Editing Cut Halo 2 levels
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{{Title|Cut ''Halo 2'' levels}} | {{Title|Cut ''Halo 2'' levels}} | ||
{{ | {{Era|RW}} | ||
{{GameFiles}} | {{GameFiles}} | ||
{{Series/Cut/H2}} | {{Series/Cut/H2}} | ||
During the [[Development of Halo 2|development of ''Halo 2'']], several levels were cut during development. | During the [[Development of Halo 2|development of ''Halo 2'']], several levels were cut during development. | ||
==Cut campaign levels== | ==Cut campaign levels== | ||
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===covenantship=== | ===covenantship=== | ||
This level was to take place immediately following [[Cairo Station]]. The level would have seen the player, as John-117, board a Covenant {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} with a team of [[ODST]]s, serving as the main introduction for [[Miranda Keyes]]. After opening the airlock of the [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'s docking bay, the player would be blasted toward the Covenant ship and board it instead of destroying it with the [[antimatter charge|bomb]] as seen in the final game. This level would have involved infiltrating the Covenant ship, taking on and killing its crew and eventually stealing a [[Type-26 Wraith|Wraith]] and end up destroying the ship by bombarding its power core with the Wraith's [[plasma mortar|mortar]]. | |||
This level was to take place immediately following [[Cairo Station]]. The level would have seen the player, as John-117, board a Covenant {{Class|CAS|assault carrier}} with a team of [[ODST]]s, serving as the main introduction for [[Miranda Keyes]]. After opening the airlock of the [[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'s docking bay, the player would be blasted toward the Covenant ship and board it instead of destroying it with the [[antimatter charge|bomb]] as seen in the final game. This level would have involved infiltrating the Covenant ship, taking on and killing its crew and eventually stealing a [[ | |||
As mentioned by [[Joseph Staten]], Miranda Keyes and her ODSTs would have also been onboard the ship in order to help you and may have played a big role in the eventual outcome. This level however was cut due to time constraints and replaced by a cinematic that created "just as much work" for [[Bungie]] Employees.{{Ref/Reuse|Commentary}} | As mentioned by [[Joseph Staten]], Miranda Keyes and her ODSTs would have also been onboard the ship in order to help you and may have played a big role in the eventual outcome. This level however was cut due to time constraints and replaced by a cinematic that created "just as much work" for [[Bungie]] Employees.{{Ref/Reuse|Commentary}} | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2AnnounceTrailer FreeFall.jpg|The level would have taken the place of this cutscene from the final game. | File:H2AnnounceTrailer FreeFall.jpg|The level would have taken the place of this cutscene from the final game. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
===forerunnertank=== | ===forerunnertank=== | ||
Not to be confused with a [[Cut Halo: Combat Evolved vehicles|cut ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' vehicle]] of the same name, the level named forerunnertank was only revealed on the ''Halo 2'' [[cutscene]] commentary contained in the [[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|''Halo 3'' Legendary Edition]]'s ''Halo 2'' cinematics commentary.<ref name="Commentary">''[[Halo 3]] [[Halo 3 Legendary Edition|Legendary Edition]]'': Essentials, Disc Two - Halo 2 cinematics commentary</ref> The purpose of the level was to tie in plot between the end of the level [[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]] and the cutscene after the end of the level [[Quarantine Zone]]. The level was said to be placed after the cutscene in Quarantine Zone where the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] is pushed down the index chamber by [[Tartarus]] and before the cutscene where the Arbiter meets the Master Chief and talks to the [[Gravemind]]. This level was supposed to be the Gravemind's introduction; in the level, the Gravemind's tentacles were going to slam down all around the player, and move behind doors like racing freight trains. | |||
Not to be confused with a [[Cut Halo: Combat Evolved vehicles | |||
The level would have described the [[John-117|Master Chief]]'s adventure through the bowels of [[Delta Halo]] before his eventual capture by the Gravemind; the "Forerunner Tank" providing the namesake of the level was only described as something "''... awesome, that blows things up, glows a lot from little windows and moves real fast.''" When asked why he wanted the Forerunner Tank in the game, Jason Jones' response was, "Awesomeness would ensue". The level's replacement was the short cutscene at the end of Regret; the level's removal resulted in the long series of different cutscenes between Quarantine Zone and [[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]. | The level would have described the [[John-117|Master Chief]]'s adventure through the bowels of [[Delta Halo]] before his eventual capture by the Gravemind; the "Forerunner Tank" providing the namesake of the level was only described as something "''... awesome, that blows things up, glows a lot from little windows and moves real fast.''" When asked why he wanted the Forerunner Tank in the game, Jason Jones' response was, "Awesomeness would ensue". The level's replacement was the short cutscene at the end of Regret; the level's removal resulted in the long series of different cutscenes between Quarantine Zone and [[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]. | ||
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==Early campaign levels== | ==Early campaign levels== | ||
The campaign levels here are all work-in-progress versions of the levels found in the final ''Halo 2'' release, seen in a build of the game from September 2003. As such, they are mostly early editions of the final missions with various changes such as missing geometry, textures and lack of optimisation. The "mission pairs" seen in ''Halo 2'' were originally developed as one mission each, then split into two - as a result, levels share the same internal names (IE [[Outskirts]] and [[Metropolis]] sharing the <code>earthcity</code> map). | The campaign levels here are all work-in-progress versions of the levels found in the final ''Halo 2'' release, seen in a build of the game from September of 2003. As such, they are mostly early editions of the final missions with various changes such as missing geometry, textures and lack of optimisation. The "mission pairs" seen in ''Halo 2'' were originally developed as one mission each, then split into two - as a result, levels share the same internal names (IE [[Outskirts]] and [[Metropolis]] sharing the <code>earthcity</code> map). | ||
===alphagasgiant=== | ===alphagasgiant=== | ||
{{Quote|Go to Alpha Halo, find the Heretics and destroy their base}} | {{Quote|Go to Alpha Halo, find the Heretics and destroy their base}} | ||
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An early version of the levels [[Outskirts]]/ [[Metropolis]] in the September 2003 build, bearing heavy visual resemblance to the [[Halo 2 E3 demo|''Halo 2'' E3 demo]]. A large section of the city is modelled, with Wraiths attacking the player.{{Ref/Reuse|stream}} | An early version of the levels [[Outskirts]]/ [[Metropolis]] in the September 2003 build, bearing heavy visual resemblance to the [[Halo 2 E3 demo|''Halo 2'' E3 demo]]. A large section of the city is modelled, with Wraiths attacking the player.{{Ref/Reuse|stream}} | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2_earthcity.jpg| | File:H2_earthcity.jpg|The level. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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===sentinelhq=== | ===sentinelhq=== | ||
{{Quote|Breach the sentinel quarantine}} | {{Quote|Breach the sentinel quarantine}} | ||
A level present on the September 2003 build of ''Halo 2''. The level was not launched in the ''Halo 2 E3 demo'' stream, leaving information about the level minimal aside from its name and description. Presumably, this level was an early version of the levels [[Sacred Icon]]/ [[Quarantine Zone]].<ref name="stream | A level present on the September 2003 build of ''Halo 2''. The level was not launched in the ''Halo 2 E3 demo'' stream, leaving information about the level minimal aside from its name and description. Presumably, this level was an early version of the levels [[Sacred Icon]]/ [[Quarantine Zone]].<ref name="stream/> | ||
==Multiplayer maps== | ==Multiplayer maps== | ||
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===Anchor Point=== | ===Anchor Point=== | ||
{{Main|Anchor Point}} | {{Main|Anchor Point}} | ||
A multiplayer level tested during development. Anchor Point was to be a predominantly 2v2 map, designed for aerial Banshee dogfights. The map was revealed by [[Vic DeLeon]] on Twitter | A multiplayer level tested during development. Anchor Point was to be a predominantly 2v2 map, designed for aerial Banshee dogfights. The map was revealed by [[Vic DeLeon]] on Twitter<ref name="anchor">[https://twitter.com/vicdeleon/status/1193356423062675458 ''VicDeLeon on Twitter:''] ''Ok ok I’m sorry, here’s one of four shots of the never-released #Halo2 map we called #AnchorPoint.''</ref>, and was scrapped as it purportedly "played like crap".<ref name="vic1">[https://twitter.com/vicdeleon/status/1193284446016815104 ''Vic DeLeon on Twitter:''] ''So, I’m on the fence here. Would today be a good day for me to finally post shots of a #Halo2 MP map I made back in ‘04 that was completely rejected? I had cobbled it together in a week and it’s definitely not pretty (Also it played like crap).''</ref> The level files still exist at [[343 Industries]], with [[Jeff Easterling]] having played it as recently as November 2019.<ref>[https://twitter.com/GrimBrotherOne/status/1193445095674011648 ''Jeff Easterling on Twitter:''] ''I actually played this not too long ago lol.''</ref> | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 1.jpg | File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 1.jpg | ||
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</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | ===Untitled Blastacular map=== | ||
The [[Blastacular Pack]] was originally conceived to release with three multiplayer maps; two remakes and one original map. The two remakes - [[Desolation]] and [[Tombstone]] - were able to make the cut but the original map had to be cut, as the map pack's original release date would have clashed with the timing of the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''. As such, the map was cut for "the wrong reasons" to allow the map pack to release earlier in [[2007 (real world)|2007]]. Unlike other cut maps, this map was described by Max Hoberman as coming along fairly well and having potential.{{Ref/Site|Id=Blastacular|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://youtu.be/9BURsPjNKck?t=2280|Site=YouTube|Page=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=38:00}} | The [[Blastacular Pack]] was originally conceived to release with three multiplayer maps; two remakes and one original map. The two remakes - [[Desolation]] and [[Tombstone]] - were able to make the cut but the original map had to be cut, as the map pack's original release date would have clashed with the timing of the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]''. As such, the map was cut for "the wrong reasons" to allow the map pack to release earlier in [[2007 (real world)|2007]]. Unlike other cut maps, this map was described by Max Hoberman as coming along fairly well and having potential.{{Ref/Site|Id=Blastacular|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://youtu.be/9BURsPjNKck?t=2280|Site=YouTube|Page=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=38:00}} | ||
This map was to be an asymmetric level similar to [[Zanzibar]], and feature many dynamic elements. A focal dynamic element on the map was intended to be a [[light bridge]] which could be turned on or off by the players. As of [[2014]], Hoberman has yet to resurrect this level, though still wants to.{{Ref/Reuse|Blastacular}} | This map was to be an asymmetric level similar to [[Zanzibar]], and feature many dynamic elements. A focal dynamic element on the map was intended to be a [[light bridge]] which could be turned on or off by the players. As of [[2014]], Hoberman has yet to resurrect this level, though still wants to.{{Ref/Reuse|Blastacular}} | ||
==''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista map editor examples== | ==''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista map editor examples== | ||
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"Earth City", known by the filename <code>human_sample</code>, serves as a small test environment similar to Example set in [[Old Mombasa]]. The map consists of a short street surrounded by buildings, with a [[Gauss Warthog]] present in the middle. The extremely small nature of the map makes it best suited for 1v1 or 2v2 play, and features weapons such as [[Battle Rifle]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}} | "Earth City", known by the filename <code>human_sample</code>, serves as a small test environment similar to Example set in [[Old Mombasa]]. The map consists of a short street surrounded by buildings, with a [[Gauss Warthog]] present in the middle. The extremely small nature of the map makes it best suited for 1v1 or 2v2 play, and features weapons such as [[Battle Rifle]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}} | ||
Earth City can be downloaded for the Windows Vista edition of ''Halo 2'' from [ | Earth City can be downloaded for the Windows Vista edition of ''Halo 2'' from [http://h2v.halomaps.org/index.cfm?pg=3&fid=2137 here]. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2V HumanSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of human_sample. | File:H2V HumanSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of human_sample. | ||
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"Beach Battle" serves as the [[Forerunner]] counterpart to Earth City, under the filename <code>forerunner_sample</code>. The map is set on a small coastal outcropping presumably on Delta Halo, and notably features the [[M7S SMG|Suppressed SMG]] - similarly to Example.{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}} | "Beach Battle" serves as the [[Forerunner]] counterpart to Earth City, under the filename <code>forerunner_sample</code>. The map is set on a small coastal outcropping presumably on Delta Halo, and notably features the [[M7S SMG|Suppressed SMG]] - similarly to Example.{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}} | ||
Beach Battle can be downloaded for the Windows Vista edition of ''Halo 2'' from [ | Beach Battle can be downloaded for the Windows Vista edition of ''Halo 2'' from [http://h2v.halomaps.org/index.cfm?pg=3&fid=2136 here]. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H2V ForerunnerSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of forerunner_sample. | File:H2V ForerunnerSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of forerunner_sample. | ||
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===covenant_sample=== | ===covenant_sample=== | ||
A third counterpart to the two prior maps was intended, focusing on a [[Covenant]] theme similar to existing maps such as [[Midship]] and [[Gemini]]. | A third counterpart to the two prior maps was intended, focusing on a [[Covenant]] theme similar to existing maps such as [[Midship]] and [[Gemini]]. However, it was never released by NiTr0uSoXiDe2k, so no further information is available.{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}} | ||
==Development and testing levels== | ==Development and testing levels== | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
{{Ref/Sources}} | {{Ref/Sources}} | ||
{{Levels|H2}} | {{Levels|H2}} | ||
{{Deleted Material}} | {{Deleted Material}} | ||
[[Category:Halo 2]] | [[Category:Halo 2]] | ||
[[Category:Deleted material]] | [[Category:Deleted material]] | ||
