Halo 3 has revised controls, panic abounds
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Sep 18th 2006 at 11:00AM }
It's a rough time for Halo fanboys. Every week Frankie gives us an update with almost zero information. It is our job as fanboys then to take this information and blow it way out of proportion. So what is it this week? Bungie is changing the controls! Egad, it can't be true. What's more, Bungie is toying with the idea of adding plenty of new setups ranging from hardcore to grandma friendly. The end result of all this is that we'll have a setup that makes more sense on our 360 controllers -- especially now that the black and white buttons don't exist. Basically, all we know now is that the bumpers will receive more logical actions than turning on the flashlight and teamspeak.The only other tidbit of news this week: the AI is coming along nicely. As an example, the AI of a warthog gunner has been changed significantly. In the words of Frankie:
"In previous Halo games, the gunners were smart and would pick off targets in a logical fashion, but this time around, and it could be my imagination, the gunners are more precise and easier to influence. You can target individual bad guys by steering the Hog and even 'convince' your gunner to pick a more relevant target and have him stop trying to blast a lone grunt hiding behind a rock when a bigger menace approaches."
Hey, as long as we can still stick a sniper with infinite ammo in the passenger seat, we're cool. Other than that, it's all quiet on the Halo front -- unless you'd like to read what Peter Jackson has to say.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike @ Sep 18th 2006 11:30AM
soo much time wasted on AI and other 1 player based stuff. Boo. 1 player mode in halo is not that fun. Only good for 1 playthrough. Then the cut and paste levels start to get boring (unless they got rid of the cut and pasting for halo 3)
They need to put more time into the multiplayer. more more more... Halo 2 isint still being played today because of its 1 player mode now is it.
Richard Mitchell @ Sep 18th 2006 11:41AM
Mike,
This time around, Halo 3 is being developed by two teams. One team is focused on Single Player, and the other is focused only on Multiplayer. Hopefully, this will make the game a more well rounded experience.
Neurothustra @ Sep 18th 2006 12:52PM
panic abounds? who's getting upset? I think it's a welcome change as well as the fact that the old control scheme will be included for those who prefer the current layout.
Halo @ Sep 18th 2006 12:00PM
I think Halo 3 will have a multiplayer input.
puh_fifer @ Sep 18th 2006 12:34PM
Even those cut and paste craptastic levels can become fun with co-op. Lets just hope co-op over live is included this time.
RazorElite @ Sep 18th 2006 1:54PM
It's because the single player wasn't all that great previously that they need to spend more time on it now. Halo's single player provided me some of my best game experiences ever, but the later levels were generally monotonous and boring. So if they could change that, they could definitely make the single player about as good as the multi. Throw in some online co-op, and we'd definitely have a winner.
tcc3 @ Sep 18th 2006 2:00PM
I hope they move melee to a shoulder button. I dont know how many times I've narroly missed a punch because I couldnt aim and melee simultaneously.
SuicideNinja @ Sep 18th 2006 6:05PM
"I've narroly missed a punch because I couldnt aim and melee simultaneously."
Then I recommend Green Thumb. Sniping is for wussies anyway. =) Personally, I like the B button as "zoom" much better (as it is in Counterstrike).
We should hope they make the controls completely customizable. As long as I can continue to beat down with the right stick and the triggers fire away, I'm good.
Jim @ Sep 18th 2006 5:14PM
I'm hoping jump and melee get moved up to the shoulder buttons.
Esoom @ Sep 19th 2006 9:37PM
You make it seem like they are making the A.I. stupid. When I read this article I was questioning why bungie would do that, but when I read the actual article Bungie just state's they will "dumb" down the A.I. to make it more balanced. You might want to state that in an update. They don't want your Marine's to run through the entire level destroying the covenant.
Plus, who would havce guessed the warthog would looked better I always figured it would look the same graphically on the 360
Richard Mitchell @ Sep 19th 2006 11:08PM
Esoom,
Um...what part of "more precise and easier to influence" means stupid?
Matt @ Sep 25th 2006 7:17AM
Well, obviously, they are going to have to improve the campaign this time around because this is the finale to the trilogy. Why wouldn't they want to go out with a big bang?
Andy @ Sep 26th 2006 12:00PM
Isn't it so nice that everyone's judging a game so harshly that hasn't even come out yet? wtf? Let them play around and continuously change things, thats called DEVELOPMENT. I agree with the last few ppl who have been saying "go Halo" instead of "wahwahwahwahwah"
Jason @ Sep 25th 2006 10:26AM
Well something cool to add into the single player would be adding voice commands so you could direct the npc's that way and for those of us without xbox live we would have a reason for a head set.
They could also make the multiplayer so you could throw npc's into the mix. That would be something cool.
d-rake @ Sep 25th 2006 10:29AM
new chars new weapons new guns all new levels new game modes 4 play cooperative and that would be nice
Dude @ Sep 25th 2006 10:37AM
Who cares, half-life is soooooo much better than halo.
Waltz @ Sep 25th 2006 11:20AM
There are so many things they could have done for Halo 3, but sadly that will remain a fantasy.
I would have love to have seen a d-pad command system a.k.a. tell troops to hold, follow, recon, spread, and Halo 2 was mainly based on the multiplayer, but i was disapointed after seeing the E3 trailer/demo and the game turned out nothing like it.
I would have also loved to see map editors, and maybe gun mods, like i remember one of the the producer comments that in certain parts of halo CE. you need this gn or have to decide between two, so it would have been cool to customize your weapon with a scope or suppressor, and maybe the ability to carry an extra gun.
I;m sure one thing i hoped they improved on was grenade throwing, i mean in the first he can throw amazing distance and not grenades can't kill a person and he can barely throw it, he's a cyborg sheesh!
Thomas @ Sep 25th 2006 2:04PM
There should be a bot mode on Halo 3 where you can play multi-player against the computer with up to 16 players!
Jason @ Sep 25th 2006 11:44AM
Hey if you guys don't stop complaining. look if you guys can do better then tell me make a game and e-mail me stupid mo fo's. And if you send me a peice of shit I will return it with a post it saying it sucks just like your moms, wives, sisters, daughters,etc...
So shut the fuck up you can't do anything better than just complain about the shit that is going on so go fuck yourselves.
Jaciel @ Sep 25th 2006 1:54PM
I hardly doubt this will be the last Halo... I know its supposed to be a triliogy but once they see the truck loads of money they are making then im sure a 4th, 5th, and 6th will be on the way. Halo is pretty much the only reason X-box stayed alive. For the 360 its a little different since they are releasing more extravagent titles like Gears of War.... But I think Halo 3 is the most anticipated game along with Metal Gear 4
Teresa @ Sep 25th 2006 1:07PM
Look, Halo has always been about the campaign. The multiplayer was a bonus that just got blown way out of proportion. The Halo campaign is important. I'm looking forward to it and hoping that it comes out better than Halo 2's did (sucked).
I welcome a new control scheme, I welcome smarter Marines. I think having them smarter will makes things alittle more realistic and a little less of a nuisance.
Waltz- stop trying to turn the game into a Ghost Recon mock up.
Kyle @ Sep 25th 2006 1:28PM
Ah some more simple multiplayer gameplay to be blown out of proportion for the fanboys of the lackluster series call Halo..... enjoy.....
Nick @ Sep 25th 2006 2:26PM
i say its nothing to really concern with as long as they have the old controlls optional in the game somehow and as for the multiplayer they should include a co-op online so i dont have to share a damned tv with my friend :P
Micro$oft sucks @ Sep 28th 2006 6:06PM
Who cares? Halo is overrated garbage.
Peerson @ Sep 25th 2006 2:31PM
i don't care what the controls are i just wanna play the game!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its my favorite game ever! damn i love Halo Halo2 and its horrible waiting for halo 3 CANT WAIT TILL IT COMES OUT!!!
Derek @ Sep 26th 2006 2:41PM
Even though some of you thought that halo 2's campaign sucked i still enjoyed it because the levels were massive and cool looking. I had boring times playing that game. But what I would think to be cool for halo 3 is interactivity. Like everything you do has an influence or downfall to the mission. I think that the marines and aliens should interact with eachother more like when you see in a cut scene. that would be awesome. But yea more cars, weapons, levels would be nice. Plus some sky combat. It would be cool to fly up as high as you could in halo and be ordered to go take down some banshees up in the sky with a jet. But anyways we wont know anything until the game is releaed so just stop complaining and be pashent.
Matt @ Sep 25th 2006 3:26PM
Halo,Halo 2,and Halo 3 Suck.The entire series is just a false remake of Metroid.And for all you MC fanboys,Samus would crush him no problem.KTHXBAI.
eli @ Sep 25th 2006 3:35PM
I think new weapons and vehicles are a must. In the special edition DVD, they showed weapons and vehicles that didn't make it into the game, such as a flamethrower, ATV, and a huge beast that you could ride. And those big Covenant transports? you should be able to drive those too. It would also be nice to have an all-interactive environment, such as being able to drive the regular cars and buses on the street, if you need easy transport without the bulky armored vehicles.
Phil @ Sep 25th 2006 3:36PM
halo is an extreamly overrated game...while online if fun this game better not contain another ring...
sjsayers @ Sep 25th 2006 3:49PM
I think Online , by todays standards, Is all that matters.
SteveDave @ Sep 25th 2006 3:50PM
I see halo3 ending with earth being saved. This would leave the door wide open for who knows how many more sequels to defeat the covenant. I'll bet if they go past a third you will wind up on the covenant homeworld, and another halo as well.
james @ Sep 25th 2006 7:22PM
i think that they should spend some time and energy on the single player. maybe have a simple command interface that allows you to tell the AI marines to hang back or to advance. there have been many cases where i've tried to sneak up on enemies and the marines come in guns blazing and blow it all to hell.
RAGE @ Sep 26th 2006 10:13PM
It is out job as fanboys then to take this information and blow it way out of proportion.
"..out job.."
"..our* job.."
:D TPYO! I WIN.. w/e idk. yeah well at least H3 will be new to everyone.
BBoy Etso(JonJon) (BigJonJon0Bizzy) @ Sep 25th 2006 4:49PM
ok seriously wut the hell is wrong with the controller configuration in halo2? i mean its fine the way it is....and hey idiot with the whole ( i like it better when B is Zoom like counter strike) well guess what? this isnt counterstrike...i friggin hate B as zoom...i c leave the controller alone...
HeilSinki @ Oct 15th 2006 4:56PM
listen enough with the online multiplayer, i remember playing halo one with my best friend and loving the co-op mode and when i played halo 2 i just felt cheated... that i had waited all that time just for a bunch of little whiny "l337" dumbasses complain to me because i wanted to play a real game of halo not some net or lan party thing, i want them to work on something that they forgot about and thats the co-op and single player mode, you want to run around like an imbecile and play that un-organized crap online play go find another game thats SUPPOSED TO center to that
reddturtle95 @ Sep 25th 2006 5:53PM
halohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohhalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohhalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohhalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalohalo, my favoritest shooter game, and my first favoritest game series overall XD XD XD actually i have 2 game series that i love evenly, this and elder scrolls, everythings awesome, kinda, fun, cool, too much to explain so i just said some in a crazy manner.
brendan @ Oct 2nd 2006 5:24PM
The one think i hope halo 3 will have is glitches and superjumps so i can get out of the levels just like halo 2and maybe some new tricks to learn!
Aaran @ Sep 26th 2006 4:24PM
I agree with everything that is being said in terms of controling marines and being able to custimize guns/lvl's. I really think that campain is important and that people need to read the books to find out how important the story is to halo.
Austin @ Sep 25th 2006 6:39PM
i am so sure that halo 3 and other games i am anticipating will be good i am saving up just for an Xbox 360. I am a true xbox die hard, any other system doesn't cut it. That should be nice being able to target certain guys without being in the turret. I'd also like to see more levels, on earth, and playing more as master cheif.
Lance @ Sep 25th 2006 6:40PM
I honestly would like to see more single-play and co-op variation. 4-play co-op could be fun, but they'd hafta take out a few of the marines for each extra player you have. Multiplayer I'm not at all worried about. The only things I can think of that would make it any better at a campaign editor of some sort (that'd PWN!)and mb some NPCs for multi to give some more variation. No doubht Halo 3 will probably re-intro Bloodgulch and hopefully Sidewinder or other levels from Halo PC. Other than that they'll do fine.
Elite ZZ @ Sep 25th 2006 7:21PM
To all of you retards who are bagging on Bungie Studios, go die in a fire. Just because the way Bungie is doing things isn't the way YOU would do things, you are all crapping your pants and whining like the little babies that you are. Everything that Bungie does is in the best interest of the fans; so stop bitching about how you think that they are doing things wrong because you aren't part of the developement of Halo 3.
brendan @ Sep 25th 2006 7:29PM
soo taking a judgement from last time the game should be out in about 10 years right?cause i dont want to wait longer for such a dissapointment like last time,5 or 6 years from announcement,halo 2 was released and it was horrible
Michael @ Sep 25th 2006 7:48PM
About halo 3. First off, I liked halo 2, granted I disliked the shortness of the campaign. I am an only child and I only get to play the campaign, so I come up with fun ways to play it. It's lots of fun. Halo was meant for it's storyline, not it's multiplayer, now the multiplayer is awesome, but that's not what it was truly meant for. I welcome new changes to the controls, but I personally enjoy the old controls because I am comfortable with them. I wish night vision for the sniper was still around though. I'm not complaining at all. Just saying, awesome game series and can't wait for the 3rd one. Wish it wasn't ending at 3.
denis @ Sep 25th 2006 8:24PM
i think halo 3 is going to be tight but i want the controls to be the same
Random Hero @ Sep 25th 2006 8:56PM
The grenades should pack a WEE bit more punch, maybe even a little shrapnel damage would be cool. A plasma rocket laucher, maybe wraith style would be hot. Much more power, no lock on. And Live Co-Op would be hot as hell.
denis @ Sep 25th 2006 8:24PM
im sure people want to have the same controls for halo 3 because they controls were based prety well and i think that we all should admit that it was dumb of them to take away the black and white button
Tommy Fitzjarrell @ Sep 26th 2006 10:35PM
Fun here comes halo 3
Usualy bungi makes good games
Chris my friend likes it
Kim likes it and shes a girl i mean come on
You need to come out faster halo 3
Omg im so excited
Ukno that it will be the greatest
keith @ Sep 25th 2006 8:39PM
Halo 1 and two were both great. they were both monotonous with the flood though they need to add in some different aliens and take the flood out i fucking hate the flood. they make the game boring at some points and repetetive.
Edgar @ Sep 25th 2006 9:17PM
You Neeeeerds. go crap on your star wars underpants. All you guys do is complain. Why dont you guys just make your own games and leave the normal guys like me anticipating the game, not critizicing them. Fucking NERDS. NERDS.NERDS.NERDS.NERDS.NERDS.NERDS.NERDS.NERDS
Go play wiith your little chess boards.
Jared Murray @ Sep 25th 2006 9:31PM
I think that halo 2 was a pretty good game but like all games there is room for improvement one thing that i think that could've been probably be added some how is that they need to add a bar of hp because u know how u have a bar for shield and after that gets depleted then u take damage well then u start to think then whats the point if all the armor he has on i think that they need to put a bar for how much damage his body armor can take. cause its sorta weird how u have all that armor and a pistol bullet can still hurt u if its hits u in the chest.