Mods vs Console

Games Halo: The Master Chief Collection
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As of lately there has been an influx of threads that I would categorize as fantasy wish lists for various aspects of the MCC. If I had to hazard a guess as to why, most likely the dig site news has people hopeful that anything is possible. And they are right to a degree. With the existing mod tools for CE thru H3 some pretty impressive stuff has been created like HCE being recreated in H3, all sorts of new vehicles and maps. The list goes on, and with new assets from the dig site and steam workshop (fingers crossed) the modding community is going to explode.

Which leads me to my next point as a lot of console players will most likely miss out on this experience and understandably want 343 to dedicate time to granting some of these wish lists in the retail copy. I just want to set expectations here that I find this scenario unlikely outside of maybe additional map packs for console. As far as I can tell 343 has no interest in changing up the sandboxes of any game in the collection or doing so with extreme caution (H3 ODST weapons) isolating them to their own playlist. Weapon variants or the like would be quarantined to customs only which begs the questions is the squeeze worth the juice? I could care less about a BR with a different scope in H3 that does 12% less damage or the DMR in CE. A lot of these requests come across as arbitrary and interesting for a couple of matches.

The best case scenario would be mod support on console, so players could install whatever content they want no matter how silly it be. A lot of folks point to Skyrim as the gold standard for mods on console, but even that experience is severely watered down from its PC counter part. If I really want an energy sword in Skyrim console I suppose I have the option, but things like fan made expansions don’t make it to console. Skyrim is also a single player game which most likely goes through a less exhaustive certification process than a multiplayer title. Microsoft would have to guarantee that any mod won’t damage the console systems nor would it be some kind of malware. Frankly I don’t expect MS/343 to change the certification process in the console pipeline so console fans are most likely SOL.

The priority at 343 should be more QoL features, wrapping up the mod tools and support, and bug fixes which is most likely what they are following. Introducing random gameplay elements for the sake of why not compromises the sandbox integrity of the titles. Especially when mod tools already exist to satisfy that request and more. If you play MCC on console and are curious about the H2 Earth Demo, or all the cut assets, or hell you really want to try a recreation of the Halo Online experience then PC is the only platform for you. If some of the dig site stuff makes to console great, but don’t expect anything overly exciting to be fully implemented in retail.

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I struggle with this as well - since people who are new to the game look forward to and expect the first (and think that fun new weapons will bring new players - pew pew!) but people who have played this game for any substantial period of time instead look at the second.

My big frustration is 343 appears to not approach either. Seemingly the choice is too complicated and so the end user gets neither. Hopefully this changes in the near future, but we dont even know what exists on the roadmap.

Fingers crossed.

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This right here has been why each time I see somebody making those kinds of requests for H2C or CE, I highlight that at the very most they’ll only ever consider additions if its something that already existed during development, and was added in subsequent titles within the collection.

The ODST Brute Plasma Rifle in Halo 3 for instance was an easy addition; how it was supposed to work was clearly defined in Halo 2, and its model was made for Halo 3’s engine as ODST was effectively the same game with minor modifications.

In CE, adding something like the cut Beam Rifle would be just as simple; its function was defined in Halo 2 and Halo 3, and the model was created for Halo CE earlier in development solving the issues regarding the assets compatibility with the game.

Just about the only game with an exception that opens the door to variants is Halo 3 thanks to Halo Online, and even then, that’s one of the only titles where that would be considered worthwhile to add thanks to forge and customs pushing the boundaries of what could be done.

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Modding on console is feasible. Introducing mods will not compromise the integrity of any of the titles even multiplayer-wise if they are limited to singleplayer and custom browser, this will ensure the classical aspect of the game to remain intact and available for everyone while giving the opportunity for new comers and experienced players to enjoy community creations/alterations. Unfortunately not everyone have the chance to get their hand on a decent desktop/laptop, as a result the PC platform cannot be a viable option for them and they may never have the chance to experience any of the content that is made available by the modding community.

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This is why I’m hopeful about an H2A plasma pistol varient that has EMP, or even the sticky launcher in H2A

(2A is basically a mod of 4)

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