Forge/Halo 4

The initial reveal of Forge mode at RTX 2012 showing a redesigned Blood Gulch base in a UNSC-themed aesthetic style.

Forge is a multiplayer mode featured in Halo 4. Unlike Halo: Reach, which featured a total overhaul of how Forge functioned compared to its Halo 3 incarnation, Forge in Halo 4 was based on the Reach version and did not feature so many drastic changes. Despite this, Halo 4 expanded on map creation features significantly. The mode was first shown off at RTX 2012.

Changes from Forge in Halo: Reach

A map created on the Forge Island map showcasing the new UNSC-themed architecture.

Objects

• Inclusion of Halo 4 weaponry and vehicles including Promethean weapons, the Mantis and Halo 4 Armor abilities.
• Although most objects are the same/ similar geometry as the structures featured in Halo: Reach, the previously-Forerunner-themed objects have now been reskinned to resemble Human architecture, with white and grey paint.
• While still based on those featured in Reach, some object dimensions have been altered slightly. For example, bridges are no wider than their Reach incarnations.
• Map-specific objects and textures. Each Forge canvas features its own selection of unique map-themed objects (See Forge objects).
• Interactive objects such as deployable turrets, terminals and barricades to support the new Dominion gametype.
• Placeable Trait Zones that allow players to have their traits changed in select areas of the map.
• Changing an object's color now changes the color of the paint on the object as opposed to lights.

Object manipulation

• Inclusion of object duplication.
• Inclusion of a magnet system to allow players to easily snap objects to one another with little effort.
• The addition of baked lighting systems - when players exit editor mode into player mode, the lighting now bakes shadows onto the map.
• The object which players have selected is now highlighted green to prevent players from deleting objects by accident.

Restrictions

• Weapons can no longer be placed down on Infection maps, due to the mode's replacement by Flood. To offset this, weapons can only be spawned via Ordnance pods.
• Due to a glitch, the fine edit and zoom camera functionality from Reach was missing in the base Halo 4 game, making fine object placement more difficult. This glitch was corrected in the version of Halo 4 included in Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
• Object hitboxes and object textures are misaligned on some objects, making players appear as though they are floating above the floor or unable to shoot through holes in the wall.
• Magnets on objects were hand-placed and as such, were slightly misaligned if multiple objects were placed next to each other via magnet, requiring hand-placement of many objects.

Maps

Halo 4 released with three Forge canvases, a first in the series history.

• Erosion - an underground cave area with a UNSC interior facility attached.
• Impact - a UNSC facility set on an asteroid, allowing for forging in a space environment.
• Ravine - a Forerunner installation on Requiem similar in theme to past Halo levels such as Forge World.

Following user feedback that the available Forge spaces were too restrictive for map-making, 343 Industries released the free Forge Island DLC for all players in March 2013, featuring a massive skybox and flat land for Forging in an environment very similar to that of Forge World in Reach.

Changes for Halo: The Master Chief Collection

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Implemented objects

Gameplay Drivable vehicles Pelican Broadsword Unarmed Warthog

Props Vehicles and wrecks Lich Phantom

Gallery

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  Concept art for the round ramp Forge object.

• H4 UNSCManCannon Concept.jpg

  Concept art for a UNSC man cannon Forge object.