'Halo 4' Spartan Ops Episode 8, Team Doubles are a go (Photos)

343 Industries released the latest update to "Halo 4" on Monday which unlocked episode 8 of Spartan Ops plus Team Doubles in multiplayer and the last two Specializations for all players of the Xbox 360 shooter.

Following last week's attack on the UNSC Infinity, Episode 8 continues the fight and adds a dramatic twist as season one barrels towards its conclusion.

Synopsis: Fireteam Majestic are reunited, but the Infinity is still under attack by Promethean forces. Unfortunately for Lasky, he won’t know what the Prometheans are after until it’s too late.

Meanwhile, Team Doubles makes its first appearance in "Halo 4" with 2 vs 2 action in Infinity Doubles, Doubles Pro and CTF Doubles gametypes on the Solari (small version of Solace), Haven, Dispatch, Rail, Abandon and Scythe maps.

Infinity Doubles offers the Infinity Slayer experience in 2 vs 2 form. In this variant, players have the option to choose their custom loadout, and instant respawn and radar are enabled. Personal ordnance will kick in at the traditional 70 point mark, but the options are tweaked specifically for Team Doubles. Games are played up to 300 points.

Doubles Pro offers an experience that features preset game loadouts. The score limit is the same as above, but radar, personal ordnance and instant respawn are disabled. Here are the loadouts that will be featured:

Loadout 1:
Starting Weapon - DMR
Secondary Weapon - Magnum
Armor Abilities - None
Tactical Mod - Resupply
Support Mod - Dexterity

Loadout 2:
Starting Weapon - BR
Secondary Weapon - Magnum
Armor Abilities - None
Tactical Mod - Resupply
Support Mod - Dexterity

Loadout 3:
Starting Weapon - LightRifle
Secondary Weapon - Magnum
Armor Abilities - None
Tactical Mod - Resupply
Support Mod - Dexterity

Loadout 4:
Starting Weapon - Carbine
Secondary Weapon - Magnum
Armor Abilities - None
Tactical Mod - Resupply
Support Mod - Dexterity

CTF Doubles offers the ever-popular Capture the Flag game type, customized for 2 vs 2 play. Custom loadouts and radar are enabled, and respawn time is set to 10 seconds. Flag settings provide an optimal experience for small maps and teams: 5 flags to win, 3 second return, and 15 second reset. Lastly, your flag does not have to be home to score.

The Capture the Flag playlist is also receiving some changes as well with the Relay and Exile map added to the playlist while the flag reset time on Adrift, Abandon, Solace and Relay is getting dropped to 15 seconds. An Infinity CTF gametype variant is also being added that will allow players to call in personal ordnance. This means capturing the flag guarantees an ordnance drop

Finally, the Rogue and Tracker Specializations are now unlocked and should round out the complete set of Specializations for "Halo 4". It's unknown if 343 Industries plans to add more or raise the Service Rank cap from 130.

Rogue: Spartan optimization for single-operative missions which require a lone Spartan to be deployed on their own for incredibly long durations of time, even years if required. The Stability armor mod allows users to increase their aiming stability when being fired upon.

Tracker: Spartan optimization for long-range target tracking (trans-continent and off-world), particularly in scenarios where conventional tracking has failed or such a substantial time has passed that the trail has gone cold. The Requisition armor mod allows users the ability to recall their own ordnance requests in order to acquire more helpful weapons in the field.

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, Console Gaming Examiner

Scott is a life-long gamer living in the north Atlanta 'burbs with his wife and two children and loves to write about a variety of games on different platforms. You can reach him at jsgrill@gmail.com and follow him at the Video Games Examiners page on Facebook.

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