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This topic has moved here: Subject: Bungie's Initial Intention for Halo 2
  • Subject: Bungie's Initial Intention for Halo 2
Subject: Bungie's Initial Intention for Halo 2

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So since Bungie is going to be completely handing off Halo in the next few days, I wanted to ask a question that I've been wondering for the past 8 years...what was Bungie initially going to do with Halo 2? I was hoping someone from Bungie would have some insight into what the original plot was going to be though I know that's a stretch, especially since they don't support it anymore.

For anyone who may not know, Halo 2's story was altered (not sure how dramatically it was changed) between when Bungie started developing the game and when it came out.

I was wondering if anyone could answer what was supposed to happen, and I was wondering what you forum-goers think may have happened in the original story?

edit- since this was more directed toward Bungie and the community, I decided to post here rather than in the Halo 2 forum. Sorry if it doesn't belong.

[Edited on 03.25.2012 10:50 PM PDT]

  • 03.25.2012 10:49 PM PDT

I didn't even know anything was changed!

  • 03.25.2012 11:02 PM PDT
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I heard that Chief had a bomb strapped to him for some reason. And that Miranda went rogue. Also, Forerunner Tank.

  • 03.25.2012 11:05 PM PDT

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What I know, is that when Bungie was making H2, it was so "big" that it would not be for the due date, so they really throw everything what they have and re-make it, so many things were cut down and sliced, that's why the H2 ending was just fast and awkward.

The final product was great for many including me.

  • 03.25.2012 11:06 PM PDT

Reclamation is inevitable.
Even a far cry begins as a short whimper.
Sub Zero Films


Posted by: ctjl96
I didn't even know anything was changed!


Well the storyline that you played wasn't initially what was going to happen in Halo 2. If you watch the ViDoc on the home page you'll get a sense of what I mean. I believe they re-did the story somewhat. One thing I was excited for but unfortunately didn't make the cut was the snowhog with the treads. That would have been awesome.

Posted by: Jose291
What I know, is that when Bungie was making H2, it was so "big" that it would not be for the due date


See, those "big" things is what I kinda want to know. Like what were the parts of the game that were cut out, whether it be gameplay features, story, or other things

[Edited on 03.25.2012 11:12 PM PDT]

  • 03.25.2012 11:08 PM PDT

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tenn' Ambar-metta!

I'm not sure, but before they changed it, it was Halo 2 and 3 in one all together, but since it was too big, they had to cut it in half and that's how Halo 3 came to be.

Again, this might not be accurate at all.

  • 03.25.2012 11:31 PM PDT

They didn't change the plot so much as cut a lot of it out. I think I remember a vidoc mentioning that they lopped off the final third of the campaign to meet deadlines, hence the cliffhanger ending.
Posted by: Reclamation
So since Bungie is going to be completely handing off Halo in the next few days, I wanted to ask a question that I've been wondering for the past 8 years...what was Bungie initially going to do with Halo 2? I was hoping someone from Bungie would have some insight into what the original plot was going to be though I know that's a stretch, especially since they don't support it anymore.

For anyone who may not know, Halo 2's story was altered (not sure how dramatically it was changed) between when Bungie started developing the game and when it came out.

I was wondering if anyone could answer what was supposed to happen, and I was wondering what you forum-goers think may have happened in the original story?

edit- since this was more directed toward Bungie and the community, I decided to post here rather than in the Halo 2 forum. Sorry if it doesn't belong.

  • 03.25.2012 11:37 PM PDT
  •  | 
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Saved Films, a forge type mode (I think), larger scaled battles, an ending, dynamic Battle Rifle that switched from burst fire to single shot when zoomed, a human equivalent to the banshee, and tons more things that are more significant than what I've said.

  • 03.25.2012 11:43 PM PDT

http://thexboxnetwork.com

I think Halo 2's cut(s) will forever be a closely guarded secret. It doesn't matter what it was though. The game was a huge success and delivered what we wanted.

[Edited on 03.25.2012 11:46 PM PDT]

  • 03.25.2012 11:45 PM PDT

A couple of those things I'm a little skeptical about, and I know for a fact that Forge wasn't planned for Halo 2. It was a last minute feature they put into Halo 3 6 months before launch.
Posted by: Dr Syx
Saved Films, a forge type mode (I think), larger scaled battles, an ending, dynamic Battle Rifle that switched from burst fire to single shot when zoomed, a human equivalent to the banshee, and tons more things that are more significant than what I've said.

  • 03.25.2012 11:45 PM PDT

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Posted by: ctjl96
I didn't even know anything was changed!


a third of the plot was taken out. also this is a good thread id like to know as well
yorkie

  • 03.26.2012 12:16 AM PDT

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This should give you somewhat of an idea.

[Edited on 03.26.2012 1:44 AM PDT]

  • 03.26.2012 1:42 AM PDT

Relevant, though ultimately not as specific as you are looking for I'm afraid.

In Hindsight it's very clear to see that Halo 3 is the lopped off portion of Halo 2's Campaign. You'll notice that the first few missions of Halo 3 are largely meaningless to the storyline. Dropping you right where you should have left off in Halo 2 into the climax of the story without building up first would be suicidal, so the first few levels serve as filler to accomidate that buildup.

It's late at night so that might not have entirely made sense, but bleh.

  • 03.26.2012 2:08 AM PDT

Posted by: Primum Agmen
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It looked great so much hype for that game. The actual game is no disappointment. But it looked so epic before release.

  • 03.26.2012 4:31 AM PDT

Posted by: Hylebos
Relevant, though ultimately not as specific as you are looking for I'm afraid.
Hah, thanks for posting that; it was a great read.

"One of the things I always say when people talk about crunch now, is that the crunch we do now is the good kind of crunch," adds Butcher. "It's the crunch where you're putting in the hours because you really want to, because you know it's going to make the game better. The crunch on Halo 2 was, 'Oh my god, we're f***ed. We're all going to die.'

  • 03.26.2012 4:45 AM PDT

Ad Infinitum


Posted by: Hylebos

In Hindsight it's very clear to see that Halo 3 is the lopped off portion of Halo 2's Campaign. You'll notice that the first few missions of Halo 3 are largely meaningless to the storyline. Dropping you right where you should have left off in Halo 2 into the climax of the story without building up first would be suicidal, so the first few levels serve as filler to accomidate that buildup.

I honestly never thought of it that way, but it actually makes sense. Interesting.

  • 03.26.2012 4:58 AM PDT
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"I have your RCON right here." - Iggwilv

"Always my pleasure to be lazy." - InvasionImminent


Posted by: Canadian Bac0nz
A couple of those things I'm a little skeptical about, and I know for a fact that Forge wasn't planned for Halo 2. It was a last minute feature they put into Halo 3 6 months before launch.
Which ones were you skeptical about?

Saved Films (Look at the bottom option at the main menu)

Human equivalent to the banshee

Battle Rifle single fire when zoomed

Halo 2 actually having a proper ending and having larger scaled combat is common knowledge. Bungie has talked about it a few times. They were even planning on making some sort of Invasion mode for multiplayer. The large scaled combat was going to be more focused in the campaign, though.

The forge thing is something I read about somewhere before. I put (I think) because I wasn't completely sure about that.

[Edited on 03.26.2012 2:28 PM PDT]

  • 03.26.2012 2:24 PM PDT