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One of the most
surprising and intriguing features of Halo® 3 is the Forge,
which may be the first "social" mission editor.
Forge lets you place and move objects around the game's multiplayer
maps, which can totally change the gameplay and goals from
the original missions.
Objects
and Objectives
Forge isn't a map editor in the sense of deforming or adding
terrain. You won't flatten mountains, drop in new buildings,
or re-route rivers. Instead, it lets you move around the map
and place weapons, vehicles, equipment, scenery objects, teleporters,
and spawn points. Wonder how the Snowbound map would play
if there are a pair of Brute Choppers on the map, and a single
Spartan Laser hidden behind a rock? Forge lets you find out.
Now
what's handier than being able to summon a Scorpion battle
tank at will?
Editing a map
couldn't be easier. When the level loads, you appear as a
Spartan. Run around and find what you want to change, then
press up on the D-pad. Instantly you're changed into a Monitor—a
floating orb that can add, remove, and move objects at will.
Drop a vehicle here, remove a weapon there, stack a pile of
crates to provide cover over here, and move all the spawn
points to high ground. Press the D-pad again, you're back
in your Master Chief helmet, and you can run around and try
out your new toys.
Taking
a shot at a Monitor as another prepares to drop a crate.
Social
Map Editing
It's not a Halo game without multiplayer elements, so you
can invite up to seven of your friends into Forge. Work cooperatively
to build the ultimate Valhalla battle map, or take sides and
let each team build up their defenses. The great thing about
Forge is that everything works, even in editing mode. So as
your friend is merrily piling up crates, you can hop into
a Wraith and start blasting him from across the battlefield.
Or better yet, sneak up above him and just drop a Scorpion
battle tank on his head.
A
teammate takes a ride on a flying crate.
Multiplayer possibilities
abound, and they're all up to you. For instance, you could
set up a game where you only allow the party leader to edit
the mission. So the multiplayer combat would progress normally,
except that there would be a Dungeon Master-like overseer
who could occasionally drop a Spike Grenade or Mongoose in
front of you as needed. Because you can combine your maps
with the expanded gametype and player trait editor of Halo
3, the possible game variations are endless. Once you create
the ultimate Forge map, you can share it via Xbox LIVE®.
How free-form
is the Forge? When asked what kinds of variations Bungie staffers
had come up with in the game mode, one noted they had built
a variation of the Jenga stacking game by using various game
objects.
Like
Jenga, but with Warthogs.
It's
Your Call
The great thing about Forge is that it's truly what you make
it: a chaotic free-for-all, or a carefully planned attempt
at creating a well-balanced, entertaining battle scenario.
If you've ever been frustrated with a map and thought you
could have designed it better, here's your chance to spend
some time in the Forge and prove it.
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Article
by Denny Atkin
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