Halo ODST Features An Open World, "Reach" Could Use Natal Tech


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Upcoming Bungie shooter Halo ODST won't be a straight-forward linear shooter, rather blending elements of traditional shooters with the open world exploration of Grand Theft Auto, Bungie told he Seattle Times in a recent interview.

"We're doing a lot of pretty neat things in terms of mixing it up, introducing some non-linearity, some free exploration," Staten told the Times. "This is also a mystery story so there's a lot more clue-finding and mystery-solving than you would normally find in a game of this kind - nothing that strays too far from the fun 'Halo' experience, but we definitely decided to take a little bit of risk and have some fun with this one."

ODST allows players to explore the world trying to piece together clues to unravel what happened to the other members of the ODST team. When a player wants to drop into a more straight forward mission they just have to head to specific sites in the city to trigger a flashback, according to the Times article.

The Seattle Times article also touches on the future of Bungie and a bit more on the little known Halo game Reach.

Bungie told the paper that they got an early look at Project Natal. Studio head Harold Ryan said it could be used in "Reach." "I absolutely think 'Reach' could be enabled with it," he said.

Finally, Bungie told the paper that they are in the midst of relocating their offices to downtown Bellevue, Washington. The new offices would be located in the 80,000-square-foot former Galleria multiplex theater.

Developers at Bungie ready to spring new heroes in the 'Halo' universe [seattle Times]

Source - Kotaku

Sounds interesting, I can't wait for these two games. Hit the Seattle Times link for a much longer story.

Sounds like you might also want to keep an eye on the Jobs section at Bungie.net if you're into that ;)

-Spenser

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I wouldn't mind it using Natal -- can't hurt, can it? But I'm guessing it will also use a standard 360 controller also, given the beta with ODST.

Looking forward to ODST.

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i have a hunch that the 'mystery' parts are the ones using Natal... maybe it would end up something like the DS version GTA Chinatown Wars , where you put together sniper rifles etc...

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I wouldn't mind it using Natal -- can't hurt, can it? But I'm guessing it will also use a standard 360 controller also, given the beta with ODST.

Looking forward to ODST.

Natal for head treackign to lock around, and head and shoulder to lean around corners and over ledges and stuff = awesome.

nods and head shakes for team communication would also be cool.

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Natal for head treackign to lock around,

but you'll only be able to turn your head as far as you can still see the television... i think its more likely that it would track your hands, you'd hold an imaginary gun/mouse/pointer just like how the steering wheel works for their burnout demo... it would be like a mouse on a mousepad, except the mousepad is vertical in front of you...

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but you'll only be able to turn your head as far as you can still see the television... i think its more likely that it would track your hands, you'd hold an imaginary gun/mouse/pointer just like how the steering wheel works for their burnout demo... it would be like a mouse on a mousepad, except the mousepad is vertical in front of you...

hmmm Small head movements translate to large movements in game. Look up TrackIR

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i have a hunch that the 'mystery' parts are the ones using Natal... maybe it would end up something like the DS version GTA Chinatown Wars , where you put together sniper rifles etc...

If you read the article it says that ODST has mystery areas.

And that Reach could implement Natal.

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I doubt we will see implementation of Natal in Reach. I just see Natal not coming out for a while unless they try to surprise us by pushing it with a Halo game (which sadly wouldn't be a surprising). I guess I can't actually decide which way I'm leaning on this one. :p

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Sure Bungie.

I bet their "free roaming" turns out like the destructible terrain in Halo 2 (One freakin' pillar in Zanzibar).

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There are already discussions about the open-worldedness of ODST. Apparently this is one of the reasons that the traffic monitoring helper AI is in place, it assists you in navigating the world (like the breadcrumbs and dog in Fable II).

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I doubt we will see implementation of Natal in Reach. I just see Natal not coming out for a while unless they try to surprise us by pushing it with a Halo game (which sadly wouldn't be a surprising). I guess I can't actually decide which way I'm leaning on this one. :p

Natal isn't coming out for a year or so. dev units are done and have been distributed to some parties and will be distributed to those who wish after since E3. So Bungie has probably had access to Natal for some time now, and Reach is at least 2 years away I believe, even if it was only 1 it would still be able to easily make use of Natal, since serius work on the game hasn't even started yet.

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Natal isn't coming out for a year or so. dev units are done and have been distributed to some parties and will be distributed to those who wish after since E3. So Bungie has probably had access to Natal for some time now, and Reach is at least 2 years away I believe, even if it was only 1 it would still be able to easily make use of Natal, since serius work on the game hasn't even started yet.

Oh I thought I had heard that they wanted Reach out by the middle of next year. If it will be longer than that, then maybe I can see some Natal implementation.

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hmmm Small head movements translate to large movements in game. Look up TrackIR

This. Ever since I heard Shawn Elliott talk about TrackIR on GFW Radio I wanted to get it. But sadly for me, its too expensive and afaik, not many games support it.

Natal could be used to do the same thing.

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Oh I thought I had heard that they wanted Reach out by the middle of next year. If it will be longer than that, then maybe I can see some Natal implementation.

I'd be shocked if Reach didn't ship at the holiday, unless Microsoft intends to release Gears 3 next year.

You wouldn't want Halo and Gears to eat one another, but they're Tier 1 titles...maybe it would be an admission that like Metal Gear or Grand Theft Auto, Halo is now so strong that it can ship at any time of year (Tier 0, if you will).

Edited by Dead_Monkey
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Natal isn't coming out for a year or so. dev units are done and have been distributed to some parties and will be distributed to those who wish after since E3. So Bungie has probably had access to Natal for some time now, and Reach is at least 2 years away I believe, even if it was only 1 it would still be able to easily make use of Natal, since serius work on the game hasn't even started yet.

Halo:Reach - Falls 2010.

Think September 2010.

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I have used TrackIR it is awkward as hell and just leaves you with a sore neck. Mimicking head movements while your eyes need to be focused on the screen is retarded.

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Halo:Reach - Falls 2010.

Think September 2010.

So 1.5 then.. still well within reason.

I have used TrackIR it is awkward as hell and just leaves you with a sore neck. Mimicking head movements while your eyes need to be focused on the screen is retarded.

Once you get used to it it's not bad, small movements are easy while keeping your eyes on the screen. you do it all the time in other situations throughout the day. and it's not like thousands aren't managing to do it just fine :p just looking at the TrackIR GTR videos is awesome in itself. Just because "you" as a singular person can't get used to it doesn't mean it's a bad system and others can't. some people can't use a game controllers, millions can't stand the PS controller. millions more play with controllers just fine.

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If done right they could probably do some good stuff using Natal I bet. I'm optimistic.

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I see this head tracking and or full body tracking of natal as one more step to full VR. Right now it seems weird because you have the monitor/TV to work with. What if you take the monitor/TV out of the equation later on and go with newer 3D glasses instead?

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I see this head tracking and or full body tracking of natal as one more step to full VR. Right now it seems weird because you have the monitor/TV to work with. What if you take the monitor/TV out of the equation later on and go with newer 3D glasses instead?

At the moment, my opinion is that the glasses are probably too invasive, but I guess that perception could change. ...if they were light enough and comfortable to wear even over prescription glasses.

Another option is the 3d flat panel displays that are popping up all over the place, including some that don't require glasses.

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At the moment, my opinion is that the glasses are probably too invasive, but I guess that perception could change. ...if they were light enough and comfortable to wear even over prescription glasses.

Another option is the 3d flat panel displays that are popping up all over the place, including some that don't require glasses.

This is forward thinking tech though, and at this time 3d glasses aren't yet there, in the future though once they're light enough I don't see the need for monitors anymore. Using Natal full body tracking together with better 3D glasses sounds like the next step. I dunno when we'll get there, but I believe it's a safe bet.

The 3D flat panel screens they have now are a nice stepping stone though.

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This is forward thinking tech though, and at this time 3d glasses aren't yet there, in the future though once they're light enough I don't see the need for monitors anymore. Using Natal full body tracking together with better 3D glasses sounds like the next step. I dunno when we'll get there, but I believe it's a safe bet.

The 3D flat panel screens they have now are a nice stepping stone though.

Well, remember that part of TV viewing and gaming is people sitting around and enjoying one another's company. HMDs tend to put you in your own space.

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