[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] S_034 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] flamedude Meh I just consider it a reflection of 343i and their attitude towards artistic style in H4 and what they think of the original Halo games and Bungies artistic effort and focus. Needless change that serves no basis except knee jerk reaction from potential punters, leaving actual Halo fans scratching their heads wondering what is going on. Sad thing is that the Mk VI change is just part of a huge list of bizarre and pointless changes; Elites, Grunts, BR, DMR, Energy Sword, Warthog and Pelican. The list will surely increase in size as we see more and more artistic interventions by 343i changing established designs for no good reason. I'd probably feel better about it if the changes were actually good looking but they flat out look terrible, [url=http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/4447/halogruntinfographic.png]just see the Grunts for that[/url].[/quote] Just because it's a change without reason doesn't mean that it's a pointless one. A change in artists entails a change in artistic style, and I feel like if 343 wants to change things, it's more than their prerogative, it's their responsibility. Getting up into a huff about them not using the same designs Bungie did serves no purpose except to hobble their creative efforts. It says, "the way you envision this stuff is irrelevant, because even though this is your IP now, we won't be happy without everything looking the way it did when Bungie was in charge." It's like if Picasso were painting his own imagining of Da Vinci's stuff, but people got all pissed off because Picasso were painting a Picasso version of, say, the Mona Lisa and all they really wanted was Picasso to paint "Da Vinci's Mona Lisa II." They think it's needless change for no good reason, but it's Picasso simply making his own artistic decisions while drawing his inspiration from the source material. It's not that 343i doesn't appreciate Bungie's artistic efforts, it's that they're making their own now, not simply photocopying Bungie's. Nor would I want them to. The gameplay and storyline and appearance of Halo 4 will surely be familiar enough to still be Halo, but I am VERY excited to explore the Halo Universe through a different set of lenses, and if I know anything about art, it's that artists are a hell of a lot more creative and effective when they're creating something as they imagine it than when they have to try and fit their vision to someone else's designs. Such being the case, I ask 343i to IGNORE US for the time being. Create what you want, and I, for one, will approach it with an open mind, just as I will approach Bungie's new IP with an open mind. If I play it and it sucks, then I'll drop it and leave it alone. But until then, I'll reserve judgement. [/quote] I get what you're saying and that is a totally understandable stance. Personally though I find it a strange mentality from the perspective of the 343i artists. Canonically changes to UNSC vehicles and weapons and armor, the introduction of S-IVs, the changes to Grunt and Elite armor is easily justifiable. The change to the Chief though is bizarre and strange. I understand that it is 343i and their reinterpretation of the Chief but you would never see something like that with Darth Vader. Halo 4 is not a reboot but a continuation, this isn't Star Trek where the Enterprise gets a visual overhaul but a sequel to a game which it is meant to be linked to. By trade I am a graphic designer so for me I am much more picky and critical of artistic style and consistency. For me the change is jarring and hard to justify but not only that I feel that the new designs are simply BAD.