I found this over on Bungie

It’s time for us to sack up and tell you what’s what regarding online co-op.

So you were probably wondering why we didn’t want to commit to two player co-op online over Xbox Live. We certainly got plenty of mail asking, no, demanding that we make it happen. Of course we were working on it, but we were also working on something better. Not two player co-op. Not three-player co-op, but up to four player co-op. Online. On Xbox Live, or sure, System Link if you prefer.

That is correct – up to four player co-op in Campaign mode on Xbox Live or System Link.

We’ve been playing it for quite some time, and bluntly, having some of our greatest ever Halo experiences. We wanted to make sure all our “t”s were crossed and our “i”s dotted before unveiling this important new part of Halo 3’s Campaign mode.

Apart from the horrifying network challenges this new mode presented us, were the various game play balance issues it adds to the fray. So we got it all together, polished it, and that’s why we’re revealing it now. As a result, you’re going to want to play co-op as hard as you can stomach it. We’d certainly recommend Legendary, but we’ll be revealing some more ways to make the game more interesting and challenging for multiple players in the very near future.

Acting as a team is a fantastic new twist to the Campaign game play – something that works as well on foot, in close confines as it does on the battlefield, with large scale vehicle mayhem. Scared of Jackal snipers? Send out a scout to see what dangers lie ahead. Terrified of an open field? Flank your enemies and swipe their rides. The combinations and scenarios are endless – and you’ll be able to enjoy them time and time again in Saved Films of your co-op exploits.

We mentioned that we’ve been having a blast. We have a lot of stories. Many of them would require that we explain some of the reasons replay will be a big factor, but not quite yet. Soon, we promise.

Like every other aspect of Halo 3, this mode is chosen from a Lobby. Simply select Campaign, choose your network (Xbox Live or System Link) and invite your friends to join you, or they can simply join your session once it’s set up and in a lobby (but they cannot join a game once it’s in-progress). They will pop into your lobby instantly, and when you have all the players you need (anywhere from one to four) you can begin the game from the beginning – or from any of your saved checkpoints.

Split-screen co-op is as ever, limited to two players per screen – but they can if they wish join two other friends online or via System Link.

For fictional reasons, we decided to avoid Halo’s slightly surreal compromise of two identical Master Chiefs and rather, use this opportunity to expand the Halo universe just a little bit. Player one will control the Master Chief, player two will control the Arbiter and players three and four will get the chance to control two brand new Elite characters.

Here is Episode 3 of 1-800-MAGIC. Just too Funny.

In the tradition of Red vs Blue, Rooster Teeth has come out with a new video series called 1-800-MAGIC based on the new Xbox 360 game Shadowrun. It was so funny, I just had to post it here. This is episode 1 and 2, so there should be many to follow.

This weekend after playing the Halo 3 beta for a while, I started playing Command & Conquer 3 for the Xbox 360 some. I used to play the older games like Command & Conquer 2 and Red Alert and I really got into the multiplayer aspects of those games. My opponent and I would use two phone lines so we could play the game and communicate at the same time. We didn't have Xbox Live back then.

Also, the older games were PC based so I didn't know if I could adjust to playing a Real-time Strategy (RTS) with a console controller. I was just too use to being able to block in a selection of troops and issue them orders. The simple answer is yes, I adjusted just fine. The game developers laid out an easy to follow flow that gives you a very similar game experience. It is a bit harder to select just certain troops, but I am quickly adapting.

As with the previous games, the new one has Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and The Brotherhood of NOD at it again with a new third faction thrown into the mix, the Scrin. The Scrin are an Alien race that reminds me of the bug creatures from the movie Starship Troopers. As a further reminder, Michael Ironside is your Commanding General in game, "Do you want to live forever?".  Yes, once again Westwood/EA Games has opted for my preferred method of using live actors for cut screens rather than computer generated characters. This game uses well known actors from the TV shows Battlestar Galactica and Lost. Kane from the previous games is also making his return.

If you are a fan of the previous games than you won't be disappointed in the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Bungie's flagship first person shooter Halo 3 will be available tomorrow May the 16th in beta form.  Owners of Crackdown will be able to download it via Microsoft's Live Marketplace for free.

Here is what will be with the beta:

When gamers gather online to play the multiplayer beta via Xbox LIVE in May, they will be treated to three richly detailed, action-oriented maps: Snowbound, High Ground and Valhalla, which represent a mixture of large- and medium-scale combat environments and are brand-new to "Halo 3." Each map will test gamers' mettle as they are placed behind the controls of new "Halo 3" vehicles such as the agile Mongoose all-terrain vehicle, and armed with deadly weapons such as the new and improved Assault Rifle, the ferocious Brute Spiker, the devastating Spartan Laser and the treacherous new Spike Grenades. This is just a taste of what gamers will experience later this fall when "Halo 3" goes on sale.

Gamers worldwide who did not participate in the "Rule of Three" promotion but are interested in joining the multiplayer beta of "Halo 3" can still participate through the purchase of the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 title "Crackdown," which was launched in February. Each copy of "Crackdown" has been specially marked with a "Halo 3" beta sticker prior to the beta period, and starting May 16 the game will act as a key for gamers to download and participate in the "Halo 3" multiplayer beta.

The website can be found at Halo 3. I'll see you all online!

I was reading my blogs yesterday morning and ran across this comic from Penny Arcade. I've played a bit of Xbox 360 and have run across this guy a few times. Usually I just avoid him, but this would be a nice option too.