Cut Halo: Reach ambient life: Difference between revisions
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===Early Gúta=== | ===Early Gúta=== | ||
{{Main|Gúta}} | {{Main|Gúta}} | ||
Concepted by [[Isaac Hannaford]], the Gúta went through several revisions and rounds of development before reaching the form found in the final game. Early ideas showcased the creature as potentially being ridden by [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]], with later in-game prototyping exploring the ideas of [[Sangheili|Elites]] and [[Unggoy|Grunts]] riding them.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} Later ideas suggested the Gútas were to have fur on their backs and arms - something that was | Concepted by [[Isaac Hannaford]], the Gúta went through several revisions and rounds of development before reaching the form found in the final game. Early ideas showcased the creature as potentially being ridden by [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]], with later in-game prototyping exploring the ideas of [[Sangheili|Elites]] and [[Unggoy|Grunts]] riding them.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} Later ideas suggested the Gútas were to have fur on their backs and arms - something that was conceived and modeled, though ultimately scrapped.{{Ref/Twitter|___Gal4xy___|1486153159668076546|Galaxy|Quote=Fun Fact: At one point the Guta's (Mule) were going to have fur. It was tested then scrapped.|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}} | ||
Early code for the creature (named "mule" in-development) suggests they were to have an acid spit attack{{Ref/Twitter|zeddikins|1485807846277136387|zeddikins|Quote=apparently the guta were going to spit on you?|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}}, while another similar prototyped mechanic had the Gúta "vomit hot rocks".{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} Another possibility tested in development was for the Gúta to have shoulder-mounted cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} | Early code for the creature (named "mule" in-development) suggests they were to have an acid spit attack{{Ref/Twitter|zeddikins|1485807846277136387|zeddikins|Quote=apparently the guta were going to spit on you?|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}}, while another similar prototyped mechanic had the Gúta "vomit hot rocks".{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} Another possibility tested in development was for the Gúta to have shoulder-mounted cannons.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentaryGuta}} | ||
Prior to their downscaled role in the game, the Gúta were intended to be in two other missions alongside [[Nightfall]]. Alongside the ability of the Covenant to ride Gutas, some explorations were done for them to be | Prior to their downscaled role in the game, the Gúta were intended to be in two other missions alongside [[Nightfall]]. Alongside the ability of the Covenant to ride Gutas, some explorations were done for them to be ride-able by the player - and for the player to be able to [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|board]] the Gúta by climbing up its back and kill it by planting a grenade in its mouth.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=DevCommentaryGuta|t_1LxdgGkOg|Ryan's Edits|Halo Reach Developer Commentary (2010)|Time=2054|Detail=34:14}} | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:HR_Guta_Concept_1.jpg|Early designs of the gúta. | File:HR_Guta_Concept_1.jpg|Early designs of the gúta. | ||
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The hawk was a bird included in ''Reach'', where it can be found in the sky during the mission [[Winter Contingency]]. It was modelled and textured by artist [[:Category:Images by Zeke Garcia|Zeke Garcia]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/0XkJy|Site=ArtStation|Page=Hawk Halo Reach|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Bm5rA|Site=ArtStation|Page=Hawk Halo Reach|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}} This bird is presumably the "eagle" mentioned by Bungie during the developer commentary for ''Reach''; the original intent for the game's [[Legendary]] difficulty ending would see the bird fly down and land on [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]]'s helmet, during [[Catherine Halsey|Halsey]]'s narration.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=DevCommentary|t_1LxdgGkOg|Ryan's Edits|Halo Reach Developer Commentary (2010)|Time=6880|Detail=1:54:40}} A number of other similar birds can be found in other levels. | The hawk was a bird included in ''Reach'', where it can be found in the sky during the mission [[Winter Contingency]]. It was modelled and textured by artist [[:Category:Images by Zeke Garcia|Zeke Garcia]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/0XkJy|Site=ArtStation|Page=Hawk Halo Reach|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}}{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/Bm5rA|Site=ArtStation|Page=Hawk Halo Reach|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}} This bird is presumably the "eagle" mentioned by Bungie during the developer commentary for ''Reach''; the original intent for the game's [[Legendary]] difficulty ending would see the bird fly down and land on [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]]'s helmet, during [[Catherine Halsey|Halsey]]'s narration.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=DevCommentary|t_1LxdgGkOg|Ryan's Edits|Halo Reach Developer Commentary (2010)|Time=6880|Detail=1:54:40}} A number of other similar birds can be found in other levels. | ||
The hawk showcased in the early development images below displays some subtle changes from the one featured in | The hawk showcased in the early development images below displays some subtle changes from the one featured in the final game, having no legs and a more reddish hue. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:HR_ReachHawk_HiPoly.jpg|The high-poly model for the hawk. | File:HR_ReachHawk_HiPoly.jpg|The high-poly model for the hawk. | ||
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===Spadehorn=== | ===Spadehorn=== | ||
{{Main|Spadehorn}} | {{Main|Spadehorn}} | ||
The Spadehorn was originally to appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' as ambient wildlife. {{Ref/Book|AoBW|Page=171}} Concept sketches were created for eight different varieties of the creature; the ''Highlands Spadehorn'', ''Prairie Spadehorn'', ''Angelhorn'', ''Ringhorn'', ''Hammerhorn'', ''Pryhorn'', ''Devilhorn'', and ''Godhorn'', each with different shaped horns. Spadehorns were intended to have an unusual genetic adaptation - horns | The Spadehorn was originally to appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' as ambient wildlife. {{Ref/Book|AoBW|Page=171}} Concept sketches were created for eight different varieties of the creature; the ''Highlands Spadehorn'', ''Prairie Spadehorn'', ''Angelhorn'', ''Ringhorn'', ''Hammerhorn'', ''Pryhorn'', ''Devilhorn'', and ''Godhorn'', each with different shaped horns. Spadehorns were intended to have an unusual genetic adaptation - horns that are flat and tough rather than brittle and pointy like those of their Earthbound cousins. The shovel-like horns were intended to dig through the rocky or frozen soil in Reach's boreal regions, though some variations were used instead to carve moss or lichen from sheer rock, or strip the bark from Reach's indigenous trees.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.instagram.com/p/B3VXyrUDQF-/|Site=Instagram|Page=Halo Reach - Spadehorn exploration (2008)|Quote=Animals in the Bovid family on Reach have an unusual genetic adaptation - their horns become flat and rough rather than point and brittle, like those of their Earthbound cousins. These shovel-like surfaces are used to dig through the rocky (and often frozen) soil in Reach's boreal regions. Other variations allow these goat-like creatures to carve moss or lichens from sheer rock, or strip the fibrous bark from Reach's indigenous trees.|D=17|M=1|Y=2022}} Spadehorns did keep their place in ''Halo'' canon, serving as the in-universe namesake for the [[Spade]] truck drivable in-game, and later being recreated in ''[[Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved]]''. | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:HR SpadehornSkull HiPoly.jpg|A high-poly model of the Spadehorn's skull. | File:HR SpadehornSkull HiPoly.jpg|A high-poly model of the Spadehorn's skull. | ||
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===Slug=== | ===Slug=== | ||
The slug was another creature intended to inhabit Reach. The creature was modelled by artist [[:Category:Images by Zeke Garcia|Zeke Garcia]], and was fully | The slug was another creature intended to inhabit Reach. The creature was modelled by artist [[:Category:Images by Zeke Garcia|Zeke Garcia]], and was fully textured and animated before it was cut.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.artstation.com/artwork/8lnKO|Site=ArtStation|Page=Slug Halo Reach|D=11|M=02|Y=2022}} The slug was (possibly jokingly) mentioned by Bungie as intended to be used in the game's Legendary ending.{{Ref/Reuse|DevCommentary}} | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:HR ReachSlug HiPoly.jpg|The Reach slug high-poly model. | File:HR ReachSlug HiPoly.jpg|The Reach slug high-poly model. | ||
Revision as of 01:55, September 19, 2022
| This page discusses elements of deleted material and cut content. Some information on the page is sourced from game files and may not be verifiable through external sources. Where possible, such information should be clearly-marked and replaced with a proper external source as soon as one is available. |
- "You might be thinking to yourself, “Wait! Ambient life is really important!” but the cold, hard truth of the matter is that adding the correct animations for this little guy might impact other, way more important aspects of the game. It’s gotta go."
- — Eric Osborne discussing the porcupine.[1]
This article is part of a series on
Halo: Reach cut content
- Cut content
- Development
To check out cut content for other Halo games, see here!
During the game's development, Halo: Reach was intended to feature a large variety of ambient life to populate the wilderness of the titular planet. The fauna covered on this page are one of many examples of cut ambient life in Halo games.
Early wildlife revisions
Early Gúta
- Main article: Gúta
Concepted by Isaac Hannaford, the Gúta went through several revisions and rounds of development before reaching the form found in the final game. Early ideas showcased the creature as potentially being ridden by Jackals, with later in-game prototyping exploring the ideas of Elites and Grunts riding them.[2] Later ideas suggested the Gútas were to have fur on their backs and arms - something that was conceived and modeled, though ultimately scrapped.[3]
Early code for the creature (named "mule" in-development) suggests they were to have an acid spit attack[4], while another similar prototyped mechanic had the Gúta "vomit hot rocks".[2] Another possibility tested in development was for the Gúta to have shoulder-mounted cannons.[2]
Prior to their downscaled role in the game, the Gúta were intended to be in two other missions alongside Nightfall. Alongside the ability of the Covenant to ride Gutas, some explorations were done for them to be ride-able by the player - and for the player to be able to board the Gúta by climbing up its back and kill it by planting a grenade in its mouth.[2]
Early designs of the gúta.
Early designs of the gúta.
The gúta's near-finalized design.
Concept art featuring two Kig-Yar riding a gúta.
Concept art featuring two Kig-Yar riding a gúta.
A screenshot of the early model, featuring fur.
A screenshot of the early model, featuring fur.
A screenshot of the early model, featuring fur.
A screenshot of the early model, featuring fur.
Hawk
- Main article: List of animals
The hawk was a bird included in Reach, where it can be found in the sky during the mission Winter Contingency. It was modelled and textured by artist Zeke Garcia.[5][6] This bird is presumably the "eagle" mentioned by Bungie during the developer commentary for Reach; the original intent for the game's Legendary difficulty ending would see the bird fly down and land on Noble Six's helmet, during Halsey's narration.[7] A number of other similar birds can be found in other levels.
The hawk showcased in the early development images below displays some subtle changes from the one featured in the final game, having no legs and a more reddish hue.
The high-poly model for the hawk.
The hawk in-game in an early build.
The hawk in the final release.
Cut wildlife
Porcupine
The porcupine was a creature intended to inhabit Reach. It was ultimately cut due to animations issues in which the creature would only float above the ground, with little time to fix prior to Zero-bug release.[1]
![Porky the porcupine, as posted in the Bungie Weekly Update.[1]](https://halo.wiki.gallery/images/thumb/3/35/HR_Porky.jpg/131px-HR_Porky.jpg)
Porky the porcupine, as posted in the Bungie Weekly Update.[1]
The porcupine in-game.
The porcupine in-game.
The porcupine in-game.
The porcupine in-game.
The porcupine in-game.
![Porky the porcupine, as posted in the Bungie Weekly Update.[1]](/File:HR_Porky.jpg)
Fish
Several fish species were present in early builds.
Goat-like creature
A creature resembling a goat was present in the tags build, though ultimately cut. Little else is known of it.[8]
The goat-like creature.
The goat-like creature.
The goat-like creature.
The goat-like creature.
Spadehorn
- Main article: Spadehorn
The Spadehorn was originally to appear in Halo: Reach as ambient wildlife. [9] Concept sketches were created for eight different varieties of the creature; the Highlands Spadehorn, Prairie Spadehorn, Angelhorn, Ringhorn, Hammerhorn, Pryhorn, Devilhorn, and Godhorn, each with different shaped horns. Spadehorns were intended to have an unusual genetic adaptation - horns that are flat and tough rather than brittle and pointy like those of their Earthbound cousins. The shovel-like horns were intended to dig through the rocky or frozen soil in Reach's boreal regions, though some variations were used instead to carve moss or lichen from sheer rock, or strip the bark from Reach's indigenous trees.[10] Spadehorns did keep their place in Halo canon, serving as the in-universe namesake for the Spade truck drivable in-game, and later being recreated in Halo Mash-Up: Minecraft Evolved.
A high-poly model of the Spadehorn's skull.
Concept sketches of different Spadehorns
Early exploration concepts for the Spadehorn
Exploration concepts for the Highlands Spadehorn and Prairie Spadehorn
Exploration concept for the Highland Spadehorn
A model of the Spadehorn (back, far-right) in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
A model of the Spadehorn in-game.
Squirrel
- "Marcus, we cut the porcupine, but we saved the squirrel."
- — Bungie developers reporting the squirrel's survival of early bugtesting to Marcus Lehto.[1]
The squirrel was a creature intended to inhabit Reach, and exists in the tags build complete with textures and idle animations.[11] At some point, the porcupine was cut from the game so the squirrel could live, though the squirrel ultimately never made it to the final release, having been cut several weeks later.[1][12]
The squirrel.
An image of the space squirrel, posted in the Bungie Weekly Update.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
The squirrel in-game.
Slug
The slug was another creature intended to inhabit Reach. The creature was modelled by artist Zeke Garcia, and was fully textured and animated before it was cut.[13] The slug was (possibly jokingly) mentioned by Bungie as intended to be used in the game's Legendary ending.[7]
The Reach slug high-poly model.
The underside of the slug.
Reach slug.
The slug in-game.
The slug in-game.
The slug in-game.
The slug in-game.
The slug in-game.
The slug in-game.
Sources
- ^ a b c d e Bungie.net, Bungie Weekly Update: 06.11.10 (Retrieved on Jul 25, 2019) [archive]
- ^ a b c d YouTube - Ryan's Edits, Halo Reach Developer Commentary (2010): 34:14
- ^ Twitter, Galaxy (@___Gal4xy___): "Fun Fact: At one point the Guta's (Mule) were going to have fur. It was tested then scrapped." (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Twitter, zeddikins (@zeddikins): "apparently the guta were going to spit on you?" (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ ArtStation, Hawk Halo Reach (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ ArtStation, Hawk Halo Reach (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ a b YouTube - Ryan's Edits, Halo Reach Developer Commentary (2010): 1:54:40
- ^ Twitter, Galaxy (@___Gal4xy___): Images of the goat (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Halo: The Art of Building Worlds, page 171
- ^ Instagram, Halo Reach - Spadehorn exploration (2008): "Animals in the Bovid family on Reach have an unusual genetic adaptation - their horns become flat and rough rather than point and brittle, like those of their Earthbound cousins. These shovel-like surfaces are used to dig through the rocky (and often frozen) soil in Reach's boreal regions. Other variations allow these goat-like creatures to carve moss or lichens from sheer rock, or strip the fibrous bark from Reach's indigenous trees." (Retrieved on Jan 17, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Twitter, Galaxy (@___Gal4xy___): "Sad to see all this cut wildlife from Reach." (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
- ^ Bungie.net, Bungie Weekly Update: 06.25.10 (Retrieved on Jul 25, 2019) [archive]
- ^ ArtStation, Slug Halo Reach (Retrieved on Feb 11, 2022) [archive]
