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This topic has moved here: Subject: Bungie sharing their Halo: ODST GDD in Publications?
  • Subject: Bungie sharing their Halo: ODST GDD in Publications?
Subject: Bungie sharing their Halo: ODST GDD in Publications?

I have been surfing around the net for any help on becoming a Game Designer. That is until I rediscovered the Game Design Document. As a aspiring Game Designer it is necessary for me to understand and know how to make a Game Design Document. So I was wondering if Bungie is willing to share their Halo ODST Game Design Document for educational purposes.

I know that Bungie has left Halo but I do think they would have the Game Design Doccument for ODST(correct me if I'm wrong). Everyone has a different way of making a Game Design Document but I would like it for reference and as a example. Is this impossible to ask for or is Bungie willing to share it?

Note to Ninjas: Am I in the right forum for this kind of thread since it has to do with Bungie? Please message me if it isn't. Thank you.

  • 10.03.2012 4:51 PM PDT
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  • Veteran Legendary Member

Don't be stupid like I was! Check to see what that Forum Ninja is saying to you!

"I may not like what you say, but I will defend your right to the death to say it!"

"Tolerance is a virtue, and virtue builds character."
-Onyx81

Hmm. That's a good question. I actually can't think of an answer on whether 343i would hold a document like that, or if Bungie would. Or if Bungie even has the right from 343i to release something like that.

  • 10.03.2012 5:44 PM PDT

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I feel like Microsoft would have rights to that document because they own the rights to the Halo series.

  • 10.03.2012 5:57 PM PDT


Posted by: Onyx81
Hmm. That's a good question. I actually can't think of an answer on whether 343i would hold a document like that, or if Bungie would. Or if Bungie even has the right from 343i to release something like that.
This has puzzled me too. I'm thinking that Bungie still has the Game Design Document but I'm unsure. I don't know if a Bungie member would confirm or not.

  • 10.03.2012 6:56 PM PDT

No doubt that Bungie still has everything "Halo" in their possession... we wouldnt see it still all over the website and that more than likely includes all the pages and pages of code that they wrote with all artwork as well.

I dont know the actual law abiding agreement that they have with Microsoft, but it would make sense that they are free to use any of the franchise content as long as it is not for any type of monitory gain. They did create the massive universe that we know and love still to this day.

As far as asking for use of the GDD... you COULD go through Bungie, but I doubt they will be able to help you, because that would probably fall within the guidelines of distributing Microsoft content. It is something you would definitely have to go to Microsoft for and they would probably deny you... 343i might help but they would have to be clever about it and post in somewhere hard to find on their website.

Your best bet would be to scour the internets some more and hope you come across it... but you will probably be better off just researching schools to attend.

Also, check out an episode from this show out. Alot of great gaming insights!

  • 10.04.2012 4:00 AM PDT
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  • Exalted Heroic Member

I'm not sure that any Halo-related content is out of Microsoft's grasp and control.

For example, Marty would like to release all of the Halo original music scores for public use but it seems that Microsoft is not allowing it. Well, that's what I believe this means, anyway. I don't really know what else would prevent it, but the music is copyright Microsoft Corporation so it's a safe assumption.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that any document containing any sort of Halo-related indicia must get Microsoft's stamp of approval before it is released to the public. You know, as part of that whole intellectual copyright ownership thing.

[Edited on 10.04.2012 9:31 AM PDT]

  • 10.04.2012 9:31 AM PDT

I've only ever seen the design documents for Halo CE's Sniper and ODST's Sniper.

OP, you might find the Publications Page useful.

  • 10.04.2012 9:36 AM PDT