Halo 3 campaign in testing

  • By Patrick Caldwell, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 5, 2006 2:43 pm PT

Bungie says it is testing the single-player portion of its FPS; reveals new info on weapons, comic, game modes, documentary, matchmaking playlists, and more.

Development on perhaps the most-anticipated game of 2007 seems to be running smoothly.

After announcing two months ago that multiplayer testing of Halo 3 was under way in the Bungie Studios' offices, the developer has revealed that the game's single-player campaign is getting its fair share of action. The announcement came late last Friday, just before the stretched-out Independence Day weekend began in the United States.

"Multiplayer, single player, you name it, folks are playing it," said Bungie's Frankie O'Connor. "The lab formerly known as the multiplayer lab is now also the single player lab."

O'Connor used the company's weekly update posted on Bungie.net to say that it is running through the single-player game as "a gameplay test, not a graphics one."

Since the graphics are unfinished, he shifted the focus to gameplay and praised the increased power of the Xbox 360 to churn out more advanced artificial intelligence among Halo 3's enemies. "That counts for your human allies," he wrote, "but it's more noticeable at this early stage in the behavior of your opponents."

O'Connor described a heated encounter he experienced in the game, which he said showed off Halo 3's improved AI.

"At this point, they're testing out the new AI and encounters as much as anything else. ... Today, I swear I saw some Grunts do a classic pincer-movement to trap me in a narrow canyon," he wrote. "I was battling um, something bigger than a Grunt, and suddenly, I'm being peppered by a second group of jerks, mostly Grunts, who'd been sent in around my flanks to take me out. Grunts are still grunts though, and once I showed some serious opposition, a couple of them panicked and fled, but they nearly had me and it was quite a shock."

O'Connor's "um, something bigger than a Grunt" may be a likely indicator that some new enemies will be thrown into the intergalactic mix.

He also officially revealed several more tidbits relating to the Halo franchise, from a new Halo 3 multiplayer mode and revamped weapons to Halo 2 matchmaking playlists and the release of the Halo comic book.

--Since multiplayer testing began two months ago, a new "utterly terrifying" Halo 3 game mode has been developed. "I have never, ever heard so much frightened screaming during a play test of anything. And plenty of laughing too," O'Connor said, without offering any further details.

--The seven-minute mini-documentary that profiled the development of the Halo 3 E3 2006 trailer was released a month ago on Bungie's Web site, but it will just now be coming to Xbox Live Marketplace. The documentary will be available for download sometime this week or next week, O'Connor said.

--Many of the classic Halo weapons, such as the Covenant sniper rifle, are getting a graphical makeover for Halo 3. "I wanted to go back and make everything better," said Bungie weapons designer Tom Doyle. "The Covenant sniper is one of my favorite weapons--it just feels so powerful. I wanted to emphasize that in the new version, so we're adding some detail that will really show off the building energy in the weapon."

--The upcoming Halo graphic novel is hot off the presses. "[Bungie artist] Lorraine [McLees] literally just arrived back from Marvel's printer with the very first copy," O'Connor said. Halo: The Graphic Novel will be unveiled at the July 20-23 San Diego Comic Con and it will go on sale this month, O'Connor said.

--A revamped form of matchmaking playlists will be hitting Halo 2, and Bungie is looking for community contributions--because the playlists will be designed by Halo 2 players. "[T]hese fan created playlists will be temporary and their lifespan will be determined by popularity ... If people like your list, we'll keep it up for longer and if they hate it, we'll yank it," O'Connor said. Still, don't expect the new playlists anytime soon. "This thing is a long way out and playlists take a long time to test," he said, "so don't hold your breath."

365 Comments

  • Tomdogg

    Posted Jul 9, 2007 7:38 pm PT

    Let's just hope that Halo 3 dosen't turn out to be another Halo 2.......I'm not holding my breath on ANYTHING.

  • Kirin_696

    Posted Dec 1, 2006 10:21 pm PT

    ...
    (death by halo)
    R.I.P

  • romerokaper

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 3:59 pm PT

    /agree @ August king

  • eddyissa

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 3:21 am PT

    i dont know about the AI... i trust bungie to do their job there since the AI kept me occupied both times around but what i do really truly wish they would do would be to give the games campaign an absolute facelift. the first one was brilliant. i loved it all the way but the second one tho it was entertaining and the story line was brilliant (yes i feel the story was good.. after all if you were mad at the endin i wish u wld get it into ur head that there was halo 3 to come... it wasnt like they were goin to stop it there so i honestly wish ppl would stop going on about the endin.) the game still felt pretty much a bit of a rehash of e last one with just a few new enemies dropped in.. fight covenant.. find flood.. fight flood.. fight covnenant and flood.... u get what im saying right. i do hope so much that bungie comes up with a story that will startle us as much as the first one and tell it in such a way that it wont feel deja vu..

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Sep 28, 2006 4:58 pm PT

    I'm wondering since the AI is being improved by the 360 if they'll at least consider throwing AI controlled plaeyrs into online multiplayer games and upping it to 32 players instead of 16. I still can't believe this is the final chapter. I would have thought they'd run the gamut and do another 4 following this one. Oh well there's always the prequals just look at Star Wars episodes 4 - 6 came out first then episodes 1 - 3

  • Hojo214

    Posted Sep 24, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    Reading this article gets me excited for the upcoming Halo 3. Just Knowing that they're already testing the multyplayer on halo 3 makes me want jump up and scream THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!

  • elite11

    Posted Sep 18, 2006 5:10 pm PT

    yeah august king if they do that they will pretty much ruin the original halo expirience that everyone loves

  • landonct10

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 5:14 pm PT

    yea..i guess that pretty much kicks ass...ive never really played halo, only a little of halo 2 with some friends..but im actually looking forward to this game

  • Ash16

    Posted Sep 6, 2006 12:41 pm PT

    This is THE reason I want an XB360, this and GTA IV.

  • billyz03

    Posted Sep 1, 2006 8:42 am PT

    I can't wait

  • majorwes

    Posted Aug 30, 2006 12:44 am PT

    i just want the damn assult rifle back

  • doomman1

    Posted Aug 28, 2006 9:17 pm PT

    Hey Do You Guys think that Halo 3 can Crush the ps3. I say this because my friends say that the xbox 360 is goign to lose against the Ps3 soo i think this article is good info for people who hate Halo 3.

  • DoomHalo

    Posted Aug 25, 2006 4:39 pm PT

    I hope they add more modles like ODSTS and Brutes to multiplayer... abd i cant w8 to c ther utterly terrifying game mode... i bet it has to do something with the flood... maybe like zombie with flood?

  • X-Robert

    Posted Aug 24, 2006 1:04 am PT

    So what about the fourth novel?

  • FlashNovice

    Posted Aug 22, 2006 6:44 am PT

    Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

  • Mastercheat117

    Posted Aug 20, 2006 12:42 pm PT

    In the artical it was mentioned that there is a terrifying new game mode and I hope that the story mode has a mix of horror or heart pumping moments.

  • big_smoke187

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:27 pm PT

    Do you have any idea how long it would take to reconstruct the AI Combat System in mulitplayer if you wanted a challenge fighting bots?

  • generaljw

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 8:31 am PT

    All they need to do is make sure the campaign mode is sufficient. And please for the good of everyone dont hold back on any information regarding the fore runners or the halo universe that could add to the overall player's experience.

    And by the way, this question goes out to everyone, did anyone else other than myself see the trailer on xbox..com regarding halo2 before it came out.
    The trailer itself showed different gameplay to what we did when playing halo 2. For a start the Pelican dropships were modified. There were 2 dfferent cut scenes, One was of master cheif being surrounded by 5-6 Elites who came down in drop pods.

    The gameplay it showed was of Master chied landing in the Pelican at a site where UNSC forces were sturggling to hold of an atatck by grunts and jackals. Further on the Master chief gets into a Humvee with a Gaus cannon and at the same time about 6 Brutes shows up in the area, some are riding on Ghosts. This all occus on earth in a city that looks to be the same as where In Amber Clad deploys pelicans in Halo 2.
    But it isnt the same, because you do not get to fight any brutes at this stage in the game .

    Ofcourse you wont find the trailer on Xbox.com now, it vanished a little while after Halo2 was released i think.

    Can someone tell me if they know what i am talking about because i am wondering if there are any hidden cut scenes or gameplay that i have missed.
    If however, there isnt any secret gameplay then it can mean only 2 things, either that trailer was something Bungie made just to keep us busy and it actually does not exist wotsoever, or it could be gameplay from Halo 3.

    I feel stupid because if i remmeber right i may have had the ability to download it.

  • Bjorgo

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 9:57 am PT

    i have thought halo was a decent game, but i dont see why all of you are going crazy about it, and to all of those people who are going crazy over it, their are plenty of better games out their.

  • geeeeze

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 2:51 pm PT

    i THINK HALO IS THE BEST FPS IN OUR TIME. I'M TELLING YOU THIS GAME MIGHT RUN OUT JUST LIKE THE 360 DID BACK WHEN IT LAUNCHED.ALMOST EVERYONE I KNOW BOUGHT A 360 BECAUSE OF THIS GAME. i HOPE THE AI ISN'T LIKE THE AI IN JAMES BOND, TAKE UR TIME BUNGIE.

  • august_king

    Posted Aug 11, 2006 8:28 pm PT

    Hey Bungie!! This is what you need to do to make Halo 3 the best FPS ever...First add some new manuevers for Master Chief, like the ability to lean around corners and shoot. Make the Chief more agile and less stiff. Add more new weapons and not the same old weapons with minor alterations. Don't forget to include new enemies and vehicles. Allow Master Chief to use a jetpack. Make the levels more interactive. If I fire a rocket at a wall it should blow a friggin hole in it! If an enemy is hiding behind a large crate I should be able to push it over on top of him. Balance the difficulty level better, especially the hardest difficulty. Allow Master Chief to block with the sword and dismember opponents in multiplayer. Don't leave us hanging with another cliff hanger ending. Add more multiplayer modes and finally make some awesome levels. I really enjoyed the early levels in Halo 2, (especially the ones on earth) up to Delta Halo, after that well... I was disappointed.

  • D6rkFire

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 6:56 pm PT

    Halo 3 will make more money then the WII and the PS3 combined...Xbox 360 rules!!!

  • Dingis_Fargle

    Posted Aug 7, 2006 9:20 pm PT

    OMG i Cant wait for halo 3!!! ITS GONNA BE AWESOME!!! I would want 16 vs 16 team battles in it... That would be COOL

  • franky111

    Posted Aug 2, 2006 10:23 am PT

    take out the noobie auto aim and the lunge with meelee

  • fon1988

    Posted Jul 30, 2006 12:40 pm PT

    if it sucks as much as halo 2 ill be mad

  • cazza4sale

    Posted Jul 29, 2006 5:11 am PT

    hey all if your wanting to download the HD trailer go to microsoft and follow the links (sorry to all in gamespot wanting their cut of the PIE)

  • Warudor

    Posted Jul 26, 2006 9:20 pm PT

    Wow, Shodarkhorn's comment actually succeded in giving me a headache

  • tek-9

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 2:12 pm PT

    holy crap those that is the most enormous comment ive ever seen. I tend to write big comments but mine fail in comparison to Shodarkhorn's!

  • blink-jfg

    Posted Jul 25, 2006 8:53 am PT

    The Second One Was Better Than The First And This One Will Be Even Better. Gettin It As Soon As It Comes Out.

  • Kyle6534

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 8:32 pm PT

    ya there should be bots in multiplayer!!! that would be tight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • kitling89

    Posted Jul 24, 2006 8:38 am PT

    Sweet! I agree with they guy who said there should me AI in multiplayer. That would be tight!

  • yagooital

    Posted Jul 22, 2006 3:07 pm PT

    Reply to: ortan13
    This game better come out in the beginning of 2007.

    No thanx they should release it about middle of 2007! Mayby late so they can add LOTS to it! Then it will be WAY better!

  • commandercow011

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 8:37 am PT

    well halo 3 is the sellpoint for the 360

  • Gunslingers

    Posted Jul 21, 2006 4:32 am PT

    sweeet man

  • playaz_ys

    Posted Jul 20, 2006 10:11 am PT

    i hope the guys at bungie put ai bots in multiplayer cause that would be awsome.

  • bin-hiding

    Posted Jul 19, 2006 1:49 pm PT

    the only thing they need to improve upon are the graphics, the gameplay should stay the same as it is now...... if they do that this game will continue to be the number one shooter in the market

  • toamax2

    Posted Jul 18, 2006 9:04 am PT

    i hope u can play as a grunt lol

  • jj_gutierrez626

    Posted Jul 17, 2006 12:12 pm PT

    THIS GAME IS GOING TO BE THE **** i CANT WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT

  • damienb2

    Posted Jul 15, 2006 9:01 am PT

    halo 3 will be one of the best xbox 360 game's made but it's a shame that's the end of that story with master chief

  • Titan22

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 3:02 pm PT

    Quote: "I`m going to drop dead when I see the gameplay fottage of this game. "

    Look at the screenshots. They're realtime.

  • ortan13

    Posted Jul 13, 2006 1:43 pm PT

    This game better come out in the beginning of 2007

  • alwayzplayin

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 6:43 pm PT

    its probably goin to suck VIVA LA WII

  • 360KilDab

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 2:24 pm PT

    bungie go go go let me test it before anything i know what people want in there games im just me Dab running for president 2020 Ha!!!!!!!

  • Pro-Gamer12

    Posted Jul 12, 2006 12:01 pm PT

    I CANT WAIT TO PLAY HALO 3!!!

  • nshaw123

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 5:52 pm PT

    hoorah

  • yellbell

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 5:37 pm PT

    I can't wait till new info

  • timmbo

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 4:38 pm PT

    This will likely be crazy awesome, i hope and am pretty sure it will be the best game in my opinion. But insted of being an xbox 360 fanboy, i would rather have sony come out with a better game then halo. This will create BIG competition for both consoles which means....better games!!!....and who wouldent want that?

  • franky111

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 4:36 pm PT

    Ha, PS3 is going to lose this war.

  • Makaveli2A

    Posted Jul 11, 2006 2:35 pm PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

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