343 Gets the bad end of the stick

Community General Discussion
1

In a way, I feel bad for 343i. No matter what it is they will do with Halo 4, people will hate them for it, simply because they are not Bungie. Think about it. The new trailer music that a lot of people hate, would it be so hated if Marty produced it? I think people need to open their eyes, really. These are people who know what Halo is, and are trying there hardest to make it the best for us, the true Halo fans. Some say we need to move backwards in gameplay, which isn’t where we should be going. Halo 4 needs to be something new, or it won’t be a new game. Some people don’t realize this, and they want Halo 2.5 or Halo 3.5, which in reality they won’t be getting that. In turn, these people will hate on 343 and say they ruined Halo, simply because they’re not “Bungie.”

The series needs, and will get, evolution. People will hate them and blame them because of this. Because it’s not exactly like Halo CE or 2 or 3. We as a community need to open our eyes and heads to new ideas. The past is done, and those games still exist if that is what you love, but Halo 4 will be new. Don’t complain that CoD never changes, then say that Halo shouldn’t change. Think, if Reach played the same as the game we picked up 10 years ago, would we still be entertained? No, we would be on these forums complaining it’s a rehash.

In the end, I look forward to Halo 4. I love Reach, even though it’s new and different. I love Halo, and I always will. Just don’t touch the reticle and make everything balanced, and I will love the game.

2

I’m not against Halo games being made by a new company, I’m against having another trilogy of games that follow the Master Chief.

3

People are going to like Halo 4. 50% of the people won’t even know bungie didn’t make it. And they didn’t get the short end of the stick. Bungie did. Bungie had to give up a franchise they loved to make because Microsoft (completely understandably) didn’t want to give it up. They can’t make the game they are now FAMOUS for because of the fact that Microsoft wouldn’t let them have the franchise. 343 still get’s to make Halo games. Bungie is not so lucky.

4

> I’m not against Halo games being made by a new company, I’m against having another trilogy of games that follow the Master Chief.

Bungie left Halo 3 wide open for a sequel. Also, the concept of Forerunners and Precursors and the origin of humanity seems to be a very intriguing idea for a story for me. We really can’t judge a product before it’s released. Who knows, it could be the best Halo yet.

5

> > I’m not against Halo games being made by a new company, I’m against having another trilogy of games that follow the Master Chief.
>
> Bungie left Halo 3 wide open for a sequel. Also, the concept of Forerunners and Precursors and the origin of humanity seems to be a very intriguing idea for a story for me. We really can’t judge a product before it’s released. Who knows, it could be the best Halo yet.

I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.

Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.

6

> I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.
>
> Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.

That’s very true, but I’m just sticking with what’s given to me. I don’t want to let the Master Chief go, but I want to see other sides of the universe too. I’m just waiting to see what story the new trilogy tells. I have a feeling it’ll be more than just “new enemy, we gotta’ kill it!”

7

> > I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.
> >
> > Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.
>
> That’s very true, but I’m just sticking with what’s given to me. I don’t want to let the Master Chief go, but I want to see other sides of the universe too. I’m just waiting to see what story the new trilogy tells. I have a feeling it’ll be more than just “new enemy, we gotta’ kill it!”

I hope we don’t fight the Flood for half the game…

8

I dunno about you, but I’m really excited about Halo 4, after seeing what 343 is doing with anniversary I’m sure they’ll come up with new ways to innovate while still respecting the core gameplay of the Halo series. Besides, people will always find a reason to complain about it, even if Bungie was continuing the series.

9

> > > I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.
> > >
> > > Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.
> >
> > That’s very true, but I’m just sticking with what’s given to me. I don’t want to let the Master Chief go, but I want to see other sides of the universe too. I’m just waiting to see what story the new trilogy tells. I have a feeling it’ll be more than just “new enemy, we gotta’ kill it!”
>
> I hope we don’t fight the Flood for half the game…

Oh come on! The Flood is Halo more than anything else! I hope we get to fight Flood and Forerunners. Hopefully we can fight the Covenant as a new/preexisting race through the split plot style achieved in Halo 2, because I’d miss killing Covie.

10

> > > > I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.
> > > >
> > > > Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.
> > >
> > > That’s very true, but I’m just sticking with what’s given to me. I don’t want to let the Master Chief go, but I want to see other sides of the universe too. I’m just waiting to see what story the new trilogy tells. I have a feeling it’ll be more than just “new enemy, we gotta’ kill it!”
> >
> > I hope we don’t fight the Flood for half the game…
>
> Oh come on! The Flood is Halo more than anything else! I hope we get to fight Flood and Forerunners. Hopefully we can fight the Covenant as a new/preexisting race through the split plot style achieved in Halo 2, because I’d miss killing Covie.

Halo is mainly about the fight about our survival against the flood, because although the covenant was a significant threat, it will be nothing compared to the ever expanding flood armada. As long as there is a single flood spore left, they will not stop until they envelop the entire universe.

11

Good Post.

I want the game to evolve as well. I mean Halo 3 and Halo 2 were very fun games, and yes I do believe that if anything they should make the game more similar to those 2 titles in terms of Gameplay speed(fast paced), balanced, and having a skill gap, the bigger the skill gap the better. But they should ultimately try their best to do some tweaks and additions that the Halo community will like and think is fun, which in the end should make Halo 4 feel like a new experience. I can see that they are doing this which makes me quite happy.

12

Yes.

I mean, think of George Lucas. He made an amazing Original Trilogy of movies. But then he made the prequels…and the Clone Wars…and the Special Editions (no! noooooooo!). even though george is a genious he forgets what made the OT superior.

Bungie may have fallen into the same trap with Reach, their “prequel”.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Reach a lot, but i mean I enjoyed the star wars prequels too. But think about it, the novels and EU of Star Wars is where its at, cuz its made by fans. 343 is filled with devoted fans who want the best for Halo.

At least, this is my hope.

13

> > > > I know, but the games have only covered about 5 months out of the 27 year long Human-Covenant War. There are plenty of opportunities for more games.
> > > >
> > > > Perhaps 343 could make a game that follows Gray Team? I’d like to know what happened to Jai, Andriana, and Mike.
> > >
> > > That’s very true, but I’m just sticking with what’s given to me. I don’t want to let the Master Chief go, but I want to see other sides of the universe too. I’m just waiting to see what story the new trilogy tells. I have a feeling it’ll be more than just “new enemy, we gotta’ kill it!”
> >
> > I hope we don’t fight the Flood for half the game…
>
> Oh come on! The Flood is Halo more than anything else! I hope we get to fight Flood and Forerunners. Hopefully we can fight the Covenant as a new/preexisting race through the split plot style achieved in Halo 2, because I’d miss killing Covie.

I hate fighting the Flood.

hate.

14

> Yes.
>
> I mean, think of George Lucas. He made an amazing Original Trilogy of movies. But then he made the prequels…and the Clone Wars…and the Special Editions (no! noooooooo!). even though george is a genious he forgets what made the OT superior.
>
> Bungie may have fallen into the same trap with Reach, their “prequel”.
>
> Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed Reach a lot, but i mean I enjoyed the star wars prequels too. But think about it, the novels and EU of Star Wars is where its at, cuz its made by fans. 343 is filled with devoted fans who want the best for Halo.
>
> At least, this is my hope.

Yes, but think about this, Star Wars still had the same studio working on all 6 movies and after a while they got a little tired and careless with the prequel trilogy. (Especially with episode 1, Yikes!) But Halo is getting a brand new, ambitious young company with new ideas to get a bit more of a fresh start. 343 seems really excited about doing Halo and are trying really hard not to mess too much with the core of gameplay.

15

When you think about it, the setup for the new trilogy is great because although the covenant WAS a big threat, the story of the forrunners was barely touched on and theres so much potential there. Because were already familiar with the Chief, he will be our familiar guide along with Cortana as we explore places with often no other human connection. So im confident.

16

One thing we can be sure of is this: Halo 4 is being made by FANS of the game. Not by some random publisher, but by people who love the game. Microsoft and 343i put the key people in the key positions. I’m not worried one bit.

17

I think we need a revolution and overthrow the nostalgic Halo fans who can’t let go of the first Halo game they played. It’s called Halo 4 for a reason. That’s because it’s the sequel to Halo 3. WE’RE MOVING FORWARD. The Halo franchise is evolving, and all these fan boys are doing is weighing it down, and making it like Halo 2 and Halo 3. If Halo wants to succeed, it needs to keep moving forward.

Yes, fan-boys who can’t let go of the past, Halo 2 and Halo 3 was great, but it’s time to LET GO. Halo is moving on, and so should you. Halo 4 has a lot of potential to be a great game, but no one wants to blow $60 on a game created to be JUST like Halo 2 or Halo 3.

Evolution > Regression.

18

> I think we need a revolution and overthrow the nostalgic Halo fans who can’t let go of the first Halo game they played. It’s called Halo 4 for a reason. That’s because it’s the sequel to Halo 3. WE’RE MOVING FORWARD. The Halo franchise is evolving, and all these fan boys are doing is weighing it down, and making it like Halo 2 and Halo 3. If Halo wants to succeed, it needs to keep moving forward.
>
> Yes, fan-boys who can’t let go of the past, Halo 2 and Halo 3 was great, but it’s time to LET GO. Halo is moving on, and so should you. Halo 4 has a lot of potential to be a great game, but no one wants to blow $60 on a game created to be JUST like Halo 2 or Halo 3.
>
> Evolution > Regression.

I’ll grab the the posters and pitchforks. You get the torches. Its a revolution baby!

19

What happened when Halo tried to evolve? You got Reach.

So far Halo has been steadily declining, no matter how much Bungie tried to “evolve” the game. This is mainly due to the fact that Bungie’s trying to make Halo what it’s not in the first place: With adding equipment, or integrating it into a spartan’s armor to breed the “smarter”, more casual friendly experience. Every Halo game has been less popular because of the fact that Bungie has been trying to move it forward.

The best way to ensure that people will get what they want from Halo is to visit the past and learn from their mistakes. So far, Bungie hasn’t shown that they could do that yet: every game they released after Halo CE has been successful because it played how Bungie didn’t want it to play like: they considered button combos a bannable exploit, but in reality it opened skill gap, made for faster kill times, and more or less saved the competitive Halo feel. Equipment in Halo 3 was virtually useless, even when Bungie did their best to integrate it into the classic “guns, grenades, and melee” triangle. Now Bungie made their “perfect” Halo game with Reach, and look how that turned out. Competitive Halo is completely ruined. MLG is considering taking out Halo. Bungie even had to create a poor excuse for a classic hopper just so they could qualm the competitive and old school community.

What I respect IW is that they know what makes CoD the gaming juggernaut of our generation, and they aren’t foolish enough to mess with it. CoD fans can expect the same old CoD they’ve come to know and love, not some hybrid of every shooter out in the market. It’s that rule of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” that keeps fans buying every title every single year, and it’s the fans that advertise it to the entire gaming community so CoD can grow even more. That’s why CoD is successful: it’s no secret that people who love the fast-paced, highly customizable class-based shooter will be able to expect that every year.

Want to know why the transition from Halo 2 to 3 was so successful? Because it kept the core of the community relatively intact, while the equipment and the new feels of every other gimmick attracted a casual community that was only taken away when MW2 was released. The only reason why Halo 3 wasn’t a big flop like Reach was is simple enough: there wasn’t any real competition around 2007-08, and Bungie did a reasonable job trying to keep the feel of Halo 2 intact (although they did fail massively if we go into the specifics.)

Now look at Reach. We have a game that does the community to shame, a money-driven corporation riding on an obese cash-cow, and a line of competitors each fighting for top-spot in the gaming industry. Compared to other big releases, Reach may as well step down and call it quits. It caters to nobody: casuals would obviously go for Black Ops, hardcore fans are disgusted at Bungie’s last Halo, and the core community was ignored. What happens when you successfully “evolve” Halo into something it’s not? You get Reach.

What I’m trying to say is that there’s a clear pattern that 343i needs to realize. They need to stay true to Halo as much as possible: fast kill times, a good mix of teamwork and individual skill, and simple, balanced, and competitive gameplay mechanics are all components of a true Halo game. Not armor lock, not jetpack, not sprint, not bloom, not dual-wielding, not equipment. By now we should all know why Halo CE and 2 were the gaming juggernauts of yesteryear.

20

I think, to a certain extent, you’re right. Some may be swayed, but others will dislike on principle. And to them I say THIS