Dear Games Industry, We Need More Games Like Halo 3 ODST

145 Comments Posted October 7, 2009 - By Patrick Klepek

Dear Games Industry, We Need More Games Like Halo 3 ODST

I don't know what your expectations were for Halo 3 ODST, but I wasn't expecting much. Bungie seems to have been playing down the significance of its latest entry in the Halo series, following year-long back-and-forth contradictions about what exactly Halo 3 ODST even is. Such issues didn't inspire much confidence, but it's a new Halo game, right? Of course I'm going to play it.

But while I'm sure to have any number of memorable gaming experiences before this year is up, I'm convinced Halo 3 ODST will stick with me. Halo 3 ODST is important. It's a game worth putting on a pedestal, pointing to the rest of the industry and demanding many more games like this.

This isn't a review and really has little to do with the Halo franchise; it's needed applause for the quality workmanship that went into a year-long product from a AAA studio in an industry increasingly focused on quick, cheap downloadable games or Hollywood-style epics.

The latter trend Bungie itself has perpetuated and no doubt will continue to endorse, but I sincerely hope Halo 3 ODST sells enough to send an encouraging message: risks, even if it's especially calculated and low risk, are a good thing. Is developing a new Halo game a risk? No, of course not, but letting Bungie craft a new Halo game sans its iconic character in a gameplay style that looks like it plays exactly like the pervious Halo installments but is, in fact, subtly very different in narrative and substance, is an important takeaway for Bungie, Microsoft and the industry. Branding it Halo guarantees sales numbers, thus providing an opportunity for significant innovation.

Dear Games Industry, We Need More Games Like Halo 3 ODST If Halo 3 ODST's numbers are big, it's because of the Halo brand -- but what Bungie did with that opportunity is key. Rather than spitting out a series of deleted scenes with Master Chief, Bungie produced a noir-inspired detective tale with a gameplay style both iterating on past experiences and simultaneously trying something completely different. Best of all, Bungie produced this extension in roughly a year, an unheard of development sprint for a major release these days. But it happened because of realistic expectations and scope, which isn't the gaming norm. Halo 3 ODST may not have been conceived as the game it became, but the lessons from the experience can be applied quite broadly.

There are very few instances these days where developers take advantage of the built-in audience from a successful game to challenge expectations. Bethesda Softworks played with that a little bit during the Operation Anchorage expansion for Fallout 3, which felt like Fallout 3's take on Call of Duty. Again, that happened in an instance where Bethesda was working on a smaller development cycle and building upon the confidence that they could take a categorically safe risk because they can expect gamers to support them, based on Fallout 3.

Small, talented teams with modest expectations and realistic ambitions can do great things. Halo 3 ODST is proof. I'd love more of that, but even Bungie admitted to me at PAX that it's unlikely Bungie will always have a smaller team working on something. Once Halo 3 ODST was finished, that team was bundled into the massive workforce behind the upcoming Halo: Reach. That's disappointing.

Halo or not, we need more games like Halo 3 ODST. Agreed?

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Tags: Halo 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

Comments

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Displaying 1–20 of 145

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gamersince1995 Show Hide(2 Replies)

Don't worry games like COD MW2 , KILLZONE 2, and much much more are around waiting for you to play dear guy...

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:35 PM | Reply | Report

-17 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
Scottydsntknow

I would rather spend my 65 dollars on a full game rather than for an overpriced expansion

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Report

-9 thumbs up thumbs down

13 Replies
ROYALHYSTERIA55 Show Hide(5 Replies)

i got this game and i feel cheated it was only 5 hours long lol we need our moneys worth not more odst crap

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Report

-12 thumbs up thumbs down

5 Replies
hybrid_theory

i really enjoyed odst. i havent completed any of the other halo games (made it about half way through halo 3 i think) but this makes me really want to play at least the third all the way through. i dont feel like i wasted $60 cause even though the campaign was short, firefight is awesome with friends over system link and the campaign with friends over system link is equally enjoyable. definitely worth the $60 price tag.

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:58 PM | Reply | Report

+29 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
NotAnotherOne

Thanks for the story Patrick. That's similar to how I felt about the game too. I think a lot of people will look back fondly on that campaign. Probably more fondly than they have on most other shooters released this year.

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:58 PM | Reply | Report

+31 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
snookgum123 Show Hide(3 Replies)

snookgum123's comment is abusive and has been removed.

Posted: October 7, 2009 3:59 PM | Reply | Report

-15 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
The_Mighty_Kite

I agree that it is cool if companies take risks but as for Bungie doing that with Halo ODST, i dont think they did. Its Halo it would sell no matter what. I've played ODST and firefight is amazing unfortunately the campaign is freakishly short. I own and love Halo 3 so besides firefight and a really short campaing ODST doesnt bring much new to the table. The game is an expansion that thinks its a game. If ODST was only 30 even 40 dollars I would buy it and agree with this whole article unfortunately its the standard 60, but it doesnt contain the standard value. Now when Reach comes out IM buying that day one, because hopefully that will be a legitimate game.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:00 PM | Reply | Report

+8 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
mp1289

Are you serious? They only wanted to milk the series, otherwise it would not have a $60 price tag.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Report

-8 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
greeknerd

I'm a huge halo fan and I wasn't dissapointed with ODST.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:02 PM | Reply | Report

+18 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
DreamingDarklyRobin

Of course the Sony fanboys attack Patrick.

Anyway, I don't care about how large the size of the group is, as long as the game is good and to my expectations.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:05 PM | Reply | Report

+22 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Plasma_Cake

ODST was really good, it was such a great game! Of course they need more games like ODST!!!
The only problem was that is was a add on and that it should be a full game (yes that includes longer campaign)

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:06 PM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
Disturbedphenom

All the Halo's have been short. Why is this new? Nothing changed. What did change is the gameplay and sparked some life into a startingto get old franchise. All this game did was spark my interest in Reach and get back on Halo.

Worth $60?? Thats questionable, i agree both ways, but i bought the collectors and that felt worth it since its $50 for a controller and $50 for the game,so dont feel too bad.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:08 PM | Reply | Report

+9 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
greengrad2965

I agree im a huge halo fan and i loved both firefight and the campaign and the game overall.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:10 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
360_Mafia_Godfather

Love this game!!! I can't get enough of firefight!!! I feel like I definetly got my moneys worth.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:10 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
allstar670

There are a few things that people really dont seem to understand. First of all, this game was made in about a YEAR. Not the normal 3-4 years that companies take to make a game. They cant make everything in a game in one year. They did what they could. Secondly, people seem to forget that this is a business and companies need to make money. Halo is easily one of the most bankable franchises i can think of so why not make it. Milking franchises is an entirely different story so i dont even want to get into that one. I believe the $60 price tag is justified because it is a completely different play style that does take some getting used to. Its a great story that you actually get attached to compared to the previous halo games. Firefight is a hell of a mode, much better then horde in gears and nazi zombies in WaW if you ask me. Granted the second disc is the one flaw of the game, its not that big of a deal because it wasnt even needed for me to buy the game. It was just an extra thing to get and was Bungies way of saying thank you for all the support. Dont forget about the Reach beta they are going to have next year and they include an invitation to that. Im so sick of everybody complaining about the price. If you dont want to pay it then simply dont. I promise you it wont matter because it will easily be the top game of the month when the NPD numbers are released.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:15 PM | Reply | Report

+27 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
Bulbachar

I feel ODST is really headed in the right direction. I enjoyed it and felt the audio files were really a great way to add more to the story. I know the game got a lot of people mad about the price, but I felt like it was worth it. Campaign is around 5-6 hours and worth playing more than once. There is Firefight, which will be played for a long time to come and three new maps to go with matchmaking.

There are so many games out there that are around 5-10 hours long and people don t complain about those and they don t offer much of anything else, other than campaign.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:18 PM | Reply | Report

+6 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
MattPascual

I really couldn t disagree more. I could go on about how short it is and doesn t warrant the full price tag but what really gets me is how the game plays. I don t get it. Why is it fun to play a weaker master chief? I could understand if they gave you some tactical advantages that MC didn t. I hate to judge a game on what it s not but for example a sprint to get from cover to cover quicker. It makes sense because you re not wearing that big Spartan armour and it would change how you play. The only way being an ODST changes how I play is that a die quicker, I can t jump as high and I can t dual wield. Not to bag on the completely the soundtrack in the hub world is amazing and looks beautiful. It also manages to set a great atmosphere, feeling completely alone and outnumbered with only the cryptic messages from the superintendant to comfort you.

Again I feel ODST drops the ball with the game play in this area. The darkness of the city and fragility of the rookie imply stealth but enemies spot you from miles away and as soon as one knows where you are, they all know. The inclusion of the entire halo3 multiplayer is nice but I feel like the people who will buy ODST already have most if not all of that stuff and it s just a way to justify the price. The kind of went on a little longer than I expected but I really feel like I got burned with ODST.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:24 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

3 Replies
mikemill Show Hide(2 Replies)

We need more games where the publisher overcharges us for a small amount content strictly because they know their gullible fan base will buy into it???

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:26 PM | Reply | Report

-11 thumbs up thumbs down

2 Replies
dr_clocker

It was a great partial game. I think of it as an expansion more than a game. It was an expansion length, expansion feel, expansion gameplay. Heck if I was told I was master chief I would have beleived it. The only thing different was master chief could jump higher. Stamina...shields? Did you notice a difference? Stealth tactics, there was more gameplay worthy of that playing as the Arbiter in Halo2. I liked the game a lot but I do feel as I was cheated 20-30 dollars.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:28 PM | Reply | Report

+7 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
eldera1 Show Hide(4 Replies)

Please, more games like this? This was an overpriced expansion. Unfortunately this site is plagued by Halo fanboys saying this games is great. If it was a $20 or $30 game, I would have checked it out.

In all honesty, this is not a good thing. We do not need the industry plagued with cheap knock-offs based on already poorly designed games.

Posted: October 7, 2009 4:28 PM | Reply | Report

-11 thumbs up thumbs down

4 Replies