Cut Halo Wars buildings



"The next (and last) big problem on base building and building size turned out to be the need for the units to exit their buildings. We really wanted to showcase that. It had been received very well in our E3 2007 demo. We had gutted that base scheme during the various un-fun iterations of the “place anywhere” systems, so most of the E3 2007 stuff was gone. But, we were determined to keep the units exiting their buildings. But those tanks are so f’ing big. Each building site had to be big enough to accommodate the Vehicle Depot, which was killing our attempts to reduce the base size."

- Dave Pottinger on the E3 2007 bases.

Throughout the development of Halo Wars, a large number of buildings were cut from the final release. Over the game's development, the building system went through over six iterations prior to settling on the Firebase system ultimately found in the E3 2008 Demo and final game.

Air pad
While the Air Pad was ultimately included in the final game, it underwent several revisions to reach that stage. An early design of the air pad found in the E3 2007 build consists of a small hangar and runway for several aircraft including a B-65 Shortsword and three Falcons or Sparrowhawks. Icons depicting this design remain in the files of the final release.

Barracks
Another building that survived into the final game, the barracks underwent many design iterations. In the E3 2007 build, the barracks are little more than a fenced-off courtyard, and have Marines doing pushups behind the building. Another iteration of the barracks was intended to be "orbitally deployed", with the building dropping down from orbit and unpacking itself.

A third design of the barracks has also been shown, much more simplified in form and more closely-resembling the direction of the buildings in the final game. Icons depicting this design remain in the files of the final release.

Missile silo
"Two missile silos... two guys standing uncomfortably close to the edge."

- Graeme Devine, referring to the silos in the E3 2007 demo.

Found in the E3 2007 Demo, the missile silo was presumably intended for launching missiles as part of the leader power system. The building is never used in the demo, leaving its full functionality a mystery.

Spec ops building/ field armory
Another building that was realised in the final release, the field armory went through similar revision as other buildings. A particularly early revision labels the field armory as the "spec ops building", though the building went through at least one other iteration before the final design was chosen; this second iteration's icon remains in the files for Halo Wars. Icons additionally remain in the files for yet another "specialops" building design alongside the aforementioned field armory.

Turrets
Some early designs for the base turrets would have seen the turrets able to be deployed from orbit, similar to abilities later implemented into Halo Wars 2. These designs would have reused turret geometry from existing UNSC vehicles, with a third (unfinished) variation intended to create a crater with a small fortification in the middle.

Wall generator
Found in the earliest builds of Halo Wars, these structures are descended from mechanics intended for the original Phoenix IP developed by Ensemble prior to adopting the Halo themeing. As part of this game, the alien enemies were to have the ability to build "fog-of-war killing barriers". Covenant-themed models for these structures were created by artist Duane Santos, though the mechanic was ultimately cut.

Monument
Identified only via filenames  and   of icons in the released build of Halo Wars, the Covenant monument building was to have five tiers of upgrade, shown below. The monument's intended function is unknown, though the labelling of the base defense turrets as  suggests the monument was intended to serve as the base headquarters/ command centre in the original free-placement building system.