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[[File:HighGroundForge.jpg|thumb|300px|Using Forge to manipulate objects.]]
'''Forge''' is a  gameplay mode introduced to the ''Halo'' games starting with ''[[Halo 3]]'' which allows for both playing and editing [[multiplayer]] maps. While originally intended as a simple map editor in ''Halo 3'', it has gotten more complex and in-depth in subsequent releases, allowing players to create custom geometry, script custom encounters, add [[Non-playable character|NPCs]] to fight, and create entirely original minigames within the ''Halo'' engine.

The mode was named after the Forge editor in ''[[Marathon]]''. a game series produced by [[Bungie]] before ''Halo''.

==Background==
''Halo'', and [[Bungie]]'s prior games, have a long history of user-generated content (UGC) creation tools. The third ''[[Marathon]]'' game, ''[[Marathon: Infinity]]'', had a map editor tool called Forge, and was the source for ''Halo''{{'}}s Forge tool being named as it is. This is one of [[List of Marathon references in the Halo series|many allusions]] to ''Marathon'' found in ''Halo''.{{Ref/Marketing|Id=Paradiso|H3|Halo 3 ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso}} Unlike ''Halo'', ''Marathon: Infinity''{{'}}s Forge was an external application used for creating full [[Modding|modded maps]], and could be used in conjunction with another editor named "Anvil" which handled physics, sounds, and shape files. By contrast, Forge in ''Halo'' is an in-game editor with less functionality, but more suited for casual players to easily create new map variants.

Modded map editing continued in the ''Halo'' series with the release of ''[[Halo Custom Edition]]'' for PC in [[2003]]. ''Custom Edition'' came bundled with the ''[[Halo Editing Kit]]'', a suite of tools derived from the ones used by Bungie and [[Gearbox Software|Gearbox]] to develop the game itself, and was used to spur an active modding scene that created custom maps, vehicles, weapons, and levels. This tradition continued into ''[[Halo 2]]'' with the release of ''[[Halo 2 (Windows Vista)|Halo 2 Vista]]'' and the ''[[Vista Map Editor]]'' toolkit. 

The same year as ''Halo 2 Vista'', ''[[Halo 3]]'' launched on [[Xbox 360]] and with it the first iteration of Forge - the first time such a UGC toolkit was made available on console.

==Overview==
===''Halo 3''===
[[File:H3 ForgeHighGround.jpg|thumb|300px|The Forge Menu in ''Halo 3''.]]
{{Main|H3:Forge}}
[[2007]]'s ''Halo 3'' was the first ''Halo'' game to feature Forge mode. The mode was designed for players to be able to do simple alterations to [[multiplayer]] maps; changing how and which [[Weapons (gameplay)|weapons]] and vehicles spawn, objectives, simple scenery and cover, and similar. The mode was first revealed in August 2007 shortly before the game's launch as a facet of the [[Halo 3 Epsilon|''Halo 3'' Epsilon]] build,{{Ref/Site|Id=BWU07|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12718|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Bungie Weekly Update: 8/17/07|D=13|M=10|Y=2014}} and later featured in a dedicated [[ViDoc]]: ''[[Halo 3 ViDoc: Cinema Paradiso|Cinema Paradiso]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|Paradiso}}

Unlike the [[Halo 3 Editing Kit|editing kit]] used by developers and [[Modding|modders]], Forge can not be used to make original maps, but instead ''map variants''. The original BSP geometry and lighting are left intact, and specific elements can be placed and moved as desired. Players can quickly switch from a standard player mode to edit mode, in which players play as a [[monitor]] and can freely fly around.{{Ref/Reuse|BWU07}}{{Ref/Site|Id=H3HowTo|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=h3forgebasics|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 How-to: Forge Basics|D=13|M=10|Y=2014}} In this first version of Forge, maps came with dozens of objects pre-placed that had to be manually deleted by players, with each object costing a part of the map's "budget" to spawn in. Each map itself had a limited palette of objects, with some weapons (such as the [[H3:Flamethrower|Flamethrower]] or [[H3:Fuel Rod Gun|Fuel Rod Gun]]) only available on a very small selection of maps. In addition, Forge objects were physics objects, meaning that they responded to gravity and forces such as explosions. 

These restrictions limited the kinds of maps that could be made in the mode, though [[Forge/Tricks|tricks]] on the part of the community allowed players to overcome these issues to an extent and create experiences beyond what Bungie ever expected, including "Forge art" and minigames like [[Grifball]]. In response to this time and effort put into Forge by the players, two "[[:Category:Forge maps|Forge canvas]]" maps were released for the game, consisting of mostly-blank slates which allowed for greater creativity for mapmakers. The first was [[Foundry]], released as part of the [[Heroic Map Pack]], and later [[Sandbox]], released as part of the [[Mythic Map Pack]].

===''Halo: Reach''===
[[File:HR Forge Menu.jpg|thumb|300px|The Forge Main menu from ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.]]
{{Main|Reach:Forge}}
''Halo: Reach'' came with the introduction of '''Forge 2.0''', a revamped map editor with greater functionality based on observations of how players used Forge in ''Halo 3''. The mode was first revealed in a dedicated ViDoc, "''[[Halo: Reach ViDoc: Forge World|Forge World]]''". One of the biggest changes for ''Reach'' was the ability for players to change the physics state of an object, now allowing them to be phased into BSP terrain and unaffected by physics interactions. The ability to delete all objects on the map was also added, to make working with the default maps less frustrating. The other key feature of ''Reach''{{'}}s Forge was a new Forge canvas map, [[Forge World]], which was the then-largest map in the entire series. Forge World was a massive map that had a large variety of environments allowing for maps to be built inside it using the vastly expanded toolset and object palette of ''Reach'', with several example map variants included on the disc.

''Reach''{{'}}s [[downloadable content]] expanded the Forge offerings further, with an additional canvas map [[Tempest]], and a number of maps in the [[Anniversary Map Pack]] specifically built with objects included that allowed players to block off certain passageways or tunnels to restore the map layouts to the iterations found in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' in [[2001]].
{{Clear}}
===''Halo 4''===
[[File:H4 Forge Reveal.png|250px|thumb|Halo 4's Forge, as displayed at RTX 2012.]]
{{Main|H4:Forge}}
Forge returned in ''Halo 4'' with several improvements from its previous iteration in ''Halo: Reach'', though not to the same extent as the changes experienced going into ''Reach''. The duplication tool has returned from ''Halo 3'', and selected objects now glow green depending on what type of object is selected for better precision, preventing players from accidentally deleting objects they did not intend. The feature now supports dynamic lighting on Forge objects, enabling each individual pieces to cast shadows. It features additional tools for user for map-making such as the ability to link Forge objects seamlessly through the use of the magnet utility and adding trait zones (such as enhanced movement and gravity). Objects can be locked, preventing being grabbed/moved. More Forge objects have been added to the sandbox to provide variety to the map-making experience.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=RTX Forge|iFr2JMmr_aE|Elijah's Videos|Halo 4 Forge Demo at RTX <nowiki>[HD] [1080p]</nowiki>|D=27|M=12|Y=2025}}

Halo 4 launched with three Forge canvas maps: [[Erosion]], [[Impact]], and [[Ravine]]. Each map features a different environment and unique palette elements.<ref name="Examiner">[http://www.examiner.com/article/final-halo-4-forge-map-goes-spelunking-holds-griffball-arena-video '''Examiner.com''' ''Final Halo 4 Forge map goes spelunking, holds Griffball arena in video'']</ref> A fourth, [[Forge Island]], was released as a free DLC later on.
{{Clear}}
===''Halo: The Master Chief Collection''===
''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' launched in [[2014]] with the Forge editors for ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 4'' included, alongside a new Forge mode, that of ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-skulls-forge-returns-and-more-coming-in-halo-the-master-chief-collection/1100-6420366/|Site=Gamesport|Page=New Skulls, Forge Returns, and More Coming in Halo: The Master Chief Collection|D=27|M=12|Y=2025}} For the earlier games, the Forge modes were mostly unchanged, save for some bugfixes in the ''Halo 4'' Forge that restored functionality like the ability to zoom the camera in edit mode. The Forge from ''Halo: Reach'' was added in a [[Series 2: Spark|2020 update]] after the game's launch on PC, with a number of updates made to the Forge modes codenamed "Thorage" (detailed below).

====''Halo 2: Anniversary''====
[[File:H2A Forge info.png|thumb|250px|An overview of the features in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''{{'}}s Forge mode.]]
{{Main|H2AMP:Forge}}
''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' features a Forge mode, the first available on the [[Xbox One]], though only in the reimagined multiplayer component based on the ''Halo 4'' engine. The new Forge features several bug fixes from ''Halo 4'', including menu polishing and adding magnet location consistency. Precision control and zoom have also been added. New features include "Snap to Ground", "Align to Ground", and "Movement Snap". Tool settings are now stored between Forge sessions. The Forge "Structure" palette is now cleaner and smoother, along with new mirrored versions of objects. Additional natural and terrain structure pieces—including cliffs and large pieces of land—have also been added to the Structure palette.<ref name="gameinformerH2A">[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/halo_master_chief_collection/b/xboxone/archive/2014/08/30/343-details-halo-2-s-many-changes-and-additions.aspx '''GameInformer''': ''343 Details Halo 2’s Many Changes And Additions'']</ref> Three Skybox-only maps—[[Awash]], [[Nebula]], and [[Skyward]]—have been added, allowing players to create maps and structures without interference from previous existing structures.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Halo/status/505789783004958722 '''Twitter''': ''Halo'']</ref><ref name="ign demo">[http://www.ign.com/videos/2014/10/28/halo-2-anniversary-forge-demo-halo-the-master-chief-collection-ign-first  '''IGN.com''' - ''See Forge in Halo 2: Anniversary'']</ref>

The new Forge budget is now based on the amount of objects in a map. The budget can essentially be replaced by a "Performance Meter", presumably determining how well the map will run given the amount of objects placed.{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformerH2A}} In an official demonstration, the developers showcased a map containing a remake of [[Beaver Creek]] within a much larger Forged landscape, built completely on a flat canvas using the new terrain pieces. "Simple scripting objects" have been added as Forge objects; these allow players to create interactive systems including switches that can be used to perform various tasks, including opening [[door]]s, spawning vehicles or terrain objects, or triggering explosions.{{Ref/Reuse|ign demo}} There have also been Gadget improvements and new Gadgets.{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformerH2A}}

All seven of the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' remastered maps feature dynamic features that alter gameplay, such as falling stalactites and breakable glass roofs on [[Lockdown]]. These features can be disabled to Forge if the players wish to have a gameplay experience that is closer to the original ''[[Halo 2]]''.{{Ref/Reuse|gameinformerH2A}}

====Thorage====
When ''The Master Chief Collection'' launched on PC in [[2019]], ''Reach'' was added to the collection, with its Forge mode released the following summer. With this, the Forge modes of ''Halo 3'', ''Reach'', and ''Halo 4'' were all given quality-of-life improvements, codenamed "Thorage" internally at [[343 Industries]]. A brief summary of the additions is as follows:
*'''[[H3:Forge#Changes for Halo: The Master Chief Collection|''Halo 3'']]:''' Thorage for ''Halo 3'' updated Foundry, Sandbox, and [[Avalanche]] to have several new weapons, vehicles, and scenery objects, alongside backporting the object physics options from ''Reach'' onward into ''Halo 3''. The map budgets were also increased accordingly to allow for more objects to be placed.
*'''[[Reach:Forge#Changes for Halo: The Master Chief Collection|''Halo: Reach'']]:''' Thorage for ''Reach'' updated Forge World and Tempest to have a number of new items such as previously [[campaign]]-exclusive weapons and vehicles, alongside every single Forge item previously-exclusive to other maps. The map budgets and item costs were also updated to allow for more objects to be placed.
*'''[[H4:Forge#Changes for Halo: The Master Chief Collection|''Halo 4'']]:''' Thorage for ''Halo 4'' updated the four canvas maps to have all previously map-exclusive objects available (including those from the other canvas maps).

===''Halo 5: Guardians''===
{{Main|H5G:Forge}}
[[File:H5G-Forge.jpg|thumb|250px|Forge in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.]]
Forge for ''Halo 5: Guardians'' was released in the [[Cartographer's Gift]] update after the game's launch, and featured the most radical shakeup of the mode's functionality since Forge 2.0 in ''Reach''.{{Ref/Site|Id=H5Waypoint|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/building-the-biggest-forge-yet|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Building the Biggest Forge Yet|D=31|M=12|Y=2015}} Among the improved features are the control scheme, selecting and manipulating up to 64 objects at once, a free camera, and smart magnets. Objects are no longer constrained to certain maps, as was the case in previous games. Up to 1700+ objects can be spawned into the map and new types have been added. Terrain objects are designed to seamlessly blend into the prebuilt terrain. Objects can be grouped with a single button press and "welded" to a parent object, allowing the objects to physically move around together. Almost any object can be scripted to move, change colors, spawn, and etc. The budget system has been improved, including a multi-budget system, where a terrain piece will only eat into the memory budget once. Additional pieces only use up the object count because the shared texture is already loaded. Other budgets are considered "soft" and can be exceeded, but doing so causes glitches.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Waypoint}}

New light objects have been added with various different properties. Unlike ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', lighting is no longer generated automatically when switching to player mode. A button tap will drop the Spartan, while holding it down will bake the lighting before dropping.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Waypoint}} Props like the [[D79H Pelican|Pelican]] were added in [[Hammer Storm]] and can be customized with colors. Weather effects including rain, snow, embers, floating papers, dust, and motes were added with [[Ghosts of Meridian]]. Sound options ranging from chanting Covenant crowds to waterfalls are also available to place on maps.

As with previous games, forging is available for any [[Multiplayer#Halo 5: Guardians|Arena]], [[Breakout]] and [[Big Team Battle]] maps, alongside several Forge canvases.{{Ref/Reuse|H5Waypoint}} ''Halo 5''{{'}}s Forge launched with three dedicated Forge maps; [[Alpine]], [[Parallax]], [[Glacier (Halo 5: Guardians map)|Glacier]], and [[Breakout Arena]], though several more were added in successive updates; [[Barrens (Halo 5: Guardians map)|Barrens]], [[Depths]], and [[Tidal]].

===''Halo 5: Forge''===
{{Main|Halo 5: Forge}}
''[[Halo 5: Forge]]'' is a port of the Forge mode to [[:Wikipedia:Windows 10|Windows 10]]. It is available for free and enables players to forge, test, and share their own maps on PC, with compatibility with ''Halo 5: Guardians'' on [[Xbox One]].<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/forging-ahead-the-forge-experience-comes-to-windows-10 '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Forging Ahead - The Forge Experience Comes to Windows 10'']</ref>

===''Halo Infinite''===
{{Main|HINF:Forge}}
Forge mode was released for ''Halo Infinite'' in the [[Winter Update]]. It improves upon the foundations set by ''Halo 5''{{'}}s version of Forge by introducing object scaling,{{Ref/YouTube|Id=INFForge1|SAwEbD5qNG8|Halo|Halo Infinite Forge Fundamentals - Building|Y=2022|M=09|D=09}} a menu wheel for more complex options, the ability to undo and redo a previous edit,{{Ref/Site|Id=FHOD|URL=https://www.forgehub.com/threads/outpost-discovery-round-up-halo-infinite-forge-first-details-exclusive.159009/|Site=ForgeHub|Page=Outpost Discovery Round-Up + Halo Infinite First Forge Details (Exclusive)|D=21|M=8|Y=2021}} the ability to customize FX, the sun's color and its time of day,{{Ref/YouTube|Id=INFForge3|uyKLrBs6GDM|Halo|Halo Infinite Forge Fundamentals - Lighting & Audio|Y=2022|M=10|D=03}} the ability to create a sequence of events and conditions to trigger it through a node graph,{{Ref/YouTube|Id=INFForge2|sgIxew1x12s|Halo|Halo Infinite Forge Fundamentals - Scripting & Bots|Y=2022|M=09|D=19}} the ability to set objects as static or dynamic, etc. It also makes a huge change to the lighting system that allows the player to set the option to cast static and/or dynamic shadows when selecting a light placed by the player, introduces a heatmap for lights and shadows to assist in map performance, introduces light probes with a limit of 14,000 light probes on a map, and removes the ability to bake light.

With the launch of [[Season 05: Reckoning|Season 05]], Forge has been improved to incorporate [[Non-playable character|AI units]] into Forge. The AI units include [[HINF:Marine|Marines]], [[HINF:Grunt|Grunts]], [[HINF:Jackal|Jackals]], [[HINF:Elite|Elites]], [[HINF:Brute|Brutes]], [[HINF:Skimmer|Skimmers]], [[HINF:Hunter|Hunters]], and the variant of frames supporting [[Adjutant Resolution]], with a limit of 32 AI units in the map. These AI units can be spawned through AI spawners, [[Gydrozka Workshop Breaching Pod|Drop Pods]], and/or [[Eklon'Dal Workshop Phantom|Phantoms]]; spawners and Phantoms can spawn up to 8 AI units while Drop Pods can only spawn 1 AI unit. If the Phantom is selected, it will also be able to drop off a [[HINF:Ghost|Ghost]], a [[HINF:Chopper|Chopper]], or a [[HINF:Wraith|Wraith]], but the pilot of that vehicle will take the place of the 8th AI unit if the vehicle piloting is enabled. AI units can also move in specific move zones to act as a patrol route. AI units can also spawn with different weapons (i.e. Jackals can spawn with an [[HINF:Sniper Rifle|S7 Sniper]]), and properties that affect AI units are added using node graph.

''Infinite''{{'}}s Forge supports eight different blank canvases of different themes: [[Arid]], [[Mires]], [[Seafloor]], [[Institute]], [[Ecliptic]], [[Void]], [[Barrage]], and [[Permafrost]].

==Trivia==
*The ''Halo: Reach'' player spawn point object features a holographic Spartan crouching with an [[M6G pistol]] aimed forward. The Spartan has a specific armor permutation that includes a variation of the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V (B)|Mark V[B]]] helmet with UA that was exclusive to ''[[Halo: Reach Beta]]'', [[Mark V]] right shoulder, [[CQC]] left shoulder, [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Tactical#Tactical/Tacpad|Tactical/Tacpad]] wrist attachment, [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Tactical#Tactical/Trauma Kit|Tactical/Trauma Kit]] utility on the right thigh, and [[FJ/PARA]] knee guards. This model has since been used in all subsequent Forge releases.

==Gallery==
===''Halo 3''===
<gallery>
File:H3_ForgeMonitor.jpg|A Forge [[Monitor]] in ''Halo 3.''
File:Forge6.jpg|Crates and an [[M12 Chaingun Warthog]] on Forge.
File:Forge3.jpg|Spawning an M808C Scorpion on High Ground.
</gallery>
===''Halo: Reach''===
<gallery>
File:HR_Forge_Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Forge game in ''Halo: Reach.''
</gallery>
===''Halo 4''===
<gallery>
File:H4_ForgeIsland_Map.jpg|A Forge creation in ''Halo 4''.
File:H4_ForgeMonitor.jpg|A Forge Monitor in ''Halo 4''.
</gallery>
===''Halo 2: Anniversary''===
<gallery>
File:H2A Forge.png|Forge in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-Awash-Beaver Creek.jpg|[[Beaver Creek]] recreated in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''{{'}}s Forge.
</gallery>
===''Halo 5: Guardians''===
<gallery>
File:H5G - PK - Ghosts of Meridian - Forge timelapse.gif|Some of the weather effects in ''Halo 5: Guardians''<nowiki>'</nowiki> Forge.
File:H5G - PK - Memories of Reach - Forge timelapse.gif|Some of the material bases in ''Halo 5: Guardians''<nowiki>'</nowiki> Forge.
File:H5G - Warzone Firefight forge preview.jpg|Features introduced into Forge with [[Warzone Firefight (update)|Warzone Firefight]].
File:H5G - Halo Wars Firebase 1.png|A remake of the [[Firebase]] from ''[[Halo Wars]]'' in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Forge.
File:H5G - Halo Wars Firebase 2.png|A remake of the Firebase from ''Halo Wars'' in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Forge.
</gallery>
===''Halo Infinite''===
<gallery>
File:HINF-Amogus.png|Forge in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF-S5PK2.jpg|Forge AI in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==See also==
*[[Forge World]]
*[[Forge objects]]
*[[Forge/Tricks|Forge Tricks]]
*[[Switches]]

==External links==
*[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=h3forgebasics '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3 How-to: Forge Basics'']
*[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=h3forgeobjects '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3 How-to: Forge Object Editing'']
*[http://halo.bungie.net/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=h3forgeadvanced '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3 How-to: Advanced Forge Editing'']
*[http://halo.bungie.net/Fanclub/forgeworld/Group/GroupHome.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''ForgeWorld: Group Home'']
*[http://halo.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=28649 '''Bungie.net''': ''Invasion + Forge!'']
*[http://www.forgehub.com/ '''Forgehub.com''']

[[Category:Forge| ]]
[[Category:Game modes]]
[[Category:Halo 3]]
[[Category:Halo: Reach]]
[[Category:Halo 4]]
[[Category:Halo 2: Anniversary]]
[[Category:Halo 5: Guardians]]