Editing Cut Halo 2 levels

{{Title|Cut ''Halo 2'' levels}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{GameFiles}}
{{Series/Cut/H2}}
During the [[Development of Halo 2|development of ''Halo 2'']], several levels were cut during development.

==Milestone 1 levels==
Milestone 1 consists of a series of gameplay prototype levels built on the "Halo 1.5" engine, and showcased to industry journalists between [[2002]] and [[2003]]. At this time, the engine was in a transitionary state between ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'', and thus the levels use many assets from ''Combat Evolved''. For the most part, these levels were built to showcase and prototype new gameplay features rather than actually be part of the game's campaign story. They have since been recovered by the [[Digsite]] project and made available for both the ''[[Halo Editing Kit]]'' and ''[[Halo 2 Editing Kit]]'' for [[modding]] use.{{Ref/Site|Id=DeepDive|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deep-dive|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deep-Dive|D=21|M=06|Y=2024}}

===M1 - Defensive===
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===M1 - Explorative===
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===M1 - Assault===
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==Cut campaign levels==
===alphamoon===
{{Main|alphamoon}}
{{Quote|Assault the occupied control room and find the oracle}}
A cut campaign level on the September 2003 build of ''Halo 2''. This level seems to have the same story goal as the level [[The Oracle]] from the final game, involving the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]] securing [[343 Guilty Spark]] for the Covenant. Unlike The Oracle, this level would be set in a [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic]] camp on [[Threshold]]'s moon, [[Basis]] - the setting of the multiplayer map [[Burial Mounds]].{{Ref/Reuse|stream}}
<gallery>
File:H2_alphamoon.png|A view of the level.
</gallery>

===covenantship===
{{main|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 [[Zurdo-pattern Wraith|Wraith]] and end up destroying the ship by bombarding its power core with the Wraith's [[plasma mortar|mortar]].

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>
File:H2AnnounceTrailer FreeFall.jpg|The level would have taken the place of this cutscene from the final game.
File:H2 CovenantShip Whiteboard.png|A whiteboard showcasing part of covenantship's intended layout - matching known details including the ODSTs, Wraith and Ghost.
</gallery>

===Infinite Succor===
{{Quote|This is Eddie’s [Smith] interior design with my heap of corpses. This is the Infinite Succor, which was never used. Here, the Gravemind is basically a giant mass grave of putrescent flesh and bodily fluids.|Robert McLees, discussing the ''Infinite Succor''{{'}}s concept.{{Ref/Reuse|FoB}}}}
At some point during early production, concept artists [[Eddie Smith]] and [[Robert McLees]] investigated the idea of a [[Flood]]-infected Covenant hydroponics ship, in which the Flood had taken over and formed a [[Gravemind]] from the ship's livestock. This ship, the ''[[Infinite Succor]]'', ultimately went unused in ''Halo 2'' and it is unclear as to how much the concept was seriously considered for inclusion as a level.{{Ref/Site|Id=FoB|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=Feast_of_Bones|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Feast of Bones|D=09|M=08|Y=2014}} The idea was ultimately taken and reused in [[2006]] with the release of the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', and the aptly-titled short story within ''[[The Last Voyage of the Infinite Succor]]'' - which takes place aboard a [[Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship|Covenant agricultural ship]] of the [[Infinite Succor|same name]] and focuses on the actions of [[Rtas 'Vadum|the Special-Operations Commander]] during the events of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
<gallery>
File:H2_InfiniteSuccor_Concept.jpg|Early ''Halo 2'' concept of the ''Infinite Succor''.
</gallery>

===forerunnertank===
{{main|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.

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]].

===Earth Ark===
{{Main|Earth Ark}}
Earth Ark was the name given to the final three missions of ''Halo 2'', including the game's original ending. This last act was ultimately completely cut for time constraints, though would later go on to be used for inspiration in ''[[Halo 3]]''.

==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).
===alphagasgiant===
{{Quote|Go to Alpha Halo, find the Heretics and destroy their base}}
An early build of the levels [[The Arbiter]] and [[The Oracle]], present on the September 2003 build of ''Halo 2''. Upon spawning in, the player is in a dark room with several [[Special Operations Sangheili]]. The SpecOps Elites have no weapons and simply walk forward. Falling out of the level can reveal the gas mine geometry. The level has an extremely low frame rate.<ref name="stream">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp86KNbeCA8 ''YouTube'': Halo 2 E3 2003 Demo Stream from 343 + Never Before Seen Alphas/Betas (1080p 60 FPS)]</ref>
<gallery>
File:H2_alphagasgiant.png|A view of this level.
</gallery>

===deltacontrolroom===
{{Quote|Start the revolution and recover the sacred icon}}
An early version of the final level [[The Great Journey]] present in the September 2003 build. This level is unlit and untextured, spawning the player by the [[Bastion of the Brutes|"Scarab dock" structure]] from the final level. On spawning, a Banshee, a Phantom and a Wraith attack the player. The vehicles cannot be [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|boarded]].{{Ref/Reuse|stream}}
<gallery>
File:H2_deltacontrolroom.png|An image of this level.
</gallery>

===deltatemple===
{{Main|deltatemple}}
{{Quote|Warp to Delta Halo and assassinate the Prophet}}
An early version of the levels ''[[Delta Halo]]''/''[[Regret (Halo 2 level)|Regret]]'' in the September 2003 build.{{Ref/Reuse|stream}}
<gallery>
File:H2_deltatemple.png|A view of the structure's exterior.
</gallery>
===earthcity===
{{Quote|Pursue the Covenant through a human city}}
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>
File:H2_earthcity.jpg|Earthcity.
</gallery>

===forerunnership===
{{Main|forerunnership}}
The in-house name for the level ''[[High Charity (level)|High Charity]]'', which would have had ''Halo 2''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Warthog run]] but was ultimately cut for time.<ref name="onefinaleffort">[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=25650 ''Bungie.net'': One Final Effort]</ref> The level geometry remains mostly intact in the final ''Halo 2'' game, and through [[modding]] can be rendered playable again.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNhVX02yioU ''YouTube'': Halo 2 - The Warthog Run That Never Came To Be]</ref>

===sentinelhq===
{{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"/>

==Multiplayer maps==
Around 4-5 multiplayer maps were cut during the development of ''Halo 2''. Most were described by [[Max Hoberman]] as cut "for the right reasons" fairly early on in their respective block-out stages, with Hoberman calling this "the right call".{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=https://youtu.be/9BURsPjNKck?t=2239|Site=YouTube|Page=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=39:17}}

===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,<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>
File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 1.jpg
File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 2.jpg
File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 3.jpg
File:H2 AnchorPoint Screenshot 4.jpg
</gallery>

===Bloodgulch_test===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Cloud City===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Cyclone===
Cyclone was one of the earliest design exercises done for ''Halo 2''{{'}}s multiplayer. The map was designed by Max Hoberman with the intent of creating the smallest map humanly possible - intended for just 2-4 players. The map was ultimately scrapped as Hoberman didn't think it would play well, and instead created the final game's [[Midship]] instead.{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1085856052678180864|Max Hoberman|Quote=Here's one I had forgotten - a Halo 2 original multiplayer map that I cut at paper design. Meet Cyclone, an exercise to design the absolutely smallest map possible.|D26|M=04|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1086010059895857155|Max Hoberman|Quote=I didn't think it would work - too small. Was intended for 2-4 players. Scrapped this and came up with Midship instead.|D26|M=04|Y=2023}}

Design documentation for Cyclone references a cut powerup, [[Cut Halo 2 equipment#Adrenaline|Adrenaline]] - though little information exists as to what the powerup was intended to do.{{Ref/Generic|[[Halo 2: Artifacts]]|Episode 3 - Legendary Map Design (30:40)}}
<gallery>
File:H2_Cyclone_1.jpg|Design documentation for Cyclone's layout.
File:H2_Cyclone_2.jpg|Design documentation for Cyclone's layout.
</gallery>

===Destructo===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Evergreen===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Fourth Station===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Gauntlet===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Missile Beach===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Overboard===
Overboard is a map ill-recalled by Max Hoberman, who remembers little of its existence - and suggested it may have morphed into another map. In April of 2023, he posted several design layouts by [[Chris Carney]] on his Twitter, further adding that the reason for the map's cutting may have been due to his preference for mirrored map layouts over rotational symmetry.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=OB1|MaxHoberman|1579585211658272775|Max Hoberman|Quote=Everyone is always asking about cut mp maps from Halo 2. Well here's one I have no recollection of: Overboard. Maybe it morphed into another? Carney would remember, they're his drawings. I recall being adamant that mirrored > rotational symmetry, so that may have been a factor.|D=11|M=04|Y=2023}} This is due to his belief that mirrored symmetry is more intuitive for allowing a player to navigate a map - something that is an issue in rotational symmetry style maps.{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1579591050884440064|Max Hoberman|Quote=It's easier to intuitively know where you are on a map that uses mirrored symmetry – something to your left, vs to your right on the opposite side.|D=11|M=04|Y=2023}}

Hoberman later added that he suspected his original issues with the map in 2003-2004 were that it had a great degree of verticality and use of ladders among the aforementioned issues with rotational symmetry. At the time of production, Hoberman was interested in intuitive player navigation in the maps he shipped, and believed that a map such as Overboard could play well but would require much more work from the art team to make playable.{{Ref/Twitter|MaxHoberman|1579827662520221696|Max Hoberman|Quote=After sleeping on this, I suspect I had issues with the verticality, ladders, and rotational symmetry, as I was obsessed with maps being intuitively navigable at the time. It's a cool design though—just one that requires a lot of heavy lifting from Art to differentiate sides.|D=11|M=04|Y=2023}}
<gallery>
File:H2 OverboardMap DesignDoc 1.jpg|A top-down layout for Overboard.
File:H2 OverboardMap DesignDoc 2.jpg|
File:H2 OverboardMap DesignDoc 3.jpg|
</gallery>

===Permafrost===
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}}

In [[2023]], the map was revealed as one of many recovered as part of the [[Digsite]] project, with a single released screenshot of the map's raw geometry. The map itself is similar in layout to ''[[Halo 3]]''{{'}}s [[High Ground]], and features a sword dug into a rock.{{Ref/Site|Id=DigDiscover|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-discoveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Discoveries|D=17|M=07|Y=2023}}

<gallery>
H2 Digsite Permafrost Screenshot.jpg|A screenshot of Permafrost's recovered geometry.
</gallery>

===Raceday===
<code>raceday</code> was the working title of a map that was experimented on early in ''Halo 2'' development, based around the concept of a "''[[Wikipedia:Car Wars|Car Wars]]''" style mode. It was cut very early on, still resembling a ''Combat Evolved'' level.{{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}}

===Rodentia===
{{Quote|You can check in, but never leave.}}
Rodentia is a remake of the ''Combat Evolved'' map [[Rat Race]], cut from the release of [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista]].{{Ref/Site|Id=DigsiteDeliveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deliveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deliveries|D=07|M=07|Y=2023}}
<gallery>
File:H2 Digsite Rodentia.jpg|Rodentia.
</gallery>

===Solitude===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Sunken Temple===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

===Timberland===
{{Expand-section}}<!--info from the Digsite Deep Dive blog-->

==''Halo 2'' for Windows Vista map editor examples==
With the release of ''[[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|Halo 2 Vista]]'' in 2007 came a new [[Halo Editing Kit]] toolset used to create [[modding|mods]] and custom content. On the disc was included one sample map - [[Example]] - used to show players how to work with the toolset. However, three additional maps were planned for inclusion on this disc, but were ultimately cut. One of developers from [[Hired Gun]], the studio which ported ''Halo 2'', later finished the maps and uploaded them to [[halomaps.org]] under the username NiTrOuSoXiDe2k as free downloads on Halomaps.org.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=H2VMaps|2aB_LV4byk4|Generalkidd|Halo 2 - The Unreleased Secret Maps That Almost Never Existed}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=18901|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=New H2V content at HaloMaps|D=24|M=9|Y=2021}}

===Earth City (human_sample)===
"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 [https://halomaps.org/h2v/detail.cfm?fid=2137 here].
<gallery>
File:H2V HumanSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of human_sample.
File:H2V HumanSample Screenshot 2.jpg|A screenshot of human_sample.
</gallery>

===Beach Battle (forerunner_sample)===
"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 [https://halomaps.org/h2v/detail.cfm?fid=2136 here].
<gallery>
File:H2V ForerunnerSample Screenshot 1.jpg|A screenshot of forerunner_sample.
File:H2V ForerunnerSample Screenshot 2.jpg|A screenshot of forerunner_sample.
</gallery>

===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]]. As it was never released by NiTr0uSoXiDe2k, no further information was available until [[2023]], when the map was unearthed as part of the [[Digsite]] project.{{Ref/Site|Id=DigsiteDeliveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deliveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deliveries|D=07|M=07|Y=2023}}{{Ref/Reuse|H2VMaps}}
<gallery>
File:H2 Digsite CovenantSample.jpg|A screenshot of covenant_sample.
</gallery>

==Development and testing levels==
These levels were created for the testing of various game features, and were never intended for release.

===AI_test===
{{Quote|Test the AI!}}
'''AI_test''' is a testing environment on the September 2003 build of ''Halo 2''. In the build played by Brian Jarrard and Frank O'Connor, this level simply loaded with two [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]] and a non-flyable [[Type-26 Banshee|Banshee]] in a small room. The room has some corridors around the outside, and some textures more closely resembling those of the final game - though some objects simply display UV checker textures.{{Ref/Reuse|stream}}
<gallery>
File:H2_AI test.jpg|In the build, the player spawns with early versions of the SMG and Battle Rifle.
</gallery>

===Audio playground===
{{Quote|We almost call it the Matrix of Doom because with the amount of surface types we have in the game vs. the amount of object that we have in the game coliding with each other and against the environment, we will be generating hundreds, and indeed thousands, of sound tracks to try to cover up this matrix.|[[Jay Weinland]]}}
The '''audio playground''' is a sandbox used by Bungie to experiment with sound effects during the development of ''Halo 2''. It consists of a large enclosed space of varied terrain in which the player can test hitting objects and gunfire against the floor and walls, which represent particular surfaces. The surfaces' names are frequently written in the texture pattern. Audio playgrounds have been shown to come in variants for "solid steel", "dirt", "room", ice, water, and reportedly can feature virtually every substance in the game.{{Ref/Game|H2|[[Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition|Limited Collector's Edition]]|Behind the Scenes Making of Halo 2}}
<gallery>
File:H2 AudioPlayground.png|A Warthog chaingun is used in the dirt room.
</gallery>

===Meat Grinder===
'''Meat Grinder''' was another level used for testing during the development of ''Halo 2''.<ref name="MeatGrinder">''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World]]'', p.13</ref>
<gallery>
File:H2 MarinesScorpion.jpg|Marines on the Meat Grinder level.{{Ref/Reuse|MeatGrinder}}
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Levels|H2}}
{{Deleted Material}}
[[Category:Halo 2]]
[[Category:Deleted material]]