Read - Interview pt. I
Read - Interview pt. II (including sound files)
Posts with tag halo
Halo Wars audio designers make birds you can't see
Read - Interview pt. I
Read - Interview pt. II (including sound files)
Halo Wars designer talks controls, DLC, and more
With this in mind, the team at Ensemble created simple controls, consolidating similar actions -- such as different types of unit selection to presses of a single button. For example, single press of the A button will select one unit, a double click will select all units on screen, and a triple click will select the entire army. Another addition, all levels have been designed so that they can be completed without rotating the camera. Sure, players can rotate the camera, but they don't have to.
Finally, Devine mentions that there may be a level editor included with Halo Wars and also details Ensemble's plans for downloadable content. At the moment, new units and maps are definitely in the works. Even more exciting, Ensemble is considering releasing extra campaigns as well. Hit the "read" link for the full interview.
Bungie update: funny screens, Halo lore explored
The latest Bungie weekly update may not be packed to the brim with exciting things like upcoming playlists or talk of yet more new maps, but there are definitely some tasty morsels for Halo fans out there. First and foremost is a collection of some of the funniest Halo 3 screenshots out there. We're particularly enamored of the one above. We have dubbed it "Cojones" for reasons that we don't care to elucidate. Secondly, the update enumerates a few of the more interesting statistics about Halo 3. Our favorite is the number of people who have completed the Legendary campaign with every skull turned on. How many people have done this? Two. We can't figure out if those two people are insanely good or insanely patient. Either way, they're insane. Finally, the update points gamers to Ascendant Justice, a blog that has posted a three part series exploring the story revealed in Halo 3's terminals. Fans of the series should definitely read it. Hit the "read" link to explore the entire update.
Video: Halo 3 meets The A-Team
[Thanks, Andrew H]
Rumor: Bungie's next game a third-person Halo prequel
Let the rumor-rang fly! In the June issue of EGM, rumor hound Quarterman claims industry rumblings are pointing at a Halo prequel as Bungie's first title since parting from Microsoft. According to the popular rumor page of the magazine, the rumored game is a third-person action/shooter hybrid that will chronicle the early battles between the ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers) and Covenant.The Master Chiefless adventure would hit the Xbox 360 in late 2009 and may or may not be related to the "Peter Jackson Halo Project" we've been hearing about forever. Quarterman closes off the Halo-future tidbit telling readers to expect a massive reveal around the time Gears of War 2 hits retail.
From the description it sounds a little like "sci-fi Ghost Recon," doesn't it? Well, not to add fuel to the fire but considering former Ghost Recon lead designer and Ubisoft creative director Christian Allen jumped ship to Bungie in August 2007, this one could have some juice to it.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Meet Flip-Yap, the LEGO grunt
Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to wrap a firecracker in some gum* and see if we can't "stick" Flip-Yap here.
[Via HBO]
*Under no circumstances should you ever do this.
Ensemble talks Halo Wars multiplayer
[Via HaloWars.com]
Ooh look! Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack heatmaps
[Via HBO]
Video: Sneak peak of the Halo 3 Legendary Map Pack
Downloadable Halo 2 HD cut scenes now complete
Bungie WWU: Legendary Forge Filters, Items
When the Heroic map pack was being touted by Bungie, their biggest talking point was the Forge possibilities with the map Foundry. With the Legendary map pack Bungie has been rather quiet regarding any sort of new Forge features. Until now. This week Bungie went all out, revealing the specialized Forge items for each of the three Legendary maps. Avalanche has walls, corners, ramps and watchtowers. Blackout has ramps and doors to block off room interiors. And Ghost Town has ramps, bridges and scaffolding.
The real star of the show however, are Forge Filters (see above for a preview of a few). Forge Filters are: "forge objects that change the camera settings to create a variety of effects." Have you ever placed your camera in a very specific location to achieve a precise image effect? Say inside of an explosion or something? Now with Forge Filters, you can CHOOSE the image effect you want applied to you image. And from ANY camera position, even during gameplay!
Wow. Do want.
Rumor: New writer takes on Halo movie script
According to the Latino Review, screenwriter Stuart Beattie (who penned the script for the upcoming G.I. Joe movie) took it upon himself to write a screenplay for the Halo movie, without Microsoft's knowledge and in his spare time because he's a huge fan of the franchise. The screenplay is said to be called Halo: The Fall of Reach and is based on Eric Nylund's novel of the same name. And unlike the official movie script that Microsoft had written with Master Chief playing a supporting role, Beattie's focuses on Master Chief's life and past. A script that only introduces the Covenant midway through, which would help cut down on the use of CGI and production costs thus making it more attractive to studios. If this turns out to be the real deal, hopefully Microsoft will at least take a look at the screenplay, maybe shop it around and make this darn Halo movie thing a reality. A more Master Chief focused movie that stays true to the novels and games is more up our alley anyway.
[Thanks, Dobbs]
Fanstuff: Custom Halo Skull
Continuing our procession of custom Halo 3 work (though this time with no late night mess-ups on our part) we have a piece of real world custom Halo art coming to us directly from the crew over at Destructoid. Poster free touch used a variety of materials and tools to produce a highly impressive version of the Grunt Birthday Party Skull from Halo's 2 and 3. Starting the process with a Halloween prop and creating a plaster mold from there, free touch then skillfully sanded, painted, molded, and carved to eventually produce the sculpture that you see here. Molded after the so called "Viva Pinata" skull, free touch's real world skull also has a large candle shape embedded into the forehead and an input plug at the base. As of right now it's a one of a kind piece, though free touch does note that he has kept the mold, likely in case he has the urge to complete the set. We hope he does.
[Thanks EternalDarkWing!]
Gallery: Fanstuff Halo 3 Skull
Bungie shows off their favorite things
Also, if you've got some sweet Halo 3 creations, don't forget to submit them for our Community Content feature. We just might feature your custom maps and gametypes.
Halo Wars will not be your traditional RTS
According to CVG, Halo Wars strays from the traditional console RTS controls as seen in Battle for Middle Earth and C&C, instead using a much more simplistic "paint" selection control scheme. Definitely a good thing. Ensemble is even going out of their way to redefine the RTS formula and instead of focusing the gameplay on resource management, you'll have to focus on time management and unit management. Just like in the Halo universe, decisions will have to be made strategically as you'll have to decide when to shoot and when to take cover. Simply stated, Ensemble knows they and Halo Wars are under the magnifying glass and are making it their number one priority to deliver a solid RTS experience. Our fingers are crossed.
[Via HBO]
