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Microsoft has started sending out codes for the remastered version of Halo 3: ODST on Xbox One.

Earlier this week a release date indicating the game would be available on 29 May appeared on Xbox.com. However, the official Halo Twitter account said the date was actually “a placeholder.”

It seems the Xbox.com date wasn’t far off, as Xbox One owners that played Halo: The Master Chief Collection between its November 11 release date and December 19 are receiving messages on Xbox Live with a code to download the game.

According to an update on Halo Waypoint “all distributed codes will disappear from the in-console message after June 30, 2015, but will still be redeemable.” After June 30, users can contact the support forum for further assistance.

The remastered version of Halo 3: ODST was announced as recompense for significant matchmaking issues in Halo: The Master Chief Collection during its launch period. The re-release provides ODST’s single-player campaign running at 1080p and 60 frames per second.

Halo steward 343 Industries has confirmed the re-release “does not include the Firefight game mode and contains the campaign only.”

For those that do not qualify for a free code, the Halo 3: ODST re-release will “soon be available for purchase from the Xbox Store for $4.99 USD.”

343 Industries’ Bonnie Ross previously said the developer is giving the game to players for free to thank them for sticking with Halo: The Master Chief Collection during its troubled launch.

“This has been a humbling experience and highlighted how we as a studio can – and need – to do better for Xbox fans around the world,” Ross said. “We are so grateful to our fans who have stood by our side and we appreciate all of your patience as we worked through these issues.”

An update for The Master Chief Collection is also now available and weighs in at 2.4 GB. It includes the previously announced reimagined version of Halo 2‘s multiplayer map Relic for all owners of The Master Chief Collection.

“First introduced in “Halo 2” as “Relic,” the “Halo 2: Anniversary” multiplayer map “Remnant” is set on a large island on Installation 05 and is renowned for its expansive, asymmetrical level design, making it perfect for intense, sniper combat. Of course, this re-imagined version of the classic map sports its share of innovations.”

For more on The Master Chief Collection, check out GameSpot’s review and previous coverage.

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Nintendo’s new shooter (of sorts), Splatoon, is now available on Wii U, and we’ve gathered up some of the first reviews to give you an idea of what to expect.

Despite looking like a third-person shooter, Splatoon’s focus is less about simply eliminating the enemy team, and more about covering the level in paint. The game features a single-player component alongside online multiplayer, the latter of which is much more of a focus here than in the average Nintendo game. Being a family-friendly game, however, it lacks voice chat.

A set of Splatoon-themed Amiibo go on sale today alongside the game itself; they’re likely to sell out, but Amazon will be selling them at specific times throughout the day.

• Game: Splatoon
• Developer: Nintendo
• Platforms: Wii U
• Release Date: May 29
• Price: $60

GameSpot — review in progress

“[W]hile the gameplay and progression systems in Splatoon are enjoyable and varied, the maps you play on are too similar, and I can’t think of a single one that stands out. There are some elements that you’ll pickup on, but these are isolated pieces that you recognize rather than recall fondly. For the most part, you swim over flat land, up a ramp, and maybe through a wire mesh, but I haven’t noticed a case where a map emphasizes one particular element over another. Maybe this is a casualty of the game’s painting mechanic, making every map feel like a big, neon puddle, but good level design should be able to overcome this” – Peter Brown [Full review]

Polygon — 8.5 (provisional)

“As of launch, though, Splatoon has enough going for it between the single-player and multiplayer to keep me happy. Nintendo has built two separate gameplay tracks that use the same mechanic yet feel discrete. They’re both a ton of fun, and they both have some obvious areas ripe for improvement. I can’t say whether Splatoon will become the next big franchise for Nintendo, with sequels every generation and spin-offs and endless fanboy buzz. But after this strong debut, it certainly deserves some attention.” – Philip Kollar [Full review]

Destructoid — 8.5

“In some ways, Splatoon’s online component is disappointing, and the lack of so many features will likely push other shooter fans away. But most of those shortcomings can be forgiven in my mind because of how damn fun it is. As a shooter it’s refreshing, and as a 3D platformer it’s up there with some of Nintendo’s greatest creations. You’ll quickly forget about the fact that you’re playing Turf War over and over as you squid down an alley, leap across a gap, and shoot enemies in the air as you fall. All Nintendo needs to do is keep supporting Splatoon, because the foundation is fantastic.” – Chris Carter [Full review]

USgamer — 4/5

“Nintendo takes a chance with this odd, risky rethink of the arena shooter. Splatoon moves away from guns and grit, offering a shooter anyone of any age can enjoy. The game’s single-player is an absolutely amazing puzzle platformer that deserves some expansion. Multiplayer is a bit light on content at launch, but Nintendo is already promising more this summer.” – Mike Williams [Full review]

IGN — review in progress

“Nintendo’s take on the third-person shooter is refreshingly original, with lots of impressive tools and skillful mobility. Matches are consistently fun and tense, and the mechanics feel simple enough that almost anyone can contribute positively. Splatoon really needs the extra modes and content Nintendo says is coming once a portion of the community levels up a bit, and not having voice chat is a bummer, but what is here feels polished and kept me claiming turf for hours.” – Jose Otero [Full review]

GamesBeat — 83/100

“Splatoon is clever, creative, and fun. The multiplayer is a fun twist on the team-based shooter. However, the single-player campaign is surprisingly the best thing in the game. It offers the kind of quality level design you’d expect from a Mario title, but with a healthy dose of shooter mechanics.” – Mike Minotti [Full review]

GamesRadar — 3.5/5

“It breaks my squid-loving heart to be so down on Splatoon, because the core gameplay offered is one of the freshest and most exciting things to come out of Nintendo in years. But I can’t help but feel like this game should have come out three, maybe six months later, when all of the content is finished and included on the disc. As it stands, there’s simply not enough game here on day one to make Splatoon anything more than a weekend curiosity, and there’s no telling whether the content coming down the pipeline will be worth sticking around for.” – David Roberts [Full review]

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Xbox One owners awaiting an official background music feature may want to get comfortable.

Responding to a fan on Twitter today, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer said this feature won’t be delivered until after Windows 10 integration comes to Xbox One.

That’s currently scheduled for “post-summer” (first for Preview Program members), meaning background music is coming this fall at the earliest.

“We have to land Windows 10 on Xbox One before we’ll get background music,” Spencer said. “So a little later.”

Xbox One owners can currently use the Xbox Music app to listen to music while playing a game, but only with Snap. This takes up a portion of the screen, making it a less-than-ideal solution.

There is clearly demand for a better alternative. On the Xbox Feedback site, more than 19,000 people have voted for “Play Music From Apps Without Snap (Background Music).”

Also on Twitter today, another fan asked Spencer about the possibility of a new Xbox One feature that lets users broadcast party chat while streaming on Twitch. Spencer said Microsoft is currently looking into how this could work, though he provided no other details.

“It’s a feature people have asked about, we are looking at what it would take to implement,” he said.

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The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games released so far haven’t come close to taking full advantage of those systems’ power. That’s according to Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Rockstar and 2K Games parent company Take-Two Interactive, who said during a recent presentation that the best is yet to come.

“We have yet to see entirely what the technology can allow,” Zelnick said during the 43rd Annual Technology, Media & Telecom Conference this week in New York City. “We’ve had a couple releases for new-gen, but I don’t think we remotely have seen what can be done, and that’s super exciting. And that speaks to many of our titles; hopefully all of our titles, ultimately.”

Zelnick’s comments follow those from PlayStation president Andrew House, who said earlier this week that he’s optimistic that E3 2015 next month will deliver games that take fuller advantage of the new consoles.

“I think it will be a show where we see the next generation of hardware really start to deliver great content and experiences that, if not take full advantage of the platform, take a lot more advantage than we’ve seen before,” he said at the time.

The most high-profile of Take-Two’s current-generation releases thus far was Grand Theft Auto V. This comes with something of an asterisk, however, as the game is an updated version of a last-generation title, albeit with some major new features and changes.

Take-Two’s other current-generation titles include games from its 2K Games and 2K Sports labels such as Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, NBA 2K15, WWE 2K15, and Evolve.

Looking ahead, Take-Two has a number of current-generation games in the pipeline, including NBA 2K16, WWE 2K16, Battleborn, Borderlands 3, and possibly the mysterious “Advent” project.

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