Bungie busy testing Halo 3 single-player
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jul 5th 2006 at 4:55PM }
According to Bungie's most recent weekly update, the team has begun testing elements of Halo 3's single-player campaign. The testing is currently focused on gameplay, specifically, AI encounters.Bungie's Frank O'Connor details a run-in with a pack of Grunts who had wisely flanked Frankie while he was distracted by "something bigger than a Grunt." Frankie describes the Grunts' tactic as "quite a shock," given that their behavior in the past has been half-witted. Frankie reminds us, "Lots of folks focus on what technology can do for the appearance of a game -- but the 360's prodigious horsepower can also be applied to AI."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lord Nerdious @ Jul 5th 2006 5:01PM
Grunt tactics? I better start crying now, as legendary is now going to be beyond impossible.
gatsby @ Jul 5th 2006 5:19PM
Every now and then I read about a company touting their new game as a revolutionary leap forward in AI. "Our bad guys are going to be so smart!" they say. I have yet to be impressed.
On the other hand it's nice to hear they are focusing on more than just making next-gen eye-candy over at Bungie... but then I expected nothing less.
Cage @ Jul 5th 2006 5:21PM
I might actually play the single player mode now. Am I the only one that played multiplayer exclusively because single player just didnt compare?
JJ @ Jul 5th 2006 5:23PM
You're not the only one Cage, i only ever played Halo either MP or Co op.
Sean @ Jul 5th 2006 5:24PM
For a site who's only purpose is to follow gaming news, aren't you a little late on this one?
As for the story itself, I think it's impressive how far along the game seems to be. And considering how much time they still have left, I'm getting pretty hyped. (A little early I'd say, but I guess that's a good thing)
C. Grant @ Jul 5th 2006 5:33PM
Sean: nope. It's no surprise that we're getting to this now, on a notably slow "news day" ... it's not super-interesting! Halo 3 has better AI? Stop the presses!
Tim Sonderman @ Jul 5th 2006 5:36PM
I know what you mean, gatsby, and I have felt that way about many games. However, I played the Halo 2 campaign many times and on all of the different skill levels. I found that the AI is some of the best I have seen in a game yet. Frankie touting the next-gen iteration of this AI does not seem like it is overexaggerated propaganda. Hearing things about getting surrounded, flanked, and tricked by the enemy AI clearly shows a step forward, and simply knowing Halo 3 will step it up from Halo 2 encourages me to think that Halo 3's AI will truly be something of legend.
Jake @ Jul 5th 2006 5:48PM
Cmon, let's not over-hype this game too much. Remember, a lot of the people behind Halo 1 & 2 are gone now.
I think the Multiplayer, and to a lesser extent the Co-op, is going to be money on this game. That alone will make it a must own for 360 owners who are fans of the FPS. My expectations of the single player mode are much less, though.
kilodelta @ Jul 5th 2006 5:51PM
The Bungie Weekly Update
Posted by Frankie at 6/30/2006 4:43 PM PDT
Joystiq post
Posted Jul 5th 2006 4:55PM
way to be on top of the ball fellas.
Canadian Geese @ Jul 5th 2006 6:23PM
I agree. Halo's AI has been some of the best I've ever seen (when fighting the Cov, not the Flood).
Grindstone @ Jul 5th 2006 6:32PM
No need to apologize, C. Grant, we're coming off a holiday weekend that I don't even remember if I wore clothing to.
Slow news is better than no news.
Bungie does one of the best jobs when it comes to AI. But then, since Bungie can focus all of its staff on one game at a time, I expect greatness from them in the gaming department. And to date, I have not been let down. If Frankie says it'll be full of halo-goodness, I have no reason to beleive otherwise, he's been a straight-shooter since I've been a fan.
Now if they would just release more info, that would be a nice gesture.
Tdog88 @ Jul 5th 2006 7:21PM
Canadian Geese - The AI in Halo 2 was very impressive but there is FEAR. When playing that game you can see real AI on the most difficult setting. (But don't watch to long or you'll probably die!)
What makes me very curious is the "omething bigger than a Grunt." It could be any thing or some kind of a new sitting ducks to kill.
jl @ Jul 5th 2006 7:23PM
Didn't Bungie flaunt ths same "ai system" before halo 2 came out? I will be curious to see if it actually makes the final cut this time.
Benjamin @ Jul 6th 2006 7:17AM
Given that they have large storage devices available, it'd be interesting to see a developer record your activities and have your foes 'remember' what you'd done the next time you encounter them.
Use a frag grenade to coax an Elite into a crowd of Grunts, then use a plasma to destroy them all?
Maybe the next time the Elite will run towards you, rather than to the side (avoiding the grenade) and take a few swipes with a plasma sword.
Just a thought.
KilgoreTrout XL @ Jul 6th 2006 10:00AM
Yeah Grindstone, I don't have any reason to doubt Frankie either.
My only concern is whether or not the turnover at Bungie since H2 will affect fundamentals of Halo - Fantastic guns, perfect aiming system, great feedback as to what or whom you've shot, and the smooth-as-silk slayer matches that make it the best online FPS ever made.
But what this article doesn't mention is that Frankie's piece alludes to the fact that Bungie is, despite the endless bitching about the inability to select from a list of custom games, retaining the matchmaking system for Halo 3. This alone is reason to celebrate. Bungie's system should be studied, copied, and implemented accross all games and platforms- it works like a dream. It makes games much easier to find, everyone starts at the same time and generally plays through to the end, and it's a great way to be exposed to different tactics because you play with so many different players.