First Halo 4 Info - Game Informer

[dc89]

This is all I can recall at the moment:

In the beginning, Cortana wakes up Chief because there is an intruder in the FUD


AR/BR/DMR/Magnum/Covenant Carbine/Plasma Pistol/Shotgun/Sniper Rifle/something called an Assault Carbine are all confirmed


edit: Forgot, I believe weapons themselves are customizable through unlocks as well.

Spartan Points

-Spartan Points is the new currency system in Halo 4. They will buy things such as armor, armor abilities, Spartan Ops missions (see below), and some


Spartan Ops


-This was probably my most favorite addition I saw. From how it was described, think fo Spartan Ops like Spec Ops from Modern Warfare but with a storyline. They will span out over several months, encouraging players to return to the game. Game Informer said that Spartan Ops will be comparable in scope and size to the in single-player storyline.


Why Reds Fight Blues


-I think most of us probably guessed this, but reds fight blues and blues fight reds for training purposes. They fight in something called the UNSC Infinity. The UNSC Infinity is a 3km long ship sent into deep space on a mission. It contains a virtual reality sector that creates the multiplayer experience.


Sprint


-So not only is sprint in the game, but it is a standard armor ability. You do not need to pick it up, it will always be available. You do not need to buy it with your Spartan Points, you will always have it equipped no matter what. So essentially, you can have two armor abilities.


Forerunner Vision


-Ever wanted to be super man? Now you can! See through walls with your x-ray vision! I can't say I hate this armor ability, I haven't used it yet. I'm hoping it comes with its weaknesses and it discourages camping. Sorry guys, but camping in Halo 4 will not be a legitimate tactic.


Returning Armor Abilities


-The hologram, jetpack, and active camo will make a return in Halo 4. It didn't elaborate on the abilities, but you can probably assume they'll be about the same.


Elites Not Returning to Multiplayer


-Not much detail was given as to why elites will not see multiplayer combat, it was stated in a picture caption. The caption reads, "Competitive multiplayer focues on the Spartan IVs. Elites will not be playable.


Grenades


-Now the article itself did not talk about grenades, but I noticed in the picture the Spartan had 4 grenade options. I assume the plasma grenade will return as seen from an explosion in the picture and the frag grenade will most definitely return as seen by the Halo 4 first look video.


Firefight


-Once again, no explanation why aside from a picture caption. The caption read, "Halo 4's campaign is still playable with four players online (in reference to Sparan Ops, ensuring players that Spartan Ops will not replace the campaign coop experience). 343 Industries has no plans to include a dedicated Firefight mode. I'm torn on this, I don't normally play firefight, but I feel like it is a standard necessary feature in the game after Halo 3: ODST introduced it.


Regicide


-Regicide is a variation of free for all. I think it's similar to VIP. Regicide, as stated by the article, "sets the leading scorer as the king. Every opponent that the king kills raises his bounty; other players have to kill the king to claim the reward."


Distraction and Revenge Medals


-Don't feel bad anymore for not killing a single person in the game, you can get a medal for being a distraction! Oh, you just got killed and now you're raging at that player? Calm down and get rewarded for hunting down the guy that just killed you!


Let me make it clear that I do not necessarily see these medals as bad. They just may reward people that don't actually deserve one.


No More Weapon Camping


-One the skills that separated veteran players from inexperienced players was the ability to time power weapons' spawns. In Halo 4, this will be near impossible. Weapons drop down in drop pods at random locations around the map. Quoted from the article, "This gives the matches other focal points, and it also helps alleviate the advantage longtime players always used to have over newer recruits; the best weapons are not always going to be found at the same spawn locations." Unless there is a distinguishable skill gap between players, I most definitely do not like this idea.


No More Respawn Delay


-Immediately after you die, by tapping the X button you are sent back into the match. Now let's contemplate why this might be bad. Let's say Halo spawns are... not so great. A skilled player out BRs/DMRs/whatevers a unskilled player. Now that unskilled player can immediately respawn and find you before your shields even regenerate! I understand 343 is trying to speed up the game, but they must understand the consequences of instant spawns.


Joining In-Progress Games


-So to solve the quitting problem, 343 implemented the ability to join games that are in-progress. My question is are we going to have the ability to search for games starting up instead? It infuriates me to join a game at the last possible second, not even offering me the chance to play.

Some of the Halo community reacted badly to the above and a guy who works for them who go's by OuterWorldVoice on the forum responded with this:

There will be a podcast. Nerves will be soothed. Things explained. Items clarified.

I wouldn't worry.


Storm before the calm.

Thanks to NeoGAF for compiling this information!

I like some of the ideas and I think some others need working on.

[DarkVincent07]

Spartan ops could be interesting, the description reminds me of Resistance 2's co op mode.. But I don't get what they mean by spanning it out over a few months. If they mean release it in chunks that could be annoying for sure


Via Tapatalk

[skynet212]

THNAK GOD for the weapon respawn. Major issue in REACH and I am a good player on it. Just gets annoying when you go for a weapon and people are camping he area. Also love the instant respawn, if they do this you know 343 will FOR SURE have a really good respawn system so people arent always respawning in the same spot. Join i progress is good also. IF they do it right. Like the guy said mabe they will still let you search for new games instead of pulling a dumb ass call of duty move. " Match start 6 seconds later, game is over

[Firefox]

Instant respawn is exactly what halo players do not want.. see the GAF thread.. also randomness? Randomness shouldn't be in halo. Also two armor abilities with sprint always available is horrible. I want a higher BASE movement speed not these stupid abilities.

I still play reach and anniversary is good in a sense that it does have the higher movement speed but not the same feeling as halo 2/3.

Read the NeoGAF thread for exactly why this is a big deal.

[SchaffinOSX]

Interesting. Looking forward to seeing the end product. I've never been much of a hardcore Halo guy, so I'm not devastated with any of the below changes.

[Sylar]

I like the idea of having the sprint included, it was always handy in Halo Reach but Armor Lock was a must on the vehicle maps

[skynet212]

Im not worried at all. If there is ANYONE in the Halo community who kows what the fans like AND want, not just some forum, then it's Frankie

[Firefox]

But that's the thing.. Frankie is more in charge of singleplayer/novels/lore and brand not gameplay changes in multiplayer.

The singleplayer will be great with the talent they have (from retro studios etc..) but multiplayer we'll have to see.

I'll still be buying it not matter what so..

[Two4DaMoney]

I cant wait for e3 to see the single player of h4. I always take a pinch of salt when it comes to halo after what happened with halo 2(yes, still pissed about the shit campaign). I don't care about multiplayer at all.

[$Greatness$]

I thought this series died with Bungie. What a heel turn.

[MATRIX 2]

I thought this series died with Bungie. What a heel turn.

Don't you know, Spartans never die.