Infinity Forge Theory: 7 points to consider(edited)

Games Other Halo
1

In regards to Infinity and the ‘virtual reality training’ provided for Spartans and how it relates to forge…

By 343 using terms like ‘infinity’ and ‘virtual reality’ … Leads me to believe that:

  1. All forging will be done in this area, this virtual reality simulator.

  2. It is not a pre-defined map like sandbox/forgeworld, but a truly empty space.

  3. Template designs or starter environments can be loaded as a base to work off of.

  4. Virtual reality may imply full mapmaking. (tera-form, object skinning, skybox art)
    -in order to ‘feel’ like a true VR simulation with an infinite level of possibilities, these features will surely be a part of Infinity-Forge.

  5. Considering the Spartan training story, it makes sense to allow for endless training spaces, or maps, to battle on. Rather than a predefined environment, using virtual reality directly suggests that we will have nearly limitless environments to create.

  6. ‘Virtual reality’ as common terminology suggests, as does past science fiction books, movies, and games also suggest, defines a FULL-ON artificial environment CREATED by somebody and only limited by the creator’s mind. In Halo4, that somebody is us, via Forging on Infinity.

  7. Consider the evolution of Forge from Halo3 to Halo Reach. The advancement from Reach to Halo4, needs to include full map making to be considered a real step forward.

Edit:

Many of you have expressed concern over large maps being ‘built’ on a ship, may I remind you that virtual reality is often portrayed in science fiction with participants interacting with the virtual worlds with a mind controlled device… Everything is illusion, where your mind ‘plays’ in the world with no physical presence, only imaginary. It is like the spartans playing a video game, within a video game (halo 4)…

It is also a very believable reason on how spartans can die, respawn, and die again in cycles; without damaging the actual spartans… Because it is a ‘virtual’ reality, players can die in combat without dying by running REAL firefight training…

It is a perfect scenario for halo 4, and their multiplayer story. IMO.

Thank you for reading. I apologize if any of this has been pointed out previously.

Also, this is merely speculation/wishful-thinking in regards to the Infinity and virtual reality training aspect of the story of Red vs Blue combat. But I think I may be correct on at least some of my speculations.

Discuss…

2

I hope for that but i’m pretty sure it will be some different enviroments (virtually created inside the ship) in which we can forge.

3

You make great points.

4

> I hope for that but i’m pretty sure it will be some different enviroments (virtually created inside the ship) in which we can forge.

I know it is probably wishful thinking, but why tease us with words like ‘infinity’ and ‘virtual reality’, I mean, when all of my points are considered as a whole, it makes me wonder.

It is also a feature that WOULD help Halo reclaim the online gaming crown.

Also givin 343s quote regarding forge (i don’t have a link) saying we “will not be disappointed”

5

This would be sick… I mean all the cool H3 maps helms deep for example could go sooo much farther… I’m in awe just thinking about it.

6

Also I remember 343 directly stating somewhere that the Xbox 360 hardware has been pushed to its absolute limits. Sorry no link, but I seen this somewhere legit.

This could be good news in support of my theory. But I also could see it as using the hardware limits as a scapegoat to not include these fantastic features…

7

Funny, I was thinking about all that this morning. One can only hope but I really REALLY hope for all that.

8

Maybe it will have a stereotypical holographic or wireframe look to the editing mode.

This would make PC editing and importing plausible IMO. Maybe via Waypoint’s website.

Virtual reality could also produce altered physics, and even WEATHER!

9

I really hope so. If a game like Far Cry 2 can do it, Halo 4 can too.

10

I really think you’re on the right track here. Halo has never really had a “map creator” before, just a map editor but Bungie decided to throw in some structure pieces in a few Halo 3 and Reach maps, but with Infinity I think that is all about to change.

I don’t think we’ll be getting a map creator along the lines of something from AutoDesk’s caliber, but I do believe Forge will be keeping it’s same core elements, but this time we’ll just have more to work with.

All of the multiplayer maps could be treated as templates where all of the structure pieces inside the map are deletable leaving only the terrain and skybox left for us to do what we want with.

Like, imagine if they had made all of the huts, sheds, and buildings on Powerhouse as Forge pieces that we could delete and be left with very interesting terrain and a new piece palette to work with on it.

11

> I really hope so. If a game like Far Cry 2 can do it, Halo 4 can too.

Not this gen. Maybe when we get Blu-Rays disks on the neXtBox b/c Halo offers much more content than Far Cry does.

12

You are one smart cookie and I hope that you are right

13

Also consider 343 stating the size if Infinity being 3 kilometers long… Why even bring up the size of the ship? They could have just said big, but they clearly have scaled this ship with specific, hopefully useful, dimension…

14

I would like to apologize to 343 for hitting the nail on the head in regards to infinity and its purposes. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Please do not ban me for destroying you surprise lol.

Maybe somebody could deny my speculative claims before my head explodes from excitement.

15

> I hope for that but i’m pretty sure it will be some different enviroments (virtually created inside the ship) in which we can forge.

This.

I also hope you can load maps to start off forge with if you like and just to be able to make hills, water, ect. wherever you like on the map.

16

Problem with an ‘Infinity Forge’ is how on earth do you cram all those customisation options into a user-friendly, console-friendly interface.

On top of that, you have the issue of art; I had no problem with Forge World’s grey and green and blue colour pallet because of the sheer enormity of options you could do with the important stuff like actually designing a level. If art creation becomes part of Infinity Forge, how the hell is that going to work, again in a user-friendly and console-friendly interface?

Or are we suggesting players can switch between predetermined art styles? That’s probably it. Makes much more sense.

17

> I really hope so. If a game like Far Cry 2 can do it, Halo 4 can too.

That’s a completely different engine with different limits that Halo doesn’t have.

18

> Problem with an ‘Infinity Forge’ is how on earth do you cram all those customisation options into a user-friendly, console-friendly interface.
>
> On top of that, you have the issue of art; I had no problem with Forge World’s grey and green and blue colour pallet because of the sheer enormity of options you could do with the important stuff like actually designing a level. If art creation becomes part of Infinity Forge, how the hell is that going to work, again in a user-friendly and console-friendly interface?
>
> Or are we suggesting players can switch between predetermined art styles? That’s probably it. Makes much more sense.

Predetermined skins/textures are what I think will be used. Custom painting details like bullet holes or blood just seems to be a little much. Expanding on Reach’s team colored objects, one could select a broad color or style for objects, instead of barely noticed ‘team accent’ for pieces.

As far as being user friendly… The basic editing would be similar to Reach, but the more advanced features would be available to those who want to use them. That is why I suggest template maps for beginners or those just wanting to do a quick forge.

Addressing hardware limits… Time will tell how advances in Halo’s development apply to the new game. Surely some limitations will apply, but assuming it will be barely improved over forgeworld seems illogical.

19

Well seeing as custom games and forge isn’t all about the reds fighting the blues then maybe the custom gae/forging experience will have nothing to do with the infinity.

20

> 4. Virtual reality may imply full mapmaking. (tera-form, object skinning, skybox art)
> -in order to ‘feel’ like a true VR simulation with an infinite level of possibilities, these features will surely be a part of Infinity-Forge. Discuss…

the idea of terra-forming sadly is impossible for the x-box 360. The controls used to create a virtual space are to complex to be transferred to an x-box controller. Furthermore the amount of computer power needed to generate and save designs is too much for the x-box to hold. Sorry to burst your bubble