Halo 2: Anniversary: Difference between revisions

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==Features==

===Campaign===

As with ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign has been visually remastered by [[Wikipedia:Saber Interactive|Saber Interactive]] along with completely redone audio and the original soundtrack rerecorded by [[Skywalker Sound]].<ref name="PAX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref><ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115637960&postcount=1792 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on sound'']</ref> Similar to its predecessor, ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will use a combination of 3D models from several of the prior games (such as ''[[Halo: Reach]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Unggoy|Grunts]]) as well as modified and all-new assets.<ref name="IGNinterv"/> Unlike the other games in the ''Master Chief Collection'' which run at a 1920x1080p resolution, the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign will have a lower resolution of 1328x1080p due to stated technical problems that arose from running the twin graphics and audio engines at 1080p. The game will nonetheless have a frame rate of 60 frames per second like the other titles in the collection.<ref>[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> The remastered cutscenes have been pre-rendered by [[Blur ~~Studios~~]] as opposed to being in-engine like those in most of the ''Halo'' games.<ref name="waypoint"/>

As with ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign has been visually remastered by [[Wikipedia:Saber Interactive|Saber Interactive]] along with completely redone audio and the original soundtrack rerecorded by [[Skywalker Sound]].<ref name="PAX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref><ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115637960&postcount=1792 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on sound'']</ref> Similar to its predecessor, ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will use a combination of 3D models from several of the prior games (such as ''[[Halo: Reach]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Unggoy|Grunts]]) as well as modified and all-new assets.<ref name="IGNinterv"/> Unlike the other games in the ''Master Chief Collection'' which run at a 1920x1080p resolution, the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign will have a lower resolution of 1328x1080p due to stated technical problems that arose from running the twin graphics and audio engines at 1080p. The game will nonetheless have a frame rate of 60 frames per second like the other titles in the collection.<ref>[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> The remastered cutscenes have been pre-rendered by [[Blur Studio]] as opposed to being in-engine like those in most of the ''Halo'' games.<ref name="waypoint"/>

Like ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', the game will allow users to switch between the remastered version and a "Classic Mode" (also referred to as "Legacy" mode);<ref name="PAX"/> both visuals and audio will be remastered in the ''Anniversary'' mode but will remain original in the Classic Mode. The switch between the two modes is more seamless than in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', being instantaneous as opposed to the screen fading to black in the interim.<ref name="machinima">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crDIiFV-Wmw '''YouTube''': ''Every. Halo. Ever. E3 2014'']</ref> However, the toggle will not work in cutscenes, which will be played in the mode active when the cutscene starts due to the pre-rendered nature of the custscenes.<ref name="SDCC panel">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGrnvdo8Ok&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=1 '''YouTube''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Dev Panel - SDCC 2014'']</ref>

Line 69:

==Development==

===Cinematics===

While Saber Interactive produced the cutscenes in-engine in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', digital animation company [[Blur Studio]] (who previously worked on the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' cinematics) was contracted to create pre-rendered CGI cinematics for ''Halo 2 Anniversary''. This was a considerable undertaking, as the game's cutscenes contain a total of 58 minutes of footage. However, since the template for the cinematics' structure and composition already existed in the form of the original ''Halo 2'' cutscenes, it was easier for Blur to focus on issues like visual fidelity than in a typical project in which they are forced to work with little to no such source material.<ref name="RTL">'''[[Remaking The Legend]]'''</ref>

The character animations were created through [[Wikipedia:Motion capture|motion capture]] technology; the new models for certain characters, such as [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Johnson]], are also modeled after their motion capture actors. The action scenes, which involve a great deal of movement on part of the characters, proved a challenge for the actors, particularly because the facial and bodily performances were captured separately. In one scene (the closing of ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''), for example, {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364280/ Damion Poitier]}}, the motion capture actor for Sgt. Johnson and the Arbiter, is fighting "himself".<ref name="RTL"/>

===Audio===

The soundtrack in ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will be in surround sound and has been completely re-orchestrated by [[Skywalker Sound]], with several new tracks exclusive to the remake.<ref name="PAX"/> [[Steve Vai]], who worked on the original ''Halo 2'' original soundtrack, was hired to re-record his original guitar tracks for the remastered soundtrack. Two new tracks by [[Wikipedia:Periphery (band)|Misha Mansoor]] will replace the exclusive songs by Breaking Benjamin and Incubus in the Anniversary mode; the original tracks will be retained in Classic mode.<ref name="PAX"/> An official ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack]]'' will be released alongside ''The Master Chief Collection'' on November 11, 2014.<ref name="gameinformerH2A"/><ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/13/listen-to-the-halo-2-anniversary-soundtrack-right-now '''IGN.com''': ''Listen to the Halo 2 Anniversary Soundtrack Right Now - IGN First'']</ref> The soundtrack will be available as a double CD, digital download, and a limited edition vinyl record.<ref name="PAX"/>

Every sound effect from the original ''[[Halo 2]]'' has been redone, including weapons, vehicles and ambient sounds. The Anniversary mode will also feature an overhauled audio engine, with new reflection and level of distance systems to more realistically model the sound effects' interaction with the environment, accounting for level geometry and distance in the propagation of weapon sounds. Each weapon's sound effects have been changed to make every weapon seem more intimidating and ~~similar~~ to the ~~weapons'~~ sound effects in ''[[Halo 4]]''.<ref name="~~PAX~~"/>

Every sound effect from the original ''[[Halo 2]]'' has been redone, including weapons, vehicles and ambient sounds. The Anniversary mode will also feature an overhauled audio engine, with new reflection and level of distance systems to more realistically model the sound effects' interaction with the environment, accounting for level geometry and distance in the propagation of weapon sounds. Each weapon's sound effects have been changed to make every weapon seem more intimidating.<ref name="PAX"/> The audio team disseminated the original sounds in detail and attempted to find specific identifying characteristics of them to emulate in the new ones. Similar to the weapon sound effects in ''[[Halo 4]]'', source material for the new sounds was recorded with actual weapons fire. The developers picked weapons they felt had distinctive firing reports, including the [[Wikipedia:Thompson submachine gun|Thompson submachine gun]], the [[Wikipedia:Heckler & Koch MP5|Heckler & Koch MP5]] and the [[Wikipedia:M1 Garand|M1 Garand]]. New source material for the [[energy sword]]'s sound effects—which the audio team wanted to sound more powerful than originally—was created by recording the sizzling and crackling sounds created by placing ball bearings on dry ice.<ref name="RTL"/>

The toggle between the original and the remastered audio will be tied to the graphics switch and cannot be changed independently.<ref name="PAX"/>

Halo 2: Anniversary: Difference between revisions

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@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ==Features==
 ===Campaign===
-As with ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign has been visually remastered by [[Wikipedia:Saber Interactive|Saber Interactive]] along with completely redone audio and the original soundtrack rerecorded by [[Skywalker Sound]].<ref name="PAX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref><ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115637960&postcount=1792 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on sound'']</ref> Similar to its predecessor, ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will use a combination of 3D models from several of the prior games (such as ''[[Halo: Reach]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Unggoy|Grunts]]) as well as modified and all-new assets.<ref name="IGNinterv"/> Unlike the other games in the ''Master Chief Collection'' which run at a 1920x1080p resolution, the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign will have a lower resolution of 1328x1080p due to stated technical problems that arose from running the twin graphics and audio engines at 1080p. The game will nonetheless have a frame rate of 60 frames per second like the other titles in the collection.<ref>[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> The remastered cutscenes have been pre-rendered by [[Blur Studios]] as opposed to being in-engine like those in most of the ''Halo'' games.<ref name="waypoint"/>
+As with ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign has been visually remastered by [[Wikipedia:Saber Interactive|Saber Interactive]] along with completely redone audio and the original soundtrack rerecorded by [[Skywalker Sound]].<ref name="PAX">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGn4YXXZyDo '''YouTube''': ''Halo and the Journey of the Master Chief- PAX Prime 2014'']</ref><ref>[http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=115637960&postcount=1792 '''NeoGaf''': ''Frank O'Connor on sound'']</ref> Similar to its predecessor, ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will use a combination of 3D models from several of the prior games (such as ''[[Halo: Reach]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s [[Unggoy|Grunts]]) as well as modified and all-new assets.<ref name="IGNinterv"/> Unlike the other games in the ''Master Chief Collection'' which run at a 1920x1080p resolution, the ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' campaign will have a lower resolution of 1328x1080p due to stated technical problems that arose from running the twin graphics and audio engines at 1080p. The game will nonetheless have a frame rate of 60 frames per second like the other titles in the collection.<ref>[http://uk.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/the-horse-you-rode-in-on-a-halo-the-master-chief-collection-story-ign-first '''IGN''': ''The Horse You Rode In On (A Halo: The Master Chief Collection Story) – IGN First'']</ref> The remastered cutscenes have been pre-rendered by [[Blur Studio]] as opposed to being in-engine like those in most of the ''Halo'' games.<ref name="waypoint"/>
 Like ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', the game will allow users to switch between the remastered version and a "Classic Mode" (also referred to as "Legacy" mode);<ref name="PAX"/> both visuals and audio will be remastered in the ''Anniversary'' mode but will remain original in the Classic Mode. The switch between the two modes is more seamless than in ''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary'', being instantaneous as opposed to the screen fading to black in the interim.<ref name="machinima">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crDIiFV-Wmw '''YouTube''': ''Every. Halo. Ever. E3 2014'']</ref> However, the toggle will not work in cutscenes, which will be played in the mode active when the cutscene starts due to the pre-rendered nature of the custscenes.<ref name="SDCC panel">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUGrnvdo8Ok&list=UU7NCg0venpKJg3kuJojKlbQ&index=1 '''YouTube''': ''Halo: The Master Chief Collection Dev Panel - SDCC 2014'']</ref>
@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 ==Development==
+===Cinematics===
+While Saber Interactive produced the cutscenes in-engine in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'', digital animation company [[Blur Studio]] (who previously worked on the ''[[Halo Wars]]'' cinematics) was contracted to create pre-rendered CGI cinematics for ''Halo 2 Anniversary''. This was a considerable undertaking, as the game's cutscenes contain a total of 58 minutes of footage. However, since the template for the cinematics' structure and composition already existed in the form of the original ''Halo 2'' cutscenes, it was easier for Blur to focus on issues like visual fidelity than in a typical project in which they are forced to work with little to no such source material.<ref name="RTL">'''[[Remaking The Legend]]'''</ref>
+The character animations were created through [[Wikipedia:Motion capture|motion capture]] technology; the new models for certain characters, such as [[Miranda Keyes]] and [[Avery Johnson]], are also modeled after their motion capture actors. The action scenes, which involve a great deal of movement on part of the characters, proved a challenge for the actors, particularly because the facial and bodily performances were captured separately. In one scene (the closing of ''[[Quarantine Zone (level)|Quarantine Zone]]''), for example, {{Plain|[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1364280/ Damion Poitier]}}, the motion capture actor for Sgt. Johnson and the Arbiter, is fighting "himself".<ref name="RTL"/>
 ===Audio===
 The soundtrack in ''Halo 2 Anniversary'' will be in surround sound and has been completely re-orchestrated by [[Skywalker Sound]], with several new tracks exclusive to the remake.<ref name="PAX"/> [[Steve Vai]], who worked on the original ''Halo 2'' original soundtrack, was hired to re-record his original guitar tracks for the remastered soundtrack. Two new tracks by [[Wikipedia:Periphery (band)|Misha Mansoor]] will replace the exclusive songs by Breaking Benjamin and Incubus in the Anniversary mode; the original tracks will be retained in Classic mode.<ref name="PAX"/> An official ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack]]'' will be released alongside ''The Master Chief Collection'' on November 11, 2014.<ref name="gameinformerH2A"/><ref>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/13/listen-to-the-halo-2-anniversary-soundtrack-right-now '''IGN.com''': ''Listen to the Halo 2 Anniversary Soundtrack Right Now - IGN First'']</ref> The soundtrack will be available as a double CD, digital download, and a limited edition vinyl record.<ref name="PAX"/>
-Every sound effect from the original ''[[Halo 2]]'' has been redone, including weapons, vehicles and ambient sounds. The Anniversary mode will also feature an overhauled audio engine, with new reflection and level of distance systems to more realistically model the sound effects' interaction with the environment, accounting for level geometry and distance in the propagation of weapon sounds. Each weapon's sound effects have been changed to make every weapon seem more intimidating and similar to the weapons' sound effects in ''[[Halo 4]]''.<ref name="PAX"/>
+Every sound effect from the original ''[[Halo 2]]'' has been redone, including weapons, vehicles and ambient sounds. The Anniversary mode will also feature an overhauled audio engine, with new reflection and level of distance systems to more realistically model the sound effects' interaction with the environment, accounting for level geometry and distance in the propagation of weapon sounds. Each weapon's sound effects have been changed to make every weapon seem more intimidating.<ref name="PAX"/> The audio team disseminated the original sounds in detail and attempted to find specific identifying characteristics of them to emulate in the new ones. Similar to the weapon sound effects in ''[[Halo 4]]'', source material for the new sounds was recorded with actual weapons fire. The developers picked weapons they felt had distinctive firing reports, including the [[Wikipedia:Thompson submachine gun|Thompson submachine gun]], the [[Wikipedia:Heckler & Koch MP5|Heckler & Koch MP5]] and the [[Wikipedia:M1 Garand|M1 Garand]]. New source material for the [[energy sword]]'s sound effects—which the audio team wanted to sound more powerful than originally—was created by recording the sizzling and crackling sounds created by placing ball bearings on dry ice.<ref name="RTL"/>
 The toggle between the original and the remastered audio will be tied to the graphics switch and cannot be changed independently.<ref name="PAX"/>