Gameplay

Blastacular Pack: Difference between revisions

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{{era|RW}}
{{Status|Gameplay}}
The '''Blastacular Pack''' is a [[Downloadable content|downloadable content package]] for ''[[Halo 2]]''. It was released on [[2007 (real world)|April 17, 2007]] for $4.00, and re-released as an updated package on May 7, 2007 (still for $4.00), as several glitches discovered in the included content had been fixed. The Blastacular Pack was made permanently free on [[Bungie Day|July 7]], 2007. This download was required in order to play ''Halo 2'' Matchmaking over [[Xbox LIVE|Xbox Live]]. Both maps in the map pack were created by the video game studio [[Certain Affinity]] instead of [[Bungie]].{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=certainaffinitymaps|Site=Bungie.net|Page=New Halo 2 Maps Revealed!}}


'''Blastacular Pack''' is a [[Map pack|downloadable content package]] for ''[[Halo 2]]''. It was released on [[2007|April 17, 2007]] for $4.00, and re-released as an updated package on May 7, 2007 (still for $4.00), as several glitches discovered in the included content had been fixed. Blastacular Pack was made permanently free on July 7, 2007 ([[Bungie Day]]). This download was required in order to play ''Halo 2'' Matchmaking over [[Xbox LIVE|Xbox Live]]. Both maps in the map pack were created by the video game studio [[Certain Affinity]] instead of [[Bungie]].<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=certainaffinitymaps '''Bungie.net''': ''New Halo 2 Maps Revealed!'']</ref>
Due to the pack's release in 2007, it is not included in either the ''[[Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack]]'' or the [[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|PC port of ''Halo 2'']], making the content now unattainable for the original ''Halo 2'' game. However, it is included in the release of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]''.


The Blastacular Pack added the following new content to ''Halo 2'':
==Maps==
===Desolation===
{{Main|Desolation}}
Desolation is a remake of the ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' level [[Derelict]], set in the jungles of [[Installation 05]].
<gallery>File:H2 Desolation Above.jpg|Desolation.</gallery>


*[[Desolation]]
===Tombstone===
*[[Tombstone]]
{{Main|Tombstone}}
Tombstone is a remake of the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' level [[Hang 'Em High]], with several alterations to map layout to account for the differences in gameplay offered by ''Halo 2''.
<gallery>File:H2 Tombstone 1.jpg|Tombstone.</gallery>
 
==Production notes==
The Blastacular map pack was originally slated to include three maps; two remakes and one original map. The map pack's original release date was to be set later in [[2007]], but Bungie's release date for the ''[[Halo 3 Beta]]'' ultimately forced Certain Affinity to scale back the map pack to ensure it could release before the ''Halo 3 Beta'' and not clash. As a result, the original map design was cut, a decision said by [[Max Hoberman]] to be one made for the wrong reasons, as the [[Cut Halo 2 levels|cut map]] had potential and was turning out well. The cut map would have been asymmetric and very similar to [[Zanzibar]], focusing on one-flag [[Capture the Flag|CTF]] and other similar gamemodes with lots of dynamic elements, with a major element being a [[light bridge]] that could be turned on and off.{{Ref/YouTube|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|9BURsPjNKck|Time=2280|Channel=IGN|VideoName=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=38:00}}
 
During the map pack's development, the [[Halo: Combat Evolved (PC port)|''Halo: Combat Evolved'' PC]] map [[Timberland]] was considered by Hoberman for inclusion as a remake in ''Halo 2''. The map was eventually remade as [[Ridgeline]] in the [[Anniversary Map Pack]] for ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.{{Ref/YouTube|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|9BURsPjNKck|Time=3132|Channel=IGN|VideoName=Ex-Bungie Dev Shares Halo 2 Stories - Podcast Unlocked|Detail=52:12}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The Blastacular Pack takes up 142 MB on the [[Xbox]]'s HDD.
*The Blastacular Pack takes up 142 MB on the [[Xbox]]'s HDD.
*The Blastacular Pack content is ''not'' included in the ''[[Map pack|Halo 2]]''[[map pack| Multiplayer Map Pack]] or the [[Halo 2 Vista|PC version of ''Halo 2'']].


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{MapPacks}}
 
[[Category:Halo 2]]
{{Map pack}}
[[Category:Multiplayer Map Packs]]
[[Category:Halo 2 DLC]]
[[Category:Blastacular Pack| ]]
[[Category:Multiplayer map packs]]

Latest revision as of 23:01, May 26, 2023

The Blastacular Pack is a downloadable content package for Halo 2. It was released on April 17, 2007 for $4.00, and re-released as an updated package on May 7, 2007 (still for $4.00), as several glitches discovered in the included content had been fixed. The Blastacular Pack was made permanently free on July 7, 2007. This download was required in order to play Halo 2 Matchmaking over Xbox Live. Both maps in the map pack were created by the video game studio Certain Affinity instead of Bungie.[1]

Due to the pack's release in 2007, it is not included in either the Halo 2 Multiplayer Map Pack or the PC port of Halo 2, making the content now unattainable for the original Halo 2 game. However, it is included in the release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Maps[edit]

Desolation[edit]

Main article: Desolation

Desolation is a remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved level Derelict, set in the jungles of Installation 05.

Tombstone[edit]

Main article: Tombstone

Tombstone is a remake of the Halo: Combat Evolved level Hang 'Em High, with several alterations to map layout to account for the differences in gameplay offered by Halo 2.

Production notes[edit]

The Blastacular map pack was originally slated to include three maps; two remakes and one original map. The map pack's original release date was to be set later in 2007, but Bungie's release date for the Halo 3 Beta ultimately forced Certain Affinity to scale back the map pack to ensure it could release before the Halo 3 Beta and not clash. As a result, the original map design was cut, a decision said by Max Hoberman to be one made for the wrong reasons, as the cut map had potential and was turning out well. The cut map would have been asymmetric and very similar to Zanzibar, focusing on one-flag CTF and other similar gamemodes with lots of dynamic elements, with a major element being a light bridge that could be turned on and off.[2]

During the map pack's development, the Halo: Combat Evolved PC map Timberland was considered by Hoberman for inclusion as a remake in Halo 2. The map was eventually remade as Ridgeline in the Anniversary Map Pack for Halo: Reach.[3]

Trivia[edit]

  • The Blastacular Pack takes up 142 MB on the Xbox's HDD.

Sources[edit]