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[NullPointer]

Engine discussions always give me headaches.

Just take a look at Splinter Cell for example. Ubi Montreal started out using the Unreal 2 engine and they rewrote the renderer and yanked out parts of the engine to replace it with their own stuff for every new game. Does that mean that Conviction uses the Unreal 2 engine even though the engine stopped having anything in common with the Unreal 2 tech somewhere around Chaos Theory or at least the very least Double Agent?

Or let me ask that question the other way around, do you seriously think that each new version of ID tech was build completely from the ground up without taking any lessons from earlier engines like the Quake 1 or Quake 2 engine?

Of course Reach has a new engine and of course Bungie will reuse Halo 3 tech where it is appropriate.

I guess I think of it like normal software development. Now take some stuff that I've done the architecture for as an example. If I'm adding brand new modules or optimizing some existing code I wouldn't call the end result a new piece of software. Its an updated build, and maybe even a new version if there were significant additions.

But sometimes, to truly advance your tech capabilities or optimize something with a lot of dependencies you have to "crack the ribs open" as we say around my office. When you rewrite or significantly change the core processing pipeline I'd say its valid to call it a brand new piece of software.

Where the Halo 3 engine falls into this rubric is anybody's guess. Somebody get one of the Bungie tech guys drunk and make em spill the beans.

 

[Trunchisholm]

I fail to understand how some people are so thick as to utterly fail to see the difference between having a new engine and having a different art style. New engine? Yes. Different art style? No. It's as simple as that. There's also so much a few -early- screenshots can show. We'll have to see the game moving to really know how much things have changed from a technical standpoint.

 

[Kibbles]

The EB pics are the same as the GI ones, so I'm confused as to these 'new' screens.

They would be new for digital distribution. Right now they are only supposed to be in GI, EBGames broke an embargo. If this is correct, I hope GI puts up everything they got (that's you FP screenshot!) in 720p.


Also, this: http://www.edge-online.com/features/out-soon-e211

Arriving with subscribers and in UK newsagents tomorrow, E211 exposes how Bungie is closing a chapter in its development history.

Halo: Reach is, as its principal team members tell us, the culmination of all the studio's work on the series – the ultimate expression of the mix of technology and design which has made Halo a benchmark for console FPS.

We met with the leads from each department making up Bungie's team and saw two levels to find out how Reach could well be the best Halo yet released for our expansive feature, and found out why the process has made the team go full circle and look for inspiration at the series' beginning – 2001's Combat Evolved.

For the full story, pick up the magazine, but as a bonus look out on Edge Online from tomorrow for a series of excerpts from our interviews which will look at specific elements from Reach.

In the rest of the magazine, you'll find our look at Tecmo's thirdperson shooter Quantum Theory and a meeting with Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto in which he discusses his two new games, the west-facing movie adaptation Clash Of The Titans and east-facing new IP Majin: The Fallen Realm, a dreamily atmospheric action puzzler.

Among many other features, we also meet Martin De Ronde, the man behind the OneBigGame initiative, in which developers are creating games on a pro bono basis for charity, look at the history of rhythm action games and examine in depth just how prosperous the UK game market was in 2009.

 

[EazyB]

I'd also add FarCry 2 in there. Sometimes that game looks mindbogglingly good.

I'd say it's the best looking shooter on the 360 bar none.

And dammit Eazy! Stop ruining the only new covie enemy type we will probably have in Reach! :lol

If the skirmishers are the coolest thing we have to look forward to in Reach we have much bigger problems. Good ol' Tom Morrello said the covies were fighting some huge Reach animal. Now that I wanna see. Until then I'mma keep slandering those freakishly terrible creatures Bungie wants us to call Skirmishers.

I'm on a mission!

I think Eazy is just haggard that he won't get to be one in MM.

If I could stick that hideous thing onto my character I'd welcome their inclusion. Of course, they'd still have to make this sound every time I died. Well even if they didn't make that sound in the game I'd scream it through the headset anyways.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Nom nom Edge, I'll be running to Easons as soon as I get to college tomorrow

 

[squidhands]

That might just be the funniest shit I've seen in a long time. You're on a roll with the protection program.:lol :lol

 

[Syracuse022]

Congrats Cocop! I guess any AJ LAN type activity has to be focused on Seattle now, right? Sounds like I need to start planning a pilgrimage.

Edit: Also, legit lol at Frankie's daily agenda.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

I know Frankie posts here so since I just finished reading your story in Evolutions I wanted to say I really enjoyed it. Probably my favorite so far, although I've only read two of them.

 

[Frenck]

I guess I think of it like normal software development. Now take some stuff that I've done the architecture for as an example. If I'm adding brand new modules or optimizing some existing code I wouldn't call the end result a new piece of software. Its an updated build, and maybe even a new version if there were significant additions.

But sometimes, to truly advance your tech capabilities or optimize something with a lot of dependencies you have to "crack the ribs open" as we say around my office. When you rewrite or significantly change the core processing pipeline I'd say its valid to call it a brand new piece of software.

Where the Halo 3 engine falls into this rubric is anybody's guess. Somebody get one of the Bungie tech guys drunk and make em spill the beans.

The LoD, animation and lighting tech in Reach is completely revamped (probably done from scratch). Bungie didn't just crack the ribs open, they removed the ribs and replaced them with solid Adamantium.

I'm sure that some parts of the Halo 3 tech were kept, since they worked, like the modified Havok physics engine for example that was probably optimized even further. They are still making a game for the Xbox 360 after all, they can't throw all their tech away since their target hasn't moved one bit.

 

[Deleted member 21120]

Congrats Cocop! I guess any AJ LAN type activity has to be focused on Seattle now, right? Sounds like I need to start planning a pilgrimage.

Thanks, Cuse. And, yes sir: Dual and Self came up for this past year's PAX and we had a blast. Get yerself up here and we'll play some H1 LAN for reals.

 

[dilatedmuscle]

LMFAO dudes, this one didnt even need photoshopping.

 

[NullPointer]

Bungie didn't just crack the ribs open, they removed the ribs and replaced them with solid Adamantium.

So awesome. Now that that's settled, what were we talking about?

I'd say it's the best looking shooter on the 360 bar none.

I'd have a hard time arguing against this. But I'd also add Bad Company to this list. Some of the levels in that game are pretty huge, and it incorporates vehicles as well as some of the best damn audio I've ever heard. Not to mention destructible structures. All of this is balanced by shit cheap AI.

And EazyB, I will never doubt your photochop skills.

 

[The Librarian]

I know Frankie posts here so since I just finished reading your story in Evolutions I wanted to say I really enjoyed it. Probably my favorite so far, although I've only read two of them.

The best two stories in Evolutions are "The Mona Lisa" and "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole." By far.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

The best two stories in Evolutions are "The Mona Lisa" and "The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole." By far.

The second one you listed is the one by Eric Nylund right? I plan on reading that one next.

 

[The Librarian]

The second one you listed is the one by Eric Nylund right? I plan on reading that one next.

Yep.

 

[Deleted member 21120]

lollerskates

 

[Not a Jellyfish]

Hopping on right now. Any customs or anything going on?

 

[feel]

If the skirmishers are the coolest thing we have to look forward to in Reach we have much bigger problems. Good ol' Tom Morrello said the covies were fighting some huge Reach animal. Now that I wanna see. Until then I'mma keep slandering those freakishly terrible creatures Bungie wants us to call Skirmishers.

Looking forward to seeing them look extremely badass in motion, with everyone praising them, and having you be in denial mode.

 

[Why For?]

Good ol' Tom Morrello said the covies were fighting some huge Reach animal. Now that I wanna see.

That sounds great.

If the 'third' enemy in Reach can be the wildlife of the planet itself that would be fucking amazing.

 

[Major Williams]

In regards to the VGA cutscene -

There lies two possibilities where this cutscene could take place within the current details we have been given:

1. It is in fact the opening cutscene - the Spartans can't see the Covenant ship in the storm (kind of hard to believe, but I'll take it). They are indeed investigating insurrectionist activity near the Covenant ship, only to find the Chocobos.

2. The cutscene is part of a later cutscene, but certain dialogue/scenes were added into the VGA trailer to properly introduce the characters.

I'm leaning more towards the first possibility. But Spartans not able to see the ship? That thing is in clear view!

Edit: To Dax and others: Preston Cole and Human Weakness were the best. Human weakness' subject matter was impressive. The Gravemind was scary, and almost warming at the same time. Frank's story was an entertaining 20 minute read about self-sacrifice and medical devices of the 26th century.

 

[Roche]

That sounds great.

If the 'third' enemy in Reach can be the wildlife of the planet itself that would be fucking amazing.

I remember there was a bunch of wildlife in a video of Alpha Halo 1 that Bungie showed off, would be really cool if they included them in Reach.

 

[Frenck]

I don't know if it's just me but I really have yet to discover the difference between a Skirmisher and a Jackal. They are neither awesome nor do they suck for me because so far they are just grim looking Jackals.

In all of the pictures they seem to do stuff that Jackals would do and carry weapons that Jackals would carry. The only information that we have about them is that they flank the player and attack in packs, which too seems like something the Jackals would do if they were to attack me.

I hope that the Edge preview does a good job at pointing out the differences between the two.

EDIT:

The Skirmishers strike me as a bit of a missed opportunity so far. They could have been Jackal pirates that decided to go along for the ride when they heard of the Reach invasion. They would loot the planet, possibly capture humans as slaves and take human tech with them without the knowledge of the Covenant. They could also engage in combat with regular Covenant troops to provide the much sought after three way battles.

 

[neoism]

Wait until you see 'em in motion. It's a thing of beauty. Brings a tear to my eye.

Yeah, I've a feeling this game will be the best looking Halo Motion wise, I can kind of see, if someone was unhappy with the visuals,but I think they look waay better, than Halo 3!

 

[Orlics]

Looks like Halo.

 

[Trasher]

Afroman is the SHIT, Eazy.

 

[biosnake20]

that edge issue cant come soon enough

 

[Link069]

In regards to the VGA cutscene -

There lies two possibilities where this cutscene could take place within the current details we have been given:

1. It is in fact the opening cutscene - the Spartans can't see the Covenant ship in the storm (kind of hard to believe, but I'll take it). They are indeed investigating insurrectionist activity near the Covenant ship, only to find the Chocobos.

2. The cutscene is part of a later cutscene, but certain dialogue/scenes were added into the VGA trailer to properly introduce the characters.

I'm leaning more towards the first possibility. But Spartans not able to see the ship? That thing is in clear view!

Edit: To Dax and others: Preston Cole and Human Weakness were the best. Human weakness' subject matter was impressive. The Gravemind was scary, and almost warming at the same time. Frank's story was an entertaining 20 minute read about self-sacrifice and medical devices of the 26th century.

I agree with you as far as Evolution goes, the Preston Cole story was EPIC. Mine still has to remain the the Mona Lisa. One because the flood in the story were terrifying, and because the painting Mona Lisa is Enigmatic which i find intriguing.

As far as the cut scene in the VGA's is concerned i really dont believe that it is the intro. I mean since when has bungie ever given the whole intro to the game away pre-release?

 

[scently]

The new G.I article is up.

 

[Falt]

lttp (don't ask): eurogaf, you guys still out there?

GT: Falt IV

 

[Arnie]

Nom nom Edge, I'll be running to Easons as soon as I get to college tomorrow

Same. I'm hitting up Tesco before college at about 9ish. Gonna get me some DMR.

Also, Good Games Guys. Customs was a blast.

 

[Gui_PT]

lttp (don't ask): eurogaf, you guys still out there?

GT: Falt IV

Yeah

I'll add you

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Edit: To Dax and others: Preston Cole and Human Weakness were the best. Human weakness' subject matter was impressive. The Gravemind was scary, and almost warming at the same time. Frank's story was an entertaining 20 minute read about self-sacrifice and medical devices of the 26th century.

Nah man, while Cole was close, "The Mona Lisa" is the best written novella there.

The new G.I article is up.

Fictional History (been done to death fyi), bleh.

 

[dilatedmuscle]

all i gotta say is FUCK GAME INFORMER

 

[Kibbles]

The new G.I article is up.

So much for that whole embargo idea. Weird how this wasn't posted at 10:00AM like everything else. Maybe they forgot?

No Reach info again. Worst "Reach Coverage" ever.

 

[Major Williams]

Nah man, while Cole was close, "The Mona Lisa" is the best written novella there.

It was a cut and paste largely to Aliens.

Spoiler

Corridor shooting in a ship, squad members dying one by one in stupid ways. Felt unimaginative to me. I couldn't connect to the characters. The lead chick was so much like Michelle Rodriguez it turned me away.

So while entertaining, to me it was like Avatar - a Halo-ized way to tell the same exact story I've heard before.

 

[neoism]

Marty will not allow it!

Well, I hope he allows for complete volume control, it would be awesome to turn down the sound effects volume so I can actually hear them talk! In-fact, there should be a weapons volume too, for when I want to listen to the guns, and explosions!

 

[scently]

all i gotta say is FUCK GAME INFORMER

:lol :lol :lol

 

[GhaleonEB]

No Reach info again. Worst "Reach Coverage" ever.

Day 1: The Cover

New artwork nice. Get excited.

Day 2: The Team

Neato, ramping into this slowly. Always like amusing vids of the Bungie crew.

Day 3: ODST.

Um, that's not Reach....

Day 4: 343 Industries

That's not Reach or Bungie...um...

Day 5: We Don't Have Shit

They don't have shit!

 

[The Librarian]

Fictional History (been done to death fyi), bleh.

Way to go, GI. We need you, Edge!

 

[feel]

They are saying next week for Reach stuff. :/

 

[Gui_PT]

Way to go, GI. We need you, Edge!

Sorry about the fucking hog! :lol

 

[dilatedmuscle]

Never mind what i said about Game Informer...

by Sean Lowery Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 06:15 PM

"The good stuff on Reach is coming, this is all a deliberate build up for newcomers and fans alike. Trust me, Bungie has given us some info. to play with, and we'll be passing it along. We promised Reach, and we'll deliver. Just be patient."

Ive been hammering them for not putting out Reach info. Let us hope that what he is referring to, is indeed NEW Reach info. Hopefully something other than the magazine scans. Chances are itll be the last week of their Halo month of updates.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

It was a cut and paste largely to Aliens.

Spoiler

Corridor shooting in a ship, squad members dying one by one in stupid ways. Felt unimaginative to me. I couldn't connect to the characters. The lead chick was so much like Michelle Rodriguez it turned me away.

So while entertaining, to me it was like Avatar - a Halo-ized way to tell the same exact story I've heard before.

Agree completely about the Aliens c+p, still think it was wonderfully written.

 

[Arnie]

Day 1: The Cover

New artwork nice. Get excited.

Day 2: The Team

Neato, ramping into this slowly. Always like amusing vids of the Bungie crew.

Day 3: ODST.

Um, that's not Reach....

Day 4: 343 Industries

That's not Reach or Bungie...um...

Day 5: We Don't Have Shit

They don't have shit!

Read the comments. A member of staff indicated there will definitely be some proper Reach coverage, we just have to hold our horses. Anyway, EDGE coverage in 9 hours. I'll try and post some brief impressions from my college library.

 

[Kibbles]

Apparently Australia has started it's own GI and Halo: Reach is the coverstory. Not sure if they are any better at describing it than GI US, or if they just copied and pasted their article, but if anyone here is from Australia, check it out.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

GI better finish their coverage off with some MP info.

 

[Neverender]

Apparently Australia has started it's own GI and Halo: Reach is the coverstory. Not sure if they are any better at describing it than GI US, or if they just copied and pasted their article, but if anyone here is from Australia, check it out.

Most of the magazine is different but the Reach feature is exactly the same.

Spoiler

I have a huge poster of the cover

 

[big ander]

Never mind what i said about Game Informer...

by Sean Lowery Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 06:15 PM

"The good stuff on Reach is coming, this is all a deliberate build up for newcomers and fans alike. Trust me, Bungie has given us some info. to play with, and we'll be passing it along. We promised Reach, and we'll deliver. Just be patient."

Ive been hammering them for not putting out Reach info. Let us hope that what he is referring to, is indeed NEW Reach info. Hopefully something other than the magazine scans. Chances are itll be the last week of their Halo month of updates.

Good. I need some info.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

It's for a good cause, which will be revealed next week, I believe.

I want. so awesome.

Am I the only one who thinks the skirmishers look fucking awesome?

I'm torn. Overall the dinosaur lover in me likes it. I really love what they did with the face detail. The only thing that gets to me is how poofy the plumage is on its head. It would look better if it were a little less crazy imo.

 

[Trasher]

I'm getting on for some Halo. I hope others do the same.