Microsoft responds to increased price for Halo 3: ODST

by Kevin Kelly 

Back when Halo: Recon was announced, and before it become Halo 3: ODST, both Brian Jerrard and Joe Staten at Bungie separately stated that the game wasn't going to be a full retail experience. Staten said, "We do not view this as a $60 title," while Jerrard remarked, "I think this is going to be a good value and a lot of content but we're not viewing this as sort of a full game release in the sense of Halo 3." When pressed further about pricing, Jerrard said that it was too soon to tell, but that they were thinking of something "value-oriented."

We contacted Bungie and Microsoft for comment today, because while pricing was revealed at E3, we didn't have a full explanation for the full retail approach. We've noted that retailers are pricing the game at the standard $59.99 price point, the $99 Gamestop exclusive premium pack being the lone exception.

A Microsoft spokesperson responded to us and said, "At the time of those statements, the overall scope of Halo 3: ODST was not yet finalized, and since then the project has grown increasingly more ambitious. We believe this standalone experience is much more than just an expansion. Halo 3: ODST provides a new campaign from the point of view of an entirely new character. Combine that with three new multiplayer maps, the entirely new cooperative mode called Firefight, and the complete Halo 3 multiplayer collection on a standalone disc, we feel this is a good value and tremendous addition to the Halo franchise.

"Chances are if you're a hardcore Halo player, you already own the multiplayer maps, so you'll basically be paying for content you already own. It still feels a bit light to us, but we'll have to play the game when it comes out in September to see if it's worth every penny.

A single player campaign and 3 new mp maps does indeed sound a bit light. :(

I done with Halo, i cant bear the multiplayer.

The maps are brand new.

The 3 new maps that came out with halo wars are different.

Also if the campaign is 10 hours long, and is AAA as usua, price justified

I just watched the trailer on XBL (hadn't seen that one before) and I was quite impressed. It actually got me a bit pumped. I'll keep an eye out on reviews, but I'm quite curious.

I don't know if I can handle the multiplayer, though. I hadn't played it in a long, long time and when I went back and tried . . . it wasn't pretty.

yah...im almost tempted to opena a new live account for halo. went on last night and got raped beyond reckognition. I didnt play for only 2-3 weeks too...

Doesn't matter to me. I will be buying it anyway.

Why not? Everybody else is, I may quite playing online altogether because of idiots like that. Otherwise, their "hoard mode" seems to be fun.

well if it is a full game then i don't see any reason not for it not to be full priced. o_O
plus the multiplayer maps are new(meaning not released yet)

You don't need Halo 3 for the multiplayer disc, and if you don't want to play mulitiplayer then just sell that disc