Whether one loves or hates the Halo series, the tremendous influence and effect that the video game series has had not only with the gaming community, but also on pop culture, cannot be denied. Two years after the massive sales record-beating release of Halo 3, game developer, “Bungie”, is releasing Halo 3: ODST. The game was originally announced as an expansion pack, but it soon evolved into a full-fledged title. Players will no longer be put into the boots of a genetically enhanced super soldier, but instead as regular foot soldiers for a different gaming experience. However, even with a strong single player campaign, the expansive multiplayer feature of Halo is a strong factor in what draws people to the game, with a new survival game mode called “Firefight,” where the player is pitted against increasingly difficult waves of enemies.

Brian Schuster, a freshman planning to major in Chemical Engineering and First Vice President of the Multiplayer Gaming Club, is drawn to Halo 3: ODST’s new multiplayer additions. “The most exciting feature of Halo 3: ODST is going to be Firefight mode. Fighting computer enemies in a non-campaign setting should be really cool,” Schuster says.  

Due popularity of Halo, several retailers hold special midnight releases for gamers to pick up a copy as early as possible. T.H. Holmes, an alumnus of the University who was waiting for the midnight release outside of the GameStop at Crossroads Plaza, also finds Halo’s attraction in its multiplayer. “I play for the multiplayer in Halo with my friends,” Holmes says. “It’s pretty much the only game that we all have in common.”  

Tim Dillinger, a sophomore in Computer Engineering, got off work and headed to GameStop to wait for ODST.  “I haven’t waited for a game like this in two to four years,” Dillinger says. “I heard the multiplayer [for Halo 3: ODST] is just like Halo 3, but I really just love the single player campaigns. Everyone’s going to transfer to ODST from Halo 3 soon anyway.”

Schuster is planning a launch party for Halo 3: ODST with the Multiplayer Gaming Club. “Halo has energized competitive gaming. Major League Gaming, a competitive gaming organization, has benefitted greatly from Halo 3. There is even an ESPN Top Ten Series for the best Halo 3 plays, which is pretty awesome.”