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| {{Title|''Halo: Chronicles''}} | | {{era|X}} |
| {{Status|RealWorld}} | | {{Ratings}} |
| [[File:Peter Jackson.jpg|250px|thumb|Peter Jackson.]]
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| '''''Halo: Chronicles''''' was a video game project set in the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' universe]] in development for the [[Xbox 360]]. Described as an ''"episodic interactive storytelling"'' project,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.gamesradar.com/ive-never-heard-of-a-motion-sensing-controller/2/|Site=GamesRadar|Page="I've never heard of a motion-sensing controller...|D=22|M=03|Y=2022}} ''Chronicles'' was to be developed by [[WingNut Interactive]], a video game development studio formed in 2006 from a partnership between [[Microsoft Game Studios]] and director [[Peter Jackson]]. ''Chronicles'' was in development since [[2006]]{{Ref/Site|Id=vice|URL=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xwqjg3/the-complete-untold-history-of-halo-an-oral-history#ulf-1|Site=VICE|Page=The Complete, Untold Story of Halo|D=21|M=03|Y=2022}} but was ultimately cancelled in [[2009]].{{Ref/Site|Id=IGN1|URL=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/25/peter-jacksons-halo-dead|Site=IGN|Page=Peter Jackson's Halo Dead|D=22|M=03|Y=2022}} | | {{Game Info Box |
| | |name='''''Halo: Chronicles |
| | |image= |
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| | |Developer=[[Bungie Studios]] & [[Wingnut Interactive]] |
| | |Publisher= [[wikipedia:Microsoft Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]] |
| | |US Date Released=TBA 2009 |
| | |ESRB=Rating Pending |
| | |Platform=[[Xbox 360]] |
| | |Media=DVD |
| | |Website= |
| | }} |
| | '''''Halo: Chronicles'''''<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13690</ref> is an episodic project that was announced at [[Microsoft]]'s official [[Xbox]] show, X06. |
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| ==Development and design== | | ==Background== |
| [[File:HCr Promethean Concept.png|thumb|Concept art for the "Promethean", by [[Isaac Hannaford]].]] | | [[Peter Jackson]] (director of such movies as ''King Kong'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' trilogy), with his recently-formed [[Wingnut Interactive]], is creating a episodic interactive story telling<ref>http://www.gamesradar.com/f/ive-never-heard-of-a-motion-sensing-controller/a-20080513165357655015/p-2</ref> set in the ''[[Halo]]'' universe, in partnership with [[Bungie Studios]], as confirmed by Microsoft on April 24th, 2008. The game is to be a "new chapter" and a "new series"{{fact}} in the ''Halo'' story, is slated to feature a new way to play games, and has been described by Jackson as the "filmiest game." |
| {{Quote|Joe came up with the concept of “be the bullet”. We wanted to take the player on this emotional and gameplay journey from just being human to being a modified human. Not modified in the sense that you just put on power armor, but where there’s biological shit actually happening to you.|[[Paul Bertone]]{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}}}
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| While ''Chronicles'' was in development, a select team of [[Bungie]] employees - namely [[Joseph Staten]] and design director Mike Woo - was working in New Zealand with Jackson. Gameplay designer [[Paul Bertone]] was involved as well for some time around the time of ''[[Halo 3]]''{{'}}s release.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}} When ''Chronicles'' was later cancelled, the team returned to Bungie to work on ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' instead.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2009/09/how-and-why-halo-3-odst-was-made-in-14-months/|Site=Kotaku|Page=How And Why Halo 3: ODST Was Made In 14 Months|D=12|M=09|Y=2009}} Staten in particular had a key role in coming up with ''Chronicles''{{'}}s story, as well as advising the WingNut writing team.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}
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| It was stated that ''Chronicles'' would "''focus on the intimate, personal aspect of war.''"{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185177|Site=CVG|Page=Xbox Previews: Halo Wars|D=26|M=03|Y=2008}} The player would have been an ordinary [[Marine]] rather than a [[Spartan]] and thus also weaker than in the prior games. Over the course of the game, however, the player character would acquire an "alien arm" and eventually be transformed into a powerful [[Forerunner]] warrior known as a [[Promethean]].{{Ref/Reuse|vice}} The player character was later stated by [[Paul Russel]] to be a human miner who had been captured by the [[Covenant]] and subjected to their [[slavery]], before finding the technology that would set him on his journey.{{Ref/Twitter|docabominable|1465147861411188738|Paul Russel|Quote=That was a weird ass story. A human miner, slave of the covenant, finds bits of forerunner tech that binds to him and he becomes a forerunner spartan, leads a rebellion, forms himself into a javelin and Captain Marvels through Covenant ships like they were butter.|D=27|M=04|Y=2022}}
| | Little is known yet about the story line, plot, etc. Hopefully more information will be in our grasp soon. |
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| The player would be able to switch into a different combat mode in which the only way to deal damage was through a powerful melee attack. Two weapons were available: one that would push enemies away, while the other would stun them in place. Other features included a double jump and an auto-aimed long-distance dash that could be initiated from mid-air. Many basic gameplay features were prototyped, notably a lowered camera and jump height, a slowed-down movement, and no recharging shields. These features were tested in modified versions of the first five missions of ''[[Halo 3]]''. The team found that they could downgrade surprisingly many of the player's base traits, although fewer alterations were made to weapons. Since the player would have been weaker, modifications were made to enemy behavior to retain gameplay balance. Paul Bertone and engineer [[Damian Isla]] worked on an enemy AI system called "kung-fu", in which only a couple of enemies would attack the player at a time even if more enemies were present; the others would either be hiding or in cover, only revealing themselves sporadically. Eventually, when the player was fully Promethean, they would be flying in low orbit and fighting [[Covenant cruiser]]s with the ability to turn into a missile and target specific parts of the ships. Gameplay prototyping for ''Chronicles'' was relatively far along, although because the story remained unfinished, the gameplay team could not start actually designing the campaign missions.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}
| | In the UK (United Kingdom) [[Xbox 360]] magazine ''Xbox World 360,'' it was speculated that the game will be more of an 'interactive movie' where some parts will be semi-playable, and certain decisions will lead to different outcomes that you then have to watch play out. It has also been stated that it will delve into Master Chief's back story, set for a release in winter of 2009. Bungie will likely provide supervision.<ref>''Xbox World 360'' Issue 61</ref> |
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| Ultimately, enthusiasm for the ''Chronicles'' project dropped as the Peter Jackson [[Halo film|''Halo'' film]] deal was cancelled; additionally, Bungie was beginning to have creative differences with the WingNut team.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}} After its cancellation, many of the gameplay features prototyped for ''Chronicles'' made it into ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. Meanwhile, the concept of the Prometheans was later reintroduced into the ''Halo'' canon via [[The Forerunner Saga]] and ''[[Halo 4]]''. Some story concepts developed for ''Chronicles'' resurfaced in the Neill Blomkamp film ''[[Wikipedia:District 9|District 9]]'', in which the human main character slowly transforms into an alien in a rather similar fashion as in the planned story of ''Chronicles''. Additionally, the film allegedly re-used many of the props originally created for the ''Halo'' film project. According to Bertone, Staten "had trouble" seeing the film because of its overt parallels to his story ideas.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}
| | It was confirmed by Shane Kim at GDC 07 that the project was an episodic title. According to Microsoft, Jackson is planning two episodic series for the Xbox 360. These games appear to be in a downloadable format. Microsoft went on to tell that the game is now in the development phase.<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13030 Industry News March 7, 2007]</ref> |
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| Several corporate [[Human starship|starships]] were concepted by Isaac Hannaford for ''Halo: Chronicles''.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/BkOYA|Site=ArtStation|Page=Halo 3 Spaceship designs and discards|D=27|M=9|Y=2021}}{{Ref/Twitter|Isaac_Hannaford|1464733627661488132|Isaac Hannaford|Quote=These were for the Peter Jackson related project|D=27|M=04|Y=2022}} He described them as used by a corporation, and said the ships were a mix of military and civilian themes. They are equipped with limited weapons and transport mercenaries and scientists.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.isaachannaford.com/2011/02/concept-ships.html|Site=Space Ship Guru|Page=Concept Ships|Detail=Comments section by Isaac Hannaford|Quote=the bottom two ships are a mix. They're owned by a corporation and they have some limited weapons mostly they just haul around mercenaries and scientists.|D=20|M=9|Y=2021}} Hannaford also designed a helmet for use by corporate security forces in the game; this helmet was later reused for the [[GUNGNIR-class Mjolnir]] helmet in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.{{Ref/Twitter|Isaac_Hannaford|1711962175613661379|Isaac Hannaford|Quote=I did not. Gungnir was actually a corporate security helmet for Peter Jackson’s Halo game. It didn’t happen so I repurposed it|D=13|M=10|Y=2023}}
| | In an interview, Shane Kim elaborated on the nature of the episodic content of ''Halo: Chronicles'', and on the relationship between Peter Jackson and Microsoft<ref>http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=188949</ref>: |
| <gallery>
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| File:Hcr CorporateStarships Concept.jpg|Two concepted starships.
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| File:HR GUNGNIRHelmet Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach''{{'}}s GUNGNIR helmet.
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| </gallery>
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| ==Production timeline==
| | {{Quote|But our deal with Peter is not about a movie guy making a game. What we've talked about - and he agrees with this - is how we can use Live as a medium to introduce episodic interactive storytelling. There's some people in our industry who can tell stories - but they're not Peter Jackson.|Shane Kim, interview}} |
| ===Announcement and development===
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| *In ''[[2005 (real world)|2005]]'', Peter Jackson first visits Bungie, marking the beginning of his collaboration with the studio.{{Ref/Reuse|vice}}
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| *On '''September 27, [[2006]]''', ''Halo: Chronicles'' was announced alongside ''[[Halo Wars]]'' at [[Microsoft]]'s [[wikipedia:X (Xbox show)#X06|X06]] trade show in Barcelona, Spain.{{Ref/Site|Id=Bungie|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13690|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update: 4/25/08|D=16|M=01|Y=2020}}
| | ==Build-up== |
| | As of the April 23rd, Microsoft has begun dramatically expanding the team working on the project |
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| *On '''March 7, [[2007 (real world)|2007]]''', Microsoft executive Shane Kim revealed that ''"two episodic series... the first [of which] is in the Halo universe"'' were still in early design phases.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/07/peter-jackson-working-on-episodic-halo-content/|Site=Joystiq|Page=Peter Jackson working on episodic Halo content|D=17|M=03|Y=2007}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=13030|Site=Gamasutra|Page=GDC: Microsoft Talks Episodic Halo Xbox 360 Series|D=22|M=03|Y=2022}}
| | {{Quote|Microsoft Game Studios has been hard at work collaborating with Peter Jackson on the development of (a Peter Jackson-helmed Halo project). At this time, it's necessary to grow the internal team to keep pace with development. Bungie will continue to remain involved in multiple aspects of the Halo Universe with MGS.| Microsoft spokesperson to [http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/04/23/is-microsoft-hiring-a-halo-team-for-peter-jackson-this-week/ MTV Multiplayer]}}<ref>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/23/rumor-microsoft-now-hiring-peter-jacksons-halo-team/</ref> |
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| *On '''May 14, 2008''', Kim states that Microsoft were in talks with Jackson about how ''"[they] can use Live as a medium to introduce episodic interactive storytelling"''.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/188949/interviews/shane-kim/|Site=CVG|Page=Shane Kim|D=07|M=04|Y=2011}}
| | On the same day, [[Bungie]] confirmed it in a Weekly Update: |
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| *On '''August 1, 2008''', it was reported that Microsoft were still hiring for ''Chronicles'', specifically for the creative director role, adding that candidates will be required to ''"bridge the gap between storytelling and the interactive experience while delivering on the Halo soul."''{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/194439/microsoft-still-hiring-for-halo-chronicles/|Site=CVG|Page=Microsoft STILL hiring for Halo Chronicles|D=25|M=10|Y=2022}}
| | {{quote|So what does this all mean? In a nutshell, Microsoft is building a development team to work on future Halo game titles - the first one being collaboration with Peter Jackson. Just like the upcoming Halo Wars from Ensemble, this isn't "our" game. However, having worked with him already, we are possibly more excited than you are to see what someone of Peter Jackson’s imagination, talent and resources can bring to a Halo game experience. Bungie will, however, continue to remain very much involved in multiple aspects the [[Halo Universe]] as part of our ongoing relationship with Microsoft.<br>Meanwhile, we're damn busy ourselves with a variety of projects underway within the studio including one that you'll be hearing more about in the very near future. Now that we control our own destiny we also have other longer term, top secret plans afoot. The wait for that may be a tad longer though.| [[Frank O'Connor]] <ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13690</ref>.}} |
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| ===Cancellation===
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| *On '''July 24, 2009''', the project was announced as cancelled, although Microsoft was ''"still looking into it"'' without the involvement of Jackson.{{Ref/Reuse|IGN1}} Jackson later stated the project ''"...sort of collapsed when the movie didn't end up happening."''{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/24/peter-jackson-halo-chronicles-no-longer-happening/|Site=Joystiq|Page=Peter Jackson: Halo Chronicles "no longer happening|D=26|M=07|Y=2009}}
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| *On '''July 28, 2009''', Microsoft stated ''"we’ve decided to put this joint effort on hold and prioritize resources against other projects like [[Halo 3: ODST]], [[Halo: Reach]] and [[Halo Legends]]."''{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/07/28/halo-chronicles-not-cancelled-but-on-hold-says-microsoft.htm|Site=Video Games Blogger|Page=Halo Chronicles not cancelled but on-hold, says Microsoft|D=22|M=03|Y=2022}}
| | In a January 2008 Bungie.net weekly update, It was mentioned that one of the [[Bungie]] employees "Managed to crash a [[Warthog]]", in a current build of the game, thus almost eliminating the prediction that the game would be an "Interactive Movie". |
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| ==Notes== | | This piece of information has been strangely overlooked and unconsidered; surprisingly considering this is the only piece of game play info that has been released to date. [July 11, 2008] |
| {{Ref/Notes}} | | |
| | However, the crashing of the warthog could also refer to their visit to WETA workshop, where an employee managed to crash the Warthog into a wall. |
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| | It was confirmed by Don Matrick in an MTV multiplayer interview that the new [[Bungie]] ''Halo'' project is neither ''[[Halo Wars]]'' nor ''Halo: Chronicles''. [http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/07/16/microsoft-confirms-bungie-is-developing-new-halo/] |
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| | ==1UP Rumor== |
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| | 1UP unveiled a rumor on their site on the 24th of April: |
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| | {{Quote|After shipping last fall's blockbusting Halo 3, revered developer Bungie stunned the world by announcing plans to liberate itself from Microsoft's ownership. Allegedly, that path to freedom requires that they develop a few more titles for Microsoft, and we've heard rumblings that the first one will be a Halo spin-off due in late 2009. Our spies tell us to expect a third-person action/adventure shooter hybrid that takes place before the original Halo, chronicling early skirmishes between the [[ODST|ODST troops]] and the [[Covenant]]. This may be the mentioned "Peter Jackson Halo Project" -- but WETA is definitely involved in some capacity. Look for a massive reveal around the time Gears of War 2 ships this fall...|1UP}} |
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| | ==Trivia== |
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| | *In the September 20, 2007 [[Bungie Podcast]], [[Joseph Staten]] accidentally affirmed that it is being codenamed "''Chronicles''". |
| | *The game has been stated to "''focus on the intimate, personal aspect of real war...''"<ref>http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185177</ref> |
| | *It has been rumored that a preview of ''Halo: Chronicles'' will ship with ''[[Halo Wars]]''<ref> http://softrockhallelujah.blogspot.com/2008/01/january-third-things.html </ref>. |
| | *Other than sporadic quotes by Officials, little to no information is known about the game, exemplifying the mystery entirely. |
| | *Peter Jackson has said that the game will blur the line between movies and games.{{fact}} |
| | *It is unconfirmed whether or not ''Halo: Chronicles'' will be DLC on the Xbox Live Marketplace, or be released on a disc. |
| | *It is rumored that the game will feature cel-shaded graphics, this is unconfirmed as of yet. |
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Navbox/Media/Games}} | | {{Halo Games}} |
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Chronicles, Halo}}
| | [[Category:Games]] |
| [[Category:Cancelled games]] | | [[ja:Halo: Chronicles]] |
