Making of Halo 4: Return of the Forerunners (Vidoc)

[electric method]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

 

[Bvenged]

"We didn't want them to look like monsters, because they're not monsters."

Not a minute and a half after a Promethian's face mask splits open to reveal a screaming blue skull like something out of Dead Space.

I'm sorry 343, but you just aren't selling me on this. Everything I see is just making me dislike more and more. Promethians, probably not the best name to use considering how people are going to draw parallels between this and Ridley Scott's prometheus. Even if it is a reference to giving mankind intelligence, they could have used something else.

The planet looks like they watched Avatar a few too many times. And then there is the damn "escalation" that I always hate in sequels. Its like the first game, except this time there's more at stake. Why does it always have to go like this? First, it was only one Halo's destruction radius they had to worry about. Now, it's the universe! Dammit, can't we have a low key sequel for a change?

I don't want to be a defending fanboy, but the "promethean" name has been going since Halo 1, over a decade ago, the planet is inside a shell, with similar ecosystems to the rings which look nothing like the avatar planet, and while they are doing the classic clichéd sequel up-scaling, the storytelling looks to be a lot more detailed and complex and engaging than the previous trilogy.

I can't wait to play it, they've done all they need to for setting up a new trilogy of sequels. any more change and it's not a Halo game, any less and there's not enough change to call it a new trilogy. I have been burned by hype in the past but I am intrigued with teh direction they're taking this franchise.

I'm sorry, all I got out of that was "I can wait to play this game and since you badmouthed it I felt compelled to quote you to tell you how much I disagree and how you are wrong about this."

That first paragraph was for you, the second for the thread. Don't feel so privileged next time. I merely corrected where you were wrong, and agreed when you were right. It wasn't blind defence, sunshine - in fact, your reasons for not wanting the game are so off-mark I'd think you were trolling, especially given your douchebag response. No room for any discussion with you, is there?

 

[Pandalisk]

snip

The character that truly hated Halsey were only getting select information from Paragonsky to make her look bad and use her as a scapegoat so the heads up at ONI (Paragonsky, formerly Ackerson and such) wouldn't fall or take the blame for any of it.

Also you do realize they did the Spartan II just to see how far they could and punish any insurrectionist that tried to do anything against the UNSC? They weren't made for the Covenant, they were made to simply punish those who essentially disobey the UNSC.

That is pretty damn fucking evil right there. Not to say Ackerson was any better, but considering he paid for it and died, and he was a big guy in ONI, they wouldn't let him take the blame for anything.

I seem to recall reading online that a SPARTAN talked about how evil Halsey was and punched her in the face...a SPARTAN II...you know, the people that looked up to her as a foster mother? That seems to be demonizing her quite a bit, a because a SPARTAN would NEVER do that to freaking Halsey of all people. Also the book takes a couple of liberties to make Halsey look bad, like making it so that she started the SPARTAN project instead of ONI and that she covered up the whole flash cloning thing, even though ONI also authorized that. Also I don't care what character did it, if someone constantly says bad things about another character, and said character is unable to come up with a good counter-argument because the author doesn't want them to, it's still bashing.

Actually the SPARTAN IIs were created because there was no other way to stop the Innies short of all out martial law, they were viewed as a last resort, and I would like to remind you that before the project was commissioned, the Innies had killed over a million people, many of them civilians. And it's doubly bullshit when the book demonizes the SPARTAN II project, but defends the SPARTAN III because they "had to do what they had to do" and even says that Ackerson was a nice gay (not only did he use kids as cannon fodder and try to kill Chief, they guy was a flat out jackass). I know that the SPARTAN project is supposed to be a morally gray area, but that's the thing, it's a morally gray area, not the embodiment of all evil. So yeah, I don't like the book because Traviss fell into a basic mistake that many fanfictions do. This person is right, everyone who disagrees with them is wrong. If you still believe the book didn't bash her, I respectfully disagree.

The Spartan that punched her was Lucy, a Spartan-III who had no idea who Halsey was prior to being stuck with her on Onyx.

capacha, dinosaurs on a spaceship...Elites?

No, The Doctor! :3

I think they really failed on the design if what the lady (whose name i have forgotten!) says was their intent on doing. "There not monsters" *Creepy Skull face* "There not Robots" *Cue Robot like noises and general robotish appearance*. And while i do love the three enemy units so far, i really hope they add in new unit types and not just variants.

Also, why do they threaten the Universe? have they said why? what is it that they are doing exactly? my Googling Skills leave me with naught but more questions.

And my god, did they continue on after Ghosts Of Onyx? I'm so behind right now, its actually shameful.

Some more quick googling, she's the mother of Miranda Keyes? That feels...Forced?

Pretty sure they're keeping the exact nature of the threat a secret for now.

Figured as much. I swear if its another Universe wide life destroyer like with the rings and the Flood then i'll be disappointed, we've been there, we've done that, c'mon throw me a curve ball!.

They shouldn't try and one up the mass potential devastation of the last game. "Its not just one corner of the galaxy, its everything" is such a silly statement, One corner of the galaxy was plenty panic enough.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. We haven't been given a concrete threat...but there are still five Halo rings out there...just saying.

Yes i know that. Merely speculating for the hell of it.
Stating the entire universe is at stake does imply a certain manner of the threat. Usually some Magic McGuffin Machine in most games.
If it has anything to do with the rings then Disappoint, i will haz.

I'm sorry, you'll be disappointed if they bring in the rings? You don't want them to use the rings, you don't want them to use a new superweapons...what do you want 343 to do exactly? I'm sorry but you don't just introduce seven weapons of mass destruction, blow up two and then pretend that the rest don't exist.

what about Homecoming? Where the Spartan made a break for it and discovered her flash clone? Halsey wasn't exactly the kindest person in that story either.

You do know that that wasn't made by Microsoft, Bungie or 343 right? If you consider Legends as canon, then Chief lost in one on one combat with a Major, you can use an energy sword to block bullets, a SPARTAN somehow got out of the project and joined the Marines, Hunters can be the size of buildings, SPARTANs have hair that go down to their shoulders, and the UNSC has space motorcycles and mini Gundams. Legends doesn't really follow the Halo canon that well.

I don't particularly like Legends myself (Apart from the one with the Dinosaur), but that's what I'm getting at. What makes a novel more legitimate a part of the EU than an anime adaptation? And why should you be trying to treat glasslands differently because you dislike how it portrays halsey when another piece of media does the same thing and you choose to ignore it?

I like them, but I don't consider them canon. Because Glasslands was put out by 343 and Microsoft, and it is part of a trilogy that is specifically made to tie Halo 3 to Halo 4, and considering how a couple of Traviss' EU characters got into Gears of War 3, and how Halsey is supposed to be in Halo 4, I'm pretty sure that what happens in Glasslands is going to be in Halo 4 in some way shape and form, therefore it has a lot more impact than Homecoming did and is practically being declared canon by 343 and microsoft, and it might affect the main games.

The anime are canon aside from odd one out, although the asthetics aren't canon. Babysitter actually introduced Ancient Human ruins, before the book game out revealing it and various pieces of canon reference the anime in various ways.

Since 343 actually did help with some of the stories.

Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that Glasslands is ten times as more likely to leak out of the EU and into Halo 4 than Homecoming.

We've had the Rings, the Rings were super OP weapons. I'm kinda exhausted with that premise. I want them to try something new, i'm sure someone from the RP section of the forum could cook something up. Point is i'd like a little difference in my Over-reaching Trilogy plots.

Is it so far-fetched to imagine i'd want them to be done with the "STOP THEM BEFORE THEY FIRE THE ENDER OF WORLLLLLLLLDS!"-Esq stories?

 

[Erttheking]

snip

The character that truly hated Halsey were only getting select information from Paragonsky to make her look bad and use her as a scapegoat so the heads up at ONI (Paragonsky, formerly Ackerson and such) wouldn't fall or take the blame for any of it.

Also you do realize they did the Spartan II just to see how far they could and punish any insurrectionist that tried to do anything against the UNSC? They weren't made for the Covenant, they were made to simply punish those who essentially disobey the UNSC.

That is pretty damn fucking evil right there. Not to say Ackerson was any better, but considering he paid for it and died, and he was a big guy in ONI, they wouldn't let him take the blame for anything.

I seem to recall reading online that a SPARTAN talked about how evil Halsey was and punched her in the face...a SPARTAN II...you know, the people that looked up to her as a foster mother? That seems to be demonizing her quite a bit, a because a SPARTAN would NEVER do that to freaking Halsey of all people. Also the book takes a couple of liberties to make Halsey look bad, like making it so that she started the SPARTAN project instead of ONI and that she covered up the whole flash cloning thing, even though ONI also authorized that. Also I don't care what character did it, if someone constantly says bad things about another character, and said character is unable to come up with a good counter-argument because the author doesn't want them to, it's still bashing.

Actually the SPARTAN IIs were created because there was no other way to stop the Innies short of all out martial law, they were viewed as a last resort, and I would like to remind you that before the project was commissioned, the Innies had killed over a million people, many of them civilians. And it's doubly bullshit when the book demonizes the SPARTAN II project, but defends the SPARTAN III because they "had to do what they had to do" and even says that Ackerson was a nice gay (not only did he use kids as cannon fodder and try to kill Chief, they guy was a flat out jackass). I know that the SPARTAN project is supposed to be a morally gray area, but that's the thing, it's a morally gray area, not the embodiment of all evil. So yeah, I don't like the book because Traviss fell into a basic mistake that many fanfictions do. This person is right, everyone who disagrees with them is wrong. If you still believe the book didn't bash her, I respectfully disagree.

The Spartan that punched her was Lucy, a Spartan-III who had no idea who Halsey was prior to being stuck with her on Onyx.

capacha, dinosaurs on a spaceship...Elites?

No, The Doctor! :3

I think they really failed on the design if what the lady (whose name i have forgotten!) says was their intent on doing. "There not monsters" *Creepy Skull face* "There not Robots" *Cue Robot like noises and general robotish appearance*. And while i do love the three enemy units so far, i really hope they add in new unit types and not just variants.

Also, why do they threaten the Universe? have they said why? what is it that they are doing exactly? my Googling Skills leave me with naught but more questions.

And my god, did they continue on after Ghosts Of Onyx? I'm so behind right now, its actually shameful.

Some more quick googling, she's the mother of Miranda Keyes? That feels...Forced?

Pretty sure they're keeping the exact nature of the threat a secret for now.

Figured as much. I swear if its another Universe wide life destroyer like with the rings and the Flood then i'll be disappointed, we've been there, we've done that, c'mon throw me a curve ball!.

They shouldn't try and one up the mass potential devastation of the last game. "Its not just one corner of the galaxy, its everything" is such a silly statement, One corner of the galaxy was plenty panic enough.

I've said this before and I'll say it again. We haven't been given a concrete threat...but there are still five Halo rings out there...just saying.

Yes i know that. Merely speculating for the hell of it.
Stating the entire universe is at stake does imply a certain manner of the threat. Usually some Magic McGuffin Machine in most games.
If it has anything to do with the rings then Disappoint, i will haz.

I'm sorry, you'll be disappointed if they bring in the rings? You don't want them to use the rings, you don't want them to use a new superweapons...what do you want 343 to do exactly? I'm sorry but you don't just introduce seven weapons of mass destruction, blow up two and then pretend that the rest don't exist.

what about Homecoming? Where the Spartan made a break for it and discovered her flash clone? Halsey wasn't exactly the kindest person in that story either.

You do know that that wasn't made by Microsoft, Bungie or 343 right? If you consider Legends as canon, then Chief lost in one on one combat with a Major, you can use an energy sword to block bullets, a SPARTAN somehow got out of the project and joined the Marines, Hunters can be the size of buildings, SPARTANs have hair that go down to their shoulders, and the UNSC has space motorcycles and mini Gundams. Legends doesn't really follow the Halo canon that well.

I don't particularly like Legends myself (Apart from the one with the Dinosaur), but that's what I'm getting at. What makes a novel more legitimate a part of the EU than an anime adaptation? And why should you be trying to treat glasslands differently because you dislike how it portrays halsey when another piece of media does the same thing and you choose to ignore it?

I like them, but I don't consider them canon. Because Glasslands was put out by 343 and Microsoft, and it is part of a trilogy that is specifically made to tie Halo 3 to Halo 4, and considering how a couple of Traviss' EU characters got into Gears of War 3, and how Halsey is supposed to be in Halo 4, I'm pretty sure that what happens in Glasslands is going to be in Halo 4 in some way shape and form, therefore it has a lot more impact than Homecoming did and is practically being declared canon by 343 and microsoft, and it might affect the main games.

The anime are canon aside from odd one out, although the asthetics aren't canon. Babysitter actually introduced Ancient Human ruins, before the book game out revealing it and various pieces of canon reference the anime in various ways.

Since 343 actually did help with some of the stories.

Yes, but that doesn't change the fact that Glasslands is ten times as more likely to leak out of the EU and into Halo 4 than Homecoming.

We've had the Rings, the Rings were super OP weapons. I'm kinda exhausted with that premise. I want them to try something new, i'm sure someone from the RP section of the forum could cook something up. Point is i'd like a little difference in my Over-reaching Trilogy plots.

Something different? You mean like what Reach and ODST did with a straight up fighting the bad guys plot? I guess I could see that, but frankly I don't mind where Halo 4 is going. It seems like it's trying to recapture the magic of Halo CE, and as someone who missed out on it the first time and didn't really recapture the spark with anniversary, I'm all for it.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I do like halo, It was the fps me and my friends played in YR12. We played Halo (the original), CS 1.6, Gears Of War and railroad tycoon the boardgame. I might buy this game but I don't have anything that will run it well.

 

[Korten12]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

 

[Erttheking]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

 

[Dansen]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

 

[Erttheking]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

 

[electric method]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

The point I was attempting to make is that Halo 4 has NO reason to exsist, outside of MS beating an incredible franchise to death for cash. 343i is in an untenable position, they are going to piss off someone at some point.

Seriously, where do they go? They have a story that has conclusively ended but are making a sequel to a franchise with a definative end point. Yes, the lore has a lot left to be explored in many regards, but handled wrongly it's going to come across as hollow and contrived.

 

[Dansen]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

It ruins the air of mystery the forerunners have. The fact that they share Human anatomy sort of makes them boring. I might have accepted the skulls and stuff if we didn't initially know about that part of their physiology, make it sort of a plot twist. And if they are going for this angle then why not make the faces more human looking, thus creating something that isn't entirely human, alien or machine, I would find that kind of enemy more unnerving than robots with rainbow colored skulls. I thought the little dangling arms on the knights was a great touch in the character design. However I am not impressed by those brightly colored skulls, they are not scary or intimidating, just dumb. Its clear that 343 was trying to emulate the intensity of the Elites' split jaws, but it falls flat for me.

At least they are trying to mix up gameplay with these generic looking guys, I hope they are able to add something new to the formula.

 

[Erttheking]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

The point I was attempting to make is that Halo 4 has NO reason to exsist, outside of MS beating an incredible franchise to death for cash. 343i is in an untenable position, they are going to piss off someone at some point.

Seriously, where do they go? They have a story that has conclusively ended but are making a sequel to a franchise with a definative end point. Yes, the lore has a lot left to be explored in many regards, but handled wrongly it's going to come across as hollow and contrived.

No reason to exist?...I seem to recall a cliffhanger ending at the end of Halo 3

 

[Korten12]

It ruins the air of mystery the forerunners have. The fact that they share Human anatomy sort of makes them boring. I might have accepted the skulls and stuff if we didn't initially know about that part of their physiology, make it sort of a plot twist. And if they are going for this angle then why not make the faces more human looking, thus creating something that isn't entirely human, alien or machine, I would find that kind of enemy more unnerving than robots with rainbow colored skulls. I thought the little dangling arms on the knights was a great touch in the character design. However I am not impressed by those brightly colored skulls, they are not scary or intimidating, just dumb. Its clear that 343 was trying to emulate the intensity of the Elites' split jaws, but it falls flat for me.

At least they are trying to mix up gameplay with these generic looking guys, I hope they are able to add something new to the formula.

Well the Forerunners and Humans were both created by the Precursors so that explains their similarities.

It was said that in Halo Primordium that the Flood was brought to them to 'unite' Humans and Forerunners. As to exactly why, is unknown.

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

The point I was attempting to make is that Halo 4 has NO reason to exsist, outside of MS beating an incredible franchise to death for cash. 343i is in an untenable position, they are going to piss off someone at some point.

Seriously, where do they go? They have a story that has conclusively ended but are making a sequel to a franchise with a definative end point. Yes, the lore has a lot left to be explored in many regards, but handled wrongly it's going to come across as hollow and contrived.

And so far the majority is liking how 343i is handling Halo 4. :/ It's a big universe, there is still much to be learned.

 

[Erttheking]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

It ruins the air of mystery the forerunners have. The fact that they share Human anatomy sort of makes them boring. I might have accepted the skulls and stuff if we didn't initially know about that part of their physiology, make it sort of a plot twist. And if they are going for this angle then why not make the faces more human looking, thus creating something that isn't entirely human, alien or machine, I would find that kind of enemy more unnerving than robots with rainbow colored skulls. I thought the little dangling arms on the knights was a great touch in the character design. However I am not impressed by those brightly colored skulls, they are not scary or intimidating, just dumb. Its clear that 343 was trying to emulate the intensity of the Elites' split jaws, but it falls flat for me.

At least they are trying to mix up gameplay with these generic looking guys, I hope they are able to add something new to the formula.

Ok, say what you will about the Promethans, but "generic" sure as heck isn't the word I would use to describe them. 12 foot tall mechanical soldier that deploys a combat drone that helps him in combat by throwing grenades back and creating shields and reviving him? And with a face that opens up to a red Human skull? Generic doesn't really seem to describe that. You don't like it? Fair enough but...I can't think of anything outside of bionicle that looks anything like the Promethans. I actually like the skull thing, I think it looks rather cool and it makes these things seem a little intimidating, but then again I seem to like many things that people on the Escapist constantly dismiss as juvenile, stupid or creepy, so maybe my brain doesn't work properly.

 

[Dansen]

Is anyone UNsuprised this is happening with Halo's lore? I mean, seriously, Bungie wrote a triology that had a very definate ending. Wrapped up all the plot points and the legendary ending left enough room for speculation as to what happens next and left it to the fans to imagine that. Yanno, what BioWare was trying to do with ME3?

I expect that 343i will get trashed hard by the "loyal" fans for either the story, gameplay or mp, if not all three. I expect they realize they are in a position of "no matter what they do, they are going to piss off someone."

In someways I am looking forward to Halo 4 because it seems some genuine change is coming to halo 4. In others, I am very suspicious as to how it will all turn out; e.g. load outs, unlocks etc in multiplayer.

What..? So far the majority of lore fans is loving the 343i Halo lore aside from some small things with Glasslands. Aside from that all the lore fans are really hyped up around Halo 4.

I agree. While I don't like what's happening with Halsey in Glasslands, I can buy there being a Sangheili splinter faction (warrior races don't drop 3,000 years of tradition overnight) and I really like the Promethans, they're badass. I also like the Infinity and the SPARTAN IVs.

I'm fine with the protean's except for their faces. I have no idea what the designers were thinking adding a human skull to something that is supposed to be an alien.

...you don't think they're connected to Humans do you? They has always been a connection between Forerunners and Humans.

It ruins the air of mystery the forerunners have. The fact that they share Human anatomy sort of makes them boring. I might have accepted the skulls and stuff if we didn't initially know about that part of their physiology, make it sort of a plot twist. And if they are going for this angle then why not make the faces more human looking, thus creating something that isn't entirely human, alien or machine, I would find that kind of enemy more unnerving than robots with rainbow colored skulls. I thought the little dangling arms on the knights was a great touch in the character design. However I am not impressed by those brightly colored skulls, they are not scary or intimidating, just dumb. Its clear that 343 was trying to emulate the intensity of the Elites' split jaws, but it falls flat for me.

At least they are trying to mix up gameplay with these generic looking guys, I hope they are able to add something new to the formula.

Ok, say what you will about the Promethans, but "generic" sure as heck isn't the word I would use to describe them. 12 foot tall mechanical soldier that deploys a combat drone that helps him in combat by throwing grenades back and creating shields and reviving him? And with a face that opens up to a red Human skull? Generic doesn't really seem to describe that. You don't like it? Fair enough but...I can't think of anything outside of bionicle that looks anything like the Promethans. I actually like the skull thing, I think it looks rather cool and it makes these things seem a little intimidating, but then again I seem to like many things that people on the Escapist constantly dismiss as juvenile, stupid or creepy, so maybe my brain doesn't work properly.

These are just a few things I am immediately reminded of when I see Protheans. I don't feel a creative spark coming from their design. I'm just showing you my reasoning, feel free to think what ever you want.
I'd appreciate if you didn't come at with with a passive aggressive tone though. I'm just trying to talk with you.

 

[Erttheking]

Snip

I dunno, the Promethans still feel a little different from those things, they don't feel like blobs of organic mass in exoskeletons like the Ceph and they seem more sophisticated than the walking scrapyards of Transformers and...I have no idea what the other things are. The floating weapons and parts just make them seem unique in my book, the way they aren't all connected and an invisible force holding it all together just gives them a unique spin for me. Oh crap, I didn't mean to come across as aggressive. Sorry about that.

 

[Dansen]

Snip

I dunno, the Promethans still feel a little different from those things, they don't feel like blobs of organic mass in exoskeletons like the Ceph and they seem more sophisticated than the walking scrapyards of Transformers and...I have no idea what the other things are. The floating weapons and parts just make them seem unique in my book, the way they aren't all connected and an invisible force holding it all together just gives them a unique spin for me. Oh crap, I didn't mean to come across as aggressive. Sorry about that.

Its cool. I do like the floating parts of their bodies and the weapons seem pretty cool. I just don't like the direction they went with the faces. They just bother me. The sharp teeth on the mask(similar to megatron), the bright glowing lines of energy and those skulls. I do hope this game works out, but 343 has yet to convince me to buy their game.

 

[Erttheking]

Snip

I dunno, the Promethans still feel a little different from those things, they don't feel like blobs of organic mass in exoskeletons like the Ceph and they seem more sophisticated than the walking scrapyards of Transformers and...I have no idea what the other things are. The floating weapons and parts just make them seem unique in my book, the way they aren't all connected and an invisible force holding it all together just gives them a unique spin for me. Oh crap, I didn't mean to come across as aggressive. Sorry about that.

Its cool. I do like the floating parts of their bodies and the weapons seem pretty cool. I just don't like the direction they went with the faces. They just bother me. The sharp teeth on the mask(similar to megatron), the bright glowing lines of energy and those skulls. I do hope this game works out, but 343 has yet to convince me to buy their game.

Meh, to each his own. Personally I think it's a nice and neat turn for Halo, especially when we've got the Covenant fighting too.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

That first paragraph was for you, the second for the thread. Don't feel so privileged next time. I merely corrected where you were wrong, and agreed when you were right. It wasn't blind defence, sunshine - in fact, your reasons for not wanting the game are so off-mark I'd think you were trolling, especially given your douchebag response. No room for any discussion with you, is there?

Sorry about that. Today hasn't been a good day for me, what with having to put up with hypocrisy to the nth degree over Bayonetta, and I was in a bad mood when I typed that. I apologize.

I just really have trouble with how this game is developing. Gameplay wise I know what to expect from a Halo game, and I doubt 343 is going to do anything new on that front. Which only leaves the story, and I'm rather bothered by it. Why do the Forerunner's Prometheans want to threaten the galaxy? With the flood threat minimal at the moment (in Stasis or at least quarantined on Ring Installations and Shield Worlds), what motivation is there to suddenly go "THE GALAXY IS IN DANGER"?

And I have a big issue with sequel escalation because I see it as a crutch. Need to outdo the first? Just make all the stakes higher! It's like my previous analogy with the Star Wars EU, or more likely, the jump from Taken to Taken 2 (The Liam Neeson Movies). It's more of the same, but bigger.

 

[Applejack]

I'm not the biggest fan of Halo and I don't really know a lot other than playing the 3 games but I thought it was obvious by the end of the 3rd game that the Forerunners were human. The Oracle guilty spark thing refers to Chief as reclaimer, meaning he's reclaiming the halo ring. And the bad guy at the end of Halo 3 says something to seargent Johnson about humans being Forerunner. I assumed that Forerunners were hamanities ancestors and that some must have become stranded on earth and wasn't the Ark halo ring hidden on earth?