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Halo 3, what is it? (56k)

Bansheesdie · 2007-07-25 06:57:19

EnvironmentsLevels in Halo 3 are immensely larger then any of the previous locations in either game, outdoor environments such as jungles with draping canopies, scorching desserts, and snow covered plains just to name a few. Even indoors the size of the areas still dwarfs what was seen in Halo 2. A location that would have been large previously is now little more then medium.Outdoors environments will usually have a draw distance of up and around 16km (10 miles), all with added particles to simulate pollution, weather, smoke and other 'normal' atmospheric occurrences. Bungie calls this a subtle effect, but says that in a vast landscape it adds spectacular depth of realism to a scene.The last, and possibly most interesting piece of information about the environments is that they are alive. Much like the dogfights out in the distance, there will also be birds in flocking patterns flying around in the distances. These birds are also detailed, if you are lucky or skillful enough to shoot down one of these birds 'think...miles'then you will be able to walk over to them and look at them, and just like the mountains in the distance, the birds are detailed. Then there are the fish, who will be swimming through the streams, rivers, and lakes of Halo 3. They also can be shot and killed. If they are killed then they will bleed, turn the water red, turn belly up, and float away.E3 07 trailer captureGraphicsThe armor's visor reflects light in real time and everything that is happening in front and around you is reflected. The reflection is so detailed that everything from dynamic lighting through tree canopies in the jungles of Sierra 117 to the ammo read out on the back of certain weapons will be visible off the visor. Each location in Halo 3 also has unique graphical touches, when the player is in a desert environment - like the one seen in the E3 06 trailer - inferior mirages will appear near hills and the edges of sight, dust will be blown around, and even the heat from the sun will be visible. In the forests of Sierra 117, and others, there is visible humidity, dynamic lighting through the canopy(god rays), destructible vegetation, and flora that responds to movement (whether that movement is the player, an ally, an enemy, gunfire or explosions).GameplayGameplay and combat is completely evolved (no pun intended) from either of the previous titles. Players will find themselves in more to encounters were they will have to plan out how they will execute the situation. An encounter may appear normal at first, it is anything but: 'You can see a group of Covenant in the distance, and head down to fight them. You could toss a grenade to get the party started - but here's a hint. Between you and them and the tumble of rocks and scree between you, a Phantom is going to drop off four Grunts and a Brute Chieftain. The Phantom itself is going to start laying down fire on you.''Frank, I can't believe I am actually enjoying this encounter more than anything I ever played in Halo one or two!' - Joseph Staten, Bungie employeeThe interplay and strategies created among the various Covenant foes and the fact that you have to plan for multiple encounters in one location adds much more depth of gameplay. There is also much more happening during a fight then anything seen before. A normal encounter isn't just two sides trying to kill the other; there will be fiery explosions, plasma fire coming from everywhere, aerial combat in the skies above. Covenant with turrets on the ground below,and rockets flying everywhere. The content of an encounter is just as intense as what will be happening around you during these fight. And big doesn't even begin to describe what is happening during some of the more intense fights. Fights are large, larger then anything seen previously. Often involving dozens of characters in breath taking environments fighting for their lives.The 'average' encounter size is below as described by Frank O'Connor. I should also mention that the below encounter is from Normal difficulty and more will appear on the harder difficulty settings:Scary Post Apocalyptic Environment: 1 Phantoms: 3 Grunts: 14 Marines: 6 Brutes: 8 Jackals: 3 Wraiths: 3 Ghosts: 6 Mongoose: 1 Warthogs: 1 New version of old favorite: 1 Chief: 1 Giant Bad Guy in distance: 1 Frightening and Inexplicable Maelstrom: 1 Ancient Forerunner Artifact: 1 The above battle is enormous in size and scale, the 'Scary Post Apocalyptic Environment' will feature all the graphical touches Bungie has mentioned along with the enormous draw distance, there are 14 total vehicles, and 32 total characters (Both Covenant, Marine, and the Master Chief).That also lists only the majority of the enemies, more are dropped off by Phantoms, and more appear from the far end of the map. Items were also deliberately left out because they have not yet been announced.'Halo 3 encounters are more fun, more challenging, more varied and more enjoyable than those in Halo or Halo 2.' - Frank O'Connor, Content Manager of bungie.netE3 07 trailer captureAIAI behavior of both enemies and allies has been greatly enhanced for Halo 3, Marines' driving and gunning skills on the Warthog, Grunt flanking maneuvers in battle, and Brute 'pack mentality' are the new and most exciting forms of Halo 3's AI. Bungie has said that they are working on online co-op, but the one reason that it has not yet been completed is because of the AI. It is that complicated.The Brute Pack is the new AI designed specifically for the Brutes. Each group of Brutes will have a leader, either a Captain or Chieftain, who will keep his troops in formation, tell them were to fire, whether or not to throw grenades, and even tell Grunts to execute flanking maneuvers. It is unknown whether or not the Jackals, Drones and any other Covenant will be given orders similar to Grunts.The world you will fight ...

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