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Re: ...That's it?
Posted By: sketchfactor <bjarrard@bungie.com>	Date: 3/19/08 2:20 p.m.
In Response To: ...That's it? (Psychophan7) : It's no surprise that “Cottonball” would turn out to be a spiritual successor : of Sidewinder. Given the copious amount of hints that it was going to be : big and remind you of old Halo 1 LAN days, later tied with the snowy : vehicle renders, it's only natural to assume that we were led to believe : we would be seeing Sidewinder. Of course, if anyone had actually thought : we were going to get a true Sidewinder remake, with or without Halo 3 : polish, then I laughed at them. I looked at the issue of a Sidewinder : remake back in October: The teleporters would be scrapped for : mancannons, which would mean an alteration to the geometry. Then the : "gate" that's inbetween the two bases would be useless for : tossing the flag through (because you can't anymore), so there's bound to : be a change there. And then with the introduction of different vehicles to : the sandbox, the overall geometry would need to be tinkered to accomodate : them as well. Not to mention the geometric changes required due to the : newer movement system. : It's interesting how accurate I was, despite how vague. : What would have been a surprise is if Avalanche turned out to be something : more like Blood Gulch set in a snowy environment. What a twist. : I'm curious as to why this "announcement" (it's really more of a : confirmation) was delayed, though. Such information is absent from the : update. I can place two guesses to why it was delayed: Microsoft, owning : the IP for Halo (and hence, Sidewinder) had to be negotiated with. Or, the : pricing and release date had to be determined and the map pack put through : (or rather, into) certification so that date could be met. Then there's : the third option, which may be a combination of both or using related : elements not touched upon. : While it's always neat seeing what the map designers have to say about the : creation of the map—I remember the interview for Isolation fascinating my : imagination with to-be-crushed hopes of gaming bliss—I have to say that : there is, in my opinion, a substantial lack of developed information. : While things such as what, where, and why are addressed, it's lacking : information on the how; I'll return to this "How?" thought a bit : later, though. Also absent, specifically from the "sandbox" : section, is what kind of weapons we can expect to play with in a normal : game: · Are there sniper rifles? Where are they? : · There is a Spartan laser, where is it? : · Are there rockets? : · How does the palette change from symmetrical to asymmetrical? : · Will sniper rifles for the defending team be beam rifles? : · Will either team be given control over the laser in asymmetric to balance : the onslaught of vehicles? : · Will we finally see the Fuel Rod Gun placed on the standard map? : Other questions that arise include issues of balance: · How were weapons : placed so that they were both equal distances from the starting players : while also providing an equal advantage? : · How are the quick and deadly Ghosts to be countered in an offensive rush : by the defending team? : · The Hornets got an overhaul, so how are they balanced against Banshees? : · Wouldn't a Scorpion battling a Wraith be an unfair advantage for the : assaulting team? At range the Scorpion annhilates the Wraith. : And, of course, the question of if we get Elephants. Looking at the : screenshots, though, it appears they won't fit through the center anyways. : Speaking of screenshots, they look great. Sadly, this is most of what they : do. They don't show the intricacies of the bases, the U-shaped bend, or : facing away from the base. They do show that the back area and front : entrance are melded into one to form a ramp to get to the upper level—a : design that I like, by the way. There should be at least one action shot : with players running around and blowing vehicles to hell, perhaps with a : player using a mancannon so we may better gauge how those glowing pillars : of light (they may just be decoration, you know) factor into gameplay, if : they factor in at all. Also absent is information or a screenshot on the : following: (From January 18th .) : The map is large enough so that even when a team makes off with your flag, : there's still a lot of ground you can use to catch up. The other is that : each side has some wonderful shortcuts - natural and mechanical - that may : not make great flag escape routes, but might let a mobile pursuer cut off : escapees. : What are these mechanical shortcuts? Are they the mancannons or contraptions : we would be seeing on "Purple Reign?" : I'll return to that "How?" thought now. Starting with the map : geometry itself: Was the original Sidewinder geometry used as a reference : to construct a new level geometry over it? What had to be altered to : accomodate the foreign Wraith, Mongoose, and Banshee? What kind of flight : ceiling exists for the Hornet? Does that barrier affect areas that don't : make sense (like not being able to fly over the center area of the bend)? : Are there any eggs that can be found? (Part of what makes an egg hunt : possible is knowing you can look for it.) : How will the map be rolled into matchmaking? Certainly there'll be a DLC : playlist and it'll be in BTB, but what about the other playlists? If the : map can support 4v4, it would appear in Team Slayer and such, no? : I'll wrap this up quickly (being nice and formatting the html for it is : tedious). The confirmation (because announcement doesn't fit) is lacking : in information. It works on the idea that getting people excited will do : the job of information. The biggest news contained within is the only : announcing part: Legendary Map pack – due April 15th for 800 marketplace : points : And all this means is that we have to wait even longer to actually get to : play this map. First we were teased in the Weekly update, then there was a : (albeit minor) delay, and now we have to wait a month. I'm expecting : reparation in the form of a ViDoc or other video that covers the creation : of the Legendary map pack and/or showing gameplay. Even a single action : screenshot would suffice (and it's easier to create). : I might follow up on this later. Of course we're not going to reveal _everything_ in the first story. Luke has more Avalanche insights coming later this week that will address some of your questions/requests. Hang tight. Regarding the timing... The map pack is still a full month away. Generally it's tough to maintain interest or excitment is something an extended period of time so the "official" PR cycle for Legendary DLC kicks off about t-minus one month to release. You are correct though that long after the maps were done and decided, the decisions regarding release date and price were still lingering over in Redmond. Ultimately the publisher is the one who will control those aspects and the release specifics.

Message Index

Sidewinder's back, baby!	Gravemind	3/19/08 1:01 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Omega	3/19/08 1:04 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Gravemind	3/19/08 1:18 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Louis Wu	3/19/08 8:46 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Omega	3/19/08 10:37 a.m.
Whoa. That was close. *NM*	Gravemind	3/19/08 1:23 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby! *NM*	RiveR	3/19/08 11:41 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	RiveR	3/19/08 11:54 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	xenøs	3/20/08 6:00 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Gravemind	3/19/08 1:05 a.m.
So pretty... *NM*	Eiii	3/19/08 1:33 a.m.
Do the Mancannons shoot you OVER the central wall?	Leviathan	3/19/08 1:40 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	gunluva	3/19/08 1:44 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	InnerRayg	3/19/08 1:57 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Ragashingo	3/19/08 2:07 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Zerowind117	3/19/08 2:45 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	ACEfanatic02	3/19/08 3:11 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Avateur	3/19/08 3:29 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	FyreWulff	3/19/08 3:58 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	DiscipleN2k	3/19/08 1:03 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Louis Wu	3/19/08 1:17 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	DiscipleN2k	3/19/08 2:59 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Ragashingo	3/19/08 8:40 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	sketchfactor	3/19/08 2:11 p.m.
Won't physics be an issue??	Boxer	3/19/08 3:01 p.m.
Tombstone (R.I.P.)	Stuntmutt	3/19/08 3:01 p.m.
Re: Tombstone (R.I.P.)	BolognaFire	3/19/08 3:12 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Ragashingo	3/19/08 3:07 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Urban Reflex	3/19/08 3:59 p.m.
Wow, nobody has replied to this yet?	SinisterSamurai	3/19/08 3:14 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Dustbunny27	3/19/08 3:16 p.m.
Re: Do it Sketch!	Devin Olsen	3/19/08 3:32 p.m.
I'm torn	Anton P. Nym (aka Steve)	3/19/08 3:35 p.m.
Ahem. "Classic Sack" maybe? *NM*	Anton P. Nym (aka Steve)	3/19/08 3:37 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	elessar787	3/19/08 3:37 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	sketchfactor	3/19/08 3:52 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Urban Reflex	3/19/08 4:04 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Bootsman	3/19/08 6:55 p.m.
Better/Slower > Faster/Crappier	ToastyKen	3/20/08 6:56 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	calmkiller	3/20/08 10:08 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	NOKYARD	3/20/08 11:12 a.m.
I would settle for some extra large cracked decal *NM*	SinisterSamurai	3/20/08 11:24 a.m.
+ audio of the ice cracking & popping *NM*	Anton P. Nym (aka Steve)	3/20/08 12:32 p.m.
True *NM*	SinisterSamurai	3/20/08 12:46 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Nevan	3/19/08 3:46 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Urban Reflex	3/19/08 3:51 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Slothboy	3/19/08 3:52 p.m.
Verticality!	sorahn	3/19/08 4:03 p.m.
Re: Verticality!	Urban Reflex	3/19/08 4:11 p.m.
Re: Verticality! === Construct *NM*	Magni Harvald	3/19/08 5:01 p.m.
ramps or raised platforms =/= grav lifts :( *NM*	BolognaFire	3/19/08 5:08 p.m.
Re: ramps or raised platforms =/= grav lifts :(	Ducain	3/19/08 5:21 p.m.
Re: Verticality! === PRISONER	makaveli0360	3/19/08 4:19 p.m.
Re: Verticality! === Boarding Action	bluerunner	3/19/08 4:29 p.m.
Re: Verticality! === Boarding Action	sketchfactor	3/19/08 5:37 p.m.
Re: Verticality! === Boarding Action	SinisterSamurai	3/19/08 7:09 p.m.
NOW HERES A MAN THAT TALKS SENSE /\	nomis78	3/19/08 9:40 p.m.
Sor, there is Isolation. That map confuses.	Mr. Kint	3/21/08 3:25 p.m.
Doesn't Construct fit the bill? *NM*	pete_the_duck	3/21/08 4:12 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Cody Miller	3/19/08 4:03 p.m.
Tombstone=please god no	makaveli0360	3/19/08 4:18 p.m.
Re: Tombstone=please god no	wafermouse	3/19/08 5:26 p.m.
Re: Tombstone=please god no	Duncan	3/19/08 6:17 p.m.
Re: Tombstone=please god no	Magni Harvald	3/19/08 6:22 p.m.
Halo 2 Map pack + question	sorahn	3/19/08 4:31 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	xMixMasterx	3/19/08 4:43 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Psychophan7	3/19/08 4:44 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Grimlock	3/19/08 7:12 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Don	3/19/08 4:46 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	QuickTactical	3/19/08 5:01 p.m.
My ideal scenario	wafermouse	3/19/08 5:03 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	jazo	3/19/08 5:20 p.m.
Please! My top 7.	Duncan	3/19/08 6:08 p.m.
Re: Please! My top 7.	Magni Harvald	3/19/08 6:20 p.m.
Here's my thoughts sketch.	VVM	3/19/08 7:24 p.m.
Good points, all	Jordan117	3/20/08 5:03 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Black Six	3/19/08 9:33 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Avateur	3/19/08 10:20 p.m.
Response to the question	InnerRayg	3/20/08 3:13 a.m.
Thanks Bungie! My response *long*	Awe Venger	3/20/08 4:36 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	xenøs	3/20/08 7:30 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	discopete019	3/20/08 9:23 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	serpx	3/20/08 10:54 a.m.
Enough about Sidewinder. Where's Prisoner?!	Boxer	3/20/08 11:01 a.m.
With Halo 2 & 3's fall physics, Prisoner would be-	SinisterSamurai	3/20/08 11:28 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	FyreWulff	3/21/08 5:50 p.m.
Another opinion on map pricing and packaging	FyreWulff	3/21/08 5:58 p.m.
Re: Another opinion on map pricing and packaging	elpolloguapo	3/21/08 7:39 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Avateur	3/19/08 1:51 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	vlad3163	3/19/08 1:58 a.m.
Lars Bakken was WRONG	Jordan117	3/19/08 2:04 a.m.
Re: Lars Bakken was WRONG	Xmoosev3	3/19/08 4:06 a.m.
Re: Lars Bakken was WRONG	FyreWulff	3/19/08 4:27 a.m.
Re: Lars Bakken was WRONG	BolognaFire	3/19/08 5:57 a.m.
Re: Lars Bakken was WRONG	Xmoosev3	3/19/08 8:25 a.m.
OMG thead is shaped like Sidewinder *NM*	Delicious Pie	3/19/08 1:13 p.m.
Re: Lars Bakken was WRONG	sketchfactor	3/19/08 2:13 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	FyreWulff	3/19/08 2:24 a.m.
Anyone else spot the teleporter in the base?	ACEfanatic02	3/19/08 2:26 a.m.
Time to bust out the jackets.	VVM	3/19/08 2:36 a.m.
One Word: Teleporters. WOOT WOOT!!! *NM*	Zerowind117	3/19/08 2:38 a.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	343winks.	3/19/08 2:45 a.m.
thats a whole lotta man cannon	nomis78	3/19/08 7:58 a.m.
Re: thats a whole lotta man cannon	Omega	3/19/08 8:33 a.m.
...That's it?	Psychophan7	3/19/08 9:26 a.m.
You know...	Simpsons Rule	3/19/08 9:42 a.m.
:argh:	Hawaiian Pig	3/19/08 11:28 a.m.
Re: ...That's it?	Louis Wu	3/19/08 9:43 a.m.
Re: ...That's it?	Psychophan7	3/19/08 10:04 a.m.
Re: ...That's it?	Miguel Chavez	3/19/08 11:18 a.m.
Re: ...That's it?	sketchfactor	3/19/08 2:20 p.m.
Are we going to see rocket cliff ?	SPARTAN 294	3/19/08 3:13 p.m.
Re: Are we going to see rocket cliff ?	sketchfactor	3/19/08 3:56 p.m.
Re: Are we going to see rocket cliff ?	Moose Lord	3/19/08 4:08 p.m.
Re: Are we going to see rocket cliff ?	DiscipleN2k	3/19/08 4:20 p.m.
Re: Are we going to see rocket cliff ?	sketchfactor	3/19/08 4:22 p.m.
Dream come true for me!	Burr	3/19/08 5:18 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	Cody Miller	3/19/08 10:39 a.m.
Please keep the ice patches!	Elite Spartan II	3/19/08 5:41 p.m.
Re: Or Rocket Race *NM*	SinisterSamurai	3/19/08 7:14 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	AnEternalEnigma	3/19/08 5:54 p.m.
Re: Sidewinder's back, baby!	VRaptorX	3/20/08 9:12 a.m.