Halo Wars designer talks controls, DLC, and more

by Richard Mitchell { May 8th 2008 at 3:30PM }

Australian site Gameplayer recently managed to snag a few minutes with Graeme Devine, lead designer on Halo Wars at Ensemble Studios. While there are no earth-shattering announcements to be pulled from the interview -- sorry kids, still no confirmation of playable Covenant or Flood -- there are still a few tasty bits to be gleaned. First of all, Devine reemphasizes that one of the main goals of Halo Wars is to prove that RTS games can work without a keyboard and mouse.

With this in mind, the team at Ensemble created simple controls, consolidating similar actions -- such as different types of unit selection to presses of a single button. For example, single press of the A button will select one unit, a double click will select all units on screen, and a triple click will select the entire army. Another addition, all levels have been designed so that they can be completed without rotating the camera. Sure, players can rotate the camera, but they don't have to.

Finally, Devine mentions that there may be a level editor included with Halo Wars and also details Ensemble's plans for downloadable content. At the moment, new units and maps are definitely in the works. Even more exciting, Ensemble is considering releasing extra campaigns as well. Hit the "read" link for the full interview.

Tags: bungie, ensemble, ensemble-studios, halo, halo-wars, mgs, microsoft-game-studios

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sean @ May 8th 2008 3:40PM

Concerned that DLC is again in production before a games release, but oh well.

Added Campaigns? Will that be like Company Of Heroes then, where you get campaigns for new armies (courtesy of an expansion pack)?

JSBeckerist @ May 8th 2008 5:28PM

I hope that they release the various maps as renditions of the FPS. Halo 1 map pack, Halo 2 map pack... Remake some of the multiplayer levels too, I think an ivory tower or hang 'em high would make for some interesting (if not tightly packed) battles. Coagulation CTF 1v1, with a max of 16 units? I'm in.

Intentless @ May 8th 2008 6:03PM

I don't get that thought... In production before the game comes out... It is a product. They sit down and say this is what we want in the main game... And that is what you pay for... They are going to then go ahead and also figure out what they can do for DL. DL isn't an afterthought like it used to be. It is now an expected thing so they are going to plan it in advance...

Procris @ May 8th 2008 8:08PM

@ Sean

I think your mistaken. He says nothing about already making DLC. He merely said that they "have plans" for DLC after the game is released. I think most developers now adays say they have plans to add extra content after release. In fact, you need to build the game so that it will support DLC in the first place.

As a huge rts fan i can say without any doubt no matter what they do with the controls. It'll still be easier on the PC as well as being the personal preference for how rts's should be played however i think a lot of people miss the point at what they are trying to do. They are trying to make console rts's controls simple and accessible. I own the PC version of C&C3 but i played the demo of the Xbox 360 version as i was interested in how EA handled it and i can safely say the controls weren't complex and within a minute you can control your army fairly easily. Of course, its still not as quick as just using a mouse. You don't pan across the screen as easy as if you would with a keyboard and binding groups to keys is a waste of time on the console version because the D-pad is very slow to navigate the build/powers menu.

However if you compare PC fps's to console fps's. Many people still believe that the superior way to play a fps is with a mouse and keyboard. I won't disagree with that. The accuracy alone is better but that doesn't mean i prefer it to using my controller now. Lets give Halo Wars a shot, i think they might surprise us at how well they can make the controls work. It won't ever replace the keyboard and mouse for rts's but it might just be good enough so that you can enjoy playing a rts on a console.

StLouisRibs7734 @ May 8th 2008 3:49PM

This would turn out to be the best 'Should be on PC' game of the year if they include a map editor/maker.

mike @ May 8th 2008 3:50PM

I always wondered why these console RTS games always lack level editors when pc RTS level editors are a staple to the genre.

Halo wars looks like a good game. something I might enjoy for a couple months, especially with a level editor. But the real meat is gonna be starcraft 2. If only that game had a release date. Lets just hope halo wars does not release within proximity to starcraft 2, or its sales will be hurt badly. I know ones on pc and the other is 360 but that doesnt matter. If they are released together, I wont even look at halo wars.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ May 8th 2008 3:54PM

"main goals of Halo Wars is to prove that RTS games can work without a keyboard and mouse. "

http://www.funnyforumpics.com/forums/fail/3/FAIL~0.gif

Helloimbob @ May 8th 2008 4:01PM

Can't wait for this game...

Also can't wait till October for Fable 2.
That's when it's being released. My school choir recorded some of the soundtrack, an my teacher promised me his free copy come Oct. I'm so lucky =D

Trekster_Gamer @ May 8th 2008 4:11PM

main goals of Halo Wars is to prove that RTS games can work without a keyboard and mouse. ??!??!

I just don't get why they should have to, I mean why don't console makers just make consoles compatible with a standard USB mouse and Keyboard. That will always be the best way to play RTS games....

DiscoGhost @ May 8th 2008 4:20PM

Totally agree...

I even know the xbox is already compatible with a keyboard...you can use it to type out messages and bio and stuff.

JSBeckerist @ May 8th 2008 5:34PM

You can use a keyboard, not a mouse, in the menu's. For instance, arrow keys and enter to move around the 360 guide. Keyboard can be used too if you want to recover your name, or type something out for your bio, or send a typed message to friends.

Nothing for games yet though, and believe me I've tried numerous times.

James @ May 9th 2008 11:59AM

Agreed, there's just too much going on in your average RTS to bind to a dozen buttons. They could take it in the direction of Rage of Mages (maybe a bit of an obscure reference, but if you were a PC gamer 10 years ago it might ring a bell) and have fewer units to cut down on jumping around the map and macro requirements.

Otherwise, I think people are just going to have to sacrifice the strategic options that would otherwise be open to them. You want to split up your group of 8 tanks and have half attack from each side? Too bad, by the time you've got it worked out with your klutzy thumbsticks, the other guy creamed you. Your options are to charge all 8 of them straight ahead or die waiting to issue orders onesey-twosey.

Give me mouse support, please!

PeterF @ May 8th 2008 4:56PM

The "simplified controls" detailed here sound exactly the same as what C&C has. I tried it, much better on PC.

Josh @ May 8th 2008 9:08PM

The real big question this article leaves is:

Ensemble wants to have users be able to share their custom maps/campaigns, but Microsoft is against this as we've learned from UT3. So will Microsoft bend it's own (completely fucking retarded) rules for a Halo game?