E3 MVG 2011 Selection: Halo Anniversary interview

A remake of Halo: Combat Evolved – the game that created a cultural icon, launched a massive multimedia franchise and helped revolutionize first person shooters on consoles – appeared on our Top 7 games we want announced at E3 this year. Now that the rumor is a reality, of course it landed on our list of the “Most Valuable Games” at E3 2011.

Halo: Anniversary takes the original classic and makes it classic-er. The outdated 2001 graphics are now as crisp and lovely as those in Halo: Reach, with a button that can switch seamlessly between the two versions and highlight the drastic difference. In an effort to please fans, the gameplay has remained untouched – right down to the source code – but weaknesses like the confusing Library level have been improved through subtle shifts in environment design. And most intriguingly, the collectible terminals now unlock a secret story with hints for the just-announced Halo 4. Multiplayer, on the other hand, has been updated to include popular recent additions like assassinations.

In our MVG interview behind the scenes of Microsoft’s E3 2011 booth, I discuss all of the above and much more with Frank O’Connor of 343 Industries. Want to know what non-Halo game Frank wishes would be remade? Watch the video – the answer will definitely surprise you.

Jun 16, 2011

A remake of Halo: Combat Evolved – the game that created a cultural icon, launched a massive multimedia franchise and helped revolutionize first person shooters on consoles – appeared on our Top 7 games we want announced at E3 this year. Now that the rumor is a reality, of course it landed on our list of the “Most Valuable Games” at E3 2011.

Halo: Anniversary takes the original classic and makes it classic-er. The outdated 2001 graphics are now as crisp and lovely as those in Halo: Reach, with a button that can switch seamlessly between the two versions and highlight the drastic difference. In an effort to please fans, the gameplay has remained untouched – right down to the source code – but weaknesses like the confusing Library level have been improved through subtle shifts in environment design. And most intriguingly, the collectible terminals now unlock a secret story with hints for the just-announced Halo 4. Multiplayer, on the other hand, has been updated to include popular recent additions like assassinations.

In our MVG interview behind the scenes of Microsoft’s E3 2011 booth, I discuss all of the above and much more with Frank O’Connor of 343 Industries. Want to know what non-Halo game Frank wishes would be remade? Watch the video – the answer will definitely surprise you.

Jun 16, 2011