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[Buttonbasher]

I can see at least 3 pictures twice in that mural. Were they running out of texture memory or what? Kinda sad though. If they couldn't even have enough texture memory for that cinematic, I guess that asking for more polygons in the admiral's head must be too much of a stretch.

Or maybe some were missed more than others.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I was just thinking. What if The Great Journey is true?

Halo. It's divine wind will rush through the stars, propelling all who are worthy along the path to salvation.

With Chief being the only form on sentient life who hadn't already made it through the portal when it fired, not to mention the fact that he activated the ring, perhaps he was the only one who embarked on the great journey and was transported to the world of salvation? Far away from the flood?

Or perhaps not. Perhaps mendicant bias is behind it. Whatever.

 

[Mr Vociferous]

Stark contrast to the "no matter who makes Halo games, I'll buy it" of last month!

Don't remember saying that, but hey, maybe I did. I do remember saying...

I think Bungie is a great studio and they're obviously the leading talent in so many fields, it's incredible they're all part of the same team, but the bottom line for me is that Halo is the franchise I fell in love with so as long as quality games are being produced within that franchise, I'll be happy.

...and...

The only thing I care about is the quality Halo games are made. So far, Bungie has done a great job moving their own IP and hopefully they're the ones doing it into the future...but to be honest, I'm less concerned right now about what direction Bungie's going in as I am in what direction the Halo franchise is going in.

I don't think anyone who knows me doubts that I'd want to specifically see Bungie work on another part of the Halo franchise rather than any other developer - Bungie's proven awesomeness. My qualm is impact that Halo 3's ending has on the finality of the Chief and Cortana. If Bungie decides to send the Chief on another mission I believe it impairs the quality of the franchise, therein strengthening not countering my statement.

Out of the raw and multiplied billions of characters who occupied the timeframe approximately 400 years before the Array fired to 100,400 years after it was fired (during the trilogy) and beyond, there's got to be individual persons and places from which Bungie can build great stories on. Essentially I'm saying that if they reuse the Chief and Cortana in another series within this IP, it'd better be god damned compelling and reasonable, otherwise it's a Blockbuster night for me.

Did we ever get a real answer to this question? I'm going to assume that during the process of cataloguing all the species in the galaxy for transport to the Ark that the Halos acted as a waypoint. Speculation? I remember Cortana specifically asking why the Halos required different types of weather patterns*. Couldn't they have just developed the instillation to be clear and sunny all the way around?

I've also been under the assumption that the inclement weather patterns (and large bodies of water) existed on Halo for the same reason they did on the Ark:

To cool it.

[quote='Narrows' intro...]Without cooling systems such as these, excess heat from the Ark's forges would render the construct uninhabitable.[/quote]

 

[GhaleonEB]

I've also been under the assumption that the inclement weather patterns (and large bodies of water) existed on Halo for the same reason they did on the Ark:

To cool it.

I've always assumed that the frozen wastes of Halo were for Flood outbreak containment. Nothing like a deep freeze to eliminate Flood hosts and limit their growth ("Quarantine Zone").

 

[urk]

I can see at least 3 pictures twice in that mural. Were they running out of texture memory or what? Kinda sad though. If they couldn't even have enough texture memory for that cinematic, I guess that asking for more polygons in the admiral's head must be too much of a stretch.

Pre-order canceled.

Also, ever throw a hotdog down a hallway?

 

[plague]

I can see at least 3 pictures twice in that mural. Were they running out of texture memory or what? Kinda sad though. If they couldn't even have enough texture memory for that cinematic, I guess that asking for more polygons in the admiral's head must be too much of a stretch.

They aren't the same person, they are brothers.. duh.

 

[Buttonbasher]

They aren't the same person, they are brothers.. duh.

Equally confused brothers.

Also, ever throw a hotdog down a hallway?

Freaking Whoa!

 

[Captain Jebus]

So I finally reached 1000/1000 today. Marathon armor rawks! We really need to get more GAF games going. Anyway if anyone wants to add me, its oOAverage JoeOo

 

[AndersTheSwede]

Did we ever get a real answer to this question? I'm going to assume that during the process of cataloguing all the species in the galaxy for transport to the Ark that the Halos acted as a waypoint. Speculation? I remember Cortana specifically asking why the Halos required different types of weather patterns*. Couldn't they have just developed the instillation to be clear and sunny all the way around?

IIRC (there are certainly better experts on the story here) the Halos were initially created with the intention of studying various forms of Flood in habitable atmospheres to learn how to combat the virus in in a realistic environment, and were later converted to a linked weapon system. Which explains the Graveminds presence, and vastly different artificial environments you run into.

 

[Frenck]

Contact Harvest is out? Since when? What's the story behind it anyways?

October 30 I think, I preordered it some time ago and got it last weekend.

The story centers around the first contact with the Covenant at Harvest which involves several key Halo characters that I won't spoil yet.

It's not just Johnson.

There is no ARG or Terminal related stuff yet, but I'm only bit more than halfway through. That doesn't mean that there isn't other cool stuff going on in there that will make Halo fans very happy.

It answers some very interesting questions, a lot of Why's and a lot of Who's

 

[def sim]

So I finally reached 1000/1000 today. Marathon armor rawks!

The Marathon armor is ridiculously fly because of its oh so massive hater blockers.

Such a pimp.

 

[urk]

Few thoughts on the various Halo climate zones. All speculation.

We know the Librarian was tasked with the cataloging and collecting of all galactic lifeforms. Of course, this process may have only entailed DNA sampling, but there might have also been a plan to "reseed" and subsequently repopulate the galaxy post-cataclysm. Sample environments could be used not only for study, but also for reintroduction of each species. Think zoologically. The Forerunner believe that they carry the burden of salvaging life in the galaxy. That is the mantle they carry.

But that can't be the whole story, because oddly enough, each Halo (at least the one's we've seen) appear to mimic Earth's climate specifically. We do know that the Librarian noted that humans were a special species, and of course, of all surviving sentient beings, humans are tasked as Reclaimers. It could very well be that the Forerunner were simple accommodating the future stewards of the Halo Array, and subsequently, the galaxy. Rolling out the verdant green carpet if you will. Making each ring feel like home.

And then there's the Flood. Until a bunch of overzealous icon hunters come waltzing through, ignoring Forerunner security checks, this nasty species is kept in isolation for scientific purposes. But speaking of "isolation," the facility that bears the name in the proper noun form is hardly a vat of formaldehyde, a cryogenic chamber, or even a simple sealed container. It's an open air display with grass and rock and caverns. It's exposed to the atmosphere. Again, we may think zoologically. To study a species, you dissect, yes, but you also place it in simulated environments to see how it reacts.

The final option is that it just looks cool.

 

[The Lamonster]

Also, ever throw a hotdog down a hallway?

KOTH would be cool on Hallway too. Just put a really tiny hill right in the middle, 4x overshields, grav hammers. Madness.

EDIT: Invulnerability might be cool on that KOTH game too.

 

[SpudBud]

Also, ever throw a hotdog down a hallway?

That is cool. Will download once I get my 360 back.

 

[urk]

That is cool. Will download once I get my 360 back.

Did you borrow it to a friend?

 

[Striker]

Nice pic!

 

[Frenck]

Wow, Contact Harvest is getting better and better. It's going to be a treat for all you story analyzing folks.

DON'T READ THE SPOILERS BELOW IF YOU DON'T WANT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE EXPERIENCE SPOILED OR IN OTHER WORDS RUINED YES I LIKE WRITING IN CAPS LOLOLOLOL

Spoiler

- You learn everything you wanted to know about the Covenant, everything. You see the political and military rise of some very important characters from the game and Staten does a great job here. The Covenant scenes are easily the best thing in the Halo books yet. This guy created the Covenant and it shows.

- Lots of great AI writing, 2 of the central characters of the novel are AI's, one aboard a habitat in Harvest's orbit and one on the ground that is responsible for agricultural tasks.

- Contact Harvest answers the question that everyone has been asking since the end of Halo 2. What was the thing that Cortana sensed inside the Dreadnought? You know, the something that was fighting back *tease*

- Great Grunt writing and surprisingly great Engineer writing.

- The first contact at Harvest is completely different than what was hinted at in FoR. It isn't as simple as "The Covenant finds Harvest and glasses it completely".

It's getting better with every page.

 

[The Lamonster]

Wow, Contact Harvest is getting better and better. It's going to be a treat for all you story analyzing folks.

DON'T READ THE SPOILERS BELOW IF YOU DON'T WANT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE EXPERIENCE SPOILED OR IN OTHER WORDS RUINED YES I LIKE WRITING IN CAPS LOLOLOLOL

Spoiler

- You learn everything you wanted to know about the Covenant, everything. You see the political and military rise of some very important characters from the game and Staten does a great job here. The Covenant scenes are easily the best thing in the Halo books yet. This guy created the Covenant and it shows.

- Lots of great AI writing, 2 of the central characters of the novel are AI's, one aboard a habitat in Harvest's orbit and one on the ground that is responsible for agricultural tasks.

- Contact Harvest answers the question that everyone has been asking since the end of Halo 2. What was the thing that Cortana sensed inside the Dreadnought? You know, the something that was fighting back *tease*

- Great Grunt writing and surprisingly great Engineer writing.

- The first contact at Harvest is completely different than what was hinted at in FoR. It isn't as simple as "The Covenant finds Harvest and glasses it completely".

It's getting better with every page.

Spoiler

Engineers?

Awesome! I'm still bummed

Spoiler

they didn't make the cut in Halo 2. Or 3.

 

[Frenck]

Spoiler

They could serve as mobile health stations, like a floating regenerator that works for both the Covenant and the UNSC.

 

[The Lamonster]

Spoiler

They could serve as mobile health stations, like a floating regenerator that works for both the Covenant and the UNSC.

How cool would it be to have them on a DLC map?

 

[Deleted member 21120]

Yeah... I'm hoping maybe they've been continuing to work on it and it'll be resolved in a future patch/DLC.

 

[Frenck]

How cool would it be to have them on a DLC map?

And as a Forge-able object?

Awesome.

 

[Lince]

I hate hate hate the MP of Halo 3, framerate hiccups without a reason, lag, standbyers... :'(

 

[The Lamonster]

I hate hate hate the MP of Halo 3, framerate hiccups without a reason, lag, standbyers... :'(

I haven't experienced any of these things in matchmaking. When I maxed out the explosives+instant respawn on Guardian one time, the framerate was slow...but that's understandable. Name an FPS that doesn't have these issues or has less issues than Halo 3 (btw the correct answer is "I can't").

 

[Deleted member 21120]

I haven't experienced any of these things in matchmaking. When I maxed out the explosives+instant respawn on Guardian one time, the framerate was slow...but that's understandable. Name an FPS that doesn't have these issues or has less issues than Halo 3 (btw the correct answer is "I can't").

I've had a framerate skip three or four times in Matchmaking. It always happens at the oddest times and it's gotten me killed a few times. It's extremely annoying when it does happen... but I play a lot, and like I said, it's only happened three or four times.

 

[urk]

I get some framey play from time to time. Lag from time to time. Don't know if I've been legitimately standby'd yet. All in all, it's much better in every category then its predecessor and performance problems have been the exception for me.

 

[The Lamonster]

I get some framey play from time to time. Lag from time to time. Don't know if I've been legitimately standby'd yet. All in all, it's much better in every category then its predecessor and performance problems have been the exception for me.

Is there such thing as being legitimately standby'd?

 

[Deleted member 21120]

Is there such thing as being legitimately standby'd?

I think he meant "genuinely standby'd" or... like, "honestly, actually standby'd on purpose."

EDIT: I've said it so much, now, "standby'd" looks like a really weird word. Which I guess it is.

 

[urk]

Right, I've had maybe two matched where I've wondered if someone was fucking with the connection, but without that awesome blue screen, it's hard to say whether it was on my end or intentional host muckery.

 

[Deleted member 21120]

Right, I've had maybe two matched where I've wondered if someone was fucking with the connection, but without that awesome blue screen, it's hard to say whether it was on my end or intentional host muckery.

I guess I've been lucky - I haven't had a single match where I've experienced major lag or gone to the blue screen. I guess it's coming, but it's been so nice so far that I haven't even thought about it.

 

[urk]

There is no blue screen, as far as I'm aware. If there is, I haven't seen it. I have however been to a strange, motionless land where all of my teammates transform into red x's, one by one, until we are all deceased.

 

[The Lamonster]

Rocket-Jumping in Halo 2 was the greatest thing ever.


Until it got destroyed by a patch.

 

[urk]

I remember playing a slayer match on Zanzibar and this guy was running around at double speed with a BR that shot rocket ammo in three shot bursts. Good times.

 

[Nutter]

So is it really just bad luck to have -4 exp for laggin out, or are people cheating?

I say cheating because in a game of team slayer, 3v3... 2 of us get lagged out?!?

 

[SpudBud]

Just got my copy of Contact Harvest.
I hope it's good.

 

[Bailey's Dad]

I hate hate hate the MP of Halo 3, framerate hiccups without a reason, lag, standbyers... :'(

Most people a blind to it apparently. MP is ruined because of it imo. Not in the sense that it is unplayable just very disappointing and distracting.

 

[godhandiscen]

Most people a blind to it apparently. MP is ruined because of it imo. Not in the sense that it is unplayable just very disappointing and distracting.

I remember I noticed it in the Beta, and I even told my friends. However by the end of the first match I had so much fun I forgot about it. I do not think it has bothered me ever since, and I mean it. I am not trying to ignore it or anything, I just do not feel it at all. Weird shit happens when you have fun I guess.

 

[armubaba]

It's weird because I've really only experienced actual lag on a couple of occasions. Once or twice in Team Slayer, and then a SHIT LOAD of times during Ranked Infection. I think that I lost about 5 EXP points just from that Infection night.

 

[Bailey's Dad]

I remember I noticed it in the Beta, and I even told my friends. However by the end of the first match I had so much fun I forgot about it. I do not think it has bothered me ever since, and I mean it. I am not trying to ignore it or anything, I just do not feel it at all. Weird shit happens when you have fun I guess.

That's great for you and I wish I could 'not notice it' but I can't.

 

[Striker]

You guys must have awful connections or something.

No framerate drops for me unless it's an abundance of vehicles in one small area (including Elephants).

 

[Bailey's Dad]

I get framerate stutter offline but it is usually just when turning. Very distracting though.

 

[armubaba]

I get framerate stutter offline but it is usually just when turning. Very distracting though.

Try clearing your cache?

 

[Bailey's Dad]

Try clearing your cache?

Doesn't make a difference. It's the game. Plenty of other people experience the same issue it's just that many more don't or do but are able to not let it bother them.

 

[AndersTheSwede]

So something that been bugging me for awhile:

Why doesn't the bolt on the AR and BR move when firing? But the bolt on the LR does?

 

[def sim]

Eh

Feels like how Halo's always been. I don't notice any framerate stutter at all.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

The wait for the soundtrack is killing me. I LOVE the solemn music in the after-credits ending (not legendary).

 

[godhandiscen]

The wait for the soundtrack is killing me. I LOVE the solemn music in the after-credits ending (not legendary).

I might get killed in this thread for saying this, but Marty's work was my only let down. It is not that is bad, its still better than anything out there, is just that being Marty and all, I expected more. He pulled an amazing remix for the announcement trailer, but besides that, he didn't create that much more original material with a great impact. I can only tell 3 or 4 new tracks and even then they do not have the same impact of the tracks that debuted with Halo 2. Other aspects of the audio like the sound effects and dialog are perfect, but the tracks let me down in the sense that they did not live up to my amazing hype when almost every other aspect of the game managed to pull it off. My 2 cents there.

PS: Still buying the OST.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I might get killed in this thread for saying this, but Marty's work was my only let down. It is not that is bad, its still better than anything out there, is just that being Marty and all, I expected more. He pulled an amazing remix for the announcement trailer, but besides that, he didn't create that much more original material with a great impact. I can only tell 3 or 4 new tracks and even then they do not have the same impact of the tracks that debuted with Halo 2. Other aspects of the audio like the sound effects and dialog are perfect, but the tracks let me down in the sense that they did not live up to my amazing hype when almost every other aspect of the game managed to pull it off. My 2 cents there.

PS: Still buying the OST.

It's very much a RotK/ RotJ approach to the music for the capstone in the trilogy. Most of the music is redone versions of themes from the first two installments, with a few new themes mixed in and a lot of new ambient music. I think we're a bit spoiled because we've heard the announcement trailer fanfare in two tracks before release (E3 2006 and E3 2007 trailers), so while that is actually a new theme it feels familar at this point.

There definately were not as many new gameplay tracks with the impact of, say, In Amber Clad, Heretic/Hero or Unforgotten from Halo 2, to be sure. I wasn't disappointed per se, because as you said it's quality stuff. It's just pretty familiar, for the most part. Part of me is delighted with new versions of Brothers in Arms and Under Cover of Night, part of me wanted new stuff.

 

[A Human Becoming]

I decided to work the meta achievements recently. I have to say I think the single player isn't as bad as I thought it was. It's fun and diverse, as was Halo 2. Only missions I don't care for are the seventh and eighth (I've hated every flood level in every Halo game). I guess my problem is the story seems like such a step back from Halo 2. What they did with the Arbiter is something I've rarely seen in FPSs. I think playing it through heroic and legendary (with other people) and dying so much ruined the fun a bit. Playing it on normal with three skulls (famine, fog, and tough luck) was a little more of a challenging then just regular normal in Halo 2.

I really am not looking forward to the eighth mission. It's the only level I have to beat in the meta game.

 

[LukeSmith]

Doesn't make a difference. It's the game. Plenty of other people experience the same issue it's just that many more don't or do but are able to not let it bother them.

I just talked to one of our test leads, Bailey.

Bailey, PM me your Xbox 360 purchase date (or whenabouts you received it), Gamertag, whether you play with an HDD or not, what levels you're experiencing the issue on, what part of each level you're experiencing the issue on, if you've tested your HDD on other machines, if other discs have been tested in your machine. The game is locked at 30 fps. Your TV, your settings, what post processing you have enabled.

I've genuinely never seen anything like what you've experienced and I'll have all our perf guys look at all of your data. I think you're just an Internet troll, but we'll still look at it.