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This topic has moved here: Poll [47 votes]: The Decline of Scripted Moments in Halo
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Subject: The Decline of Scripted Moments in Halo

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .

Poll: The Decline of Scripted Moments in Halo  [closed]
Scripted Moments:  62%
(29 Votes)
Cutscenes:  38%
(18 Votes)
Total Votes: 47

After playing through Halo 3 and ODST, and then playing Reach, it makes me wonder about why it seems that the number of scripted moments decreases in each game. For you cool kids who don't know what scripted moments are, it's basically something that happens every time you play through that drive the story.

Excluding spawning and dropships, as well as scripted dialogue and cutscenes, I've noticed that there seems to be less and less scripted things going on in each game.



Halo 3
A Phantom flies overhead, not noticing you. Sergeant Reynolds is interrogated (and killed, if you aren't fast enough.) Banshees come in, fast and low, killing two Pelicans. Johnson and Second Squad are chased by Brutes. A Pelican destroys two Phantoms.

The underground caves in Crow's Nest rumble. A Warthog is stuck by Grunts and explodes. A fight between Hornets, Pelicans, and a Battlecruiser happen outside. A Pelican launches. A Drone picks up a Marine. The bomb is wheeled out. A Brute throws a Marine down a hallway. Brutes torture (and kill) multiple Marines. Truth talks to a Brute Pack on a monitor. The door on the elevator breaks down and the bomb explodes.

A marine opens the door. Choppers ram and destroy a Warthog. A Battlecruiser flies a few hundred meters overhead.

You ride a Warthog to the beginning of the level. A Scarab climbs into the gulch and crushes a Troop Transport Warthog. Brutes chase after Marines while another Brute tries to warn them. Hunters kill workers.

Marines fight Combat Forms on a cliff, but are killed and infected. Infection forms rain down on Reynolds and other Marines, infecting them. A Marine is infected before your eyes. A Flamethrower Marine is infected. The Traumatized Marine.

A Longsword crashes. Prowlers come from over the hill. Forward Unto Dawn lands dramatically. A gravity bridge activates, and Gauss Hogs and Scorpions drive across the gap. A Scarab walks around, then climbs the Cartographer. Ghosts kill the Gauss Hog's gunner. The Scarab returns. 343 Guilty Spark stings a Marine. Urinating Brute. Arbiter boards a Banshee.

Aerial dogfights between Phantoms. Scarabs drop in from orbit.

A Reactor Pylon of High Charity explodes. A Tank form bursts out of a maintenance corridor.

Flood Dispersal Pods drop in from space. Johnson fires at 343 Guilty Spark. Pieces of the ground shatter and explode before you drive over them. Towers fall, destroying parts of the ground. A tower falls, killing a group of Combat Forms.

ODST
Regret's Carrier slipspace jumps.

Brutes straddle an Engineer, strapping it with bombs.

None (Tayari Plaza)

The Space Elevator is destroyed.

A Gauss Cannon is destroyed by Wraiths.

The bridge to ONI is blown up. Brutes cut through the door with arc cutters.

Banshees fly by, shaking the girder.

Many Phantoms pick up Engineers at Recharge Stations.

Drones eat the bodies of NMPD Troopers. Conversation between Buck and Dare.

Many battlecruisers fly overhead. A Scarab comes out of the ocean and walks into the city. An Assault Carrier comes out from behind cloud cover, and later begins to glass the city. Another Scarab comes out of the ocean, fires on Dare and Vergil, and continues to the city. Mickey's Phantom destroys the two Wraiths.

Reach

Emile climbs a rock. Jorge talks to the farmers. Carter investigates the army trooper bodies. Jun's Falcon fires on Spirits. Kat fixes the door, and it closes. A Zealot pulls wires out of some machinery.

The AA gun shoots down a Phantom.

A Phantom flies overhead, not noticing you.

Banshees fire on the Warthog, causing it to explode. AA Cannons shoot down Falcons. Longswords bomb the Scarabs, and Frigates Grafton and Saratoga shoot at the spires. A Wraith Energy Bomb pounds BXR Mining Facility. A Phantom teleports into the area via the Spire.

Drop Pods crash to the ground. A Seraph crashes into an AA gun. An Elite throws a Trooper down the hall. Another Trooper kicks a dead Elite. A Pelican evacs some troopers from the facility. The Corvette guns down the Savannah.

Falcons fly overhead. Brutes torture (and kill) civilians. A Falcon takes a few shots at some Shade Turrets. Civilian Transport 7 Echo 3 is destroyed.

A building crumbles. Crazy Army Trooper. A Battlecruiser flies overhead and begins to glass the city. Pelicans take off.

None (The Package)

Carter's Pelican is chased by Banshees. Scarabs fall from the sky and go into the hills, as Carter takes a few shots at them to distract them.



As you can see, Halo 3 has many more scripted moments than Reach and ODST combined. Why is this? Why would Reach and ODST have less scripted things happening in it if it was made after Halo 3? I personally think that Bungie decided to cut back on scripted moments in favor of cutscenes. Halo 3 has very few mid-level cutscenes and a high number of scripted moments to propel the story, whereas Reach has what seems to be the exact opposite thing happening (Long Night of Solace has 7 cutscenes.) ODST has a low number of scripted actions until the end, but also only has opening and ending cutscenes until the end as well.

Therefore, I ask you which you prefer: scripted moments or cutscenes?

[Edited on 02.08.2012 10:11 AM PST]

  • 01.23.2012 11:35 AM PDT

Vengeance only leads to an ongoing cycle of hatred.

I like a little bit of both.

  • 01.23.2012 12:05 PM PDT
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Posted by: SEAL Sniper 9
I like a little bit of both.


This.
I prefer scripted moments a little bit more, as it makes me emerge and feel.. real.
Cutscenes should be saved for those epic moments that require moments beyond scripts.

  • 01.23.2012 12:10 PM PDT

Scripted moments are the best, because they make you feel more immersed in the game. Im not saying we shouldn't have cutscenes, i am just saying they are better.

  • 01.23.2012 12:38 PM PDT
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NOT INTO THE LONG GRASS!

I liked Halo 3's style.

Where you actually had a degree of control over what was happening. Unlike the first person, overly dramatic cutscenes in Reach.

But I'd much rather have just third person cutscenes.

  • 01.23.2012 12:58 PM PDT
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(To discuss Halo 4.)

Less scripted moments, the better IMO.

We don't want a COD-esque type campaign, so hopefully Halo 4 will be more free roam, and we get campaign replay ability.

Cutscenes should always have the cool moments IMO.

[Edited on 01.23.2012 1:22 PM PST]

  • 01.23.2012 1:20 PM PDT


Posted by: Quantam
Less scripted moments, the better IMO.

We don't want a COD-esque type campaign, so hopefully Halo 4 will be more free roam, and we get campaign replay ability.

Cutscenes should always have the cool moments IMO.


Just because CoD had it doesn't make it bad--when done right, scripted moments can be incredible to watch. You'd still have the degree of free roam you've always had, maybe more, but in any Halo game whatever free roaming you do always ultimately comes down to one conclusion: the end of the level, which then results in the scripted moment. It's not like Skyrim where scripted moment are virtually impossible because of the freedom.

Plus, think about it: you're a seven foot tall super soldier, "half a ton of tank and jet fighter," * fighting to save the universe; I think more cinematic moments are understandable.

*Quoted by Josh Holmes, creative director of Halo 4--they said they want to truly sell on that fact.

  • 01.23.2012 1:34 PM PDT
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Posted by: ROBERTO jh

Posted by: Quantam
Less scripted moments, the better IMO.

We don't want a COD-esque type campaign, so hopefully Halo 4 will be more free roam, and we get campaign replay ability.

Cutscenes should always have the cool moments IMO.


Just because CoD had it doesn't make it bad--when done right, scripted moments can be incredible to watch. You'd still have the degree of free roam you've always had, maybe more, but in any Halo game whatever free roaming you do always ultimately comes down to one conclusion: the end of the level, which then results in the scripted moment. It's not like Skyrim where scripted moment are virtually impossible because of the freedom.

Plus, think about it: you're a seven foot tall super soldier, "half a ton of tank and jet fighter," * fighting to save the universe; I think more cinematic moments are understandable.

*Quoted by Josh Holmes, creative director of Halo 4--they said they want to truly sell on that fact.

I am not saying it is a bad thing, I am saying the more campaign's become linear, the more they are criticized.

I don't want a BF or COD type linear campaign, Halo is more to do with mystery and exploration, and linear events forcing us through a tunnel may be awesome, but not go with the principle CE set up.

  • 01.23.2012 1:37 PM PDT

We’re flawed because we want so much more. We’re ruined because we get these things and wish for what we had.

I don't want to many scripted moments to the point were I can predict the AI as a hole, but I do like to see a bit of both for the sake of variety.

  • 01.23.2012 1:43 PM PDT

What a waste....

Actually, on Mombassa Streets you can see 3 Brutes strapping suicide bombs to an Engie.

  • 01.23.2012 2:23 PM PDT

Yeah your right, but I think the amount of scripted moments in reach were a bit more than that. Around 2-3 of them per level is good enough for me when you add it all up and the end of the game.

  • 01.23.2012 3:13 PM PDT

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I love the scripted things, so don't take this the wrong way, but I think cutscenes are better for the game. I say this for two reasons. First, it's easy to miss the scripted events if you're not looking out for them (or, more likely, focused on something else), whereas cutscenes can't be missed. In addition, cutscenes can be skipped, appeasing the crowd who's only in it for the gunfights. Scripted moments may be more immersive, but cutscenes are probably going to be the order of the day in future games.

  • 01.23.2012 3:20 PM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: Nocbl2
Actually, on Mombassa Streets you can see 3 Brutes strapping suicide bombs to an Engie.


Whoops, forgot about that. Thanks!

Posted by: EmptyLearner5
Yeah your right, but I think the amount of scripted moments in reach were a bit more than that. Around 2-3 of them per level is good enough for me when you add it all up and the end of the game.


It's possible that I'm missing some things, but I'm writing off dropships and spawns as well as scripted dialogue.

[Edited on 01.23.2012 4:52 PM PST]

  • 01.23.2012 4:40 PM PDT

Oly Oly Oxen Free

Both work, but cutscenes are more obvious and thus more effective.

  • 01.23.2012 5:05 PM PDT

☆☆☆Does anyone even read this?☆☆☆

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: The Dutchman
Both work, but cutscenes are more obvious and thus more effective.


Personally, I'd rather stay in control of the game and watch events unfold instead of losing control and having to watch a cinematic (such as the launch in Long Night of Solace.)

  • 01.25.2012 8:08 AM PDT

Halo 2 > Halo 3 > Halo 3 ODST > Halo Reach > Halo CE

Based on campaigns.

OP don't the green phantoms on the Covenant or the hunters in Tayari Plaza count?

  • 01.25.2012 12:06 PM PDT

Scripted moments are great. Who doesn't like it when a Scarab shows up ready to kill?

Anyways like the good fellow said above me, Scipted moments make me fell really emersed in the game.

  • 01.25.2012 1:51 PM PDT
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Posted by: chotato
smart, interesting, seems out of place.


Official fan of Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, (Problem with that?) Halo, and Bungie, also a total gaming junkie.

I prefer scripted moments if they're done right.

  • 01.25.2012 2:03 PM PDT

☆☆☆Does anyone even read this?☆☆☆

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: Mark V guy
OP don't the green phantoms on the Covenant or the hunters in Tayari Plaza count?


I believe that all aerial units in that section of The Covenant are told to attack only other air units, but I'll add it anyways.

As for the Hunters...unless I'm missing something, they seem to act like normal Hunters. A video link and description of what they do would be appreciated.

[Edited on 01.26.2012 4:43 PM PST]

  • 01.26.2012 4:39 PM PDT

I agree that scripted moments occur a lot less frequently than they used to, and I think that that is probably for the better.

I really can't think of a more appropriate example of the effects of scripting than Halo 1. There was virtually nothing that changed between the first and hundredth time you played; you could expect more or less exactly the same enemies coming from more or less the same places every time (the invisible Elite in the first room of the Truth and Rec).

I think that scripted moments are important in moving the player along in the storyline, but often enough the level geography is pretty much enough to do that. Again going back to Halo 1, and this wasn't so much the case with Halo 3, you literally had one path that you could go through to reach the end. So with this mechanism already in place, I don't think you really need to control the player's movements as much by using a technique like scripted moments.

Personally, I like the fact that scripted moments have taken a sideline somewhat. I like playing a campaign level and not knowing exactly what to expect; something that happened last time might not necessarily happen again. In my opinion, those little changes are what makes the game more interesting. Incidentally, I think that cutscenes are a much better technique for telling the story.

  • 01.26.2012 5:54 PM PDT

What's the difference between scripted and cutscenes? Aren't cutscenes scripted as well?

  • 01.26.2012 6:24 PM PDT

-HisRoyalFreshness

I prefer the cut scenes because I admire the animations the Halo games have, and I always find myself deeply indulged in the story. I think stories are better told from the third person perspective which actually lets us see the chief.

I think one of Halo's strengths is how dynamic it is. You will never go through one area of the game the same way twice like you would in a heavily scripted game. I feel like Halo gives you the most options to get through a level despite being linear. A great example of this are the Halo 3 Scarab fights, specifically the first one. You can argue that, that is a scripted event, and it definitely is, but it plays more like a dynamic level.

IMO, I love video game cut-scenes when they have the level of quality that bungie games have.

  • 01.26.2012 6:53 PM PDT

Halo 2 > Halo 3 > Halo 3 ODST > Halo Reach > Halo CE

Based on campaigns.


Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: Mark V guy
OP don't the green phantoms on the Covenant or the hunters in Tayari Plaza count?


I believe that all aerial units in that section of The Covenant are told to attack only other air units, but I'll add it anyways.

As for the Hunters...unless I'm missing something, they seem to act like normal Hunters. A video link and description of what they do would be appreciated.


They are normal hunters. I just thought that if the prowlers on the Ark count as scripted then the hunters on Tayari Plaza would. Also, every time I play the hunters swipe a car out if the way, I think that is scripted

  • 01.27.2012 8:47 AM PDT

I'd prefer cutsenes 'cause most scripted moments in Halo 3 were terrible. The problem with scripted moments in Halo 3 was that the game failed to make the player put there attention to that scripted scene. Halo: Reach did the scripted moments properly. They were really good. Pair that with awesome cutscenes then you've got an awesome immersive game.

[Edited on 01.27.2012 10:29 AM PST]

  • 01.27.2012 10:25 AM PDT

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Posted by: snip3r dud33
Honestly, this is a good cover up for all the idiots who won't know its a cover up .


Posted by: Mark V guy

Posted by: NinStarRune

Posted by: Mark V guy
OP don't the green phantoms on the Covenant or the hunters in Tayari Plaza count?


I believe that all aerial units in that section of The Covenant are told to attack only other air units, but I'll add it anyways.

As for the Hunters...unless I'm missing something, they seem to act like normal Hunters. A video link and description of what they do would be appreciated.


They are normal hunters. I just thought that if the prowlers on the Ark count as scripted then the hunters on Tayari Plaza would. Also, every time I play the hunters swipe a car out if the way, I think that is scripted


The Prowlers are on a scripted path. One is then scripted to have all members, excluding the gunner, to exit the vehicle. This doesn't happen in-game elsewhere, as the driver will never exit the vehicle unless it is stuck or flipped.

I believe that the Hunters are following squad migration protocol and moving to the closest firing point (which happens to be past the car.) As for swatting the car away, if they used a different animation or that was the only time they would ever swat vehicles away, then it would be scripted; since they do that all the time (drive up to a Hunter on a Mongoose, you'll see what I mean), it's not scripted. Hide behind a car on Mombasa Streets when they know you're there. If they don't flank you, they will try to fire at you a few times, then either charge the car or swat it away.

  • 01.27.2012 1:36 PM PDT

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