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Halo Movie May Happen After All

spizkapa writes "On the back of the story about the Halo competition, Microsoft are reported to have reached a deal with Universal Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox to make a movie based on Halo and Halo-2. Apparently, Microsoft initially wanted $10 million plus 15% of the box office revenue but the deal was struck when the two studios teamed up and offered $5 million and 10% of initial box office revenue. Apparently, the formal announcement will take a further week after creative issues are agreed between the three parties involved."

156 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Red Vs.Blue by dextroz · · Score: 5, Funny

    They could just rehash the Red Vs Blue videos in high quality and 5.1 and it would be hilarious all over again!

    --
    Where's my free iPod!? Until then, I'll settle for a kiss...
    1. Re:Red Vs.Blue by MsGeek · · Score: 2, Interesting

      They could do worse than to have the Red vs. Blue guys write the script. There's never been a game-related intentional* comedy before. A Halo movie with humor would be great. Bungie has always been known for throwing inside jokes into their games. A comedic/dramatic Halo movie would rock.

      * Many previous game-related movies have been unintentional laugh riots.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
    2. Re:Red Vs.Blue by ChefJosh · · Score: 1

      You don't think Super Mario Bros. the movie was intentionally comedic?

    3. Re:Red Vs.Blue by MsGeek · · Score: 1

      Well if it was, it wasn't funny.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
  2. I don't know what to say by udderly · · Score: 3, Funny

    They are really making a movie out of a video game? I guess that I just don't understand.

    1. Re:I don't know what to say by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You mean, you aren't aware that all video game-> movie transitions suck ass? Need I remind everyone of Street Fighter, the movie so bad it killed Raul Julia? Or how about Super Mario Bros. ?

      Or maybe it's the confusion over why Microsoft would deserve anything but a token amount of upfront cash, seeing how they had nothing to do with writing what little story is behind a FPS game.

    2. Re:I don't know what to say by screwballicus · · Score: 4, Funny

      In case you aren't aware, some of the

      great
      masterpieces
      of the
      modern
      era

      are based on video games.

    3. Re:I don't know what to say by h4rm0ny · · Score: 4, Interesting


      So what is so original about this game that a studio needs to pay for the rights rather than do a sci-fi movie from scratch?

      My (very) vague knowledge of the game is that it is set in an ring-like orbital. Maybe they'd get a cheaper deal off Iain M. Banks as he has plenty of these in his Culture novels. That's assuming any sci-fi author is still willing to sell rights after 'I, Robot.' :)

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    4. Re:I don't know what to say by ElVaquero · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Well, with doing a franchise picture, you already have brand recognizability and several million guaranteed audience members.

    5. Re:I don't know what to say by h4rm0ny · · Score: 5, Funny

      In case you aren't aware, some of the

      great
      masterpieces
      of the
      modern
      era

      are based on video games.


      If there's any marketing / advertising person at imdb who has to analyse the hits for various movies, I'd love to see them trying to puzzle out the /. anomalies.

      "Hmmm... 2:10 EST, sudden massive spikes on Street Fighter and House of the Dead. What does it MEEEAANNN!!!!"

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    6. Re:I don't know what to say by Ichimusai · · Score: 1

      I don't know, it does not have to be bad just because it is based on a computer game. While a lot of movies are nonsense no matter if they are based on computer games or not, I still enjoy a few of them. One example could perhaps be Tomb Raider which - if not a high-brow movie in any way - still was entertaining and made for some nice action scenes.

      --
      -- ICQ: 1645566 Yahoo: Ichimusai MSN: Ichimusai http://www.ichimusai.org/
    7. Re:I don't know what to say by nanoakron · · Score: 1

      I think you'll find Raul Julia died of a stroke the year that Street Fighter was released. So unless you're saying there's a link between making shitty movies and developing cancer leading to a stroke...you've got the wrong end of the stick.

      -Nano.

    8. Re:I don't know what to say by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Unfortunately, Isaac Asimov died long before anyone thought about making a movie. Presumably, if he were still alive he would have exercised greater creative control, but I guess that's what happens when you deal with an author's estate ... all they care about is that they have some valuable IP to sell. Now, I, Robot was a quality movie in its own right and had it been called "Robot Independence Day" or some such I would have enjoyed it just fine, but they made the mistake of trying to reel in Asimov fans by hyping how it was based on his books. That was really a dumb move, considering that they've pretty much alienated most of them (I certainly won't bother taking in an I, Robot II, that's for sure.)

      But yeah, you're right in that this is all about trying to capitalize on the success of a plot idea in one medium, by hoping it will translate into success in another. Taking on a genuinely new idea is more of a risk than recycling an existing successful one. Well, at least that seems to be the prevailing point of view in the industry. Generally it doesn't work so well, though. For that matter, the video game industry itself has fallen prey to the same kind of innovation-killing thinking that Hollywood has.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    9. Re:I don't know what to say by randallschleufer · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I guess I am the only one that thought the Halo storylines sucked ass. Predictible and assinine, and a bit too fluffy for my liking. What the hell is up with all the purple and PINK? Are we fighting the Care Bears?

    10. Re:I don't know what to say by h4rm0ny · · Score: 1


      But yeah, you're right in that this is all about trying to capitalize on the success of a plot idea in one medium, by hoping it will translate into success in another.

      Actually my point was more along the lines of why do they need to pay huge fees to Microsoft for ideas that are common Sci-Fi standards. They don't need to.

      I think the previous poster was right - they are paying solely for brand recognition. I just disagree that this is in any way worth 10% of takings and millions in advance. Instead, they could just make a good film and reviews and word of mouth would be worth ten times that.

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    11. Re:I don't know what to say by iibagod · · Score: 1

      I think that if you look up, you'll find that joke flying about a thousand feet over your head.

    12. Re:I don't know what to say by Antonymous+Flower · · Score: 1

      check the budgets VS gross of these films. mortal kombat was a big name when the movie came out and 70 mil gross - 20 mil budget = fat wallet.

      you know, halo is a bigger name today than mortal kombat was then..

    13. Re:I don't know what to say by Flunitrazepam · · Score: 2, Funny

      Your forgetting the 20 billion domestic take of Pacman, staring Jeremy Irons as Blinky

      --
      1) Your analysis is based on bad assumptions so your result is way off. 2) You're a sick bastard for fucking a horse.
    14. Re:I don't know what to say by Jasin+Natael · · Score: 2, Informative

      You could take a different slant. I know a lot of people (a younger crowd, for sure) that hadn't been exposed to Asimov until this. As far as movies go, it almost certainly drew more people to read his work than Contact. You got to watch a fun action-blockbuster movie with cool visuals, and someone else got exposed to Isaac Asimov's name and hints of his ideas for the first time. And Asimov's estate made some money.

      If it had actually been craptastic (as I'm sure many people here feel) then I could see some outrage over linking the Asimov name with the film. But as it stands, it wasn't really bad publicity for one of your favorite authors, just someone making a good movie and playing fast-and-loose with the words "based on".

      Now, if you're upset that this precludes a real I, Robot movie that is actually based on the book, I'll join you in that sentiment. But, given how many younger sci-fi fans have yet to read Asimov's books, and that the movie was probably positive in a mindshare context for most people, I'll contend that it wasn't such a dumb move after all.

      On Topic: Video Game movies are not in the same bucket. You can't add to a video game's experience, you can only take away. What games lack in storyline depth or emotional context, they make up for with engaging gameplay and (often) social gaming aspects. Game scenarios don't work well for tacking on drama or subterfuge, and so they don't work well on the big screen. Period. Hollywood, can you prove me wrong?

      Jasin Natael
      --
      True science means that when you re-evaluate the evidence, you re-evaluate your faith.
    15. Re:I don't know what to say by Jasin+Natael · · Score: 1

      Consider advertising costs. How heavily is this stupid movie going to be promoted on Hotmail, the MSN network, and within Microsoft's Messenger? It's not just brand recognition, it's about engaging the company behind the brand.

      Jasin Natael
      --
      True science means that when you re-evaluate the evidence, you re-evaluate your faith.
    16. Re:I don't know what to say by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure why so many people bag on 'I, Robot' so much. Yeah, it was stock summer blockbuster fare, but at least it didn't screw up the point Asimov was trying to make with the three laws. Considering how many different stories he wrote concerning that key point, whats so bad about a new story that does the same thing?

      They got the most important thing about the original work right, and that should count for something.

    17. Re:I don't know what to say by C0rinthian · · Score: 2, Insightful

      You know, you probably didn't pay much attention to the plot if you think it sucked. There are a lot of little details that make things much more interesting.

      Now if you want a REALLY good plot in a FPS, buy a Mac and play the Marathon series. (also by Bungie) You'll probably have a greater appreciation for Halo after that.

      Of course, if you don't have a Mac, just check out marathon.bungie.org and halo.bungie.org and read up on their story discussions. Then you'll start to realize the depth that Bungie has backing these game up.

    18. Re:I don't know what to say by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1
      The movie translation of DOOM3 is going to rock though.

      Imagine, a big star like The Rock playing the hero. You kinda/sorta see him as he walks through corridor after corridor, able to see only a small flashlight-lit area. Then of course there will be times when the screen will go black because he's switching from his flashlight to his gun. Then we see several gun-blast flashes. Then dark. Then the flashlight-lit area again. Sweet.

    19. Re:I don't know what to say by jusdisgi · · Score: 1

      If there's any marketing / advertising person at imdb who has to analyse the hits for various movies, I'd love to see them trying to puzzle out the /. anomalies.

      Don't they have access to http-referrer?

      --
      Given a choice between free speech and free beer, most people will take the beer.
    20. Re:I don't know what to say by CableModemSniper · · Score: 1

      As far as movies go, it almost certainly drew more people to read his work than Contact.

      I sure hope so, since Contact was written by Carl Sagan, not Asimov.

      --
      Why not fork?
    21. Re:I don't know what to say by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      It's not really that hard to make money on a movie without a plot; for example.

      And those earnings don't include the cash cow known as DVD, or rentals in the second example.

    22. Re:I don't know what to say by Ugly+American · · Score: 1

      Hunter: The Reckoning was one of the White Wolf storyteller series of paper RPGs.

      --
      For sale: one sig space, gently used. Inquire for details.
    23. Re:I don't know what to say by Jasin+Natael · · Score: 1

      Embarrasing moments on /. Probably I should have said "Bicentennial Man".

      Jasin Natael
      --
      True science means that when you re-evaluate the evidence, you re-evaluate your faith.
    24. Re:I don't know what to say by PakProtector · · Score: 1

      It's a Ringworld -- Larry Niven is the inventor. They called it 'Halo' so they wouldn't get sued.

      --

      Edward@Tomato - /home/Edward/ man woman
      man: no entry for woman in the manual.
      "Qua!?"

    25. Re:I don't know what to say by alan_dershowitz · · Score: 1

      Don't forget Double Dragon, the video game license movie that was so incredibly shitty that society collectively purged it from memory.

    26. Re:I don't know what to say by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

      Well they didn't learn after Starship Troopers did they.
      Of course the Author was deceased in both cases so possibly that would be a factor, assuming banks is still alive.

      Mycroft

      --
      https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
    27. Re:I don't know what to say by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

      Actually I would call it a ringworld derrivative as the Halo device is MUCH smaller than a ring world. It's less than a million miles (possibly less than a million KM) across IIRC, where the ringworld is approximately 2au in diameter.
      Niven's ringworld idea turns out to require help to maintain stability lest any small peterbation grow untill it crashes into the central star.
      On the other hand it's possible to manipulate the central star of a ringworld to creat an unbalanced jet effect and turn the star into a 'fusion rocket engine' for the whole system, which could be up to bussard ram-jet speeds by the time you run out of star to burn.

      Mycroft

      --
      https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
    28. Re:I don't know what to say by Hognoxious · · Score: 2, Funny

      Well, with dealing drugs, you already have brand recognizability and several million confirmed addicts.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
    29. Re:I don't know what to say by scabb · · Score: 1
      "Now, if you're upset that this precludes a real I, Robot movie that is actually based on the book, I'll join you in that sentiment."

      But it doesn't, really. You can't really make a movie adaptation of 'I, Robot' (The Will Smith film wasn't really that). It's still just as likely (if not more) that someone will take one of the shorts (like, say, The Bicentennial Man) and make a film out of that.

    30. Re:I don't know what to say by Prophet+of+Nixon · · Score: 1

      Why would I need a Mac to play Marathon? Just get AlephOne and download the files to 'em. Only thing I regret is not being able to play some of the Marathon 2 and Infinity total conversions, like Marathon Red.

    31. Re:I don't know what to say by h4rm0ny · · Score: 1


      I'm not sure why so many people bag on 'I, Robot' so much.

      Because it was written for the absolutely lowest common denominator. It was very predictable, very dull, the plot made little sense, the product placement was so badly done as to actually undermine the characterisation and thematically it contradicted itself.

      In reply to the parent, regarding it encouraging people to take up Asimov, if I were ignorant of his work, this film would have put me off. Contact, as you mention it, I saw first and read the book because of the film. I enjoyed both immensely.

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    32. Re:I don't know what to say by h4rm0ny · · Score: 1


      Banks is still alive and churning them slowly out. If you haven't read any, then you'd probably enjoy them very much. They err on the side of low-key though. Also, the first one is poor but he improved rapidly. He's a sci-fi writer who can do both ideas and people.

      I think I'd be very afraid of a film treatment however. A faithful adaptation would be mostly like the first of the Aliens movies, without the Alien bits - lots of talking, lots of beautiful sweeping shots, interspersed with battles that would make Star Wars look sedate and some hideously smart but funny AI's.

      --

      Aide-toi, le Ciel t'aidera - Jeanne D'Arc.
    33. Re:I don't know what to say by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

      ooo... (goes googling)

    34. Re:I don't know what to say by theVP · · Score: 1

      Oh, don't bring up I, Robot please....Mr. Asimov is rolling in his grave.....

      --
      "No one is more miserable than the person who wills everything and can do nothing." -Emperor Claudius 10 BC - AD 54
    35. Re:I don't know what to say by ScrewMaster · · Score: 1

      Or just redo the movie entirely, keeping more to the original novel the second time. That's what happened with Dean Koontz's Watchers, for example. Hollywood couldn't care less that a movie was done once, badly ... if they see money in doing it again they'll cheerfully do it.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  3. an educated guess by DualG5GUNZ · · Score: 5, Funny

    The irony of this movie is that all the graphics work will be done on Macs.

    --
    "I'm a philosophy major. That means I can think deep thoughts about being unemployed." -- Bruce Lee
    1. Re:an educated guess by the_weasel · · Score: 4, Informative

      Don't bet on it.

      Outside of Pixar, the actual use of Mac's for animation and effects is still a very small minority.

      --
      - sarcasm is just one more service we offer -
    2. Re:an educated guess by pwnage · · Score: 1

      The irony of your post is that Bungie was originally a Mac-only developer.

      --
      Reminder: Apple owns 1/255th of the internet.
    3. Re:an educated guess by rogue555 · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Also, note that Pixar uses Macs and PC's running linux for animation.
      What kind of computers does Pixar use to make its movies? "We use Macs, we use PCs running Linux," Jobs admitted. "It pains me to write that purchase order to Dell."
      --
      "That's not ironic, it's just mean!" - Bender
    4. Re:an educated guess by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 1
      Don't bet on it.

      Outside of Pixar, the actual use of Mac's for animation and effects is still a very small minority.

      So they'll be using Linux on Intel?

      --
      "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
    5. Re:an educated guess by MsGeek · · Score: 1

      "We use Macs, we use PCs running Linux," Jobs admitted. "It pains me to write that purchase order to Dell."

      Perhaps this is yet another reason why Apple is going MacIntel? ;-) I'm sure those spiffy new x86 Macs will happily run Debian when they are released.

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power multiplied.
    6. Re:an educated guess by hubang · · Score: 1

      That's also the irony of the development of Halo 3. The dev kits for the Xbox 360 are (were?) Macs.

    7. Re:an educated guess by KDR_11k · · Score: 1

      I thought that irony has worn off already because MS is using Macs as their dev kits for the X360?

      --
      Justice is the sheep getting arrested while an impartial judge declares the vote void.
    8. Re:an educated guess by poopdeville · · Score: 1

      Macs already run Debian. I have an iMac running a testbed webserver as we speak.

      --
      After all, I am strangely colored.
    9. Re:an educated guess by nEoN+nOoDlE · · Score: 1

      But Linux use is very high in the major effects studios.

      --
      Don't trust a bull's horn, a doberman's tooth, a runaway horse or me.
    10. Re:an educated guess by Reverend528 · · Score: 1

      It's also going to be the first movie shot entirely in slow motion.

    11. Re:an educated guess by giminy · · Score: 1

      I think the real irony is that it will be live-action, and the acting in the game will still be less wooden than in the movie.

      --
      The Right Reverend K. Reid Wightman,
    12. Re:an educated guess by Datasage · · Score: 1

      But in compositing, especially those using shake. Macs are definetly well used.

      An average film is made with the help of several visual effects studios. Only the final result matters, so what a studio does to get there doesnt. Since each studio has thier own production process, it will get made on Mac, Linux and Windows machines.

      --
      In America we are imprisoned by our fear of them.
  4. Just maybe!! by tenverras · · Score: 1

    You never know, it just might be then suddenly realizing: Holy sh*t! We forgot to make an ending to Halo 2! Quick let's jump on the bandwagon again and make a movie before Nintendo can release a Metroid movie or Id releases their Doom3 movie!

  5. Quality Control? by alvinrod · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Although Microsoft seems to be pushing to have a say in the creative developement of the movie, I'm wondering how much they'll end up getting. I'd really hate to see a movie with so much promise end up being ruined by a movie company that probably doesn't know anything about the Halo universe.

    The major console makers and game studies should jointly create a studio, or an offshoot of one of the major ones that currently exists that will be responsible for making all game movies. This way the game companies will have a lot more decision making process and control over the content of the movies. Although something like this will never happen, it would prevent any chance of Halo being turned into a romantic comedy by some movie company who's bigwigs wouldn't know their ass from an Xbox.

    1. Re:Quality Control? by zr-rifle · · Score: 4, Funny

      > Although Microsoft seems to be pushing to have a say in the creative developement of the movie, I'm wondering how much they'll end up getting

      The Covenant will run Linux.

      Rumors are that Jeff Goldblum will have a leading role too...

      --
      Hack your mind out of its sandbox.
    2. Re:Quality Control? by Seumas · · Score: 1

      I don't see why Microsoft is even bothering.

      * If it's to sell more copies of Halo - who the hell doesn't already know about it and own it, if they want it?

      * If it's to make money off the movie, even if the movie makes $100m, they're only getting $15m total. What's that, two of Bill's shower curtains?

    3. Re:Quality Control? by SetupWeasel · · Score: 1

      Although Microsoft seems to be pushing to have a say in the creative developement of the movie, I'm wondering how much they'll end up getting. I'd really hate to see a movie with so much promise end up being ruined by a movie company that probably doesn't know anything about the Halo universe.

      From everything I've heard about the Halo "storyline" the only chance we have of a decent movie is to keep Microsoft far away from the project.

    4. Re:Quality Control? by maelstrom · · Score: 1

      So much promise? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

      Has ANY movie based on a video game been close to good? The only one I can think of is MAYBE Mortal Kombat.

      --
      The more you know, the less you understand.
    5. Re:Quality Control? by imsabbel · · Score: 1

      because that whole "game designers know most about the game universe and can thus create greate movies" concept worked so greate for wing commander or final fantasy?

      --
      HI O WISE PRINCE. WHT TOOK U SO DAM LONG?
    6. Re:Quality Control? by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

      a movie with so much promise

      Someone needs to watch the Mario Brothers movie... Double Dragon, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, etc.

      I wish I hadn't.

      --

      You can't take the sky from me...

    7. Re:Quality Control? by SWTP_OS9 · · Score: 1

      With the ego levels of both MS and Hollywood. Will be more intersting on the behind the seens battle than the battles on the screen!

      have seen one shot of the Doom movie! And that was planed how long ago? It just barelly older on first anouncement than the next Duke Nukum!

    8. Re:Quality Control? by Mahou · · Score: 1

      not maybe, mortal kombat was awesome. and why don't people like resident evil?!?

      --
      if i'm not immortal, what's the point of living?
      ...te?
    9. Re:Quality Control? by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Although Microsoft seems to be pushing to have a say in the creative developement of the movie, I'm wondering how much they'll end up getting. I'd really hate to see a movie with so much promise end up being ruined by a movie company that probably doesn't know anything about the Halo universe."

      Wait... you think the movie studio is going to have a better idea than the company who made millions on it?

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    10. Re:Quality Control? by iamlucky13 · · Score: 1

      I'm not quite sure what you're saying, partially because I think you're confusing who wrote the game and who published it. The game is by Bungie Software. Microsoft is that big company in Redmond that builds the X-box. Keeping Microsoft away from the project would probably help keep the game consistent with the original storyline, which apparently you have "heard" about but not experienced.

      I personally think it's a great storyline and turns a game with already fun gameplay into an awesome experience.

    11. Re:Quality Control? by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 2, Informative
      Well, at least the script they're starting with is completely approved by Bungie. Here's what Frankie (of bungie.net "weekly what's update" fame) has to say about it:

      Moviegoers ask,
      Have you read the Halo movie script?

      I've read an early draft of the script, and it rules. I heart Alex Garland's stuff anyway, from The Tesseract to 28 Days Later. Garland also wrote the script for an upcoming Sci-Fi flick, Sunshine, which you can read more about here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0448134/

      Best thing about Alex, apart from his ability to type awesomeness, is that he's actually a Halo fan, and he really, really gets it.

      link

      So they've got a script written by a Halo fan who also happens to be an accomplished Hollywood screenwriter, and Bungie likes it. Sounds like they could be on the right track. I'm not familiar with Alex Garland's work myself.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
    12. Re:Quality Control? by mikael · · Score: 2, Informative

      There was a slashdot article (lost in the depths of time) which announced that Hollywood movie makers/cartoon story writers had derived the ten crucial elements of a hit movie. These included the hero, the hero's mentor, his nemesis, his woman of desire, his sidekicks, the quest, the first failure/turning back, the final fight, the victory and the happy ending.

      Top Gun, Superman, Star Wars are examples of such movies.

      Many of the video games don't really have these elements, so even with the best special effects/actors they wouldn't work. And if you do try and add these elements, they would alienate the fans of the original game.

      If you were to try and convert 'nethack' into a movie, you already have the hero (the player), the sidekick (pet cat/dog), the nemesis (Wizard of Yendor), the mentor (the quest level), first failure (not having enough experience levels).
      The victory is a bit tricky since the Wizard of Yendor can keep coming back, and you would need a princess level for the "woman of desire" part, and I'm not sure how exactly you could compress exploring 20 levels of mazes and killing thousands of wild creatures into a 90 minute movie, apart from just using the distinctive levels (Asmodeus, Jubilex, the abandoned shops, and the elemental/spiritual planes). But the happy ending would be offering the Amulet of Yendor at the correct location.

      --
      Vintage computer adverts: http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/computers-and-software-ads
    13. Re:Quality Control? by ppanon · · Score: 1

      Um, hype up Halo 3 for Xbox 360? Sell more Xbox 360's? Anything that promotes your brand or a product exclusively available on your product is basically indirect advertising. Betcha that, when the film is released, there will be a big Xbox 360 commercial before the films starts. And hopefully that's where the advertising will end and a solid movie plot will begin.

      --
      Laissez lire, et laissez danser; ces deux amusements ne feront jamais de mal au monde. - Voltaire
    14. Re:Quality Control? by hrieke · · Score: 1

      As apposed to him saying:
      I've read the script and saying "Man-o-man it sucks donkey balls!"?
      Let's face it, video game movies will always stink. The naritive story that is there for the game usually does not work out well for a movie- and to make up for that, they pump up the SFX.

      --
      III.IIVIVIXIIVIVIIIVVIIIIXVIIIXIIIIIIIIVIIIIVVIIIV IIVIIIIIIVIII...
    15. Re:Quality Control? by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 1
      As opposed to him clamming up and refusing to comment, because he doesn't like the script but he can't say that publicly or MS would fire him. If he didn't like it, he wouldn't have claimed to.

      There's nothing inherent to movies based on video game worlds that makes them stink. Movies based on the exact same stories and characters as video games tend to suck, but nothing says the Halo movie has to be locked looking over the Master Chief's shoulder as he plows through sequential strangely-architected rooms full of Covenant troops while wielding SMGs akimbo and getting advice from Cortana.

      For example, the Halo world has a lot of possibilities for telling interesting stories about AI constructs. The Halo movie could go back to a more Marathon-like story, where the AIs have a much larger role than "disembodied hint voice". In fact, the movie could be the "missing link" between Marathon and Halo, tying the stories together. The I Love Bees thing also had some characters who could be interesting subjects for a movie. And the novels are out there too, though I haven't read them so I can't comment on their quality.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
    16. Re:Quality Control? by superpulpsicle · · Score: 1

      Let me see...

      Double Dragon - Lamest kung fu.

      Mario Brothers - Where's the shrooms?

      Street Fighter - Jean Claude Van Dammit

      Mortal Kombat II - No comment.

    17. Re:Quality Control? by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 1
      That would be true if the studios had come to Microsoft with visions of dollar bills dancing in their heads. But Microsoft came with the story and pitched it to studios. If anyone has a vested interest in the movie being decent, it's Microsoft. They are grooming Halo to be their flagship franchise in all media, and a terrible movie could hurt Halo irreperably in the minds of its biggest fans.

      I just hope it's a little better than Halo 2's story, which frankly, I found overdramatized and a little too full of itself. Having a real screenwriter and a real director could fix that.

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
    18. Re:Quality Control? by kwoff · · Score: 1

      He "hearts" Alex Garland, says he has an "ability to type awesomeness"... ? Hrms, OMFG LMAO.

    19. Re:Quality Control? by CFTM · · Score: 1

      I think that was Joseph Campbell and note hollywood, but I wouldn't put it past the blokes in hollywood saying they came up with it first :)

    20. Re:Quality Control? by coopex · · Score: 1

      I've only played a little of code veronica, but what exactly is the "intricate, well-established storyline" of resident evil, besides survival horror?

      --
      The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
  6. It's not going to be that hard/new. by ian+rogers · · Score: 2, Funny

    They already had like 5 bajillion hours of cut scenes in Halo 2.

    Take out the game play in between, and you've got a movie that's longer than most of the ones coming out lately.

    1. Re:It's not going to be that hard/new. by rufo · · Score: 1

      I think you're getting Metal Gear Solid and Halo confused.

      --
      My English teacher once told me that two positives don't make a negative. Two words for her: Yeah, right.
  7. Re:First,. by RealityMogul · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm sure it will be just as good as the game scripts.

  8. Box office revenue vs profit by magarity · · Score: 4, Informative

    plus 15% of the box office revenue

    Notice Microsoft is smart enough to not want a cut of total profits. The history of movies is littered with the broken remains of writers who sold their movie rights for a percentage of the profits only to find that movies make no profits. It's called "Hollywood accounting". If you ever have, or ever know someone who is getting a movie deal, make sure the contract is for a cut of the box office take and not the profits.

    1. Re:Box office revenue vs profit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      What's interesting is how much MS is making. 10% of box office revenues isn't all that much less than what the theatres themselves make. The 15% that they were asking for is about the same that a theatre makes in the first few weeks of a movie release. If the movie is a guaranteed hit, they'll make closer to 10%. So, when you buy an $8 ticket to this movie, 80 cents will go to MS, somewhere between 80 cents and $1.20 will go to the theatre and the remaining $6+ goes to the studio.

    2. Re:Box office revenue vs profit by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1

      Also known as Net Vs Gross profit. It's not just the movies. All sorts of biz deals are made that screw people with that type of accounting. Always get a % of the gross, never the net.

  9. I like the idea of 'Halo High' by PocketPick · · Score: 1

    Staring 'Chiefing' Master Chief?

    Hey, it could work.

    1. Re:I like the idea of 'Halo High' by jusdisgi · · Score: 1

      who the hell says chiefing? are you from some european country?

      What!? You don't say "chiefing"? Seriously? "Man, we were chiefing this blunt the other day, and..."

      I'm smack in the middle of the country, but I've heard that usage all over the place.

      --
      Given a choice between free speech and free beer, most people will take the beer.
  10. At long last last...? by TheCamper · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm not a big Halo fan myself (fps don't belong on consoles, but that's a flame for another day) but it's kind of refreshing that the movie industry is whoring itself out to the gaming industry for once, instead of the other way around. I'm sick of crappy games being put out by every single movie, just as an extra boost for cash.

    Of course, movies have been made before based on games, but Hollywood merely buys the name, and makes a craptastical movie having nothing to do with the actual game (see Resident Evil, Alone in the Dark, soon to be Doom 3) in hopes that the popularity of the name will bring revenue. Hopefully this time a gaming franchise will be saved from this fate due to Bungie's insistance on Hollywood following the Halo Bible.

    1. Re:At long last last...? by ruiner13 · · Score: 4, Insightful
      "fps don't belong on consoles"

      I dunno, if they are done right they can be killer. Goldeneye and Perfect Dark on the N64 come to mind. These games absolutely rocked.

      --

      today is spelling optional day.

    2. Re:At long last last...? by FinestLittleSpace · · Score: 1

      No it's not. Halo is overhyped shit. I got severely bored playing that game, and it has nothing on games like Goldeneye and Perfect Dark, which are the most beautifully rounded and perfected console shooters I've ever played. Oh and don't forget that Half-Life shits on Halo from a great height.

    3. Re:At long last last...? by MilenCent · · Score: 1

      We played a lot of Goldeneye, but oddly quite a bit less of Perfect Dark.

      I think one of the best things about Goldeneye, and this goes directly against dozens of other movie licenses, is the Bond universe. When you kill someone else and the music goes "Duh-dah, DUHHHN-DAAAAHN!"... that's priceless.

      Since then, EA has proven (as if it needed proving) that a license alone is not nearly enough to make a great game. But the *right* license can make a great game into a classic... it's a shame that Goldeneye is the only game I can think of that get it right, 'xcept maybe two or three, our of entirely too many, Star Wars games, and one of *those* was an Atari arcade game.

    4. Re:At long last last...? by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1

      You do know they made a version for the PC right? With a downloadable demo and everything. It's not just for consoles.

    5. Re:At long last last...? by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1
      As a real life friend of the Camper in question (yes, we really do call him The Camper in real life), he HAS played his fair share of Halo and Halo 2 and still thinks that First Person Shooters belong on PC.

      We evenetually had to agree to disagree. I think that the controller, although less than ideal, is not an insurmountable obstacle when it comes to playing FPS's on consoles. He disagrees and says it's nowhere near a good substitute.

      Then again, he plays FPS's with a TRACKBALL (INVERTED!), so take his thinking with a grain of salt.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
    6. Re:At long last last...? by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1
      Too bad it was one of the worst PC ports in history. Not "Turok: Dinosaur Hunter PC" bad, but still, it required a monster of a system to run considering the graphics, and required the use of a completely different executable (Halo: Custom Edition) to run custom maps. And the netcode is pretty terrible.

      They didn't include co-op either, but that's understandble considering Bungie couldn't even figure it out for Halo 2.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
    7. Re:At long last last...? by TheCamper · · Score: 1

      Hey, once you go Track, you never go back!

    8. Re:At long last last...? by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1

      Not having a console myself, I've only played the PC version, and found it fun (bought it recently for $20. Seemed fine for that price). What was different about it from the console version that made it a crappy port, aside from the multiplayer aspect?

    9. Re:At long last last...? by ruiner13 · · Score: 1
      " Yeah, you know an FPS is good when you can't even jump. Real action packed."

      Yeah, that's why that Doom game never sold any copies...

      --

      today is spelling optional day.

    10. Re:At long last last...? by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

      Yup. Bunny-hopping all over the place is an effective combat tactic. I'll have to ask my roommate if they covered that in basic.

      I will be very happy when jumping is REMOVED from FPS's.

    11. Re:At long last last...? by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

      Theres actually a good reason they didn't get co-op over network. They couldn't get the Xbox to coordinate all the NPC data between two boxes without massive lag and desynchs. Theres a heck of alot more going on in the campaign maps then multiplayer. Especially the AI.

    12. Re:At long last last...? by AlexMax2742 · · Score: 1

      Lay off. There are plenty of PC gamers who love Halo too.

      --
      I'm the guy with the unpopular opinion
  11. Let's just hope... by Spoing · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...it's as good as Wing Commander. [leaps into flame-proof bunker]

    --
    A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
    1. Re:Let's just hope... by lowe0 · · Score: 1

      The sad part is, Chris Roberts directed the movie. If you make a shitty movie out of your own game, you've got no one to blame but yourself.

    2. Re:Let's just hope... by DarkAurora · · Score: 1

      I actually liked that movie. It's better than most video game adaptations. Of course, I never played the game.

  12. Good Negotiating Tactics by MBraynard · · Score: 5, Informative
    It's always wise to begin the negotiations by asking for too much that the other side can back away from than risk asking for too little. This was one of the more worthwhile lessons from one of the tasks in the Apprentice Season 3.

    This movie is by no means a guaruanteed success. Let's take a look at the last few video game movies (Ignoring Pokemon):

    • Resident Evil - Gross: $40m (Domestic), Costs: $53m.
    • Resident Evil: Apocolypse - Gross: 51m (Domestic), Costs: $70m.
    • Super Mario Brothers - Gross: $21m (Domestic), Costs: $48m.
    • Mortal Kombat - Gross: $70m (Domestic) 52m (Overseas), Costs: $?m.
    • Mortal Kombat 2- Gross: $36m (Domestic) 15m (Overseas), Costs: $?m.
    • Tomb Raider: $131m (Domestic) $143m (Overseas), Costs: $115m (Production only, not marketing).
    • House of the Dead - Gross: $10m (Domestic) 4m (Overseas), Costs: $22m.
    • Double Dragon - Gross: $2m (Domestic), Costs: $?m.
    • Final Fantasy - Gross: $32m (Domestic) 53m (Overseas), Costs: $137m.
    • Street Fighter - Gross: $33m (Domestic) $66m (Overseas), Costs: $35m (production only, no marketing).
    • Wing Commander - Gross: $12m (Domestic), Costs: $30m (marketing not included).

    Ok, I'm sure I missed. But the one that Halo most resembles in terms of popularity and a big budget is Final Fantasy. I really enjoyed that film, and I'm unsure why it did so poorly. But from MS's point of view, they have nothing at risk financially (maybe a lousy movie - and that didn't hurt the popularity of Mario's games). Expect to see trailers for Halo3 at the start of the HAlo Movie.

    1. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by dahlek · · Score: 1

      You forgot Alone in the Dark - what a fabulous flick that was...

    2. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by MBraynard · · Score: 1
      Good catch:

      • AitD - Gross: $5m (Domestic) 1m (Overseas), Costs: $20m (production only).
    3. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by 16K+Ram+Pack · · Score: 1

      So, of all of those, it appears that 2 made more in gross than costs. And then, that's gross. Someone told me for a movie to break even, it had to take 3 times the costs in gross (I think that's a rough figure, you get these DVD sleepers that act as exceptions).

    4. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by DSLAMngu · · Score: 1
      Final Fantasy: TSW failed because
      • Otaku stigma
      • Didn't actually capture any essence of Final Fantasy
      • Mediocre story
      • Bad reviews
    5. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by darkstar949 · · Score: 1

      You pretty much nailed it to a "T" right there - odds are if the movie had been marked as "The Sprits Within" and that is was produced by the creators of Final Fantasy it would have done much better.

      If you put aside the Final Fantasy in the name the movie is a decent enough Sci-Fi flick with some slight philosophical overtones, but it is no way worthy of the Final Fantasy name.

    6. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by Boglin · · Score: 1
      You forgot: almost-but-not-quite-real faces/expressions on the characters that looked a bit strange.
      I didn't know Keanu Reeves was in Final Fantasy.
    7. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by MBraynard · · Score: 1
      Then they better get the movie made quickly, because Halo 3 is due to come out at the same time as the PS3, which is next spring.

      Finally, it's nice to see it the other way around for once. Years and years of crappy video games to meet movie opening deadlines - and now the movie must meet the VG deadline.

    8. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by Westacular · · Score: 1

      Are you sure those numbers are accurate, or telling the whole story? The movie versions of Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat would never have received sequels if the first ones were not decently profitable.

    9. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by MBraynard · · Score: 1

      These numbers are completely accurate.

    10. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by ameoba · · Score: 1

      Then what's the catch? I can't think of anyone in a major American corporation that would make a sequel to a film that lost $13M. If these numbers are accurate either "gross" and "cost" mean something other than what they mean in normal English or there is something hidden in there.

      --
      my sig's at the bottom of the page.
    11. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by phorm · · Score: 1

      I'd almost forgotten about Tomb Raider, myself. Besides the fact that it focussed a bit much on the boobage of "Lara" (which, to be fair was in line with the game), it wasn't an overly bad movie. Not a bad one surely, but better than I had expected.

      Final Fantasy... it wasn't really much different than one might expect from other sci-fi CGI/anime style movies. It also wasn't "Final Fantasy." It had a few gamelike elements such as the Shinra-style soldiers amd "Cid", but frankly lacked a lot of the common features of FF games (magic, a big freakin' sword, etc) which is one of the things I'm looking forward to for Advent Children to fix...

      Speaking of AC, I hear little on it now. Anyone got details on a US release date or even better a Japanese Sub?

    12. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by MBraynard · · Score: 1

      Maybe because a sequel holds the hope - sometimes - of making money. Look at Star Trek or Superman franchises. Or Highlander.

    13. Re:Good Negotiating Tactics by YomikoReadman · · Score: 1

      While I think you're right with otaku stigma, I didn't see a great deal of bad reviews. As for your other two, the only people I've heard that from think that FF7 is the greatest FF game of all time, and prattle on about how FF:TSW didn't have any of the same kind of stuff that it did, like magic, etc. To me, FF:TSW was very much with FF, as magic really isn't a necessity for the series. If you think that the story was mediocre, go back and look at the story for FF7, or FF8; I'm sure you'll find that if you strip away all the gameplay, then it'll be just as bad.

      --
      I have no regrets, this is the only path.
      My whole life has been "UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS"
  13. Tomb raider and Resident Evil by zymano · · Score: 2, Funny

    Should have won oscars.

    I predict Halo will be bigger than Star Wars.

  14. Could work! by Mechcozmo · · Score: 1

    Just start off with a new story. Use the characters, etc. But who says you need to follow the game-story of HALO 1 or 2?

  15. Re:First,. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That bad, huh?

  16. Halo Bible? by thundar2000 · · Score: 4, Insightful


    Um, isn't the Halo Bible just:

    Shoot Aliens, Open Door, Repeat.

    (and)

    Halo really is just Ringworld meets Starship Troopers meets Doom - not very original, I'm pretty sure it will make a stinky movie.

    Back to the game...

  17. They would be much better off... by Razzak · · Score: 2, Informative

    If they used the Marathon storyline as opposed to the Halo storyline. For those who don't know, Marathon, Marathon: Durandal, and the final Marathon were all for mac before MS bought Bungie. The first two had the best storylines ever, and were written by a different company than the 3rd and the Halo series. I really hope the first two are used for the storyline, as they are far superior in enough ambiguity to make it interesting (think: Bladerunner) and the best AI character development I've ever seen.

    http://marathon.bungie.org/story/

    1. Re:They would be much better off... by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      It really is a shame that MS bought Bungie; they made some great games.

      Remember Oni? That's really the only game of their's I played, and I loved it. The graphics were a bit sub-par (played on PC, don't know if it was available on mac) but the gameplay and control felt so organic - and 3rd person mixed close-combat and firearm use actually worked! It had a good story with multiple endings, to top it off, and the in-game animation was pretty good.

      They were planning to make a sequel, and add multiplayer functionality, I heard. And then MS bought them.

      What'd the studio then? It made a plain ol' linear FPS - for a console. For... a... console. I don't understand that, at all.

      Sure, there's minimal plot in Halo. I played it when it came out on PC, and it was fun enough then (particularly the vehicles, which, IMO, really is the only thing it had going for it). I don't see anything that sets it appart from any other run-of-the-mill FPS aside from the MS branding and a megafuck-ton of marketing.

      I have no doubt that the Marathon games were better in every manner except graphics, even though I've never seen the game itself.

      --
      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
    2. Re:They would be much better off... by Hes+Nikke · · Score: 1

      They were planning to make a sequel, and add multiplayer functionality, I heard. And then MS bought them.

      It gets worse! Oni was in development with multiplayer from the beginning (i played that and it rocked. a lot.) but when Microsoft bought Bungie, while both Halo, and Oni were in development. MS made Bungie rush Oni so they could get on with Halo.

      Part of the "Microsoft buys Bungie" deal was that ownership of Oni (and the Myth series which also rocked) would go to GoD Games, so Microsoft had no incentive to have Oni be cool, or a well rounded product when it shipped. The rushed product cut corners, and among the corners cut, were Muliplayer, and Mods. It's a darn shame really.

      --
      Don't call me back. Give me a call back. Bye. So yeah. But bye our, well, but alright we are on a shirt this chill.
  18. Re:First,. by Hope+Thelps · · Score: 1

    This capitalizing on video games is getting out of hand. It better be a good script.

    I hope not. There must be more promising projects for any decent script writers to be working on.

    --
    To summarise the summary of the summary: people are a problem. ~ h2g2
  19. If they know what's good for them... by mbrother · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ...they'll lean heavily on Eric Nylund's novelizations, which are pretty good. You need additional backstory and characterization to make a decent script out of Halo, and these books provide it.

    --
    Professor of Astronomy, Author of Spider Star & Star Dragon (Tor)
  20. Re:i can't wait for by Lepaca+Kliffoth · · Score: 1

    I want "Halo: The Movie: The Game: The Official Guide"

  21. I bet this will get 3 standing ovations at Cannes by carcosa30 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just the other day, I overheard a number of noted French art-film directors and aficionados at La Petite Couchon, a Cannes sidewalk bistro, enthusing about how excited they were about the prospect of a Halo movie. They were also excited about a possible Halo II movie, and were practically beside themselves with joy at the idea of the angst, dystopianism and emotional involvement of the Master Chief being brought to the silver screen.

    --
    Intolerance for ambiguity is the mark of the authoritarian personality.
  22. We know what Microsoft is REALLY up to! by mister_llah · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh come on, we all know they just want to make a movie so they can make a game out of it! Those bastards! ... what, why is everyone staring at me?

    --
    MoM++ - A Classic Expanded - [Master of Magic 1.5]
    http://mompp.sourceforge.net/
  23. Creative Control by sammyo · · Score: 1

    MS required final cut. They know how to make movies. This is one trainwreck I'm looking forward too seeing on MST2000.

    Oh, they also requested 60 first class airfare seat for MS employees to attend the premier. Good plan, it would've doubled the audience.

  24. Uh, how about giving Pournelle and Niven credit by instantgames · · Score: 1

    Halo is a rip-off (no proceeds to the authors) of the award-winning science fiction novel by Jerry Pournell and Larry Niven. What a shame that the brilliant novel isn't coming to film, instead of the fun, but plotless video game.

    1. Re:Uh, how about giving Pournelle and Niven credit by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      what book? Do you mean the Ringworld books? if so Jerry Pournell didn't help write those.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    2. Re:Uh, how about giving Pournelle and Niven credit by mbrother · · Score: 1

      Just Niven, not Pournelle, on Ringworld. And yes, I think that would make an interesting movie. As I understand it, there was a lawsuit brought against Microsoft by Niven over Halo, and it was settled (I don't recall the details).

      Still, the video game relies on the concept of a Ringworld very little. Also, gameplay != good movie watching, so they will have to work at this one. At this stage, I feel the appeal is simply in the name recognition.

      --
      Professor of Astronomy, Author of Spider Star & Star Dragon (Tor)
    3. Re:Uh, how about giving Pournelle and Niven credit by instantgames · · Score: 1

      > Microsoft by Niven over Halo, and it was settled (I don't recall the details). That's good to know. > Also, gameplay != good movie watching Absolutely. I am still waiting for the game-to-movie translation that is worth viewing.

    4. Re:Uh, how about giving Pournelle and Niven credit by elrous0 · · Score: 1
      Halo is a rip-off (no proceeds to the authors) of the award-winning science fiction novel by Jerry Pournell and Larry Niven.

      Give me a break. There is nothing in Halo 1 or 2 that haven't appeared in HUNDREDS of science fiction novels, short stories, movies, video games, etc. since the dawn of time.

      If Halo rips off anything, it's Aliens (which itself ripped off Starship Troopers).

      -Eric

      --
      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  25. Everyone, Quick! Paradigm shift! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    We don't want them to combine those two movies into the much feared 2006 Blockbuster hit "A Lone Streetfighter in the Dark."

    Quick, add some confusion by checking the Gay Niggers from Outer Space!

    Whew...now they'll peice this one together a little differently, and the appocalypse will be staved off in this dimension. Or...

  26. Hollywood Innocence by donnacha · · Score: 1

    I'm just alarmed to hear that innocent Hollywood Execs have been hanging around with these Redmond types. Moral corruption is a terrible thing.

  27. Cutting Edge by mojoturbo · · Score: 1

    Once again, Hollywood on the cutting edge of what is cool. By the time they make the movie and sign Lorenzo Llamas or Lou Diamond Phillips to star in it, we will all have moved on to something else...

    --
    Mojo Turbo http://theway.blog.org
  28. Plot spoiler.... by ProppaT · · Score: 4, Funny

    Master Chief realizes that Master Chief isn't a rank in the marines. The end.

    --
    Wise men say, "Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza."
    1. Re:Plot spoiler.... by Matrix5353 · · Score: 2, Informative

      And right after that, you realize that the Master Chief wasn't a marine. He was a NCO, a petty officer. Master chief is the highest rank an enlisted man can reach in the Navy, and it's an important position of leadership. Next time, you might want to do your research, which you can here.

    2. Re:Plot spoiler.... by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      Master chief is the highest rank an enlisted man can reach in the Navy, and it's an important position of leadership.

      Exactly, leadership... we all know senior enlisted don't generally do any real work, which makes the game even less believable. Also, WOs are generally considered the highest ranks of enlistment..

      Good luck on making board though, you've obviously got the overinflated sense of importance part down pat.

    3. Re:Plot spoiler.... by Spy+Hunter · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's also a rank in the Coast Guard. However the point is moot, because after they invent 7-foot-tall genetically-engineered cybernetic supersoldiers in energy-shielded battle suits made of technology left behind by a long-lost ancient alien civilization, I imagine they will get their own rank. (Q: What rank do you give a Spartan? A: Whichever one he wants.)

      --
      main(c,r){for(r=32;r;) printf(++c>31?c=!r--,"\n":c<r?" ":~c&r?" `":" #");}
  29. Any guesses for director? by zzats · · Score: 2, Funny

    My bet goes for Uwe Boll.

  30. I hope... by Brad1138 · · Score: 1

    make a movie based on Halo and Halo-2.

    I hope it is made from Halo 1, 2, AND 3. Halo 2 has no ending. It would be like ending the Matrix movies after Reloaded or somethi..... er.... uh....

    I seem to have lost my point somewhere.

    never mind.

    --
    If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
  31. Re:dude, shut the fuck up. by thundar2000 · · Score: 2, Insightful


    Yeah, Asimov, Clarke, Card... they are all just about shooting aliens.

    Anyhoo, point was not being disengenuous about sci fi stories, but more about pointing out that a game like Halo, which is in fact 'a hoot', doesn't really have any story/character whatsoever that people would feel emotionaly involved with... the key to a good yarn, book or movie.

    It is just a good game, not very original, but well produced.

  32. Great story line! by darthlurker · · Score: 1

    Exceprt from Halo guide, The Story So Far:

    "This was humankind's first encounter with a group of aliens they eventually came to know as the Covenant, a collective of alien races united in their fanatical religious devotion. Covenant religious elders declared humanity an affront to the gods, and the Covenant warrior caste waged a holy war upon humanity with gruesome diligence."

    Will the story be updated to show the problem is not with all members of the Covenant, but will be limited to those nasty "radical" Covenant believers?

  33. Scam by ddrace · · Score: 1

    Well, in my opinion, I think it would just become another scam to get gamers to go see a movie that will just suck. I did for some reason also like the Final Fantasy movie, but it would be mostly because I like cg animated films. So on that note, I will prolly end up seeing it anyway >_ . I just hope they don't end up killing it like most of the other movies they've made because of games. Read above post. I am starting to find the Halo games kind of boring as well. It get's very repeditive, so I hope they get rid of the repeditiveness on it. Well, that's my take on it.

  34. Why doesn't microsoft just.... by Dewrf · · Score: 1

    I wonder why microsoft just puts up the cash and makes there own movie studio and just do a publishing deal with the holywood publishers or just make there own publishing house? i mean they got the cash. Hell the marketing alone would be worth the price. -Jason

  35. Re:R E T A R D E D ! ! ! by dangitman · · Score: 1
    If you have ever played Halo (do you really exist in this universe) or Halo 2, you know for a fact it should be a TV series

    Yeah, I think it should be a sitcom. Do you know if Ray Romano is or Ted Danson is available?

    --
    ... and then they built the supercollider.
  36. Re:Halo??? by martyn+s · · Score: 1

    I was one of those unique players, and I just have to say, I agree with the post you're replying to. Halo 2 was a mess. It sucked ass. I'm referring to single player. Multiplayer on the other hand is a lot of fun, and I'm not denying that, but I think he was referring to Halo as a story, considering this article is about a Halo movie, not another Halo videogame.

    But yes, in campaign mode, both the story and the gameplay of Halo 2 really really sucked

  37. Re:i can't wait for by C0rinthian · · Score: 1

    I'm waiting for the novel based on Halo: The Movie: The Game: The Official Guide: The Collectors Edition

  38. HAHAHA, good lord. It's a FPS people! by TheLittleJetson · · Score: 1

    A movie based on Halo. What a dumb idea. Another one based on Halo 2? HAHAHAHA.

    Sorry to upset the fanboys but, it's just an FPS. It's a good FPS, it's right up there with the Quake series, but c'mon, a MOVIE? TWO MOVIES?

  39. Re:First,. by Elranzer · · Score: 1

    If they're going to do movies based on video games, they should do them based on ones that have actual plots...

    Hmmm, a sci-fi with a lot of macho heroes, lots of guns and lots of demonic looking aliens. Is it Doom or Halo? Does it matter?

  40. Re:Everyone, Quick! Paradigm shift! by Mycroft_VIII · · Score: 1

    If you really thought that the combo in question could cause the apocolypse then I must say your conviction that adding that IMBD troll entry might stop it is akin to the conviction they guy had right befor sniping the red wire that he thought would dissarm the bomb, but instead tripled the countdown speed.

    Yeah that's an akward run-on sentence from hell, but it says what I want it to.

    Mycroft

    --
    https://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3ed6600b6ea
  41. "Doomed" to Fail by webzombie · · Score: 1

    Some how these game companies think that the real world would really dig their universe and the really OLD and SIMPLE stories they bring...

    Come on... it will cost $50 million not even get out of short release and will end up bundled with the budget pack with Halo 4 on the PS3! :-)

    Who really cares... move along.

  42. Re:R E T A R D E D ! ! ! by dgos78 · · Score: 1

    Lets not forget Kirstie Alley!

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    SYS 64738
  43. FPM by mwvdlee · · Score: 1

    A movie made of a First-Person-Shooter game... well, atleast they don't have to pay anybody to play the lead character!

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    Slashdot social media options: AIM, ICQ, Yahoo, Jabber and Mobile Text. Why no MySpace?
  44. Dieseases I'd rather catch... by elrous0 · · Score: 1
    ...than to watch another lame-ass video game movie.

    Wow, let another CGI-fest with no script, characters that don't even qualify as one-dimensional and a cookie-cutter plot that would make even Michael Bay blush.

    Video games don't make good movies people. They don't make good movies because the whole point of a video game is to give just enough background on the characters to get you to play them.

    The Master Chief (and the marine in Doom 3, for that matter) have about as much personality as the robots in THX-1138. The arbitor is the only remotely interesting character in the game and even he is just the stock "bad guy turned good" character.

    -Eric

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:Dieseases I'd rather catch... by LurkerXXX · · Score: 1

      I guess you didn't catch the sarcasm in that post.

  45. Hurdles by MeanderingMind · · Score: 1

    One of the reasons why the stories for Halo and Halo 2 were good was because of the immersion. When you descended into flood infested areas, and all that pollen-like gunk filled the air with the dramatic music made some gamers hold their triggers a little too tightly. When Cortana gave the next objective, the gamer had to look ahead and see what obstacles were in their path.

    Hollywood either has to carefully recraft the story so that it stands on its own without the intervening user controlled combat sequences, or somehow distill the essence of those FPS moments into something they can put on screen.

    Either way it'll be tough.

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    Thunderclone: ONE MAN ENTERS! TWO MEN LEAVE! ONE MAN ENTERS! TWO MEN LEAVE!