bungie's website on a personal computer and tag it to automatically download to their console next time they sign into Xbox Live on ''Halo 3''.<ref name="edge179">{{cite journal |journal = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge (UK)]] |title = Finish the Fight |month = September | year = 2007 |issue = 179 |pages = 66&ndash;77 |issn = 1350-1593 |accessdate = 2007-08-07 |url = http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2007/08/edge_179.php }}</ref><ref name="BWU-07-08-17">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12718 |title = Bungie Weekly Update: 08/17/07 |accessdate = 2007-08-19 |author = Smith, Luke |date =2007-08-17 |publisher=[[Bungie.net]] }}</ref>

===Campaign===
''Halo 3''{{'}}s campaign contains nine levels, which complete the storyline of the ''Halo'' trilogy. The campaign can be played through alone, with two-players on one Xbox 360, or played [[Cooperative gameplay|cooperatively with up to three other players]] via [[Xbox Live]] or [[System Link]].<ref name="soundofsack" /> Instead of having each player be an identical [[SPARTAN-II Project|Spartan]] as in previous ''Halo'' games, the first player plays as [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]], the second player plays as the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]] and the other two players control two other [[Elite (Halo)|Elite]]s; [[List of Halo characters#N'tho 'Sraom|N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[List of Halo characters#Usze 'Taham|Usze 'Taham]], each with their own backstories. No matter which character is played, each player has identical abilities.<ref name="soundofsack">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack |title = The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3 |accessdate = 2007-08-02 |author = Smith, Luke |date = 2007-07-31 |publisher= [[Bungie.net]] }}</ref> A.I. behavior was enchanced and improved; the behavior of enemy [[Covenant (Halo)#Brutes|Brutes]] the player faces was modified, giving them a "[[Herd behavior|pack mentality]]" that causes the aliens to perform similar actions at the same time and altering gameplay.<ref name="ign review"/><ref name="et tu brute">{{cite web|author=O'Connor, Frank|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=9340|title=Et Tu Brute?!|date=2006-12-06|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref> There are various [[Forerunner (Halo)|Forerunner]] computer terminals hidden throughout the campaign which can be accessed and provide background storyline information.

''Halo 3''{{'}}s campaign features a scoring method called the "[[Metagaming|meta-game]]", which can introduce a competitive aspect to cooperative play. Players are awarded points for defeating enemies while completing a level in the campaign. Extra points are awarded for certain actions (such as performing [[headshot]]s or defeating multiple enemies in rapid succession), and are lost if the player dies or kills a team-mate. Hidden [[skull]]s (based on the [[Easter egg (virtual)|Easter egg]] skulls in ''[[Halo 2]]'') can be found on each level and then subsequently activated before future missions to cause changes in the gameplay; such as giving the enemies extra health, changing in-game [[dialogue]], or modifying a specific A.I. behavior.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12828|title=Get the Most Out of Skulls|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|date=2007-10-03|accessdate=2007-11-22}}</ref> These skulls, as well as the difficulty level and the speed at which the level is completed, provide multipliers to the total score.<ref name="edge179" /> Players are awarded [[Xbox Live#Gamerscore|gamerscore]] points for successfully reaching a certain score in each level,<ref name="Achievements">{{cite web |url = http://www.xbox360achievements.org/achievements.php?gameID=274 |title = Halo 3 Achievements |accessdate = 2007-07-30 |author = Bungie |date = 2007-06-19 |publisher =Xbox360Achievements.org }}</ref> and medals are awarded for specific accomplishments.

=== Multiplayer ===
On a single console, up to two players can play campaign and up to four can participate in a versus multiplayer match through use of [[Split screen (computer graphics)|split screen]]. Through use of [[local area network|LAN]] or [[Xbox Live]], up to four players can play together in campaign, up to eight can customize a map in Forge mode, and up to sixteen can participate in versus multiplayer matches. (Each console must retain their respective split screen limitations.) A public [[beta test]] of the game's online multiplayer features, as well as saved films and file share, took place four months before the full release.<ref name=multiplayermadness>{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=MPBetaAndVidocRelease |title = Inside Bungie: Multiplayer Madness! |accessdate = 2007-04-17 |author = O'Connor, Frank |date = [[2007-04-10]] |publisher = [[Bungie.net]] |quote = The Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta will go live on May 16th at 12:00 AM PDT and run through June 6th at 11:59 PM PDT}}</ref> Statistics from all games that are completed by players while connected to Xbox Live are also uploaded to the respective player's "service record" on Bungie.net.

Players must actively seek out other players through their [[Xbox Live]] Friends list, using the party invite system, or the LAN search feature to play multiplayer matches with their own custom rules and customized maps. If they are connected to Xbox Live however, a player can choose to have the game decide for them the exact rules and map to play on, as well as finding additional people to play against or with, using the "Matchmaking" system (the automated grouping of players of similar skill). A player will decide from a selection of developer designed "playlists" which each contain a certain way to experience the game. The games contained within a playlist can range from 1 vs 1 free for all, to 8 vs 8 team play. Often focusing on either [[Deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]] games (known as "Slayer" in Halo), objective games (e.g. [[Capture the flag#Software and games|Capture the Flag]]) or a combination of the two.<ref name="MMplaylists">{{cite web | url = http://www.bungie.net/online/Playlists.aspx?mode=1 | title = Matchmaking Playlists | accessdate = 2008-10-03 | last = Armstrong | first = Chad "Shishka" | authorlink = Bungie | date = 2008-10-03 | format = HTML | work = Bungie Online | publisher = Bungie LLC | location = Seattle, Washington, USA | archiveurl = | archivedate = | quote = Variety of different Playlists (or "Hoppers") that you can join with your friends, or solo }}</ref> The playlists are regularly updated; either to remove unpopular types of games or map variants, fix ones that do not work well, or to introduce entirely new gametypes or whole playlists.

Like other multiplayer Xbox 360 titles, ''Halo 3'' uses a customized version of [[TrueSkill]] ranking system for its matchmaking on a per-playlist basis (i.e. a player's performance in one playlist will not affect who they are matched against in another playlist). On top of this, a linear measure of a player's experience with the matchmade portion of the game and each particular playlist (as of TU2) is also tracked (denoted as [[Experience point|XP]]).<ref name="1up-3155479"> {{cite web |url = http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3155479 |title = The Five Best Things About Halo 3 |accessdate = 2007-04-28 |author= Smith, Luke |date = [[2006-11-24]] |f |work = [[1up.com]] }}</ref> Rank insignia are unlocked and displayed by a player's Gamertag as they attain certain totals of XP (and/or skill level). To help players have an enjoyable time online, several peace-of-mind features are implemented within easy reach, such as avoid/feedback options on a player's service record, as well as voice chat mute straight from the in-game scoreboard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165796.html |title=Halo 3 gets shutup button |accessdate=2007-04-28}}.</ref> Like ''Halo 2'', ''Halo 3'' supports downloadable content and updates.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke |date=2007-10-09|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12844|title=Halo 3: Matchmaking Playlist Update 1|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref>

==Synopsis==
===Setting===
''Halo 3'', like its predecessors, is set in the fictional Halo universe, taking place during the year 2553. According to the backstory, humans developed [[faster-than-light]] travel (using a Shaw-Fujikawa engine attached to a regular space shuttle) and colonized hundreds of planets before encountering the alien [[Covenant (Halo)|Covenant]] in 2525.<ref name=timeline>{{cite web|author=Bungie|url=http://halosm.bungie.org/story/halostory.timeline.html|title=Ancillary: Halo Story Timeline|publisher=[[Halo.Bungie.Org]]|accessdate=2007-10-04}}</ref> The Covenant declared humanity an affront to their gods and began [[vitrification|destroying]] human colonies by glassing out the entire planet. Despite efforts to keep the Covenant from finding Earth, a Covenant fleet discovered humanity's homeworld during ''[[Halo 2]]''.<ref>{{cite book | year=2007 | editor=[[Bungie Studios]] | title=Halo 3 Instruction Manual | publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]]}}</ref> By the beginning of ''Halo 3'', the Covenant have arrived in full force on Earth, with most human resistance crushed.

The titular 'Halo' refers to [[Halo (megastructure)|massive ringworlds]] several hundred kilometers in diameter that are scattered across the galaxy. These rings were constructed thousands of years ago by an enigmatic race known as the [[Forerunner (Halo)|Forerunners]] as a weapon of last resort against the parasitic alien species known as the [[Flood (Halo)|Flood]]. When activated, the seven Halos would destroy all [[sentience|sentient]] life in the galaxy, thereby depriving the Flood of its food.<ref>'''Cortana''': You have no idea how this ring works, do you? Why the forerunners built it? Halo doesn't kill flood, it kills their food. Humans, covenant, whatever. We're all equally edible. The only way to stop the flood is to starve them to death. And that's exactly what Halo is designed to do; wipe the galaxy clean of all sentient life. - {{cite video game| title = [[Halo: Combat Evolved]]| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| year = 2001| platform =[[Xbox]]| version = | level = Two Betrayals}}</ref> The ringworlds were activated once in the distant past, and the Forerunners are believed to have perished.<ref>'''343 Guilty Spark''': After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died ...as planned. - {{cite video game| title = [[Halo 2]]| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| year = 2004| platform =Xbox| version = | level = The Great Journey}}</ref> In ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', a small human ship fleeing the Covenant stumbled upon one of these ringworlds, [[Halo (megastructure)#Installation 04|Installation 04]]. The humans manage to destroy the ring, stopping the Flood once again; the Covenant, unaware of the destructive nature of the rings, attempt to fire another ring during ''[[Halo 2]]'' in order to fulfill their religious prophecy.<ref name=wind>'''Mercy''': Halo. Its divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation. - {{cite video game| title = [[Halo 2]]| developer = Bungie Studios| publisher = Microsoft| year = 2004| platform =[[Xbox]]| version = | level = Sacred Icon}}</ref> One race in the Covenant, the [[Covenant Elite|Elite]]s, learn the truth about the rings, and join forces with their onetime enemies, humanity, in order to stop the firing of the ring. Though they are successful, the unexpected shutdown of the installation triggers a failsafe protocol—''all'' the rings are ready to fire from one single location, referred to as the [[Halo (megastructure)#The Ark|Ark]].<ref>'''343 Guilty Spark:''' Fail-safe protocol: in the event of unexpected shut-down, the entire system will move to standby status. All installations are now ready for remote activation. / '''Commander Keyes:''' Remote activation? From here? / '''343 Guilty Spark:''' Don't be ridiculous. [...] Why... the Ark, of course. {{cite video game|title=Halo 2 |developer=Bungie |publisher=Microsoft |platform=Xbox }}</ref> Still oblivious to the true nature of the rings, the Covenant [[High Prophet of Truth]] and the remaining loyalist Covenant proceed to head to Earth, where they believe the Ark is buried.

===Characters===
[[Image:Masterchief cortana h3.png|thumb|right|From left, [[Characters of Halo#Miranda Keyes|Miranda Keyes]], [[Cortana]], the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]], [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] and [[Characters of Halo#343 Guilty Spark|Guilty Spark]]]]
{{main|Characters of Halo}}
''Halo 3''{{'}}s protagonist is the [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]], a surgically enhanced supersoldier who is one of the last surviving members of the [[SPARTAN Project]], and one of humanity's greatest warriors. The Chief fights alongside the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]], an [[Elite (Halo)|Elite]] and disgraced commander whose race breaks free from the Covenant. Two new Elite characters, [[Characters in the Halo series#N’tho ‘Sraom|N’tho ‘Sraom]] and [[Characters in the Halo series#Usze ‘Taham|Usze ‘Taham]], appear as the third and fourth players in co-op play.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=thesoundofsack |title = The Tru7h About Co-Op in Halo 3 |accessdate = 2008-01-16 |author = Luke Smith (Lukems) |date = 2007-07-31 |format = HTML |publisher = Bungie.net }}</ref> Supporting characters that were introduced in previous games return; these includes Sergeant Major [[List of Halo characters#Avery Johnson|Avery Johnson]], a veteran human commander, as well as Commander [[List of Halo characters#Miranda Keyes|Miranda Keyes]], who prevents the firing of [[Halo (megastructure)#Installation 05|Installation 05]] in ''Halo 2''.<ref name=additionalvoices /> The Forerunner Monitor [[List of Halo characters#343 Guilty Spark|343 Guilty Spark]], who tries and fails to stop the Master Chief from destroying its ringworld in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', also makes an appearance.<ref name=additionalvoices /> Filling an alternating antagonistic/helpful role to the player is the large [[Flood (Halo)|Flood]] entity known as "[[Gravemind]]"; encountered during ''[[Halo 2]]'', the leader of the Flood escapes from confinement on Halo by invading the Covenant mobile city of ''High Charity'' and capturing [[Cortana]], a human-created [[Characters in the Halo series#AIs|A.I.]], in the process.<ref name=additionalvoices />

===Plot===
Taking place shortly after the events of the comic mini-series, ''[[Halo: Uprising]]'',<ref name="H_uprising">{{cite web |url = http://www.halo3.com/html/Halo_Uprising.html |title = Halo: Uprising On Halo3.com |accessdate = 2007-06-22 |author = Bungie Studios |authorlink = Bungie Studios |date = 2007-06-14|publisher=Halo 3.com|quote = ...the miniseries will bridge the gap between ''Halo 2'' and the upcoming release of the highly-anticipated ''Halo 3'' video game... }}</ref> ''Halo 3'' begins with the Master Chief entering Earth's atmosphere and crashing to the ground in eastern Africa, where he is found by [[Sergeant Major A.J. Johnson|Sgt. Major Johnson]] and the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]]. The Chief, Johnson, and company fight their way out of the jungle and arrive at a UNSC outpost. Here, [[List of Halo characters#Miranda Keyes|Commander Keyes]] and [[List of Halo characters#Terrence Hood|Lord Hood]] plan a last-ditch effort to stop the Covenant leader, the [[High Prophet of Truth]], from activating a [[Forerunner (Halo)|Forerunner]] artifact uncovered outside the ruins of the city of New Mombasa. The Chief is ordered to clear a way into the city of [[Voi]] and to destroy all anti-air Covenant defenses so Hood can lead the last of Earth's ships against the Prophet. Using the opening caused by the ground attack, Hood mounts an offensive against Truth's ship, but the Prophet activates the buried artifact which creates an enormous [[slipspace]] portal. As the human ships recover from the shock wave, Truth and his followers enter the portal, while a ship controlled by the [[Flood (Halo)|Flood]] crash-lands nearby. [[Elite (Halo)|Elite]] forces, allied with humanity, arrive and [[vitrification|vitrify]] Flood-infected areas of Earth, neutralizing the parasitic threat. Following the cryptic message from the human artificial intelligence [[Cortana]] left aboard the Flood cruiser, the Chief, Arbiter, Elites, Johnson, Keyes and a handful of Marines follow Truth through the portal. Joining them is the Forerunner construct [[343 Guilty Spark]], who aids the Chief as he no longer has any function to fulfill after the destruction of his Halo installation in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.

Traveling through the portal, the humans and Elites discover an immense artificial structure —the [[Halo (megastructure)#The Ark|Ark]]— which is far beyond the edges of the Milky Way galaxy. Here Truth can activate all the Halos. The Chief and company activate the installation's map room to find Truth at the Ark's control room. During their journey, the Flood arrive en masse on the former Covenant Holy City ''High Charity'', and begin infesting the installation. While attempting to gain access to The Ark' Control Room, Johnson is captured by Truth; the prophet needs a human to utilize the Forerunner technology. Attempting to rescue Johnson, Keyes is killed by the prophet, and Johnson is forced to activate the rings. The Flood leader [[Gravemind]] forges a temporary truce with the Chief and Arbiter in an effort to stop Truth. The Arbiter, Master Chief, and Flood forces arrive and overwhelm Truth's guards, rescuing Johnson and halting the installations' firing. After the Arbiter kills Truth, Gravemind turns on the Chief and Arbiter, who escape the Flood's grasp.

The Chief, Arbiter and Guilty Spark discover that the Ark is creating a new ringworld to replace the one previously destroyed. The Chief decides to activate only this ''new'' ring to eliminate the local Flood while sparing the galaxy at large. Before he can activate the ring, however, he needs an Activation Index. Knowing that Cortana acquired a copy of one on the first Halo, he rescues the AI from ''High Charity'' and creates a chain reaction to destroy the infested city and severely damage the Gravemind.

Arriving on the new Halo, Cortana warns that the Gravemind is trying to rebuild itself on the ring. The Chief, the Arbiter, and Johnson make their way to the control room, where they will activate Halo's weapon. Guilty Spark explains that because the ring is not yet complete, a premature activation will destroy it and the Ark. When Johnson ignores his warning, Guilty Spark kills him to protect "his" ring. The Chief destroys Guilty Spark, activates the ring, and escapes the ring's blast on a frigate, ''Forward Unto Dawn.''

Only the front half of ''Forward Unto Dawn'', carrying the Arbiter, makes it through the portal. Believing the Chief and Cortana to have perished, a memorial service is held for the fallen heroes of the human and Covenant war. After the memorial service, the Arbiter departs for his home planet, where the Elites are finally free of the Prophets' hegemony. Meanwhile, the rear half of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' floats in unknown space. Cortana drops a beacon, but realizes it may be years before they are rescued. The Chief enters cryonic sleep, telling Cortana to "wake me, when you need me." If the game is completed at the highest difficulty level, the scene continues to show the piece of ''Forward Unto Dawn'' drifting towards a mysterious planet.

==Development==

<!-- http://www.gameplayer.com.au/gp_documents/Halo-3-Year-On.aspx -->
Initial conception for ''Halo 3'' was done before the game's predecessor, ''[[Halo 2]]'' was released in 2004.<ref>{{cite video |people=[[Marty O'Donnell|O'Donnell, Marty]] |date2=2007-09-25 |title=Halo 2 Developer's Commentary |medium=[[Halo 3#Versions|''Halo 3'' Legendary Edition]] | time=04:00| publisher=[[Bungie Studios]]}}— '''O'Donnell:'''"I remember when we were doing the Cortana Letters years ago where we had the entire plan from the beginning of the Cortana Letters to the end of the trilogy."</ref> For a period after this, much of the staff were still preoccupied in making extra content for ''Halo 2'', while others continued with the groundwork for the development of ''Halo 3''. Bungie remained almost completely silent as to what their new project was for the next year and half, occasionally leaving comments in their weekly update alluding to a "new project."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=updatemay05|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 05/05/06|author=O'Connor, Frank|date=2006-05-05|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]}}</ref> Due to the cliff-hanger ending of ''Halo 2'', many observers correctly speculated that Bungie's new project was ''Halo 3''.

The game was officially announced with a [[Real-time computing|real-time]] [[cinematic]] [[trailer]] at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2006]].<ref name="announcement" /> Similarly to the development of ''Halo 2'', Bungie kept the public informed on game development via "Bungie Weekly Updates". During development, the game was divided into single player and multiplayer [[Software build|builds]]; this made debugging and testing the much smaller multiplayer files quicker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=8858|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 09/01/06|author=O'Connor, Frank|date=2006-09-01|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]}}</ref> While details of ''Halo 3''{{'}}s multiplayer were widely disseminated in the sixteen months leading up to the release,<ref name="1up prev"/> the single-player aspect of the storyline was kept relatively secret throughout much of the development to build up interest. The first campaign screenshots did not appear until a year after the announcement trailer, on July 5, 2007, as a "tease" for the planned pace of marketing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12625|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 07/06/07|author=O'Connor, Frank|date=2007-07-06|accessdate=2007-10-27|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]}}</ref>

===Graphics===
''Halo 3'' utilizes a proprietary, in-house [[Game engine|graphics engine]], often referred to as the "''Halo 3'' Engine".<ref name="igntrailer">{{cite web |url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/706/706251p1.html |title = E3 2k6: Halo 3 Trailer Impressions |accessdate = 2007-06-25 |author = Sanders, Kathleen |date = [[2006-05-09]] |publisher=IGN E3 2006 Coverage |publisher=[[IGN]]|quote = ...rendered in real-time on the [[Xbox 360]] using the current version of the ''Halo 3'' engine.}}</ref> As detailed on the Bungie Studios website, it employs advanced graphics technologies such as [[High dynamic range rendering|High Dynamic Range]], global lighting and [[depth of field]] effects within cutscenes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Klepek, Patrick|date=2007-03-19|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158071|title=Bungie Says ''Halo 3'' Graphics are coming Together|publisher=1up.com|accessdate=2007-10-02}}</ref> [[Motion blur]]ring was absent from the beta, but was added to the final game.<ref>{{cite web |author=Booker, Logan|date=2007-11-01|url=http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/article.asp?CIID=97254 |title=Halo 3 - Review - Console Gaming |publisher=atomicmpc.com.au|accessdate=2008-01-08}}</ref> Most of the dynamic objects in the game cast real-time shadows on themselves and the environment around them, including the game's plant life. ''Halo 3'' uses [[Normal mapping|normal]], [[Bump mapping|bump]], and [[parallax mapping]] to give surfaces more detail without dramatically increasing the number of polygons. Players can see distances of up to ten miles (16 km) away, all fully three-dimensional.<ref name=scivsfi/> Real time reflections were written into the engine; however, they are often unused as Bungie considered it a waste of resources.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12834|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|date=[[2007-10-05]]|accessdate=2007-11-05|first=Frank|last=O'Connor|title=Bungie Weekly What's Update 10/05/07}} - '''BlatentB:''' "What happened to the real time reflections on Master Chiefs visor?" '''Frankie:''' "Nothing. They’re still in the game engine, but they’re not really much use, and are kind of a waste of CPU, so in many instances, MP for example, we save resources for more important stuff by using cube maps."</ref>

After the game was released, speculations arose that ''Halo 3'' did not natively render at true [[High-definition video|HD]] resolution (at least 720 lines of vertical resolution).<ref>{{cite web|author=Dobson, Jacob|date=2007-09-28|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/28/halo-3-not-hd-runs-at-640p-pixel-counters-claim/|title=''Halo 3'' not HD: Runs at 640p, Pixel Counters Claim|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|accessdate=2007-09-30}}</ref> In a Bungie Weekly Update, it was confirmed that the game was rendered at 1152×640 resolution instead of the usual 1280×720 (HD) resolution that most [[Xbox 360]] games use.<ref name=640p/> The choice for this design was conscious on Bungie's part, due to the fact that ''Halo 3'' uses two frame buffers instead of the usual one, and that this choice would allow Bungie to preserve as much of the dynamic range as possible for the game's lighting, as well as maintaining a smooth frame rate. The picture could be upscaled all the way up to [[1080p]] by the Xbox 360.<ref name=640p>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|date=2007-09-28|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12821|title=You owe me 80p!|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2007-10-01}}</ref>

===Audio===
As with all titles on the Xbox 360, ''Halo 3'' fully supports [[Surround sound#5.1 Channel Surround (digital discrete: Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS)|5.1 surround sound]] audio.<ref name=productinfo>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/gamedetailpage.htm |title= Halo 3 - Game Detail Page |accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> In the game, there are over 50,000 pieces of audio, with nearly 40,000 of those being NPC dialogue.<ref name="edge179" /> This is far more than in either of the preceding ''Halo'' titles; ''Halo 2'' had over 15,000 pieces of dialogue. The AI controlling this dialogue is designed to ensure the exchanges flow naturally and convincingly.<ref name=scivsfi>{{cite web|url=http://gameroom.mlgpro.com/view/zyiJ5z9YWvg.html|title=Sci vs. Fi - ''Halo 3'' Documentary|publisher=mlgpro.com|accessdate=2007-10-05|date=2007-10-02}}</ref> Separate recordings were made for nearby and distant gunfire to make for a more believable sound experience in the public beta,<ref name=betaaudio>{{cite web |url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12505 |title=Bang Bang: Audio in the Halo 3 Beta |author=Smith, Luke |publisher=[[Bungie Studios]] |date=2007-05-28 |accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref> and the finished game uses the [[Waves Audio]] plugin to modify dialog and other audio in-game depending on conditions.<ref name=finalaudio>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=12878 |title=Waves Audio Plug-ins in Halo 3 |author=Smith, Luke |publisher=[[Bungie Studios]] |date=2007-10-19 |accessdate=2008-10-08}}</ref> Distant gunfire sounds, which may first seem like prerecorded ambient sound, may often be the result of an actual firefight happening elsewhere in the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=10898|title=Bungie Weekly Update 2/26/2007|publisher=[[Bungie Studios]]|date=2007-02-26|accssdate=2008-01-06}}</ref>

[[Marty O'Donnell]] again composed the original score for the game. Some pieces of the game's music are produced with a much larger real orchestra than any pieces in the prior two games. For example, the music for the announcement trailer was recorded with a 60-piece orchestra and a 24-piece [[choir]].<ref name="announcement" /> ''Halo 3'' is the first game in the series to feature custom soundtracks, allowing players to replace in-game music with their own choices.<ref name="BungiePodcast">{{cite web |url = http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/8/5/d85ce76f-0cb2-41df-aaae-a8c96790332b/Bungie_Podcast_092007.mp3 |title = Bungie Podcast: So Long|accessdate = 2007-09-22 |author = Smith, Luke |authorlink = |date=2007-09-20 |format = [[MP3]] |work = Bungie.net }}</ref> The ''[[Halo 3 Original Soundtrack]]'' was released on November 20, 2007.<ref name=amazoncd>{{cite web |url = http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Original-Soundtrack-2-CD-Set/dp/B000W04S6U |title = Halo 3 Original Soundtrack |accessdate = 2007-10-17}}</ref> Included on the soundtrack is an original composition submitted by fans and judged by Nile Rodgers, Michael Ostin, and Marty O'Donnell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163737|title=''Halo 3'' Soundtrack, Contest Announced|author=Pigna, Kris|date=2007-10-17|accessdate=2007-10-26|publisher=[[1up.com]]}}</ref>

=== Cast ===
Voice actors returning to reprise their roles in ''Halo 3'' include [[Jen Taylor]] as Cortana, [[David Scully]] as Sergeant Johnson and the Elites, [[Keith David]] as the Arbiter, [[Tim Dadabo]] as [[343 Guilty Spark]], [[Ron Perlman]] as Lord Hood, [[Robert Davi]] as Rtas 'Vadum, and [[Steve Downes]] as the voice of Master Chief. The game also features new voices, with [[Terence Stamp]] and [[Justis Bolding]] replacing ''Halo 2'' voice actors [[Michael Wincott]] and [[Julie Benz]] as the [[Prophet of Truth]] and [[List of Halo characters|Miranda Keyes]] respectively.<ref name="voice">{{cite web|url=http://dvice.com/archives/2007/11/the_faces_of_halo.php|title=The Faces of Halo|author=Staff|date=2007-11-22|publisher=gamesindustry.biz|accessdate=2007-11-30}}</ref> Additional voices include celebrity presenter [[Jonathan Ross]],<ref name="redcarpet">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=28748 |title = Microsoft plans star-studded Halo 3 launch in UK |accessdate = 2007-09-19 |author = Martin, Matt |date=2007-09-18 |work = gamesindustry.biz }}</ref> [[Nathan Fillion]], [[Adam Baldwin]], [[Alan Tudyk]], [[Katee Sackhoff]], and [[John DiMaggio]].<ref name="voice"/> Members of the ''Halo'' [[machinima]] ''[[Red vs. Blue]]'' ([[Burnie Burns]], [[Gus Sorola]], [[Matt Hullum]], [[Jason Saldaña]], [[Geoff Ramsey]], and [[Joel Heyman]]) have a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] role.<ref name=additionalvoices>{{cite book | year=2007 | editor=[[Bungie Studios]] | title=''Halo 3'' Instruction Manual | publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]] | page=31}}</ref>

==Marketing and release==
[[Image:Halo 3 Nasdaq.jpg|thumb|right|A ''Halo 3'' launch event was held at the [[NASDAQ]] building in [[New York City]] on September 25.]]
{{main|Halo 3 marketing}}
Various marketing techniques were employed in promoting the release of ''Halo 3''; these included various trailers of the game, real-time cinematics, recorded gameplay sequences, pre-rendered [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]], and [[live action]] film.<ref name=brandweek>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandweek.com/bw/magazine/current/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003637129|title=Anatomy Of An Onslaught: How Halo 3 Attacked|publisher=brandweek.com|date=2007-09-10|first=Kenneth|last=Hein|accessdate=2008-01-15}}</ref> Throughout the course of development Bungie released four "developer documentaries" which explain the processes behind creating parts of the game. A large scale multiplayer [[beta test]] was played on Xbox Live with more than 800&nbsp;000 members of the public being able to take part and experience the game for themselves.<ref name=brandweek /> Beginning in June 2007, [[Iris (game)|''Iris'']], an [[alternate reality game]], began on the internet, designed to create hype for the game while involving players in slowly revealing background information for the game.<ref name=brandweek /> The actual release was met with worldwide launch parties.<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/launch/newyorkcity.htm|title=New York City Halo 3 Launch Event|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|publisher=Xbox.com|date=2007-09-25|accessdate=2007-10-26}}</ref>

Numerous interviews with Bungie staff were conducted by gaming press establishments, covering a vast range of subjects dealing with the game. Magazines and journals also occasionally ran stories revealing new information. [[Pepsi-Cola]] announced a new line of soft drink, a variant of [[Mountain Dew]] named Game Fuel, branded with the ''Halo 3'' logo and the [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Brudvig, Erik|date=2007-07-31|url=http://au.xbox360.ign.com/articles/809/809612p1.html |title=Halo 3 Box Arrives at IGN Offices |accessdate=2007-08-22 |publisher=[[IGN]] }}</ref> Much of the advertising focused on appealing to the general public, rather than just hardcore fans of the game; for example, some [[7-Eleven]] stores advertised ''Halo 3'' and sold specialty cups and copies of the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff| url=http://www.xbox360rally.com/reserve-halo-3-at-7-11-today/ |title=Reserve Halo 3 at 7-11 TODAY! |accessdate=2007-08-22 |date=2007-08-06 |publisher=Xbox 360 Rally}}</ref> On September 12, 2007 the "Believe" ''Halo 3'' ad campaign, focused on the epic nature of the story and heroism told through [[diorama]]s and third party accounts of Master Chief's service, began with the video "Museum" and continued on past the game's release.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/watch-the-new-halo-3-ad-museum/|author=McElroy, Justin |title=Watch the new Halo 3 ad: "Museum" |accessdate=2007-09-12 |date=2007-09-12 |publisher=[[Joystiq]]}}</ref>

=== Leaks ===
Months before the release of ''Halo 3'', the game's final testing copy before its [[Software release life cycle#Gold or general availability release|gold release]] (codenamed Epsilon and confirmed by Bungie to be 99.9% complete),<ref name="epsilon">{{cite web |url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12718 |title = Homestretch |accessdate = 2007-09-24 |author = Bungie |date = [[2007-08-17]] |work = [[Bungie.net]] }}</ref> was [[Internet leak|leaked to the Internet]]. Microsoft reacted to this leak by having the Xbox Live accounts of gamers caught playing the Epsilon copy banned until the year 9999..<ref name="epsilonleak">{{cite web |url = http://uk.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25905855 |title = Halo 3 Epsilon cheaters banned until 9,999 AD |accessdate = 2007-09-24 |author = "thorsen-ink" |date = [[2007-09-07]] |publisher = gamespot.com }}</ref> Two weeks before ''Halo 3'' was due to be released, full retail copies of the game complete with photographs of the open game box started to appear on the internet auction site [[eBay]].<ref name="ebayprerelease">{{cite web |url = http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=8824 |title = Early Copys of Halo 3 Sell on eBay |accessdate = 2007-09-24 |author = Yam, Marcus |date = [[2007-09-11]] |work = dailytech.com }}</ref> A week before ''Halo 3'' was due for release, major UK catalog retailer [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]] accidentally released some of their final retail copies of ''Halo 3''. Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division were quoted as being "disappointed that it happened" but that "it was just an honest mistake" and that Microsoft had no intention of punishing Argos for the error.<ref name="argosrelease">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=28860 |title = Microsoft won't punish Argos |accessdate = 2007-09-22 |author = Elliott, Phil |date = [[2007-09-20]] |work = gamesindustry.biz }}</ref>

''Halo 3''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s final retail copy was leaked online over a week before its official release. The 6.14 [[gigabyte]] file of the game was [[Ripping|ripped]] and downloaded by "thousands" of people within 24 hours of the leak.<ref name="h3leak">{{cite web |url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=28887 |title = Halo 3 leaked online |accessdate = 2007-09-22 |author = Matt Martin |date = [[2007-09-21]] |publisher= gamesindustry.biz }}</ref> Videos of the ending of ''Halo 3'', obtained from the leaked copy, were captured and posted on [[Video hosting service|video sharing sites]].<ref name="h3leak" />

===Versions===
{{Halo 3 Versions}}
''Halo 3'' was released in three separate versions. The Standard Edition contains the game disc, manual, and a small poster with the game's control-map and artwork.

The Limited Edition, contained in a metal case, contains the game disc, manual, poster, interactive Xbox 360 bonus disc with several featurettes, and a hard cover bound "Bestiarum", which is a collection of information and art covering the species, cultures, and civilizations of ''Halo 3''.

The final version was marketed as the "Legendary Edition", which contains the game disc, manual, poster, interactive bonus disc, Bestiarum (on one of the DVD discs), Legendary DVD containing special content exclusive to the Legendary Edition, and a scale replica of the Master Chief's helmet as a case for the three discs. The slip-cover packaging unfolds into a large heavy-stock poster of Master Chief.<ref name="versions">{{cite web |author=O'Connor, Frank|url = http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12531 |title = Three Versions of Halo 3 |accessdate = 2007-06-08 |author = Frank O'Connor (Frankie) |date = [[2007-06-08]] |work = [[Bungie.net]] |archiveurl = http://nikon.bungie.org/bwu/index.html?item=130 |archivedate = 2007-06-09}}</ref> [[Gamestation]] stores in the UK also offered a limited edition Master Chief figurine only available to the first 1000 pre-orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcfarlanes-figures.com/halo-3.html|title=Halo 3 Becomes The World's Biggest Selling Game|publisher=McFarlanes Figures|date=2007-09-25|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref>

Upon release, some of the Limited Edition versions of ''Halo 3'' were found to have a defect in the hub that kept the discs in place, which could lead to scratched discs. Microsoft confirmed the problem and offered to replace scratched ''Halo 3'' Limited Edition discs free of charge until the end of January 2008.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemuse/xbox360/gameplay/discreplacement-program.htm|title=XBox Disk Replacement Program |accessdate=2007-09-25 |date[[2008-01-23]]|publisher= [[Microsoft]]|publisher=Xbox.com}}</ref> This was not a problem in either the Legendary Edition or the Standard Edition.<ref>{{cite web| author=Yam, Marcus|url=http://www.dailytech.com/Early+Halo+3+Limited+Edition+Owners+Plagued+by+Scratched+Discs/article9010c.htm |title=Early Halo 3 Limited Edition Owners Plagued by Scratched Discs |accessdate=2007-09-22 |date=2007-09-22|publisher= [[DailyTech]]}}</ref>
{{-}}

===Sales===
[[Image:Bill Gates Halo 3 launch.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bill Gates]] sold copies of the game at the launch in Bellevue, WA.]]
According to Microsoft, first-day sales of ''Halo 3'' reached $170 million in the U.S., setting a record for highest gross of an entertainment product within 24 hours of its release,<ref name=170M/> which was later surpassed by ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]''. The performance beat the previous record setter, predecessor ''[[Halo 2]]'', which earned $125 million within 24 hours after its launch.<ref name=170M>{{cite web|url=http://au.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3/news.html?sid=6179914|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|title=Halo 3's first-day US haul = $170M|date=2007-09-26|accessdate=2008-01-16|first=Tor|last=Thorsen}}</ref> ''Halo 3'' has beaten other records as well; at least four million copies of ''Halo 3'' were pre-ordered globally, making it the fastest pre-selling game to date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2007/05/10/halo-3-pre-orders-top-4-million/|title=Halo 3 pre-orders top 4 million|publisher=xbox360fanboy.com|accessdate=2007-11-24|author=Mitchell, Richard|date=2007-05-10}}</ref> Worldwide more than US$300 million worth were sold in the first week, helping to more than double the sales of the Xbox 360 when compared with the weekly average before the ''Halo 3'' launch.<ref name="sales"/> In the U.S., ''Halo 3'' sold 3.3 million copies in its first 12 days on sale,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3/news.html?sid=6181307 |title=NPD: Halo effect helps Sept. sales hit $1.3B |accessdate=2007-10-19 |author=Sinclair, Brendan |date=2007-10-18 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> increasing to 3.7 million copies by November 15, 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6183006.html |title=NPD: October retail gaming tally tops $1.1 billion | accessdate=2007-11-15 | author= Sinclair, Brendan | date=2007-11-15 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> On October 4, 2007, [[Reuters]] UK estimated that ''Halo 3'' may have sold up to 5.2 million copies worldwide in the first two weeks after launch.<ref name="sales">{{cite web |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUKN0438777720071005 |accessdate=2007-10-08 |date=2007-10-04 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |author=Hillis, Scott |title=Microsoft says "Halo" 1st-week sales were $300 mln}}</ref> By November 30, 2007, ''Halo 3'' had sold 5 million copies worldwide, and as of that point, was the [[2007 in video gaming#United States|best-selling video game of 2007 in the U.S.]], even though the game is only available on one console.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976843.html?categoryid=2525&cs=1 |title=Videogame sequels hit geek peak |author=Fritz, Ben |date=2007-11-30 |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref> On January 3, 2008, Microsoft announced that ''Halo 3'' has sold 8.1 million copies.<ref name="2008-01-03 sales">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6184291.html | author=Sinclair, Brendan | title=MS: 17.7 million 360s sold | date=2008-01-03 | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | accessdate=2008-01-04}}</ref> The game drew over a million [[Xbox Live]] members to play online in the first 20 hours, making it the biggest day for Xbox Live gaming in history.<ref name="1milxbox">{{cite web|url=http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202102318|title=Halo 3 Sales Smash Game Industry Records|publisher=Information Week|accessdate=2007-10-03|date=2007-09-27|first=Paul|last=McDougall}}</ref>

On October 15, 2007, ''Advertising Age'' reported that movie studio executives were convinced the release of ''Halo 3'' harmed box office receipts; the week's take was 27% less than the previous year's yield.<ref>{{cite web|author=Watts, Steve|date=2007-10-15|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3163668|title=Film Execs Blam ''Halo 3'' For Poor Box Office|publisher=1UP.com|accessdate=2007-10-20}}</ref> While some executives decided the disparity in estimated and actual gross for films like ''[[The Heartbreak Kid (2007 film)|The Heartbreak Kid]]'' was due more to the film's poor reception, other analysts believed that "the audience on [''Halo 3''] is the 18-to-34 demographic, similar to what you'd see in cinemas" and that this led to a decrease in receipts.<ref>{{cite web|author=Akner, Claude|date=2007-10-15|url=http://adage.com/latestnews/article.php?article_id=121130|title=Bad Box Office? Blame 'Halo'|publisher=Advertising Age|accessdate=2007-10-20}}</ref> Later research suggested that the ''Halo 3'' players still watched the same amount of television and movies, regardless of the time they spent playing the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=808291|title="Halo 3" Fans Play Videogame Around Their Television and Movie Schedules|publisher=MarketWire.com|accessdate=2008-01-08|date=2008-01-08|author=Integrated Media Measurement Inc}}</ref>

==Downloadable content==
''Halo 3'' supports multiplayer map downloadable content as well as game updates via [[Xbox Live]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1pstart.com/halo-3-downloadable-content-inevitable/|title=Halo 3 downloadable content “inevitable”|publisher=1p Start|date=2007-09-21|accessdate=2008-01-16}}</ref> The first three post-release multiplayer maps, ''Standoff'', ''Rat's Nest'', and ''Foundry'', were released as a pack on December 11, 2007, collectively known as the "Heroic Map Pack".<ref name="bungieheroic">{{cite web |url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12983 |title=Heroic Map Pack Announced for Halo 3 |author=Smith, Luke|publisher=[[Bungie.net]] |accessdate=2007-11-19 |date=2007-11-19}}</ref> The Foundry map in particular expanded the map-creation abilities available through Forge with a greater range of relatively primitive objects, and a clear open design.

The second three maps were released in the "Legendary Map Pack", on April 15, 2008. These were three new maps entitled "Ghost Town", "Avalanche", and "Blackout"; the latter two maps are remakes of the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' map ''Sidewinder'' and the ''Halo 2'' map ''Lockout'' respectively.<ref name = legendarypack> {{cite web |url=http://www.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=H3LegendaryMapPack |title=Legendary Map Back |accessdate=2008-04-04 |publisher=[[Bungie.net]] |author=Smith, Luke}}</ref> These maps introduced visual filters to the Forge pallet, which change the way the maps look.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|date=2008-04-04|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13475|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 4/04/08 - Legendary Forge|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref> A remake of the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' map ''Chill Out'', titled ''Cold Storage'', was released as a free download on "Bungie Day", July 7, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14568 |title=Bungie Weekly Update: 7/7/08 |author=Smith, Luke |publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref>

The third multiplayer map pack, entitled the "Mythic Map Pack", is scheduled for release on the Xbox Live Marketplace, included with ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'', and included with special editions of ''[[Halo Wars]]'';<ref>{{cite web|author=Pereira, Chris|date=2008-11-06|url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3171157|title=Halo Wars Hits Xbox 360 in February|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|accessdate=2008-11-07}}</ref> the Xbox Live release has been set as early March 19, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|date=2008-10-10|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15806|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 10/10/08|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2008-11-01}}</ref>

The first version update for ''Halo 3'' was released on February 19, 2008, and addressed various bugs such as melee contest resolution and saved-film theater errors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13280|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|date=2008-02-19|accessdate=2008-02-20|title=Halo 3 AutoUpdate is Up}}</ref> The next update (called a Title Update) was released September 23, 2008, and includes new Achievements, a new XP ranking system and various new ways to detect and stop cheating in the game.<ref>{{cite web|author=Smith, Luke|date=2008-09-05|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15422|title=Bungie Weekly Update: 9/05/08|publisher=[[Bungie.net]]|accessdate=2008-09-13}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
|1UP =A+
|Edge =10/10
|EGM =10, 10, 9/10
|EuroG =10/10
|Fam =37/40
|GI =9.75/10
|GSpot =9.5/10
|IGN =9.5/10
|OXM =10/10
|Gametrailers =9.8
|XPlay = 5/5<ref name="X-Play R">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1609/Halo_3.html
|title=X-Play: Halo 3 Review |publisher=g4tv.com
|author=Scott Robison |date= |accessdate=2008-11-06}}</ref>
|
|compilation = yes
|
|MC = 94%
|GR = 93%

}}

''Halo 3'' was given favorable reviews from game critics. On the review aggregator [[Game Rankings]], the game has an average score of 93%, based on 89 reviews, making it the seventh best reviewed Xbox 360 game to date.<ref name=gr>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/926632.asp |title=Halo 3 Reviews |accessdate=2007-10-07 |publisher=[[Game Rankings]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the game has an average score of 94 out of 100, based on 74 reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/halo3 |title=Halo 3 (xbox360: 2007): Reviews |accessdate=2007-10-07 |publisher=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref>

''[[Pro-G]]'' assured readers in its review that ''Halo 3'' lived up to the hype, saying that the game "is everything we hoped it would be, and much, much, more".<ref name=progrev>{{cite web| author=Yin-Poole, Wesley|url=http://www.pro-g.co.uk/xbox360/halo_3/review.html |title= Pro-G ''Halo 3'' Review | accessdate=2007-09-23 | date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[Pro-G]]}}</ref> Many publications, including ''[[Eurogamer]]'' and ''[[Games Radar]]'' stated that the "winning formula" of ''Halo'' and ''Halo 2'' was unchanged, but the addition of new features and weapons prevented stagnation.<ref>{{cite web| author =Fahey, Rob |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=83948 |title= Eurogamer ''Halo 3'' Review | accessdate=2007-09-23 | date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[Eurogamer]].com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| author=Barrett, Charlie|url=http://gamesradar.com/us/xbox360/game/reviews/article.jsp?articleId=2007092118243123051&sectionId=1000&releaseId=2005000000000000000350 |title= Games Radar ''Halo 3'' Review | accessdate=2007-09-23 | date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[Games Radar]]}}</ref> Most publications agreed that multiplayer was by far one of the best features; IGN said that the multiplayer map lineup was the strongest of the series,<ref name=ignrev>{{cite web| author=Goldstein, Hilary|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/821/821911p5.html |title= IGN (USA) ''Halo 3'' Review | accessdate=2007-09-23| date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> and Gamespy added that the multiplayer offering will make "''Halo'' [veterans] weep big sloppy sobs of joy".<ref name="gamespy review"/> The Forge level editor and saved films features were singled out as particularly strong features,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1387/Halo-3/p1/ |title= Team Xbox ''Halo 3'' Review | accessdate=2007-09-23 | date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[Team Xbox]]}}</ref><ref name="Gamespot"/> in addition to superb voice acting and Martin O'Donnell's rich score.<ref name="gamespy review"/><ref name="game informer review"/>

Reception of the single-player aspect varied greatly. ''Pro-G'' said that while the [[cliffhanger]] ending of ''Halo 2'' was disappointing, the campaign of ''Halo 3'' "is anything but";<ref name=progrev/> [[GameSpot]] and [[GameSpy]], meanwhile, said that the campaign was too short, especially on easier difficulty levels.<ref name="Gamespot"/><ref name="gamespy review">{{cite web| url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/halo-3/821976p1.html |title= GameSpy ''Halo 3'' Review | author=Graziani, Gabe|accessdate=2007-09-23| date=2007-09-23| publisher=[[Gamespy]]}}</ref> IGN was highly critical of the eighth level, stating "the penultimate chapter is so bad, just thinking about it puts a rotten taste in my mouth." ''[[The New York Times]]'' said the game had a "throwaway" plot and Total Video Games judged the single-player aspect ultimately disappointing.<ref name=nytreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/technology/circuits/27games.html?ex=1191470400&en=ea5522e86bc1015d&ei=5070&emc=eta1|author=Herold, Charles|date=2007-09-27|accessdate=2007-10-03|title=Halo 3 Mimics Halo 2, With Some Improved Graphic|publisher=''[[The New York Times]]''}}</ref><ref name="tvg review">{{cite web|author=Wilcox, Jon|date=2007-09-27|title=TVG Review: ''Halo 3''|url=http://www.totalvideogames.com/articles/Halo_3_12180.htm|wortotalvideogames.com|accessdate=2007-10-03}}</ref>

Other complaints focused on the [[game artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]]; critics praised the enemy AI but complained that the intelligence of the player's allies was far poorer.<ref name="Gamespot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/halo3/review.html |title=Halo 3 for Xbox 360 Review - Xbox 360 Halo 3 Review |accessdate=2007-09-25 |author=Gerstmann, Jeff |date=2007-09-23 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref><ref name="ign review">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/821/821911p5.html|title=IGN: ''Halo 3'' Review|author=Goldstein, Hilary|date=2007-10-01|accessdate=2007-10-02|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref name="gamecritics review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecritics.com/halo-3-review|title=''Halo 3'' Review|author=Weissenberger, Daniel|date=2007-10-01|accessdate=2007-10-02|publisher=gamecritics.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/halo-34.htm|publisher=[[How Stuff Works]]|accessdate=2008-01-04|title=Halo 3 Criticisms|first=Rick|last=Mayda}}</ref> Bryan Vore of ''[[Game Informer]]'' said that human faces and some textures were just "embarrassing".<ref name="game informer review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200710/R07.0923.1932.21255.htm|title=Game Informer: Halo 3|author=Vore, Bryan|date=2007-10-01|accessdate=2007-10-03|publisher=[[Game Informer]]}}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' criticized the occasional repeated environments and poor final boss battle, and both IGN and CinemaBlend.com said that they thought a part of the story was lost by not having the [[Arbiter (Halo)|Arbiter]] featuring as prominently as the character was in ''Halo 2''.<ref>{{cite web|author=West, Steve|date=2007-09-27|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Xbox-360-Halo-3-Campaign-Review-6543.html|title=''Halo 3'' Campaign Review|publisher=cinemablend.com|accessdate=2007-10-10}}</ref><ref name="ign review"/>

''Halo 3'' was nominated for seven awards from the [[Spike TV|Spike TV Awards]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182621.html?sid=6182621&part=rss&subj=6182621
|title=Halo 3, BioShock top Spike TV noms|author=Magrino, Tom|date=2007-11-11|accessdate=2007-11-11|publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> of which it won "Best Multiplayer Game" and "Most Addictive Video Game Fueled by Dew".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYSA00208122007-1.htm |title=Spike TV Announces 2007 'Video Game Awards' Winners |accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> It won [[Time (magazine)|''TIME'' magazine's]] "Game of the Year" and [[IGN]] chose it as the Best Xbox 360 Online Multiplayer Game and Innovative Design of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/top10/article/0,30583,1686204_1686305_1692236,00.html|title=50 Top 10 Lists of 2007 - Top 10 Video Games|author=Grossman, Lev|publisher=[[TIME (magazine)|TIME]]|accessdate=2008-03-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/xbox360/17.html|title=Best of 2007: Best Online Multiplayer Game (Xbox 360)|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/xbox360/20.html|title=Best of 2007: Most Innovative Design (Xbox 360)|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-01-14}}</ref> ''Halo 3'' won "Multiplayer Game of the Year" and "Geezer Game of the Year" as awarded by [[Geezer Gamers]] as well as runner-up for "Best Shooter".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geezergamers.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=342|title=1st annual Geezergamer Game of the Year Awards|publisher=GeezerGamers.com|date=2008-01-22|accessdate=2008-01-24}}</ref>
The [[Visual Effects Society]] awarded Bungie the "Best Real Time Visuals in a Video Game" for ''Halo 3''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=13240|title=Visual Effects Society Honors Bungie|publisher=[[Bungie Studios]]|date=2008-02-11|accessdate=2008-02-20}}</ref> ''Halo 3'' took the ''Calvin Award'' for "Best Videogame" as selected by [[Box Office Prophets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeprophets.com/column/index.cfm?columnID=10506|publisher=[[Box Office Prophets]]|date=2008-02-18|accessdate=2008-02-20|title=2008 Calvin Awards: Best Videogame}}</ref> ''Halo 3'' also took the award for Xbox 360 Game of the Year 2007 from [[Gametrailers.com]], was voted by fans as Game of the Year on [[G-Phoria]]. ''Halo 3'' won the ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' Award For Interactive Innovation in August 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edge-online.com/news/halo-3-scoops-edge-award-interactive-innovation|title=Halo 3 Scoops Edge Award for Interactive Innovation|publisher=[[Edge Magazine]]|date=2008-08-11|accessdate=2008-08-11}}</ref>

==''Halo 3: ODST''==
{{main|Halo 3: ODST}}
Bungie announced on October 9, 2008, that a standalone expansion of ''Halo 3'' entitled ''Halo 3: Recon''. This was later changed to ''Halo 3: ODST''. It is scheduled for release in the third quarter of 2009.<ref name="Halo 3: Recon">{{cite web|author=Staff|date=2008-10-09|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/917/917938p1.html|title=TGS 2008: Halo 3: Recon Facts|publisher=[[IGN]]|accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref> In the game, the players assume the role of a UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST), instead of the Master Chief. The events of the game are a prequel to ''Halo 3''.<ref name="Halo 3: Recon"/>
{{-}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscat|Halo 3}}
* [http://www.halo3.com Official site]
* [http://www.bungie.net/Projects/Halo3/ Official ''Halo 3'' site at Bungie.net]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/ ''Halo 3'' at Xbox.com]
* [http://www.halo.wikia.com/wiki/Halo_3 ''Halo 3 at Halopedia'']
{{Halo series}}
{{Bungie Studios}}

{{featured article}}

[[Category:2007 video games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:First-person shooter MOGs]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Halo games| 3]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360-only games]]

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Revision as of 08:47, 4 January 2009

MASTER CHIEF IS SO GAY

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