View source for Halo 2 E3 Multiplayer Demo

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{{Title|''Halo 2'' E3 Multiplayer Demo}}
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The '''''Halo 2'' E3 Multiplayer Demo''' was the first public reveal and exhibition of ''[[Halo 2|Halo 2's]]'' [[multiplayer]], shown at [[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3 2004]]. A live demonstration was presented by [[Bungie]] at [[Microsoft]]'s pre-event [[Xbox]] press conference, showcasing the game's new features. Afterwards, fans and members of the press were able to play the demo for themselves on the showfloor of the expo. The demo was also the first reveal of the multiplayer map [[Zanzibar]], and featured the announcement of the release date set for ''Halo 2'': November 9, 2004.

==Overview==
By Spring [[2004 (real world)|2004]], Bungie's internal build of the multiplayer for ''Halo 2'' had reached such an advanced state that it was ready for presentation to the public. Bungie was therefore able to prepare a demo to be showcased at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in [[Wikipedia:Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]] on May 11-13th. Shortly before the demo's formal public reveal, Bungie invited several journalists to come to their studio to experience the build. Hilary Goldstein and Fran Mirabella III, of IGN, and Sal Accardo and Justin Leeper, of GameSpy, faced off against a rotating series of Bungie and Microsoft employees including [[Pete Parsons]], [[Hamilton Chu]], and [[Marty O'Donnell]], playing 4v4 matches for around an hour.<ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/11/e3-2004-halo-2-multiplayer-hands-on '''IGN.com''' ''E3 2004: HALO 2 MULTIPLAYER HANDS-ON'']</ref><ref>[http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/halo-2/513242p1.html?fromint=1 '''GameSpy''' ''Previews: Halo 2 Multiplayer Hands-on'']</ref> Their reporting was embargoed until the demo's official public reveal. 

This came on May 10, 2004, at Microsoft's pre-event Xbox press conference.<ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4954875/ns/technology_and_science-games/t/another-openinganother-show/#.WJ-7iPnyvIU '''NBCNews.com''' ''Another Opening, Another Show'']</ref><ref>[http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200405/033.asp '''Kikizo.com''' ''E3 2004: Xbox Conference: Full Report'']</ref><ref>[http://xbox.gamespy.com/articles/513/513254p1.html '''GameSpy,com''' ''Microsoft Xbox E3 Press Conference'']</ref> For the presentation on ''Halo 2'', Microsoft's Peter Moore introduced Bungie's [[Joe Staten]] and [[Max Hoberman]], who gave a live demonstration of the game's multiplayer mode highlighting a number of its new features. This was the public's first glimpse at this part of the game. The demo showcased the Spartan and Elite player models, the [[SMG]], the [[Needler]], [[dual wielding]], the usable [[Energy Sword]], the {{Pattern|Karo'etba|Ghost}} and its new boosting ability, [[Boarding (gameplay mechanic)|boarding]], the [[Gauss Warthog|"Rocket" Hog]], vehicle damage, the [[rocket launcher]] and its new target-tracking feature, as well as a number of the features of the map, Zanzibar, such as its layout, interactive elements, destructible features, and weapons placement. After the demonstration, Peter Moore also announced the game's release date, November 9, 2004, which he had gotten tattooed on his arm as proof.

After its public introduction, the demo was made playable to members of the public and the press at large during the Expo itself. Players on the showfloor were able to partake in 5v5 [[1 Flag CTF]] matches, consisting of five three-minute rounds of Spartans versus Elites on Zanzibar.<ref>[http://archive.videogamesdaily.com/news/200405/046.asp '''Kikizo.com''' ''E3 2004: Halo 2 Hands-On, Screens, Vids'']</ref><ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/13/e3-2004-halo-2-hands-on-vol-3 '''IGN.com''' ''E3 2004: HALO 2 HANDS-ON, VOL. 3'']</ref><ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/articles/halo-2-e3-hands-on/1100-6097695/ '''Gamespot.com''' ''Halo 2 E3 Hands-On'']</ref><ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/20/halo-2-revisited '''IGN.com''' ''HALO 2 REVISITED'']</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3713927.stm '''BBC News Online''' ''Halo sequel shows potential'']</ref> During the fanfest in the Xbox arena, [[Brian Jarrard]] introduced Max Hoberman and [[Frank O'Connor]], who again presented the demo to the public. Admittees to the arena were then given tickets and divided into groups to play the demo at two types of consoles, with either comfy chairs and small monitors or stools and large plasma displays.<ref>[http://www.subnova.com/20040518.174537 '''SubNova.com''' ''E3 2004 Part 2: The Halo Boy Band'']</ref><ref>[http://www.the-nextlevel.com/tnl/threads/29511-E3-Hands-On-Impressions-of-Halo-2-Part-One '''TheNextLevel.com''' ''E3 Hands-On Impressions of Halo 2: Part One'']</ref><ref>[http://www.the-nextlevel.com/tnl/threads/29513-E3-Hands-On-Impressions-of-Halo-2-Part-Two '''TheNextLevel.com''' ''E3 Hands-On Impressions of Halo 2: Part Two'']</ref><ref>[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive14.pl?read=426274 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''Bungie Weekly Update!!!'']</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041116121110/http://www.xbox.com/en-us/halo2/bungiefanfest.htm '''Xbox.com''' ''E3 2004 Bungie Fan Fest'']</ref><ref>[http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/p_halo2e32004_x '''Eurogamer.net''' ''Halo 2 Multiplayer Walkthrough: Movie and Impressions'']</ref> Footage of the demo and promotional screenshots were then later released to the public by Bungie.<ref>[http://halo.bungie.org/news.html?item=9439 '''halo.bungie.org''' ''No silly title necessary'']</ref>

The pre-made account names were divided into two groups. Team one played as Spartans who were given Marine names ([[Stacker]], [[Bisenti]], [[Johnson]], [[Mendoza]], and [[Perez]]), while team two played as Elites with Prophet names ([[Truth]], [[Regret]], [[Mercy]], Disdain, and Pity).<ref>[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive15.pl?read=450682 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Halo 2 E3 pics (Never before seen!)'']</ref>

==Transcript==
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==Differences from final game==
{{stub|section=yes}}
*The Gauss Warthog is referred to as a "Rocket Hog" and shoots missiles.
*The Battle Rifle fires only one shot per trigger pull while zoomed into the scope.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Halo 2 E3 Multiplayer Demo script.jpg|The original demo script.
File:Peter Moore November 9th.jpg|Peter Moore showing off his tattoo.
File:Halo 2 E3 Demo Screenshot 1.jpg|Promotional screenshot of a match.
File:Halo 2 E3 Demo Screenshot 2.jpg|Another press-release image.
File:Halo 2 E3 Demo Screenshot 3.jpg|Vehicular combat on the demo.
File:Halo 2 E3 Demo Screenshot 4.jpg|A view of combat on the map.
File:Battle rifle -1.jpg|Early BR55 in demo. 
File:E3 2004 3.jpg|A presentation before a match.
File:E3 2004 1.jpg|People playing the demo during the expo.
File:E3 2004 2.jpg|Another view inside the ''Halo 2'' gameplay theater.
File:E3 2004 4.jpg|[[Marty O'Donnell]] and comedian [[Wikipedia:Sinbad (comedian)|Sinbad]] in the gameplay theater.
File:Prophet names.jpg|The account names used in the demo.
</gallery>

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

==External links==
*[http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/11/e3-2004-halo-2-qa '''IGN.com''' ''E3 2004: HALO 2 Q&A''] - IGN's interview with [[Pete Parsons]] on the demo.

{{Halo Demo}}
{{Trailer/Game|H2}}

[[Category:Halo 2 trailers]]