If ever there were going to be a different build shown or new info revealed, it'd be at PAX.
if we don't get new stuff there...I think we're going to be SOL 'til november.
I doubt it very much, seeing as 343 is in the last stretch of development. E3 build will probably still be the one that is shown.
People said:
I was thinking about the comments on how Halo 4 is not bringing the innovation compared to previous games. I have come around on it and based on what has been shown, I have to agree to some extent. My opinion of course could change when I finally get my hands on the finished copy, so this it is based on the very bare info we have gotten so far.
From what we have seen, everything seems to be more of an evolution then revolution. Take for example the
Forge “reveal” panel, while they are nice additions, there is a lack of real big feature compared to Reach’s Forge. It then felt like a huge step, while it may have not delivered on all of its promises; it was and is still something to behold.
Not to undermine it though, an evolution can sometimes be better than a revolution. Go back to the basics, see what was cut unnecessarily and rebuild/reshape core grievances. Still however, keeping it on the safe side is also a difficult line to walk. Much of what we have seen on know quantities feels like they are keeping it on the safe side, except multiplayer (which feels that is borrows a bit too much from other shooters on the market today).
Makes me wonder how much of the 360 is actually limiting the game itself in terms of non-game features (like the social and creative features). Bungie pushed it hard with Halo 3, ODST and Reach. While there were some trade-offs, like the often criticized resolution, what those games brought in features was astonishing and is arguably the most well developed suite of features.
Halo 3 and ODST biggest features were saving gameplay films, Forge and file sharing – all major additions that were unheard of for console games (Most games had one or two of those features, not all of them). Even the features within those additions were fantastic. Reach took some steps backwards with some of those features, but Active Roster and Forge additions were major.
Getting back to the point about the 360 actually limiting it. I wonder how much the lack of standard HDD and the size of disk space has bottlenecked the development of Halo 4. All those features fill up space pretty fast, they are not small stuff and can’t be left out. I wonder if the innovation in those features is being held back by outdated hardware. I highly doubt that 343 designers don’t have more ambitious plans, but are holding it back because of technical limitations.
You could argue that 343 is just trying to get the base game and features right, before adding more stuff. Admirable, getting everything a major polish on functionality.
Then there is Microsoft itself, who themselves lack the foresight to look into emerging technologies. I often get the impression that they are more the type of “we need something to fill out publisher quota” and “Ship it, nobody will notice that”. It is exaggerated, but there is some truth to it all. I know there are limits, but even the more reasonable advancement have been shot down by them.
Enough being cynical for now, the game still sounds and looks awesome though. The true innovative thing that has come out the game is the introduction of Spartan Ops, it feels like a major upgrade from Firefight. The bump in resolution is also very welcome, the framerate doesn’t seem to have taken a hit and it looks really crisp and clean. The campaign footage has been mind-blowing and glad to see the story moving forward.
Summary: I overanalyze stuff.