I hear about it on Youtube and here on Waypoint, but I don’t actually know what it is. Whenever I try to get information on what Section 3 is I just find codes to unlock different things, which is not really what I’m looking for. I’m trying to figure out how the codes are found, not what they are, because I want to make an attempt to find a code or two on my own. Is it possible to find the codes on my own, or are the codes just released to the public after a while? If I’m able to find them on my own, are there hints in-game or on Waypoint? And where in Halo 4/Waypoint? Thanks for any assistance!
Alternate Reality Game. Basically, a combination of a promotion, an advertisement, and live-action role-playing.
In Section 3 specifically, people play as ONI operatives in the Halo universe, who have to work to decrypt ciphers and crack puzzles. By doing this, they discover the codes you’re talking about, and the requirements for redeeming them.
Section 3 is mostly taking place within the ARG threads, but occasionally, clues and puzzles are embedded in Halo Bulletins.
So, since I’m not “playing as an ONI operative” I can’t solve the puzzles? I notice that some people on Waypoint have a Section 3 badge. Are they the only ones to solve the codes? Is it possible that you could walk me through how one of the codes were solved, or is that too complicated? Thanks.
> So, since I’m not “playing as an ONI operative” I can’t solve the puzzles?
I was referring to their role in the ARG’s story. Anyone can participate in the ARG and work to solve the puzzles; if you’re interested, feel free to jump in. 
> I notice that some people on Waypoint have a Section 3 badge. Are they the only ones to solve the codes? Is it possible that you could walk me through how one of the codes were solved, or is that too complicated? Thanks.
I’m not too sure what the deal is with the Section 3 medals. I think they might be rewards given to the first people to crack a code, but I’m not sure.
Each code consists of six or so Forerunner glyphs. The glyphs are released one-by-one through a variety of puzzles with different solutions. There was once a Halo Bulletin with a hidden image and a recommendation to “take out the garbage”. If you downloaded it, opened it with a hex editor, and removed some junk data (“GARBAGEGARBAGEGARBAGEGARBAGE…”) from the file, you’d end up with a Forerunner glyph.
Awesome! I have also wondered what section 3 is.
This thread cleared up alot of questions I had and questions I developed as I read through this!
Thanks Z0MBIE KING 42 for asking and thanks DavidJCobb for answering!
//…INCOMING TRANSMISSION
/FILENAME: SEC3/
/START FILE/
/WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU ARE TAKING AN INTEREST IN SECTION 3. I SHALL PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION TO YOU AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO EXACTLY.
/SECTION 3 IS A BRANCH OF THE OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE (aka ONI). WE ARE MOSTLY KNOWN FOR OUR RECENT OPERATIONS REGARDING THE FORERUNNER GLYPHS, BUT ARE TASKED WITH DIFFERENT OPERATIONS.
/BELOW YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND QUITE A FEW LINKS AND THEIR PURPOSE.
/SECTION 3 OPERATIONS CENTER - THIS IS A GOOD RESOURCE AS IT INCLUDES A BUNCH OF INFORMATION, SUCH AS OUR DECRYPTION FIELD MANUAL.
/SECTION 3 DECODING CENTER-THIS IS FOR WELL DOCUMENTED SOLUTIONS ONLY [PLEASE DO NOT POST UNLESS YOU ARE DOCUMENTING A SOLUTION.]
/SECTION 3 COMMS CENTER-THIS IS WHERE IRC AND FORUM OPS COMBINE THEIR FORCES AND ARE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING (ARG RELATED OF COURSE.)
/Section 3 IRC- THIS IS WHERE ALL OF THE ACTION HAPPENS WHEN IT COMES TO DECODING. IT IS MUCH FASTER THAN POSTING ON THE FORUMS AND ALLOWS FOR A GROUP EFFORT. (PLEASE USE YOUR WAYPOINT ID/GT WHEN IN CHAT.)
/THE OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE - SECTION 3 HIGH COM-THIS IS WHERE ALL INFORMATION REGARDING UNLOCKS WILL BE POSTED AS WELL AS THE DECODING CENTER.
/MY PERSONAL SECTION 3 VIDCOM-IT IS NOT OFFICIAL BUT ALL INFORMATION IN THE VIDEOS WILL BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO SECTION 3.
/I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN HELPFUL AND IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND ME A PM.
/THANKS,
-OPDEMISE
/END FILE/
…//
> There was once a Halo Bulletin with a hidden image and a recommendation to “take out the garbage”. If you downloaded it, opened it with a hex editor, and removed some junk data (“GARBAGEGARBAGEGARBAGEGARBAGE…”) from the file, you’d end up with a Forerunner glyph.
Oh, that’s awesome! Thanks.