New Halo 2 maps out now

Classics Hang 'Em High, Derelict transformed into Tombstone, Desolation; new Blastacular Map Pack now available for $4.

In just one month, the gaming public will get their first crack at Halo 3, the anticipated sci-fi shooter from Bungie Studios, through a multiplayer beta test. To hype up excitement for the game and to ease the painful waiting period Halo fans will endure until May 16, Microsoft has released a pair of new multiplayer maps for Halo 2, the top-selling Xbox game from 2004.

Dual-wielding and energy swords meet Hang 'Em High.

The $4 Halo 2 Blastacular Map Pack contains a pair of arenas, both of which are revamped takes on two Halo: Combat Evolved maps. Tombstone is a re-creation of Hang 'Em High, one of the most popular Halo maps of all time. Desolation, a new look at Derelict, is the second map in the pack. The maps will only be available in custom games for about a week; after that, they will be cycled into the ranked matchmaking playlists.

Because the maps are Xbox content--not Xbox 360--they won't appear on Xbox Live Marketplace and they can't be purchased with Microsoft points (however, the download is available to both Xbox 360 and original Xbox owners). To get the maps, Xbox 360 gamers have to go old school and download the maps directly through Halo 2, and must have a credit card linked to their accounts.

Bungie admits this is likely to confuse some gamers who have accounts created with Xbox Live Membership cards rather than credit cards, but offers a simple workaround on its Web site. The developer also says that some European Xbox 360s may experience some difficulty getting the maps, but once again, offers an easy method on Bungie.net.

223 Comments

  • sharpshooter188

    Posted Jun 3, 2007 4:04 pm PT

    ill be so glad when halo wars and halo 3 comes out. After that this franchise can be over and DONE with.

  • Fusionkiller

    Posted May 21, 2007 11:14 am PT

    So i cant play halo 2 anymore cause I dont want to pay 4 dollars for these stupid maps. WTF. How are they going to make these maps necessary to play. Im so angry, anyone who has any words of advice please tell me. Also, is anyone else having crazy bug problems with crackdown?

  • cshadows11

    Posted May 17, 2007 3:42 pm PT

    well now i cant play a quickmatch. does anyone know when theyll be free?

  • YourEvilTwin67

    Posted May 13, 2007 12:48 pm PT

    I only have an Xbox 360 account and i cant put money on my account only those stupid Microsoft points. Does any body know how to put actual money on your Xbox 360 account?

  • scottmafiaz

    Posted May 13, 2007 8:03 am PT

    Great, we have to pay £2 just to have a quick match of halo 2. Brilliant - not. And it's taking ages to download. I'm so annoyed.

  • j0hnny831

    Posted May 2, 2007 10:01 am PT

    metroid_dragon : -Thanks for the tip, i will try that. I had just recently hear from xbox live, that the matchmaking for the blastacular is still under maintanance for those who were unable to successfully download the maps. I guess right now these maps are off limits.... has anyone downloaded these maps this week?? thanks

  • leotaku2006

    Posted May 1, 2007 9:10 am PT

    Whats up.?
    I tell you that here in Colombia theres not Xbox Live and you can not play games on Xbox Live or Download gamecontens like the new maps. I only want someday Xbox Live would be available in Colomia. Tanks.

  • metroid_dragon

    Posted Apr 29, 2007 10:55 pm PT

    j0hnny831:
    I had the same problem the first times I was trying to DL them, I just turned the xbox off, gave it some time (Actually, it was like a week) and then tried it again, and it worked. I would reccomend just letting your 360 chill for an hour or so, and try again.

  • Cheif1000

    Posted Apr 29, 2007 5:18 pm PT

    Wait a sec your wanting us to pay u 4 bucks for a stinkin Halo 1 map just for Halo 2 RIP OFF!!!!!!!!!!

  • inspectercoley

    Posted Apr 28, 2007 4:17 pm PT

    $4 for 2 Halo 1 maps. Yeah good one. Thats a pretty sweet deal for content thats over 5 years old.

  • watthepho21

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 4:08 pm PT

    sinceps1 I prefer the TOP LINE opposed to the bottom line and he, as well as tons of others, do deserve to cry for being an idiot/whiner. But I think now MORE people are posting their thoughts about people complaining than people actually complaining....and btw this isn't an english class asking for an essay on the way you feel about this.

  • eric_4_life

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 6:49 pm PT

    no prob, just download them either really early, or really late, thats what i did

  • j0hnny831

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 11:15 am PT

    I HAVE A BIG PROBLEM AND I NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DOWNLOAD THESE NEW MAPS, BUT I GET A "DOWNLOAD FAILED" MESSAGE. - HAS ANYONE HAD THIS ISSUE?? DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX IT? -THANKS

    p.s. $4 is chump change! just beat up a little kid for his lunch money and there you go! Don't complain, nothing in life is fair and people gotta make there money.

  • berzerker92

    Posted Apr 22, 2007 4:06 pm PT

    ah well i dont have live..... ive got like 40maps for halo 2 anyway so im not missing out on much.

  • Darkness767

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 7:17 pm PT

    THANK YOU!!! I would come over to hug you guys ,but I am not that kind of guy. And I don't know were you people are.

  • tsiper

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    Thank you BUNGIE YOU ROCK AND SO DO THE MAPS AND THEY ARE CHEAP!!!!!!!!! Awesome Awesome Awesome, you can't get a better deal than this!

  • iamahalo2newb

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 10:03 am PT

    The $4.00 charge.
    Its not that i can't afford $4.00, its the fact that Bungie is making another $4.00 off of EVERYONE...these maps were given to say "Thanks" for supporting Halo 2, is Bungie like the lady on Simpsons that gets Homer hooked on a cookie and then JACKS UP the Price.

    I give a ratts ass what anyone says, these maps should be free, I'll wait...

  • walkerj1

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 1:26 am PT

    'fail to install'
    thats what i got,weren't these meant to be 360 only before...........

  • Mike_Carrington

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 1:23 am PT

    why is every complaining about $4 for 2 maps, its only $2 a map for those mathematically challenged. im english and we have to pay more for all the games and stuff anyway, PS3's for example are about £125/$250 more here. And i bet these maps will be more than £2/$4 for me to download but i will anyway, just a shame they didnt remake Damnation, thats my favourite from Halo 1

  • crunchb3rry

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 11:29 pm PT

    Wow, is any gaming site going to grow the balls to report on how plagued with problems these downloads are? Even lameassed Joystiq is afraid to call a spade a spade.

  • mall69

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 5:01 pm PT

    nicely stated Tzap......... but i do think it's crazy to pay more for something additional, the aftermarket part on my import should have been free, you know, the spoiler should have come with the car, after i buy a pair of jeans i should be able to take them back to store and get new funky zippers sown onto the legs for free, i mean i already paid for the jeans, why can't i have some free zippers...you know, that's crazy, Nestle Quick should be free seeing how i already paid for the milk, lunch meat: free.... it's nothing more than an add on for my bread... i want free lunch meat and zippers and spoilers and chocolate ... i want everything free...

  • bloodwakeace

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    this game came out in Nov 9, 2004 the maps should be free
    + i am poor

  • sexyhak

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 2:20 pm PT

    its $4. A number 2 at Jack in the Box cost more and this will last longer!

  • llc012

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 10:48 am PT

    $10 for symphony of the night is a good deal. $2+ for cover songs is bad. $4 for this map pack is a little high, but i could have waited till they became free, i wanted them now. paying for extra content isn't bad, it's pricing schemes that can be ridiculous. buying parts for chromehounds and armor for horses, CRAZY.

  • Dreski83

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 8:07 am PT

    ahhhh... good old Hang'em High. One of the BEST multiplayer maps I ever played in any shooter game.
    Shame they changed the name, but as long as its the good stuff that made it what it was, I got no problem taking the round about way to get it.

  • Slayer420

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 7:38 am PT

    Well said Tzap!

  • pulledabooth

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 6:58 am PT

    That is lame i get MS points just so i do not have to use a credit card. They better put it on the marketplace soon so i do not have to deal with that.

  • icstars2

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 6:46 am PT

    i love hang em high

  • Tzap

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 4:33 am PT

    I am really tired about people complaining about "fees" in the gaming world. It really doesn't matter whether it is a simple lowly add-on or a monthly-basis fee. This money is being paid to the developers and the cost of running the huge pipelines on the servers we play on. Anyone who has a decent job, whether it pays 7.50$ an hour to it being salary based can understand the costs. Does it really bother you to pay up to 20$ a month to maintain this type of growth in gaming? If you can't handle it, then you are simply going to fall behind this next generation of gaming. Monthly fee's, add-ons, and downloading games are of this generation.

    Castlevania : Symphony of the Night became downloadable a couple weeks ago for ~10$ on xbox live. Do you see anyone complaining about that? How about the classic games you pay for to download on the WII? Perhaps even the measily selection that the PS3 has to offer? It is a privilege for us to even have these offers at our disposal.

    Simple fact is, games that cost you additional $$ after the initial purchase these days have proven to have a longer life-line and stronger/better gameplay. Otherwise, we have been provided with the opportunity to purchase and download classics that were once considered out of the market. Game development costs have skyrocketed. If you are turned off by the idea of purchasing stuff provided over the internet, then you are on your own. The only reason this market still exists is because of the consumers, they have spoken, and they are willing to pay for this content.

  • sinceps1

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 1:18 am PT

    "you probably aren't even old enough to be allowed to play halo/halo 2."

    Well, you know the real point was just that he needs to stop insulting people and crying about a four dollar map pack. So, you already pwned him before you insult him, and I doubt the "you are probably not this age" thing makes anyone wanna care about what you say... He shouldn't cry in all his messages, bottom line man.

  • watthepho21

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    $4....4$????? You can't afford $4....Yet you have an xbox or a an x360, a comp, a house, and electricity...but you think $4 is too much, then just leave no one here wants to hear you.

    i'd agree with what mall69 said. So koal leave the community if all you are going to do is insult other people and cry about $4...you probably aren't even old enough to be allowed to play halo/halo 2.

  • MattGPA78

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 8:01 pm PT

    Bottom line: if you think $4 is too much, just wait a little while and they'll be made free, just like the other map packs were.

  • mall69

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 6:55 pm PT

    see... what'd I tell ya'!!!

  • Somini

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 6:54 pm PT

    A lot of you say that "$4 isn't that much", but I think it is. The only ones who would think that this isn't a scam are people who only play games on their consoles and don't know what user-made and free DLC is. It's only maps, people, they should be free!!!

  • mall69

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 6:05 pm PT

    ...i'll bet the one's complaining about the $4 are the same squeeky voiced, hairless-where-it-counts little twist-offs that have turned Halo 2 into a ghetto fabalus wannabe club, where small, pale faced children in fuzzy pj's talk trash from the safety of their bedroom...or.... the one's who don't have a job and a $4 charge on the card is a smackdown from mummy and daddy. cool. don't play. don't like ya anyway.

  • nicklink01

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    people who complain over a 4 dollar map pack are cheap.there two great levels to play that are worth the money.if you complain that there not free off the bat heres something for you.if you had a job that you worked at from 9A.M to 5P.M everyday you would say"so wheres my pay"oh wait sorry everyone wanted it for free so all that hard work will be not paid for.how would you feel?sad?angry?yea you would.so pay them for their hard work they did just for you

  • Dylan6998

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 4:10 pm PT

    yeah i've got a 360 and i just tried to download the maps and they wouldn't work. i got an error message saying the download "failed" i don't like in the UK like many people who have problems with this, i live in the US and it still shut out.

  • christhepenguin

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 3:06 pm PT

    I loved Hang 'Em High. Does anyone know if these will appear on the PC version? No Xbox. Free Vista. Hello Halo 2 with higher resolutions.

  • jakob_187

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:47 pm PT

    Again, I'll say they should've just saved these for Halo 3. Regardless...all the guys that are complaining about a FOUR DOLLAR MAP PACK with two of the fan favorites...I might add...I mean, you guys are being ridiculous! It's only four dollars. I mean, I can get either Halo 2 maps...or a pack of cigarettes....hell, not even a pack of cigarettes. It's like, if you save that four bucks and don't eat McDonald's or Burger King tonight...congrats, you just got enough money for the maps. $4 is nothing. $4 is like a damn nickel in 1942!!!

    So quit whining. If you don't like it, don't buy it. Plus...they took the time to make the maps, and they are charging a measly $4 for the maps. Whoo-hoo...it's nothing compared to the price of the downloadable content from Marketplace!!!!!!!

  • destinhpark

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:41 pm PT

    Nah, I'm waiting until they're free.

  • The_Houston_Kid

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:14 pm PT

    I wouldnt say "great maps" but they are worth 4 bucks. I recommend them for anybody who likes halo still (which is like everybody... lol)

    However ive been trying to get into a BTB match on Tombstone and im sure it will be absolutely awesome (my internet is messing up on my xbox right now... dont knwo whats goin on

  • Auron7814

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 2:01 pm PT

    "ThaRainmak3r Wait, I'd swear that these maps were supposed to be Xbox360 exclusive"

    How can it be an exclusive to the 360 when it's an origianl xbox game?"

    Easy. They could have released the maps on Xbox live marketplace somehow. And besides, if you go back and look at the original announcement for the Maps, they did say they would be 360 only.

  • anarchicgoth

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 11:56 am PT

    i thought they were supposed to be exclusive but then again more chance for money the better- but then they could have made them exclusive then all the people who wanted them would have to buy 360's

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:32 am PT

    Microtransactions have pwned you.

  • SPARTAN013

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 10:03 am PT

    "ThaRainmak3r Wait, I'd swear that these maps were supposed to be Xbox360 exclusive"

    How can it be an exclusive to the 360 when it's an origianl xbox game?

  • tippman38

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:58 am PT

    Can't wait until they are cycled into match making and you cry babies can't play until you download them, and if your waiting for them to be free you'll be waiting for a lonnngg time. LAWLZ!! PWND NUBZ!!

  • a-man-called-e

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:40 am PT

    great maps, worth paying

  • ThaRainmak3r

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 9:16 am PT

    Wait, I'd swear that these maps were supposed to be Xbox360 exclusive. That's what I've been told for months by various websites and gaming magazines; that only 360 owners could get them through marketplace. Not that I'm complaining or anything, but that's kinda wierd. How does it flip-flop entirely like that?

  • TheHotelLion

    Posted Apr 18, 2007 8:46 am PT

    Also, they should have made the option to buy it on the Marketplace. This is stupid that I have to go out and get a gift card, because I am not spending $4 on a credit card, no way. Anyone who knows personal finances knows you should always spend minimal amounts like that in cash - wait. Bungie is becoming more and more user unfriendly.

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