Pre-Xbox Halo
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Before XBox, before Halo: Combat Evolved there was a Halo game that was originally announced for the Mac as a 3rd-person shooter. The game development time was from around 1998 to the release of Halo: Combat Evolved, originating as a Myth-style strategy game[1] before turning into an over-the-shoulder cooperative netgame, and finally being retooled as a straight-up FPS for the XBox port. As the game then evolved along the way some vehicles and weapons were cut and others had complete overhauls. Below are some examples of lost or heavily modified game play items:
RTS Gameplay
In the beginning stages of the halo series, it was first going to be an RTS game for the MAC. Some of the known elements of the early render include the:
- Heavy Trooper (Average foot soldiers. A.K.A the Marines or Spartans or both.)
- Toolbar (Used to select, command, etc.)
- Groundblast (Unknown, mostly likely scenery.)
- Zedsu (Tank. Possibly early version of the Scorpion.)
- Bunker ("building." Scenery.)
- Scoutcar A.K.A Hummer ("Early Version of the Warthog.")
- Horseshoecrab tank (Tank. Possibly early version of the Scorpion.)
- Alien Tank (Possibly early version of the Wraith.)
- Mowitser (Alien? Vehicle?)
- Aliens A.K.A Covenant Minion or possibly even Flood ("Those aliens look like crabs.")
- Starfighter(?) (Possibly Longsword or Shortsword)
- Propane or Gas Tanks(?) (Scenery or "buildings.")
- Elephant(?) (Possibly early version.)
- Cougar (?) (Possibly early version.)
- Wolverine(?) (Possibly early version.)
- Rhino(?) (Possibly early version.)
- 3 different types of tanks(?) (Hard to tell. Possibly three versions of UNSC tanks)
- Ghost (Early Version)
- 3 Completely Unknowns (Hard to tell.)
Note: Everything mentioned above is from the Pre-xbox Halo Evolution video (RTS part). Changes to the above are expected.
Helicopter
In the early renders of the Halo series, there was originally going to be a helicopter. The vehicle A.K.A Hornet is found in Halo 3 which brings the helicopter idea to life.
Bloodwake and Yoshi Island
During the Evolution of Halo video Part 1, a Bungie employee mentions the word "Bloodwake." It appears to be an early halo level and might possibly be the early version of the multiplayer map "Blood Gulch." The name Yoshi Island was also used which is also probably another early halo level. It might in fact be an early version of the multiplayer map "Death Island."
Watercraft
"Dual-carrot craft." Regular inflated raft. In the Halo 3 level The Storm, there is a vehicle that resembles it. However it's just scenery, and is not drivable like it was in the early stages of Halo.
Weapon Across back
In the early versions of Halo, the secondary weapon you had would be placed on your back. This is finally experienced in Halo 3.
Broken Halo
In the early stages of the game, Halo was supposed to be broken. This could point to the destruction of Installation 04 or the creation of the second Installation 04. "It's a little prelude to what happens in the future." -Bungie employee
Stealth Tank
A Tank found in the early versions of Halo. Possibly early version of the Rhino.
Transport Warthog or Mongoose
Presented in the Evolution of Halo Part 1. Warthog or ATV that lacks the mounted chain gun. Both made appearances in Halo 3.
Elephant
Huge crane like vehicle. More like a Huge APC. Made appearance in Halo 3.
Blind Wolf
Ridable creature found on Installation 04. (Look on the deleted material section to see full article).
Warthog with 64 Malc gun(?)
Hard to comprehend what the Bungie employees said. Probably an early version of the chaingun Warthog found in all three halo games.
Spear Gun
Gun that is meant to shoot at underwater enemies. (?) (Look on the deleted material section of the wiki to see full article.)
Early renders of common guns found in most of the Halo games
- Assault rifle (Had ability to shoot grenades as a secondary projectile. Replaced with Flashlight. Grenade projectile most likely switched to the Brute Shot in later stages of the game.)
- Flamethrower (Made it into Halo: Combat Evolved PC Multiplayer and Halo 3.)
- Pistol (Found in all three games.)
- Sniper Rifle (Found in all three games.)
- Shotgun (Found in all three games.)
- SMG (Definitely was toned down on effects.)
- Anti-air Rocket Launcher (Replaced with Missile Pod.)
- Anti-Armor Rocket Launcher (Found in all three games.)
Gatling Gun
The Gatling Gun was a weapon originally designed for the Pre-Xbox Halo Combat Evolved. It seemed to be a hand-held version of the M41 LAAG, but, as it was not put into the game, it's characteristics are unknown.
There have been several mods, using Halo Custom Edition, that have integrated the Gatling Gun into the game, using the handle and base of the Flamethrower, but replacing the adhesive projector with the barrel of an M41 LAAG.
It would appear that the weapon has finally come to light in the form of Halo 3's AIE-486H
Machete
A Machete was at one point part of the Halo game play. If you think about it, the machete could have been incorporated into the brute shot on purpose. This would make sense since the blade is metal and if the machete made it into the game, it wouldn't run out of "energy." It would have an unlimited use, making the energy sword pointless. All in all, it was probably scrapped as a regular sword for balance issues. Also, notice how much Master Chief has evolved.
Elites
An Elite circa 1999. They've come a long way! Notice the mandibles are more human or dinosaur like, lacking the present four-pronged jaw in the actual Halo games.Note the Elite on the right is holding something that looks like a Carbine.
Spectre
The Spectre was originally designed to be in Halo Combat Evolved, but was cut because of balance issues. There appears to be a Shade turret mounted on the back.
Ferret
The SD - 604R "Ferret" Was a Motorcycle-like vehicle. It's name in Halo: Custom Edition is the bulldog.
Old HUD
The Heads Up Display didn't always look like its present form. Shown here is what it used to look like, representing the Marathon logo, which Bungie uses a lot in Halo. Also notice how the Halo in the background had originally fallen into disrepair.
Beam Rifle
The Beam Rifle would act as the covenant's sniper but was another element that was deleted from Halo Combat Evolved. It was cut, once again, for balance issues, but it vaguely resembles Halo 2's Beam Rifle, here seen brandished by an Elite.
Mauler
In the below video on the left, at around 2:50, the Spartan is shown holding a covenant weapon that could very well be the first concept of the Halo 3 Mauler.
Video
Halo Concepts Part 1
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Halo Concepts Part 2
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A video of Bungie footage shows several weapons and vehicles that were originally going to be in Halo. Recognizable is the Fuel Rod Gun, which then seemed to fire rockets. That, or they didn't make a mortar animation. Other than that, there is an SMG, Underwater Spear Gun, and other unreleased Covenant weapons. Watch the video for full details.
In the movie several Bungie employees can be heard discussing concept plans.
Gallery
- Cgw Cover.jpg
Image sent to CGW magazine 1999
Actual Cover of CGW magazine 1999
- Halo 072199.jpg
The 1st ever official Halo screen 1999
- Halo chief 1099.jpg
- Early Render Of Engineers.jpg
Early Render Of Engineers and Master Chief with an aerial Engineer
- Pre Halo MC with MA5.jpg
MA5B AR with grenade launcher
Original Needler
- Speargun.jpg
Spear Gun
- Launcher2.jpg
Surface to Air Missile Launcher
Original Shotgun
