Halo 3 Beta - nine unanswered questions

GamesRadar asks the following questions in the article:
1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?
2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills?
3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match?
4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should?
5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game?
6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player?
7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns?
8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall?
9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf?

[dachiefsman]

1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen? I will have to agree but its a FREAKING Beta
2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills? Ugh duh its a online FPS...it happens with a lot of games not only Halo 3
3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match? I have played 10 matches and never had Shotty Snipers
4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should? WTF are you talking about?
5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game? Rules? Again WTF are you talking about?
6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player? Ugh lay down the bong.
7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns? I might have to agree slightly
8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall? Again its a Beta
9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf? Uh...I guess I am not the type of player that plays attention to leaves falling...I think the point of the game is to kill <slayer>...."Hey guys come over here and check out this leaf...ITS AWESOME!"....come on

I do think they need to nerf the weapons on the warthog and ghost in my opinion.

I actually commented before reading the article. I think the best option for that poster is just to delete the Beta off their hard drive and go play some more Motorstorm. Bungie won't let the millions of users down when they bring out the final release. *crosses fingers*

[EZCheez]

You just answered that one yourself-

"Why do only two players understand the rules of the game? Rules? Again WTF are you talking about?"

Sorry, I couldn't hold back.

[dachiefsman]

My point is that happened all the time when I played Halo 2. Most of the time the people didn't want to play the associated game type. At that point I would say "Hey quit ruining it for the people who actually want to play the game and go player slayer."

[EZCheez]

Just messin around.

Personally, I never could get into anything other than Deathmatch and CTF in Halo.

And it's all about the pistols baby.

[dachiefsman]

Yea I know what you talking about....I am a pistol lover as well!

[closedxxx]

I've seen to types of people regarding the reaction to HALO 3. The loyal, and the skeptic. Above is a loyalist. Not looking at the game objectively, just happy to have some more HALO to play. The skeptics just hammer the game for looking so-so and trash talk HALO.

I enjoy the Halo series, and I think they are great games, that play great. But, the bottom line is, Bungie played it safe. They added a few "innovations" but they didn't take any chances to really give the game a new "next gen" feel for fear of losing the huge fan base. That's ok, I can understand that. But, if you're not going to innovate gameplay much, you REALLY need to utilize the Xbox360s graphical abilities and make the game look stunning. I don't care if this is "Only a Beta". I have a strong suspicion that Bungie is opting to call it a "BETA" to give them (and all of the fanboys) something to fall back on when people start complaining about the lack-luster graphics.

Remember playing the LOST PLANET "early build" Demo, months before the final game was released?? Notice any MAJOR graphical improvements when the game arrived?? Neither did I. Expect similar results with the Halo 3 multiplayer graphics

Bottom line, Halo wasn't broke (gameplay wise) so why fix it? But graphically, the final multiplayer will not be much improved over the "beta" we are all playing now. A few superficial additions aren't going to be enough to make the game look like a game that has been in developement for the 360 for as long as it has, and people had better be prepared to be disappointed with its multiplayer visuals.
They needed rebuilt, highly detailed character models with more realistic animations, and for christ's sake, can we get some new death animations, and better regdoll physics?? From 5 feet away it looks exactly like Halo 2. God forbid you dont have an HDTV, becuase I don't know if those folks will notice ANY graphical improvement. They also needed to create more complex lighting and better shadows. Better particle effects, better looking water. More realistic environments (rocks, trees, sky all look dull and lifeless and more dynamic environments to allow for the afore mentioned ground deformation.

[o0o ROZZA o0o]

This article should be emailed to bungie. I agree with all nine of those observations. Especially 1, 4, 6, & 7. Still, it is still one of the best multiplayer games I have ever played! But if they could sort te above out well... It would be untouchable!!!

[omegaheat]

This article should be sent to Bungie and by all means not be ignored. These are some serious questions. That one about the graphics however is the question on everybody's mind. The visuals are far from unpleasant, but beta aside, this is the same game that was rumored to go head to head with the Playstation3 launch that was supposed to occur Spring 2006. Okay, we all know that was a big flop from Sony, but that meant that anything that Bungie had initially planned for Halo3 should be enhanced to higher degree considering the extra year into development. Even the most hardcore fan would be hard pressed not admit that the beta version of Halo3 indeed looks like Halo2 in higher resolution. Bungie claims that the point of the beta is to test how well the game will hold up in multiplayer, but judging from what I've seen, they didn't need the beta at all for this. In fact Halo2's online multiplayer matches have been the proving ground for the server all along. This beta is supposed to be great, so holding back the so called 'real graphics' should not kill the element of surprise when the final game is released. There's just so much more that can be left to tell and show. I aint buying Bungie's reason for the beta. I think Bungie is trying to milk the cow on what made Halo2 great. So far the beta has different weapons, a bubble shield, and the mongoose, all of which could have been downloadable content for the Halo2 game. I consider myself to be one of Halo's biggest fans, not even if George Bush was the president of Bungie could this game be a let down. There's just too much at stake and too much potential buyers for this one game. If it blows and doesn't deliver, we will feel like the Playstation3 owners. Damn....now that would be bad.

[chitown]

i m not gonna lie but the graphics arent all that great but its a beta and its fun as hell so no worries. its all about fun in the end. and man the missle pod and turret is so cool when u go into 3rd peson. oh my god its sooooooo much fun

[iceice123]

A reactive plant system? Or was that just something not said by Bungie. I thought they said destructable plants.

[chitown]

i didnt hear about that but id be sweet

[nebpredude84]

its a damn beta....please stop the b@tching

[warfed]

that's the whole point of a beta so people b!tch and they improve...

[Xi]

1-it's a beta
2-it's a multiplayer game, maybe there's more than just you shooting the guy
3-because the game type is randomly generated so everyone can get a taste of the gametypes that will be choose able in the actual game
4-lag issues, beta, other than that I saw no real problems
5-what?
6-because they're busy looking at the shield while someone is killing them
7-because you no longer have the lunge in the melee, so you have to get closer, which means more risk
8-beta, or think it's not needed.
9-why does it matter, maybe they were testing out the effect and left it in.

[TheWishman]

I agree with all of his questions. I have plaid about 15 matches, which is enough to get an overall opinion.

The graphics are not GREAT, they are better obviously but thats the least we should expect.

We played a beta of Lost Planet almost a year before the game came out and it looked damn amazing and very little changes came from it. If all of you keep saying its just a beta--you will be saying it most likely when it releases as well.

The other little things are problems too, the matchmaking sucks...the lack of next gen animation, its just a mess so far.

The game play is very good, but slow at some points and glitchy. Lets hope for some improvement and i will buy it!

[CLX]

Any one remember how bad the halo 2 beta was?

[Odinson]

I don't mean to say that I think the game requires better graphics, but it seems to me that bungie should let the fans know if they will be improved from the beta. Lots of people are saying "oh its a beta so we can expect better upon release". Bungie's silence on this is curious given the promise of the initial trailer. That said, I plan to own this game either way.

[JasonXE]

It's only the Beta...

[Xi]

because it is only a beta.

[power of Green]

"It's only the Beta..."

[JsonHenry]

As a PC gamer I have been in many betas over the years, from WoW to Planetside... the ONLY thing that changes between Beta and final release is bug fixes - NEVER graphic overhauls.

A beta is simply a proving ground for overall stability. Not to see if people are cool with the graphics.

What you are seeing is the way the game will look in multiplayer. But because of the memory constraints of a console the multiplayer part of games is always notched down on the graphics side. (like the previous Halo games as well) So the single player has a chance of looking better, but Multiplayer will look almost exactly the same as what you are playing now.

[FordGTGuy]

1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?

Its a beta some of the textures are still placeholders and the game has barely started the polishing cycle.

2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills?

Dumb question.

3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match?

Gamemode cycle bug.

4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should?

I have no idea what your talking about.

5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game?

Dumb question.

6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player?

Another dumb question.

7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns?

Because Master Chief is a super human with super human strength that can flip a tank with one hand.

8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall?

Its a beta.

9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf?

Would you rather them not do anything at all?

[Bonsai1214]

only stupid answers.

granted, a lot of these flaws are because its in beta

[Xi]

I thought it was.

there is no dumb questions, only a bunch of inquisitive idiots

[dachiefsman]

nice post....here is a bubble!

[Theo1130]

Whey the hell do I have to press the D-pad to talk to my friends?

[Skynetone]

where is the flame thrower we were promised since halo one
were is the fully destrucible scenery
were are the drop dead gerogeous graphics
why dont we have a ton of leaves of the trees which get blown around by the wind
why cant i set fire to a tree and watch the smoke give me cover
why dont rpgs level a hole level to the ground
why cant i call in air attacks {this is war insnt it}
why cant i dig a bunker and under ground tunnels
why not have a weapon that deploys a sheet of bullet proof glass, enemys fleeing will run straight into it or they can use it against you by hiding behind it

[BitbyDeath]

Definetly, Bungie need to do all those, lol who disagreed

[dachiefsman]

You need to do this button combo and you will get the flamethrower.

RB RB LB LB A A X X YY BB RT RT RT RT RT LT LT LT LT

All in five seconds.

[sonarus]

Even though its a beta we all expected more. Halo has a lot of weight on its shoulders and expectations will always be high. I read some article about the game trying to come out in 1080p then 1 where bungie wasnt focusing on graphics but gameplay. Watever route they decide to take in the end i doubt they will live up to EVERYONES expectations so just try to go easy on them.

[Xi]

1-where was the singleplayer campaign?
2-why can't I drink the water, or put it in a bottle and launch it out of the man cannon
3-how come when I shoot at the ground the enemy doesn't die, this game is to hard.
4-what is the internet?
6-why can't I take that leaf and use it as a plasma sword?
7-why are people trying to kill me?
8-why do people choose to use the man cannon after I put the tripmine in it?
9-what's halo?

[Covenant]

1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?

--This is a BETA. Bungie has four months to polish this up. Besides, Halo is about gameplay, not graphics.

2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills?

See Halo 1, Halo 2 for more of the same

3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match?

--Please fix this, Bungie. Major problem with H2 was the lack of variety in matchmaking...nearly every damn match was snipers or swat.

4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should?

--Yeah, why not? Beta-build glitch, I suppose.

5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game?

--If you've played Halo 2 online...

6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player?

--Because they think they're protected in there. Same reason idiots in H2 always grabbed the Banshee...and always got shot down. I stuck a guy four straight times in his Banshee with a plasma grenade before he finally got the message.

7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns?

--Melee attacks have always been a little overpowered in the Halo universe.

8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall?

--Minor detail, though it detracts from the realism of the game. Still, as long as the gameplay is great, I could care less if my victims leave marks in the snow.

9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf?

--Someone had too much time on their hands.

[BIadestarX]

1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?
Because it's a beta.
2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills?
Because it's a beta.
3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match?
Because it's a beta.
4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should?
Because it's a beta.
5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game?
Because it's a beta.
6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player?
Because it's a beta.
7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns?
Because it's a beta.
8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall?
Because it's a beta.
9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf?
Because it's a beta.

Congratulations... Now people are getting the hang of what betas are for... submit this questions to bungie... and they will review them.. and address any issue.

[BitbyDeath]

Beta's are meant to answer a lot of those questions. Beta's are for fixing bugs and improving the game.

Beta's aren't: here's Halo 2 what would you do for the prequal

Beta's are there to show what they are offering and to locate the bugs, sure not everything makes it in, but more should have been included in the beta than what has been. That is if they are offering much more. Who knows if they are

[MoonDust]

1. Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?
Because it's a beta. Testing gameplay and looking for flaws.
2. Why does someone keep stealing our kills?
Because that someone is shooting at your target too, he go the final shot.
3. Why do we always end up in a 'Shotty Snipers' match?
I've played a lot and only gotten 2 shotty vs snipz.
4. Why doesn't it register hits when it should?
Because it's a beta. that's what beta's are for finding mistakes.
5. Why do only two players understand the rules of the game?
Because it's the first day of the beta.
6. Why does every bubble shield contain a dead player?
? I don't get that question.
7. Why are melee attacks so much stronger than guns?
It takes two sometime three melees to kill someone, most of the time someone shoot and then melee or melee and then shoot. This only happens in close combat.
8. Why don't we leave marks in the snow when we fall?
You are dead, why does it matter? It's also a beta.
9. Why did they bother with the single falling leaf?
What did you expect? Raining leafs? It's also a beta. You should stop looking at the leafs that way you wouldn't complain when people smack you up.

[snoop_dizzle]

.....i actually don't never mind.

[sonarus]

agreed its a beta. maybe its jst me but with 4months till release i expected more

[Drew]

Gamesradar... seriously, guys. We should just ban any news that propagates from that hellhole. They're worse than 1up, and THAT'S saying something.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

Beta! All questions answered.

[Hydrolex]

Why Microsoft changed the Gaylo 3 to Halo 3 ? Thanx

[Marriot VP]

"Gaylo"

So it's my understanding that your a 13 year old spoiled suburban brat?

[Hydrolex]

I think you betta play your Gaylo 3 beta ahahahaha ! becareful of AIDS.

[Odion]

Ford sir you are god because of this one comment Because Master Chief is a super human with super human strength that can flip a tank with one hand.

[Keyser]

Good Halo questions. I have a variety of my own but what does it matter? I don't know why they didn't have enivronments that break when you throw grenade or rockets but it will be fun either way.

Everyone knows that the game could have been so much more. Many critics will ask why so many things that were requested or talked about weren't included in the game but it doesn't matter because it will be fun.

I don't know what the final game will be but it doesn't appear that a lot of stuff that may or may not have made it seem like more than just a little improvement on an already good game. Its the same fun game with better graphics and different guns. Everyone was expecting more...

[StrboyM]

I have a friend who swears by the 360, and he has nothing good to say about teh game except that it plays like halo2, which he loves....uhm i though this was halo3?...ohh hes buying it no matter what he said, already preorderd it.

[Bill Gates]

Everyone, guess what?.....................IT'S A BETA!!....hahahahahahaah ahahahahahaahahahahahhaahhaaah a hahhahhaAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH A HHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAHAHAHAHAHHAH A AHAHAHAHHAA

[snoop_dizzle]

hear about the graphics the most. So that could be a good thing, meaning if possible, they might try harder than if the graphics were better now. AND since the beta is extended, they will probably get more feedback, so in the end, it could be better that originally planned.

[LeX]

My IQ just went down reading that. The writer is and idiot and misinformed.

[Shadow Flare]

Question - "Why don't the graphics look more next-gen?"
Xbot answer - "BECAUSE ITS A BEEEEETA!!!"
My reply - So's Heavenly Sword (which releases the same day as Halo 3) but Heavenly Sword looks awesome

oooohh snap

[FordGTGuy]

Its called Game Development and Halo worked on gameplay first(to make the gameplay good) then graphics later. The game is still using texture placeholders and is yet to even be polished. I urge you to know what game your talking about before you talk s#it about it. Heavenly Sword won't match Halo 3 in sales or ratings so your might as well give up your retarded rant.

[RBlaze]

The only way to kill someone in the bubble shield is to go in the bubble shield! And once both guys are in there, one of them isn't just gonna say "Sorry friend, i didn't realise you wanted this bubble, i'll just leave you to it" and bugger off! They fight (probably melee), and someone dies! Thats all there is to it!

Asking that question is like asking "OMG everytime i find a warthog that has been used and is lying on its side next to a big explosion, theres a dead guy near it!"

DUH!!

[rowdy 1]

I'm very dissapointed. I won't be buying this game.

[DirtyRat]

I thought the beta was POOR.

The graphics are looking dated, and the gameplay is no better (or worse) than Halo 2.

Not my type of multiplayer game, but the SP game may be better graphics wise, although i can see no reason why they would hold back on this for a beta as I have played many Betas over the years and normally the graphics dont change at all.

[Babylonian]

Interviewer: Hi where here to talk about Halo 3 with Bungie's Jason Jones.

Jason: It's a beta.

Interviewer: Uhh....Jason we haven't started yet.

Jason: Ow sorry my mistake, well first of all thank you for inviting me for the interview. I say begin with the questions.

Interviewer: Your welcome, well the first question is why are the graphics not as good as people expected?

Jason: All I can say for now is that it's a beta

Interviewer: Yeah I gues your right, but even if this was a beta you could have at least give it some equal graphics to Gears of War. Now it kinda looks like Halo 2 but with a little improvement.

Jason: Well I have to say that it's just a beta

Interviewer: OK.............well about the gameplay, there were some bugs that really made the game unappealing-

Jason: - It's a beta

Interviewer: Yes we know, but it's not like Bungie made te beta with only basic gameplay to see what gamers wanted to have more in the game. You guys must surely have tested it yourself and thought of implementing the best gameplay and not making a test research of what gamers want right? Because a beta isn't ment for that, it's ment to test the almost completed game on an audien-

Jason: - It's a beta man, I told you already

Interviewer: Yes we know that by now but how-

Jason: - It's a beta

Interviewer: please let me finish the-

Jason: - It's a beta

Interviewer: STOP IT, your-

Jason: - It's a beta

Interviewer:..............

Jason: - It's a beta..........beta beta beta beta beta

Interviewer: thank you for the interview, i hope you will imrpove the game so-

Jason: - It's a beta

Interviewer: Yes thank you

Jason: It's a beta

*Meanwhile at Microsoft's top secret Headquarter*

Employee of Bungie Studios: Mister Bill Gates sir, what are we going to do with Halo 3, it's not working as we want it to be. I think we need more time to make it better.

Billy boy: No there can be no such thing, we need this game for the holidays by end of this year, it's going to be a system seller.

Employee of Bungie Studios: But mister Gates sir, what about the fans, if they found out-

Billdo Gaggins: - They won't find out, we will just keep saying that it's a beta. Prepare something good for E3, like a new CGI trailer and in the meantime be quiet until the release.

Employee of Bungie Studios: but how will we promote the game?

Billward of Gates: Are you stupid. It's Halo!!! The most hyped up game ever made, it will sell on it's own. Leave the rest to the consumer.

*To be continued.............?*

[Shadow Flare]

(Speaking to Lair and Heavenly Sword devs)

Reporter: "Guys, i have to say that your games so far are looking fantastic. These games are really pushing the graphically and gameplay aspects into the next-gen era"

Dev: "Thanks, its still a beta"

[jaydesi]

a beta halo 3 with graphics of halo 2? right ..so with a few months they are gonna create next-gen graphics for halo 3 lol..dont make me laugh..that is the product and thats how its gonna look simple..bungie messed this right up.

[VirusE]

Most of the "i hate the graphics comments" are way off base. I have a giant 1080p set and the difference is night and day between h2 and h3. Play h2 for an hour straight on a big display and then switch and if you cant see the vast difference you need glasses. The graphics could be better but the game has zero lag online, everything is extremely smooth and the game is so fun that 3 of my friends who played it last night are getting a 360 and crackdown today. I love gears and resistance but i have not had this much fun playing online in years. They could make the graphics worse and i dont think it would matter. I am usually to busy mercin guys to play attention to the graphics anyway. If you are looking down the barrel of your gun and saying that grass texture could be better you are missing the point of the game. If you have a 27" tv with composite video only i imagine the difference is minimal. Counter strike has been fun for years and the graphics are trash (high res doesn’t = good graphics.)

[Odinson]

Whats funny is that if you go over to the actual halo 3 beta forum, no one is complaining about graphics. They are the ones who have actually played the thing, and it seems like they are loving it. Sony boys are grasping at straws here. Better graphics do not mean more fun or more inovative gameplay.

[Birdman18]

i have a 1080P set as well, and i can tell the difference. i sell tv's all day long for over 2 years now, and i can tell the difference between something in low res, and something in high res.. if you have the capability, take 2 360's, hook them up split screen on your set, and at least have the set over 40" and have one running halo 2, and the other running halo 3 beta.. trust me, you will see a difference..one thing i can say about the bubble shield comment, is that an enemy player CAN enter your shield, and they CAN melee you!!!! they also can shoot INSIDE the shield at you... so yes, dead bodies can be inside the shield

[OC_MurphysLaw]

Graphics are good...not great but good enough for nex gen. This game is smooth...and battles are blisteringly fun. It is what it is...a smooth fun, run and gun.

[Sphinx]

but everything else is just petty. Halo 3 is not the Messiah, it's a game. Things won't be perfect for everyone, and the sooner people accept that, the sooner we can move on with our evolution... when we become Master Chiefs!

[id dot entity]

I have another one: Why can't I play High Grounds?

[NYG009]

omg why cant this game come out tomorrow