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11/17/2010 11:50:37 PM
160
Halo 2: The game it should have been (beta).
So I was bored one day, looking up stuff about Halo 2 and the e3 trailer, and suddenly I found a lot of stuff about halo 2 before it came out:
First off, here is the e3 trailer:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb9o-Ce_hYM[/url]
All the h2x fanboys have seen this already. You know, what could have been blah blah.
Now, for something you didn't expect:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMZgz_fVYs&feature=fvw[/url]
Check it out: MLG dudes playing a Halo 2 Beta. Notice the Halo 1 HUD, proof the game was based off the Halo 1 engine. This isn't unusual in game development, did you know that Black Ops is really based off ID tech 3?
Another public announcement:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHrpjRnvl10&feature=related[/url]
Later on, there is a XBL beta running on The XBL test network AKA Parternet (as it is called on the 360). Bungie has this offical interview from gamespot:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B31J7GkvOvw&feature=related[/url]
EDIT: Turns out, it was a pressed disc given to reviewers, and most ms employees. It worked on normal unmodded xboxes, and was the beta in the other videos below. Of course, there were other betas on Partnernet, but the most common beta (and the one floating around) is the Private beta.
And another bungie interview:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9XMqg4W9-o&feature=related[/url]
Note the halo 1 HUD again and another type of HUD, you will see that in the next video.
While looking for other videos of halo 2, I found these videos too. I thought they were fake at first, but now comparing these with the other videos, these are real.
First off, here is the full main menu:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SAX6tuQofU&feature=related[/url]
Note the Xbox 1 dash style ZOOM effect, and placeholders for scrapped features.
The mongoose:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV3_p6PIFNQ&feature=related[/url]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhGsIBZ0KWk&feature=related[/url]
The second one has offical narration on why it was removed.
Now for more beta menu goodness:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ug1ZnyY2EA&feature=related[/url]
And now for some scrapped crap in another version:
Single Shot BR with Different Rocket Launcher: [url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8Vzn0WLUdA&feature=related[/url]
Another one:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atCsy1nVbb8&feature=related[/url]
Ghost getting killed by a weird flamethrower:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sSVh0bPq2c&NR=1[/url]
And now for one last thing: Semi Destructable Enviroments:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx9MSyX6Tr8&NR=1[/url]
That's all I could find.
EDIT: One more thing:
This is a very prototype falcon, the model isn't even finished:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAgh0FHnPOo&NR=1[/url]
1-29-10 edit: New video of a hacked up beta.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C5zzPO9y-4[/url]
Wonder why he didn't enable system link. And private servers might be possible, but only 2 or 3 people really give a crap about it.
Beta Zanzi:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yen1xkXMBfg[/url]
Beta Waterworks
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpusDCjIn6o[/url]
Beta Midship
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30Uik2nJlYQ[/url]
Info about the beta in the youtube videos:
[url]http://www.betaarchive.com/wiki/index.php?title=Halo_2:Closed_multiplayer_beta[/url]
EDIT: 2-4-11
More beta footage found on gametrailers:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxUvM-VRZ5c[/url]
LameCheat also has the beta...and being the elitest he is, he is not releasing it. Heres a video of the main menu though:
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUlI4o-ckpM[/url]
Unlike the other person, he can't fake the connection. LOL!
EDIT: 8/18/11
Found more vids.
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Sg246Wlg8]Some moongoose footage and alt weapon sounds.[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmpfQvIscM4[/url]Some glitches in viewmodels[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyEK7vJVzNY]An early attempt at cracking the beta for the above vids[/url]
EDIT: 10-20-11
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLRvro0BCf4]Apparently it's been cracked and dug into, something tells me it got leakedz too....[/url]
2-6-12 UPDATE:
Oh yay, more footage:
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oayV95WuAU&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL]The moongoose, useless because it lacks the passenger seat[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ0E4PltnXs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL]A demo of Shared.Map[/url]
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73dOp8VJXl8]The full main menu. Hidden options, headhunter + invasion, plus it's limited.[/url]
4/12/12
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uhPPi7aa5g]Hey look, more footage of that beta. Now with more debug info and more weapon demos. :3[/url]
5/18/12
[url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article]An interview with bungie. It also explains why the E3 demo was canned.[/url]
[Edited on 05.18.2012 11:56 AM PDT]
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Just found another new beta vid. [Edited on 10.20.2011 1:25 PM PDT]
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Halo 2 still turned out to be decent considering how rushed it was to be finished.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] BOB570 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Cheeto666 This. There originally was no Halo 3. Halo 2 was going to have Halo 3 in it. But Microsoft wanted Halo 3 to be the launch game for the 360, so they told them to cut the game in half and ship what they had for Halo 2. [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Shock120 @ Halo 2 mourners. You think Microsoft shutting down Halo 2 was bad? Take a look at how Halo 2 should've been, until Microsoft stepped in with their Golden Shoes, demanding Bungie for a quick and rushed release.[/quote][/quote]I'm pretty sure that's not true. Bungie is in it for the money too you know. There would be no reason that Bungie wouldn't want to make a third installment. [/quote] No, it's true. There are numerous interviews with Bungie employees (mostly circa E3 2003) confirming that Halo 2 was supposed to be the end of the series. A game called Phoenix was supposed to be Bungie's next project, set in an entirely new universe, but Microsoft saw $$$ in the Halo franchise and forced Bungie to make a third Halo game instead.
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Still, Halo 2 turned out to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest games of all time, so it's no big deal. Could it have been better? Of course, but that's true for all games. There's [i]always[/i] something that could have used some improvement. One thing I'll never understand is people who complain about how Outskirts/Metropolis are nothing like the E3 2003 demo. It's actually a good thing that this happened, because just watching the E3 demo, I can see that it would have been a totally unplayable P.O.S. It [i]looks[/i] cool and it [i]feels[/i] cool, but that's because of the [i][b]HUGE[/b][/i] amount of scripted events that only worked if you played the game [I][b]EXACTLY[/i][/b] the right way. There are 3 or 4 separate recordings of the E3 demo being played, and if you watch each recording, you'll notice that they're all played exactly the same way - down to the path the player takes through the level and the exact timing of certain events (Ghost boarding, triggering the final cutscene, etc...) This had to be done because of the way the level was programmed. If the Ghost was boarded too late (or not at all), or the Master Chief drove instead of letting the Marines drive, the game would have crashed. (Okay, I haven't actually seen the code for myself, but judging by the fact that the level was played the same way every time, down to the last meticulous detail, this is probably a true statement.) It was all smoke and mirrors. As a video, E3 2003 was mind-blowing, but as a game, it would have been absolutely unplayable. But I digress. [Edited on 10.27.2011 11:34 AM PDT]
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] car15 Still, Halo 2 turned out to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest games of all time, so it's no big deal. Could it have been better? Of course, but that's true for all games. There's [i]always[/i] something that could have used some improvement. One thing I'll never understand is people who complain about how Outskirts/Metropolis are nothing like the E3 2003 demo. It's actually a good thing that this happened, because just watching the E3 demo, I can see that it would have been a totally unplayable P.O.S. It [i]looks[/i] cool and it [i]feels[/i] cool, but that's because of the [i][b]HUGE[/b][/i] amount of scripted events that only worked if you played the game [I][b]EXACTLY[/i][/b] the right way. There are 3 or 4 separate recordings of the E3 demo being played, and if you watch each recording, you'll notice that they're all played exactly the same way - down to the path the player takes through the level and the exact timing of certain events (Ghost boarding, triggering the final cutscene, etc...) This had to be done because of the way the level was programmed. If the Ghost was boarded too late (or not at all), or the Master Chief drove instead of letting the Marines drive, the game would have crashed. (Okay, I haven't actually seen the code for myself, but judging by the fact that the level was played the same way every time, down to the last meticulous detail, this is probably a true statement.) It was all smoke and mirrors. As a video, E3 2003 was mind-blowing, but as a game, it would have been absolutely unplayable. But I digress.[/quote]I've said before that had we been given the E3 demo for an in-game level and outskirts and metropolis were the demos and played it for 7 years we would wish for the Outskirts and Metropolis levels. What you were denied always seems better, at least to me anyway.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] car15 Still, Halo 2 turned out to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest games of all time, so it's no big deal. Could it have been better? Of course, but that's true for all games. There's [i]always[/i] something that could have used some improvement. One thing I'll never understand is people who complain about how Outskirts/Metropolis are nothing like the E3 2003 demo. It's actually a good thing that this happened, because just watching the E3 demo, I can see that it would have been a totally unplayable P.O.S. It [i]looks[/i] cool and it [i]feels[/i] cool, but that's because of the [i][b]HUGE[/b][/i] amount of scripted events that only worked if you played the game [I][b]EXACTLY[/i][/b] the right way. There are 3 or 4 separate recordings of the E3 demo being played, and if you watch each recording, you'll notice that they're all played exactly the same way - down to the path the player takes through the level and the exact timing of certain events (Ghost boarding, triggering the final cutscene, etc...) This had to be done because of the way the level was programmed. If the Ghost was boarded too late (or not at all), or the Master Chief drove instead of letting the Marines drive, the game would have crashed. (Okay, I haven't actually seen the code for myself, but judging by the fact that the level was played the same way every time, down to the last meticulous detail, this is probably a true statement.) It was all smoke and mirrors. As a video, E3 2003 was mind-blowing, but as a game, it would have been absolutely unplayable. But I digress.[/quote] Hey, there IS a game like that where you MUST PLAY LIKE SCRIPTED! It's called Sonic Generations, and it blows. Also, there was a game too released as a beta called Sonic 06. It was horribly unfinished and had so many glitches that it made Halo 2 look glitch free.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] JacobGRocks [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] car15 Still, Halo 2 turned out to be the best game in the series and one of the greatest games of all time, so it's no big deal. Could it have been better? Of course, but that's true for all games. There's [i]always[/i] something that could have used some improvement. One thing I'll never understand is people who complain about how Outskirts/Metropolis are nothing like the E3 2003 demo. It's actually a good thing that this happened, because just watching the E3 demo, I can see that it would have been a totally unplayable P.O.S. It [i]looks[/i] cool and it [i]feels[/i] cool, but that's because of the [i][b]HUGE[/b][/i] amount of scripted events that only worked if you played the game [I][b]EXACTLY[/i][/b] the right way. There are 3 or 4 separate recordings of the E3 demo being played, and if you watch each recording, you'll notice that they're all played exactly the same way - down to the path the player takes through the level and the exact timing of certain events (Ghost boarding, triggering the final cutscene, etc...) This had to be done because of the way the level was programmed. If the Ghost was boarded too late (or not at all), or the Master Chief drove instead of letting the Marines drive, the game would have crashed. (Okay, I haven't actually seen the code for myself, but judging by the fact that the level was played the same way every time, down to the last meticulous detail, this is probably a true statement.) It was all smoke and mirrors. As a video, E3 2003 was mind-blowing, but as a game, it would have been absolutely unplayable. But I digress.[/quote] Hey, there IS a game like that where you MUST PLAY LIKE SCRIPTED! It's called Sonic Generations, and it blows. Also, there was a game too released as a beta called Sonic 06. It was horribly unfinished and had so many glitches that it made Halo 2 look glitch free.[/quote] Lol, you are right Jacob. The 2006 Sonic game was so horribly made that it did make Halo 2 look glitch free. My friend smashed his controller in anger over the long loading screens and the many gameplay glitches that screwed you over. And yet he managed to stomach through the games faults to play the storyline once to satisfy his love for Sonic, then burned the game after playing it.
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No, burning it is not enough, you must blow 06 up.
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Hm, apparently I'm considered an absent member now. Good to see this thread is still running; I've just acquired a copy of a pre-release Halo 2 so I'm going to dig around in that. No I'm not providing links. I wonder if my Halo 2: The Truth: Unlimited Collector's Edition thread is still running. Edit: [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=45678693]Aw, it got buried. :([/url] Oh, and hi everyone. [Edited on 12.14.2011 1:05 PM PST]
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Ghost Unknown I wonder if my Halo 2: The Truth: Unlimited Collector's Edition thread is still running. Edit: [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=45678693]Aw, it got buried. :([/url] [/quote] That's sad. It really looked like a nice thread too.
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Nice, put a vid up of it.
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There are always thing in beta that get cut out that would be really fun to actually have. (e.x. Sticky Tripmines Halo 3 Beta)
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Eh... Sure some of the stuff looked "cool" in the videos, and I agree that the main menu did look better. But you can HEAR why they didn't put the Mongoose in, and I would imagine the rest of these things have very similar reasons behind them. They didn't put it in because they didn't feel it was right for gameplay or overall player experience. And that's something I 100% support. I only wish we had the same/similar team working on the next Halo installments.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Foxie Grandpa you can HEAR why they didn't put the Mongoose in[/quote]You seriously think the reason they didn't put the mongoose into Halo 2 is because they didn't have good sounds for it? Really? The reason they didn't put it in is due to them not being able to balance it right into the gameplay. It wasn't that useful for the most part. If you take a moment to think about the vehicle in Halo 2 multiplayer you can see why it wouldn't be useful. The only map I can think of it being useful in is Coagulation. [Edited on 01.09.2012 3:10 PM PST]
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Updated with more footage.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] JacobGRocks Updated with more footage. [/quote] Good to hear.
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This is a good thread. I know we have had many disputes in the past Jacob, but I really am glad that you keep contributing to this topic.
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^ 117th post! congratulations Super PolarBear
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] path1k ^ 117th post! congratulations Super PolarBear[/quote] Dammit. I didn't even want to post my above comment. I just got bored.
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Hmm... Never knew Headhunter was thought of back in the Halo 2 days. I do remember hearing that Invasion was thought of then, though. Apparently Zanzibar was built for it.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Dr Syx I do remember hearing that Invasion was thought of then, though. Apparently Zanzibar was built for it.[/quote] [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=br8FdEexJBU#t=359s]You heard right.[/url]
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MR RATCHETYoutube - MR RATCHET - old
I've managed to get a hold of the Halo 2 Beta and I'll try to get you guys some video's with a commentary about a few of the missing features/elements from the final game but I won't be able to do this until March (need a capture card etc). [Edited on 02.07.2012 8:04 AM PST] -
[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wilis_kid I've managed to get a hold of the Halo 2 Beta and I'll try to get you guys some video's with a commentary about a few of the missing features/elements from the final game but I won't be able to do this until March (need a capture card etc).[/quote]I wish I had a modded Xbox so I could join you on it... I can imagine it would be fun to see some stuff. Found anything you like so far?
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MR RATCHET
Youtube - MR RATCHET - old
[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Dr Syx [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wilis_kid I've managed to get a hold of the Halo 2 Beta and I'll try to get you guys some video's with a commentary about a few of the missing features/elements from the final game but I won't be able to do this until March (need a capture card etc).[/quote]I wish I had a modded Xbox so I could join you on it... I can imagine it would be fun to see some stuff. Found anything you like so far?[/quote] So far, the single shot zoom BR is nice. A single shot doesn't maintain the power of a 3 shot burst but it has a higher ROF. The Ghost and Banshee have slower ROF's and the Banshee still has it's Banshee bomb. Scorpions main cannon is equivalent to the campaigns ROF whereas in the final game in MP it's slower. Carbine and Sword are full auto (no need to tap the trigger, holding it makes them fire/swing as fast as possible) and interestingly I found health kits on Waterworks, perhaps a health system like CE was going to be implemented? Also, unlike the final game, a melee to the back of a teammate is an instant kill just like CE. I haven't been able to figure out how to get the Mongoose, Flamethrower and Disintigrator to spawn though. When I do I'll report back/make a video. -
[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wilis_kid I haven't been able to figure out how to get the Mongoose, Flamethrower and Disintigrator to spawn though. When I do I'll report back/make a video.[/quote]I thought the mongoose spawned on Zanzibar by default? Did you not get that map?
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MR RATCHET
Youtube - MR RATCHET - old
[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Dr Syx [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wilis_kid I haven't been able to figure out how to get the Mongoose, Flamethrower and Disintigrator to spawn though. When I do I'll report back/make a video.[/quote]I thought the mongoose spawned on Zanzibar by default? Did you not get that map?[/quote] No it doesn't, it has to be hex edited to spawn. Unlike the full game, the mongoose, flamethrower and disintigrator are all in the beta, just disabled. If i could figure out how to swap the spawns e.g. Make a mongoose spawn in place of ghosts then i could. However, i have no idea how to do this in the beta unfortunately
