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{{Status|RealWorld}} | {{Status|RealWorld}} | ||
{{Quote|All I can say is, imagine a beard trimmer, and each blade of the comb is the size of manhattan, each with tiered 'hoods.|[[Paul Russel]]{{Ref/Twitter|Dr_Abominable|732114909027176450|Paul Russel|Quote=All I can say is, imagine a beard trimmer, and each blade of the comb is the size of manhattan, each with tiered 'hoods.|D=30|M=10|Y=2020}}}} | {{Quote|All I can say is, imagine a beard trimmer, and each blade of the comb is the size of manhattan, each with tiered 'hoods.|[[Paul Russel]]{{Ref/Twitter|Dr_Abominable|732114909027176450|Paul Russel|Quote=All I can say is, imagine a beard trimmer, and each blade of the comb is the size of manhattan, each with tiered 'hoods.|D=30|M=10|Y=2020}}}} | ||
[[File:TheLostCity.jpg|thumb|300px|An exterior view of the city's third iteration.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=trace|Dr_Abominable|732118079027613696|Paul Russel|Quote=That's a trace of a screenshot I took of one of the concepts. I think version 3 of a city.|D=30|M=10|Y=2020}} This design was recycled for the [[Cartographer]] in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and a structure in ''[[Origins]]''.]] | |||
Forerunner City was given some limited development during ''Halo 3''{{'}}s production, with basic mission layouts and 3D models generated, though these were largely scrapped once the level was merged to become The Covenant. Many of its intended plot beats were adapted into the final game mostly-intact (albeit polished). In the final game, the remnants of Forerunner City can be seen in the final encounter on The Covenant - particularly the sections inside the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] at the end of the level. Most of the plot information about the level comes from a | '''100_forecity''' (or more simply, Forerunner City) was a level worked on during the [[Development of Halo 3|development]] of ''[[Halo 3]]'', but ultimately cut from the game. The level was to follow on from [[090_alpine]], and was ultimately combined with 090_alpine in the final release of the game to form the mission [[The Covenant (level)]]. The level is famous for its distinctive [[Forerunner]] structures, more commonly known by the nickname '''The Lost City''',{{Ref/Reuse|picasa}} or more jokingly, '''"Forerunner Condo"''' to Bungie and '''"Cuesta Verde phase 4"''' to [[Vic DeLeon]].{{Ref/Twitter|Id=condo|vicdeleon|1250140058088124416|Vic DeLeon|Quote=We called it Forerunner Condo. I called it Cuesta Verde phase 4. The fiction behind it was a supposed housing complex for Forerunner scientists living on the ring. Maybe for the Librarian's team? I don't really remember.|D=14|M=4|Y=2020}} | ||
Forerunner City given some limited development during ''Halo 3''{{'}}s production, with basic mission layouts and 3D models generated, though these were largely scrapped once the level was merged to become The Covenant. Many of its intended plot beats were adapted into the final game mostly-intact (albeit polished). In the final game, the remnants of Forerunner City can be seen in the final encounter on The Covenant - particularly the sections inside the [[Installation 00 Citadel|Citadel]] at the end of the level. Most of the plot information about the level comes from a [[:File:H3 Script FirstDraft.pdf|first-draft script]] uploaded online by campaign design lead Rob Stokes.{{Ref/Site|Id=Stokes|URL=https://rpstokes53.wixsite.com/work-of-rob-stokes/halo-3|Site=Work of Rob Stokes|Page=Halo 3|D=25|M=05|Y=2023}} | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Forerunner City received some limited development and 3D prototyping in ''Halo 3''{{'}}s development before being combined with Alpine to form The Covenant. An initial script pass was done by Rob Stokes, with visual look-development done by Paul Russel. During production, Russel's 3D environment grew so large that "''it could be a game in itself''".{{Ref/Site|Id=picasa|URL=https://picasaweb.google.com/114253662089061571624/Halo3TheLostCity#5573889624080394914|Site=Picasaweb.google.com (defunct): Paul Russel > Halo 3: The Lost City|D=11|M=2|Y=2011|ArchiveURL=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413070942/https://picasaweb.google.com/114253662089061571624/Halo3TheLostCity | Forerunner City received some limited development and 3D prototyping in ''Halo 3''{{'}}s development before being combined with Alpine to form The Covenant. An initial script pass was done by Rob Stokes, with visual look-development done by Paul Russel. During production, Russel's 3D environment grew so large that "''it could be a game in itself''".{{Ref/Site|Id=picasa|URL=https://picasaweb.google.com/114253662089061571624/Halo3TheLostCity#5573889624080394914|Site=Picasaweb.google.com (defunct): Paul Russel > Halo 3: The Lost City|D=11|M=2|Y=2011|ArchiveURL=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413070942/https://picasaweb.google.com/114253662089061571624/Halo3TheLostCity}} Nonetheless, it was to have been a fully-playable level, with Russel's 3D blockout used as the basis for a level layout plan done by Stokes. | ||
As part of Russel's development process for the art in the level, he tried to use the city's architecture to showcase values held by [[Forerunner]] society and how they might have lived their daily lives.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=fore1|Dr_Abominable|732109307529986048|Paul Russel|Quote=In terms of creating spaces that had cultural function, tried to imply Forerunner daily life through architecture. What their values were. How function and form worked, probably the most interesting thing I took on, because it wasn't just cool shapes with mysterious purpose. Telling a story|D=16|M=5|Y=2016}} Vic DeLeon also worked on the level, and further elaborated that their goal was to create something more than "just cool shapes with mysterious purpose," creating something that told a story.{{Ref/Reuse|fore1}} Russel stated that in total, there "were probably 10 different versions of the city."{{Ref/Reuse|DeLeonpics}} | As part of Russel's development process for the art in the level, he tried to use the city's architecture to showcase values held by [[Forerunner]] society and how they might have lived their daily lives.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=fore1|Dr_Abominable|732109307529986048|Paul Russel|Quote=In terms of creating spaces that had cultural function, tried to imply Forerunner daily life through architecture. What their values were. How function and form worked, probably the most interesting thing I took on, because it wasn't just cool shapes with mysterious purpose. Telling a story|D=16|M=5|Y=2016}} Vic DeLeon also worked on the level, and further elaborated that their goal was to create something more than "just cool shapes with mysterious purpose," creating something that told a story.{{Ref/Reuse|fore1}} Russel stated that in total, there "were probably 10 different versions of the city."{{Ref/Reuse|DeLeonpics}} | ||
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Developers known to have worked on Forerunner City include: | Developers known to have worked on Forerunner City include: | ||
*Rob Stokes (mission design and script) | *Rob Stokes (mission design and script) | ||
*[[Dan Miller]] (level designer){{Ref/Reuse|NeoGAFDan1 | *[[Dan Miller]] (level designer){{Ref/Reuse|NeoGAFDan1}} | ||
*[[Paul Russel]] (3D environment art){{Ref/Reuse|picasa | *[[Paul Russel]] (3D environment art){{Ref/Reuse|picasa}} | ||
*[[Vic DeLeon]] (3D environment art){{Ref/Reuse|condo}} | *[[Vic DeLeon]] (3D environment art){{Ref/Reuse|condo}} | ||
*[[Isaac Hannaford]] (concept art paintovers) | *[[Isaac Hannaford]] (concept art paintovers) | ||
*[[Lee Wilson]] ([[Halo 3 storyboards|storyboards]]) | *[[Lee Wilson]] ([[Halo 3 storyboards|storyboards]]) | ||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
This section | This section summarises the plot of the level, based on the first draft of the script submitted by Rob Stokes for further editing later on, and the mission design documentation posted on his website.{{Ref/Reuse|Stokes}} | ||
===Background=== | ===Background=== | ||
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===100LA_CITY_GATES=== | ===100LA_CITY_GATES=== | ||
;100LA01 EXT. ALPINE | ;100LA01 EXT. ALPINE | ||
The first section of the mission, titled | The first section of the mission, titled City Gates in the script, sees Master Chief enter the eponymous Forerunner City to find the control citadel for the entire [[Installation 00|Ark]] (referred to in the script as Waypoint). In this opening section, the player leads an attack force through the city's ruins toward the Citadel, facing off against [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] forces loyal to the Prophet of Truth. During the level, the Chief would receive a transmission from [[Miranda Keyes]] with a mission briefing, though it would be cut short abruptly due to Miranda and her people coming under attack - leading to Miranda's capture later in the level. | ||
During this section, level design documentation notes that as the player fights on, [[Flood spore]]s and tendrils would be visible beginning to creep up the structure and infect it. During the vehicular combat of the mission, the player would drive a [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tank alongside allied UNSC and [[Sangheili|Elite]] troops, facing off against Brutes in the streets. The combat would feature massive three- and four-way battles between the player, [[Covenant]], Flood, and [[Sentinel]] forces. Halfway through the mission, the tank convoy would be stopped by a barrier and forced into an engagement on foot, seemingly inside the vegetative and overgrown spaces shown off by Vic DeLeon (point C on the design document). | During this section, level design documentation notes that as the player fights on, [[Flood spore]]s and tendrils would be visible beginning to creep up the structure and infect it. During the vehicular combat of the mission, the player would drive a [[M808C Scorpion|Scorpion]] tank alongside allied UNSC and [[Sangheili|Elite]] troops, facing off against Brutes in the streets. The combat would feature massive three- and four-way battles between the player, [[Covenant]], Flood, and [[Sentinel]] forces. Halfway through the mission, the tank convoy would be stopped by a barrier and forced into an engagement on foot, seemingly inside the vegetative and overgrown spaces shown off by Vic DeLeon (point C on the design document). | ||
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===100LB_MIRANDA=== | ===100LB_MIRANDA=== | ||
The cutscene inside the Citadel would play out much akin to the final game's, albeit with less refined dialogue. The Arbiter and Chief enter the foyer and are subjected to see a live feed of Truth activating the [[Halo Array]]. He calls on his Brute bodyguards to bring Miranda - now captured - from the shadows with the intent of activating the rings. However, she struggles against her captor and is able to grab the Brute's pistol - holding it in the air and turning around. As the Brutes close in around her, Truth hides behind them. Miranda | The cutscene inside the Citadel would play out much akin to the final game's, albeit with less refined dialogue. The Arbiter and Chief enter the foyer and are subjected to see a live feed of Truth activating the [[Halo Array]]. He calls on his Brute bodyguards to bring Miranda - now captured - from the shadows with the intent of activating the rings. However, she struggles against her captor and is able to grab the Brute's pistol - holding it in the air and turning around. As the Brutes close in around her, Truth hides behind them. Miranda realises that they need her to activate the rings and starts to bring the gun to her own head, only to be stopped by Truth. Truth grabs her by the throat and then brings her over to the activation console - using her to activate the rings in much the same way as he uses [[Avery Johnson|Johnson]] in the final game. Finally, he then snaps Miranda's neck, killing her. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H3 TheCovenant Storyboard | File:H3 TheCovenant Storyboard 13.jpg|A [[Halo 3 storyboards|storyboard]] of Truth and Miranda. | ||
File:H3_TheCovenant_Storyboard_15.jpg|A storyboard of Truth, having killed Miranda. | File:H3_TheCovenant_Storyboard_15.jpg|A storyboard of Truth, having killed Miranda. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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With a brief respite in the fighting, Chief, Arbiter, and Spark ponder that the Flood is now truly unstoppable - they are on the Ark and the Halos cannot be fired anymore. However, Chief begins to see flashes of Cortana around him, and finds himself at a dark corridor. He heads down the corridor and finds himself at a console with a brief apparition of Cortana standing next to it. A single button can be pressed, which sees the walls of the chamber begin to unfold and reveal the Ark's core around them. A [[Installation 08|new Halo ring]] then arises from the [[Foundry (location)|foundry]] as in the final game. The dialogue plays out mostly the same, with Chief and Arbiter agreeing to light the ring, Spark flying off into the distance, and Chief making the decision to retrieve Cortana from the remains of High Charity. | With a brief respite in the fighting, Chief, Arbiter, and Spark ponder that the Flood is now truly unstoppable - they are on the Ark and the Halos cannot be fired anymore. However, Chief begins to see flashes of Cortana around him, and finds himself at a dark corridor. He heads down the corridor and finds himself at a console with a brief apparition of Cortana standing next to it. A single button can be pressed, which sees the walls of the chamber begin to unfold and reveal the Ark's core around them. A [[Installation 08|new Halo ring]] then arises from the [[Foundry (location)|foundry]] as in the final game. The dialogue plays out mostly the same, with Chief and Arbiter agreeing to light the ring, Spark flying off into the distance, and Chief making the decision to retrieve Cortana from the remains of High Charity. | ||
What would have followed next would be the level [[highcharity]], though in the final game this level was cut and replaced by the level [[Cortana]]. | |||
What would have followed next would be the level [[ | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
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== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:H3 TheLostCity LateStage.jpg|A later stage of the Lost City | File:LostCity skyscrapers.jpg|Some of the initial skyscraper designs. | ||
File:LostCity flipped.jpg|The early arcology model. | |||
File:LostCity cantilever.jpg|Closeup on the structure's cantilever pattern. | |||
File:LostCity final interior 1.jpg|A view of the interior space of the final design. | |||
File:LostCity final interior 2.jpg|Another view of the arcology interior. | |||
File:H3 TheLostCity LateStage.jpg|A later stage of the Lost City. | |||
File:H3_TheLostCity_Side.jpg|A side view of this later stage. | File:H3_TheLostCity_Side.jpg|A side view of this later stage. | ||
File:H3 Concept LostCityPaintover.jpg|Concept paintover of the previous screenshot | File:H3 Concept LostCityPaintover.jpg|Concept paintover of the previous screenshot. | ||
File:H3 Concept LostCity.jpg|Concept art of the Lost City's exterior, bearing extreme resemblance to the final game's Cartographer. | File:H3 Concept LostCity.jpg|Concept art of the Lost City's exterior, bearing extreme resemblance to the final game's Cartographer. | ||
File:LostCity_Origins.png|The city, as seen in ''Origins''. | File:LostCity_Origins.png|The city, as seen in ''Origins''. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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{{Ref/Sources}} | {{Ref/Sources}} | ||
{{Deleted Material}} | {{Deleted Material}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Levels]] | ||
