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  • Subject: Halo 2 FAQ
Subject: Halo 2 FAQ
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I just stumbled across this old article on an older version of Bungie.net
It's a shame a lot of the stuff mentioned didn't make it...
It's still funny to read about these "confirmed" things that we never saw :P
The original article is here.

Q When is Halo 2 coming out?
A Bungie has always stood by our policy of not giving out release dates for any of our titles. To put it simply, Halo 2 will be done when it's done. We're all as eager as you to get our hands on this amazing game but perfection takes time.

For now, Matt has already confirmed that the Summer 2003 dates being shown on various retail websites are definitely not accurate. When we do have a solid release date, we will post it here on Bungie.net. Until then, any Halo 2 release dates you hear should be considered extremely unreliable.

Q What new levels will there be in Halo 2?
A We can't reveal the full extent of your travels but we can confirm that some of the battles will take place on a war torn Earth, a moon base, and several other completely new locations. You can check out a few early environment concepts here.

Q What's new in Halo 2?
A So far a ton of new features have been announced. For example, Halo 2 will offer new vehicles, destructible environments, new weapons, low gravity levels, online play, Human vs. Covenant multiplayer battles, improved AI, and more.

There are a lot of surprises you'll have to discover for yourself by playing the game, but you can read the rest of this FAQ for more details about what we've already announced. Keep in mind that Halo 2 is still a game in development and all of the information included herein is subject to change before the final release.

Q Will there be a public beta test for Halo 2?
A Unfortunately, No. Halo 2 will undergo rigorous internal testing but it will not be available to the public. Anyone who claims to have a beta copy or to be a participant in the beta test other than a Bungie employee is pulling your leg.

Q Will Halo 2 support online play via Xbox Live?
A Absolutely! Forget everything you know about Xbox Live. We intend for Halo 2 to become the definitive Xbox Live experience with well designed and extremely robust support for online play. We'll have much more to say on this subject in the months ahead.

Q Will Halo 2 support the Xbox Live communicator in online games?
A Definitely.

Q Will Halo 2 support downloadable content?
A We can't answer this just yet, but stay tuned...

Q Will flying vehicles be available in multiplayer games?
A You better believe it!

Q What multiplayer game types will be offered in Halo 2?
A All of Halo's multiplayer modes will return including Oddball, Race, Slayer, CTF, etc.. In addition to these classics, we have some big plans for Live that we'll reveal a little later.

Q Will there be multiplayer bots?
A We have not made a final decision regarding bots yet. The team has heard the cries of fans and we're exploring ways to make multiplayer games more enjoyable for gamers with only 2 controllers and no Live access.

Q Which characters will be returning in Halo 2?
A Naturally the Chief will take center stage again in his efforts to save mankind from the Covenant threat. And what would MC do without his favorite AI construct Cortana?

We can't reveal anymore than that just yet but stay tuned...

Q What about the Music in Halo 2?
A The same team responsible for Halo's award winning music and sound design are working busily on Halo 2. While we can't share the fruit of their labor with you at this writing, we can safely say Halo 2's audio will definitely kick ass.

Q What new weapons will be available in Halo 2?
A So far there have a been a few new weapons revealed. The Battle Rifle is an evolved version of the original assault rifle and features increased accuracy, a scope, and a slower rate of fire. The SMG (Sub Machine Gun) is a rapid-fire gun that trades a high volume of bullets for decreased accuracy.

Of course these are others, but we can't tell you about them yet.

Q What are the new Covenant races?
A The Brute has been described as a cross between a gorilla and a rhino and will be a serious force to reckon with on the battlefield. The Prophets have been referred to as "giant space popes" and they provide the political, religious and spiritual leadership in the Covenant.

As for the others... you'll just have to wait and see.

Q Will the Halo 2 environments be interactive?
A Yes! This time around, the worlds of Halo 2 will feature destructible objects to add to the realism and strategy. Windows, columns and doors will shatter into pieces when they take damage. Enemy soliders will be able to recognize these objects and strategically destroy them to make you an easier target. In addition, MC will be able to shoot out lights and hide in the shadows when stealth makes more sense than confrontation.

Q Will the Artificial Intelligence be improved over Halo?
A Absolutely. The enemies in Halo were no slouches but this time around expect your opponents to be more cunning and tactical in their attempts to anihilate you. Covenant forces will use the environment to their advantage and make your job that much more difficult. You'll see the Covies scurrying under ledges, leaping over obstacles, and climbing up structures. They'll fluidly move with animal-like grace while talking and coordinating amongst their squads. They'll even use flashlights to hunt down MC in the darkness. It will take all of your wits and skills to overcome your adversaries this time around.

The Human forces will also be smarter this time around. They'll work better as a team and flip over objects to create cover. The Marines will also know how to call in support from a Warthog or point out an enemy sniper for an ally to take down.

Q How has Master Chief changed?
A Besides sporting an improved graphical look, MC will get his hands on a new suit of armor, some "tools", and a few new moves. Check out the 'Characters' section of the Halo 2 gallery for a glimpse of the Chief's new look.

When things get hectic, the Chief can lower his gun and sprint at almost twice his normal speed. Before rushing into battle, MC can peek around corners and scope out the situation. When the action gets up close and personal, the Chief can string together melee attacks into devastating combos.

The Chief is sure to have a few other surprises up his sleeve so stay tuned for future updates.

Q What graphical improvements are being made over the original Halo?
A Besides a pumped up bump-mapping system, Halo 2 will really shine due to the inclusion of a new advanced real-time lighting engine. Dramatic lighting and shadows will behave realistically and interact with characters and environments. We've also got a new subtle technique called "self shadowing" where every model in the game will cast shadows on itself as well as its surroundings.

Most of our new graphical effects are still in heavy development so we can't say too much about them yet. We can say that our goal is make sure that Halo 2 looks better than Halo in every way!

Q What new vehicles will be in Halo 2?
A We've created several new vehicles for Halo 2 though we've only shown a few. The Human 4 wheel ATV and several Warthog variants can all be seen in their early stages in the Halo 2 Gallery

The Covenant Shadow has also been confirmed and you can check out an early concept sketch here.

Q What is the plot of Halo 2?
A The full story is a closely guarded secret but so far we can confirm that the Covenant forces will attack Earth, another Halo ring comes into play, and MC will take the battle to the Covenant. As with the first Halo, there will be a few new twists that you definitely won't expect.

So...much...orange...

  • 10.01.2008 6:30 PM PDT
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I was a little disappointed with the lack of moon levels. And the destructible environments never quite lived up to what they mentioned. Oh well, we can always look ahead to the future.

  • 10.01.2008 7:16 PM PDT

*ass-kissing, ass-kissing*

What exactly is the point of this again?

  • 10.01.2008 7:28 PM PDT
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Lol cool thread. I like that avatar too, I used to have that game Day of the tentacle or something right.

  • 10.01.2008 7:38 PM PDT
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Whatever happened to shooting out lights to avoid confrontation? I guess that sounds cool, but I don't think it would've really made it much better. It was, and is, amazing. If Halo 2 had been too complicated, it wouldn't have been quite as much fun. It was the perfect balance between simplicity and complexity, if that makes sense. Halo 3 is too complex, I don't find it as fun as Halo 2.

  • 10.01.2008 8:11 PM PDT

A wise man once saw a weed struggling to grow under a rock, one month later he returned to see the weed flourishing, only to put the rock back on top of the weed (dooming it), when his his advisors asked why he he simply exclaimed; "That was its fate."

Think.

A ninja? On the Halo 2 forum? Everyone run for your lives it's the armagedon!!!!!!!!


Seriously though I thought you abandoned us thank you for visiting.

  • 10.01.2008 8:32 PM PDT
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Heh, so those immobile shields on Cairo station and the earth levels were supposed to be deployable, not an immoble obstacle.

I do wonder why the destructible environments never made it to the game? A few things, like the covenant plasma flag and those odd pillars on High charity were destructible, but thats about it.

The audio was definitly awsome.

Shooting out the lights would have been an obtion if the master chiefs flash light didn't run on cheap batteries.

As for tools, I guess those made it to Halo 3.

Well, all in all, I did hope that Halo 2's graphics were made better, instead of being dark without light, and it could of have used more of this, and such, but it still turned into a great game overall.



[Edited on 10.04.2008 4:04 PM PDT]

  • 10.01.2008 8:40 PM PDT

http://www.lindseymartinphotography.net/
concert photography that captures the passion in a moment for artists & fans

I can recall them saying before Halo 2 launched that they were considering including the Flamethrower, but only if it could set fire to EVERYTHING. Alas, it did not make the cut for Halo 2. It did however, make it into Halo 3 in all it's glory.

  • 10.01.2008 10:24 PM PDT
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Posted by: YahwehFreak4evr
*ass-kissing, ass-kissing*

What exactly is the point of this again?
Because it's funny to read about the "confirmed" Moon levels, low gravity, lights that you can shoot out and the ATV... :P

  • 10.04.2008 5:18 AM PDT
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Sticky this.

By the way, why can't I make threads? :(

  • 10.04.2008 9:58 AM PDT

Email : Scottyownsu@gmail.com
MSN: Itchcraft@hotmail.com

People still post in this forum...?

Hehe, <3 skibur

  • 10.04.2008 2:58 PM PDT

Posted by: Skibur
Because it's funny to read about the "confirmed" Moon levels, low gravity, lights that you can shoot out and the ATV... :P


Oh yeah, that . . . *looks sheepishly from side-to-side* Bad sources I guess. I never thought I'd say this but I guess it was a good thing I wasn't here before Halo 2, otherwise I would have been quite disappointed.

  • 10.04.2008 3:57 PM PDT

There is a fine line between not listening, and not caring. I like to think I walk that line every day.

With regard to camping, banshees and other "noob" tactics,

If It Wins, It Works.(tm)

Q How has Master Chief changed?
A Besides sporting an improved graphical look, MC will get his hands on a new suit of armor, some "tools", and a few new moves. Check out the 'Characters' section of the Halo 2 gallery for a glimpse of the Chief's new look.

When things get hectic, the Chief can lower his gun and sprint at almost twice his normal speed. Before rushing into battle, MC can peek around corners and scope out the situation. When the action gets up close and personal, the Chief can string together melee attacks into devastating combos.

The Chief is sure to have a few other surprises up his sleeve so stay tuned for future updates.


I really wish it were true...

[Edited on 10.04.2008 4:25 PM PDT]

  • 10.04.2008 4:23 PM PDT

I'm glad it isn't. It'd be too much like CoD4 or something similar.

  • 10.04.2008 5:06 PM PDT
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Talk to the Soul | ~B.B. | Know Your Duardo |  | Hero | ISFJ | 77135 | 94371

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me."

I remember the sprinting and looking around corners, haha!

Good times. Lots of memories

  • 10.04.2008 8:40 PM PDT
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O-3 US Army Reserves AMEDD APMC
"To conserve the fighting strength!"

Posted by: Jay120171
Bobcast: the only ninja to operate an ER out of his mom's basement

Q Will the Artificial Intelligence be improved over Halo?
A Absolutely. The enemies in Halo were no slouches but this time around expect your opponents to be more cunning and tactical in their attempts to anihilate you. Covenant forces will use the environment to their advantage and make your job that much more difficult. You'll see the Covies scurrying under ledges, leaping over obstacles, and climbing up structures. They'll fluidly move with animal-like grace while talking and coordinating amongst their squads. They'll even use flashlights to hunt down MC in the darkness. It will take all of your wits and skills to overcome your adversaries this time around.

The Human forces will also be smarter this time around. They'll work better as a team and flip over objects to create cover. The Marines will also know how to call in support from a Warthog or point out an enemy sniper for an ally to take down.


I laugh at this part. "They'll work better as a team and flip over objects to create cover. The Marines will also know how to call in support from a Warthog or point out an enemy sniper for an ally to take down." Never saw that.

  • 10.04.2008 10:40 PM PDT