Music to my ears. Not only are they retaining part of what made the Halo games successful, but also managing to keep them fresh and new. I can’t wait to fight them while fighting the new enemy. It’s safe to say it’s going to get really hectic out there on the battlefield with the three-way fights.
From the bulletin:
> Will there be any Covenant presence in Campaign or Multiplayer? Be it weaponry, equipment, architecture, etc. –Lloyd Jo en es
>
> Yes. The Covenant will definitely return, albeit in a completely (graphically, politically and sonically) overhauled form, but they may be the least of your problems.
I was glad to hear this, too. I have no qualms about the Covenant not returning as the primary antagonist, but I very much wanted to see them (or their former member species) in one way or another.
> > Oh great. So we dicked around with the Elites in Halo 2 and 3 only to go back to fighting them again in Halo 4. Fantastic.
>
> “The Covenant will play a role in the story as well, but they aren’t an opposing force.”
>
> http://www.destructoid.com/your-first-glimpse-at-halo-4-223146.phtml
>
> Besides, after the Great Schism the Elites are no longer part of the Covenant.
We’ll probably be fighting with the Elites, against the Brutes.
> > Oh great. So we dicked around with the Elites in Halo 2 and 3 only to go back to fighting them again in Halo 4. Fantastic.
>
> “The Covenant will play a role in the story as well, but they aren’t an opposing force.”
>
> http://www.destructoid.com/your-first-glimpse-at-halo-4-223146.phtml
But that is a secondary source dude. In a direct interview, Frankie pretty much says that you will fight them. (Transcript) Also, the implication from the Bulletin casts them as enemies. (They will be “the least of [our] problems”, but still a problem regardless by the sounds if it)
> G: I know you’re not going to elaborate too much but you mentioned a new enemy that will change everything. Can you talk a little more about that?
>
> F: It’s one of the biggest pieces of the whole picture. I will say that the familiar things will be back: there’s still going to be a Covenant presence in the universe and you’re still going to be fighting Covenant somewhere, but they’re not necessarily the greatest threat that you have to deal with in Halo 4.
> Besides, after the Great Schism the Elites are no longer part of the Covenant.
There is not a Covenant after Halo 3 anyway, so it is likely referring to the various species. It could mean anyone, including the Elites. It is just more likely going to be them because no one else in the “Covenant” is going to be capable of fighting the UNSC nearly as well. Remember the A-Z with Frank O’Connor when he said that the Elites are the ones with the greatest chance of rebuilding, and Glassland’s setting? It is all falling into place.
> Aaaand, here is the first of the elitists that will stumble into this thread.
Your tone ain’t too humble itself, so come down off that high horse before you fall down. Careful, it’s a long way down. Nice ad hominem as well. Your posts are about as substantial as a meringue.
> Also, the implication from the Bulletin casts them as enemies.
Saying the Covenant will be an enemy is still pretty vague. You’re stating we’ll be fighting the Elites again when post-Halo 3 the Elites are no longer part of the Covenant. That leaves the Prophets, Brutes, Drones, Jackals, Grunts and Hunters left as possible enemies.
> There is not a Covenant after Halo 3 anyway, so it is likely referring to the various species. It could mean anyone, including the Elites. It is just more likely going to be them because no one else in the “Covenant” is going to be capable of fighting the UNSC nearly as well. Remember the A-Z with Frank O’Connor when he said that the Elites are the ones with the greatest chance of rebuilding, and Glassland’s setting? It is all falling into place.
And so you agree. So what was up with the “Oh great we’re fighting the Elites again” statement?
> > Oh great. So we dicked around with the Elites in Halo 2 and 3 only to go back to fighting them again in Halo 4. Fantastic.
>
> What you think that 3 months of “Helping” each other only because your life depended on it is anuff to make up for 30 years of a genocidal war and the deaths of trillions?
>
> Besides the Elites are fractured now, some like us some don’t, some just follow Arby.
> And well, I doubt humanity is in much of a forgiving mood after the hole 30 years of genocide thing.
> So I think until this new threat to this portion of the Galaxy reveals itself, Humanity and the Elites might just be duking it out for a bit again.
Am I the only one looking forward to seeing grunts and jackals more than the elites?
And by dramatically overhauled does that mean we will see prophets in modern wheelchairs? If so then they will be my new favourites!
I take it as an increase in the chance of Elites returning to multiplayer, but won’t hold my breath yet.
It is nice to see them coming back, I want to see how the Sangheili went about reforming their military after the Schism. Hopefully we will actually see the Ascetics and Commandos mentioned in Halo 3.
I have a strong feeling the game’s opening levels will include combat against the Covenant, then when the new threat shows up, the humans and covies will form a temporary pact to work together until they have dealt with it (Now knowing that they can reason with one another to take down more dangerous foes, as they did to defeat the Flood and the Prophets).
Either that or the plot of Glasslands will lead to a divide in both the UNSC and the Sangheili. Oni is plotting to go behind Admiral Hood’s back and wipe the Elites out. While Jul 'Mdama has assembled a small army of Sangheili to destroy the Arbiter (and the alliance with Hood), and then try to wipe out the Humans.
Basically, both sides have a group looking to backstab eathother, but also a group trying to set up a shared economy.
So perhaps we will have both Covenant Allies AND Enemies, and UNSC Allies AND enemies at the same time.
All I know, is I definitely see the Chief siding with Hood and the Arbiter, over Oni. So he may be fighting Oni, and Jul 'Mdama
If and when we fight Covenant, odds are they’ll be remnant forces made of Brutes, rogue Jackals as depicted in Glasslands, or disfranchised Elites that don’t side with the Arbiter. Probably just a warm up to the the larger threat that Chief will encounter. Just like Frankie said.
