Editing Halo 2 E3 demo

{{Title|''Halo 2'' E3 demo}}

{{Status|RealWorld}}

|image=[[File:NM E303.png|300px]]

|Objective=Rendezvous with Sergeant Banks.

{{Quote|In the world of video game sort of mythic legends, I think the Halo 2 E3 demo is right up there. It's like the unicorn of the gaming industry.|[[Brian Jarrard]]{{Ref/YouTube|Id=mixer|Qp86KNbeCA8|The Moa Archive (UncookedMoa)|Halo 2 E3 2003 Demo Stream from 343 + Never Before Seen Alphas/Betas (1080p 60 FPS)|D=06|M=07|Y=2024}}}}

The '''''Halo 2'' E3 Demo''' was the first public real-time demonstration of ''[[Halo 2]]''{{'}}s gameplay. It was shown at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2003]], and revealed new designs for ''Halo 2'', including [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers|ODSTs]], [[BR55 battle rifle|Battle Rifles]] (which were originally going to be single-shot), [[Dual wielding|dual-wielding]], [[M7 SMG|SMG]]s, [[Jiralhanae|Brutes]], the [[M12G1 Gauss Warthog|Gauss Warthog]], among others. The demo is set in an early version of the [[Earth]] city of [[New Mombasa]]. While the [[Outskirts]] and [[Metropolis]] levels in the final game have some elements in common with the demo, it is a fully standalone mission created by Bungie out of demand for material to show at E3 amidst the exceedingly hectic development process of ''Halo 2''.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=yt cairo|xcSk8Rx_JTo|UPLYNXED|Halo 2 Anniversary - Cairo Station Campaign Gameplay and...|Time=810|D=06|M=07|Y=2024}}

 

Between [[2022]] and [[2024]], the mission was recovered and worked on by [[343 Industries]] and the [[Digsite]] community modding team with the goal of restoring the level to full functionality for play within the ''Halo 2'' component of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.{{Ref/Site|Id=CRF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-floor|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Floor|D=06|M=07|Y=2024}} The updated build was first showcased at the VKMT community modding showcase in 2022 in early form,{{Ref/YouTube|Id=VKMT|57DoNDDp3r8|Digsite Crew|Digsite Reveal - VKMT Showcase 2022|D=06|M=10|Y=2022}} before being formally unveiled at the Halo World Championships 2024, and was released as free downloadable mod on the [[Steam]] Workshop on November 9, 2024, to mark ''Halo 2''{{'}}s 20th anniversary.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HWC|Xo57pHb2y74|HALO|Community Stage at Halo World Championship 2024 - Day 2|Time=18831|D=06|M=10|Y=2024}} The mod can be downloaded from the [[Steam]] Workshop, [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3360515088 here].{{Ref/Site|Id=DDH2|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-demos-halo-2|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Disgite Demos: Halo 2|D=12|M=11|Y=2024}}

 

The demo runs on an early development version of the game engine and is built with the premise that the player—originally [[Joseph Staten]]—follows a heavily scripted path.{{Ref/Reuse|yt cairo}} For example, although the player is able to go "off script" and explore the level, there are certain cues to prompt them along; for example, the player will be teleported to the Gauss Warthog during the relevant portion of the demo regardless of their location on the map. Also, the player seemingly has unlimited health, ammunition and grenades. The dual [[M7 SMG|SMGs]] showcased in the demo are also not an example of true [[dual wielding]] as implemented in the final game, as the two weapons behave like a single one in terms of gameplay.{{Ref/Reuse|mixer}} However, another trick implemented for the SMGs is that the player has access to them from the beginning of the level; when the Marine offers the player to take his weapon, the player simply presses Y to switch weapons to the SMGs. The function to trade weapons with Marines was later added in for retail ''Halo 2''.{{Ref/Reuse|HWC}}

 

Several other oddities indicate the game's unfinished nature, such as the Marines in the [[medical tent]]s in the opening area, who cannot die and will continue to play their scripted animations even if the player attacks them.{{Ref/Reuse|mixer}}

 

On November 14, 2018, 343 Industries employees, [[Brian Jarrard]], Sean Cooper and [[Frank O'Connor]] revisited the E3 demo, along with several other early development ''Halo 2'' levels, in an online stream.{{Ref/Reuse|mixer}} Bungie and 343 Industries employees had previously commented that the demo would crash instantly if the player deviated from the scripted path, supposedly making it unworkable as an actual level.{{Ref/Reuse|yt cairo}}{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=4221|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Weekly What's What Update: Massive Attack!|Quote=Nope, the E3 demo you're talking about still works and is playable even, but is waaaaaaaay too buggy as it stands to ever be released.|D=14|M=10|Y=2014}} However, it was found during the stream that the demo is actually quite robust, as O'Connor did not manage to "break" it despite having deliberately set out to do so.{{Ref/Reuse|mixer}} The original demo was also later played on stage by [[Alex Wakeford]] at the Halo World Championships 2024, before demoing the remastered demo level running in ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''.{{Ref/Reuse|HWC}}

 

{{Quote|We have seen things… things a programmer wouldn’t believe… |Kenneth Peters, regarding the original ''Halo 2'' E3 demo's source code.{{Ref/Reuse|CRF}}}}

 

The work on actually restoring the demo level was overseen by General_101, with Ken Peters and [[Sean Cooper]] providing assistance from 343's end by looking into the internal archives and source depots for assets and files. At the outset, the team only had a few source BSPs and scenery objects to work with, but eventually were able to reverse-engineer the actual compiled builds to examine the original assets in conjunction with the new finds from internal archives. This included finding original animation source files, though many weren't compatible with the modern engine.{{Ref/Reuse|CRF}} In addition, due to the Digsite modding team not having a license to use Impersonator, a software used for generating lip-sync animations for dialogue, they had to recreate all of the lip sync animations by hand. Overall, the remastered demo has used as many of the original [[tag]]s, audio, and assets as were possible - with assets continuously updated throughout the production process as even better iterations of the original dev files were uncovered.{{Ref/Reuse|HWC}} However, some of these were modernised. For example, in the original demo, every single NPC had their own tag - these were updated to use the setup found in modern ''Halo 2''.{{Ref/Reuse|CRF}}

 

 

Following a humorous, fourth-wall-breaking introduction by [[Avery Johnson|Sergeant Avery Johnson]] designed to accompany the original E3 presentation by Bungie, the demo opens to a scene of the [[Earth]] city of [[New Mombasa]] under siege by the [[Covenant]]. The [[John-117|Master Chief]] is en route to a UNSC field command post turned field hospital to assist the marines in destroying an [[Zo'op-pattern Weevil|artillery cannon]] and securing the area. The [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]] lands and Master Chief exits with a few ODSTs to be introduced to Cpl. [[Perez]] who takes him through the field hospital to where [[Banks|Sergeant Banks]] is.

The Master Chief proceeds through the camp witnessing the new animations of allied AIs. He then passes through a destroyed building housing a Marine heavy Machine gun team and Sergeant Banks. Both are pinned down by Covenant forces. The Sergeant then calls in an airstrike on the [[Zo'op-pattern Weevil|artillery cannon]]. A flight of Longsword fighters promptly complies, launching a successful bombing run on the cannon. After the airstrike has occurred Banks gives the player his SMG, an introduction to the new feature of [[dual wielding]]. Using his new weapons, the Chief clears the area of Covenant troops before moving over a pile a debris and into an open street.

In the street there is a packed group of about seven Jackals with shields. Upon spotting the Chief they form a phalanx and begin to open fire with their plasma pistols. After a few moments of shooting, the group of Jackals are splattered by a pair of [[M12 Warthog|Warthogs]]. One of the Warthogs is the new Gauss Warthog, the driver instructs the Master Chief to man the Gauss Cannon on the back. Upon the Chief entering the turret, Warthogs drive around the street areas which are incidentally quite similar to the streets before the [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]] attack in the ''Halo 2'' level, [[Metropolis]]. After the Chief destroys a few {{Pattern|Ruwaa|Shadow}}s and [[Karo'etba-pattern Ghost|Ghosts]], the Warthog is boarded by a [[Jiralhanae|Brute]] who kills the Marines in the passenger and driver seat, prompting the Chief to exit the vehicle to take action against the boarder.

The Master Chief quickly kills the Brute and a few of his comrades with his battle rifle before being alerted by [[Cortana]] of a fast approaching Ghost. Chief proceeds to board this vehicle by hijacking the Ghost, introducing yet another new ''Halo 2'' feature.

Just after Cortana points out a Covenant ship in the sky, a barrage of glowing drop pods begin to land around the Chief. Elites step out of these Drop Pods and draw their [[Type-1 energy sword|energy swords]]. Chief responds holstering one of his SMGs and charging up a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenade]]. Cortana, noting Chief's action, teasingly says "bet you can't stick it" to which the Master Chief responds "You're on." As he lunges forward to toss the grenade, the demo ends.

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*'''Sergeant Johnson:''' "Stow it, son! These folks didn't wait in line to hear your lips flippety-flop! Knuckle up, and get ready to ''dance'', you pasty bastard.

 

 

*'''Sergeant Johnson:''' "What you good people are about to see, is an operation in progress. This is a real-time feed; no smoke-and-mirrors pre-recorded bullshit! Elements of the Covenant fleet have made landfall and occupied one of our cities. We will link up with our forces in-theater, and engage the enemy, and boot their sorry behinds back into the stratosphere!"

 

 

*'''Sergeant Johnson:''' "Yo! Demo biatch! Ya want anything? [pauses] Didn't think so. ''Kill the lights''!"

 

 

''A Pelican zooms into view. We see the Master Chief''

*'''Sergeant Johnson:''' "[[A Company|405th]] out of [[Diego Garcia]]."

*'''Spotter:'''{{Ref/Book|Id=storyboards|AoH|Page=150-155}} "Immediate. Grid Kilo 23 is hot. Recommend mission abort."

''In the back of the Pelican, We see ODSTs getting their weapons ready''

''The Pelican lands smoothly on top of the government building''{{Ref/Reuse|storyboards}}

*'''Marine #3:''' "No, no! Behind that ST."

 

*'''Marine #4:''' "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"

 

*'''Marine #3:''' "Three more! Coming left."

*'''Parsons:''' "Yeah?"

*'''Perez:''' "Is it clear?"

''Giant explosion rocks the building.''

*'''Marine #5:''' " Coño... Friendlies, moving out! Covering fire!"

''The Chief moves out onto the balcony. In the background, an artillery cannon fires a plasma mortar, which flies out overhead. The Master Chief uses his battle rifle to take out a couple Grunts he sees below, then moves on.''

*'''Sergeant Banks:''' "When I asked for reinforcements, I didn't think they'd send a [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]]."

*'''Sergeant Banks:''' "Tech Aids H.Q. This is Sergeant Banks. I got a hostile Artillery 200 meters east over my position. Bring smoke, over."

*'''Sergeant Banks:''' "Dammit, H.Q. is anybody on this freq!?"

''Overhead, two Longswords approach the Artillery Cannon, and destroy it, then continue on.''

*'''Sergeant Banks:''' "Dead on, Major! Target neutralized!"

*'''Sergeant Banks''': ''(to Master Chief)'' "Take my weapon, you'll need it."

''He gives the Master Chief two SMGs''

''Master Chief jumps off the balcony and into further battle. After clearing out the street, he goes into the damaged building, where more ''[[Kig-Yar|''Jackals'']]'' and Grunts appear.''

*'''Marine #7 (O.S.):''' "Frag and clear!"

''The Chief moves in.  The explosion hasn't killed the Covenant inside, but it has stunned them long enough for the Chief to kill them all.''

''The Chief exits the building and sees a group of Jackals, which get run over by a Gauss Warthog.''

*'''Marine Driver:''' "Could use a gunner, sir."

 

*'''Sergeant Banks:''' "We got your back."

''Two Ghosts appear''.

*'''Marine Driver:''' "Don't worry. I got 'em."

*'''Marine Passenger:''' "That's one!"

*'''Marine Passenger:''' "That's two! C'mon! Who's got more?"

''A second Phantom flies overhead. The Chief fires at it, but the Phantom is unaffected. It begins deploying [[Brute]]s.''

''A Brute drops in from the Phantom and lands on the hood of the Chief's Warthog. It kills both the Marine driver and passenger. The Chief jumps out and the Warthog crashes into the wall. The Chief kills the Brute by meleeing it with his weapon. He then shoots an abandoned car in the distance, blowing it up. The explosion kills a couple of nearby Brutes. The Chief then picks off a third Brute with his battle rifle.''

*'''Cortana:''' "Ghosts! To your right!"

*'''Cortana:''' "Wait for it…"

''The Chief shoots at the Phantoms, getting their attention, then makes a break for it.''

''The Chief's Ghost zooms off, and the camera follows it. Behind it, a Phantom approaches, followed by a ghost, and another Phantom. The camera zooms in on the Master Chief. He looks back. The first Phantom starts shooting at the Chief with the frontal turret, with another ghost leading the Chief. He narrowly misses the shots of [[plasma]]. The Phantom shoots at the "''Welcome to [[New Mombasa]]''" sign to stop the Chief. It ends up falling on the Phantom instead, and the Phantom flips on its side and explodes, while the Chief escapes.''

*'''Cortana:''' "Chief…"

''The Chief approaches a closing wall in the highway tunnel. He narrowly escapes, and scrapes the road behind him as he slides down the bridge.''

*'''Cortana:''' "Bingo! There's the cruiser! Now all we need to do… is…"

''Covenant drop pods descend from the sky.''

*'''Sangheili:''' "Wort! Wort! Wort!"

[[File:H2-E3-MasterChief-PlasmaGrenade.jpg|thumb|200px|Cortana: "Betcha can't stick it." Master Chief: "You're on."]]

*'''Cortana:''' "Bet'cha can't stick it…"

''The Chief pulls out a [[Anskum-pattern plasma grenade|plasma grenade]] and activates it.''

''The demo ends.''

* The Battle Rifle Has a slower version of the CE Assault Rifle Reload Animation.

* The Master Chief fires the SMGs at the same time, and he never reloads them.

* In addition, when the Master Chief changes to the Battle Rifle from the SMGs, he doesn't drop the other SMG. This led many viewers to assume that the "dual SMGs" were a single weapon.

* The Battle Rifle is semi-automatic, and has no ammo counter, making it more like the later [[Designated Marksman Rifle]] featured in Halo: Reach.

* The Shadow's turret shoots green plasma blasts that look like charged plasma pistol shots, not purple shots. Also, it fires at a more regular pace, not getting faster as it shoots, as it does in the final release when manned by Elites.

* The [[Type-25 Brute Shot|Brute Shot]] shoots like a large plasma projectile which flies straight instead of the frag grenade that falls and bounces after a few feet.

* The [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|Plasma Pistol]] fires a larger bolt.

* The Phantoms have a different appearance and are destructible.

* Brutes bleed purple, but in the final game, they bleed dark blue.

* When Master Chief hijacked the Ghost, he stood on the Ghost for a considerable amount of time before he kicked the driver out.

* The Battle Rifle's melee attack shows three different animations at the same time instead of only one at a time—this was the first animation shown by Bungie of their proposed "melee combo" system, which was cut out of the final game due to time constraints.

* When the Chief shoots a Phantom with a [[M68 Gauss cannon|Gauss Cannon]] a green and blue plasma spark appears.

* The back of the [[Kez'katu-pattern Phantom|Phantom]] is open and the troops disperse like on a [[D77-TC Pelican|Pelican]]. Also, it has two bay doors on its sides with mounted [[Shepsu-pattern plasma cannon|plasma cannons]], giving it a closer resemblance to its ''Halo 3'' rendition.

* If one looks closely at the Elites' energy swords, they can tell that they have the same appearance as the ''Halo 3'' ones, with the pointed edges around the hilt when turned on.

* Jackal shields are a bright fluorescent blue, instead of bluish-green in the final version.

* The Jackal shields appear to be a figure-8 shape, instead of the circular shape seen in the final game.

* Jackals are also seen moving forward together in a phalanx formation (as opposed to just running around normally) shortly before being run over by Warthogs at 4:46.

* The Ghost's fire mode is different to that of the final version. In the final version, the mode was alternating blasts from each Plasma Cannon. Here, it was more like Halo 1's fire which fired both Cannons at the same time. The rate of fire was also increased and the plasma bolts travel faster.

* There is a huge increase in the number of Grunt death animations where they stop in their tracks when killed attempting to shoot the player one last time before slowly falling forward. Few of the killed Grunts in the trailer perform the classic "Grunty Death Backflip" when killed with Battle Rifle fire.

* Street lamps and lighting objects cast real-time shadows. Most dynamic light objects still exist in the final game but are set to not cast dynamic shadows by default. This flag can be toggled on objects in the Halo 2 Editing Kit, also explained by Joe Staten in the H2 developer commentary on 4:48.

*During the 2022 VKMT community modding showcase a [[Rex]] Easter egg can be spotted inside the main building before going up the stairs.{{Ref/Reuse|VKMT}}

 

 

File:H2-Concept-E3-Chief.jpg|Concept art of John-117 priming a plasma grenade.

 

File:H2E3_John117_Turret.jpg|John-117 manning an [[M247 general purpose machine gun]].

File:H2E3 Demo Master Chief.jpg|Master Chief in the Battle of New Mombasa.

File:H2 E3 Demo Shadows.jpg|A close-up of the Shadows in the demo.

 

 

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp86KNbeCA8 2018 343 Industries stream playing the demo]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57DoNDDp3r8 2022 VKMT Showcase Digsite trailer, featuring an early version of the remastered E3 demo]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo57pHb2y74&t=18831s Halo World Championships 2024 livestream featuring Digsite, Alphamoon, the Halo 2 E3 Demo, and the Digsite remaster]

*[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3360515088 ''Steam Workshop'' - Digsite-restored Halo 2 E3 Demo]

{{Ref/Sources}}

 

[[Category:Halo 2 trailers]]