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10/14/2008 7:45:28 PM
124
Pre-Xbox Halo: The Definitive Thread
[b]Many thanks to Duardo for pinning this topic!
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Ahoy, dudes!
Don't let my two-week-old Bnet profile fool you. I've been a fan of Bungie since the Dark Times (AKA Chicago). At the tender age of six, [i]Gnop![/i] was the first video game I ever played. Raised on the likes of [i]Marathon[/i] while my friends were still bugging out over [i]Doom[/i], I grew up with an insatiable appetite for enigmatic story puzzles, obnoxiously clever AI supervillains and frog blasting vent cores.
So you can imagine my excitement when Jason Jones revealed [i]Halo[/i] during Steve Jobs's keynote at the 1999 Macworld Expo New York. This was the game I'd been waiting for; the team-based shooter to dethrone [i]Tribes[/i] (another addiction of mine) and finally give Mac owners a game to equal the PC.
Of course, the [i]Halo[/i] that sold a million Xboxen (yes, that's the plural and I'm sticking to it) is a very different beast. Thus, I decided to put together an informative superthread collecting all the screens and videos worth seeing of [i]Halo[/i]'s early stages, before Microsoft, before the Xbox and, most importantly, before the recovery of Ling Ling's head.
Onward!
[b][i]PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: The servers containing most of the files linked in this post are a bit wobbly, so don't be too shocked if they lock up on you. I have compiled all the material into one massive zip file, which you can grab here:[/i][/b]
[url=http://www.filedropper.com/prexboxhalostuffbyregulus]Zip Archive on File Dropper (301 MB)[/url]
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SCREENSHOTS (HOSTED ON NIKON.BUNGIE.ORG)[/b]
[b][i]The First Official Screenshots[/i][/b]
Bungie released these images between July 21 and October 5, 1999. They represent [i]Halo[/i] already in its second incarnation, having been scrapped internally as a sci-fi RTS to follow [i]Myth II[/i]. This version of [i]Halo[/i] was planned to be primarily non-linear, consisting of missions scattered across the seamless ring construct and boasting some of the largest team-based multiplayer maps ever witnessed. It was among the first Mac games to push the limits of OpenGL on the platform, and remained visually impressive well after other games had caught up. The Covenant Elites in these images are based on an early design that was eventually scrapped, while some elements of the older MJOLNIR armor were later worked into the ODST Marines first seen in [i]Halo 2[/i].
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo1.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo2.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo3.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo4.jpg]4[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo5.jpg]5[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo6.jpg]6[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo7.jpg]7[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo8.jpg]8[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo9.jpg]9[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo10.jpg]10[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo11.jpg]11[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screens5oct99/halo12.jpg]12[/url]
[b]-----
[i]Screenshots From Other Sources[/i][/b]
Once the word was out, the gaming press swarmed all over [i]Halo[/i]. Magazines and websites scrambled for exclusive coverage, and soon new images began to find their way out of Bungie's offices (still in Chicago at the time) and into gamers' imaginations.
[i]Next Generation Magazine: December 1999 (best available scans)[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299crater.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299fire.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299flyers.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299hover2.jpg]4[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299tank.jpg]5[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/nextgen1299scans/nextgen1299hangar2.jpg]6[/url]
[i]IGN.com: January 6, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIGN6Jan00/haloC002.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIGN6Jan00/haloC003.jpg]2[/url]
[i]Incite.com (now defunct): January 7, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIncite7Jan00/halo.ss042.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIncite7Jan00/halo.ss051.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIncite7Jan00/halo.ss071.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/screensIncite7Jan00/halo.ss081.jpg]4[/url]
[i]GameStar.de: January 24, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/Halo01gross.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/Halo04gross.jpg]2[/url]
[i]Haloplayers.com (now defunct): March 10, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo13.jpg]1[/url]
[i]GameStar.de: April 1, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamestar_apr00/halo_b.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamestar_apr00/halo_b1.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamestar_apr00/halo_b3.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamestar_apr00/halo_b5.jpg]4[/url]
[i]GameCenter.com (now owned by GameSpot): April 28, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo05.jpg]1[/url]
[i]PC Accelerator Magazine: May 2000 (best available scans)[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcxl.0500/pcxl.0500.dropship.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcxl.0500/pcxl.0500.salvage.jpg]2[/url]
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[i]The Big Redesign[/i][/b]
E3 2000 saw [i]Halo[/i] undergo a major graphical overhaul, bringing the game remarkably close in appearance to the version that eventually landed on Microsoft's fledgling console. The Elites have been redesigned, and the Master Chief's MJOLNIR Mark V armor is nearly finalized; the only apparent difference from the release version is a more saturated color palette. At this stage, the game was still believed to be a third-person, team-based multiplayer affair, if not quite so ambitious as the original concept. Shortly after E3, however, Microsoft announced its imminent purchase of Bungie Studios, and [i]Halo[/i] soon transformed into a linear first-person shooter and multimillion-selling Xbox launch title.
[i]GameCenter.com (now owned by GameSpot): April 28, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo01.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo02.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo03.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo04.jpg]4[/url]
[i]Blue's News: June 19, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/halo_bluesnews_05.19.00.jpg]1[/url]
[i]Computer Games Online (now defunct): July 13-15, 2000[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cdmag700/shot1big.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cdmag700/shot2big.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cdmag700/shot3big.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cdmag700/shot4big.jpg]4[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cdmag700/shot5big.jpg]5[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cgo-2700/shot1big.jpg]6[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cgo-2700/shot2big.jpg]7[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cgo-2700/shot3big.jpg]8[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cgo-2700/shot5big.jpg]9[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/cgo-2700/shot13big.jpg]10[/url]
[i]PC Gamer Magazine: August 2000 (best available scans)[/i]
[url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.brainthing.jpg]1[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.covwithsword.jpg]2[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.dropship.jpg]3[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.redcovflyer.jpg]4[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.needlegun.jpg]5[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamercommander.jpg]6[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.stegos.jpg]7[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/pcgamer800/pcgamer.mcclees.jpg]8[/url]
*CONTINUED IN SECOND POST*
[Edited on 04.24.2012 2:50 PM PDT]
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*CONTINUED FROM FIRST POST* [b]VIDEOS[/b] [b][i]The Macworld Announcement Trailer: July 21, 1999[/i][/b] This video was the first footage of [i]Halo[/i] released to the public. During his keynote speech at the Macworld Expo New York, Steve Jobs invited Bungie lead Jason Jones onto the stage to introduce the game. The video, while still heavily scripted, depicted a likely gameplay scenario using the in-game graphics engine. This is where all the excitement began: [url=http://files.mythica.org/halo/old/halo_480.mov]Macworld NY, QuickTime 480x360 @ files.mythica.org (26.6 MB)[/url] [b][i]bTV at Macworld San Francisco: January 11-14, 2000[/i][/b] Bungie's bTV service broadcast a series of videos from Macworld San Francisco, detailing [i]Halo[/i]'s backstory and revealing new footage, all at roughly the size of a postage stamp (I kid, I kid). [url=http://halo.bungie.org/btv.day2.halobackstory.mov]Macworld SF Day 2 Backstory, QuickTime Audio Only @ halo.bungie.org (1.0 MB)[/url] [url=http://grindylow.bungie.org/btv.day3.halofootage.mov]Macworld SF Day 3 Footage, QuickTime 160x120 @ grindylow.bungie.org (15.3 MB)[/url] [url=http://grindylow.bungie.org/day4.footage.mov]Macworld SF Day 4 Footage, QuickTime 160x120 @ grindylow.bungie.org (6.9 MB)[/url] [b][i]Incite Games Halo Movie: February 12, 2000[/i][/b] This video, shot at Bungie's Chicago office, features [i]Halo[/i] footage not seen anywhere else, as well as interviews with Doug Zartman and Charles "Chucky" Gough. [url=http://files.mythica.org/halo/old/Incite_Gaming_Halo.mpeg]Incite Video, MPEG 320x240 @ files.mythica.org (46.2 MB)[/url] [b][i]E3 2000 Trailer: July 1, 2000[/i][/b] The trailer shown at the 2000 Electronic Entertainment Expo clearly demonstrates [i]Halo[/i]'s new look, from the redesigned Elites to the Master Chief himself. Several elements shown in the video, such as the ambient wildlife, were later scrapped. [url=http://files.mythica.org/halo/hbo/e3_2000.mov][i]Halo[/i] E3 Trailer, QuickTime 480x360 @ files.mythica.org (83.3 MB)[/url] [b][i]True: July 24, 2000[/i][/b] A parody of Budweiser's "True" commercial, also known as the "WHAZZUP?!" video. [url=http://grindylow.bungie.org/halo_true.mov]True, QuickTime 320x240 @ grindylow.bungie.org (15.4 MB)[/url] [b][i]nVidia Promo Movie: September 26, 2000[/i][/b] As evidence of their increasing graphical horsepower, Bungie used the [i]Halo[/i] engine to create an infomercial for nVidia's revolutionary GeForce2 GTS video card. [url=http://mythicafiles.bungie.org/halo/old/halo_nvidia_promo.mpeg]nVidia Promo, MPEG 320x240 @ mythicafiles.bungie.org (24.7 MB)[/url] [b][i]The Evolution of Halo: March 11, 2004[/i][/b] First shown during the Bungie Fanfest at E3 2002, this video features a rough overview of [i]Halo[/i]'s development, from initial conception to the build seen in the E3 2000 trailer. Narrated by Martin O'Donnell, Robert McLees, Shi Kai Wang and Paul Russell, with cameos by other Bungie staffers. A big file, but definitely worth the download. [url=http://mythicafiles.bungie.org/halo/hbo/evolution_lg.mov]Evolution of [i]Halo[/i], QuickTime 640x480 @ mythicafiles.bungie.org (94.8 MB)[/url] [b]----- NOTES[/b] First of all, my thanks to halo.bungie.org, mythica.org and their affiliates for hosting this material. All I've done is put it in an organized list. If you know of any significant material that I've missed, please post here so I can keep this list current. I remain an avid Bungie fan to this day, and I anxiously await what's in store for [i]Halo 3: Recon[/i]. In no small way, the atmosphere and attention to detail of the [i]Marathon[/i] and [i]Halo[/i] series inspired me to pursue level design professionally, and you can bet that when Bungie posts a vacancy for a level design position, my resume will be first in line. Sometimes, though, I wonder what [i]Halo[/i] might've become, had this earlier version come to fruition. It's an idea that I feel is worth revisiting with current technology, and indeed the day may come when I gather a team of like-minded developers and pitch the concept as a spinoff. Great team-based shooters are few and far between, especially those as vast as [i]Halo[/i]'s original design. Hey Bungie! What are the odds you could let one of those old builds sneak out the back door? I know I've got an old G4 running OS 9 around here somewhere... -Regulus [Edited on 10.12.2009 8:50 AM PDT]
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Great write up! :)
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Thanks, this should be pinned. Except the only mod who has visited here in the past 6 months is Skibur...
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Constince Donkey Thanks, this should be pinned. Except the only mod who has visited here in the past 6 months is Skibur...[/quote] Yeah, I'm gonna see about posting it in the Bungie General Forum. Thanks!
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this is so excellent. Well done!
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An awesome and informative thread.
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Wow, this is great stuff! *cough* [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Constince Donkey Thanks, this should be pinned. Except the only mod who has visited here in the past 6 months is Skibur...[/quote]
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Duardo Wow, this is great stuff![/quote]Thank you, Duardo! Much obliged.
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Excellent job getting all this together!
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A pinned thread does look nice here. Evidence to the slowly gaining activity. You do stop in Duardo, it's just not often.
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Wow, I love at looking at all of the things that Halo was going to be. It seems like if Bungie would've made Halo like this, instead of the series it is now, it would be even bigger, and probably have a even bigger story than it does now. Still wished Bungie would've put in the Pre-Xbox Master Chief/Spartan, and Elite models as skins in Halo 3. Would probably be using that instead of Security. I don't know if you have every screenshot of Pre-Xbox Halo, but [url=http://rampancy.net/images/halo/old_engine]Rampancy[/url] has a lot of them.
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Thanks for the feedback, Zayne! I [i]have[/i] checked out Rampancy (and what a wonderful site it is!), but I'm pretty sure HBO has the majority of the imagery covered. I intentionally omitted the screens that I felt were less impressive, wanting to do Maximum Justice(TM) to the original concept. Actually, when I first learned that Bungie employees were getting special armor in [i]Halo 3[/i], I had hoped that it would be based on that earlier MJOLNIR design. Talk about old-school street cred! But I suppose the Security armor has that covered. I'm still holding onto the hope that someday I'll get my hands on one of those old builds. Chucky's love - wherever it is - abides.
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Thank you, I found it very interesting to see how a more Marathon-oriented Halo would look. By the way, [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo05.jpg]this picture[/url] is awesome.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] WB Wolves Thank you, I found it very interesting to see how a more Marathon-oriented Halo would look. By the way, [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/screenshots/gamecenter400/halo05.jpg]this picture[/url] is awesome.[/quote]Whoa, that is awesome!
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Ahhh, back in the days of Blam! Sweet times...Innocent times...
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Absolutely fantastic!
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This is saawweetttt, it's like opening up a time capsule! 7hanks OP
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Awesome thread OP! I've seen the 'Evolution of Halo' video before, but I didn't know so much other media was available. Thanks!
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Here's a few more things I've found on Halo.Bungie.Net, though, I still can't find those stamp sized videos from the Bungie TV broadcasts. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20050416200838/www.bungie.net/Games/Halo/Gallery.aspx?Gallery=PreXbox&page=1]Old Bungie.net gallery of Pre-Xbox Halo Screens[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/miscellaneous.html]Scroll Down somewhat until you see the Pre-Xbox videos, and speculation links[/url] [url=http://nikon.bungie.org/theories/]How naive we were..[/url] Hope this helps.
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Dayumn, Zayne! There's actually a lot of stuff in there that I missed. Great find. Also, I seem to remember a reference (possibly from the May 2000 issue of [i]PC Accelerator[/i]) to in-game communication using hand signals. I think the plan was to have always-on voice chat spatialized in the engine - meaning that all other players could hear your voice depending on your actual location - and if you wanted to sneak up on the enemy team, you'd actually have to use hand signals to communicate with your teammates so no one would hear you. Does anyone else remember something like that, or am I making it up? [Edited on 11.24.2008 12:52 AM PST]
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This is the greatest thread i have seen on b.net. I love you.
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[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Nohtaram This is the greatest thread i have seen on b.net. I love you.[/quote]Please forward all proclamations of undying love to Bungie's HR department to increase my chances of getting hired and giving you cool members-only stuff. Heh heh. Thanks!
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Wooo, that's an awesome post, thanks for an awesome read. [Edited on 11.27.2008 2:02 PM PST]
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Sweet!
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I can't thank you enough for this thread, Regulus. Great job! Also, here's some of the original storyboards: [url]http://web.archive.org/web/20030428061216/www.bungie.net/perlbin/blam.pl?file=/site/1/site/halo/features/storyboards01.html[/url]
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That was great. Very interesting. Good job.
