How much should/will 343 share?

Games Other Halo
1

Bungie was famous for its cryptic pre-release information on Halo titles. The teaser campaigns are legendary. Do you think 343 will continue this tradition for Halo 4?

I think it might be in 343’s best interest to break from the total mystery approach of Bungie. Mainly, because setting expectations for a game that many have different opinions about would help us better appreciate the game 343 is making.

Remember Reach’s teaser image with the silhouettes of Noble team? For the longest time, many thought it pointed to a class-based game, because the silhouettes were clearly different types of soldiers. Now, we were incorrect, but in the absence of information, it was a logical conclusion–since we heard Reach would be different. Did this misdirect help Bungie and Reach?

I would say no. Part of the disconnect that myself and some fans had about Reach came from the wrong expectations we had about it. Besides the class-based misdirect, we were also led to believe, maybe even told in fact, the fall of Reach would include epic land-based battles. (The diorama ad for Halo 3 stuck in my mind. Now they are going to do that, I thought.)

Bungie released info because it wanted us to know something, but it didn’t give enough for us to know the right thing. That goes beyond a teaser, into confusion. 343 has been more up-front and clear about what it’s doing with the Title Update. It was a welcome change.

You’ve seen the massive amounts of information that Irrational Games is giving on Bioshock Infinite, which ships the same time as Halo 4 in 2012. That might be too much information for Halo, which runs on sci-fi mystery …

I would like 343 to give us some subtle hints to where it sees Halo going–gameplay wise. Not plot, enemies, setting … just a few words about what Halo is. I can’t say I know what makes a Halo game Halo anymore, besides being set in space. For some of you, it might be exciting not to know. For me, it distances me from the franchise.

Even for 343 to say something as simple as, “Halo 4 is a reset button.” You could understand the mentality with which they are making the game. I actually care more about this info than the plot, and they wouldn’t be giving very much away.

How much would you like 343 to share about Halo 4 in the coming months? What is too much? What is not enough?

2

> Bungie was famous for its cryptic pre-release information on Halo titles. The teaser campaigns are legendary. Do you think 343 will continue this tradition for Halo 4? <mark>It seems they are. How much do we know about Halo 4 ??</mark>
>
> I think it might be in 343’s best interest to break from the total mystery approach of Bungie. Mainly, because setting expectations for a game that many have different opinions about would help us better appreciate the game 343 is making.
> <mark>I would like more information …not sure we’ll get it though.</mark>
> Remember Reach’s teaser image with the silhouettes of Noble team? For the longest time, many thought it pointed to a class-based game, because the silhouettes were clearly different types of soldiers. Now, we were incorrect, but in the absence of information, it was a logical conclusion–since we heard Reach would be different. Did this misdirect help Bungie and Reach? <mark>I don’t think it help either exactly…but it did keep people talking about the game. It may have helped in that way.</mark>
>
> I would say no. Part of the disconnect that myself and some fans had about Reach came from the wrong expectations we had about it. Besides the class-based misdirect, we were also led to believe, maybe even told in fact, the fall of Reach would include epic land-based battles. (The diorama ad for Halo 3 stuck in my mind. Now they are going to do that, I thought.)
>
> Bungie released info because it wanted us to know something, but it didn’t give enough for us to know the right thing. That goes beyond a teaser, into confusion. 343 has been more up-front and clearabout what it’s doing with the Title Update. It was a welcome change. <mark>I agree. I like having the most information possible.</mark>
>
> You’ve seen the massive amounts of information that Irrational Games is giving on Bioshock Infinite, which ships the same time as Halo 4 in 2012. That might be too much information for Halo, which runs on sci-fi mystery …
>
> I would like 343 to give us some subtle hints to where it sees Halo going–gameplay wise. Not plot, enemies, setting … just a few words about what Halo is. I can’t say I know what makes a Halo game Halo anymore, besides being set in space. For some of you, it might be exciting not to know. For me, it distances me from the franchise.
> <mark>Hopefully we’ll get some of this after H:CEA arrives.</mark>
> Even for 343 to say something as simple as, “Halo 4 is a reset button.” You could understand the mentality with which they are making the game. I actually care more about this info than the plot, and they wouldn’t be giving very much away.
> <mark>Statements like that can be a double edge sword. A reset button could be seen as bad or good. It depends on your point of view.</mark>
> How much would you like 343 to share about Halo 4 in the coming months? What is too much? What is not enough? <mark>I would love them to share a lot of information but I have resigned myself to the fact that they won’t.</mark>

3

Thanks for the reply–and the highlighted answers. Yeah, my post was long. I thought if I didn’t fully explain what I was saying, people would think I was telling 343 what to do. I don’t mean to do that, obviously. I also agree reset button could be taken different ways, but it would suggest a break from the past, which is at least intriguing. Anyway, cool post.

4

To be completely honest, 343 industries are doing it right at the moment with Halo CEA 13 days away. They should be focused on that for the next few weeks. I believe we may see more of Halo 4 at the VGA.s. And I hope that 343 give Halo 4 good advertisement, not make a game look better than it is. Just give the fans what we want. What we want is Halo. An epic campaign with the Chief. I conic multiplayer that lives up to past standards etc… So far in my eyes 343 have done nothing wrong and havent taken a wrong move. The are playing it safe and they will not boast about how their first major game is going to be if it isn’t that good. All I can say is goodluck to 343 and hope to see news on Halo 4 soon!

5

> Thanks for the reply–and the highlighted answers. Yeah, my post was long. I thought if I didn’t fully explain what I was saying, people would think I was telling 343 what to do. I don’t mean to do that, obviously. I also agree reset button could be taken different ways, but it would suggest a break from the past, which is at least intriguing. Anyway, cool post.

Yeah, I usually don’t do that except for the roll call threads but since you had so many points I thought it best to do that here.
I am totally on board with wanting more info believe me. I want every possible detail…nothing would spoil it for me. I just want to know. I just have a feeling they will be somewhat secretive at least for awhile longer.

6

I’m interested in the campaign, but I’d really like to know where the gameplay is going.

What is their philosophy?:
Is it more in-line with the trilogy?
or
Is it more in-line with Reach?
or
Is it going to be completely different from both of them?

I guess we’ll see after Anniversary is released.

7

> And I hope that 343 give Halo 4 good advertisement, not make a game look better than it is. Just give the fans what we want.

You said exactly what I was trying to say. “… not make the game look better than it is.” A good Halo game is plenty good enough for us, without pushing for epic promises that may not be there in December '12. If they set expectations properly–however they choose to do it–then we will more appreciate the innovations that 343 is undoubtedly putting into the game.

8

BTW, you had 6 comments, and 66 views. I had to change that. :stuck_out_tongue:

9

Well, they need to share the information they can release for the time span of about one year. That’s not an easy task, but what comes to the information that they release, I’m fine with every piece of information except story details.

They should also keep some aspects of the game unreleased because at least I want to get surpirsed for some new feature I didn’t know about when the game comes out. But I think that generally a good way at keeping fans interested without really sharing too much information is ViDocs, or in 343i’s case BTS videos.

I really liked the ViDocs Bungie made, they showed mostly the development process or new technical features, but also gave small hints of features from time to time. I love videos that show what the development process is like.

10

Part of the danger of releasing too much specific information is that some people may not agree with that info. Meaning if gameplay is shown and people don’t like it, and it’s too late in the game design to change, then 343 could be setting themselves up for failure.

Telling part of the story may ruin it for people who are trying to stay spoiler free.

Certainly with all of the Reach haters out there if game mechanics is even partially revealed to be even a small bit like Reach, they are going to come down hard on 343.

I personally believe 343 needs to play this pretty close to the vest. Let it be a surprise for us all.

Of course there will be leaks. There always is. But what the leaks should be? Small snippets. VERY small. Things that won’t give the story away. That won’t give any special game mechanics away. If we see Master Chief running around in the sphere world shooting at something either in shadow or silhouette that will make us want to know more. That’s a good thing. But they shouldn’t show much more. Keep us wanting. As far as matchmaking, maybe show some armor configs and UNSC weapons. But not too much more. Again, new graphics, maybe some of the armor that hopefully sees a return from Halo 3.

By giving us too much info to will spoil the surprise and may bring unwarranted reprisals from the very fans 343 may be trying to appease by releasing info.

11

Honestly good advertising MADE me buy Battlefield 3. I really think good advertisement sells a game.

12

well since the game doesn’t come out until next year, i wouldn’t count on much any time soon.

i think the first that we’ll get any concrete hardcore details will be at e3 2012.
that takes place in june, which is right around the perfect time to release a multiplayer beta.
and have a full release in september, just like every other halo game (besides halo 2)

just thinking about how far away it still is makes me cringe.
especially since this is the first time i don’t have a halo game that i really enjoy to fall back to.

13

I hope they share very, very little

14

> well since the game doesn’t come out until next year, i wouldn’t count on much any time soon.
>
> i think the first that we’ll get any concrete hardcore details will be at e3 2012.
> that takes place in june, which is right around the perfect time to release a multiplayer beta.
> and have a full release in september, just like every other halo game (besides halo 2)
>
> just thinking about how far away it still is makes me cringe.
> especially since this is the first time i don’t have a halo game that i really enjoy to fall back to.

Couldn’t you play one of the older ones?

15

> Part of the danger of releasing too much specific information is that some people may not agree with that info. Meaning if gameplay is shown and people don’t like it, and it’s too late in the game design to change, then 343 could be setting themselves up for failure.
>
> Telling part of the story may ruin it for people who are trying to stay spoiler free.
>
> Certainly with all of the Reach haters out there if game mechanics is even partially revealed to be even a small bit like Reach, they are going to come down hard on 343.
>
> I personally believe 343 needs to play this pretty close to the vest. Let it be a surprise for us all.
>
> Of course there will be leaks. There always is. But what the leaks should be? Small snippets. VERY small. Things that won’t give the story away. That won’t give any special game mechanics away. If we see Master Chief running around in the sphere world shooting at something either in shadow or silhouette that will make us want to know more. That’s a good thing. But they shouldn’t show much more. Keep us wanting. As far as matchmaking, maybe show some armor configs and UNSC weapons. But not too much more. Again, new graphics, maybe some of the armor that hopefully sees a return from Halo 3.
>
> By giving us too much info to will spoil the surprise and may bring unwarranted reprisals from the very fans 343 may be trying to appease by releasing info.

You make it sound like 343 can hide bad design decisions by not saying anything until the game is released and somehow we will not notice.

If Reach is the template for 343 then obviously they believe in that–and need to share it. I doubt it’s the case, but you can’t hide what your game is going to be because the prior game was a controversial failure. In fact, setting the table of expectations is part of the reason to share information pre-release. Halo needs to boldly be something that I can disagree with if I want. The days of committee making Halo (is everyone included) are hopefully over. So tell us 343.

16

> I’m interested in the campaign, but I’d really like to know where the gameplay is going.
>
> What is their philosophy?:
> Is it more in-line with the trilogy?
> or
> Is it more in-line with Reach?
> or
> Is it going to be completely different from both of them?
>
> I guess we’ll see after Anniversary is released.

In there latest interview producers said that, gameplay wise, it was important for them that it still feels like a Halo game as soon as you pick up the controler. Makes me think that the the gameplay will be pretty much the like the previous games.

17

I hope they go dark for the story line but give lots of info on multiplayuer and forge.

18

> You make it sound like 343 can hide bad design decisions by not saying anything until the game is released and somehow we will not notice.
>
> If Reach is the template for 343 then obviously they believe in that–and need to share it. I doubt it’s the case, but you can’t hide what your game is going to be because the prior game was a controversial failure. In fact, setting the table of expectations is part of the reason to share information pre-release. Halo needs to boldly be something that I can disagree with if I want. The days of committee making Halo (is everyone included) are hopefully over. So tell us 343.

Actually what I mean is that with folks such as yourself who seem to want to slam 343 at every turn, it is in their interest to not release too much info and have that much more backlash against them.

I have the distinct feeling that no matter what info they put out, you will find a way to twist it into something negative.

I love ALL of the Halo games for what they are. Wars, 1,2,3, ODST AND Reach. I don’t get the constant complaining people have about Reach. Is the gameplay different than the first trilogy? Somewhat, yes. Does that mean it’s not Halo? Absolutely not. It still has at it’s core basic fundamentals of Halo. It just has a lot extra. Too much? Well that is for the individual to decide for themselves only. I don’t count myself in any camp of a specific Halo fan. I am a FAN of Halo. Not old style, not Reach style, not just the toys or novels, etc. I take it all in stride and appreciate it for what it is as a whole. It’s a video game franchise that has found it’s way over the years to permeate not just the gaming community, but society at large to an extent.

There is no possible way 343 will be able to make everyone happy. Not the MLG group as that is most definitely a VERY small group compared to the whole community. Not to those who love Reach. Not to those who love the original trilogy. They can try to pander to the community as a whole, but from the ridiculous amount of complaints I see here about Reach being that type of game, I’d think they would likely not try that specifically again.

I do think there is a way they can make the most amount of fans happy to a degree. What degree that is depends on your own definition of what makes you happy playing Halo.

Personally for me, I’d like to see less Armor Abilities, but not get rid of all of them. I happen to LOVE jet pack. Sprint makes a ton of sense to have. I’d certainly be for equipment in place of Armor Abilities if that is the way 343 goes. If all the AAs stay I’m fine with that too as I’ve adapted to that style with Reach. If they all go away, I’ll deal with it. I do think taking them all away would reduce the “Super” part of being a super soldier. Afterall these are soldiers from 500 years in the future. We SHOULD have the ability to have this tech by then if not sooner. But again, if the play style reverts back to Halo 3 or something similar I will adapt again.

Honestly complaining as it is on this forum really ruins the forum experience for me. I’m not saying everything needs to be positive and coming up roses. But dang folks can you just take a step back and wait to see what 343 comes up with?

From much of what we’ve heard about 343 and from their very personnel, they KNOW how passionate Halo fans can be and they themselves are just as passionate about the success of the franchise and putting out great quality Halo games.

If you’re already doubting them, then maybe you need to take a look inward, take a chill, breath in, breath out, and just relax.

Halo 4 is going to be good if not great. It will please a lot of us, but not all of we fans. It’s been like that since the beginning of the franchise.

19

> > You make it sound like 343 can hide bad design decisions by not saying anything until the game is released and somehow we will not notice.
> >
> > If Reach is the template for 343 then obviously they believe in that–and need to share it. I doubt it’s the case, but you can’t hide what your game is going to be because the prior game was a controversial failure. In fact, setting the table of expectations is part of the reason to share information pre-release. Halo needs to boldly be something that I can disagree with if I want. The days of committee making Halo (is everyone included) are hopefully over. So tell us 343.
>
> Actually what I mean is that with folks such as yourself who seem to want to slam 343 at every turn, it is in their interest to not release too much info and have that much more backlash against them.
>
> I have the distinct feeling that no matter what info they put out, you will find a way to twist it into something negative.

Your reading comprehension is not the best. Show me where I slammed 343? They haven’t released a single game yet. We’re talking about how they discuss games before they’re released.

I think you’re bringing other thread wars into this one. What I posted was: how does 343 talk about its games. Putting aside how Reach actually played–which isn’t relevant here–Bungie teased Reach for a long time in a way that gave us a mistaken impression of the game. However big of a fanboy you are, it’s not helpful to get a wrong impression of a game.

Mystery is good, when it sends you in the right direction. Given the missteps of Reach marketing, and the fact that many fans waited a whole year for a title update, after Bungie dragged its feet for months giving little to no information on it (before finally saying, “we won’t be doing one”) it would be nice if 343 didn’t go the total mystery route in promoting Halo 4.

You may want to stop putting words in my mouth, also. I never said I was waiting for info to bash the game. I am waiting for info, period. 343 has to shape our expectations of a game that follows up a game that was a major disappointment to fans like me. We are here because we like Halo. It’s immature to think “if we don’t say anything, no one can criticize us.” It’s not how business works. Developers make their living off promoting their ideas. We would like to know where Halo stands.