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[Chinner]

Terrible news if the spartan laser is back. :/ Unless it's been significantly modified.

yeah i agree. spartan laser really ruined alot of halos gameplay.

 

[UltimaPooh]

I guess we'll have to wait for the GameInformer article to clear some things up.

While I like the idea of Loadouts and being able to switch abilities while respawning, I'd hope the options are fairly generic/standardized. Besides the armor abilities, being able to pick between magnum and AR is about as much as I want people to do before they pop into the game. No choosing to spawn with the sniper, for heaven's sake. I presume Bungie aren't that foolish.

What's wrong with someone spawning with a Sniper Rifle? I agree with you that not all weapons should be allowed to get from a loadout like Rocket launchers, but it's not like the Sniper rifle is going to make the game unfair, because you could do the same as well. Also it would keep one person from having the only sniper rifle on the map like in Halo 3 or 2.

 

[Magni]

No assassinations from the front. Lost in translation I think.

Urk will once again use the BWU on Friday to clear up any incorrect facts, clarify confusing points and address additional questions.

Thanks. I translated way too quickly and worried a lot of HaloGAF, sorry.. That "etc" was a bit troubling :lol

 

[Spasm]

Holy crap! The detail on the weapons is incredible. And that Banshee is just plain gorgeous.

Also, thank God the Splaser's in. Hopefully, it's not gonna be nerfed too bad.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

What's wrong with someone spawning with a Sniper Rifle? I agree with you that not all weapons should be allowed to get from a loadout like Rocket launchers, but it's not like the Sniper rifle is going to make the game unfair, because you could do the same as well. Also it would keep one person from having the only sniper rifle on the map like in Halo 3 or 2.

This logic is why MW2 is... well the 'way' it is.

Which is crap, imo.

Halo is all about weapon availability and balance.

 

[feel]

Besides the renders, this has been a huge letdown. All the info was already somewhat known, and the couple of new small details are actually disappointing... ugh. But I guess this is good, the hype cannot just keep rising and rising every week, it would eventually kill a couple of us.


edit-
just read what Brian said below, good.

EXCEPT NO CUSTOMS IN BETA.

 

[UltimaPooh]

This logic is why MW2 is... well the 'way' it is.

Which is crap, imo.

It's also the logic behind Battlefield Bad Company 2. There are ways to do things correctly.

 

[Shake Appeal]

What's wrong with someone spawning with a Sniper Rifle? I agree with you that not all weapons should be allowed to get from a loadout like Rocket launchers, but it's not like the Sniper rifle is going to make the game unfair, because you could do the same as well. Also it would keep one person from having the only sniper rifle on the map like in Halo 3 or 2.

Everyone having access to a powerful weapon does not equal balance and certainly does not equal fun. Everyone being able to spawn with a sniper rifle would be potentially disastrous for multiplayer (outside of dedicated snipers matches, of course). One of the foundations of Halo gameplay is weapon control, with good teams staking out parts of a map, keeping their shape, learning spawn timers, and making use of the power weapons when they have control over them. These things are essential to the ebb and flow of the game, promote teamplay over lone wolf behaviour, and are among the many reasons Halo's gameplay is superior (I think) and more interesting (to me) than identikit modern shooter fare.

 

[JaggedSac]

Check out the differences guys:

Halo:Reach Beam Rifle

Halo 3 Bean Rifle

EDIT: Two different weapons, but the difference is model/texture quality is significant.

 

[ManCannon]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Good stuff, great fodder for Urk to dive into on Friday. Keep it coming.

 

[Devin Olsen]

No assassinations from the front. Lost in translation I think.

Urk will once again use the BWU on Friday to clear up any incorrect facts, clarify confusing points and address additional questions.

Could you explain what we see in the MP Trailer then? The second scene shows a spartan knifing another spartan in the gut...

Thanks!

Edit: With Picture

 

[Shake Appeal]

It's also the logic behind Battlefield Bad Company 2. There are ways to do things correctly.

God, I wish I could find that screenshot of a hill in BFBC2 covered in recons right now.

 

[UltimaPooh]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Spoiler

until someone cracks it

God, I wish I could find that screenshot of a hill in BFBC2 covered in recons right now.

Yeah, that's just stupid players though. It's not like the people with Recon control the game with the snipers, infact they usually lose, horribly.

I see your point about Halo offering a different game play as opposed to Bad Company 2, or Modern Warfare 2.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Check out the differences guys:

Halo:Reach Beam Rifle

Halo 3 Bean Rifle

I'm guessing that's not the same beam rifle, but rather the gun that fired the long, thick beam, sort of like the sentinel beam, in the trailer.

I still can't get over how awesome the guns look. Hardcore gun porn.

 

[Wizman23]

Terrible news if the spartan laser is back. :/ Unless it's been significantly modified.

I bet you are a hoot at party's. Play the fucking beta before you start bitching about things.

 

[Shake Appeal]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Fears = allayed.

This is all perfect.

 

[Pennybags]

Two Spartans in a shower together.

Legendary ending?

 

[Magni]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Good stuff.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Spoiler

No "glitch" either? ;-)

 

[RebornYeti]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Good stuff, great fodder for Urk to dive into on Friday. Keep it coming.

That's what I was hoping for. Thanks!

EDIT: Also, Happy Birthday to Crazy Sausage Guy.

 

[electricpirate]

What's wrong with someone spawning with a Sniper Rifle? I agree with you that not all weapons should be allowed to get from a loadout like Rocket launchers, but it's not like the Sniper rifle is going to make the game unfair, because you could do the same as well. Also it would keep one person from having the only sniper rifle on the map like in Halo 3 or 2.

Sniper rifles in Halo are traditionally power weapons, a single sniper can lock down an entire map, it's the only weapon that can hit past a certain range, and it's the fastest kill in the game. While yes, if it's in the loadouts you can spawn with it too, but having a game where 6/8 players are all just sniping would be boring as fuck.

 

[Domino Theory]

HOLY SHIT @ the weapon detail. That type of insane detail should be illegal. :lol

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Good stuff, great fodder for Urk to dive into on Friday. Keep it coming.

I wish you guys could elaborate on this because I don't get it (unless GI will go into much more detail then I can wait).

I need to know if I can spawn with a DMR whenever I want, in any gametype. Same goes for the Shotgun.

 

[Skilotonn]

Looks like we'll have to wait for Game Informer, then the BWU for the proper info, no translations needed then - oh well...

 

[squidhands]

Check out the differences guys:

Halo:Reach Beam Rifle

Halo 3 Bean Rifle

If the former is what's shown in the MP trailer, it seems like a very different animal than the H3 beam rifle. Makes me wonder if this "secondary fire" will include Covenant weapons.

regular pull on trigger - Covie Sniper
trigger hold - Sentinel Beam-style action

EDIT: beaten by The Man

 

[JaggedSac]

I'm guessing that's not the same beam rifle, but rather the gun that fired the long, thick beam, sort of like the sentinel beam, in the trailer.

I still can't get over how awesome the guns look. Hardcore gun porn.

Ah, you're right. But the difference in model quality is outrageous. Are these definitely in-game assets?

 

[GhaleonEB]

If the former is what's shown in the MP trailer, it seems like a very different animal than the H3 beam rifle. Makes me wonder if this "secondary fire" will include Covenant weapons.

regular pull on trigger - Covie Sniper
trigger hold - Sentinel Beam-style action

Yup, this is it:

 

[The Librarian]

Besides the renders, this has been a huge letdown. All the info was already somewhat known, and the couple of new small details are actually disappointing... ugh. But I guess this is good, the hype cannot just keep rising and rising every week, it would eventually kill a couple of us.

ManCannon said the GI article will go more in-depth, so there's still that.

I bet you are a hoot at party's. Play the fucking beta before you start bitching about things.

Chill out. I'm never the one to assume something before I've played it. I said "unless it's been significantly modified," and Sage said that everything that's returning has been modified. That post was worded poorly.

 

[Shake Appeal]

Yeah, that's just stupid players though. It's not like the people with Recon control the game with the snipers, infact they usually lose, horribly.

Granted, but I think good developers try to make their games as "foolproof" as possible, and design systems that encourage the sort of behaviour they want to see, rather than allowing for exactly the kind of behaviour they don't.

 

[Kibbles]

No customs in the beta makes me sadface (although I guess it was to be expected. I got excited after seeing the custom game option in the menu screenshots from shacknews). I also hope the sword is changed back to how it was in the VGA Trailer. It looked amazing then, now... not so much.

I'm loving all the new assets though, they look awesome. Now we just need to see it in motion =) When the hell does GI plan to put their article up?

 

[Shake Appeal]

I need to know if I can spawn with a DMR whenever I want, in any gametype. Same goes for the Shotgun.

I would say 99% likely no.

I imagine in a standard slayer or team slayer match, you will have the choice to spawn with either the AR or a magnum (or some other weapon in the same sort of "bracket"/range as those two), and your armour ability of choice.

In a slayer "BRs" match (for want of a better term), you will have the choice to spawn with either the DMR or one of the other precision mid-range weapons (needle rifle?), and your armour ability of choice.

In a snipers game, you will have the choice of which sniper rifle you want to spawn with, and your armour ability of choice (but maybe active camo won't be available, for instance).

In SWAT you will have the choice of which headshot weapon you spawn with, and armour abilities are turned off completely.


All speculation, of course, but I think sensible speculation.

Edit: just occurred to me that between the rhythm of good aiming and hitscan, SWAT is going to be a blast.

 

[The Librarian]

I would say 99% likely no.

I imagine in a standard slayer or team slayer match, you will have the choice to spawn with either the AR or a magnum (or some other weapon in the same sort of "bracket"/range as those two), and your armour ability of choice.

Probably that new Covenant weapon that looks like the plasma rifle.

 

[GhaleonEB]

The load-out options will vary depending on gametype but you'll never get to choose a power-weapon in a load-out unless it's some kind of niche game that warrants it (rockets, snipers, etc..). In matchmaking all the load-out offerings will be configured by Shishka and company to support the specific gametypes. My understanding is that you'll be able to configure your own load-out options for customs.

Spoiler

no customs in the beta though

Good stuff, great fodder for Urk to dive into on Friday. Keep it coming.

Holy shit, this is EXACTLY what I was wishing for back in December.

I'm fine with custom load outs, as long as they are restricted to certain classes of weapons. In Halo 3, letting people choose the SMG or Plasma Rifle over the AR, or the pistol over the BR (they're out there - voc), as examples. But don't let anyone start with power weapons - shottys, rockets, lasers, etc - unless they are appropriate to the map or gametype.

Essentially, I'd like to see an added option to screen by custom game what weapons a player can choose to start with. In most matchmaking games, that would exclude the power weapons (snipe, rockets, laser, shotty, etc.), but let you pick from the rifles, pistols and machine guns.

For custom games, just list the guns in the starting weapon sub-menu, and allow the player to check off which weapons would be available in the load out. If only one or two are picked, those are the starting weapons. If three or more are picked, those are the weapons players can select from in the pre-game lobby.

This way the starting load out can be crafted to each game type, and each playlist, and made to exclude weapons that are left on the map for teams to fight over. So it retains an element of customization that won't break the game, and also retains the map control strategy that Halo utilizes currently.

Dreams do come true.

*wishes for a pony*

 

[Schmitty]

Sketch saves the day. No assassinations from the front is good news.

 

[Kapura]

Are the Armour Abilities going to necessarily be associated with a certain weapon or weapon pair? So if you want a Jet Pack, you get a DMR, but if you want Armour Lock you get AR? Or are they independent?

 

[Shake Appeal]

Probably that new Covenant weapon that looks like the plasma rifle.

Yeah, that's what I had in mind. I imagine it's just sort of a "heavy" plasma rifle that plays mostly the same as before, albeit muscled up a bit both in power and in design to compensate for and explain it can no longer be dual wielded. Maybe it has a similar time-to-kill as the assault rifle, but pops shields quicker? Maybe the slight stun effect it used to have has been reintroduced?

 

[RebornYeti]

Holy shit, this is EXACTLY what I was wishing for back in December.


Dreams do come true.

*wishes for a pony*

For all we know, they actually took your suggestion and went with it.

 

[electricpirate]

Are the Armour Abilities going to necessarily be associated with a certain weapon or weapon pair? So if you want a Jet Pack, you get a DMR, but if you want Armour Lock you get AR? Or are they independent?

Sounds like that's what's going on, but on per-gametype basis. Once Gameinformer get's their shit together we'll know more.

 

[The Librarian]

Are the Armour Abilities going to necessarily be associated with a certain weapon or weapon pair? So if you want a Jet Pack, you get a DMR, but if you want Armour Lock you get AR? Or are they independent?

I don't think so. One of the renders shows a Spartan with a jet pack who has a DMR, while in the MP trailer there were Spartans with the AR and the jetpack.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

I don't think so. One of the renders shows a Spartan with a jet pack who has a DMR, while in the MP trailer there were Spartans with the AR and the jetpack.

Couldn't they have just picked up the DMR and AR off the ground?

 

[Shake Appeal]

I don't think so. One of the renders shows a Spartan with a jet pack who has a DMR, while in the MP trailer there were Spartans with the AR and the jetpack.

Well, even if there were restrictions, there's nothing to stop someone with a given armour ability snapping up their desired weapon from its position on the map, or from a dead body.

It occurs to me, however, that shotgun and active-camo-on-demand would be really horrible to face.

 

[Kapura]

Sounds like that's what's going on, but on per-gametype basis. Once Gameinformer get's their shit together we'll know more.

Has anybody else noted that Game Informer is a magazine? Maybe we'll be waiting the two weeks or so until subscribers get the may issue. Probably not, but we should sweat for our info.

 

[Magni]

Are the Armour Abilities going to necessarily be associated with a certain weapon or weapon pair? So if you want a Jet Pack, you get a DMR, but if you want Armour Lock you get AR? Or are they independent?

From the article, you pick them as a pair. That doesn't mean there won't be AR/Jetpack and DMR/Jetpack available for the same game though.

Has anybody else noted that Game Informer is a magazine? Maybe we'll be waiting the two weeks or so until subscribers get the may issue. Probably not, but we should sweat for our info.

http://gameinformer.com/Default.aspx

 

[The Librarian]

Well, even if there were restrictions, there's nothing to stop someone with a given armour ability snapping up their desired weapon from its position on the map, or from a dead body.

It occurs to me, however, that shotgun and active-camo-on-demand would be really horrible to face.

Too true (on both accounts).

Has anybody else noted that Game Informer is a magazine? Maybe we'll be waiting the two weeks or so until subscribers get the may issue. Probably not, but we should sweat for our info.

It's an online article. It's going to appear on GI's website sometime today.

 

[squidhands]

Holy shit, this is EXACTLY what I was wishing for back in December.

GhaleonEB
Bungie listens to me.
(Today, 02:35 PM)
Reply | Quote

I don't think so. One of the renders shows a Spartan with a jet pack who has a DMR, while in the MP trailer there were Spartans with the AR and the jetpack.

He could have picked it up after the fact. They wouldn't take that away from us.

 

[Blueblur1]

I wonder why Game Informer is taking so long. WTF?

 

[Pennybags]

I wonder why Game Informer is taking so long. WTF?

They know your pain...

Spoiler

and are feeding on it.

I still can't get over how odd the Banshee looks now.

 

[Dirtbag]

I'm guessing the sexier AA's have the weaker guns or different grenade counts in the default settings, and the less useful AA's have the stronger weapons.

Jetpacks are probably getting AR/pistol (maybe) spawns, no way they give that spawn type the extra range of a DMR.

I'm guessing no AA nets you a DMR spawn, maybe sprint, but I doubt that.

Default guess:

Jetpack - AR
Camo - AR
Armorlock - AR/Pistol
Sprint - AR/Pistol
None - DMR/AR

my guess

 

[Domino Theory]

They know your pain...

Spoiler

and are feeding on it.

I still can't get over how odd the Banshee looks now.

It looks so compact, I like it.

 

[ManCannon]

Boy Urk is gonna be mad at me when he gets back from lunch and I'm spoiling his BWU with real-time updates.

So - Sage just specified more for me that Assassinations can only be triggered within an approx. 120 degree cone outside the players field of view (back and sides).

The assassination depicted in the trailer is misleading because you don't see the initial frames when the Spartan is getting spun around with the first hit, resulting in a face-to-face finish.

Currently in the games I've played, I recall each load-out offering a unique armor ability but almost all of them having the same weapons. Again, this is highly contextual to the gametype in question and will vary accordingly. You can totally pick up other weapons on the map though (which is why you see Jet Pack guys wielding DMRs and ARs).

(everyone please act surprised when Urk posts this on Friday)

 

[The Librarian]

They know your pain...

Spoiler

and are feeding on it.

I still can't get over how odd the Banshee looks now.

It looks a lot better than the previous versions.

 

[Spasm]

It looks a lot better than the previous versions.

Yeah, it's looked 'odd' up till now. Now it actually looks workable.