Support NeoGAF

[Gilgamesh]

Because instead of just having the Master Chief blow shit up for an extended period of time, it actually did a good job of painting what both sides of the conflict were like, and having the Arbiter as a vehicle to start the schism in the Covenant was clever and awesome.

Speaking only of the trilogy, Halo 2 was as much Master Chief blowing shit up for an extended period of time as the other two were. While seeing the war from the other side was nice, it was counteracted by the botched addition of Gravemind.

 

[Plywood]

Okay you can stop now, you're scaring me. :lol

Is there a larger version of the newest Wallpaper? 640 is too small.

I was actually going to do another one but this time keeping Kat's hair, and I just gave up. To much work.

Spoiler

I quit prematurely.

 

[pringles]

Speaking only of the trilogy, Halo 2 was as much Master Chief blowing shit up for an extended period of time as the other two were. While seeing the war from the other side was nice, it was counteracted by the botched addition of Gravemind.

Not to mention I think the whole deal with the Elites defecting from the Covenant is the biggest mistake Bungie has made in the series.

 

[enzo_gt]

Photoshop CS3.

The Reach Wallpapers have been updated, aside from the sample one they show.

Huge TF2 vibe going on. Its a good thing. That still looks like a shotgun to me, second person from the right. This looks SO set up for a class-based system. From left to right:
Heavy class
Stealth class
All Around/Soldier class
Close Combat/Demolitions class
Sniper Class

Could work so well too if MP is tinkered right. Taking things from TF2 is definitely not a bad thing. I like this, I like this a lot.

 

[Sabotage]

a little remix...

 

[NullPointer]

I'm down for the darker tone, and it fits the bleak Fall of Reach to a tee. If the story tone and AA techniques call for muting the color palette a bit, that's also a-OK. I do love that color actually abounds in Halo games, but it also comes across looking like cheap plastic most of the time. Taking a middle ground that sets up the mood, allows for crisper visuals, and brings some of the game's imagery more in line with the fuck-awesome commercials (like We are ODST and the one with the bubble shield) is nothing but golden in my book.

Anyway, nothing they do to change up Reach invalidates the previous games. Halo 3 and ODST are still fun times, and very different experiences. Here's looking forward to the next.

I am just so looking forward to getting my ass kicked by Elites. Its been too long.

 

[RSTEIN]

Just watched the vid for the first time.

Wow.

This is the first Halo game I'm genuinely excited about. This looks like the Halo I always wanted Bungie to make.

 

[Sydle]

Trailer is great. Lighting is incredible.

Seems like team work is going to be big, so I'm pretty excited for it.

 

[-PXG-]

a little remix...

Pauses are a little too long. But clever If you can smooth it out, that would be great. If not, no biggie.

 

[Primethius]

Photoshop CS3.

The Reach Wallpapers have been updated, aside from the sample one they show.

What am I missing here? It seems Carter is in the middle and not the Lone Wolf.

The entire time I thought it was the Lone Wolf in middle and Carter simply would not be a part of your team.

 

[EazyB]

I'm down for the darker tone, and it fits the bleak Fall of Reach to a tee. If the story tone and AA techniques call for muting the color palette a bit, that's also a-OK. I do love that color actually abounds in Halo games, but it also comes across looking like cheap plastic most of the time. Taking a middle ground that sets up the mood, allows for crisper visuals, and brings some of the game's imagery more in line with the fuck-awesome commercials (like We are ODST and the one with the bubble shield) is nothing but golden in my book.

I just find bleak environment less pleasant to be in. I especially hope they keep the MP maps nice, clean, and vibrant because I'll be in those playspaces for hours on end.


Minor update to the Kotaku story I posted a page back that no one cared about

We're excited that there is so much interest and enthusiasm for the "Halo: Reach" multiplayer beta coming this spring. We're not able to confirm any details about the exact timing or content of the beta at this time but we look forward to revealing more details in the future.

So the beta will launch (shortly?) after April 28th? Not sure how one gets involved with this, if it's for those that donate $1000 to Child's Play or for the children themselves, but I'll be in town

 

[Deleted member 22576]

Hey would anyone here be up for a few games of halo?
Just activated a 48 hour card and am checking out the mythic stuff that came with ODST.

GT is Jtwo.

 

[watership]

So good.

 

[Thermite]

Man, I've watched this trailer so many times just to listen to the music. I didn't even think it was possible, but Marty continues to get better and better with each game. It'd super awesome if it was released in mp3 form on Bnet, kind of like what he did with the Halo 3 E3 06/07 and ODST trailers.

 

[Deleted member 21120]

Man, I've watched this trailer so many times just to listen to the music. I didn't even think it was possible, but Marty continues to get better and better with each game.

Agreed.

 

[Ten-Song]

Man, I've watched this trailer so many times just to listen to the music. I didn't even think it was possible, but Marty continues to get better and better with each game. It'd super awesome if it was released in mp3 form on Bnet, kind of like what he did with the Halo 3 E3 06/07 and ODST trailers.

Music was good, but I still think ODST is his best work. Likely because I enjoy the more calm and ambient tracks he produces. I could walk around the hub level in ODST for hours just waiting for music cues to kick in.

 

[Oozer3993]

For the record, the gentlemen talking AA on HBO is, technically, correct. But that's how everyone does AA. It was first discovered by the wing of Lucasfilm that would later become Pixar, while they were working on a special effects sequence for Star Trek II. It has since become the de facto anti-aliasing method for anyone rendering computer generated graphics.

 

[Louis Wu]

Minor update to the Kotaku story I posted a page back that no one cared about

I cared, Eazy - since it was my story they used in the first place.

 

[Domino Theory]

I just find bleak environment less pleasant to be in. I especially hope they keep the MP maps nice, clean, and vibrant because I'll be in those playspaces for hours on end.


Minor update to the Kotaku story I posted a page back that no one cared about



So the beta will launch (shortly?) after April 28th? Not sure how one gets involved with this, if it's for those that donate $1000 to Child's Play or for the children themselves, but I'll be in town

Looks like a May-ish launch, just like the Halo 3 Beta. 5 months? Ugh

Man, I've watched this trailer so many times just to listen to the music. I didn't even think it was possible, but Marty continues to get better and better with each game. It'd super awesome if it was released in mp3 form on Bnet, kind of like what he did with the Halo 3 E3 06/07 and ODST trailers.

x2 on both counts.

 

[TTG]

Huge TF2 vibe going on. Its a good thing. That still looks like a shotgun to me, second person from the right. This looks SO set up for a class-based system. From left to right:
Heavy class
Stealth class
All Around/Soldier class
Close Combat/Demolitions class
Sniper Class

Could work so well too if MP is tinkered right. Taking things from TF2 is definitely not a bad thing. I like this, I like this a lot.

+ the rookie? Looks like an evolution of ODST. Specialized weapons that don't run out of ammo 5 minutes into the level this time? All the "classes" are in the Halo games at this point, so I'm wondering how improved they will be.

Heavy class we've seen in Halo 3, carrying around the turrets
Stealth was kinda in ODST but really worked in CE when you could avoid the patrolling elites and jackals in time to melee some grunts and ofcourse Arbiter's invisibilty in Halo 2
All around is simple enough
Demo will need to be improved most of all. It didn't work in ODST, handing you a rocket launcher and letting that marine blow shit up in a cutscene isn't good enough
Sniper would be the one I'm looking forward to most. Lot's of pistol action and maybe they will let us set up like a real snieper would?

 

[EazyB]

I cared, Eazy - since it was my story they used in the first place.

Haha, I figured Kotaku would have grabbed it from somewhere else. My roommate strolled in and mentioned it and I check the thread immediately to see if they stole it from here.

I'mma edit the proper links into my posts

 

[Slightly Live]

I noticed that story from HBO, was using it last night to explain to some folks the current best guess for the beta date.

 

[Louis Wu]

Haha, I figured Kotaku would have grabbed it from somewhere else. My roommate strolled in and mentioned it and I check the thread immediately to see if they stole it from here.

I'mma edit the proper links into my posts

:lol :lol
(They actually credited HBO properly at the bottom of the story - but not Laird, who provided the crappy booklet scan. )

 

[∀ Narayan]

How the hell do you not have 2 in there? The story in 2 easily outclasses every other Halo game.

I disagree. Everything about Halo 2's story pretty much ruined the universe for me. Humanizing the Covenant, in my opinion, was one of the worst things Bungie decided to do. I feel this way, because -- before Halo 2, the Covenant was always portrayed to me as this ruthless, cold, and calculating iron tide. I loved the story when it focused exclusively on humanity's struggle against seemingly impossible odds.

The other thing I didn't like about Halo 2's story was the Gravemind. Not only did he look and sound stupid, but I feel as though his presence dissipated the threatening mystique that surrounded the Flood in Halo 1. I couldn't really take the Flood seriously once I discovered that they were all commanded by a giant Venus Flytrap. Such a stupid idea.

 

[charsace]

Huge TF2 vibe going on. Its a good thing. That still looks like a shotgun to me, second person from the right. This looks SO set up for a class-based system. From left to right:
Heavy class
Stealth class
All Around/Soldier class
Close Combat/Demolitions class
Sniper Class

Could work so well too if MP is tinkered right. Taking things from TF2 is definitely not a bad thing. I like this, I like this a lot.

No way do they do that style of specialization. Shadowrun is the way they are going to go. Some of the bungie guys worked on shadowrun.

 

[Thermite]

Music was good, but I still think ODST is his best work. Likely because I enjoy the more calm and ambient tracks he produces. I could walk around the hub level in ODST for hours just waiting for music cues to kick in.

I'm definitely a fan of both the calm, ambient themes and the action themes, but I am a bit biased towards the more upbeat, action tracks. Not gonna lie.

My favorite theme from ODST was the one that played during NMPD HQ (Skyline). Reach's theme has a bit of a Skyline vibe going on, which is why I like it so much.

 

[Kibbles]

Okay you can stop now, you're scaring me. :lol

Is there a larger version of the newest Wallpaper? 640 is too small.

Try refreshing them, they should all be updated.

Huge TF2 vibe going on. Its a good thing. That still looks like a shotgun to me, second person from the right. This looks SO set up for a class-based system. From left to right:
Heavy class
Stealth class
All Around/Soldier class
Close Combat/Demolitions class
Sniper Class

Could work so well too if MP is tinkered right. Taking things from TF2 is definitely not a bad thing. I like this, I like this a lot.

UNSC vs Covenant class battles. hawtttt

 

[Stormtrooper30]

Now hold on a second. That description about the charity auction says that you and 7 of your friends get to go to the studio and play Reach, right? Well, that $1000 price tag doesn't look too shabby if its split in 8ths.

 

[Domino Theory]

So I stumbled upon this very nicely done analysis of the Halo: Reach VGA trailer on HBO: http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=957303

Then half-way through, I noticed it was the analysis I called out earlier on about who would care about how they do their AA. Sorry, FW, my bad. :lol I just thought it was some random troll trying to debunk the Halo: Reach trailer.

It's a great analysis, overall. It's shown me little details I never really noticed.

Now hold on a second. That description about the charity auction says that you and 7 of your friends get to go to the studio and play Reach, right? Well, that $1000 price tag doesn't look too shabby if its split in 8ths.

Add a few hundred extra dollars to that since you have to pay for your own air travel.

 

[Louis Wu]

Now hold on a second. That description about the charity auction says that you and 7 of your friends get to go to the studio and play Reach, right? Well, that $1000 price tag doesn't look too shabby if its split in 8ths.

I don't know what the winning price was, but it was near (or above) $2k before it was done.

Getting pretty steep again... even for 8. :lol

 

[Jonsoncao]

changed my desktop already :lol

also thanks u guys for the superb gif :lol

should be fun to use it in the next NPD thread

 

[enzo_gt]

+ the rookie? Looks like an evolution of ODST. Specialized weapons that don't run out of ammo 5 minutes into the level this time? All the "classes" are in the Halo games at this point, so I'm wondering how improved they will be.

Heavy class we've seen in Halo 3, carrying around the turrets
Stealth was kinda in ODST but really worked in CE when you could avoid the patrolling elites and jackals in time to melee some grunts and ofcourse Arbiter's invisibilty in Halo 2
All around is simple enough
Demo will need to be improved most of all. It didn't work in ODST, handing you a rocket launcher and letting that marine blow shit up in a cutscene isn't good enough
Sniper would be the one I'm looking forward to most. Lot's of pistol action and maybe they will let us set up like a real snieper would?

Yeah, makes me think that what the "demo" has is a grenade launcher, a-la human brute shot. Could work well as a brute shot replacement. It would be pretty cool if the sniper got the ability to go prone, but balancing tweaks would need to be in there as well. I'd imagine if it was to be split up in classes, if your using a weapon thats tailored to your class, you'd be more proficient with it, i.e. adding extra capabilities or increasing damage. I just want to see some experimentation with the Halo formula.

No way do they do that style of specialization. Shadowrun is the way they are going to go. Some of the bungie guys worked on shadowrun.

Why not? And what exactly was different in Shadowrun? Never played it.

Just watched the vid for the first time.

Wow.

This is the first Halo game I'm genuinely excited about. This looks like the Halo I always wanted Bungie to make.

I'm curious as to why. Is it just the graphics or what? I'm genuinely interested as most people probably know it'll be "just like Halo." What makes this different to you?

 

[Everdred]

No way do they do that style of specialization. Shadowrun is the way they are going to go. Some of the bungie guys worked on shadowrun.

I hope you're right, I loved Shadowrun and with the Halo name it could really catch on.

 

[Kibbles]

Marty deserves an oscar! No wait, he deserves more than that...

 

[Arpharmd B]

a little remix...

:lol

 

[TTG]

Yeah, makes me think that what the "demo" has is a grenade launcher, a-la human brute shot. Could work well as a brute shot replacement. It would be pretty cool if the sniper got the ability to go prone, but balancing tweaks would need to be in there as well. I'd imagine if it was to be split up in classes, if your using a weapon thats tailored to your class, you'd be more proficient with it, i.e. adding extra capabilities or increasing damage. I just want to see some experimentation with the Halo formula.

Don't care about the multiplayer balancing:lol I hope there are a few times when wind has to be taken into effect etc. etc. Sort of like the sniper level in COD4, but it should not be a scripted moment, just something you could elect to do.

Granade launchers are nice, but a mortar could work as well for the demo man. Far Cry 2 mortar and the fires/destruction it started was awesome. It wasn't an easy weapon to use, but great nonetheless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw_jFKoDYNY

 

[charsace]

Why not? And what exactly was different in Shadowrun? Never played it.

Shadowrun gives the characters stat ratings instead of creating classes. Everyone in the game could use all weapons, but each characters did not utilize the same strategy with each weapons.

 

[NullPointer]

I just find bleak environment less pleasant to be in. I especially hope they keep the MP maps nice, clean, and vibrant because I'll be in those playspaces for hours on end.

Understandable. Guess I always thought of Reach as kind of an unpleasant place to begin with, but I'm not nearly as up on the fiction as some people here so for all I know its a lush jungle planet. ;p

I think you're right though, in that one of the things that makes Halo such a breath of fresh air when compared to other shooters is the gorgeous vistas that you get to run around in, and the clean lines and surfaces of forerunner structures watching over it all.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

Add a few hundred extra dollars to that since you have to pay for your own air travel.

I don't know what the winning price was, but it was near (or above) $2k before it was done.

Getting pretty steep again... even for 8.

Ah... it seemed much more feasible when it was only 125 dollars a person. Getting an exclusive inside the studio would be great, though.

 

[big ander]

Photoshop CS3.

The Reach Wallpapers have been updated, aside from the sample one they show.

http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/images.aspx?c=60

I accidentally chose the wrong size, and then told windows to use Tile. I think it came out pretty awesome.

Marty deserves an oscar! No wait, he deserves more than that...

:lol

Ah... it seemed much more feasible when it was only 125 dollars a person. Getting an exclusive inside the studio would be great, though.

If the actual auction was above $2000 and it doesn't include airfare, it would be somewhere in the ballpark of $400-$450 a person, right?
I'd pay that for an exclusive look inside Bungie. No joke.

 

[RebornYeti]

Just watched the trailer.

Honestly, I'm underwhelmed. Not very, but it definitely isn't what I expected it to be. It still looks way sweet though.

 

[elrechazado]

I've never enjoyed the halo games, to put it nicely, but man, a class based halo influenced by shadowrun sounds so awesome. (if that's really what's going on here)

 

[McNei1y]

Has anyone said who/what spartans are which. I haven't read the books in awhile but Id like to know if they are all the same from the books.

 

[scoobs]

anyone else think the "lone wolf" spartan is reminiscent of master chief at all?

 

[Kibbles]

:lol @ http://www.split-screen.com/2009/12...ics-are-real-time-and-borrow-from-killzone-2/

 

[big ander]

Has anyone said who/what spartans are which. I haven't read the books in awhile but Id like to know if they are all the same from the books.

Most of them are named in the trailer:
Carter-259
Kat-320
Jorge-052

They are not the spartans from the books.

:lol @ http://www.split-screen.com/2009/12/...om-killzone-2/

First comment on that blog entry:

sorry the entire trailer was CGI. stupid indians look at the grass at the beginning of the video. Bungie doesnt have the talent to do that ingame. had they been really talented then ODST and HALO 3 wouldnt have looked and played like dogshit. stcik to snake charming shit faces not video gaming

/facepalm

 

[Stormtrooper30]

:lol @ http://www.split-screen.com/2009/12...ics-are-real-time-and-borrow-from-killzone-2/

:lol The comments are even better:

sorry
the entire trailer was CGI. stupid indians look at the grass at the beginning of the video. Bungie doesnt have the talent to do that ingame. had they been really talented then ODST and HALO 3 wouldnt have looked and played like dogshit. stcik to snake charming shit faces not video gaming

Edit: Beaten.

 

[Why For?]

:lol @ http://www.split-screen.com/2009/12...ics-are-real-time-and-borrow-from-killzone-2/

Reads like it was written by a SonyGAFfer.

Dante maybe?

 

[Chorazin]

Now hold on a second. That description about the charity auction says that you and 7 of your friends get to go to the studio and play Reach, right? Well, that $1000 price tag doesn't look too shabby if its split in 8ths.

$1000 is the estimated value. Since it's an auction, it'll go for much, much more than that.

 

[VaLiancY]

I'm feeling the different permutations of the armor, how certain pieces look modular so you can add different attachments.