Combat Evolved devs nearly scrapped one of many collection’ most iconic automobiles

While the Halo title would not carry practically as a lot weight now because it did in the course of the authentic Xbox and Xbox 360 eras, most gamers may have a minimum of heard of the good Master Chief, in addition to most of the franchise’s weapons and automobiles. But considered one of Halo’s most iconic automobiles, the Scorpion tank (which famously beats every little thing) nearly did not make it into the sport.

In phrases of the current Halo Infinite, you have probably heard of the difficulties 343 Industries had getting ready for its launch on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC, however in keeping with two Bungie builders, even the generation-defining Halo: Combat Evolved had a tough time because the workforce raced to get the sport able to launch with the unique Xbox in 2001.

In an interview within the newest challenge of Edge journal (through GamesRadar+), Bungie co-founder Alex Seropian and Halo: Combat Evolved lead programmer Chris Butcher revealed that Bungie solely had an “thought of a recreation” eight months earlier than Combat Evolved launched, and the workforce needed to put in quite a lot of work to get the sport prepared for Xbox.

“We made quite a lot of tough selections to make that [release] occur,” Seropian mentioned. “We canceled [other] tasks, we mixed three groups collectively, we compromised on scope, [and] we shipped a minimum of one stage that we in all probability should not have.” That final assertion is sort of actually a reference to the notorious “The Library” stage, which mainly consisted of the identical ground copy pasted 5 occasions.

During the ultimate stretch of improvement, Bungie set to work reducing set-piece moments, weapons, and the like because it tried to nail Combat Evolved’s broader imaginative and prescient amongst the already ready mechanics and options. Among the lower content material, Bungie nearly eliminated one of many automobiles that has now grow to be a staple of the collection, however a bit of little bit of disobedience from designer Paul Bertone saved it.

“Four weeks earlier than ship, [designer] John Howard decides we’re reducing the tank, as a result of it is not prepared. The designer Paul Bertone was mainly like ‘f*ck that, I’m not going to take heed to you, John – with out the tank, this recreation sucks,’ Butcher mentioned. “And so he went to the artists and the animators like, ‘I do know John advised you guys that we lower the tank, however we’re really going to do it.’ And all of them simply labored actually onerous, and every week and a half later, we have been enjoying with the tank. And it really works, and it is actually enjoyable. And John was upset about that, however in the end he was, ‘I assume if you happen to guys crunched to make it work – I used to be attempting to make your lives simpler, however you clearly do not wish to take heed to me.'”

Could you think about enjoying Halo: Combat Evolved with out the Scorpion tank-focused Assault on the Control Room stage? No, we will not both, so thanks Paul Bertone! If you are but to play Master Chief’s debut journey, Combat Evolved is out there within the Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which will be performed alongside among the greatest video games on Game Pass.