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[gibonez]

The Baby's face is hilarious. He looks like he wishes to jump on Xbox live and talk smack.

 

[TheOddOne]

Worst article i have read in a long time

Top 5 Ways Halo: Reach Could Go Wrong

Ever since this year's E3, just about everyone has been talking about Halo: Reach; how good it's going to be or how the graphics will push boundaries, etc., etc. What a lot of people probably aren’t thinking about is what could go wrong with Halo: Reach the way some things went wrong with ODST, Halo 3 and even Halo 2. So, whether you're prepared or not, here is a top 5 for a few things that could potentially embitter gamers with the Halo: Reach experience.

1.) Graphics
There’s been a lot of talk about “in-engine” capabilities and how the game will be the Xbox 360’s answer to KillZone 2 (via Gaming Bolt). Based on the VGA debut trailer the game doesn’t look bad for it to be in-engine, but just like Halo 2 and Halo 3 before it, there’s the possibility that the LOD that we see in the cinematics aren’t entirely what we’ll get in the game. And given that the 360 is pretty much at its limit (i.e., Gears of War 2 anyone?) it would be difficult to imagine that the game would maintain the level of detail shown off in the debut trailer. Although, it would be highly surprising if Bungie managed to pull off the feat of having the game look the way it did in the cinematic.

2.) Vehicles
Halo games sort of started the trend of having multi-terrain vehicular combat in console games. While vehicles were present in previous console games such as Perfect Dark and Turok, Bungie perfected the concept with multiple players being able to buddy up in the Warthog and Scorpion (among other vehicles). So how could Halo: Reach go wrong with the vehicles? Not using them enough, that’s how. While the Xbox’s primetime FPS franchise has sported some of the most memorable gaming vehicles to date, for some odd reason Bungie rarely makes effective use of them during the campaign portions of the game. Players are usually given specific vehicles at specific times during the Halo games, with the exception of a few designated stages in Halo 3 and ODST.

3.) Frontline Warfare
I think Halo is probably one of the most popular gaming franchises featuring an epic-scaled, galaxy-sized war that players never really get to participate in. Now I know a lot of people will disagree, but why is it that players spend more time talking to sassy robots and finding alien artifacts that belong in the museum of nerdom than actually making a difference on the frontline? Bungie hints at the prospect of frontline war in each game but rarely ever delivers, unless you count The Ark level from Halo 3. Large scale shootouts usually dwindle down to corridors or winding paths in search of more of those museum relics or going on a wild goose chase because a sassy-mouthed robot told you to. If Halo: Reach continues this anti-frontline-warfare trend it could really hurt the integrity of the series in the long run.

4.) Scale of Epicness
For whatever reason, in each Halo game (not counting Halo Wars) there’s always an intense battle players are thrust into during a level that quickly diffuses into moving away into some lesser mission objective (i.e., museum artifacts). Halo: Reach is the game that signifies just how badass the Spartans are and just how big the battle for Reach really was. This could easily turn sour unless Bungie ensures that players can experience the massive-scaled encounter between the UNSC and the Covenant the way it was meant to be: pure, unadulterated, epic sized action. If players are always starting missions or reaching checkpoints where the large battles are already over with (i.e., Halo 3: ODST) it could really raise the disappointment factors for the game.

5.) Hype
This one here is a no-brainer. It’s easy for a game to fall flat with too much hype and not enough quality content to back it up. Halo 3 delivered tons of content but ultimately left a lot of gamers feeling like the experience was just barely above average. Even the long-term sales for Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST reflected that they just didn’t saturate well enough among non-fans the way Halo 2 did with only half the hype. Heck, a few months after release Halo 3: ODST dropped out of the top 10 most played XBL titles (via Punch Jump). Ouch. Bungie and MS would be wise to moderate the hype unless they can guarantee that Halo: Reach will be for the Xbox 360 what Halo 2 was for the original Xbox.

 

[Warm Machine]

To be fair, when I first played Halo CE, I hated the vehicle controls too.

Spoiler

After five minutes I had decided that if there was a God, he made himself known through whoever it was decided to create those controls and the godly mechanic that is Halo's vehicle controls.

Pressing any button to accelerate is so last generation.

That and they really are an extension of the regular walking controls.

 

[Buttonbasher]

Worst article i have read in a long time

Top 5 Ways Halo: Reach Could Go Wrong

Yeah, that's a pretty bad article.

 

[EazyB]

Looks like the poor little dude just got AR starts on Valhalla.

 

[Self Induced]

1) Lower the amount of damage it takes to kill someone
2) Implement a perk system
3) Change vehicle controls
4) Remove the Halo player physics like high jumping

1) Assault rifles only. 3 clips to kill. No melee.
2) Start with all perks, and gradually remove them as player gains xp.
3) Turn players into mechs.
4) -500% gravity.

Looks like the poor little dude just got AR starts on Valhalla.

:lol or the other team has Warthog and laser on Standoff again.

 

[Magni]

1) Assault rifles only. 3 clips to kill. No melee.
2) Start with all perks, and gradually remove them as player gains xp.
3) Turn players into mechs.
4) -500% gravity.

Players are pushed away from the ground and must jump to try to touch it? Innovation! :lol

 

[Unknown One]

So in the last few pages the recommendations I've seen from random people I've never seen in a Halo thread before are

1) Lower the amount of damage it takes to kill someone
2) Implement a perk system
3) Change vehicle controls
4) Remove the Halo player physics like high jumping

jesus christ.

Go freaking play Modern Warfare. Jesus freaking COD4 fans wanting everything to be COD4 clone.

 

[pringles]

Worst article i have read in a long time

Top 5 Ways Halo: Reach Could Go Wrong

Most of that is crap, but I actually agree with this:

"Players are usually given specific vehicles at specific times during the Halo games, with the exception of a few designated stages in Halo 3 and ODST. "

One of the best things about Halo:CE was that it had several occasions where you could choose what vehicle to use. Ghost, Hog or Scorpion. Or even go by foot. And it had places where you could steal banshees if you were quick enough.
In later games, Bungie more often than not forces you into a specific vehicle, which I don't like at all. It's weird how the oldest game in the series still seems to have the most freedom in how to approach battles.

 

[godhandiscen]

Most of that is crap, but I actually agree with this:

"Players are usually given specific vehicles at specific times during the Halo games, with the exception of a few designated stages in Halo 3 and ODST. "

One of the best things about Halo:CE was that it had several occasions where you could choose what vehicle to use. Ghost, Hog or Scorpion. Or even go by foot. And it had places where you could steal banshees if you were quick enough.
In later games, Bungie more often than not forces you into a specific vehicle, which I don't like at all. It's weird how the oldest game in the series still seems to have the most freedom in how to approach battles.

QFT. Three games down the road and Bungie still cannot re-capture the sanbox feeling of Halo CE.

 

[NullPointer]

1) Lower the amount of damage it takes to kill someone
2) Implement a perk system
3) Change vehicle controls
4) Remove the Halo player physics like high jumping

1. Don't change this, as its one of the best features in Halo. Having time to react to an attack makes all the difference in the world. It also helps somewhat to compensate for intermittent lag issues.

2. Perks are fine, as long as they're balanced to perfection, or purely cosmetic and/or specialized. The trick is to tie these things to challenges that aid gameplay, otherwise you turn everybody on the team into a lone wolf who spends all their time grinding up some XP ladder instead of helping take objectives.

3. I don't get this. I've always loved how Halo vehicles handle. If I'd change anything though, I'd give them more heft and inertia. Sometimes they feel too light.

4. I've only got two problems with Halo jumping: Its too floaty, and feels more like your tethered to balloons than actually making a jump. That and Bunny-Hopping also exploits small lag issues, making aiming at a jumping foe even more problematic for someone with a higher ping.

I guess I've just been noticing now more than ever how much small discrepancies in connection speed make a dramatic difference in my ability to compete online, especially in the real quick-to-die games like MW. Halo's slower movement, shield based combat helps iron out some of these wrinkles, and make the game not just about getting the drop on your enemies, but truly outgunning them once you're engaged.

 

[DiabolicalBagel]

Players are pushed away from the ground and must jump to try to touch it? Innovation! :lol

:lol :lol :lol

I'd actually like to see this as an option for customs. Better yet, placeable gravity planes/spheres etc. for forge.
You've not had a real warthog battle until you've had one inside a cube with a team on each face.

 

[EazyB]

You've not had a real warthog battle until you've had one inside a cube with a team on each face.

Super Halo Galaxy?

 

[DiabolicalBagel]

Super Halo Galaxy?

If it isn't to your liking... Would it help if I rephrased?

You've not had a real chopper battle until you've had one inside a cube with a team on each face.

 

[Striker]

Go freaking play Modern Warfare. Jesus freaking COD4 fans wanting everything to be COD4 clone.

Seems Kyle's saying that's what certain posters in here are hoping for, and not necessarily things he wants to be changed for Halo: Reach.

 

[Lazslo]

Are we getting Bungie Weekly What's update this week or not because of the holidays? Podcast? believe.

 

[Tashi]

Looks like the poor little dude just got AR starts on Valhalla.

:lol :lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[Slightly Live]

Are we getting Bungie Weekly What's update this week or not because of the holidays? Podcast? believe.

Weekly Urkdate and podcast, I believe. We already received Marty's sexwonderfultastic Xmas gift earlier in the week.

 

[Domino Theory]

Really offtopic guys, but you will laugh. So during my relationship with my ex wife, she became a hardcore Halo fan. It has been over a year now, since we separated, and a couple months ago, she had a baby. We are great friends so she was a bit dissapointed that I had not been able to see her baby, so she sent me pictures:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/godhandiscen/IMG_3162.jpg[IMG]

[IMG]http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/godhandiscen/madbaby.jpg[IMG][/QUOTE]

Looks like Chief's the father.

Need to buy the Halo Encyclopedia for the baby shower, asap.

 

[Nutter]

All this COD talk in my halo is vomit inducing.

Playing ODST last night, Thermite, omlet and I came up with an awesome idea to start multiplayer games. Have both teams drop from a pelican [starting spawns].

 

[Magni]

Are we getting Bungie Weekly What's update this week or not because of the holidays? Podcast? believe.

We're getting it ;-)

This trailer absolutely represents our visual bar for the final game and is near identical to what you’ll see next Fall. The single biggest difference between this trailer and the final game will be the extra generous amount of anti-aliasing (the smoothing of “jaggies” or edges of pixles) present in what you’re watching right now but rest assured that Reach will be significantly improved in this department compared to Halo 3. (The extreme “AA” in the trailer was due to the “frame dump” mentioned above.)

Hmmm

I’m writing down two numbers. One is zero and the other is one hundred. Exactly one of these numbers represents the percentage of chance that you’ll see Blood Gulch in an upcoming game in the next few years.

Please be B please be B please be B :lol

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Podcast is up on iTunes!
a 112mb, 2 hour beast.
"The Smell Ya Later 2009 Bungie Podcast"

irishfreak writes, “do you secretly hate the irish?”

Nope. I do it right out in the open. Stupid Irish!

Is this because of my faux pas last week in irc? (Sorry again Cocop)

 

[urk]

Is this because of my faux pas last week in irc? (Sorry again Cocop)

I'm half Irish myself. Think it's the upper half.

 

[godhandiscen]

From the Bungie WU

The single biggest difference between this trailer and the final game will be the extra generous amount of anti-aliasing (the smoothing of “jaggies” or edges of pixles) present in what you’re watching right now but rest assured that Reach will be significantly improved in this department compared to Halo 3.

but rest assured that Reach will be significantly improved in this department compared to Halo 3.

All I wanted to know. Thank you.

 

[Slightly Live]

I'm half Irish myself. Think it's the upper half.

You've angered a nation of drunks.

Expect a couple of diminutively sized, angry drunken red haired hitmen.

 

[Domino Theory]

Woohoo @ using the second half of Skyline for the intro music! Love the guitar work in Halo, Martin.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

I'm half Irish myself. Think it's the upper half.

HydraNockz agrees.

 

[The Librarian]

This trailer absolutely represents our visual bar for the final game and is near identical to what you’ll see next Fall. The single biggest difference between this trailer and the final game will be the extra generous amount of anti-aliasing (the smoothing of “jaggies” or edges of pixles) present in what you’re watching right now but rest assured that Reach will be significantly improved in this department compared to Halo 3. (The extreme “AA” in the trailer was due to the “frame dump” mentioned above.)

Excellent.

I’m writing down two numbers. One is zero and the other is one hundred. Exactly one of these numbers represents the percentage of chance that you’ll see Blood Gulch in an upcoming game in the next few years.

Fuck Blood Gulch. If you're going to bring back any maps, it should be Valhalla.

I'll download the podcast and listen to it tomorrow.

 

[urk]

You've angered a nation of drunks.

Expect a couple of diminutively sized, angry drunken red haired hitmen.

Are these the same folk who nearly perished by way of potato? Yeah, not too worried.

 

[feel]

From the Bungie WU




All I wanted to know. Thank you.

YES!! So we're getting visual quality in the ballpark of the trailer, plus some aliasing that is probably on par with other top games.
Halo Reach will look incredible reconfirmed!!


Hello.

 

[Son of Godzilla]

Players are usually given specific vehicles at specific times during the Halo games, with the exception of a few designated stages in Halo 3 and ODST.

This is my favorite sentence ever.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Are these the same folk who nearly perished by way of potato? Yeah, not too worried.

:O

Spoiler

The same blood flows in your veins. The same weakness.

 

[Nutter]

Excellent.


Fuck Blood Gulch. If you're going to bring back any maps, it should be Valhalla.

I'll download the podcast and listen to it tomorrow.

Valhalla sucks compared to Coag [from halo 2]

 

[Thermite]

Excellent.


Fuck Blood Gulch. If you're going to bring back any maps, it should be Valhalla.

I'll download the podcast and listen to it tomorrow.

Fuck that. If you're honestly going to bring back any BTB map from the previous games, it should be either Waterworks or Headlong. End of story.

 

[Domino Theory]

Fuck that. If you're honestly going to bring back any BTB map from the previous games, it should be either Waterworks or Headlong. End of story.

Headlong, YES.

 

[NullPointer]

The single biggest difference between this trailer and the final game will be the extra generous amount of anti-aliasing (the smoothing of “jaggies” or edges of pixles) present in what you’re watching right now but rest assured that Reach will be significantly improved in this department compared to Halo 3.

Shit, man. That's all you had to say.

 

[Plywood]

Fuck that. If you're honestly going to bring back any BTB map from the previous games, it should be either Waterworks or Headlong. End of story.

No map gets remade before Terminal.

 

[The Librarian]

Valhalla sucks compared to Coag [from halo 2]

Definitely not. Man cannons > teleporters, snipers don't control the map, and I like Valhalla more for its atmosphere.

 

[Captain Blood]

If headlong is remade I would do a dance and post it on gaf.

 

[feel]

BTW, urk should totally have halogaf ask the questions for the update sometime, preferably, after some embargo lifts. Just say you got these questions from different places all around the web, Bnet kids won't know.

 

[The Librarian]

BTW, urk should totally have halogaf ask the questions for the update sometime, preferably, after some embargo lifts. Just say you got these questions from different places all around the web, Bnet kids won't know.

But we'll know, Letters.

We'll know.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

BTW, urk should totally have halogaf ask the questions for the update sometime, preferably, after some embargo lifts. Just say you got these questions from different places all around the web, Bnet kids won't know.

The "kids" are loud, but there are more than enough sane "adults" there.
Post in the Bnet thread next time, lazy bum

 

[Nutter]

Definitely not. Man cannons > teleporters, snipers don't control the map, and I like Valhalla more for its atmosphere.

Ah, ok dude. The hill in the middle is the worst thing they could have in MP match. The team that starts at the waterfall will by default have the upper hand. And as for snipers controlling the map, it still happens on Valhalla, and on top of that the laser controls the entire map and its flow. Valhalla to me is the worst BIG team map in the series..

 

[feel]

The "kids" are loud, but there are more than enough sane "adults" there.
Post in the Bnet thread next time, lazy bum

No offense, but no way I'm getting anywhere near that cesspool of a forum. :lol

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Ah, ok dude. The hill in the middle is the worst thing they could have in MP match. The team that starts at the waterfall will by default have the upper hand. And as for snipers controlling the map, it still happens on Valhalla, and on top of that the laser controls the entire map and its flow. Valhalla to me is the worst BIG team map in the series..

Nutter
aka Nutter
(Today, 02:40 AM)

Spoiler

Completely disagree, Valhalla is a fantastic map. I'll give you the laser dominance though.

 

[The Librarian]

Nutter
aka Nutter
(Today, 02:40 AM)

Spoiler

Completely disagree, Valhalla is a fantastic map. I'll give you the laser dominance though.

Remove the laser = heaven in a videogame.

 

[LCfiner]

here’s the other key paragraph concerning the trailer graphics from the update:

"The Halo: Reach trailer was produced directly in our new game engine using real game assets. Because the game is still in the midst of development, which means things like framerate are still in flux, we do something called a “frame dump” that lets us spit out the content, frame by frame, and then compile it back as the video you all saw on Saturday. We can actually run this same cinematic right now, within the latest game build, but it’s not always at the consistent smooth framerate of the final game (yet).”

so, um, yeah… sweet

 

[Luth1en]

here’s the other key paragraph concerning the trailer graphics from the update:

"The Halo: Reach trailer was produced directly in our new game engine using real game assets. Because the game is still in the midst of development, which means things like framerate are still in flux, we do something called a “frame dump” that lets us spit out the content, frame by frame, and then compile it back as the video you all saw on Saturday. We can actually run this same cinematic right now, within the latest game build, but it’s not always at the consistent smooth framerate of the final game (yet).”

so, um, yeah… sweet

The question now is whether this video represents gameplay graphics or some sort of forza style replay mode where everything is cranked up a notch.

 

[Blackface]

Perk systems would make all objective based gameplay in Halo MP completely worthless. Just like they do in MW2.

I would rather have them copy a game like TF2, then MW2.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

What do I have to do to make Blood Gulch v3 a possibility in Reach?

I'll do... terrible things...