Accompanying the revelation that the Halo 3 multiplayer beta is coming May 16th (OMG!), was the above Vidoc (video documentary we imagine) dubbed "Is Quisnam Protero Damno!" (Any Latin majors reading?) Included in its roughly 7-1/2 minute runtime is footage of two new defensive functions and something entirely different:
The bubble shield, first spotted in the Starry Night commercial
The just-revealed trip mine, shown taking out an incoming Warthog (and the player)
And a replay function you can share with friends, to slow down or even pause that perfect headshot (perfect for bragging rights)
So exactly which features are activated by the mysterious X button? In his update at Bungie.net, Frankie said, "There will also be new guns, vehicles and gameplay features to try – including the mysterious 'X-Button' functionality. But you don't have to wait to find out what that is, since you can now view part of its functionality in our latest Vidoc ..." Part of its functionality, eh? Need more proof? An alleged IRC chat sent in by reader Kritz had Frankie confirming, "x button deploys equipment for great justice. :) bubble shield and tripmine announced so far." So far, eh? What else is up that comically billowing sleeve of yours, Bungie?
At :43 into the video you'll also see a player use an airlift that he threw down. Frankie has hinted (confirmed) that this is another X-button deployment.
I like the new layer of gameplay that the x button adds. Replay is gonna suck if its not done right. If it's a feature that can only be used during respawns, awesome. If it can be done anytime by anyone, wtf?
WTF! is this HALO 3 i thought this will be better than anything else out there this game look too similar to H1 and H2 even on the gameplay and multiplayer experience with few new weapons and effects......
"This game is OverRated" I better wait for CRYSIS.....
Anyone else kind of disappointed? I mean, it'll be great fun but it just seems like a similar transition from Halo to Halo 2. There are tweaks, new maps and a few addition elements but it looks so samey.
If they use the replay option it will probably be like burnout... you save the video on your hard drive then have the option of popping it online for others to view.
At the end of the match you have the option to view or save a video of the game, like a replay of a race. You don't have to activate anything or push a button. A video will be recorded and at the end of the match you can save it or do nothing.
I agree with Geo. Sure this is an early build and the video isn't in HD but this game looks EXACTLY like Halo 1 & 2. The graphics and animation look like an Xbox game. Not impressed so far. This game does not look "next-gen" to me, Gears of War blows it out of the water graphically and I like the Gears gameplay more too. This is beginning to look like a massive letdown. What, so it's basically Halo in HD with a secret button!? I am very ubnderwhelmed.
If you get up with Bungie.net they have already stated they are using polished halo 2 graphics for their builds while the art team works seperatly on the final quality images... Gameplay is what they are showing now not graphics....
@ 14 Jack of No Trades I dont have to worry about a new computer i got one - AMD ATHLON 6000 X2 - NVidia 8800 GTX (preorder a brand new ATI 2900XTX2) - 2 GIG RAM - Windows Vista Ultimate if you dont know Crysis has multipalyer game too.
This is the alpha and from what Frankie has said elsewhere, the footage was recorded a while ago with the intent of just showing the game (this is from a NeoGAF post).
In their WWU, he's said that they've moved onto the Beta where the fields in Valhalla now have grass, the new water effects are in plac, and the game is reaching a point where they are putting the final touches in.
I'd suggest reserving the "Halo 2.5", "I'll buy Crysis instead", "GoW looks a million times better" comments until the game is finished...
"NOTE: All of the game footage in this doc was taken during the Alpha stage and isn’t even representative of what you’ll see in the Public Beta, let alone the final game. You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall. All the footage is clearly marked Alpha. You’re looking at the features here folks, not the final quality bar – which we’ve set pretty high. Your next taste of that will be in May."
@Jessica Q.: This footage is from Alpha builds. The Beta version of the game will be ready in a month. If this is how the game looks after the game goes gold, then I'm right there with you. However, I also think the fun factor and how well Bungie executes online multiplayer is ultimately going to make a lot of us more forgiving of the graphics.
Awesome video. Can't wait for that bubble shield. I think you have to throw it on the ground to use it, but wouldn't it be funny to shoot out of the man-cannon with a bubble around you? lol
Graphics will be top notch. Gameplay will crush all other notches.
Please tell me you are kidding about the graphics.... THESE ARE ALPHA BUILD BUNGIE HAS ALREADY STATED THEY ARE THE TEXTURES AND GRAPHICS OF HALO2 WITH SOME EXTRA POLISH BUT NOT TO BE MISINTERPRETED AS HALO 3 FINAL GRAPHICS... seriously... They will be leaps and bounds better...
Do any of you ever go to bungie.net.... They guy weekly goes over all the recent tweaks... He goes into detail about the reflections on glass... the layers in the water... the way water is going to move and react... the clouds... the Fing atmosphere is made using filters instead of just saying its blue... it is going to similate a real atmosphere... in so much as is possible... Lay off the graphics these bits they let us see have nothing to do with the graphics....
Wow, sounds like they are trying to make it like the Free game Wolfenstein Enemy Territory...except everyone is the SAME FREAKING GUY with A WEAK ASS ARSENAL OF TWO WEAPONS AND (LOL) TWO THUMBSTICKS....
the level of skill required in halo comes no where close
This is on the Xbox, or the 360? It looks like a FPS from 1999.
I think it will sell though, because it is Halo. Thankfully this will go away after this installment, or like Britney Spears it may pop up from time to time trying to win the love of it's once faithful fans, like me. Who knows.
Can you please link to other video sites? I know it isn't just me who finds GameVideo's player useless. Even on 8meg broadband it needlessly stops and starts, and the f**king thing won't let you pre-load it! It's a shitty stream or nothing!
Well, console game need longer period for testing. 90% what you see on the screen is final. They may tweak it a little... but in order to match GOW they need 1-2 year more in development time, at least.
MGS4 competitor? Not even close. This video may turn out as PS3 seller. Remarks about Movie Theater and DVD make more cense now…
I cannot believe how stupid some of you come off being. RTFA! All of it!
And Geo, you are a troll and a tool. Congrats. Now go play on your fancy expensive computer and continue waiting for that precious Crysis to bang yourself to.
Angelo was kind enough to post the caveat posted by Frankie from Bungie:
"NOTE: All of the game footage in this doc was taken during the Alpha stage and isn’t even representative of what you’ll see in the Public Beta, let alone the final game. You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall. All the footage is clearly marked Alpha. You’re looking at the features here folks, not the final quality bar – which we’ve set pretty high. Your next taste of that will be in May."
Yes this game looks like Halo 1 and 2, because it's part of the same friggin' storyline! Graphically, it'll be better -- you have not seen any beta screens yet, so cordially STFU! Everything you have seen has been alpha builds which, if some of you could comprehend what you are reading, is exactly what Bungie said it would be. If they wanted to build a game to rival Gears, they would have done so, but it would not be inline with the Halo artistry. Man alive, some of you are really, really stupid.
Don't even bother trying to reason with these kids. You are trying to argue with an audience that is only marginally literate and worships at the shrine that we call High Definition. Take the following two quotes in juxtaposition:
"NOTE: All of the game footage in this doc was taken during the Alpha stage and isn’t even representative of what you’ll see in the Public Beta, let alone the final game. You will see frame rate skips, unfinished animation and graphical features that will change come Fall."
"Sure this is an early build and the video isn't in HD but this game looks EXACTLY like Halo 1 & 2. The graphics and animation look like an Xbox game. Not impressed so far. This game does not look "next-gen" to me, Gears of War blows it out of the water graphically."
This is what comes of attending the Erik Zoolander School for Kids Who Can't Read Good. Do you know what else comes of such matriculation? Sony PR. Sony loves these guys. All they want are some pretty graphics and they are peeing all over themselves. It's people like the above quoted poster and half of the posters on this article that led to the Killzone 2 trailer. Gameplay - smameplay. Show them some pre-rendered cutscene and they suspend all logic and critique.
As for those who are decrying gameplay that looks like an evolution from Halo:CE and Halo 2, what did you expect? Killzone? Resistance? Gears? Halo 3 appears to take the best parts of Halo:CE, apply some wisdom gained from mistakes made in Halo 2, add features and weapons that enhance gameplay, and top it all off with delicious graphical goodness (not shown in the above video). We already have a Gears of War. Halo 3 just needs to be the best parts of Halo:C and Halo 2, plus a little bit more, which it appears to be.
