Halo 3 Just Added A New Map For The First Time In 10 Years
They say if it ain't broke don't fix it, but in a shocking twist, 343 Industries has just added a new map to the critically acclaimed Halo 3. While this might not seem like a headline-worthy titbit of news, the fact that it's the first time the 2007 favourite has had a new one in over a decade.
Back in the day, Halo 3 was about as big as they come, but that was nothing compared to the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection in 2014. It's here that you'll find the new Halo 3 map, as 343 rolls out the supersized Season 6 update. It's hard to believe that even in 2021, the now archaic Halo 3 is still getting updates. However, with The Master Chief Collection adding the likes of Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, developers refuse to leave it behind.
What is the new Halo 3 map?
Posting on the official Halo Twitter, 343 showed off the Waterfall map. The icy tundra of Waterfall is landing in The Master Chief Collection Season 6. Alongside the big news of another map, there's new armour and cosmetics that are inspired by the Halo: Fireteam Raven arcade game. Devs hyped the release of Waterfall, which is the first new multiplayer map to make its mark since the Mythic II Map Pack in 2009.
Those up on their Halo history will remember Halo Online was being worked on back in the day - evolving from Halo 3. Online's closed beta took place in Russia in 2015, and although the plan was to roll it out to other territories, it was abruptly brought to an end. Importantly, this is the first time a Halo Online map has made the leap to another title. With Online being built from the bones of Halo 3, it means adding Waterfall to the party was relatively easy. There are also promises that a second map, called Edge, is also on the way.
Why did Halo 3 add a new map now?
Even as we look ahead at the delayed release of Halo Infinite, the Season 6 overhaul of The Master Chief Collection proves that even inside the ranks of 343, there's a lot of love for these legacy titles. The addition of Waterfall also gives hope to the idea that other Halo games could keep getting updates in terms of new content and maps. Even if Waterfall isn't expected to pop up in many public playlists, it looks like a lot of fun for those who can't get enough of Halo 3.
Season 6 also delivered new game modes and 100 new tiers of content for players to unlock. All of the above comes from 343 listening to fan feedback. While The Master Chief Collection is something of a relic in itself, that's nothing compared to Halo 3's lengthy lifespan. Considering most of us have never played Waterfall before, it's a coup for those who are new to the game and those who've been playing Halo 3 for the past 14 years.
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