Instead of trying to cram a decent editor onto a console, 343 should release a PC-based map builder. Maybe not when the game comes out, it would take time to make, but within a year of release. Users would be given all the tools needed to make whatever they wanted from scratch, much in the same way that the devs can. Submissions would be rated by the Forging community (this already happens anyway) and every month or half-year or whatever, 343 takes the 5 top-rated maps and releases them for free download. Official DLC would have to step it up and include new vehicles, campaign additions, etc. to be financially viable, increasing game quality all round.
Sounds a HELL of a lot better than Forge World, but how much would they charge for it? There’s no way they’d make that free just because you purchased the game. Releasing a dev tool like that would be some serious money.
How could one justify a map editor as a stand-alone package for a game? It would be pointless; a developement tool set is another matter, but then you run into compatibility issues with the games.
There’s plenty of full-map editors that work on console; Forge simply doesn’t include such a wide range of tools as some others because with stuff like Forge World, you can practically build a typical Halo-style easily enough, discounting lack of colour variety.
I just don’t see how anyone would want what essentially amounts to a set of modding tools that modify content for another platform. They’d be better just to do a full port.
I could see this being a great idea that 343 should take a look at and try to make some form of your idea. We could get some really nice maps from the community. My only problem is if u don’t buy the map editor for pc how will others vote on something they cant see for them selves on their on pc and walk around the level.
> How could one justify a map editor as a stand-alone package for a game? It would be pointless; a developement tool set is another matter, but then you run into compatibility issues with the games.
>
> There’s plenty of full-map editors that work on console; Forge simply doesn’t include such a wide range of tools as some others because with stuff like Forge World, you can practically build a typical Halo-style easily enough, discounting lack of colour variety.
>
> I just don’t see how anyone would want what essentially amounts to a set of modding tools that modify content for another platform. They’d be better just to do a full port.
I can’t say I know the first thing about modding or map creation; would it really be possible to get a full map editor, including the ability to ad new textures, effects such as weather and water, and the sort of individual aesthetic effects that define a map? If so, then sure, no sense in sticking it on PC. I just didn’t think a full-blown editor would work without a mouse or keyboard.
> I could see this being a great idea that 343 should take a look at and try to make some form of your idea. We could get some really nice maps from the community. My only problem is if u don’t buy the map editor for pc how will others vote on something they cant see for them selves on their on pc and walk around the level.
I guess the only voters will be the people that own the editor. That said, map designers still wouldn’t be able to tell if the 360 could run their map. I guess designers would have to be able to upload their own maps to their 360 and invite fellow cartographers to playtest it. Even then, there would be problems with custom textures and objects, you’d have to download them each time you tried a map out, which would eat into bandwidth. This wouldn’t be as simple as I first thought. But it still could work.
I with the OP on this one. With all due-respect, the halo reach engine is efficient in it’s own way but when it comes to forge, thier definetly needs to be an update. Maybe the engine could get a revamp to support more, smaller details. plasma on the walls blood, anything along those lines. My dream forge would be to create the detail in maps that DLC maps have and forge has thus proven it is not yet capable of. So (TL;DR)Forge needs a mayjor revamp from stacking creative looking boxes to pro-capable details.
I prefer Forge inside the actual game, where I can take my character and create maps, which seamlessly translate into Custom Games on-the-fly with your friends.
The reason Halo doesn’t have a map editor akin to Far Cry 2s is because that simply couldn’t happen in real time since forge is meant to be played with friends.
What I recommend is that forge stays the way it is: an object editor, but Halo 4 include a new menu called “Anvil”, where is acts like Far Cry 2s terrain editor, and not in real time.
Basically, you’d lay the foundation of a map in Anvil by making terrain, water, trees, etc., and then place the objects, weapons, spawns, etc. in The Forge by loading the map from Anvil.
> I prefer Forge inside the actual game, where I can take my character and create maps, which seamlessly translate into Custom Games on-the-fly with your friends.
There would still be regular, Reach-style Forge. This would be a sort of DLC ad-on, a bit like an add-on Custom Edition.
> The reason Halo doesn’t have a map editor akin to Far Cry 2s is because that simply couldn’t happen in real time since forge is meant to be played with friends.
> What I recommend is that forge stays the way it is: an object editor, but Halo 4 include a new menu called “Anvil”, where is acts like Far Cry 2s terrain editor, and not in real time.
> Basically, you’d lay the foundation of a map in Anvil by making terrain, water, trees, etc., and then place the objects, weapons, spawns, etc. in The Forge by loading the map from Anvil.
>
> It would work out perfectly.
Could you add new aesthetic touches and textures, or would you be limited by a pre-chosen palette? Say I wanted to make some crazy alien world, would I be able to design my own flora and add them in?
I say make a few different Forge Worlds for use, like a Sandtrap-ish FW, an Ice Forge World, a Covenant Forge World, and a Volcanic Forge World, each with every Halo weapon and Vehicle EVER created. IMO, that is THE Forger’s dream.
> The reason Halo doesn’t have a map editor akin to Far Cry 2s is because that simply couldn’t happen in real time since forge is meant to be played with friends.
> What I recommend is that forge stays the way it is: an object editor, but Halo 4 include a new menu called “Anvil”, where is acts like Far Cry 2s terrain editor, and not in real time.
> Basically, you’d lay the foundation of a map in Anvil by making terrain, water, trees, etc., and then place the objects, weapons, spawns, etc. in The Forge by loading the map from Anvil.
>
> It would work out perfectly.
That’s actually the perfect idea! 343 should see this
