Pre-Xbox Halo
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
Before XBox, before Halo:CE there was a Halo game that was originally announced for the Mac as a 3rd-person shooter. The development time was from around 1998 to the release of Halo: CE, 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.)
- 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.
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
Machette
A Machette was at one point part of the Halo game play. If you think about it, the machette could have been incorporated into the brute shot on purpose. This would make sense since the blade is metal and if the machette 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.
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.
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 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
- Pre Halo MC with MA5.jpg
MA5B AR with grenade launcher
original needler
- Speargun.jpg
Spear Gun
- Launcher2.jpg
Surface to Air Missle Launcher
Original Shotgun
