[Tashi]

We can have both, it has been almost 5 years since H3 came out, did you guys really thought you're getting a reskinned version of H3? They're cattering to both "classic" and "new" players, just like with the TU thing. Hopefully 343 defines the bases of what is classic and what not better, so we won't be dealing with 20+ playlists to make everyone happy. The Vidoc was basically screaming "guys, we got our shit right! classic halo lovers will be able to enjoy what you guys liked so much, here is your BR!"

Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here shitting on stuff we've heard whispers about. I'm all ears. Sure, if I had it my way, I would get rid of a lot of stuff but that doesn't mean any new stuff introduced won't be good. At this point we just don't know enough to say how this game will play. We just have to go on what we read from interviews. I don't think what we've seen in the ViDoc is even close to what we're going to see when the game is being finalized.

Right now it's "I love you 343, my beautiful BR and pistol!"

As we get closer to launch though, we'll realize that the game isn't Team BRs. (I fucking wish! lol)

But, will 343 split the player base right from the start? Who knows. They just have to be careful about how they release this vital multiplayer information. It has to be controlled and the way they're going to do that is by having content come straight from them. Getting interviews out there, controlling the message. Not having these game journalists go around simplifying stuff because they think their readers are dumbshits who see shooters and say, "COD COD COD COD!"

Unreal, in less than 24 hours we have a lot of misinformed people going around saying, "Halo 4 will be like CoD" when we have direct quotes from Frankie saying the opposite. It's insane. lol and I don't know why I'm so fired up on this. I just love my Halo man.

[Zeouterlimits]

For all we know now it could be the greatest Halo addition to the franchise of all time, but I think people have the right to be a bit nervous. I will say that one Orbital looking map is scary to me. I really don't care if I'm on the USS Cortana's Ass as long as it plays like the Pit. Simplicity, guys. Clean environments, endlessly replayable areas.

I definitely agree, and I am one of those nervous souls. Sprint as a default makes me super nervous. Honestly, right now I'd say I do not want.
I too made a :-/ face about the Human map for similar reasons. But we got the barest of glimpses, it's really quite frustrating to try get any proper level of understanding.

I just haven't been singing praises or condemnations of 343 because we're really in the dark of so much.

did you guys really thought you're getting a reskinned version of H3? They're cattering to both "classic" and "new" players, just like with the TU thing.

No, I want change, I want new things and new ideas. But not for the sake of it. Not to chase the COD tail (on which I will trust Frankie's denials).
The TU is a perfect example of why people are worried! It has the best of intentions, some good changes, but plenty of shit that needed to be fixed was left to the side.
Not enough resources/time. Which has been the case with playlists for Bungie & 343 for years! Who's to say that won't be the case again?

ANYWAY - my point is, yes, let's be cautious. But less with the "OMG PERKS WTF" and just talk about what we do know. Which is very little. :-/.

Don't suppose the Bulletin tonight would supply us with footage of the one of the entire matches played infront of journos/Devo? That would go a long way in my book.

[Tashi]

I've been watching this for about half an hour... Entranced.

I'll tell you what, I'm a big time loud mouth about how I don't care about graphics and gameplay is king. And I still am but fuck me it just looks so sharp. The colors just pop! I can't wait to play it on my monitor, capture some film and stream it. Gonna be good times.

Also last night while streaming I had my stream up in the Halo 4 section just to be a troll and trick people. Didn't work lol

[Gabotron ES]

Yeah, you said what I meant pretty well.

They were very clever showing BR Slayer as the first gametype reveal, can you imagine people's reaction if they showed AR rushing spartans all over the place?:lol

[ShinAmano]

Can't say it enough...Halo is not Halo without the Chief....welcome back!

[ElzarTheBam]

Oh don't get me wrong. I'm not sitting here shitting on stuff we've heard whispers about. I'm all ears. Sure, if I had it my way, I would get rid of a lot of stuff but that doesn't mean any new stuff introduced won't be good. At this point we just don't know enough to say how this game will play. We just have to go on what we read from interviews. I don't think what we've seen in the ViDoc is even close to what we're going to see when the game is being finalized. Right now it's "I love you 343, my beautiful BR and pistol!" As we get closer to launch though, we'll realize that the game isn't Team BRs. (I fucking wish! lol) But, will 343 split the player base right from the start? Who knows. They just have to be careful about how they release this vital multiplayer information. It has to be controlled and the way they're going to do that is by having content come straight from them. Getting interviews out there, controlling the message. Not having these game journalists go around simplifying stuff because they think their readers are dumbshits who see shooters and say, "COD COD COD COD!" Unreal, in less than 24 hours we have a lot of misinformed people going around saying, "Halo 4 will be like CoD" when we have direct quotes from Frankie saying the opposite. It's insane. lol and I don't know why I'm so fired up on this. I just love my Halo man.

Exactly, this is why I can't wait for the halo 4 preview in edge, a publication that conveys their information in a highly articulate and accurate manner.

I do wonder if they got any exclusive information though.

[Tashi]

Don't suppose the Bulletin tonight would supply us with footage of the one of the entire matches played infront of journos/Devo? That would go a long way in my book.

That would be the megaton of all megatons.

[Gazzawa]

ANYWAY - my point is, yes, let's be cautious. But let's with the "OMG PERKS WTF" and just talk about what we do know.

but they're so sweet and tasty! :(

[ElzarTheBam]

but they're so sweet and tasty! :(

Like the the sticky substance stuck in ZalinKrow's hair?

[Dax01]

I believe Frankie said, "classic" Halo will be there.

Honestly, it's impossible to comment on whatever 343 plans to do with these "abilities" in Halo 4 without knowing...what they're going to do. If you're going to add a whole bunch of stuff but still want "classic" Halo to be there, that means more playlists, which will segregate the population, which means fewer people per playlist. It's not enough for me to have only Team Slayer Classic. I'm a huge fan of BTB, so I'd want BTB Classic as well...so on and so on. Though this is all assuming I don't like what 343 does with the game.

That's not even mentioning DLC. I hope 343 fights MS over the DLC policy since the Legendary Map Pack from Halo 3. Keeping them priced forever further segregates the population. I'm tired of it.

Wait and see. Hopefully not for too long.

[Tashi]

Honestly, it's impossible to comment on whatever 343 plans to do with these "abilities" in Halo 4 without knowing...what they're going to do. If you're going to add a whole bunch of stuff but still want "classic" Halo to be there, that means more playlists, which will segregate the population, which means fewer people per playlist. It's not enough for me to have only Team Slayer Classic. I'm a huge fan of BTB, so I'd want BTB Classic as well...so on and so on. Though this is all assuming I don't like what 343 does with the game. That's not even mentioning DLC. I hope 343 fights MS over the DLC policy since the Legendary Map Pack from Halo 3. Keeping them priced forever further segregates the population. I'm tired of it. Wait and see. Hopefully not for too long.

Agreed. And I want to be able to go from playlist to playlist and not be playing a totally different game. 343 needs to put Halo 4 out there and stick by their guns.

And yea DLC should go free after a while. That's like basic shit. I can't imagine that these Halo maps have legs.

[heckfu]

Like the the sticky substance stuck in ZalinKrow's hair?

uhhh...

[wwm0nkey]

Hey HaloGAF today is my birthday, 1 more year till I can legally get wasted! :D


Also the Bulletin tomorrow should be interesting, hope they clear a few things up in it.

[Gazzawa]

Like the the sticky substance stuck in ZalinKrow's hair?

I can see why they keep you out of the shampoo aisle at the supermarket...

[Tha Robbertster]

Hey HaloGAF today is my birthday, 1 more year till I can legally get wasted! :D Also the Bulletin today should be interesting, hope they clear a few things up in it.

Congratulations dude!

Also, the bulletin is on Wednesday ;)

[wwm0nkey]

Congratulations dude! Also, the bulletin is on Wednesday ;)

Hey give me a break I just wake up lol

[TheOddOne]

Hey HaloGAF today is my birthday, 1 more year till I can legally get wasted! :D Also the Bulletin tomorrow should be interesting, hope they clear a few things up in it.

Happy birthday my brother from another mother. Hope you get awesome stuff :)

[Tashi]

Happy Birthday son!

[Calm Killer]

Looks like I missed out on the new thread. Halo 4 Looks amazing graphically, but I am not impressed with the MP maps. Same old gray forerunner type look. I don't know about the flow yet either. I will have to hold judgement until I play it. We shall see where this goes.

[Tawpgun]

Ok.

I'm back from Montreal where I was greeted with a Halo 4 ViDoc. Hype levels increasing. But new worry levels rising too as far as Multiplayer goes.

Obviously we saw the BR. Awesome.
But we also saw sprint... Sort of knew it was going to be in H4 anyway.
What I can't necessarily determine through the video is how fast the gameplay is and how fast and AGILE (lack of momentum) you are. I thought since we were playing as Chief again we could do some Spartan II ass kicking once again.

But then they dropped the bombshell... Spartan IV... I never read glasslands so the only thing I know about Spartan IV is that they are even less trained than Spartan III's. And that they are just actual awesome soldiers given a suit and maybe augmentations?

I sure hope they can stand up to the Chief in that way. It would suck feeling like a boss in campaign and feeling gimped in multiplayer.

Also, I will say I can dig everything about the new chief EXCEPT for his helmet. Doesn't sit right with me. I feel the visor is too small and is positioned too far back into the helmet.

[squidhands]

Holy crap. A little more than 24 hours from my last post and like, a billion new posts were made. Thanks to FUD for housing all the pertinent H4 articles, and those .gifs are sexy as hell. I am thoroughly on board with Chief's new look after bashing the hell out of the promo art from way back. Watching the ViDoc on my tv was a total eargasm; please release more b-roll footage soon.

Devo, great writeup. So happy that you and Domino got to be a part of something like that. :-)

edit: and happy birthday, wwm0nkey!

[HigherLevel]

These armor enhancement things don't worry me too much if it's just similar to AAs. I didn't really have a problem with AAs in Reach outside of Armor Lock. My big complaint with that game was bloom, player movement, and garbage maps.

[Striker]

Agreed. And I want to be able to go from playlist to playlist and not be playing a totally different game. 343 needs to put Halo 4 out there and stick by their guns. And yea DLC should go free after a while. That's like basic shit. I can't imagine that these Halo maps have legs.

DLC pricing or map count needs rearranged. Three maps for $10, let's stop that.

[Sikamikanico]

Been thinking a lot about these armour based "progression" unlocks...it might not be so bad.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Halo-purist - I like my Halo without any crazy "I've played longer so my gun is more powerful" style additions to it, but there is a way they can offer progression unlocks without ruining the balance of the game (to a degree)

For example:

Radar upgrades - you could start out with the basic radar which we know and love from the old-school trilogy.

Upgrade Level 1 - Increase Radar radius by 25%.
Upgrade Level 2 - Increase Radar radius by 50%
Upgrade Level 3 - Add elevation indicators to targets
Upgrade Level 4 - Display friendly teammates including weapon and health status to HUD.

Same could be done with Jump Height

Upgrade Level 1 - Increase jump height radius by 10%.
Upgrade Level 2 - Increase jump height radius by 20%
Upgrade Level 3 - Thrust Pack Unlocked for quick boost jumps.
Upgrade Level 4 - Increased Fuel for thrust pack.

Each of these could have a visual indicator so that opponents would effectively know what they're facing.

I do however struggle to think how they are going to balance weapons with regards to any upgrades - things like increased damage/clip size etc....they just won't work.

Maybe progression weapon-wise will be limited to weapon skins like Gears 3?

Just some thoughts though. Either way, I'm pumped to see Halo 4 in all it's glory - Halo has been my favourite game series since I was 17 years old (Halo CE). Reach was so bad that none of my online pals play it anymore. It just didn't keep anyone entertained like it used too - I hope for a return to the glory days. Roll on "fall" 2012. :)

[TheOddOne]

I wonder what ranking system they will use, Reach or Halo 2-3 style?

[HigherLevel]

I wonder what ranking system they will use, Reach or Halo 2-3 style?

Maybe both? Bring back 1-50 for ranked but still have a credit based military rank system.

[TheOddOne]

Maybe both? Bring back 1-50 for ranked but still have a credit based military rank system.

Yeah, split between social and ranked playlist would be ideal.

[Raide]

Maybe both? Bring back 1-50 for ranked but still have a credit based military rank system.

Yeah, Military for you own rank as you level but have the 1-50 rank displayed for matchmaking and arena stuff.

[monome]

Hey HaloGAF today is my birthday, 1 more year till I can legally get wasted! :D.

Guess you had an early present yesterday!

[ElzarTheBam]

Mmmm...

Fixed.

I can see why they keep you out of the shampoo aisle at the supermarket...

They won't even let me in a lidl/aldi, never mind the big supermarkets.

Hey HaloGAF today is my birthday, 1 more year till I can legally get wasted! :D

Happy birthday!

[Plywood]

So I woke up feeling that yesterday was a dream. I quickly went to look at the .gifs and to my relief...

I'm still dreaming.

[TheOddOne]

They won't even let me in a lidl/aldi, never mind the big supermarkets.

Must resist making premium quality joke.

[StalkerUKCG]

Every page needs



So hype

[Karl2177]

Yeah, split between social and ranked playlist would be ideal.

Halo 3 had a basic idea correct, and that is you are rewarded for playing the game no matter what as well as being rewarded for winning. Reach also had a system correct and that was for offering different amounts for different achievements, and rating you as a part of the population not on a number. Here's the big catch though: Neither system was near perfection. The Halo 3 ranked grind was terrible. It promoted second accounts once the progression slowed. It shined in showing your approximate skill level though, assuming you played ranked. Reach's ranks don't show your approximate skill as we all know. Arena is a good concept, but Reach failed by limiting it to one playlist.

My solution is to spread Arena across all playlists, but hide it for social lists. Assign "credits" for certain actions like kills, headshots, etc. and most importantly wins.

Have at it, peeps.

[bobs...onGaf]

So I was playing Halo 3 Social and got kicked offline. Why? Im suprised his ISP or Halo doesn't pick up on it, he has been doing it to a fair few people looking at his game history.

I hope Halo 4 is as good as Reach is in terms of security stuff. Would suck if that lagswitching/ hostbooting/ packet overloading crap comes back.

But, will 343 split the player base right from the start? Who knows. They just have to be careful about how they release this vital multiplayer information. It has to be controlled and the way they're going to do that is by having content come straight from them. Getting interviews out there, controlling the message. Not having these game journalists go around simplifying stuff because they think their readers are dumbshits who see shooters and say, "COD COD COD COD!"

The ambiguity is what has me really worried. I cant wait until the proper proud reveal but until then I am sceptical of the stuff that we haven't seen.

[squidhands]

So I woke up feeling that yesterday was a dream. I quickly went to look at the .gifs and to my relief... I'm still dreaming.

They're glorious. I stared at those more than I watched the official video, lol.

I hope they turned down the melee damage now that sprint/dash/jog/super-sachet is making it's return. Can't say I was too enthused to see that run+elbow to the head combo again.

[monome]

Every page needs So hype

those 3 shots and flying empty shells... I feel them, I taste the pure pleasure of killing in halo.

[TheOddOne]

Halo 3 had a basic idea correct, and that is you are rewarded for playing the game no matter what as well as being rewarded for winning. Reach also had a system correct and that was for offering different amounts for different achievements, and rating you as a part of the population not on a number. Here's the big catch though: Neither system was near perfection. The Halo 3 ranked grind was terrible. It promoted second accounts once the progression slowed. It shined in showing your approximate skill level though, assuming you played ranked. Reach's ranks don't show your approximate skill as we all know. Arena is a good concept, but Reach failed by limiting it to one playlist. My solution is to spread Arena across all playlists, but hide it for social lists. Assign "credits" for certain actions like kills, headshots, etc. and most importantly wins. Have at it, peeps.

I really have nothing to debate, this is a really good solution.

[bobs...onGaf]

Been thinking a lot about these armour based "progression" unlocks...it might not be so bad. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Halo-purist - I like my Halo without any crazy "I've played longer so my gun is more powerful" style additions to it, but there is a way they can offer progression unlocks without ruining the balance of the game (to a degree) For example: Radar upgrades - you could start out with the basic radar which we know and love from the old-school trilogy. Upgrade Level 1 - Increase Radar radius by 25%. Upgrade Level 2 - Increase Radar radius by 50% Upgrade Level 3 - Add elevation indicators to targets Upgrade Level 4 - Display friendly teammates including weapon and health status to HUD. Same could be done with Jump Height Upgrade Level 1 - Increase jump height radius by 10%. Upgrade Level 2 - Increase jump height radius by 20% Upgrade Level 3 - Thrust Pack Unlocked for quick boost jumps. Upgrade Level 4 - Increased Fuel for thrust pack. Each of these could have a visual indicator so that opponents would effectively know what they're facing. I do however struggle to think how they are going to balance weapons with regards to any upgrades - things like increased damage/clip size etc....they just won't work. Maybe progression weapon-wise will be limited to weapon skins like Gears 3? Just some thoughts though. Either way, I'm pumped to see Halo 4 in all it's glory - Halo has been my favourite game series since I was 17 years old (Halo CE). Reach was so bad that none of my online pals play it anymore. It just didn't keep anyone entertained like it used too - I hope for a return to the glory days. Roll on "fall" 2012. :)

Those are exactly the kind of perks I hope they dont have. Information, Movement or damage modifiers would impact the game a lot. If they HAVE to have perks I would hope that they are along the lines of 'start with more ammo', 'start with an extra nade', 'less ammo expenditure'.

Even those would be irritating, but they wouldnt be as bad as having the ability mismatch that comes with information, damage or movement modifiers. Even if both players are the same movement and damage wise, giving one player a slightly more powerful radar would give him a weird advantage. That could be quite a powerful tool.

Also, happy Bday monkey!

[op_ivy]

love the subtle dust blowing across (getting kicked up by the chief?). also, MC god rays. beautiful stuff.

[StalkerUKCG]

Killing Spree = power weapon spawn as your secondary
Killing Frenzy = Longsword Air Strike
Running Riot = 2mins of juggernaut esq power ups + infinite ammo and 1 shot kills

[TheOddOne]

Killing Spree = power weapon spawn as your secondary Killing Frenzy = Longsword Air Strike Running Riot = 2mins of juggernaut esq power ups + infinite ammo and 1 shot kills

Are you trying to give nightmares bro.

[bobs...onGaf]

Killing Spree = power weapon spawn as your secondary Killing Frenzy = Longsword Air Strike Running Riot = 2mins of juggernaut esq power ups + infinite ammo and 1 shot kills

What? No Chopper gunner or Tactical Nuke?

[squidhands]

Perks are going to dictate what your internet connection to multiplayer will be. I'll take the FIOS cod piece, please.

[StalkerUKCG]

Are you trying to give nightmares bro.

Rampage = 5 Orbital MAC Cannon rounds
Untouchable = Full team gets 5 mins of Juggernaut Power ups
Invincible = EMP Blast (other team spawns without reticle and no shield)
Inconceivable = Tactical Nuclear Blast using spartans power cell (team with highest score wins)
Unfrigginbelievable = SGT Johnson and H3:ODST ODST's air drop into the map and spawn camp the other team, each is equipped with sword's and scarab guns.

Hire stalker

[Dax01]

Happy birthday, Monkey.

[Plywood]

Perks are going to dictate what your internet connection to multiplayer will be. I'll take the FIOS cod piece, please.

Preorder only.




Happy birthday wwm0nkey.

[kylej]

Unfrigginbelievable = A giant nutsack drops from the sky onto the enemy base and ends the game.

fixed

[TheOddOne]

Rampage = 5 Orbital MAC Cannon rounds Untouchable = Full team gets 5 mins of Juggernaut Power ups Invincible = EMP Blast (other team spawns without reticle and no shield) Inconceivable = Tactical Nuclear Blast using spartans power cell (team with highest score wins) Unfrigginbelievable = SGT Johnson and H3:ODST ODST's air drop into the map and spawn camp the other team, each is equipped with sword's and scarab guns. Hire stalker

Urge to kill rising.

[op_ivy]

I don't think he is right, I don't think the bonuses will be temporary. I think the armor you customize your character with will translate throughout all the different games. I also think you'll be able to change your weapon between like a AR/BR/DMR start. Pistol/SMG secondary? That might be cool.

i was thinking, mainly with the hinting by frankie that in addition to the BR the DMR will also return, that maybe there will be several guns in the sandbox with a couple of variations. so, in addition to BR/DMR with slight differences, maybe there will be an AR AND SMG. a halo CE pistol AND a more rapid fire reach pistol. why the apparent overlap? for custom loadouts! it would be pretty cool to have BR/ce pistol, DMR/smg, BR/AR, etc starts so that you feel more in control over your spartan and you can modify your start weapons to fit your play style to some extent.