Assembly: Difference between revisions

Assembly
Map overview
Game:	Halo 3
Map file name (?):	descent
Lore information
Location:	Assembly Forges, High Charity
Gameplay overview
Terrain:	Artificial platform, Covenant assembly line
Map layout:	Symmetrical
Recommended number of players:	2-8
Recommended gametype(s):	Slayer; Team Slayer; Oddball; King of the Hill; Multi-Flag CTF; Assault;

Latest revision as of 02:03, October 26, 2024

This article is about the Halo 3 multiplayer map. For the AI group, see the Assembly.

“

The Covenant war machine continues its march to conquest; even with its head severed it is still dangerous.

”

Assembly is a Halo 3 multiplayer map which is part of the Mythic Map Pack, which additionally includes Orbital, and Sandbox. It was originally planned to be in the Legendary Map Pack under the name Purple Reign, but was cut out due to the fear that it wouldn't be finished on time. This map, along with Sandbox and Orbital was released February 26- March 3, 2009, depending on world region, with Halo Wars Limited Edition and was released to the Xbox Live Marketplace on April 9, 2009.

Setting[edit]

Assembly is set within the Assembly Forges, a Covenant manufacturing plant on High Charity.^[2] The map in particular is set inside a Deutoros-pattern Scarab manufacturing plant, in the midst of a gargantuan "lake" of Lekgolo worms. Above the map, a massive energy conveyor belt can be seen, with the level itself an "island" in the lake featuring machinery designed to decontaminate the Scarab shells in preparation for the city-sized Lekgolo colonies that will breathe life into the massive metal husks.^[3] The Scarabs appear as just torsos, without inner workings, legs, or armaments. The husks still appear energized.

A vertical panorama of the map, showing the assembly line.

The husks come out of a large orange hole of some kind on one end of the map, with the movement of machinery and releasing of steam. The device halts above the facility the players play upon, which has a large energy beam that leads up to a large ring around the husk. The beam then decontaminates the husk so Lekgolo worms can be inserted later on. The device gives off a large electric field and the husk shakes wildly. The husks then continue along their way in the same manner as they came into vision, exiting through a blue hole, once again with the movement of machinery and releases of steam.

Design[edit]

Assembly is located on an "island" of machinery in a sea of glowing green coolant. Overhead, legless Scarabs can be seen moving via an automated gravity beam. Assembly appears to be a structural support for the gravity beam. The facility is located within the Assembly Forges, a facility located aboard High Charity (prior to its destruction).

The map itself is bowl shaped, sloping toward the center. This bottom floor is dotted with pillars and walls for cover. It has an outer rim with four bridges, that connect to the two-story center structure, and has small structures on the rim intended as high ground. The bases are symmetrical, but the level actually has two distinct sides, with a lift on one side and what is referred to as the "dugout" on the other, making side differentiation better. Line of sight is generally open, with mid-range combat being optimal when on the second level. However, within the center structure and around the pillars that dot the bottom level, close combat is possible.

The map is focused on competitive playing, as it is a multi-story arena-style map. It features two "somewhat enclosed" bases, with one-way mirrors on the second floor (like those in interrogation rooms), where players are able to look out, but players outside are unable to see in.^[4]

Skull[edit]

Main article: Assembly Skull

The crest of the hidden Skull on this map appears to be what looks like that of the Lekgolo worms, referring to the Scarab assembly line in the distance.

Production notes[edit]

Assembly was being worked on as early as January 2008.^[4]^[5] The map was later talked about extensively as intended to be part of the Legendary Map Pack alongside "Cottonball" and "OK Corrall", given the working name "Purple Reign" - a reference to the Prince song of the same name.^[4] Following its removal from the Legendary Map Pack, the map would later have more details revealed alongside "Moonbase Alpha" and "Smuggler", in which it was stated the map would reveal more about the "Scarab-Hunter mystery".^[6] A digital sketch would later be released in July 2008.^[7]

Adding to this mystery, Luke Smith posted on a thread on the Bungie forums that "the name Assembly is extremely appropriate."^[8] It would be found that this comment, came after the release of the name of the map in the Weekly Update on the same day alongside screenshots.^[9] His comment would refer the fact that Scarabs are assembled within the facility. The Scarabs are carried along an assembly line, with the playable area of the map being one of the machines that constructs the Scarabs.

Trivia[edit]

You can get the Hammer Time Achievement for getting 5 gravity hammer kills on this map (during matchmaking).
The blue lines beneath where the Gravity Hammer spawns appear to make up the Marathon symbol. Also, another Marathon symbol appears in the blue lines inside the tubes at the top floor of either base and the "slopes" around it also make up the marathon symbol.
If you overload this map, the skull will disappear and the gravity lifts will stop working, but the animation for the rocket tower's lift is still there.
An eagle-eyed player can notice a blinking light that, when translated with Morse Code, says, "THANKS FOR PLAYING".^[10]
Seven different sets of glyphs appear, changing throughout playtime.

Gallery[edit]

Assembly Map.
An overview of the map, made by AscendantJustice.com. It's titled both as its old name, Purple Reign, and its official name, Assembly.
The Assembly heatmap.
A sketch up of Assembly by Lukems.
Assembly in a full view.
Another look at the Scarab.
Lekgolo as seen on Assembly.
An outside view of Assembly.
The Mauler and rocket launcher make appearances in Assembly, as seen in this image.
Screen showing the massive size of Assembly. Assembly is in the middle of the purple circle on the lower right.
The seven sets of Sangheili symbols.

Sources[edit]

^ Halo 3 Editing Kit, game file H3EK\tags\levels\dlc\descent\descent.scenario
^ ^a ^b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 163
^ Mythic Map Pack - description
^ ^a ^b ^c Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 18/01/08
^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 01/11/08 - Q: Are the orange worm-type thingies in the back of the Scarab the same things as the worms in Hunters, or is it just superficial resemblance? A: The resemblance is not just superficial. A future DLC map might expand upon that mystery.
^ Bungie.net: Weekly Update 5/23/08
^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 7/25/08
^ Bungie.net forums (dead link)
^ Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 08/29/08
^ YouTube - Halo 3 Assembly easter egg

External links[edit]

Joystiq: PAX '08 Gameplay Footage on Assembly

[H3EK-1] Halo 3 Editing Kit, game file H3EK\tags\levels\dlc\descent\descent.scenario

[EVG-2] Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 163

[3] Mythic Map Pack - description

[bwu_180108-4] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 18/01/08

[5] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 01/11/08 - Q: Are the orange worm-type thingies in the back of the Scarab the same things as the worms in Hunters, or is it just superficial resemblance? A: The resemblance is not just superficial. A future DLC map might expand upon that mystery.

[bwu_230508-6] Bungie.net: Weekly Update 5/23/08

[7] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update: 7/25/08

[8] Bungie.net forums (dead link)

[9] Bungie.net: Bungie Weekly Update 08/29/08

[10] YouTube - Halo 3 Assembly easter egg

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{era|X|H3}}
+{{Status|Gameplay}}
-{{Ratings}}
+{{Disambig header|the Halo 3 multiplayer map|the AI group|the Assembly}}
-{{New Content}}
+{{Title|Assembly}}
-{{Multiplayer Map Infobox
+{{Multiplayer map infobox
+|pagegamelabel=H3
 |name=Assembly
-|image=[[Image:Purpleinline.jpg|300px]]
+|image=[[File:H3 MP Assembly ENV-02-1-.jpg|300px]]
 |game=''[[Halo 3]]''
-|location= Unknown, presumably indoors or in a Covenant assembly line
+|devname=<code>descent</code>{{Ref/File|Id=H3EK|H3EK|H3EK\tags\levels\dlc\descent\descent.scenario}}
-|terrain=Unknown, but presumably mostly purple in color
+|map=
-|weapons=*[[Battle Rifle]]
+|location= [[Assembly Forges]], [[High Charity]]<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''p. 163''</ref>
-*[[Carbine]]
+|terrain= Artificial platform, Covenant assembly line
-|vehicles=
+|symmetry=Symmetrical
-|equipment=
+|playernumber=2-8
-|power-ups=
+|gametypes=*[[Slayer]]
-|gametypes=Slayer, Team Slayer, Crazy King, Oddball(most likely)
+*[[Team Slayer]]
-|playernumber=
+*[[Oddball]]
-|hided=true
+*[[King of the Hill]]
+*[[Capture the Flag|Multi-Flag CTF]]
+*[[Assault]]
 }}
-'''Assembly''' is the official name for the map that was announced in the [[Bungie Weekly Update]] (8/22/2007) <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15268]</ref>. It was originally planned to be in the [[Legendary Map Pack]], but was replaced by [[Blackout]] due to the fear that it wouldn't be finished on time. At the current time there is no known release date for this map.
-This Covenant themed map is a symmetrical battleground, not too unlike Midship but a bit larger. (NOTE: This is NOT Midship nor is it meant to be a remake of Midship, it’s purple, but otherwise it’s all new and awesome)<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15268]</ref>.
+{{Article quote|The Covenant war machine continues its march to conquest; even with its head severed it is still dangerous.}}
-It is symmetrical, with the middle of the map being lower than the rest<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12930]</ref>. According to the [[Bungie Weekly Update]] (1/4/2008) <ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13135]</ref>, it is entirely new. It is supposed to be full of mid to long range weapons, and it appears there will be multiple floors. This map is either based outdoors or inside a [[Covenant]] ship. This map was renamed in the 8/22/08 Bungie Weekly Update.[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15268]
+'''Assembly''' is a ''[[Halo 3]]'' multiplayer map which is part of the [[Mythic Map Pack]], which additionally includes [[Orbital]], and [[Sandbox]]. It was originally planned to be in the [[Legendary Map Pack]] under the name ''Purple Reign'', but was cut out due to the fear that it wouldn't be finished on time. This map, along with Sandbox and Orbital was released February 26- March 3, 2009, depending on world region, with ''[[Halo Wars: Limited Edition|Halo Wars Limited Edition]]'' and was released to the Xbox Live Marketplace on April 9, 2009.
-==Speculations==
+==Setting==
+Assembly is set within the [[Assembly Forges]], a Covenant manufacturing plant on [[High Charity]].{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} The map in particular is set inside a {{Pattern|Deutoros|Scarab}} manufacturing plant, in the midst of a gargantuan "lake" of [[Lekgolo]] worms. Above the map, a massive energy conveyor belt can be seen, with the level itself an "island" in the lake featuring machinery designed to decontaminate the Scarab shells in preparation for the city-sized Lekgolo colonies that will breathe life into the massive metal husks.<ref>'''[[Mythic Map Pack]]''' - ''description''</ref> The Scarabs appear as just torsos, without inner workings, legs, or armaments. The husks still appear energized.
+[[File:H3 Assembly Panorama.png|thumb||250px|A vertical panorama of the map, showing the assembly line.]]
+The husks come out of a large orange hole of some kind on one end of the map, with the movement of machinery and releasing of steam. The device halts above the facility the players play upon, which has a large energy beam that leads up to a large ring around the husk. The beam then decontaminates the husk so Lekgolo worms can be inserted later on. The device gives off a large electric field and the husk shakes wildly. The husks then continue along their way in the same manner as they came into vision, exiting through a blue hole, once again with the movement of machinery and releases of steam.
-===Design===
+==Design==
-Due to the name, possible origin, and structure of the level, some fans have speculated that this map will be set on a structure of [[Covenant]] origins, with the map possibly taking place on the ship similar to the [[Unyielding Hierophant]] or the [[Pious Inquisitor]]. According to the Bungie Weekly Update<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13931</ref>, this is going to be a brand-new map, squashing rumors that ''Purple Reign'' might be a remake of Halo 2's multiplayer map, [[Midship]].
+Assembly is located on an "island" of machinery in a sea of glowing green coolant. Overhead, legless Scarabs can be seen moving via an automated gravity beam. Assembly appears to be a structural support for the gravity beam.
+The facility is located within the [[Assembly Forges]], a facility located aboard High Charity (prior to its destruction).
-It is said to be nearly perfectly symmetrical, with the mid section being higher than the rest of the map. It is also said that it based outside with "some excellent line of sight and well thought-out vertical problems and opportunities<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13174</ref>".
+The map itself is bowl shaped, sloping toward the center. This bottom floor is dotted with pillars and walls for cover. It has an outer rim with four bridges, that connect to the two-story center structure, and has small structures on the rim intended as high ground. The bases are symmetrical, but the level actually has two distinct sides, with a lift on one side and what is referred to as the "''dugout''" on the other, making side differentiation better. Line of sight is generally open, with mid-range combat being optimal when on the second level. However, within the center structure and around the pillars that dot the bottom level, close combat is possible.
-The map is focused on competitive playing, as it is multi-story arena-style map. It features two "somewhat enclosed" bases, with one-way mirrors on the second floor (like those in interrogation rooms), where players will be able to look out, but players outside will be unable to see in<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13174</ref>.
+The map is focused on competitive playing, as it is a multi-story arena-style map. It features two "somewhat enclosed" bases, with one-way mirrors on the second floor (like those in interrogation rooms), where players are able to look out, but players outside are unable to see in.<ref name="bwu 180108">[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13174 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 18/01/08'']</ref>
-The arena is designed like a bowl, with the floor slightly concave and dotted with columns for cover. Four elevated walkways converge in a small bi-level center structure that sports a cache of important items.
+==Skull==
+{{Main|Assembly Skull}}
+The crest of the hidden Skull on this map appears to be what looks like that of the Lekgolo worms, referring to the Scarab assembly line in the distance.
-The map was originally intended for Slayer based games, but objective games are described as playable and frantic.
+==Production notes==
+Assembly was being worked on as early as January 2008.{{Ref/Reuse|bwu 180108}}<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13160 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 01/11/08''] -  ''Q: Are the orange worm-type thingies in the back of the Scarab the same things as the worms in Hunters, or is it just superficial resemblance? A: The resemblance is not just superficial. A future DLC map might expand upon that mystery.''</ref> The map was later talked about extensively as intended to be part of the [[Legendary Map Pack]] alongside "[[Avalanche|Cottonball]]" and "[[Ghost Town|OK Corrall]]", given the working name "Purple Reign" - a reference to the [[Wikipedia:Purple Rain|Prince song]] of the same name.{{Ref/Reuse|bwu 180108}} Following its removal from the Legendary Map Pack, the map would later have more details revealed alongside "[[Orbital|Moonbase Alpha]]" and "[[Cold Storage|Smuggler]]", in which it was stated the map would reveal more about the "Scarab-Hunter mystery".<ref name="bwu 230508">[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824 '''Bungie.net''': ''Weekly Update 5/23/08'']</ref> A digital sketch would later be released in July 2008.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14920 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update: 7/25/08'']</ref>
-===Mystery===
+Adding to this mystery, [[Luke Smith]] posted on a thread on the [[Bungie]] forums that "the name Assembly is ''extremely'' appropriate."<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=25304372 '''Bungie.net forums'''] (dead link)</ref> It would be found that this comment, came after the release of the name of the map in the Weekly Update on the same day alongside screenshots.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=15366 '''Bungie.net''': ''Bungie Weekly Update 08/29/08'']</ref> His comment would refer the fact that Scarabs are assembled within the facility. The Scarabs are carried along an assembly line, with the playable area of the map being one of the machines that constructs the Scarabs.
-Before Assembly was removed from the Legendary Map pack, it was stated that one of the maps would expand upon the Scarab-Hunter mystery. In a recent Weekly Update<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=13824</ref>, it was stated that, "One base of this open-air arena could end up getting called 'Energy side' and another call-out could end up 'Hunter side'", so it's probable that this was the map they were referring to.
-Adding to this mystery, Luke Smith stated on a thread on the Bungie forums that "the name Assembly is ''extremely'' appropriate."<ref>http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=25304372</ref> Possibiity; the map could have something to do with a Scarab producing factory?
 ==Trivia==
-*The former name of the map, ''Purple Reign'', could been a homonym with the TNT firework ''"purple rain"'', it could also be linked as a tongue in cheek reference to the song ''"Purple Rain"'' from the artist Prince, but it is most likely to refering to the dominance of the color purple on the map.
+*You can get the [[Hammer Time]] Achievement for getting 5 [[Gravity hammer (fiction)|gravity hammer]] kills on this map (during matchmaking).
-*A [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/06/technology/06game.html?_r=3&scp=1&sq=Bungie&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin screenshot] has been found in a NY Times blog that some thought was a Bungie employee working on a 3D model of Purple Reign, however, some people think that the structure is, in fact, a structure from [[High Charity]] and can be found on the Halo 2 levels [[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]] and [[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]. This would also fall into the scheme of the in-production name resembling the look of the level, while as the real name represents gameplay.
+*The blue lines beneath where the Gravity Hammer spawns appear to make up the [[Marathon]] symbol. Also, another Marathon symbol appears in the blue lines inside the tubes at the top floor of either base and the "slopes" around it also make up the marathon symbol.
-*Assembly was first announced to be part of the [[Heroic Map Pack]](At that time it was called Purple Reign instead), which was soon replaced by [[Foundry (Level)|Foundry]], and then announced to be part of the [[Legendary Map Pack]], but replaced by [[Blackout (Level)|Blackout]], which shows that this map project has been going on for quite a while in Bungie. This long delay of release may possibly mean that the map is currently finished or may be very close to being finished.
+*If you overload this map, the skull will disappear and the [[gravity lift]]s will stop working, but the animation for the rocket tower's lift is still there.
-*Although not a true screenshot, a pen rendering of the map was featured in the [[Bungie]] Weekly Update on July 25, 2008.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14920</ref>
+*An eagle-eyed player can notice a blinking light that, when translated with Morse Code, says, "THANKS FOR PLAYING".<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S11rMOv5vQI '''YouTube''' - ''Halo 3 Assembly easter egg'']</ref>
-*This map may be released with [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Space_Camp_%28Level%29 Space Camp] in the next [[Map_pack#Third_Unnamed_Map_Pack|map pack]].
+*[[Seven]] different sets of glyphs appear, changing throughout playtime.
-*Due to the color purple normally assoicated with [[Covenant]] set pieces, has caused fans to speculate a number of rumours about its location:
-**An unseen part of [[High Charity]], before Gravemind infected High Charity and took control.
+==Gallery==
-**It was believed to a remake of [[Halo 2|Halo 2's]] [[Midship]] or [[Gemini]] but [[Bungie]] later stated that this map is not a remake, debunking that rumor.
+{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
-**It was rumored that the map would be set on a Scarab or large mobile Covenant base. The pen drawing, shows a possible outline of the legs of a scarab in the top left corner of the picture.
+<gallery>
-*In the rendering there appears to be a [[Teleporter]] or a Grav Lift, suggesting that this map may have Teleporters or/and Grav Lifts to get around the map.
+File:HMCC H3 Assembly Map.png|Assembly Map.
-[[Image:Purple reign teleporter2.jpg|thumb|A possible teleporter or grav-lift (shown in the red box) on the up-coming map Assembly]]
+File:reign.png|An overview of the map, made by [http://blog.ascendantjustice.com AscendantJustice.com]. It's titled both as its old name, Purple Reign, and its official name, Assembly.
-*Assembly will be shown and playable for the first time at the Penny Arcade Expo.
+File:AssemblyHeatMap.jpg|The Assembly heatmap.
-*Due to its name "Assembly", and its possible connections to the Scarab-Hunter mystery, this may be a map that shows Scarabs on a assembly line.
+File:H3_Assembly_Sketch.jpg|A sketch up of Assembly by Lukems.
+File:Assembly 2.jpg|Assembly in a full view.
+File:Assembly Scarab.jpg|Another look at the Scarab.
+File:Halo3-LekgoloDetail.jpg| Lekgolo as seen on Assembly.
+File:Assembly.jpg| An outside view of Assembly.
+File:News H3 MP Assembly-3p03.jpg|The [[Type-52 Mauler|Mauler]] and [[M41 SPNKR|rocket launcher]] make appearances in Assembly, as seen in this image.
+File:Out_of_Assembly.jpg|Screen showing the massive size of Assembly. Assembly is in the middle of the purple circle on the lower right.
+File:Assembly glyphs.png|The seven sets of [[Sangheili]] symbols.
+</gallery>
 ==Sources==
-<references/>
+{{Ref/Sources}}
+==External links==
+*[http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/pax-2008-halo-3-assembly-hands-on/ '''Joystiq''': ''PAX '08 Gameplay Footage on Assembly'']
-{{Level}}
+{{Levels|H3|mode=yes}}
-[[Category:Halo 3]]
+[[Category:Mythic Map Pack]]
-[[Category:Multiplayer Maps]]