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[Steelyuhas]

I'm okay with Halo 4 being more casual. Bigger population = better community = better experience. As long as that doesn't mean they need things like ARMOR LOCK to do it. I'm talking about gunplay that is more accessible to anyone. Make the guns fun to shoot, don't drown us down with bloom, and the population will grow.

The DMR is a pain in the ass to deal with. Make the starting gun an amazing weapon and put everyone on the same foot once again (no loadouts)

Another small thing that makes the game easier to pick up and play, and much more enjoyable, no damn aim acceleration. It's better in Reach than in Halo 3, but I still want the butter smooth aiming of H:CE and H2.

Yes.

It can be casual and competetive.

The DMR is a pain in the ass to use for casual players because of bloom and that its single shot.

The right move here for the precision weapon is to bring back the BR. The burst fire means its more fun to shoot and a bit easier to handle. But it also has a good skill gap assuming they accelerate the player speed and strafe.

Halo 2 and 3 were good for this. Casual players could use the BR without getting frustrated and good players could enjoy awesome BR battles.

For me, burst fire is less fun. Bloom is obviously a mechanic that doesn't scream "pick up and play" though.

 

[daedalius]

So, Primordium seems to give some overt clues as to what we can expect to see in Halo4 I'd say...

 

[AdventureRacing]

A bigger player base = more friendly players and more dickish players. For those who know where to look this means there are a lot more fun people to group with.

In terms of making the game for casuals that seems kind of rediculous to me. I mean halo is hardly an example of a real hardcore game, it has been simplified right from the start (and there is nothing wrong with that).

The best games are ones that are highly accessible whilst still maintaining a high skill ceiling.

Personally i just hope that we get a return to waht made halo great and not the crap we got with reach. Bungie really made a great series but they really lost their way especially with reach and it has made the series stall (and even shrink to pretty much a smaller size than with halo 2 despite the userbase).

 

[Trey]

The best games are ones that are highly accessible whilst still maintaining a high skill ceiling.

What games are that? Fighters?

 

[MrBig]

What games are that? Fighters?

Quake. Unreal Tournament. Classic style FPSs, which Halo 1 loosely fits into.

 

[Trey]

Quake. Unreal Tournament. Classic style FPSs, which Halo 1 loosely fits into.

All of those games managed little more than a niche following. There are very well designed games out there, from a competitive standpoint, but they just don't gain traction with the masses, which is what I thought the point of this discussion was.

 

[MrBig]

All of those games managed little more than a niche following. There are very well designed games out there, from a competitive standpoint, but they just don't gain traction with the masses, which is what I thought the point of this discussion was.

The games that are played the most are the ones that have the biggest hook. This is true for just about any product.

 

[VGChampion]

I'm good with big online populations if properly managed and if offered the right choices.

But reach sort of tried to cater the masses out of the box, and now that MP population has diminished, I think its MP is fucked up, it feels like an empty house somehow.

And if getting more people to Halo means convincing COD players, then no.
Grabbing a few players who play stuff like Skyrim or TF2 is a hard catch and I'm not sure those who don't already play Halo make for a substantial increase in population.

As someone who plays a ton of CoD and used to play a ton of the first Halo trilogy, I still think the Halo fans were worse. There were better people as well. Halo just attracts both extremes. I ran into a lot of the stereotypical CoD player in the past but I haven't had any problems the last few months.

Not wanting more people in the Halo community is one of the dumbest thoughts ever. The series is huge and has an extreme following. You all make it sound like it's become a niche product. I would be surprised if Halo isn't in the top five largest gaming communities.

 

[FyreWulff]

As someone who plays a ton of CoD and used to play a ton of the first Halo trilogy, I still think the Halo fans were worse. There were better people as well. Halo just attracts both extremes. I ran into a lot of the stereotypical CoD player in the past but I haven't had any problems the last few months.

Not wanting more people in the Halo community is one of the dumbest thoughts ever. The series is huge and has an extreme following. You all make it sound like it's become a niche product. I would be surprised if Halo isn't in the top five largest gaming communities.

Within two games of MW3 I ran into someone with KKK as their clan tag and racist rants in their bio.

Good thing they're blocking the heinous word "dani", at least!

 

[Slightly Live]

Within two games of MW3 I ran into someone with KKK as their clan tag and racist rants in their bio.

Good thing they're blocking the heinous word "dani", at least!

I've been unbanned! I ran across a DANI today and it seems they've finally lifted their iron curtain on my good name.

It only took almost five years!

 

[soulassssns]

So is there an official Primordium thread or is the discussion of Greg Bears new book being done in this thread as well as Halo 4 discussions?

Anybody read the book yet?

 

[ncsuDuncan]

So is there an official Primordium thread or is the discussion of Greg Bears new book being done in this thread as well as Halo 4 discussions?

Anybody read the book yet?

GAF Thread:
Halo: Primordium - Book Two of The Forerunner Trilogy by Greg Bear

 

[monome]

can someone rehost the pics.
work internet is a bitch

http://www.gamepur.com/news/6687-two-new-halo-4-concept-art-revealed.html

 

[wwm0nkey]

Everytime this thread is bumped with no new news I die a little inside.

 

[monome]

Everytime this thread is bumped with no new news I die a little inside.

new concept art is news!

 

[wwm0nkey]

new concept art is news!

Not new

 

[monome]

Not new

new to me, then!
Second pic I had seen as a blurry pic of the original painting.
First pic, might have been in the trailer. Never saw the Chief so clearly ready to enter a UNSC vessel...

 

[dragonelite]

Dammit 343i give us something to work with.

 

[Slightly Live]

They aren't new. It's nice to get a better version of the many ships picture - I believe it's the same one that was in a charity auction recently.

 

[monome]

They aren't new. It's nice to get a better version of the many ships picture - I believe it's the same one that was in a charity auction recently.

The pic with the ship enterring we had only a blurry shot until then I think.

Sparth, what a treat.

I can't see your pics from work.

 

[HP_Wuvcraft]

I was stating my opinion, i don't care about others.

That's a great attitude to have if you constantly want to bitch about "fake fans".

Honestly, this whole attitude that gamers have about "I don't care unless it affects me" is stupid and lame. Companies are going to do what they are meant to do: make a product that makes money. Because this is a business. There is no such thing as fans being owed anything.

 

[monome]

Companies are going to do what they are meant to do: make a product that makes money. Because this is a business. There is no such thing as fans being owed anything.

They owe me awesomeness!
I can't fucking wait.
I feel I'm aging faster because my mind is racing towards Christmas 2012 in anticipation for Halo 4.

 

[wwm0nkey]

They owe me awesomeness!
I can't fucking wait.
I feel I'm aging faster because my mind is racing towards Christmas 2012 in anticipation for Halo 4.

I just want a damn in-game trailer or screen shot by the time March rolls around, we have gone so long with no Halo 4 info.

While I do consider the books amazing its still not enough compared to us actually seeing Halo 4.

 

[Shake Appeal]

There is no Halo 4, guys, let's all go home.

 

[monome]

I just want a damn in-game trailer or screen shot by the time March rolls around, we have gone so long with no Halo 4 info.

While I do consider the books amazing its still not enough compared to us actually seeing Halo 4.

Halo 4 is my last hurrah for this gen.
I'm pretty sure I won't get that excited for a game until a major one comes out on next-gen.

I'd rather have them work on the game than deal with early presentations.
I can wait for E3 for a gameplay reveal and a september MP blow-out.

I would also very much like the CG trailers to be different from the game's cinematics as to be shephered to the game and not spoiled.


HALO 4. I BELIEVE.

 

[The Xtortionist]

Just weird that the game is less than a year out and we literally have no idea what it actually looks like.

 

[TheOddOne]

Dammit 343i give us something to work with.

Fronkie got you covered.

 

[wwm0nkey]

Just weird that the game is less than a year out and we literally have no idea what it actually looks like.

Im thinking sometime with in the February/March time frame. Now way in hell are we going to go to June without seeing anything.

 

[monome]

Im thinking sometime with in the February/March time frame. Now way in hell are we going to go to June without seeing anything.

I'm betting for CG story trailer for february/march.
Or the game engine is fantastic and they dare make a trailer using it ala Last of Us.
That "new graphics" post from Frankie makes me think the Storm is coming.

Corinne Wu certainly is in the know when it comes to XBOX720, and has probably pushed for maximising the new engine's performance on XBOX360.
My Battlefield 3 copy takes around 20go with everything installed. If I can deal with it for Battlefield, Halo 4 is welcome to do so.

I'm just crazy but ever since I read "Evolutions" which the first thing 343i has pumped out, I've gotten the feeling they were pushing for something more serious and dark and profound. Curious to see if the game engine somehow reflects my feeling.

Also if Halo gets darker and serious, it might help stir it out of too much comparison against Bungie's next big thing, as it's bond to be very Bungiesque and only Bungie does Bungie.

 

[Queen of Hunting]

as long as we dont get QTE i dont see how this company can fuck this game up with the staff they have they and some ex devs from bungie.

but yeah im pretty sure we will get QTE

 

[monome]

as long as we dont get QTE i dont see how this company can fuck this game up with the staff they have they and some ex devs from bungie.

but yeah im pretty sure we will get QTE

QTE is ok when it comes to making a scene very cinematic.
I'm curious if there will be Bosses in the game. I love me Big bosses.

 

[Havok]

QTE is ok when it comes to making a scene very cinematic.

Fuck that. QTEs are garbage.

 

[wwm0nkey]

QTE is ok when it comes to making a scene very cinematic.
I'm curious if there will be Bosses in the game. I love me Big bosses.

QTE is NEVER ok.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

QTE is NEVER ok.

Truer word have never been said. If you want to make a scene cinematic, either find a way to do it with a regular control scheme or just make a cinematic cutscene. As much as I dislike cutscenes, QTEs only detract from the spectacle and give you very little in return, mostly just annoyance.

 

[The Xtortionist]

QTE is NEVER ok.

Worked for RE4...

 

[Trey]

Worked for RE4...

They weren't good, the rest of the game was just so amazing it didn't allow for the suck of 'em to really bring the entire game down.

 

[The Xtortionist]

They weren't good, the rest of the game was just so amazing it didn't allow for the suck of 'em to really bring the entire game down.

Contextual dodging and the knife fight were fun as hell imo

 

[Trey]

Contextual dodging and the knife fight were fun as hell imo

Would've been "funner" if you had more control.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

Contextual dodging and the knife fight were fun as hell imo

I don't really see things like contextual dodging as QTEs. If it's consistent in that it happens every time and in the same way, than the fact that there's a prompt doesn't phase me - you could theoretically learn to perform the same action even if the prompt wasn't there.

The knife fight, however, was a QTE sequence and it was shit.

 

[The Xtortionist]

The knife fight sequence, however, was a QTE and it was shit.

I just don't see how a short reflex test with awesome stuff happening on screen as a result of both failing and succeeding can be considered shit. Was it too difficult?

 

[Trey]

I don't really see things like contextual dodging as QTEs. If it's consistent in that it happens every time and in the same way, than the fact that there's a prompt doesn't phase me - you could theoretically learn to perform the same action even if the prompt wasn't there.

The knife fight sequence, however, was a QTE and it was shit.

Nah, the contextual dodging are QTEs. The buttons required change and the only thing that can happen is either you get hit or you don't. You can't even control which way you roll.

QTEs aren't too difficult, they just lack depth or any reasonable amount of player interaction. The "game" is literally pressing one button arbitrarily.

 

[REMEMBER CITADEL]

I just don't see how a short reflex test with awesome stuff happening on screen as a result of both failing and succeeding can be considered shit. Was it too difficult?

I find those things distracting. If there's an awesome scene playing out on the screen, I want to be able to concentrate on the awesomeness of it, not worry that I'll miss a prompt. It was the same in Fahrenheit, half of the time I missed what was really happening on the screen because I had to deal with stupid QTE prompts. The minimal interaction you get from that does nothing for me, the gains are not worth it.

Nah, the contextual dodging are QTEs. The buttons required change and the only thing that can happen is either you get hit or you don't. You can't even control which way you roll.

Oh, if they change, then that's not good. It's been a while so I don't remember.

 

[Hypertrooper]

The pic with the ship enterring we had only a blurry shot until then I think.

Sparth, what a treat.

I can't see your pics from work.

Both artworks were part of the Halo 4 Art trailer which was published at the Halo 4 panel. (As you can see here: Art 1 ; Art 2) They were just animated by a 343i employee who did an amazing job imo.

The artwork with the ships entering the shield world was auctioned at the Child Charity last December.

Truer word have never been said. If you want to make a scene cinematic, either find a way to do it with a regular control scheme or just make a cinematic cutscene. As much as I dislike cutscenes, QTEs only detract from the spectacle and give you very little in return, mostly just annoyance.

True. QTE disjoins me from the cutscene. I focus always on the next QTE and never be able to enjoy the cutscene. So keep QTE away from Halo 4.

I'm just crazy but ever since I read "Evolutions" which the first thing 343i has pumped out, I've gotten the feeling they were pushing for something more serious and dark and profound. Curious to see if the game engine somehow reflects my feeling.

Please GOD NO. The story can be dark, serious, profound but the world should be colorful like Halo 1 or Halo 3 was.

 

[The Xtortionist]

Oh, if they change, then that's not good. It's been a while so I don't remember.

There's only two possible prompts. If you're really want to, just mash both of them when there's an incoming attack.

True. QTE disjoins me from the cutscene. I focus always on the next QTE and never be able to enjoy the cutscene. So keep QTE away from Halo 4.

I've honestly never felt distracted by QTEs during cutscenes. Of course, I never put my controller down : p

Give Chief perma-evade and there will be no need for QTEs. Or not. I just really want evade to be a permanent mechanic.

 

[Trey]

Give Chief perma-evade and there will be no need for QTEs. Or not. I just really want evade to be a permanent mechanic.

I would prefer more dynamic and nimble movement options available to the player rather than a designated "get the fuck out the way" button.

 

[The Xtortionist]

I would prefer more dynamic and nimble movement options available to the player rather than a designated "get the fuck out the way" button.

how about 360-degree sprint? Chief is supposed to be ridiculously agile. And you could shoot while sprinting.

i just want more ways to dodge quick projectiles other than hiding behind a rock

 

[monome]

The artwork with the ships entering the shield world was auctioned at the Child Charity last December.

Right, but I didn't have them in such good quality when not in motion.
I love Sparth, and I'm sorry for those distracted by my bump. Still worth it.

True. QTE disjoins me from the cutscene. I focus always on the next QTE and never be able to enjoy the cutscene. So keep QTE away from Halo 4.

Well, I never said I wanted QTE in my Haloz. But, sometimes, action scenes are so intense proper gameplay cannot (YET) be implemented, maybe this will be possible next-gen. For example, how can you control the Chief while he's falling, trying to grab at a falcon and disposing of few ennemies mid-air. Getting into a flying banshee is a very short QTE, and it's well done. Uncharted 3 ending had a somewhat acceptable QTE use.
I like Halo for its gamplay smootheness, and if there is something new done I'm just asking for it to be smooth.

Please GOD NO. The story can be dark, serious, profound but the world should be colorful like Halo 1 or Halo 3 was.

Halo covers have gone from in your face Man-tank in pastel colors, to a mechanical gunslinger in a subdued yet more electric color scheme (and see no guns on halo 4 placeholder, probably as to not stir controversy reagarind AR/BR and dual holding)

 

[Dorfdad]

I ok with them saying on 360 as that doesn't mean a new Xbox isn't come or that the game won't make it to the new system. Ala Zelda on wii and GameCube. Two skews they just won't announce it's for the new Xbox yet since well they haven't announced it yet. But once they do I am sure it will be shown on it at the same time.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

how about 360-degree sprint? Chief is supposed to be ridiculously agile. And you could shoot while sprinting.

i just want more ways to dodge quick projectiles other than hiding behind a rock

I dont see why it has to be 'sprint' a fast enough base movement would be the better solution as far as im concerned.

 

[Trey]

I dont see why it has to be 'sprint' a fast enough base movement would be the better solution as far as im concerned.

It's all relative to the scale of the game and movement of the enemies. Base movement speed isn't really solving anything, design wise, on its own.