in one of Late Night Gaming’s recent video’s he talks about how he met a person who has experience with the comic book industry.
link to this video
while its discussed that Brian reed is a bad name even for a comic book writer he discusses how things like out of place plot points, the irrelevancy of halo 4 and the cliffhanger ending are most likely the result of Microsoft interfering with the campaign development.
its actually quite scary to think that Halo 4’s bad reception was that much influential that it even hurt the narrative.
after watching this video what do you guys think.
Well… I mean, it’s possible.
If Microsoft wants to milk the franchise for years and not run out of half–Yoinked!- stories to tell, I think we should brace ourselves for more of “The most dramatic Halo campaign(s) yet” for years to come until the Halo name is run to the ground.
I don’t get it. When I see Frank O’ Connor defending this story I don’t get it. Is he payed, or coerced to do so? Or does he really believe they delivered the best campaign of any Halo game yet?
Everything that Halo 4 set up… it had me honestly excited. Within varying degrees, of course, but still. The Reclamation and what that might mean for humanity; Cortana’s loss and the post war world that would put John out of his comfort zone, leading to some more meaningful development for him. Jul, who was an interesting enough villain. All seems completely wasted.
Some people like that it took a turn for the “unexpected”. That the stakes are high now and some other things. But really, I can’t see it the way they handled the presentation of this new “Created Arc”. It made me feel nothing nearing excitement until the game’s finale and premature ending. And even then, looking back, the “story” or more accurately, the series of events you were an “active spectator” to during the campaign are not handled very well and shatter post Halo 4 potential for the narrative.
Skynet- I mean, Cortana will ensalve us all. How very interesting.
Preach brother
I somewhat agree, though I don’t really quite enjoy their conclusions or supposed explanations. Like you don’t need Microsoft coming in for 343 to suddenly change paths on ideas due to negative feedback.
I’m not really putting much stock in what an anonymous comic artists/occasional writer has to say. We’ll never know the internal details or what role Microsoft may have played in the story.
> 2533274812652989;5:
> I’m not really putting much stock in what an anonymous comic artists/occasional writer has to say. We’ll never know the internal details or what role Microsoft may have played in the story.
Pretty much this.
We’ve seen Reed’s other work in the franchise, and none of it has been any good.
Sure, I know that’s subjective. But when the overwhelming majority of the fanbase feels the same way, it’s hard to dismiss it as “simply a matter of taste”.
Where can i find Frank O’Conner defending the Halo 5 story? Im interested in what he has to say because Halo 5’s story was so lackluster that it has almost killed my passion for Halo. Halo 4 had some flaws but the story to me was very good, and it seemed to set up a lot of potentially dramatic things such as Chief learning to live without Cortana and growing as a character and really cool war aftermath stuff. Halo 4 also had a very good ending that still gives me chills. Halo 5 was so blah with the Agent Locke “hunt” thing and Cortana being the main villain which is a horrible, horrible place to take the story. They should have just left her dead and retained her legacy. As a bonus Fred, Linda and Kelly were only there to be coop partners and had zero impact on the story. There was never a scene where Linda used her excellent sniper abilities or Kelly’s speed to accomplish anything. They just kinda walked around and stood there. What a waste.
> 2533274800343817;7:
> Where can i find Frank O’Conner defending the Halo 5 story? Im interested in what he has to say because Halo 5’s story was so lackluster that it has almost killed my passion for Halo. Halo 4 had some flaws but the story to me was very good, and it seemed to set up a lot of potentially dramatic things such as Chief learning to live without Cortana and growing as a character and really cool war aftermath stuff. Halo 4 also had a very good ending that still gives me chills. Halo 5 was so blah with the Agent Locke “hunt” thing and Cortana being the main villain which is a horrible, horrible place to take the story. They should have just left her dead and retained her legacy. As a bonus Fred, Linda and Kelly were only there to be coop partners and had zero impact on the story. There was never a scene where Linda used her excellent sniper abilities or Kelly’s speed to accomplish anything. They just kinda walked around and stood there. What a waste.
Here’s something he’s said:
“But my hopes for the future of the universe are that we can tell a realistic story. I saw a complaint online, somebody had been reading spoilers, they hadn’t played the game, and they said ‘Why is this character evil?’ And my question back to them is, ‘What makes you say they’re evil?’ Certainly a lot of our younger players are going to struggle with that subtlety, that nuance, because they’re expecting Darth Vader.”
Also:
“I don’t think any of Blue Team have particularly strong personalities,”
Source.There was no “subtlety”. Cortana outright wanted to dictate the galaxy, and killed a lot of people while doing it.
That’s what makes me say she’s evil.
> 2533274812652989;5:
> I’m not really putting much stock in what an anonymous comic artists/occasional writer has to say. We’ll never know the internal details or what role Microsoft may have played in the story.
This. I really don’t care who’s fault it is, the story was disappointing and that’s that. It’s 343i who should start assessing the source of the problem and doing what needs to be done (if that means firing people or demoting them, so be it).
Either way, I think 343i has officially jumped the shark with Halo 5 and it’s hard to imagine how I’ll be able to enjoy the next game knowing how interesting and unconventional the story would have been if they had the balls to go through with it. Man, could it have been something special…
Imagine a full Blue Team campaign. The story explores the less black and white areas of the universe, dealing with Insurrectionists who’ve suffered the UNSC for years as enemies- showing us ONI’s evil side, slowly creating a rift between John and the system he’s been serving for years. And throught, we get Cortana hallucinations that represent Chief’s humanity and inner battles. By the end of the game, he’ll have grown enough as a man to not need her anymore, leading a team of well-rounded characters on the Rogue on a desperate attempt to stop ONI from doing something very, very bad when the Galaxy is far from ready. Oh and throw in the Digi-Didact as the nemesis, why not.
> 2533274827167643;8:
> “I don’t think any of Blue Team have particularly strong personalities,”
I thought Last Light did a wonderful job of fleshing out Fred-104. Plus the, you know, original books your universe is based in.
> 2533274890558879;10:
> > 2533274827167643;8:
> > “I don’t think any of Blue Team have particularly strong personalities,”
>
>
> I thought Last Light did a wonderful job of fleshing out Fred-104. Plus the, you know, original books your universe is based in.
Agreed. I don’t understand how Frankie can claim otherwise, apart from as a poor attempt to defend their weak depiction in Guardians.
Just like when everyone blamed EA for Mass Effect 3’s bad ending, I call bull crap. Nobody held a gun to Bioware’s/343’s head and said “Write a terrible story with a stupid twist! NOW!”. Plus, why would Microsoft have given 343 free reign to write their own story in Halo 4, then suddenly try to assert control over the story when they had never done that over the past 15 years of the franchise? This just seems like a desperate attempt to deflect blame away from a guy who has a proven track record of writing crap onto the “big bad boss”.
> 2533274827167643;8:
> > 2533274800343817;7:
> > Where can i find Frank O’Conner defending the Halo 5 story? Im interested in what he has to say because Halo 5’s story was so lackluster that it has almost killed my passion for Halo. Halo 4 had some flaws but the story to me was very good, and it seemed to set up a lot of potentially dramatic things such as Chief learning to live without Cortana and growing as a character and really cool war aftermath stuff. Halo 4 also had a very good ending that still gives me chills. Halo 5 was so blah with the Agent Locke “hunt” thing and Cortana being the main villain which is a horrible, horrible place to take the story. They should have just left her dead and retained her legacy. As a bonus Fred, Linda and Kelly were only there to be coop partners and had zero impact on the story. There was never a scene where Linda used her excellent sniper abilities or Kelly’s speed to accomplish anything. They just kinda walked around and stood there. What a waste.
>
>
> Here’s something he’s said:
>
> “But my hopes for the future of the universe are that we can tell a realistic story. I saw a complaint online, somebody had been reading spoilers, they hadn’t played the game, and they said ‘Why is this character evil?’ And my question back to them is, ‘What makes you say they’re evil?’ Certainly a lot of our younger players are going to struggle with that subtlety, that nuance, because they’re expecting Darth Vader.”
>
> Also:
>
> “I don’t think any of Blue Team have particularly strong personalities,”
>
> Source.There was no “subtlety”. Cortana outright wanted to dictate the galaxy, and killed a lot of people while doing it.
>
> That’s what makes me say she’s evil.
I know what Frankie is saying though. I believe may have made some missteps in trying to convey that but how do you know that Cortana is evil? All she wants is what’s best for the Universe. The UNSC abuses outer worlds, they abduct little kids, they betray their alien alliances, and they’re the most powerful entity in the Halo Universe. I’d say her assault against the UNSC is called for.
> 2533274875970588;13:
> I know what Frankie is saying though. I believe may have made some missteps in trying to convey that but how do you know that Cortana is evil? All she wants is what’s best for the Universe.
So did the Ur-Didact, but that didn’t stop 343i from calling him an ancient evil in Halo 4’s marketing. The Ur-Didact believes the Forerunner are the true inheritors of the Mantle and will subjugate the galaxy in order to ensure peace under their rule. He’s called evil. Cortana believes the Created are the true inheritors of the Mantle and will subjugate the galaxy in order to ensure peace under their rule. She is not evil. What?
> 2533274875970588;13:
> The UNSC abuses outer worlds, they abduct little kids, they betray their alien alliances, and they’re the most powerful entity in the Halo Universe. I’d say her assault against the UNSC is called for.
First of all, Cortana is not just attacking the UNSC. She is attacking the entire known galaxy. Second, she has already killed millions of people just by activating the Guardians alone so it’s not like she doesn’t already have blood on her hands. Third, she openly states in her message to the galaxy that those who resist her will be destroyed and the Created will harvest their remains and turn them into new AI. Finally, this is only the beginning because she’s currently doing this to the known galaxy. What happens when she brings order here and then goes out to the unknown regions and makes first contact with new civilizations? She is going to approach them, disable them and try to enforce her will on them just like she did everyone else. How many wars are going to be fought between the Created and the species of the galaxy? How many will die for this so called peace?
Oddly enough Darth Vader was doing what he thought was best for the Galaxy as well, as well as his family. And in his case he had a …descent…as opposed to a 180 flip.
> 2533274827167643;8:
> > 2533274800343817;7:
> > Where can i find Frank O’Conner defending the Halo 5 story? Im interested in what he has to say because Halo 5’s story was so lackluster that it has almost killed my passion for Halo. Halo 4 had some flaws but the story to me was very good, and it seemed to set up a lot of potentially dramatic things such as Chief learning to live without Cortana and growing as a character and really cool war aftermath stuff. Halo 4 also had a very good ending that still gives me chills. Halo 5 was so blah with the Agent Locke “hunt” thing and Cortana being the main villain which is a horrible, horrible place to take the story. They should have just left her dead and retained her legacy. As a bonus Fred, Linda and Kelly were only there to be coop partners and had zero impact on the story. There was never a scene where Linda used her excellent sniper abilities or Kelly’s speed to accomplish anything. They just kinda walked around and stood there. What a waste.
>
>
> Here’s something he’s said:
>
> “But my hopes for the future of the universe are that we can tell a realistic story. I saw a complaint online, somebody had been reading spoilers, they hadn’t played the game, and they said ‘Why is this character evil?’ And my question back to them is, ‘What makes you say they’re evil?’ Certainly a lot of our younger players are going to struggle with that subtlety, that nuance, because they’re expecting Darth Vader.”
>
> Also:
>
> “I don’t think any of Blue Team have particularly strong personalities,”
>
> Source.There was no “subtlety”. Cortana outright wanted to dictate the galaxy, and killed a lot of people while doing it.
>
> That’s what makes me say she’s evil.
I like Frankie, most of the time. Other times, there’s stuff like this. I had to stop reading at Halo 6 will be a more “Human-Story” Please… I remember when Bungie told us that, and all we got was a “Who-can-have-the-most-noble-death-competition.”
I have a separate gripe with that “more human story” comment, actually. It’s the fact that they’ve been trying to do “more human” since the IP was given to them. They did great with 4, but I think most people would agree that they didn’t do so hot with 5. If 5 was supposed to be the next step beyond 4, then what the heck does that make 6? Is Chief gonna turn into an actual robot then? Because they seem to be rolling in the exact opposite direction of “more human” to me. It’s like they took one step towards actual progress, hesitated, and then went “On second thought…”
I’ve seen that video, and I think the narrator makes some very sound arguments that could very plausibly explain why 'Hako 5’s story was such a cluster…
Sadly though it’s most likely that we’ll never know the actual truth - in spite of the fact that there are just so many pieces that don’t fit together that clearly indicate some sort of shakeup happening during the game’s development. We also know now that the folks at 343i are perfectly comfortable with lying about anything and everything in order to make a sale and/or save face when being criticised. So really I don’t see things getting any better in the future.
> 2535427499121034;12:
> Just like when everyone blamed EA for Mass Effect 3’s bad ending, I call bull crap. Nobody held a gun to Bioware’s/343’s head and said “Write a terrible story with a stupid twist! NOW!”. Plus, why would Microsoft have given 343 free reign to write their own story in Halo 4, then suddenly try to assert control over the story when they had never done that over the past 15 years of the franchise? This just seems like a desperate attempt to deflect blame away from a guy who has a proven track record of writing crap onto the “big bad boss”.
Personally I think it comes down to some writers who want to push their own agenda for an idea that they came up with. Not naming names as i really don’t know, but someone obviously though that ‘Halo: Rise of the i,Cortana judgement day’ was a great idea, the writers that left obviously disagreed, and all the EU plot arcs were wrapped up fo that 343 could deliver the warm bag of s*** that was Halo 5.
> I know what Frankie is saying though. I believe may have made some missteps in trying to convey that but how do you know that Cortana is evil? All she wants is what’s best for the Universe. The UNSC abuses outer worlds, they abduct little kids, they betray their alien alliances, and they’re the most powerful entity in the Halo Universe. I’d say her assault against the UNSC is called for.
To be fair, what you’re describing is mostly ONI. And a lot of people label them evil, too. They certainly are, at times.
But, Cortana’s assault isn’t against the UNSC. It’s against the entire galaxy. She’s outright murdering everyone who opposes her rule. It’s a dictatorship.
It’s such poor writing, because she has literally no similarities with Cortana. She’s literally a different character. There’s zero effort made to explain what the hell is going on with her, they just throw her at us and tell us to go with it.