Editing Cut Halo: Combat Evolved levels

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{{Quote|[Crunch] happened on Halo 1 as well, of the 25 planned missions for Halo, we shipped 10. Part of the problem is that as team size grows, all the really informal, seat-of-your-pants stuff you've been doing just doesn't work.|[[Chris Butcher]] on ''Halo''{{'}}s cut levels.{{Ref/Reuse|Eurogamer}}}}
{{Quote|[Crunch] happened on Halo 1 as well, of the 25 planned missions for Halo, we shipped 10. Part of the problem is that as team size grows, all the really informal, seat-of-your-pants stuff you've been doing just doesn't work.|[[Chris Butcher]] on ''Halo''{{'}}s cut levels.{{Ref/Reuse|Eurogamer}}}}
During the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the game took many forms including [[real-time strategy]], third-person shooter and eventually, [[first-person shooter]]. As the game transitioned into an FPS and a release for the [[Xbox]] platform, work on the game's campaign still hadn't begun by [[2000#September|September 2000]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive2.pl?read=42414|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=Re: That reminds me...|Quote=Have they moved into the single player portion of the game yet?<br>Nope. Although a lot of it is being discussed.|Quotee=Matt Soell|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} Mission brainstorming later began in earnest in December{{Ref/Site|Id=Rampancy|URL=https://rampancy.net/info/weekly_updates/december_1_2000_originally_at_halo_bungie_org|Site=Rampancy.net|Page=1/12/2000 Bungie Weekly Update|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} with the rest completed over the course of [[2001]]. This page documents the levels known to be '''cut from release''', predominantly those planned out for the game's final FPS release.
During the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', the game took many forms including [[real-time strategy]], third-person shooter and eventually, [[first-person shooter]]. As the game transitioned into an FPS and a release for the [[Xbox]] platform, work on the game's campaign still hadn't begun by [[2000#September|September 2000]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive2.pl?read=42414|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=Re: That reminds me...|Quote=Have they moved into the single player portion of the game yet?<br>Nope. Although a lot of it is being discussed.|Quotee=Matt Soell|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} Mission brainstorming later began in earnest in December{{Ref/Site|Id=Rampancy|URL=https://rampancy.net/info/weekly_updates/december_1_2000_originally_at_halo_bungie_org|Site=Rampancy.net|Page=1/12/2000 Bungie Weekly Update|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} with the rest completed over the course of [[2001]]. This page documents the levels known to be '''cut from release''', predominantly those planned out for the game's final FPS release.
==Overview==
==Overview==
{{Quote|I vividly remember building, literally on 3x5 index cards, a number and letter system. A10, A20, A30 and so on for each one of the missions. B30 was “The Silent Cartographer”. I pinned them to a board and I just stared at it for hours. There must’ve been 40 of those cards of there, and I’m like: “There’s no way in hell we’re going to build all of this.”|Marcus Lehto on ''Halo''{{'}}s cut levels.{{Ref/Reuse|VICE}}}}
{{Quote|I vividly remember building, literally on 3x5 index cards, a number and letter system. A10, A20, A30 and so on for each one of the missions. B30 was “The Silent Cartographer”. I pinned them to a board and I just stared at it for hours. There must’ve been 40 of those cards of there, and I’m like: “There’s no way in hell we’re going to build all of this.”|Marcus Lehto on ''Halo''{{'}}s cut levels.{{Ref/Reuse|VICE}}}}
When planning out ''Halo: Combat Evolved''{{'}}s campaign, [[Marcus Lehto]] originally planned things out on 3x5 index cards, with a number and letter system assigned.{{Ref/Site|Id=VICE|URL=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwqjg3/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history#ulf-1|Site=VICE|Page=The Complete, Untold History of Halo|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} These names can be found in the final game map files, and are listed as such below;
When planning out ''Halo: Combat Evolved''{{'}}s campaign, [[Marcus Lehto]] originally planned things out on 3x5 index cards, with a number and letter system assigned.{{Ref/Site|Id=VICE|URL=https://www.vice.com/en/article/xwqjg3/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history#ulf-1|Site=VICE|Page=The Complete, Untold History of Halo|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}} These names can be found in the final game map files, and are listed as such below;
*<code>A10</code> - [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]
*'''A10''' - [[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]
*<code>A30</code> - [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]
*'''A30''' - [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]
*<code>A50</code> - [[The Truth and Reconciliation]]
*'''A50''' - [[The Truth and Reconciliation]]
*<code>B30</code> - [[The Silent Cartographer]]
*'''B30''' - [[The Silent Cartographer]]
*<code>B40</code> - [[Assault on the Control Room]]
*'''B40''' - [[Assault on the Control Room]]
*<code>C10</code> - [[343_Guilty_Spark_(level)|343 Guilty Spark]]
*'''C10''' - [[343 Guilty Spark]]
*<code>C20</code> - [[The Library]]
*'''C20''' - [[The Library]]
*<code>C40</code> - [[Two Betrayals]]
*'''C40''' - [[Two Betrayals]]
*<code>D20</code> - [[Keyes]]
*'''D20''' - [[Keyes]]
*<code>D40</code> - [[The Maw]]
*'''D40''' - [[The Maw]]


As can be seen in the numbering, there are several missing gaps indicating where levels were to be included, before being cut. At some point in development, the 40 missions Lehto planned out were eventually reduced to a more manageable 25, though another 15 were later cut for final release.{{Ref/Site|Id=Eurogamer|URL=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article?page=4|Site=Eurogamer|Page=Better Than Halo: The Making of Halo 2|Detail=Page 4|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}}
As can be seen in the numbering, there are several missing gaps indicating where levels were to be included, before being cut. At some point in development, the 40 missions Lehto planned out were eventually reduced to a more manageable 25, though another 15 were later cut for final release.{{Ref/Site|Id=Eurogamer|URL=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/better-than-halo-the-making-of-halo-2-article?page=4|Site=Eurogamer|Page=Better Than Halo: The Making of Halo 2|Detail=Page 4|D=27|M=02|Y=2022}}  


==Campaign levels==
==Campaign levels==
Very little actual game data is known to remain of the cut ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' campaign levels. The vast majority of information comes from [[Bungie]] design documentation, relayed via the notes of [[Kenneth Peters]] for research with the [[Digsite]] project at [[343 Industries]].
===A20===
<code>A20</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from [[Joseph Staten]] dated January 24th, 2001. It was combined with the level [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]] (<code>A30</code>) by final release, and is noted to seem to have been the crash-landing area and “natural formation” tunnel entrance.{{Ref/Site|Id=DigsiteDeepDive|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deep-dive|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deep-Dive|D=20|M=06|Y=2024}}
===A40===
<code>A40</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001. The level objective was to attack a Covenant excavation site, and would have been the introduction for the original implementation of [[Engineers]] before they were cut from the game. The level would have featured a light bridge and Forerunner tunnels, but the specifics are unknown.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
===B10===
<code>B10</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001. In this version of the level, the player was to have been tasked with assassinating a [[Covenant]] "Prophet," and would have recovered "keys to the Control Center," likely to have been keys to unlock the doors of the Control Center itself.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} At this stage in ''Halo'', the [[San'Shyuum]] species (more commonly known as "Prophets") did not exist yet and were to debut in ''[[Halo 2]]'' - instead, the Prophet target of the level was to have been an [[Sangheili|Elite]] wearing a "funny hat"{{Ref/Film|[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|''Halo 3'' Legendary Edition]], Halo 2 developer commentary}} - something which likely went on to inspire the [[Sangheili High Councilor|Elite Councilors]] in ''Halo 2'' instead. Similarly, the objective of assassinating a Prophet was realized in ''Halo 2'' with the [[Prophet of Regret]], in the levels [[Delta Halo]] and [[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]].
===B20===
===B20===
<code>B20</code> was the original planned swamp-themed Campaign level. It would have featured a mysterious monster that lurked in the central portion of the map, forcing the player to take a wide path around that middle section to avoid being killed while they made their way to a tower in the distance.{{Ref/Site|Id=DigsiteDeliveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deliveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deliveries|D=07|M=07|Y=2023}} After cutting, the exterior level geometry would be incorporated into the level [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]] (<code>C10</code>).{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} Per notes of a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001, B20 was going to a level centered around the Covenant accelerating it's military occupation forces against the human resistance after the death of the Prophet.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
B20 is a level developed very early in the production of ''Combat Evolved''. Little is known of it, though its files still exist at [[343 Industries]]. As part of the "[[Digsite]]" project, the level was explored for potential use as a [[Firefight]] map.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWCRF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-floor|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Floor|D=07|M=07|Y=2022}} Most of the surviving information about B20 comes in the form of missing tag references, as opposed to actual useable files. Much of the level's overall swamp themeing was similar to the final game [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]], or the cut multiplayer map [[#Swampthing|Swampthing]].{{Ref/Site|Id=DigsiteDeliveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deliveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deliveries|D=07|M=07|Y=2023}}
 
In the original story cut of B20, the Master Chief was to have been tasked with assassinating a [[Covenant]] "Prophet". At this stage in ''Halo'', the [[San'Shyuum]] species (more commonly known as "Prophets") did not exist yet and were to debut in ''[[Halo 2]]'' - instead, the Prophet target of the level was to have been an [[Sangheili|Elite]] wearing a "striking hat" - something which likely went on to inspire the [[Sangheili High Councilor|Elite Councilors]] in ''Halo 2'' instead. Similarly, the objective of assassinating a Prophet was realised in ''Halo 2'', with Master Chief's mission to assassinate the [[Prophet of Regret]] in the levels [[Delta Halo]]/[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]. The level would have featured a mysterious monster that lurked in the central portion of the map, forcing the player to take a wide path around that middle section to avoid being killed while they made their way to a tower in the distance.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}


The [[tags]] for a version of B20 were made available for use in the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools]]'' on June 20th, 2024. They are labeled as deriving from Xbox-compatible tags, of an unknown build.<ref name="h1git">[https://github.com/digsite/h1 ''Github, digsite/h1'']</ref> This release of B20 exists in an as-is state, having a clear afternoon sky and with assets like trees being amiss. As well, the level is empty, with no scripting and only a single unimplemented grunt encounter. The similarities with the level 343 Guilty Spark are abundant, with the player naturally following a path to the right, and even crossing over a fallen tree bridge. The most notable difference is instead of the entrance to the containment facility, the level features the aforementioned large tower at the end of the path, which presumably would appear endless in a foggy atmosphere. The tower has an interior, however in this iteration is it not accessible by the player from any conventional means.
===Alpha Base===
<gallery>
The series of storyboards marked X40 depict a cutscene not featured in the final release of ''Combat Evolved'', set after the end of the level [[The Truth and Reconciliation]]. The cutscenes depict the commandeered [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit]] dropship (notably shown flying backwards due to a mistake on Wilson's part) returning to [[Alpha Base (Installation 04)|Alpha Base]], flanked by [[Longsword]] fighters. The Spirit lands on the base's landing pad to an audience of hundreds of assembled Marines, who cheer at the return of the Captain and the Master Chief. The crowd is hushed and Keyes gives a speech, before turning away from the crowd and addressing the Master Chief and Cortana directly.
File:HTMCC_HCE_B20.png|An overview of the level.
File:HTMCC_HCE_B20_Fallen_Tree_Bridge.png|The fallen tree bridge as seen on B20.
File:HTMCC_HCE_B20_Tower.jpg|The large tower at the end of the level.
File:HTMCC_HCE_B20_Tower_Interior.png|An overhead view of the tower, showing multiple floors.
</gallery>


In what seems to have been an earlier version, B20 was the original Prophet assassination level. Little is known of this version, though some files were said to still exist at 343 Industries. However most information was said to come in the form of missing tag references, as opposed to actual useable files.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}} As part of the Digsite project, B20 was explored for potential use as a [[Firefight]] map.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWCRF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-floor|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Floor|D=07|M=07|Y=2022}}
This mission lines up with a [[Cut Halo: Combat Evolved levels|cut level]] recalled by [[Joseph Staten]] during the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' developer commentary included in the ''[[Halo 3 Legendary Edition]]'', in which he mentions that a level was intended to take place between The Truth and Reconciliation and the following mission [[The Silent Cartographer]], which would have explained the purpose of Installation 04 and its purpose as a weapon. This mission was ultimately cut and the information relegated to the cutscene on The Truth and Reconciliation in which Keyes is saved from the brig; a decision later mocked by the developers who referred to the Captain as "Captain Exposition". It is likely that the cutscene shown here would have served the purpose mentioned by Staten. {{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentary}}
===The Silent Cartographer "X40"===
{{Main|The_Silent_Cartographer#X40|l1=The Silent Cartographer, X40}}
The original intro cinematic for the level <code>B30</code>, known in final game as The Silent Cartographer, included a "rallying speech" by Captain Keyes per notes of a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} This aligns with a scene that can be found within the original storyboards for ''Halo'' labeled as "X40."{{Ref|Id=StoryboardNumbers|Group=Note|The numbering system used for major cutscenes is not related to the numbering system used for the levels.}} The storyboards depict a location missing from the final game, the makeshift human base on an island at a "large Forerunner structure." The environment has a major resemblance to what is seen in the level [[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo.]] The base was situated near pacific coastal waters, inside a mountainous locale strewn about with waterfalls, with the Forerunner structure itself being distinctly based on the beam emitter towers seen in the respective level.


Below is a selection of the X40 storyboards:
These storyboards also give a look at what Bungie intended for Alpha Base, later featured heavily in [[2003]]'s ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' as the UNSC base of operations on the ring. Part of the original pitch of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' would have seen the player waging a larger guerilla war against the Covenant on the ring, though by the final release almost all mentions of a UNSC home base on the ring were removed for time. The base in these storyboards resembles a [[Beacon tower]] like those featured elsewhere in the game, though the base as visualised in [[2018]]'s ''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]'' has a drastically different appearance.
;X40 1
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 4.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 1 1.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 6.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 1 2.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 1.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 9.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
===Assault on the Control Room "Volcano"===
Per notes of a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001, the level <code>B40</code> known in the final game as Assault on the Control Room was originally going to be centered around a Volcano, with the Covenant attempting to break in by using a vehicle referred to as "the 'Mech", a progenitor of the [[Scarab]]. This was presumably due to the player having already taken the keys in <code>[[#B10|B10]]</code>.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}


This information lines up with a development update from [[Matt Soell]] in December 2000, discussing a level involving "a volcano and something I can only refer to as heavy machinery."{{Ref/Reuse|Rampancy}}
;X40 2
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE_B40_VolcanoAssault.jpg|A map overview from the December 2000 version of B40.
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 2 1.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
===343 Guilty Spark "Glassed"===
In the original ''Halo'' storyboards, the level 343 Guilty Spark, known internally as <code>C10</code>, had a different environment than what is seen in the final game, and was referred to as "Nuked Forerunner Installation." This aligns with notes of a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001, where "the swamp was glassed before arrival." Prior to its cutting, the level <code>[[#B20|B20]]</code> would have featured the swamp geometry seen in the final game.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} The Jenkins-cam Flood reveal scene in the storyboards, labeled as "X50,"{{Ref/Reuse|Group=Note|StoryboardNumbers}} shows this in various ways. The marines' Pelican is seen first flying over an ocean, before eventually reaching a shoreline that leads into "burned remains of a forest," and landing in a "desolate crater."


Below are the relevant X50 storyboards:
;X40 3
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_1_1.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 1.jpg
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_2_2.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 2.jpg
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_2_3.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 3.jpg
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_2_4.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 4.jpg
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_2_7.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 5.jpg
File:HCE_343GuiltySpark_Storyboard_X50_2_8.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 6.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 3 7.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
===C30===
<code>C30</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001. The level was centered around activating the Ring's "orbital defenses" and having the player "call down particle beam strikes."{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
An overview map of C30 contains the following level beats, presented here in numerical order:


*1.4.2 Drop Zone
;X40 4
*1.4.3 Outer Courtyard
*1.4.4 Containment Facility
*1.4.7 Canyon Road
*1.4.9 Canyon Ridges
*1.4.10 <span title="[sic]">Oribital</span> Defense Control
 
A notable point is the "Containment Facility," however the relation between this and the facility found in the level 343 Guilty Spark (<code>C10</code>) is otherwise unspecified.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE_C30-layout.jpg|A map overview of C30.
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 1.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 2.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 3.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 4.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 5.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 6.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 7.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 8.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 9.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 10.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 11.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 12.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 13.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 14.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 15.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 16.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 17.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 18.jpg
File:HCE AlphaBase Storyboard X40 4 19.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
===D10===
<code>D10</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001. The main beat of the level was escaping from sentinels after the level Two Betrayals, and featured a "stunt-filled action extravaganza ending". The Warthog run seen in [[The Maw]] was partly repurposed from this level.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
===D30===
<code>D30</code> was a level that existed in a "Key Plot Points" document from Joseph Staten dated January 24th, 2001. The level featured Cortana calling all surviving Marines to retake {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}}, and has been described as "everyone against everyone." 343 Industries would eventually later adapt this for [[Last Stand (Halo: Fireteam Raven level)|Last Stand]], the final mission of ''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}
==Multiplayer maps==
===Bungie===
The following are cut multiplayer levels from Bungie during development of the original game, spanning the Pre-Xbox and Xbox eras.
====First multiplayer test map====
It has been noted that the ''Halo 2'' DLC map [[Relic]] was based on the first multiplayer test map from the Pre-Xbox era of ''Halo'', which was also the reason behind its name:{{Ref/Film|Id=ReclicH2K|[[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]]|Story=''[[Halo 2: Killtacular]]''|8:02|Quote=The original idea came from the very first Halo multiplayer map back on the PC|Quotee=[[Chris Barrett]]}}{{Ref/Book|Id=RelicManual|Book=[[Halo_2_Multiplayer_Map_Pack_manual|''Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack manual'']]|Section=<nowiki>Relic</nowiki>|Page=6|Quote=Artist Chris Barrett wanted the map to feel familiar. "I wanted to capture some of the feel of the original Halo," he says. "In this case, one of the first test levels we built was the inspiration."&nbsp;}}


{{Quote|</i>The actual origins of Relic go back much farther than you might think. While this map ultimately took shape in the weeks and months following the release of Halo 2, it started from a concept created long, long ago. <i>" Visually, the artist, Chris Barrett, went back to the very first multiplayer map ever made for Halo. This was a test map made in the days before Bungie was bought by Microsoft, when Halo was a PC project,"</i> explains Stokes. So in essence, this map is quite literally a relic from the ancient days of Halo.}}{{Ref/Site|Id=RelicBnet|URL=https://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=5587|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Relic Revealed|D=04|M=02|Y=2021}}
===Level after The Silent Cartographer===
In early drafts of ''Combat Evolved'', a level was intended to take place inbetween The Silent Cartographer and Assault on the Control Room. This level was ultimately cut for time, and the cinematic depicting Echo 419's descent inside the bowels of Installation 04 was included instead to justify the travel to a completely new region in the next level. A lack of resources at the time meant no matte paintings were available to depict the dropship flying above-ground.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=DevCommentary|EwfnAM3dBrM|Vikingo NO|Halo Combat Evolved: Developer Commentary Playthrough (2007)【55:12】}}


The original map in question was not specified further. It is likely that the actual layout of Relic would not resemble the level, as it was chosen for aesthetic purposes, not design reasons, with Relic being said to have gone through significant changes in development.{{Ref/Reuse|RelicBnet}} A notable prospect is the 1999 version of [[#Spasm|Spasm]], with the two sharing various aesthetic qualities; however Spasm was a general development testbed, not designed as a multiplayer map. The internal name for Relic was <code>dune</code>, which could possibly be related to the original.
Despite this level being cut, The Silent Cartographer and Assault on the Control Room retain subsequent ordering of B30 and B40 in the files, respectively - indicating that one of these missions may have been renamed in the course of development, or started development after this level was cut.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentary}}
<gallery>
File:H2_Relic.jpg|Relic as featured in ''Halo 2.''
</gallery>
====Mofocross====
"Mofocross" was a map created by [[Max Hoberman]] created back at the old Bungie offices in Chicago in c.[[1999]]. It consisted of an island with a racetrack running throughout it that would allow players to [[race]] [[Warthog]]s and [[Ghost]]s around the island.{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1679280310876508160|Max Hoberman|Quote=Seeing these old Halo multiplayer maps being resurrected makes me want someone to dredge up Mofocross. It was a Warthog v Ghost race map, with a road that looped around the perimeter of an island. I made it using the terrain editor, way back in Chicago ... I think in 1999.|D=31|M=07|Y=2023}}
====Ruined Pain====
A map codenamed <code>ruinedpain</code> is referenced inside ''Combat Evolved''{{'}}s files. Two different versions are known to exist in different stages of development.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
=====UNSC version=====
{{Article quote|All pain, some gain. 8-16 players.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
This version of Ruined Pain is believed to date back to a very early stage of Halo FPS-era development. During initial Digsite playtesting, the original map was found to be scaled for a smaller player character, matching older iterations where they were roughly the same height of a marine in the final game. As part of the effort to restore this map for play in MCC, the map was scaled up by x1.5. Digsite member killzone64 then finished up the map for multiplayer by adding weapons, player spawns, and some barrels to allow players to jump up onto the bases easier; as well as crafting a "chaotic" course for use in the [[Race]] gametype. The tags for the Digsite-restored iteration of this version of Ruined Pain was made available for use in the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools]]'' on July 7th, 2023.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}} They are labeled as deriving from Xbox-compatible tags, of an unknown build.<ref name="h1git" />


This version of the map aligns with information that was recalled by [[Hardy LeBel]] in [[2015]]. Although he was not certain the map was Ruined Pain, he thought the name sounded familiar, and said the only map that he could remember cutting from the game involved a huge human interior space and created by [[Paul Russel]] as a test for his human architectural styles. When Lebel was given the files for the space, he considered it too unwieldy as a workable multiplayer map, and with Russel busy with working on campaign levels, it was ultimately scrapped.{{Ref/YouTube|xEhdyzjVVqk|Hardy LeBel|Question Session - Level Design|Quote=Hmm, well I don't know anything about a volcano mission for single player. And I'm not certain about this, but Ruined Pain sounds familiar. I can say that I had one other map in CE that I cut before we shipped. It was an absolutely HUGE interior "Human" space built by Paul Russell. I think he made it as a proof of concept for his Human geometry. He gave me the files for the space, but as I was looking it over it was so huge that it really would have needed lots of time and energy to make into a good MP map - time he simply didn't have since he was so busy with single-player stuff. So alas - the world never saw it. That might have been Ruined Pain. But we may never know...|Quotee=Hardy LeBel|Detail={{C|[[:File:REF YouTube RuinedPain Comment.png|Local archive]]}}}}
===Volcano level===
<gallery>
One level discussed for development around December 2000 involved "volcanos and heavy machinery". Little is known aside from this.{{Ref/Reuse|Rampancy}}
File:HTMCC_HCE_RuinedPain-1.jpg|Ruined Pain as restored by Digsite.
</gallery>
=====Reach version=====
Another version of Ruined Pain can be spotted in the [[Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Beta_1749|1749 Beta]], where the image for the level [[Damnation]] features the map in an untextured blockout form, with the description "Colony remains on [[Reach]]". As part of the Digside initiative to uncover and restore cut content, this map is being further developed by Conscars under the name "Purgatory", combining the existing model with a modified layout and new scenery inspired by the Beta 1749 description.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWCRC|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-corps|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Corps|D=07|M=03|Y=2024}}


As of July 7th, 2023, the Digsite team is still working on restoring and releasing this version of Ruined Pain and Purgatory.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
==Multiplayer maps==
<gallery>
===Indoor===
File:HCE_Con-Damnation.jpg|The level as it appears in the [[Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Beta_1749|1749 Beta]].
File:HCE_Con-purgatory1.jpg|A model of the level.
</gallery>
;Purgatory
<gallery>
File:HCE_Con-purgatory2.jpg|An in-development screenshot of the level "Purgatory", based on the cut Ruined Pain level.
</gallery>
===Gearbox===
<hr>The following are cut multiplayer maps from [[Gearbox Software]], as potential inclusions for new maps in the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo'' PC port.]]
====Indoor====
{{Article quote|Imagine the smell. 4-8 players.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
{{Article quote|Imagine the smell. 4-8 players.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
'''Indoor''' is a map developed by Gearbox Software for the ''Halo'' PC port, though never shipped with the game.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} The map was the most complete of the Gearbox cut ''Combat Evolved'' maps, with already near-finished visuals and a close-quarters, small-team layout - unlike the other ''Halo PC'' maps which were all designed for [[Big Team Battle]].{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
Indoor is a map developed by [[Gearbox Software]] for the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo'' PC port]], though never shipped with the game.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} The map was the most complete of the Gearbox cut ''Combat Evolved'' maps, with already near-finished visuals and a close-quarters, small-team layout - unlike the other ''Halo PC'' maps which were all designed for [[Big Team Battle]].{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}


In the Digsite restoration project, Indoor was taken by contributor Ludus and taken to a state of completion in a new map called Underground. Underground was created by Ludus with a goal to fix up Indoor's messy spawns and layout using feedback written by Bungie for Gearbox back in ''Halo PC''{{'}}s development alongside a suite of textures created by Gearbox but never used in-game. The textures (and map theme in general) are [[human]] in nature - with ''Combat Evolved'' having few human-themed environments, this provided an opportunity to increase some visual variety in the ''Combat Evolved'' multiplayer experience. The map's soundscape was updated to include blaring sirens inspired by those of the film ''Alien''.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
In the [[Digsite]] restoration project, Indoor was taken by contributor Ludus and taken to a state of completion in a new map called Underground. Underground was created by Ludus with a goal to fix up Indoor's messy spawns and layout using feedback written by [[Bungie]] for Gearbox back in ''Halo PC''{{'}}s development alongside a suite of textures created by Gearbox but never used in-game. The textures (and map theme in general) are [[human]] in nature - with ''Combat Evolved'' having few human-themed environments, this provided an opportunity to increase some visual variety in the ''Combat Evolved'' multiplayer experience. The map's soundscape was updated to include blaring sirens inspired by those of the film ''Alien''.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}


The tags for both the original Indoor and the Digsite-revamped Underground were made available for the ''Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools'' on July 7th, 2023.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
The [[tag]]s for both the original Indoor and the Digsite-revamped Underground are available in the Digsite release for the ''[[Halo Editing Kit]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
;Indoor
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE Digsite Indoor.jpg|The original Indoor map.
File:HCE Digsite Indoor.jpg|The original Indoor map.
</gallery>
;Underground
<gallery>
File:HCE Digsite Underground.jpg|Ludus' recreation of Indoor, named Underground.
File:HCE Digsite Underground.jpg|Ludus' recreation of Indoor, named Underground.
</gallery>
</gallery>
====Dusk====
 
===Dusk===
{{Article quote|Watch your step. 2-4 players.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
{{Article quote|Watch your step. 2-4 players.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
'''Dusk''' was a map created by Gearbox Software for the ''Halo'' PC port.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} Unlike Indoor, Dusk was not close to content-complete, and had a considerably less refined layout, with an inconsistent scale and a muddied centre layout resembling the map [https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Rust Rust] from the ''Call of Duty'' franchise. As such, Digsite contributor Ludus used that as inspiration for his recreation of Dusk for the game's multiplayer, now-termed Abyss.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
Dusk was a map created by Gearbox Software for the ''Halo'' PC port.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} Unlike Indoor, Dusk was not close to content-complete, and had a considerably less refined layout, with an inconsistent scale and a muddied centre layout resembling the map [https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Rust Rust] from the ''Call of Duty'' franchise. As such, Digsite contributor Ludus used that as inspiration for his recreation of Dusk for the game's multiplayer, now-termed Abyss.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}


Abyss reuses an unused texture originally developed for Indoor, and the skybox from the E3 2000 build of ''Combat Evolved''. The tags for both Dusk and Abyss were made available for the ''Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools'' on July 7th, 2023.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
Abyss reuses an unused texture originally developed for Indoor, and the skybox from the E3 2000 build of ''Combat Evolved''. The [[tag]]s for both Dusk and Abyss are available for modders to use as part of the Digsite release in the ''Halo Editing Kit''.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
;Dusk
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE Digsite Dusk.jpg|The original Dusk map.
File:HCE Digsite Dusk.jpg|The original Dusk map.
</gallery>
;Abyss
<gallery>
File:HCE Digsite Abyss.jpg|Ludus' recreation of Dusk, named Abyss.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss.jpg|Ludus' recreation of Dusk, named Abyss.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss.jpg|An early work-in-progress version of Abyss, using the original 2000-era skybox.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss.jpg|An early work-in-progress version of Abyss, using the original 2000-era skybox.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss Skybox.jpg|The E3 2000 skybox on Abyss.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss Skybox.jpg|The MacWorld skybox on Abyss.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss Cave.jpg|A cave on Abyss.
File:HCE Digsite Abyss Cave.jpg|A cave on Abyss.
</gallery>
</gallery>
====Swampthing====
 
{{Expand-section}}
===Mofocross===
"Mofocross" was a map created by [[Max Hoberman]] created back at the old Bungie offices in Chicago in c.[[1999]]. It consisted of an island with a racetrack running throughout it that would allow players to [[race]] [[Warthog]]s and [[Ghost]]s around the island.{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1679280310876508160|Max Hoberman|Quote=Seeing these old Halo multiplayer maps being resurrected makes me want someone to dredge up Mofocross. It was a Warthog v Ghost race map, with a road that looped around the perimeter of an island. I made it using the terrain editor, way back in Chicago ... I think in 1999.|D=31|M=07|Y=2023}}
 
===Swampthing===
{{Article quote|Something in the mist...{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
{{Article quote|Something in the mist...{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
<code>swampthing</code> was developed by Gearbox Software for ''Halo PC'' as a map with a similar theming to the level [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]. The tags for Swampthing were made available for use in the ''Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools'' on July 7th, 2023.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}
Swampthing was developed by Gearbox Software for ''Halo PC'' as a map with a similar theming to the level [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]] or the earlier level [[#B20|B20]]. The map has a look and layout broadly similar to ''[[Halo 2]]''{{'}}s [[Backwash]], taking place inside the swamps of [[Installation 04]].{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} A map named "swamp" has also been referenced by Digsite, though whether swamp is related to swampthing is unclear.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:HCE_Digsite_Swampthing.jpg|Swampthing, as featured by the Digsite team.
File:HCE_Digsite_Swampthing.jpg|Swampthing, as restored by the Digsite team.
</gallery>
</gallery>
====Post-launch maps====
 
===Ruined Pain===
A map codenamed "ruinedpain" is referenced inside ''Combat Evolved''{{'}}s files, with files still existing at 343 Industries.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}} The map was recalled by [[Hardy LeBel]] as possibly coinciding with a map that was cut from the game involved a huge human interior space and created by [[Paul Russel]] as a test for his human architectural styles. The map was later passed onto LeBel, though ultimately scrapped due to requiring too much time and energy to work into something useable. As of [[2015]], LeBel could not remember if this space was the fabled ruinedpain, or another map.{{Ref/YouTube|xEhdyzjVVqk|Hardy LeBel|Question Session - Level Design|Quote=Hmm, well I don't know anything about a volcano mission for single player. And I'm not certain about this, but Ruined Pain sounds familiar. I can say that I had one other map in CE that I cut before we shipped. It was an absolutely HUGE interior "Human" space built by Paul Russell. I think he made it as a proof of concept for his Human geometry. He gave me the files for the space, but as I was looking it over it was so huge that it really would have needed lots of time and energy to make into a good MP map - time he simply didn't have since he was so busy with single-player stuff. So alas - the world never saw it. That might have been Ruined Pain. But we may never know...|Quotee=Hardy LeBel|Detail={{C|[[:File:REF YouTube RuinedPain Comment.png|Local archive]]}}}}
 
The map can be spotted in the [[Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Beta_1749|1749 Beta]], where the image for the level [[Damnation]] features the map in an untextured blockout form, with the description "Colony remains on [[Reach]]". As part of the Digside Alpha initiative to uncover and restore cut content, this map is being further developed by Conscars under the name "Purgatory", combining the existing model with a modified layout and new scenery inspired by the Beta 1749 description.
 
<gallery>
File:HCE_Con-Damnation.jpg|The level as it appears in the [[Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Beta_1749|1749 Beta]].
File:HCE_Con-purgatory1.jpg|A model of the level.
File:HCE_Con-purgatory2.jpg|An in-development screenshot of the level "Purgatory", based on the cut Ruined Pain level.
</gallery>
 
===Post-launch maps===
A number of maps were created by the developers at [[Gearbox Software]] during their production of ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' and the [[Halo Editing Kit]], that were not included in the official release of these levels. Gearbox developer Marc Tardif noted the following in an interview with Gamespy:
A number of maps were created by the developers at [[Gearbox Software]] during their production of ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' and the [[Halo Editing Kit]], that were not included in the official release of these levels. Gearbox developer Marc Tardif noted the following in an interview with Gamespy:
{{Quote|The Halo team at Gearbox has created a few new maps since the game has released, but we're not releasing them at the same time that we release this new software. Our new maps do need a bit more attention before they can be released, and we also want to see how the community responds to all the great, new things that HaloCE and the HEK allow. We know that with the HEK, there will be huge amounts of new content coming from end users and we have an interest in seeing the best of this material join our own maps as official maps. In the future, I expect we'll have more official maps, and I think that not all of these maps will have been created solely by the folks at Gearbox.}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-combat-evolved/509885p2.html|Site=GameSpy|Page=Gearbox Software Announces Halo CE|D=11|M=11|Y=2023}}
{{Quote|The Halo team at Gearbox has created a few new maps since the game has released, but we're not releasing them at the same time that we release this new software. Our new maps do need a bit more attention before they can be released, and we also want to see how the community responds to all the great, new things that HaloCE and the HEK allow. We know that with the HEK, there will be huge amounts of new content coming from end users and we have an interest in seeing the best of this material join our own maps as official maps. In the future, I expect we'll have more official maps, and I think that not all of these maps will have been created solely by the folks at Gearbox.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/halo-combat-evolved/509885p2.html|Site=GameSpy|Page=Gearbox Software Announces Halo CE|D=11|M=11|Y=2023}}}}
 
==Miscellaneous==
==Miscellaneous==
The following levels are ones that were not conventionally designed for campaign or multiplayer, but were general test maps or served some other purpose.
The following map names are known to remain in the files internally at 343 Industries, though little is currently known of them;
===Spasm===
*purgatory{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}}
{{Expand-section}}
*swamp{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}}
{{Article quote|Ancient, Epic, Mysterious{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}}}}
<code>spasm</code> was a map prominently shown throughout much of the development of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' while it was still intended to be a third person game releasing on personal computers. Notably the Macworld 1999 and E3 2000 demos feature different iterations of Spasm. The tags for the Digsite-restored Macworld 1999 iteration of Spasm was made available for use in the ''Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools'' on July 7th, 2023.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeliveries}} They are labeled as deriving from a source folder named "Halo," dated June 23, 1999.<ref name="h1git" />
<gallery>
File:PXH CGW1999Cover Screenshot.jpg|Original full sized image used as the CGW magazine 1999 cover, depicting Macworld 1999 Spasm.
File:Digsite Spasm.jpg|Macworld 1999 Spasm ported to MCC.
</gallery>
===Swamp===
{{Article quote|It’s a wet heat, though.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}}}}
<code>swamp</code>, once referred to as '''Swamplands''' by 343 Industries, was a swamp-themed map present in 2000 and MacWorld builds of ''Halo.'' This swamp environment would form the basis for the cut campaign level <code>[[#B20|B20]]</code>, the retail campaign level [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]], and the cut ''Halo PC'' map [[#Swampthing|Swampthing]]—as well as the ''Halo 2'' DLC map [[Backwash]].{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} It is essentially a sibling level to [[#Spasm|Spasm]], being from the same 1999 third-person PC era, and designed primarily as a test level.


The tags for the Digsite-restored version of Swamp was made available for use in the ''Halo: Combat Evolved Mod Tools'' on June 20th, 2024.{{Ref/Reuse|DigsiteDeepDive}} They are labeled as deriving from a source folder named "Halo," dated June 23, 1999.<ref name="h1git" /> The level consists of a large irregularly shaped pond, situated within hills taking up the edge of the map. The map's environment is largely recognizable for consisting of one tree type found throughout the level, though there are exceptions. The only distinctive landmark that can be found is a small fallen tree bridge, a feature that would later go on to appear in successor swamp themed campaign levels, however this version is uniquely hollow.
===Playground===
<gallery>
Playground is a developer testing environment used by 343's Digsite project for showcasing and evaluating project content.{{Ref/Reuse|HWCRF}}
File:HCE_Swamp_Bitmap.png|The base level texture for Swamp, showing the layout of the level.
File:HTMCC_HCE_Swamp Trees.png|The ubiquitous trees found on Swamp.
File:HTMCC_HCE_Swamp_Pond_Edge.png|Rocks and vegetation at the edge of the waters.
File:HTMCC_HCE_Swamp_Tree_Tawhai.png|Other tree type on Swamp.
File:HTMCC_HCE_Swamp_Fallen_Tree_Bridge.png|The fallen tree bridge on Swamp.
</gallery>
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==

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