Cut Halo Online levels: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 07:24, March 31, 2023

This page discusses elements of deleted material and cut content. Some information on the page is sourced from game files and may not be verifiable through external sources. Where possible, such information should be clearly-marked and replaced with a proper external source as soon as one is available.

Due to the cancellation of Halo Online, several multiplayer maps and a single-player training scenario were cut from the game. The map data is largely gathered from the files of the MS30 build of the game, wherein map names and descriptions can be found. Some map files have the prefix s3d_, indicating the map was built for the Saber3D engine employed by Saber Interactive and is thus built wholly new for the game. Other maps returning from prior Halo games do not have this prefix, indicating they were to be 1:1 ports.

This page lists only maps which never made it into a publically-accessible build of Halo Online. For a list of all other Halo Online maps which did make it into the playable builds, see here.

Tutorial[edit]

Named s3d_tutorial in game files for the MS30 Halo Online build, this level would have been set on Anvil Station, and serve as an introductory tutorial for new players starting the game. Several pieces of released concept art for the level indicate the level was to involve a shooting range and Covenant automated turrets.

A screenshot of this level.
A screenshot of this level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the level.
Concept art for the auto-turrets.
Concept art for the auto-turrets.
Concept art for the level.

Multiplayer maps[edit]

Cold Storage remake[edit]

“

The Swords of Sanghelios have not shared the reasons for their interest in this seemingly abandoned logistics base.

”

Named chillout, little is known of this map aside from its name and description. The description suggests this map would be a Covenant-themed remake of the maps Chill Out and Cold Storage. Some related text strings indicate this map may have been intended to be called "Abeyance" in the final game.

Drydock[edit]

Main article: Drydock

“

The docking spires on High Charity serviced vessels from a hundred worlds and a dozen species.

”

Named s3d_dry_dock in the MS30 build, this map's description indicates it would have been set on High Charity. Several pieces of released concept art, shown below, were named "drydock" and may be for this level.

Possible concept art for this map.
Possible concept art for this map.

Lockout[edit]

“

The creatures once imprisoned here are content to wait in the void of space for uncountable years.

”

Named s3d_lockout in the MS30 build, this map was a remake of the Halo 2 map Lockout. Concept art has been released for this map, depicting a possible setting similar to the map Haven on Requiem.

Concept art.

Powerhouse remake[edit]

“

Powerhouse is set in a hydroelectric facility on planet Reach formerly utilized to provide alternative power supply to the rural settlers nearby, but was repurposed to support the military war efforts.

”

Named s3d_powerhouse in the MS30 build, the map's name and description suggest this would be a remake of the Halo: Reach map Powerhouse.

Sky bridge[edit]

Main article: Sky bridge

“

Seongnam's state-of-the-art clinics and labs contain knowledge worth dying for.

”

Named s3d_sky_bridgenew in the MS30 build, this map was to be set in Seongnam, Korea.

Waterfall[edit]

Main article: Waterfall

“

The UNSC constructed many secret holdfasts during the final years of the Covenant War.

”

Named s3d_waterfall in the MS30 build, little is known of this map. Several released pieces of concept art with the name "waterfall" in their filenames have been released and likely correspond to this map, shown below. Some text strings indicate this map may have been intended to have the final name of "Whiteout".

The map has been implemented into the Halo 3 component of Halo: The Master Chief Collection in Series 6: Raven.^[1]

Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art.
Concept art.
The map as it appeared in Halo 3's MCC port.

Other multiplayer maps[edit]

The following maps are referenced in the MS30 text files, though beyond names no information is provided for these maps. As such, they are listed below. They consist of Halo 3 multiplayer maps, and all use the same map filenames as those used in the original Halo 3 game, indicating they were to be ported without any changes.

armory (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Rat's Nest)
construct (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Construct)
descent (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Assembly)
docks (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Longshore)
fortress (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Citadel)
ghosttown (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Ghost Town)
isolation (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Isolation)
midship (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Heretic)
salvation (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Epitaph)
sandbox (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Sandbox)
sidewinder (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Avalanche)
snowbound (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Snowbound)
spacecamp (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Orbital)
warehouse (The Halo 3 multiplayer map Foundry)

The following maps are referenced in the H3EK Shader Collection, though beyond names no information is provided for these maps. As such, they are listed below. They consist of cut Halo Online multiplayer maps.

s3d_dale
s3d_hangar
s3d_rock
s3d_sidewinder
s3d_underwater
s3d_well
s3d_countdown
s3d_lockout
s3d_haven
s3d_burial_mounds
s3d_chillout
s3d_beaver_creek

Firefight maps[edit]

Some text strings in the files reference the filenames of several Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach Firefight maps. It is unknown if they are simply leftover assets in the engine from those games, or whether Firefight was a planned gamemode intended to be included in Halo Online.

Beachhead[edit]

“

The Covenant rarely entrenched themselves on former human worlds.

”

Named s3d_beachhead, this map was set on a former human colony world, and was presumably a remake of Reach's map of the same name, Beachhead.

Other Firefight maps[edit]

These firefight maps are referenced in the text files by name;

alphasite (The Halo 3: ODST map Alpha Site)
chasmten (The Halo 3: ODST map Chasm Ten)
lostplatoon (The Halo 3: ODST map Lost Platoon)

Sources[edit]

^ Halo Waypoint, News: Lovely Letters (Retrieved on Feb 12, 2021) [archive]

[LovelyLetters-1] Halo Waypoint, News: Lovely Letters (Retrieved on Feb 12, 2021) [archive]

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Era|RW}}
+{{Title|Cut ''Halo Online'' levels}}
-Due to the cancellation of ''[[Halo Online]]'', several multiplayer maps and a single-player training scenario were cut from the game.
+{{Status|RealWorld}}
+{{GameFiles}}
+{{Series/Cut/HO}}
+Due to the cancellation of ''[[Halo Online]]'', several multiplayer maps and a single-player training scenario were cut from the game. The map data is largely gathered from the files of the MS30 build of the game, wherein map names and descriptions can be found. Some map files have the prefix <code>s3d_</code>, indicating the map was built for the [[Saber3D engine]] employed by [[Saber Interactive]] and is thus built wholly new for the game. Other maps returning from prior ''Halo'' games do not have this prefix, indicating they were to be 1:1 ports.
+This page lists only maps which never made it into a publically-accessible build of ''Halo Online''. For a list of all other ''Halo Online'' maps which did make it into the playable builds, see [[:Category:Halo Online multiplayer maps|here]].
 ==Tutorial==
@@ Line 12: / Line 17: @@
 File:HO Tutorial TurretRoom Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level.
 File:HO Tutorial Ability Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level.
-File:HO Tutorial R1 Concept.jpg|Concept art for the autoturrets.
+File:HO Tutorial R1 Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level.
-File:HO Tutorial R2 Concept.jpg|Concept art for the autoturrets.
+File:HO Tutorial R2 Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level.
-File:HO Tutorial CovenantTurret Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the level.
+File:HO Tutorial CovenantTurret Concept 1.jpg|Concept art for the auto-turrets.
-File:HO Tutorial CovenantTurret Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the level.
+File:HO Tutorial CovenantTurret Concept 2.jpg|Concept art for the auto-turrets.
 File:HO Tutorial Signage Concept.jpg|Concept art for the level.
 </gallery>
 ==Multiplayer maps==
-===Untitled city map===
+===Cold Storage remake===
-{{Main|Untitled Halo Online city map}}
+{{Article quote|The [[Swords of Sanghelios]] have not shared the reasons for their interest in this seemingly abandoned logistics base.}}
-An untitled city map was late in development before the game's cancellation, set in the upper floors of a skyscraper. This map's visuals match the description of the <code>s3d_sky_bridgenew</code> map described [[#Skybridge|below]], and bear some resemblance to the layout of the maps [[Gephyrophobia]] and [[Narrows]].
+Named <code>chillout</code>, little is known of this map aside from its name and description. The description suggests this map would be a [[Covenant]]-themed remake of the maps [[Chill Out]] and [[Cold Storage]]. Some related text strings indicate this map may have been intended to be called "Abeyance" in the final game.
 ===Drydock===
+{{Main|Drydock}}
 {{Article quote|The docking spires on High Charity serviced vessels from a hundred worlds and a dozen species.}}
 Named <code>s3d_dry_dock</code> in the MS30 build, this map's description indicates it would have been set on [[High Charity]]. Several pieces of released concept art, shown below, were named "drydock" and may be for this level.
@@ Line 34: / Line 40: @@
 ===Lockout===
 {{Article quote|The creatures once imprisoned here are content to wait in the void of space for uncountable years.}}
-Named <code>s3d_lockout</code> in the MS30 build, this map was presumably a remake of the ''[[Halo 2]]'' map [[Lockout]]. Concept art has been released for this map, depicting a possible setting similar to the map [[Haven]] on [[Requiem]].
+Named <code>s3d_lockout</code> in the MS30 build, this map was a remake of the ''[[Halo 2]]'' map [[Lockout]]. Concept art has been released for this map, depicting a possible setting similar to the map [[Haven]] on [[Requiem]].
 <gallery>
 File:HO Lockout Concept.jpg|Concept art.
 </gallery>
-===Skybridge===
+===Powerhouse remake===
+{{Article quote|Powerhouse is set in a hydroelectric facility on planet Reach formerly utilized to provide alternative power supply to the rural settlers nearby, but was repurposed to support the military war efforts.}}
+Named <code>s3d_powerhouse</code> in the MS30 build, the map's name and description suggest this would be a remake of the ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' map [[Powerhouse]].
+===Sky bridge===
+{{Main|Sky bridge}}
 {{Article quote|Seongnam's state-of-the-art clinics and labs contain knowledge worth dying for.}}
-Named <code>s3d_sky_bridgenew</code> in the MS30 build, this map was to be set in Seongnam, [[Korea]]. This map matches the visuals for the [[Untitled Halo Online city map|untitled city map]], though any connection between the two is unknown.
+Named <code>s3d_sky_bridgenew</code> in the MS30 build, this map was to be set in Seongnam, [[Korea]].
+<gallery>
+File:HO city map 4.jpg
+</gallery>
 ===Waterfall===
+{{Main|Waterfall}}
 {{Article quote|The UNSC constructed many secret holdfasts during the final years of the Covenant War.}}
-Named <code>s3d_waterfall</code> in the MS30 build, little is known of this map. Several released pieces of concept art with the name "waterfall" in their filenames have been released and likely correspond to this map, shown below.
+Named <code>s3d_waterfall</code> in the MS30 build, little is known of this map. Several released pieces of concept art with the name "waterfall" in their filenames have been released and likely correspond to this map, shown below. Some text strings indicate this map may have been intended to have the final name of "Whiteout".
+The map has been implemented into the ''[[Halo 3]]'' component of ''[[Halo: The Master Chief Collection]]'' in [[Series 6: Raven]].{{Ref/Site|Id=LovelyLetters|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/lovely-letters|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=News: Lovely Letters|D=12|M=02|Y=2021}}
 <gallery>
 File:HO Waterfall Concept.jpg|Concept art.
 File:HO Waterfall Pelicans Concept.jpg|Concept art.
 File:HO Waterfall Skybox Concept 1.jpg|Concept art.
-File:HO Waterfall Skybox Concept 1.jpg|Concept art.
+File:HO Waterfall Skybox Concept 2.jpg|Concept art.
+File:H3 Screenshot Waterfall-1.png|The map as it appeared in ''Halo 3''{{'}}s ''MCC'' port.
 </gallery>
+===Other multiplayer maps===
+The following maps are referenced in the MS30 text files, though beyond names no information is provided for these maps. As such, they are listed below. They consist of ''[[Halo 3]]'' multiplayer maps, and all use the same map filenames as those used in the original ''Halo 3'' game, indicating they were to be ported without any changes.
+*<code>armory</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Rat's Nest]]}}
+*<code>construct</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Construct]]}}
+*<code>descent</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Assembly]]}}
+*<code>docks</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Longshore]]}}
+*<code>fortress</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Citadel]]}}
+*<code>ghosttown</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Ghost Town]]}}
+*<code>isolation</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Isolation]]}}
+*<code>midship</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Heretic]]}}
+*<code>salvation</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Epitaph]]}}
+*<code>sandbox</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Sandbox]]}}
+*<code>sidewinder</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Avalanche]]}}
+*<code>snowbound</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Snowbound]]}}
+*<code>spacecamp</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Orbital]]}}
+*<code>warehouse</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3'' multiplayer map [[Foundry]]}}
+The following maps are referenced in the H3EK Shader Collection, though beyond names no information is provided for these maps. As such, they are listed below. They consist of cut ''[[Halo Online]]'' multiplayer maps.
+*<code>s3d_dale</code>
+*<code>s3d_hangar</code>
+*<code>s3d_rock</code>
+*<code>s3d_sidewinder</code>
+*<code>s3d_underwater</code>
+*<code>s3d_well</code>
+*<code>s3d_countdown</code>
+*<code>s3d_lockout</code>
+*<code>s3d_haven</code>
+*<code>s3d_burial_mounds</code>
+*<code>s3d_chillout</code>
+*<code>s3d_beaver_creek</code>
+==Firefight maps==
+Some text strings in the files reference the filenames of several ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''Halo: Reach'' [[Firefight]] maps. It is unknown if they are simply leftover assets in the engine from those games, or whether Firefight was a planned gamemode intended to be included in ''Halo Online''.
+===Beachhead===
+{{Article quote|The Covenant rarely entrenched themselves on former human worlds.}}
+Named <code>s3d_beachhead</code>, this map was set on a former human colony world, and was presumably a remake of ''Reach''{{'}}s map of the same name, [[Beachhead (Halo: Reach map)|Beachhead]].
+===Other Firefight maps===
+These firefight maps are referenced in the text files by name;
+*<code>alphasite</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3: ODST'' map [[Alpha Site]]}}
+*<code>chasmten</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3: ODST'' map [[Chasm Ten]]}}
+*<code>lostplatoon</code> {{C|The ''Halo 3: ODST'' map [[Lost Platoon]]}}
+==Sources==
+{{Ref/Sources}}
 {{Levels|HO}}
-[[Category:Deleted Material]]
+[[Category:Deleted material]]
+[[Category:Halo Online multiplayer maps]]