Business: Josh Gillin on Halo 3: I care, and I want it

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Josh Gillin on Halo 3: I care, and I want it

By JOSH GILLIN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

Maybe everyone is making too big a deal about this, maybe the Halo franchise will never live up to the hype, but never before has a video game so moved me to ponder buying $3,000 in A/V equipment as Halo 3.

Like many gamers, I've balked at next-gen $400-plus consoles, and my wife insists we spend money on frivolous things, like homeowners' insurance and food.

But the saga of Master Chief compels me to push for improvements in our home theater system -- a 1080p flat-screen (uh-huh, I know Halo 3 only supports 720p), a surround-sound system, and yes, the pesky Xbox 360 itself (not to mention 60 bones for the actual disc).

Why? Call me a sucker for sci-fi. Or maybe I just like to blow off steam by blazing away on a virtual trigger.

But the Halo universe built good characters and provided great gameplay. I care whether Master Chief and the Arbiter save Earth by fighting off the Covenant and holding the Flood at bay. I want to see Cortana escape Gravemind and the In Amber Clad. And if any of that makes sense to you, then you do, too.

Halo has provided a compelling story and addictive mechanics that have influenced scads of games since the original's 2001 release. That's enough to make me want to finish the fight.

[Last modified September 21, 2007, 01:20:35]

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by coalhalo	09/23/07 02:08 PM
"I know Halo 3 only supports 720p" - Josh Gillin I don't know where you heard that. Halo3 does 1080p ( http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/gamedetailpage.htm ) and new 360's have a HDMI port. Nice way to slander the game by selling it short.

by eugene	09/23/07 04:48 AM
The only true promise that Halo 3 has made is that it is an intensly fun game. great single player and the best multiplayer experience. They showed everyone the Beta and promised just that! Its a great game and none of those other games come close

by Adam	09/21/07 10:42 AM
Right on, I've done the same thing. I actually blew (part) of my schloarship money on an HDTV and surround sound---just for Halo 3. Finish the fight, in what, a little more than 3 days. Nice.

by Joe	09/21/07 10:40 AM
South Dale Mabry Best Buy, Monday night, midnight, see you there!

by Jordan	09/21/07 05:53 AM
Halo 3 Does support 1080p* if you have a Xbox 360 with an HDMI out (the halo edition and elite sku's). *http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo3/gamedetailpage.htm