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[Ten-Song]

Can we see John's face? It's not that hard Bungie.

Why? It would serve no point at all.

 

[kylej]

Anything as big as Halo is going to have teeming hordes of nay-sayers. You can't please everybody.

I agree with your points, but imo they've already managed to prove their merit with their unbelievable community tools and support, matchmaking system, AI enemies (although allies need some serious driving and mounted gun lessons), and graphics considering the scale of encounters in terms of game space, number of enemies/vehicles and 4 player co-op.

Unbelievable community tools and support... when's the last time you played Halo 3? If you somehow manage to make something interesting with spools of wire and crates while forge fights you the entire step of the way, then your creation has a .001% chance of being placed in matchmaking.

I've been hearing about the grand planets and environments of the Halo universe for ages. Give me a sexy planetary surface to work with and a ton of options to play with and allow me to really make a unique map in Reach.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I thought Halo 2 and 3 each found their own way to make faces look terrible. Its not like Bungie is alone in this department, but jeez. Keep the helmets ON people.

Yup. ODST was not an improvement in that department. It's one of the things I'm hoping will see a significant inprovement in Reach. I think Bungie's cinematics are mostly superb, but when Buck has a fat one planted on him by this, it was not romantic. It was horrifying.

"Kiss meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

 

[Wizman23]

Huge Halo fan here but I agree with some of the posters here that the same old Halo is not going to cut it in regards to Reach. I have my faith in Bungie though.

 

[Ten-Song]

"Kiss meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

"I can seeeeeee foreeeeeever!"

 

[clashfan]

Please do mocap. The animation really needs to improve.

 

[The Librarian]

Ghal - did you have to post a big and up-close picture of Dare?

Edit - Goddammit, Ten-Song.

 

[Blueblur1]

Ahhhhhhhh!

 

[NullPointer]

Ghal - did you have to post a big and up-close picture of Dare?

Seriously. I'm freaking out here.

 

[ZZMitch]

Because most other FPS's aren't developed by a team that can afford to move into a movie theater complex and has Microsoft paying the bills. If Reach doesn't look phenomenal and run at a high framerate then some people need to be cut and replaced with fresh talent. It's pretty inexcusable for a game with so many resources behind it (Halo 3) to launch with 9 maps and a 5 hour long campaign.

1. Halo 3's campaign was much longer then 5 hours long.
2. If you want to complain about a short campaign, head over to the MW2 thread, thanks.

 

[Why For?]

Can't wait for Reach.

Game is gonna rock the shit. Safe to assume the story will be based of the Fall of Reach?

I think I'm being bough the novels so I'll start with Reach.

 

[Lunchbox]

Why? It would serve no point at all.

what if he's a chick?

 

[Kibbles]

Please do mocap. The animation really needs to improve.

They have a mocap studio now. In fact, they just put up an article about animations.

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Animation_BillOBrien

O’Brien is seated back in his chair now. It appears the portion of the interview I’ll be able to write about is winding down. O’Brien picks back up on a conversation we'd gotten into on the way up to the conference room and talks a little bit more about where he sees video game animation going in the near future. He’s clearly excited. I set my pen and pad down and just listen.

He drops some details about the new motion capture equipment and software setup the team has been working with for Halo: Reach, and about how he’s been thoroughly enjoying the process of blending the new technology with tried and true animation techniques.

 

[DarkJC]

Reading the beginning of this thread was hilarious.

Sure, I'd love dedicated servers for Halo: Reach, with the ability to set up custom games. But even without those two features, Halo 3 is one of the best online console experiences I've had. Playing MW2 and dealing with failing host migration, random members being completely dropped from parties, etc etc, has reminded me not to take that for granted, no matter how big the franchise. It's the one thing I think Bungie is still king at.

edit: And, I forgot to add, something I think we can expect Reach to be best in class in as well.

 

[Ten-Song]

what if he's a chick?

Based on Bungie's track record with modeling female faces? We'd all be better off if Chief kept the helmet on if he were a she.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Reading the beginning of this thread was hilarious.

Sure, I'd love dedicated servers for Halo: Reach, with the ability to set up custom games. But even without those two features, Halo 3 is one of the best online console experiences I've had. Playing MW2 and dealing with failing host migration, random members being completely dropped from parties, etc etc, has reminded me not to take that for granted, no matter how big the franchise. It's the one thing I think Bungie is still king at.

edit: And, I forgot to add, something I think we can expect Reach to be best in class in as well.

The feature suite surrounding the MP game is just incredible. Saved films, Forge, the custom game settings and the file sharing system (including b.net integration) easily doubled the lifespan of the multiplayer for me. The lack of those are what really clipped the long-term appeal of Firefight in ODST. It's my hope that those features return and are expanded on, and applied to the new Firefight mode as well.

 

[Slightly Live]

The feature suite surrounding the MP game is just incredible. Saved films, Forge, the custom game settings and the file sharing system (including b.net integration) easily doubled the lifespan of the multiplayer for me. The lack of those are what really clipped the long-term appeal of Firefight in ODST. It's my hope that those features return and are expanded on, and applied to the new Firefight mode as well.

A Forge variant of Firefight would probably be too much to ask for, despite being almost too awesome to imagine.

Compared to multiplayer environs in which Forge excels, introducing campaign AI into a Forged environment would be precarious at best and really make the limitations of the AI apparent at the worst.

Then again, if anyone could realise such an idea in a fun way, it'd be Bungie.

I am expecting Firefight to return, I think I recall comments referring to the possibility from the horse's mouth. Only fans are wanting matchmaking and online game finding for the mode and setting up this kind of infrastructure for Firefight could possibly distract from meatier additions such as the proposed Forging addition.

 

[Yama]

MP wise I hope it follows more in the footsteps of HALO 2. I prefer the faster, more fluid gameplay. Much more competitive imo and less friendly to b.s.

 

[-tetsuo-]

Jesus The Christ, they arrived fast.

SecretBonusPoint, matchmaking is a must for Halo. Unlike other games, you cannot match people of different skills levels here and expect everyone to have fun. I have warhawk, skills level doesn't matter much there.. you can just hop in a game and start flying around killing people who have played forever. In Halo, specially in small games, you can never outplay someone that is much better than you.

You obviously haven't played Warhawk lately.

And just...Dax. I don't have the energy for you, its too late and I'm too ill with flu, but just because something has lots of shit in it, doesnt make it "far better than everything else". What Halo achieves through its extra stuff like cinema modes, screenshots and so forth, it is criminally behind in terms of actual Lobbys, hosting, tactical co-operation gameplay and so much more that I just can't see many people in agreeing that Halo 3 stands tall above all other console FPS in any way.

I don't ever really get down with Halo like that but.... you're kinda wrong.

 

[Plywood]

Well we learned in ODST that Dare

Spoiler

has balls.

I didn't think Buck was into that, but I guess Reach does things to people.

 

[godhandiscen]

The cinematics in Halo 3 were pretty comparable to the game, especially since most of them took place in campaign environments and using in-game assets. There may have been some extra layer of goodness on them, but I though they were quite comparable, including the flaws (facial modeling, etc.).

No, the cutscenes use 4xAA, a higuer level of AF, also, the lighting/shadowing system performs better. The differences are incredibly obvious.

 

[Slightly Live]

As much as Halo Wars has varied opinions from Halo fans for various reasons, I would actually really like to see some of the new unit types brought into Reach. A small thing that would help tie the universe together really. I know Bungie did work with Ensemble so I wouldn't be surprised to see some of these turn up.

The Vulture

The Wolverine

The Cyclops

The Gremlin

The Cobra

The Locust

The Vampire

The Fruity

 

[GhaleonEB]

A Forge variant of Firefight would probably be too much to ask for, despite being almost too awesome to imagine.

Compared to multiplayer environs in which Forge excels, introducing campaign AI into a Forged environment would be precarious at best and really make the limitations of the AI apparent at the worst.

Then again, if anyone could realise such an idea in a fun way, it'd be Bungie.

I am expecting Firefight to return, I think I recall comments referring to the possibility from the horse's mouth. Only fans are wanting matchmaking and online game finding for the mode and setting up this kind of infrastructure for Firefight could possibly distract from meatier additions such as the proposed Forging addition.

I'd be content with a stripped-down Forge for custom games, one affecting only elements that players control, such as spawn locations and weapons. I really don't like some of the spawn boxes and weapon placements on several ODST Firefight maps, and would like at the least to change those.

No, the cutscenes use 4xAA, a higuer level of AF, also, the lighting/shadowing system performs better. The differences are incredibly obvious.

This is what I scientifically described as "an extra layer of goodness", and why I then cited something not affected by it - facial modeling.

 

[Plywood]

stuff

The images you posted can't be hotlinked, cept for the last one.

 

[Slightly Live]

The images you posted can't be hotlinked, cept for the last one.

Fixed. =) Unless you mean the OP...

 

[Plywood]

Fixed. =) Unless you mean the OP...

No, you got it right.

 

[squicken]

I'm looking forward to the reveal. It's a 3 year Bungie game, and possibly their swan song with Halo. That Dare model . . .

 

[kylej]

We should all commend Bungie for being progressive enough to incorporate a gay relationship into ODST.

 

[godhandiscen]

This is what I scientifically described as "an extra layer of goodness", and why I then cited something not affected by it - facial modeling.

Your extra layer of goodness is incredibly important to me. Bad image quality is almost as offensive to me as bad framerate. Halo has a good framerate (locked regardless of how epic battles get), not how about we get the image quality (not the 3D models) to that same level of quality. I am not asking for a higuer resolution, just some AA (at least 2xAA) and a higuer level of antifiltering. I would be extremely happy with that. My fear is that Bungie will revamp the models, animations and other elements, but will leave us with the same jaggy mess.

 

[SA-X]

My wishlist is all multiplayer related (I loved h3's campaign but was bored to death by the multiplayer):

More complex level designs
I think if you look at it there are two approaches to level design in shooters that have emerged this gen. There is the Halo (and Gears I guess) way where the maps have very distinct and cool setpieces but very simplistic and sometimes boring layouts. Then there is the way games like Battlefield BC have done it where the maps don't have as memorable setpieces but there are so many buildings/vegetation/hills/rivers/shit dropped all over the place that there are a million different ways to play the levels. I would like to see Bungie embrace the second way. I think throughout the halo trilogy they have gotten so involved with creating memorable little doodads and other bullshit in the levels that the complexity and variety of the level design itself has suffered and it really shows now that Halo is no longer the only big console fps in town.

Weapon kit selection
Weapons spawns are last gen, get with the times Bungie. I know that battling over the spawns can sometimes add some strategy to the game but it sucks when your team gets fucked because the 1 or 2 key weapons that your side gets were picked up by jackasses who charged off like rambo only to get crushed and now the other team has all the good shit and you spend the rest of the round getting spawn killed and trying to get it back.

Those two things, plus the revolutionary feature of letting us pick what map and mode we want to play (shocking I know) would make my day. If Reach is pretty much the same multiplayer experience we've had since halo 2 with some more community features and different maps then I'll be sticking with the more modern shooters and just pick Reach up later on the cheap for the campaign.

 

[Skiptastic]

Man, after reading this thread, I'm glad I didn't get involved with GAF's ODST discussion. I really had a great time with ODST. Thought it was really fun, had an enjoyable storyline, and took Halo 3 and ratcheted things up a notch, which is all I expect from a same gen sequel.

Really looking forward to what Reach has to offer.

 

[Nutter]

Seriously how is it that ODST and Killzone are the same gen.. :lol

 

[EazyB]

My wishlist is all multiplayer related (I loved h3's campaign but was bored to death by the multiplayer):

More complex level designs
I think if you look at it there are two approaches to level design in shooters that have emerged this gen. There is the Halo (and Gears I guess) way where the maps have very distinct and cool setpieces but very simplistic and sometimes boring layouts. Then there is the way games like Battlefield BC have done it where the maps don't have as memorable setpieces but there are so many buildings/vegetation/hills/rivers/shit dropped all over the place that there are a million different ways to play the levels. I would like to see Bungie embrace the second way. I think throughout the halo trilogy they have gotten so involved with creating memorable little doodads and other bullshit in the levels that the complexity and variety of the level design itself has suffered and it really shows now that Halo is no longer the only big console fps in town.

Weapon kit selection
Weapons spawns are last gen, get with the times Bungie. I know that battling over the spawns can sometimes add some strategy to the game but it sucks when your team gets fucked because the 1 or 2 key weapons that your side gets were picked up by jackasses who charged off like rambo only to get crushed and now the other team has all the good shit and you spend the rest of the round getting spawn killed and trying to get it back.

Those two things, plus the revolutionary feature of letting us pick what map and mode we want to play (shocking I know) would make my day. If Reach is pretty much the same multiplayer experience we've had since halo 2 with some more community features and different maps then I'll be sticking with the more modern shooters and just pick Reach up later on the cheap for the campaign.

Don't listen to this guy.

Seriously how is it that ODST and Killzone are the same gen.. :lol

No kidding. No saved films or map creation. Get with the times GG.

Spoiler

I'd like nothing more than Reach to have KZ2 level graphics. Keep Bungie's art direction though.

 

[Captain Blood]

My wishlist is all multiplayer related (I loved h3's campaign but was bored to death by the multiplayer):

More complex level designs
I think if you look at it there are two approaches to level design in shooters that have emerged this gen. There is the Halo (and Gears I guess) way where the maps have very distinct and cool setpieces but very simplistic and sometimes boring layouts. Then there is the way games like Battlefield BC have done it where the maps don't have as memorable setpieces but there are so many buildings/vegetation/hills/rivers/shit dropped all over the place that there are a million different ways to play the levels. I would like to see Bungie embrace the second way. I think throughout the halo trilogy they have gotten so involved with creating memorable little doodads and other bullshit in the levels that the complexity and variety of the level design itself has suffered and it really shows now that Halo is no longer the only big console fps in town.

Weapon kit selection
Weapons spawns are last gen, get with the times Bungie. I know that battling over the spawns can sometimes add some strategy to the game but it sucks when your team gets fucked because the 1 or 2 key weapons that your side gets were picked up by jackasses who charged off like rambo only to get crushed and now the other team has all the good shit and you spend the rest of the round getting spawn killed and trying to get it back.

Those two things, plus the revolutionary feature of letting us pick what map and mode we want to play (shocking I know) would make my day. If Reach is pretty much the same multiplayer experience we've had since halo 2 with some more community features and different maps then I'll be sticking with the more modern shooters and just pick Reach up later on the cheap for the campaign.

I am not a big fan of the Weapon kit selection in its current state. Without power weapons around the map that entice the players to move it just seems to encourage camping in my experience. If bungle comes up with some kind of variation I would be all for it.

Edit: Guess that makes me backup.

 

[Slightly Live]

Choose your own weapon loadouts? I can see it now, Snipers and BR's on every map and every game mode and everyone wanting to choose something else being donged on for not choosing them. Every death a fourshot, headshot or no-scope.

Urgh.

 

[SA-X]

You guys who shit on weapon kits should play battlefield. All the different kits are used pretty evenly because they are all balanced and awesome.

But I guess flying around with the 1 sword and chopping a dozen helpless smg holding retards is fun too. :lol

Unless you don't have the sword of course.

 

[VaLiancY]

It works for Battlefield because the game is designed for that type of class play interaction.

 

[Vast Inspiration]

But I guess flying around with the 1 sword and chopping a dozen helpless smg holding retards is fun too. :lol

Unless you don't have the sword of course.

The fuck? When was the last time you played Halo MP?

 

[Captain Blood]

The fuck? When was the last time you played Halo MP?

Worm hole back to Halo 2 dude.

 

[SA-X]

It works for Battlefield because the game is designed for that type of class play interaction.

And your point is? They could do that for Halo as well...

Just think about it guys, you know that ass who took the sniper rifle you wanted? You don't have to teamkill him, because you can spawn with it too! Group hug! :lol

The fuck? When was the last time you played Halo MP?

Over a year ago. I didn't bother much with the H3 dlc. :/

 

[urk]

You guys who shit on weapon kits should play battlefield. All the different kits are used pretty evenly because they are all balanced and awesome.

But I guess flying around with the 1 sword and chopping a dozen helpless smg holding retards is fun too. :lol

Unless you don't have the sword of course.

Git BXRd, noob.

 

[EazyB]

The fuck? When was the last time you played Halo MP?

I don't know about you but this is what an average Halo match plays out for me.

 

[BakedPigeon]

I don't care what the fuck bungie does with Halo Reach except for one thing. I know some of you Bungie guys will read this so listen up.

PLEASE DO NOT PLACE INVISIBLE BARRIERS IN YOUR SINGLE PLAYER LEVELS. Easily the worst part about Halo 3.

-On behalf of halo trickers everywhere, thanks in advance.

 

[Lafiel]

Unbelievable community tools and support... when's the last time you played Halo 3? If you somehow manage to make something interesting with spools of wire and crates while forge fights you the entire step of the way, then your creation has a .001% chance of being placed in matchmaking.

I've been hearing about the grand planets and environments of the Halo universe for ages. Give me a sexy planetary surface to work with and a ton of options to play with and allow me to really make a unique map in Reach.

This point reminds me, reach must HAVE a custom game browser. They promised it initially in halo 3, and yet it never appeared. It's annoying having the organize a group of people just so you can test out some cool-looking game-modes or maps you found at bungie.net.

 

[Slightly Live]

It's annoying having the organize a group of people just so you can test out some cool-looking game-modes or maps you found at bungie.net.

We have a HaloGAF Customs night here for that very reason. =)

 

[Captain Blood]

I don't know about you but this is what an average Halo match plays out for me.

How did you unlock that Kimono armor perm?!?

 

[Nutter]

How did you unlock that Kimono armor perm?!?

He got level 50 in Grifball.

 

[Trasher]

I don't know about you but this is what an average Halo match plays out for me.

I'm surprised this is on Youtube. Someone should sick Frankie on that ASAP!

 

[GhaleonEB]

I don't know about you but this is what an average Halo match plays out for me.

Replace sword with Chopper, and yeah, that's you. I still haven't forgiven you.

 

[Vinterbird]

I really hope Bungie gives the player a feeling of a true invasion. Halo 2 and Halo 3 had some small moments where it actually felt like a war, but it always ended out feeling like the Covenant went out for a picnic and four of them got into a fight with you. It never felt like the end of the world, or a fight that could not be won.

Hopefully the new engine can give the feeling of being utterly outnumbered and fucked. And not like now, where I never got a feeling of fighting against more then four enemies at time. And I really hope they go Modern Warfare 2, and remove co-op from the main campaign and focus on creating a good singleplayer experience, rather then trying to throw the kitchen sink into the campaign.