I would like to bring up a topic which is mostly a design observation of the HALO 4 and HALO 5 games and it has to do with the design and usage of the UNSC logo.
My first observation is with the logo itself. The old UNSC logo [http://www.halopedia.org/images/3/3a/Perfect_White_UNSC_logo.png] was an iconic feature of Halo CE anniversary, 2 and 2 anniversary, 3, ODST, Halo Wars and Halo Reach. This logo was used often on all UNSC vehicles and uniforms. Its a well designed logo, reminiscent of the USMC eagle globe and anchor. This I think brought some familiarity to it and made it appear “real.” However 343i decided with the new Halo 4 game release that they would create and updated logo [http://www.halopedia.org/images/7/7b/UNSC_insignia_(post-war).png]. Now some say that this was done because Halo 4 is set sometime after the events of Halo 3, and with the new UNSC Infinity being deployed, the idea was to modernize the UNSC military logo after the covenant war (this goes with the look of the UNSC Marines and Army Troopers, which I don’t agree with either, but that is another topic in its self). I am not sure I completely buy that explanation of the logo switch, I am su-Yoink-ious that 343i may not be able to use that logo because of some copyright issue with Bungie, but only 343 knows that.
With the actual logo design aside, I address my second observation with the usage of UNSC logos in HALO 4 and HALO 5. Through Halo 2, 3, ODST, Halo Wars and Halo Reach the UNSC logos were used extensively on vehicles, ships, military uniforms, armor, etc. This brought an aesthetic to these elements that looked awesome and brought a depth to the Halo universe. Logos have this symbolic way of showing importance to things. In the past games, specifically Halo 2, 3, ODST, Halo Wars and Halo Reach, the UNSC brand has been found on Marine armor and Spartan armor. The only armor that has never included the UNSC logo is Master Chief’s.
With Halo 4 and Halo 5 the use of the logos has slipped by the wayside. Halo 4 still had usage of logos on spartan armor, however this is not the case so far with Halo 5 Guardians. Only UNSC ships, buildings, vehicles, and weapons carry the logo. No longer will you see the logo on UNSC Marines or Spartans. I honestly am not sure why this was done. To some this may be the most trivial topic. But to someone like me who is so wrapped up in the story and lore of the Halo Universe it just removes a level of detail and depth that I have been used to with the Halo games.
I will say that there is one usage of a UNSC logo on combat armor, and that is Spartan Locke’s armor which has an “ONI” logo on it. Honestly, it looks great and anyone can appreciate the significance that brings to Locke’s character. Seeing that logo reminds us that Locke is an ONI agent and with that comes certain character traits. Logos may in some sense be subconscious, but they do bring something to the aesthetic of the game.
If anyone could share their opinion or theories on this I would be curious as to what people have to say. I understand there are a lot of other elements that people discuss on the forum that are directed more toward either game play or story canon and lore, but I think this is something that is worth discussing. If there are any 343i design personnel that can chime in on this topic please do.
