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[Not a Jellyfish]

Why? This would be a godsend for stuff like MLG. *Remembers fond HMT memories*

Are you really arguing against having more options?

Options are great when they aren't game breaking options. Be able to change the rate of fire, zoom, and/or mag size, even if it is done through unlockables is something that Halo does not need. Halo is so big because of the set standards for the weapons across all levels of play, it is a balanced sandbox that Bungie has us play in and hope it stays that way...just with some new toys.

 

[CrazedArabMan]

No, any game that lets you go solo and gun-ho is a far cry from realism. Realism is boring.

Not really, if you tried to solo Flashpoint Dragon Rising, you would get killed pretty quickly, I wouldn't say it is super realistic, but it does a good job of trying to be realistic.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

@ Sage

how difficult is it to add new things, and remove old things without changing the core Halo gameplay everyone has come to know and love?

 

[Kapura]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

To Sage: Are we going to see ammunition pick-ups in multiplayer like in Halo 2? I, for one, think that it would be awesome as like a secondary control goal in a multiplayer map: You grab the sniper, then you can run halfway across the map to double your kill potential. It'd also make for more interesting Zombie variants.

To ManCannon: WHO ARE YOU?

 

[Sai-kun]

To Sage: Are we going to see ammunition pick-ups in multiplayer like in Halo 2? I, for one, think that it would be awesome as like a secondary control goal in a multiplayer map: You grab the sniper, then you can run halfway across the map to double your kill potential. It'd also make for more interesting Zombie variants.

To ManCannon: WHO ARE YOU?

Ske7ch!

 

[Kapura]

Ske7ch!

Oic.

 

[Domino Theory]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

With every Halo game, there seems to be a tradition at Bungie where they have to change the functionality of the Pistol with every new release whether it's removing its scope then adding it back, making it dual-wieldable then making it single wielding, increasing its rate of fire then decreasing it, etc. Do you feel you've finally hit the sweet spot of making it a very useful side-arm for players in Halo: Reach and why? Also, how many shots to the body does it take with the Pistol to remove a player's shields?

 

[Trasher]

To Sage: Are we going to see ammunition pick-ups in multiplayer like in Halo 2? I, for one, think that it would be awesome as like a secondary control goal in a multiplayer map: You grab the sniper, then you can run halfway across the map to double your kill potential. It'd also make for more interesting Zombie variants.

Ammunition pickups were in Halo 2 mp?

 

[BladedExpert]

Ammunition pickups were in Halo 2 mp?

Coagulation had Sniper ammo out in front of the base. There are probably more examples but thats the one I remember.

 

[Kapura]

Ammunition pickups were in Halo 2 mp?

Aye. Didn't play a whole lot, so I can't tell you where many were, but there was a big pile of mags behind a box in the middle of turf. Always ran back there when ammo was low.

 

[Spasm]

Coagulation had Sniper ammo out in front of the base. There are probably more examples but thats the one I remember.

In that little cluster of rocks. That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head too.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Coagulation had Sniper ammo out in front of the base. There are probably more examples but thats the one I remember.

If I recall there was also Rocket ammo around, like on Ivory Tower. It was a fun dynamic IMO.

Hm. So I want Ivory Tower back in reach. I miss that map.

 

[EazyB]

The problem with halos campaigns is that the player rarely ever feels threatened. 99% of the time, you can just sit back and NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. You are always the one that puts yourself in danger. The AI never pushes and rarely seeks. You can go ahead and pick things off as long as you have the weapon for it. This creates a very dull experience.

Cod on the other hand does the opposite. Those games are too aggressive, if anything. That's pretty much why cod4 is my favorite campaign. It mixed aggression points with calm/anticipation points very well and the two mentalities complimented each other, while mw2 was too much aggresion, not enough anticipation.

When designing a the game's sandbox what all goes into creating/deciding on weapon starts?

Are weapons designed/balanced from the get-go to be suitable weapon starts or are they chosen from the sandbox after the fact? How do the properties of the starting weapons influence the rest of the sandbox design? Halo 3 chose the more CQC route and Halo 3's sandbox was saw more additions to the CQC palette than in any other weapon type and a very powerful melee attack (lung and damage). Coincidence or are they related? Was Bungie happy about this emphasis or are they planning to tweak it for Reach, say make the mid-long range combat stronger/a larger focus? From the revealed weapons one could assume it's already a little stronger (3's BR, carbine, and shit pistol vs Reach's DMR, needle rifle, and better pistol.)

A lot of questions but they could all be addressed together sort of. I'd find anything on the role of starting weapons in the Halo sandbox to be really interesting.

Coagulation had Sniper ammo out in front of the base. There are probably more examples but thats the one I remember.

I remember rocket ammo on a couple of maps. Foundation and Ivory Tower come to mind.

 

[electricpirate]

Rocket ammo on ivory tower was great. That stuff was just so exposed >.

 

[Striker]

In that little cluster of rocks. That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head too.

Ammo for the Sniper was also found in Headlong near the Overshield, and I believe also right beside the Sniper spawn itself.

Rocket ammo also found there under the broken bridge. Zanzibar also carried RL ammo in the courtyard rocks.

 

[big ander]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

-It's been made clear that the goal with Reach's sandbox is to eliminate redundancy and allow only unique weapons. While they already have differences in Halo 3, have the Sword and Gravity Hammer been tweaked at all to separate them further? Or do they still share the role of melee weapon?
-What's the plan for the SMG in Reach? Will it be eliminated due to the role of un-scoped automatic weapon already being filled by the AR?
-Will there be a beard helmet in Reach? What armor ability will it give the player upon spawning?

 

[Kibbles]

Rocket ammo on ivory tower was great. That stuff was just so exposed >.

Ahh yes. I forgot about the sniper ammo and stuff in Halo 2. Those really brought some interesting encounters and strategy (more so getting rocket launcher ammo).

 

[Schmitty]

Just played some Halo 2 games, and damn those MP maps are so much more fun to play on. After surviving through BTB on Midship Duals and Sanctuary Rockets, I finally got Assault on Headlong. That map is just so fun. Nothing like storming the construction site.

 

[The Lamonster]

Just played some Halo 2 games, and damn those MP maps are so much more fun to play on. After surviving through BTB on Midship Duals and Sanctuary Rockets, I finally got Assault on Headlong. That map is just so fun. Nothing like storming the construction site.

I know dude. I know. Halo 2 is fast-paced and has awesome maps.

I can't believe we won't get to play it anymore after April 15th.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

Options are great when they aren't game breaking options. Be able to change the rate of fire, zoom, and/or mag size, even if it is done through unlockables is something that Halo does not need. Halo is so big because of the set standards for the weapons across all levels of play, it is a balanced sandbox that Bungie has us play in and hope it stays that way...just with some new toys.

I'm not sure if this is what the original poster meant, but the way that I intperetted it was that the party leader could change weapon stats and features in the pregame lobby. Like, say we were playing GAF Customs. The leader could go into settings and tailor make each and every weapon behave how the group wants it to behave. You could tweak everything.
We could adjust the BR (or DMR, w/e) to have a tighter spread and different rate of fire. You could adjust the AR to have rediculous spread and rate of fire. Obviously this would only be for customs, but it would definately cut down on the bitching if we were allowed to do what we wanted in custom games.

 

[NJ Shlice]

Hey guys,

I made an iPhone/iPod Touch app. It's called Halo: Reach Guide. You can find it on iTunes and the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/halo-reach-guide/id361333561?mt=8

It's a collection of all the things we know so far and some speculation on features that haven't been explained yet. Stuff all you guys know already and that we talk about on a daily basis.

It will be for the fan that isn't a forum junkie and wants to keep up to date with all the latest info.

Here are some screens:

Let me know what you guys think, or any other stuff you think I should put in the app.

It's only a buck but here are a bunch of codes to download it for free:
-Just go into Appstore and then Redeem Code:

EKYAK4LNFMRY
PF4KEMK749WR
3A7FFH6F7HKF
N79EY4YMREJY
9MP6KF4F6P9R
ELEARFM9MMM4
MREANPXLHYY6
WLEXPFPKH43Y
RY4HMHLXN9WW
376WNAAFEN9J
PTFXAAJPET3R
YTK976HR9MYJ
7PFWJ3T3YJWN
AHLXWPPNKY3M
EP69NWWA3EPJ

 

[EazyB]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

Thought of another (but less interesting) question:

An additional, more boring question: When balancing the ROF, spread, and damage for a weapon, are the MP and vs AI properties of the weapons the same or are they tweaked for each component of the game. If they carry over from one mode to the next does this make balancing a weapon (and the general sandbox) a lot more difficult and how does one approach/prioritize such a task?

I realize you'd want a weapon to feel consistent across all game modes so ROF and spread are probably the same, but I'd think making all the weapons balanced for the campaign and MP simultaneously would be extraordinarily difficult and more than likely wouldn't be as fine tuned for each experience.

 

[Sai-kun]

Shit dude. Awesome!

 

[Kapura]

seems like a lot of lurkers picked up codes. I used 9MP6KF4F6P9R, but the 7PFWJ3T3YJWN one is used up.

 

[op_ivy]

In that little cluster of rocks. That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head too.

oh man, i loved those rock clusters. so much awesomeness occurred there... luring in ghosts to jack, crouch walking hunting, diving for cover from warthogs... memories. i hope reach has a coag/blood gulch themed map!

 

[Popeck]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

For da Sage: Do you still talk about "The Golden Triangle of Halo"? I mean with the more profound role of armor abilities, should it be named "The Silver Square of Halo"?

 

[Slightly Live]

Sage questions

1) When tackling the sandbox for Reach, was the focus on campaign or multiplayer (or both equally) when trying to tweak and balance it?

2) Halo 3's single player sandbox lead to some redundancy (the flare equipment had seemingly no impact in the campaign when the player used it) or an overall negative impact in the experience (flame grenades caused network issues in matchmaking), How did you go about trying to limit these disruptive elements for Reach and how much did you learn from Halo 3?

 

[stephen08]

Question for Sage:

What really seperates the Grenade Launcher from the Rocket Launcher?

 

[Trasher]

Question for Sage:

What really seperates the Grenade Launcher from the Rocket Launcher?

I could probably answer that for you: the range, and it's most likely not as powerful.

 

[The Librarian]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

How has the removal of dual-wielding affected the way you've designed the weapons in the game, like the plasma rifle?

 

[NJ Shlice]

seems like a lot of lurkers picked up codes. I used 9MP6KF4F6P9R, but the 7PFWJ3T3YJWN one is used up.

Check your PM

 

[vhfive]

Question for Sage:

What really seperates the Grenade Launcher from the Rocket Launcher Brute Shot?

fixed

 

[Tashi]

If I had an iPhone, I would buy that app. Also, those codes are probably taken by lurkers by now.

Sage, what do you do personally to assure that the balance between all of the multiplayer aspects (map design, weapon design, weapon placement, armor abilities, spawn system...etc) is in check?

Thanks,

Tashi

 

[stephen08]

I could probably answer that for you: the range, and it's most likely not as powerful.

Most likely =/= is

No offense but there is still a great deal unknown about this weapon. The two times we have seen it in use it has killed some Jackals in Campaign, and killed an unshielded player in the multiplayer trailer.

Is it a power weapon? What kind of damage does it do? What's the reason for it only having one shot per reload? Does it travel faster than a rocket but arc? Spalsh damage?

The reason this is especially interesting is because it's been stated that the Sandbox is being designed such that there are few overlaps. But the few times we have seen it in action it looks pretty similar to Rockets and I'm just wondering what sets it apart.

 

[Devin Olsen]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

Sage, I am currently using your picture as my avatar. At what point can I expect men in suits to storm my home and confiscate my laptop.

 

[backflip10019]

Damn, I'd love to check out that app but all the codes were taken by lurkers and I don't have a CC attached to my iTunes acct.

 

[Ramirez]

The grenade launcher probably can shoot into places that rockets can't...

 

[Sai-kun]

I feel like the launcher works like the Demoman's in TF2 Which...maybe you could shoot it around corners and over walls 'n stuff. That would be...freakin awesome.

 

[Stinkles]

The grenade launcher probably can shoot into places that rockets can't...

...said the actress to the Bishop.

 

[InvincibleAgent]

have the Sword and Gravity Hammer been tweaked at all to separate them further? Or do they still share the role of melee weapon?

They're already quite different in Halo 3. The sword has a farther lunge, and is stronger against personnel. The hammer can affect vehicles.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

Sadly, I will not be able to make the HaloGAF-Forgehub battle on Sunday It just dawned on me that Sunday is my little sister's confirmation. I've already let the first sub (bobs99) know. Should the time change, I might be able to make it, but as of right now I'm out

Hey,

Out of interest what time is the match happening?

As I haven’t exactly been a member on Gaf very long I don’t think its fair I get to represent us if others from here actually want to play. If people are generally cool with it, or don’t care either way then ide love to play (time considering), but if someone else wants to play please let me know.

P.S Sage, with modes like Spartans VS Elites how is the new emphasize on giving each weapon a particular mode working, I assume Elites will spawn with different weapons than Spartans? And if so will they be similar or behave differently.

Spoiler

P.P.S to Sage, BR!????

 

[Thermite]

The grenade launcher seems like a perfect candidate to replace the Brute Shot for Reach. One shot will kill someone with little to no shields, but when someone has full shields it takes more than one shot (one shot and then melee to kill, for example). I'm really interested in how much damage the grenade launcher can do to vehicles and the range of its shots.

 

[Trasher]

Most likely =/= is

No offense but there is still a great deal unknown about this weapon. The two times we have seen it in use it has killed some Jackals in Campaign, and killed an unshielded player in the multiplayer trailer.

Is it a power weapon? What kind of damage does it do? What's the reason for it only having one shot per reload? Does it travel faster than a rocket but arc? Spalsh damage?

The reason this is especially interesting is because it's been stated that the Sandbox is being designed such that there are few overlaps. But the few times we have seen it in action it looks pretty similar to Rockets and I'm just wondering what sets it apart.

"Most likely it does not equal is"? That line makes no sense lol.

I'm fairly certain both of the things I said are correct. It won't be as powerful as a rocket launcher, and it won't travel in a straight line like a rocket launcher. The site on the grenade launcher means it will arc.

 

[vhfive]

Hey,

Out of interest what time is the match happening?

As I haven’t exactly been a member on Gaf very long I don’t think its fair I get to represent us if others from here actually want to play. If people are generally cool with it, or don’t care either way then ide love to play (time considering), but if someone else wants to play please let me know.

The match is Sunday 4:30 pm Eastern Time (US) or 9:30 pm GMT.
Don't worry about not being on GAF for very long part of HaloGAF are all the new members that are constantly joining (and then getting berated by all other members).

Spoiler

did I mention that you were good and I want to win

.

 

[Domino Theory]

Hey guys,

I made an iPhone/iPod Touch app. It's called Halo: Reach Guide. You can find it on iTunes and the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/halo-reach-guide/id361333561?mt=8

So you charge for an app that has to do with an IP that you don't own and then you post codes to get it for free openly for lurkers to snag up before I can say "wat"?

Nice.

 

[dilatedmuscle]

We're recording the March podcast next week and one of our segments will be "20 questions with Sage." We've got a good list going already but wanted to open it up to you folks to see if we're overlooking any good gems. Keep in mind we may not be able to tackle all the pressing questions depending on timing and embargos and whatnot. The focus will obviously be on the SANDBOX (and facial hair).

To Sage:

1. What role, if any, will wildlife play in Reach?

2. Will there be any upper class neighborhoods in reach? If so, will we be seeing spartans in futuristic supercars since they can comandeer civilian vehicles? THAT WOULD ROCK!

3: Does the sandbox designer have anything to do with the subjects i mentioned? lol

 

[Slightly Live]

So you charge for an app that has to do with an IP that you don't own and then you post codes to get it for free openly for lurkers to snag up before I can say "wat"?

Nice.

Wait, he's charging for this app? I wonder if he worked up a legal agreement with MS beforehand. :lol

 

[NJ Shlice]

Wait, he's charging for this app? I wonder if he worked up a legal agreement with MS beforehand. :lol

Have you ever been to the Appstore?

There are thousands of apps that charge $.99 and do the same exact thing

 

[CrunchinJelly]

So you charge for an app that has to do with an IP that you don't own and then you post codes to get it for free openly for lurkers to snag up before I can say "wat"?

Nice.

It's OK, he's charging for his Mass Effect and Bioshock guides as well. :lol :lol

 

[NJ Shlice]

then you post codes to get it for free openly for lurkers to snag up before I can say "wat"?

Nice.

Check your PM