Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Poll [171 votes]: Do you want to see this in Halo : Reach?
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Subject: In depth armour customization (Not Permutations)

Poll: Do you want to see this in Halo : Reach?  [closed]
Yes:  88%
(151 Votes)
No:  12%
(20 Votes)
Total Votes: 171

Note: Long read

The basis for my idea started when I first learned about Halo 3's armour permutations, but I never fully thought about it until now. In a game as popular as Halo, people need a lot of variety in order to express themselves, and truly be considred unique.

I propose a system that allows to add 'decals' to your player model. This system will feature 3 main types of customization: Simple patterns, Dirt/Scarring and Material Editing. Some more stuff will also be explained later.


Simple Patterns

The first of the customization features is the most simple but probably the most visually impacting. The user will be given a set of basic shapes to choose from, like a rectangle, circle, half circle, triangle, pentagon etc. The user will then choose the parameters of the shape, like size, length, colour (using a colour wheel), transparency and possibly illumination. The user would also be given a set amount of layers that he/she could work with. Using these layers, the player could create a design that is unique on their Spartan/Elite model. If people don't really want to put the time/effort into creating such things, some default designs could be present. Or better yet, designs could be uploaded by the community for other people to use (the user would decide if he/she wants to share it or not).

The user could also decide to customize specific bodyparts, or have an option that makes a layer symmetrical with the other side of the body. The base colour for your Spartan/Elite will be the first layer and the transperancy always be set to 0% (and Illumination to 0%) and the colour of said layer will also be selected by a colour wheel.

If you still have no clue what I'm talking about, this idea is reminiscent of Forza 2's Livery Editor.


Dirt/Scarring

This idea builds on to the simple patterns idea. After the user is done customizing the colour design of their model, they would add battle damage scars and dirt onto their model. This works exactly like the simple patterns idea, only instead of choosing shapes, you choose different scar 'decals'. Some scar types would include: bullet holes, armour chips, plasma burns, fire burns, energy sword chips, dents, fall damage scars, etc. The user could change the scar size (diamter, or length) and the severity/depth of the scar. Now moving on to dirt.

Dirt is a little bit different. Since there are different map types (Desert, Snow, Jungle etc) a player would be given a type of player model. Obviously you wouldn't want Snow residue on your spartan when you're playing a desert map, it just doesn't make sense. So, the user would customize different dirt types. On snow levels, the game would load the player's 'snow model', on jungle levels the game would load the player's 'jungle model' etc.

Some dirt decal ideas:

Badlands -Mud residue, dust residue, sand residue, rust, water residue etc.

Desert - Sand residue, dried salt residue, heat damage residue etc.

Snow - Ice burns, snow residue, ice covering something etc.

Jungle - Mud residue, Foilage stuck to a bodypart, moisture damage, etc.

The user could change the severity of the residue, the size, and the location (the bodypart it affects).



Material Editor

This is the final step to creating your design. This feature doesn't add anything new onto the design, but rather works with the layers you already made in the 'simple patterns' section. This option would change the type of material is applied to a layer. Some standard designs could include such things as metallic paint, irridescent paint, or more dull variants. But what would be cooler if the user could make his/her own material, using a set of paramters like shinyness, reflectiveness, the roughness of the material, and a whole bunch of other things. They would then upload it to the community to use (or can download materials other peolpe have made)



*Blood

Players could add blood decals to their spartan models, adjust the type of blood (Flood, human, covenant), the size of the stain and how visible it is.



But there is a problem

You've spent hours on your design only to go into team slayer and it is overrided with a simple 'Red' colour or 'Blue' colour.

The solution

The player would set a certain layer(s) as a 'team colour indicator' (could be more than one). By default, it would be layer 0, the base colour of your Spartan/Elite. The colour of the team colour indicator layer in your design would be the colour that you set, and it appears in FFA games, but changes to the colour of your team in team games. There could be some sort of system that checks to see if, first of all, you actually set a team colour indicator, and second of all, if it's big enough for other players to immediatley identify which team you're on. I would suggest the layer should cover at least 35% of the player model and the transparency will have to be set to 0%. The illumination on the other hand wouldn't be affected, because your layer could glow your team colour.




But there is another problem

This would, no doubt, slow down the game significantly if it's not limited.

The solution

Have the player use the same system Forge uses. Instead of 'forge dollars', the user would be given 'design dollars' that could prevent some idiot putting on an insane number of layers that all glow different colours. More performance guzzlers (probably the glow idea) would be expensive to use, and other basic shapes will be less expensive to use. The user will also have to 'buy' new layers.



Other cool features

-The player could also add letters, words (no swears, of course), or their emblem/service tag as a 'decal' anywhere on their spartan model.

-The player could change the secondary colour of their visor. What this means is that the base colour will still be orange, but when lit, it could reflect a different colour.

-The player could customize what the colour their shields flare, and what effect is used. Instead of the traditional 'lightning storm' effect, it could be something different, like a bubble shield-esque flare or something else (remember the Multiplayer doesn't have to be canonical).

-Clans would have their 'uniform' as a download if someone wants to join. This would especially be cool in the MLG circuit. The pro players would have matching designs to symbolize their team.

*- Players could have a 'forced uniform' option on for their gametype variants. This means that the person would have to have a design on them when they play on a certain team when the'yre playing the gametype. For Example: Infection. The humans will have their design as they do in FFA, but the zombies might have to be forced to wear an 'infected' design. This combines the blood idea because the infected Spartans could have chips, dents, dirt and blood all over their original design when they were humans. Because they are layers after all, and the infected layers woudl just get 'added' onto the existing design the player had made.



I know this idea sounds insane and it would be crazy if they actually made it, but it would be cool nonetheless.

Thoughts? You're welcome to build on the idea if you want.

* means that the idea is been added from people suggesting on this thread, or from myself.

[Edited on 06.23.2009 1:09 PM PDT]

  • 06.21.2009 7:31 PM PDT
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yes, but only
"Some dirt decal ideas:

Badlands -Mud residue, dust residue, sand residue, rust, water residue etc.

Desert - Sand residue, dried salt residue, heat damage residue etc.

Snow - Ice burns, snow residue, ice covering something etc.

Jungle - Mud residue, Foilage stuck to a bodypart, moisture damage, etc.

The user could change the severity of the residue, the size, and the location (the bodypart it affects)."

  • 06.21.2009 8:33 PM PDT

Posted by: Mayan Mayhem
yes, but only
"Some dirt decal ideas:

Badlands -Mud residue, dust residue, sand residue, rust, water residue etc.

Desert - Sand residue, dried salt residue, heat damage residue etc.

Snow - Ice burns, snow residue, ice covering something etc.

Jungle - Mud residue, Foilage stuck to a bodypart, moisture damage, etc.

The user could change the severity of the residue, the size, and the location (the bodypart it affects)."



Yea, I was trying to put this type of player model with that idea.

  • 06.21.2009 8:42 PM PDT

Anyone else?

  • 06.22.2009 3:18 PM PDT
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  • Noble Member

i like the ideas for simple patterns

  • 06.22.2009 3:23 PM PDT

Triangle Exterminator.

Putting things such as combat knifes would be fun kinda like the katana,or visor editing would be fun.

Visor:
Cracked
Shattered
Minor crack
Stress

Knifes:
Shoulder
Leg
Chest


[Edited on 06.22.2009 3:37 PM PDT]

  • 06.22.2009 3:30 PM PDT

-Alex-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Once The Pin Is Pulled, Mr. Grenade Isn't Your Friend Anymore!"

Mmk well I read through all that and I think that would be AMAZING if Bungie did something even relatively close to that....and honestly I think Bungie will implement something like this into Reach b/c there are many games that have customization of characters/vehicles to this extent...I can tell a lot of thought went into your prototype idea, and if a Bungie Personel happens across this, no doubt it would go on one of the secretive "White Boards" as a prototype idea...haha if you read weekly updates you'll know what im talking about...but yea, great idea man... Im hopin to see somethin like this in Halo: Reach...that would be pretty amazing

  • 06.22.2009 3:32 PM PDT

Posted by: BuldogWrestler
Mmk well I read through all that and I think that would be AMAZING if Bungie did something even relatively close to that....and honestly I think Bungie will implement something like this into Reach b/c there are many games that have customization of characters/vehicles to this extent...I can tell a lot of thought went into your prototype idea, and if a Bungie Personel happens across this, no doubt it would go on one of the secretive "White Boards" as a prototype idea...haha if you read weekly updates you'll know what im talking about...but yea, great idea man... Im hopin to see somethin like this in Halo: Reach...that would be pretty amazing


Lol thanks alot, I put a bit of effort into the post! and yea it'd be cool if it at least made it on the whiteboard, I'd be honoured if it made that far! :D

Appreciate the comments guys, build on the idea too, let's see if we can make it better!

  • 06.22.2009 3:54 PM PDT

Life is interesting...

Great idea.

  • 06.23.2009 8:29 AM PDT

Awesome idea...Forza 2's editor is a great tool if you now how to use it well, I woud like to see something like it in Halo:Reach.

  • 06.23.2009 8:40 AM PDT

.
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher regard those who think alike than those who think differently.

كل نفس ذائقة الموت

I see where you're going with the idea. You've obviously put a lot of thought into this idea and your post is very well written and constructed.

Still, although I think the feature you outline would be fun to play with I wouldn't want it for Halo: Reach. I believe that heavy customization of avatars is only appropriate in certain games.

It's great fun to personalize your character in Rock Band, Forza or RPGs. In those games it adds depth to the game experience because in those games your appearance is either very obvious, or an integral part of the game or the game lacks any other sort of depth. Making customization in those cases a necessary feature that adds to the game play.

In First Person Shooters the focus is on intense combat encounters. When you're focusing your reticle on the enemy, strategizing weapon use or coordinating an assault with your team, the details of your armor appearance are meaningless. Overt armor customizations can help you to identify other players on the map but subtle details will largely go unnoticed. So then you have to ask yourself why you want such customizations.

Others can't see your avatar in the pre or post game lobbies so there's no benefit there. If someone takes the time to look at your profile they might notice the care you've put into the detail of your avatar but I suspect that even then it will go unnoticed. So, in fact, the only way it plays a part is in your personal sense of your individuality. I can't see that such a large and complex feature is warranted simply to satisfy some people's desires to dress up their avatars.

Certainly development of such a complex system would take a large amount of time and effort for the developer. I wonder which critical gameplay impacting features would be negatively impacted by the effort to implement such detailed customization.

I don't believe detailed customization of armor imparts any gameplay benefits to the game and I fear that implementing it would come at the cost of other more importing features. I have to say I don't think it's a good idea for Halo although I appreciate the effort you put into your idea.


[Edited on 06.23.2009 8:57 AM PDT]

  • 06.23.2009 8:51 AM PDT
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ok, i love this idea. it's one of those things where it can't hurt to add it, and is also really cool.

also this would be amazing for machinima, you could have a fight were more scratches and bullet holes appear over time, you could make a dead person really look dead. and this would make screen shots better.

this combined with armor customization would give infinite possibilities

  • 06.23.2009 8:59 AM PDT

Not a tree

The knife idea is good. Also maybe blood on stuff? I think just change the color of visor. Add custom decals. Great idea.

  • 06.23.2009 9:06 AM PDT

Life is interesting...

Blood would be sweet, flood, grunt, hunter, Elite, human...

Posted by: TheCyberFreak
I see where you're going with the idea. You've obviously put a lot of thought into this idea and your post is very well written and constructed.

Still, although I think the feature you outline would be fun to play with I wouldn't want it for Halo: Reach. I believe that heavy customization of avatars is only appropriate in certain games.

It's great fun to personalize your character in Rock Band, Forza or RPGs. In those games it adds depth to the game experience because in those games your appearance is either very obvious, or an integral part of the game or the game lacks any other sort of depth. Making customization in those cases a necessary feature that adds to the game play.

In First Person Shooters the focus is on intense combat encounters. When you're focusing your reticle on the enemy, strategizing weapon use or coordinating an assault with your team, the details of your armor appearance are meaningless. Overt armor customizations can help you to identify other players on the map but subtle details will largely go unnoticed. So then you have to ask yourself why you want such customizations.

Others can't see your avatar in the pre or post game lobbies so there's no benefit there. If someone takes the time to look at your profile they might notice the care you've put into the detail of your avatar but I suspect that even then it will go unnoticed. So, in fact, the only way it plays a part is in your personal sense of your individuality. I can't see that such a large and complex feature is warranted simply to satisfy some people's desires to dress up their avatars.

Certainly development of such a complex system would take a large amount of time and effort for the developer. I wonder which critical gameplay impacting features would be negatively impacted by the effort to implement such detailed customization.

I don't believe detailed customization of armor imparts any gameplay benefits to the game and I fear that implementing it would come at the cost of other more importing features. I have to say I don't think it's a good idea for Halo although I appreciate the effort you put into your idea.


It is like dressing up to go walking through the city or doing your hair just right, it makes YOU feel good.

[Edited on 06.23.2009 11:41 AM PDT]

  • 06.23.2009 11:38 AM PDT

Posted by: TheCyberFreak
I see where you're going with the idea. You've obviously put a lot of thought into this idea and your post is very well written and constructed.

Still, although I think the feature you outline would be fun to play with I wouldn't want it for Halo: Reach. I believe that heavy customization of avatars is only appropriate in certain games.

It's great fun to personalize your character in Rock Band, Forza or RPGs. In those games it adds depth to the game experience because in those games your appearance is either very obvious, or an integral part of the game or the game lacks any other sort of depth. Making customization in those cases a necessary feature that adds to the game play.

In First Person Shooters the focus is on intense combat encounters. When you're focusing your reticle on the enemy, strategizing weapon use or coordinating an assault with your team, the details of your armor appearance are meaningless. Overt armor customizations can help you to identify other players on the map but subtle details will largely go unnoticed. So then you have to ask yourself why you want such customizations.

Others can't see your avatar in the pre or post game lobbies so there's no benefit there. If someone takes the time to look at your profile they might notice the care you've put into the detail of your avatar but I suspect that even then it will go unnoticed. So, in fact, the only way it plays a part is in your personal sense of your individuality. I can't see that such a large and complex feature is warranted simply to satisfy some people's desires to dress up their avatars.

Certainly development of such a complex system would take a large amount of time and effort for the developer. I wonder which critical gameplay impacting features would be negatively impacted by the effort to implement such detailed customization.

I don't believe detailed customization of armor imparts any gameplay benefits to the game and I fear that implementing it would come at the cost of other more importing features. I have to say I don't think it's a good idea for Halo although I appreciate the effort you put into your idea.


Yea, I can see your point about the feature being a little imbalanced in terms of actual gameplay payoff. This feature doesn't necessarily have to be implemented like the way i described, maybe only some parts of it. But nowadays people (the larger masses, not the hardcore fans) mostly associate the Halo name with multiplayer. Combining with the fact that Halo is popular, I would figure that the user would want to feel like an individual among the crowd.

Instead of shooting at some pre-built avatar #12125, you would be shooting at an individual :). And I mentioned in the OP that teams can have matching desgins to symbolize their teams.

But a thought just occured to me, it's the little things that make the game right? Even if you don't really pay attention to the detail, it adds to the whole experience. Take Campaign for example, there are so many little details that the player overlooks on their playthrough, but it is there, and without it, the game would feel different. So in the multiplayer, you may overlook the fact that some guy has this customized avatar of himself, but it adds to the experience.

Thanks for replying!

  • 06.23.2009 12:43 PM PDT

WildCard Machinima motto: "Make 'em laugh, make them cry, make them remember why."

My motto:"We have all the time in the world, the only obsticles are the ones we put in front of us that stop us..."

It's kind of funny (NOT YOUR GREAT IDEA) but ever since I saw this forum as an anonomus user I wanted to coment. It took me FOREVER to finally find this great forum.=)=)=)

THIS IDEA IS FANTASTIC. I had a similar idea but my mind whent blank.

I REALLY HOPE BUNGIE IS ABLE TO INSERT A PROGRAM EXACTLY LIKE THIS FOR CHARACTURES.

It's taken me a week to actually find this forum again. I'm relevied to find that there are some really great ideas on B-Net.

Great idea dude.

  • 06.30.2009 8:13 PM PDT

WildCard Machinima motto: "Make 'em laugh, make them cry, make them remember why."

My motto:"We have all the time in the world, the only obsticles are the ones we put in front of us that stop us..."

Posted by: UrbanSolder000
Posted by: TheCyberFreak
I see where you're going with the idea. You've obviously put a lot of thought into this idea and your post is very well written and constructed.

Still, although I think the feature you outline would be fun to play with I wouldn't want it for Halo: Reach. I believe that heavy customization of avatars is only appropriate in certain games.

It's great fun to personalize your character in Rock Band, Forza or RPGs. In those games it adds depth to the game experience because in those games your appearance is either very obvious, or an integral part of the game or the game lacks any other sort of depth. Making customization in those cases a necessary feature that adds to the game play.

In First Person Shooters the focus is on intense combat encounters. When you're focusing your reticle on the enemy, strategizing weapon use or coordinating an assault with your team, the details of your armor appearance are meaningless. Overt armor customizations can help you to identify other players on the map but subtle details will largely go unnoticed. So then you have to ask yourself why you want such customizations.

Others can't see your avatar in the pre or post game lobbies so there's no benefit there. If someone takes the time to look at your profile they might notice the care you've put into the detail of your avatar but I suspect that even then it will go unnoticed. So, in fact, the only way it plays a part is in your personal sense of your individuality. I can't see that such a large and complex feature is warranted simply to satisfy some people's desires to dress up their avatars.

Certainly development of such a complex system would take a large amount of time and effort for the developer. I wonder which critical gameplay impacting features would be negatively impacted by the effort to implement such detailed customization.

I don't believe detailed customization of armor imparts any gameplay benefits to the game and I fear that implementing it would come at the cost of other more importing features. I have to say I don't think it's a good idea for Halo although I appreciate the effort you put into your idea.


Yea, I can see your point about the feature being a little imbalanced in terms of actual gameplay payoff. This feature doesn't necessarily have to be implemented like the way i described, maybe only some parts of it. But nowadays people (the larger masses, not the hardcore fans) mostly associate the Halo name with multiplayer. Combining with the fact that Halo is popular, I would figure that the user would want to feel like an individual among the crowd.

Instead of shooting at some pre-built avatar #12125, you would be shooting at an individual :). And I mentioned in the OP that teams can have matching desgins to symbolize their teams.

But a thought just occured to me, it's the little things that make the game right? Even if you don't really pay attention to the detail, it adds to the whole experience. Take Campaign for example, there are so many little details that the player overlooks on their playthrough, but it is there, and without it, the game would feel different. So in the multiplayer, you may overlook the fact that some guy has this customized avatar of himself, but it adds to the experience.

Thanks for replying!


Yeah, sometimes I go into a campaign or a multiplayer level and just walk around and admire all the detail and work that Bungie put into a great game

  • 06.30.2009 8:19 PM PDT
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that is a amazing idea and i really think bungie should implement this into halo reach and everything there is pretty much perfect one think i would add would be nives or maybe a pistol of somethin and one other thing would be a utility belt or a sahs type think were you grenades and other sorts of equipment would be placed

  • 06.30.2009 11:04 PM PDT
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also one more idea that black stuff that you wear under your armour you shuld be able to change the colour or that

  • 07.01.2009 10:39 AM PDT

"Tri-St8 T Party"

That's a pretty elaborate system for customization. I like the idea, however, should this need to be simplified to provide say more space for a map or a multiplayer feature then I would be ok with them scrapping it as well. But this would be great if included in the game. Visible damage and wear n tear would be great too on the emblems and armor.

  • 07.01.2009 10:43 AM PDT
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I would like to see it only if they could keep the same graphics and forge maps. It would also be cool if you could edit the legs, boots, shins, thighs, and the waist of your spartan/elite with the different parts like Hayabusa and scout.

  • 07.01.2009 11:54 AM PDT

FunkyMic

WOW I LOVE THAT IDEA
love it dude awsome
the idea about the decals of dirt, ice ect. You could really blend in the map your playing on

  • 07.02.2009 1:28 PM PDT

It Doesn't Matter!!!

Armor should be customizable and earned such as in Rainbow 6 Vegas 2

  • 07.02.2009 1:33 PM PDT

H3 1v1s for life

My xbox is broke so I'm not on

That would be amazing I would spend hours just doing that

  • 07.02.2009 3:05 PM PDT

Warning: You may find that my, or someone else's opinion does not comply with yours. Side effects of disagreement may include (but are not limited to): flaming, irrational behavior, broken keyboards, and/or nervous sweats. If you experience any of these symptoms refrain from communicating with others until the symptoms have subsided.

I have added a link to this thread on my customization thread.

  • 07.02.2009 3:11 PM PDT

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