Past, Present, and Future of the 360

1up has a piece talking with Peter Moore about the past and future of the Xbox 360. Launch challenges, futures plans, and potential roadblocks are all discussed. From the article: "EGM: You really didn't need a Halo to launch the Xbox 360, did you? PM: No, I don't think we did. It was never really in the plans. Clearly, when you're shipping Halo 2 the year before the launch of a new platform, to expect [developer] Bungie to then immediately move on to a brand-new architecture and bring out a third iteration of a franchise worthy of being one of the greatest franchises in videogame history, it's unreasonable. So, we didn't believe we needed it."

Comments

What is so great about Halo?

[why-is-it]

one of the greatest franchises in videogame history

I've never played Halo. I don't think I have seen it being played either. Could someone please tell me what is so great about Halo?

Honestly, I'm not trolling here. What does Halo offer that is different and improved from other platform-based FPS? Is it the weapons? The controls? The plot? The visials? The levels? What does Halo do that makes it so great?

Re:What is so great about Halo?

[iocat]

No single element of Halo stands out (I'm talking Halo 1 here, not Halo 2), but EVERY single element of Halo is impecably tuned, from control to story to graphics to physics to multiplayer to the interface to the ground textures, etc. So it becomes a sublime experience not because it innovates in any one area (it doesn't), but because it's essentially perfect in many different areas simultaniously.

Halo 2 was more uneven, but still pretty great.

Re:What is so great about Halo?

[rabbot]

There really isn't anything about Halo that is more than average for a FPS. So to answer your question...nothing.

The only reason it was hyped so much was due to the fact that it saved the XBox from becoming a complete failure. I guess a mediocre game like Halo looked fantastic next to the other titles availabe for the XBox at the time.

Re:What is so great about Halo?

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

I've never played Halo. I don't think I have seen it being played either. Could someone please tell me what is so great about Halo?

You see, in Halo, you are Master Chief. The big 8ft tall cybernetically and genetically enhanced super warrior (The Alpha Football Player). Your shield (UnderArmour) makes you all but invincible. You run about for most of the game utterly defeating the smaller and weedier Grunts, Jackels (smaller kids, losers, nerds). The occasional big kid or teacher that stands up to you (Elites, Hunters) are still no match for your God given All-American Superiority. You are accompanied and guided by the naked Ai Cortana (Cheerleader girlfriend), and run around assisting your teammates (Marines), and the coach(Keyes) in kicking loser ass. The flood represent your life after high school when former friend and foe alike reject you(flood conversion) and you become powerless in your new circumstances. Defeating them by destroying Halo(your school), represents your rejection of the harm you caused there, and of the scorn you now face. You escape in the Long Sword fighter(your pickup), with girlfriend in tow.

But it's a good game all the same, but the online play sucks.

Halo strengths and weaknesses.

[Inoshiro]

"Is it the weapons?"
Yes. The weapons are satisfying (especially in Halo 2 with the sword), and you have a realistic amount of them on you (2 max with a half-dozen grenades) when fully loaded.

The melee combat is not bad also. It's very satisfying to crack skulls.

"The controls?"
The controls do allow for fun head-to-head, as well as a good feel in general. You know what you're doing at any time.

"The plot?"
The plot is one of the better points; the novelizations are good. The novel that connects Halo 1 and Halo 2's story is well thought out, and enjoyable.

Bungie made Marathon. They know what they're doing with story.

"The visials?
The visuals are about what you'd expect from a Geforce 2.5. Not as good as the new fancy Unreal engine or Half-Life 2, but certainly better everything released up until 2001 simply because the framerate tends to be steadier.

Most of the stuff I saw out on the PC in 2002/2003 didn't take advantage of bump mapping like Halo 1 did. Halo 2's a bit updated, but you can tell they were pushing the hardware to its limit.

"The levels?"
No, Halo's level design is pretty much the biggest pile of crap. The levels are the worst part. If they could get good level design, they would have the best console FPS on their hands.

Re:The score so far

[Thag]

The thing is, they really coudn't wait, because they were losing money on every original XBox they shipped, with no end in sight.

They're probably still losing money on the 360 at launch, but they should be able to break even and get into the black in the long run. The PS3 is not likely to be able to undercut them on price like the PS2 could, because it is coming out a year after the 360, and because it has more expensive components like the blue-ray drive in it.

The Revolution is going to be cheaper, but it may not really compete with the 360, because it's so non-traditional in its design. It seems more likely to go its own way and complement the other two consoles.

Jon Acheson

Re:Realistic Weapon System?

[jericho4.0]

It's not a simulator, it's a game.