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Subject: Bungie's Ability to Write a Good Story

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

I have seriously come to doubt Bungie's ability to write a good story in their games after they have released their latest three projects (Reach, ODST, Halo 3). The writing in these games, as well as the overall story was absolutely subpar compared to their works with Halo 1 and Halo 2.

I hoped that Bungie would write an excellent story for Reach, effectively remedying all my worries.

Seeing as Reach's story was an incompetent display of writing, execution, and canonical representation, I don't hold much hope for Bungie's future titles. It seems they are placing too much emphasis on their multiplayer suites rather than focusing on writing a fantastic story like they did with Halo CE.

What are your thoughts? Has Bungie lost their edge when it comes to their game writing and plot? Why or why not? Do you hold hope for future titles? Why or why not?

  • 02.28.2011 1:06 PM PDT

http://bungie.me/sig/noble/Stealth+Fox74.png

ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

  • 02.28.2011 1:10 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.

  • 02.28.2011 1:13 PM PDT

-blam!- Was that actually blammed out? Or did I just type it? You'll never know.

Well there's a writing position open. Apply and you can do something about it. If you have an impressive resume.

  • 02.28.2011 1:13 PM PDT

Expressing my strong liberal views without shame. Favorite quotes below:

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"One starts to live when he can live outside himself."

- Albert Einstein

Posted by: dahuterschuter
Well there's a writing position open. Apply and you can do something about it. If you have an impressive resume.

I'll leave that position to more competent writers than myself. If even I can notice writing failures (Spartan dialog) in their script, it isn't a good sign.

  • 02.28.2011 1:15 PM PDT

"Were it so easy..." -Thel Vadame.

I wasn't to thrilled with the last two games story. The original trilogy story was amazing though.

  • 02.28.2011 1:15 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Heroic Member

Posted by: Plasma Prestige
Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.
Reach's characters were utterly forgettable as well. You've got your stereotypical badass black guy, Emile, as well as your team's resident loudmouth, Jun. And let's not forget Kat with all her technobabble.

And don't get me started on the dialogue. Jorge reacts to the Covenant presence on Reach by saying this:

"Here we go."

Seriously, that line makes Keyes' "To war" one-liner in H3 look like Shakespeare.

Apparently, the UNSC and the Covenant also seem to have gone back to using mass charges as their strategy, as evidenced by the intro cutscene for "Tip of the Spear. A clear demonstration of Bungie's complete ignorance to modern military strategy. Would it have been so hard, what with Halo being a big-budget game, to hire a military consultant like Treyarch/IW have done in the past in order to avoid making blunders like that?

I could go on and on, but I won't

  • 02.28.2011 1:50 PM PDT

Sir Arch-Duke Ferdinand II Jr. Sr. III Phd.

Posted by: gst353
Posted by: Plasma Prestige
Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.
Reach's characters were utterly forgettable as well. You've got your stereotypical badass black guy, Emile, as well as your team's resident loudmouth, Jun. And let's not forget Kat with all her technobabble.

And don't get me started on the dialogue. Jorge reacts to the Covenant presence on Reach by saying this:

"Here we go."

Seriously, that line makes Keyes' "To war" one-liner in H3 look like Shakespeare.

Apparently, the UNSC and the Covenant also seem to have gone back to using mass charges as their strategy, as evidenced by the intro cutscene for "Tip of the Spear. A clear demonstration of Bungie's complete ignorance to modern military strategy. Would it have been so hard, what with Halo being a big-budget game, to hire a military consultant like Treyarch/IW have done in the past in order to avoid making blunders like that?

I could go on and on, but I won't


Actually he first yells "DAMNIT! COVENANT!" then Carter says something, and then Jorge says "Here we go." Makes sense to me

  • 02.28.2011 2:03 PM PDT

I think that Halo CE throught 3 had amazing stories. ODST was okay, but Reach was terrible. The idea seemed nice, you know, to have new Spartans and what not, but they completely destroyed the image of the Sparatn IIIs that GHosts of Onyx potrayed. I think that it wouldve been better to have your character as Fred and you lead all of the other Spartans

  • 02.28.2011 2:11 PM PDT


ODST was amazing, just downright amazing. Reach was easily the saddest game IO have played in awhile, when the members of Noble start getting knocked I genuinely felt for them.

  • 02.28.2011 2:27 PM PDT


Posted by: gst353
Posted by: Plasma Prestige
Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.
Reach's characters were utterly forgettable as well. You've got your stereotypical badass black guy, Emile, as well as your team's resident loudmouth, Jun. And let's not forget Kat with all her technobabble.

And don't get me started on the dialogue. Jorge reacts to the Covenant presence on Reach by saying this:

"Here we go."

Seriously, that line makes Keyes' "To war" one-liner in H3 look like Shakespeare.

Apparently, the UNSC and the Covenant also seem to have gone back to using mass charges as their strategy, as evidenced by the intro cutscene for "Tip of the Spear. A clear demonstration of Bungie's complete ignorance to modern military strategy. Would it have been so hard, what with Halo being a big-budget game, to hire a military consultant like Treyarch/IW have done in the past in order to avoid making blunders like that?

I could go on and on, but I won't


Jorge was saying "here we go" about the fight, not the Covenant being there -.-

Actually it is you who has no understanding of how the military functions, sometimes a "Zurg Rush" is the best strategy, and the UNSC was moving out for their different assaults on the different Covenant positions, in case you didn't notice when Kat drives off onto the bridge the rest of the army is dividing up too.

  • 02.28.2011 2:29 PM PDT


Posted by: Plasma Prestige
Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.


That is just your opinion, the general consensus has been that ODST is fantastic, so you are in the minority my friend. I loved all the characters in ODST, the Rookie was the only weak character in the whole thing. My one complaint was that it just seemed to be getting started when the game ended.

  • 02.28.2011 2:32 PM PDT
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UWG Great group, you should check it out.

BungieHUB

What was wrong with Halo 3's story? I thought it was pretty good.

ODST has an amazing story, and it was probably the most emotional Halo game I've played. I like the characters except for Buck and Dare, because they have that stupid romance thing going on. I also loved Sadie's Story. It was a great insight to civilian reactions to the Covenant.

On Reach, I have to agree with you. I didn't like the characters, except for Jorge, because he showed a little bit of emotion. I agree with the person that said the campaign was just go do this, go do that, stereotypical "cool" levels like vehicles, space, sniper, mass assault, etc. Reach had huge potential, but most of it was wasted.

  • 02.28.2011 2:48 PM PDT

Jorge was saying "here we go" about the fight, not the Covenant being there -.-

Actually it is you who has no understanding of how the military functions, sometimes a "Zurg Rush" is the best strategy, and the UNSC was moving out for their different assaults on the different Covenant positions, in case you didn't notice when Kat drives off onto the bridge the rest of the army is dividing up too.


To OrderedComa:

What is this crap that you're spewing. Reading your comment makes me want to kill a dozen puppies. Only a fool would have dozens of light armored vehicles in no particular formation rush hardened and well defended enemy positions.

And in case you haven't noticed, Zerg Rushs incurs high casualty rates that lowers morale tremendously. See Russia and China's tactics during WWII and Korea.

  • 02.28.2011 2:56 PM PDT

Head Down/ Chin Up!

I was thinking about just this topic today! I really loved Halo 2's storyline! It just opened up the Halo Universe and poured it out!

And then I thought Halo 3 sort of shrunk it all back down again! I mean the whole Covenant civil war "kinda" got brushed aside! It was there, but considering the way it ended in 2 I thought they could have done more with that!

I suppose Halo 3 was really about Cortana and the Chief! And the conclusion of course, but mainly about them 2!

ODST could have had more, but I was happy! It linked well between 2 and 3, and was a different approach!

Reach however is just push the switch, kill, push the switch, kill, push the switch, kill!

  • 02.28.2011 3:06 PM PDT

If you can read this, that means I'm not a Shaolin monk...

yet.


Posted by: gst353
Posted by: Plasma Prestige
Posted by: Stealth Fox74
ODST was an AMUZING story. with an additional side-story but i didnt really pay attention to tat but guess wut? i didnt need 2! Halo 3 was good i thought, but yes not as good as earlier titles.

Reach was crap. Period. It was all about gameplay and none about story. Too much focus on having a sniping level, space level, vehicle level, etc without including them in the story. It was just - go do this. kill these people. turn this switch off.

ODSt featured some of the most unlikable characters in a video game. I didn't care about Buck and Dare's contrived romance. The Rookie was a mute; a clastic sedimentary rock has more personality than him just because of the fact we know where those come from.
Reach's characters were utterly forgettable as well. You've got your stereotypical badass black guy, Emile, as well as your team's resident loudmouth, Jun. And let's not forget Kat with all her technobabble.

And don't get me started on the dialogue. Jorge reacts to the Covenant presence on Reach by saying this:

"Here we go."

Seriously, that line makes Keyes' "To war" one-liner in H3 look like Shakespeare.

Apparently, the UNSC and the Covenant also seem to have gone back to using mass charges as their strategy, as evidenced by the intro cutscene for "Tip of the Spear. A clear demonstration of Bungie's complete ignorance to modern military strategy. Would it have been so hard, what with Halo being a big-budget game, to hire a military consultant like Treyarch/IW have done in the past in order to avoid making blunders like that?

I could go on and on, but I won't

but it l00kd awzum!!!1111

  • 02.28.2011 3:07 PM PDT

If you can read this, that means I'm not a Shaolin monk...

yet.


Posted by: A Puzzled Mind
Jorge was saying "here we go" about the fight, not the Covenant being there -.-

Actually it is you who has no understanding of how the military functions, sometimes a "Zurg Rush" is the best strategy, and the UNSC was moving out for their different assaults on the different Covenant positions, in case you didn't notice when Kat drives off onto the bridge the rest of the army is dividing up too.


To OrderedComa:

What is this crap that you're spewing. Reading your comment makes me want to kill a dozen puppies. Only a fool would have dozens of light armored vehicles in no particular formation rush hardened and well defended enemy positions.

And in case you haven't noticed, Zerg Rushs incurs high casualty rates that lowers morale tremendously. See Russia and China's tactics during WWII and Korea.

  • 02.28.2011 3:08 PM PDT

I think that Halo CE and Halo 2 had the greatest storylines of the series. Halo 3's was pretty good as well, and I thought Reach was going to be just as good as the others, but to me it was a disappiontment.

  • 02.28.2011 3:13 PM PDT
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Do not waste your tears, I was not born to watch the world grow dim. Life is not measured in years, but by the deeds of men.

Posted by: goldhawk
We should know better, because we are better.


Posted by: A Puzzled Mind
Jorge was saying "here we go" about the fight, not the Covenant being there -.-

Actually it is you who has no understanding of how the military functions, sometimes a "Zurg Rush" is the best strategy, and the UNSC was moving out for their different assaults on the different Covenant positions, in case you didn't notice when Kat drives off onto the bridge the rest of the army is dividing up too.


To OrderedComa:

What is this crap that you're spewing. Reading your comment makes me want to kill a dozen puppies. Only a fool would have dozens of light armored vehicles in no particular formation rush hardened and well defended enemy positions.

And in case you haven't noticed, Zerg Rushs incurs high casualty rates that lowers morale tremendously. See Russia and China's tactics during WWII and Korea.
But Russia still won the war (at least part of it).
Also it is never stated that that was the only push against the Covenant. There could have been many more assaults on other areas as well. As a matter of fact, if the battle that is going on below the cliffs are anything to go by, then there where a lot more attacks than actually shown.

[Edited on 02.28.2011 3:42 PM PST]

  • 02.28.2011 3:39 PM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

Uhhh...ODST? That was one of the best Halo stories.

  • 02.28.2011 3:48 PM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.

I agree, if somehow Eric Nylund had a direct involvement in the actual story department of the in-game Halo cutscenes, i think most of us will be satisfied from a Canon and Great storytelling point of view.

  • 02.28.2011 7:39 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: ninjakenzen
I agree, if somehow Eric Nylund had a direct involvement in the actual story department of the in-game Halo cutscenes, i think most of us will be satisfied from a Canon and Great storytelling point of view.

If Eric Nylund had his way, the entirety of Reach's campaign would have been three missions.

1. Go to Circumference
2. Defend Generator
3. Wander CASTLE Base

So fun. /sarcasm

  • 02.28.2011 7:47 PM PDT

Have you seen my mind anywhere? I seem to have lost it...

0x0 x0x 0x0 000 000 x0x 000
x0x 0x0 0x0 0xx 000 0x0 000
x0x x0x x00 0xx 0x0 x0x 0x0

I have seen you future

It is sad, Halo CE and Halo 2 had brilliant stories. Halo 3's was shallow and, after several replays, lacks any real depth.

I disagree with you on ODST. The romance was unnecessary and poorly handled, but the story of the lone soldier in the occupied city was great, the story of the ODSTs gave you some insight into the lives of soldiers fighting block by block over smaller things, not just Master Chief fighting the save the universe epic.

Reach was awful for several reasons, the colorful Spartans, the terrible voice acting, writing, and characters.

Oh yeah, it also trampled established canon.

  • 02.28.2011 7:48 PM PDT

@accordingto343

Your one stop shop for all of 343's fabulous errors and ridiculous notions in the Halo lore.

Posted by: CTN 0452 9
Oh yeah, it also trampled established canon.

Canon that needed trampling in my opinion.

  • 02.28.2011 7:51 PM PDT

If you're passionate about the thing you're talking about, I'll always lend an ear.

Posted by: DecepticonCobra
Posted by: ninjakenzen
I agree, if somehow Eric Nylund had a direct involvement in the actual story department of the in-game Halo cutscenes, i think most of us will be satisfied from a Canon and Great storytelling point of view.

If Eric Nylund had his way, the entirety of Reach's campaign would have been three missions.

1. Go to Circumference
2. Defend Generator
3. Wander CASTLE Base

So fun. /sarcasm

Noticed i had said cut scene. However those missions would have been of Storytelling quality.

I would take those 3 missions that epically capture the feel of importance in a doomed tragic struggle, then 10 over dragged out missions with generic,annoying characters and pre-establish canon breaking story. Which forever will haunt the Halo Universe.

  • 02.28.2011 7:53 PM PDT

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