A recent post on the Halo Waypoint blog has unveiled a wealth of design artifacts from the development period between Halo and Halo 2, a period affectionately dubbed ‘Halo 1.5.’ These artifacts, available for modders to explore, provide a fascinating glimpse into how Bungie experimented with new features during this crucial time.
Among the most exciting discoveries are maps that were never accessible to players, previously only available for press demos in 2002 and 2003. These maps, such as ‘M1 – Defensive’ used for showcasing AI systems and ‘M1 – Exploration’ which served as a prototype for a single-player level, offer a unique perspective on the game’s evolution. Additionally, the map ‘M1 – Assault’ reveals early exploration of stealth mechanics for Halo 2, which ultimately were not implemented in the final release.
The blog post provides detailed descriptions of the encounters players can expect within these levels, offering guidance on how to create cohesive experiences within the game’s mod scene. These artifacts, painstakingly recovered and streamlined from original design documents, offer a unique and invaluable resource for modders.
Unfortunately, some maps mentioned in the original documents are missing. However, the blog post provides further details for those interested in exploring the full scope of the unearthed artifacts.
Beyond the maps, modders have also received access to various assets, including the broken ring seen in early Halo maps. Other intriguing assets include the swamplands from early Halo builds, Missile Beach (a concept from Halo 4), and a Sunken Temple – a staple of older video games.
This incredible gift for the Halo modding community offers a rare and intimate look into the creative process behind one of gaming’s most beloved franchises. It allows modders to delve into the early development of Halo and experiment with its unfulfilled potential.
