Pre-Xbox Halo

Cover of CGW magazine 1999, featuring the Pre-Xbox Halo Game.

Before Xbox, and before the release of Halo: Combat Evolved, there was a game that was originally announced for the Mac and the PC as a 3rd-person shooter.^[1] The game development time was from around 1998 to the release of Halo: Combat Evolved, originating as a Myth-style strategy game before turning into a third person shooter, and finally being retooled as a straight-up FPS for the Xbox console. As the game evolved, several vehicles and weapons were cut and others had complete overhauls. Below are some examples of lost or heavily modified game play items.

RTS Stage

Originally, Halo was going to be made an RTS for the Mac. Bungie employees had considered this version of Halo to be a clone of Myth with a Sci-Fi skin over it.^[2]

Heavy Trooper - Infantry units and early iteration of the SPARTAN-IIs.
Toolbar - Used to select, command, etc.
Groundblast - (unknown, most likely scenery.)
Zedsu - A tank.
Bunker - A structure.
Scoutcar A.K.A Hummer - Early Version of the Warthog.
Horseshoecrab tank - A Tank. Its design was later reused for the Seraph.
Alien Tank - Tank of the opposing forces and early iteration of the Wraith.
Mowitser - Probable howitzer cannon due to the name.
Aliens - The precursors to the Covenant in the final game.
Starfighter - An aerial vehicle.
Propane or Gas Tanks - Scenery.
Ghost - Early iteration of the Ghost RAV.
Other Vehicles - Vehicles similar in appearance to Halo Wars Wolverine, Rhino and the cut Cougar.
Elephant Precursor - The precursor to the Elephant.
Sharquoi - Possibly as a Covenant or wildlife unit.^[3]

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

==Action-Adventure Game Stage

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. It would appear that the weapon has finally come to light in the form of Halo 3's AIE-486H.

There have been several mods, using Halo Custom Edition, that have integrated the Gatling Gun into the game. Most if not all of these mods use the Warthog's turret model, separated from the base and the main vehicle.

This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Production Notes

An Assault Rifle, called MA-5 ICW/30mm COL existed in the game and had a grenade launcher attachment (which was replaced with the flashlight in the final build)
In Pre-Xbox Halo, a Flamethrower called the TOZT-21 Defoliant Projector existed. The flamethrower would eventually become a weapon included in PC edition of Combat Evolved and Halo 3.
The early version of the M6 series pistol, was called the 60 Magnum Mega Class M4a.^[4]
In the early versions of Halo, the secondary weapon the player obtained would be placed on their back, though this feature was not present in the final release of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2. This concept was finally introduced officially in Halo 3.
At some point during development, Blind Wolves were intended to be rideable.
It would seem that at some point the development team intended underwater enemies to be present in the game, as a harpoon gun existed in early builds of the game.
The Elites originally lacked the style of armor present in the actual games, with some form of Exo-Skeleton or Tech-Suit instead. They also possessed mandibles that are "more dinosaur-like", rather than having a four-pronged jaw.
Both an Anti-Aircraft Missile Launcher and an Anti-Armour Rocket Launcher existed in these early versions of Halo.
In the Evolution of Halo Part 1, there is a Warthog and an ATV that both lack mounted armaments for defense. Both later were planned to be introduced to Halo 2 but dropped and finally added into Halo 3.
According to one Wiki-Contributor, the Submachine Gun, which was introduced later into Halo 2, was to replace the assault rifle.
A large vehicle with a crane designed to be more like a huge Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). This vehicle is apparently a predecessor of the Elephant which was introduced in Halo 3, a varaint of the Elephant also exists in Halo Wars.
In the early renditions of Halo, there was apparently a helicopter present within the game.
Supposedly there is a video showcasing a Pre-Xbox Halo build in which a Spartan is shown holding a Covenant weapon that seems to have been inspiration for the Mauler.
A watercraft known as the "Dual-carrot craft" or Regular inflated raft, it was cut from the pre-production of the game.

Trivia

The Marathon logo was incorporated into the old Heads Up Display.
An exit game screen existed that asked the player whether or not they wanted to "Retreat from Chucky's Love".^[5]
In the early stages of the game, the Halo Ring was designed to be in broken or incomplete in appearance, only attached by strands of skeletal supports in some areas, not unlike Installation 04B's appearance in Halo 3
Engineers were originally going to be implemented into the game but, like most of this material, was ultimately absent in the final product.
There was originally a 'Covenant Sniper Rifle' that was deleted from ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', that vaguely resembles Halo 2's Beam Rifle, its spiritual successor. It was supposedly cut, for balance issues.
The inclusion of a machete was proposed in the pre-production of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but the concept was later disposed.
The Spectre (then called the Shadow) was originally designed to be in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', but it was eventually included in Halo 2. The mounted Shade turret, however made it into the final build.

Gallery

Cgw Cover.jpg

Image sent to CGW magazine 1999.
Halo 072199.jpg

The first ever official Halo screen 1999.
1212344025 Spartan machete ingame.jpg

A machete and an Energy Sword
Oldhalo.jpg

"It's a little prelude to what happens in the future."

— Bungie employee
"My favorite UI screen to exit the game!"

— Marcus Letho

Human

Halo original 4.jpg

The original Gattling Gun
Halo chief 1099.jpg

Another picture of the Pre Halo Minigun.
Pre Halo MC with MA5.jpg

MA5B Assault Rifle with a grenade launcher attached.
Speargun.jpg

Spear Gun.
Launcher2.jpg

Surface to Air Missile Launcher.
The original Shotgun.
Pre Halo Machette.jpg

Pre Halo Machete.
EarlyHalo.png

A weapon labeled "Pattern-2 Composite Sword".
The Pre-Halo Warthog
The Warthog being driven by the player
The Scorpion
The Stealth Tank (referred to as the "Husk" in-game).^[6]
The Stealth Tank was described as having a low profile with counter vented fire stabilization.^[6]

Covenant

Early Elite.jpg

An Elite model circa 1999. Note the Elite in the background, seems to be holding an old Fuel Rod Gun model.
Early Render Of Engineers.jpg

Early render of an Engineer and a more up-to-date render of Master Chief
A Cut Covenant Enemy
Tankbeast.png

Another (presumably Covenant) Enemy
RusselDrinol.png

The Covenant Drinol, now known as the Sharquoi
The player encounters a Drinol
The player fights a Drinol
Halo edge 3.jpg

The Covenant Sniper Rifle
Gravity Wrench.png

The Gravity Wrench
The original Needler.
An early version of the Spectre, then called the Shadow.
A cut Covenant Bomber as viewed from the front
Covenant bomber (aft view).png

The same bomber as viewed from the back