Halo 4 Discussion

Companies make licensed games to sell and make revenue. The Computer Games Industry is a business first. To even go about throwing words like "Sold out" only demonstrates a complete sense of ignorance. It's that same ignorance that I've trying to counter and avoid over the Halo Machinima Community.

Out of all the Machinima Communities out there, the Halo Machinima in its current state is by far, the most trite. The community takes so many things for granted and jeers for any small, insignificant things that were left out. In my thoughts, nobody ever seemed to complain about producing Halo 2 Machinima, a game that didn't even have a Theater option, let alone a method to disable to heads-up display (HUD).

I joined this site in the hopes that I could find and help nurture a Machinima Community that would be accepting of all forms of opinion and demographics. Don't make me regret my decision.

A little firey there, huh? Chill out, it's just a discussion.

The difference with Halo 2 machinima is that anyone describing a feature that was not already included started with "Wouldn't it be cool if the game let us [insert feature]?"

Whereas in Halo 4, having been given the chance to improve on Reach and Halo 3, I notice more conversations starting with "Why did they get rid of [said feature]?" That's a sign of regression, not progress.

Now, Danger Wasp, I get where you're coming from with machinima being what you make it. However, (I'm gonna use a very volitile phrase here) in my own personal opinion machinima primarily a means of telling a large-scale cinematic story on an almost nonexistant budget. At least that's the way I use it. Seeing as I seem to have a similar affinity for explosions as Michael Bay without the tiniest fraction of his resources, I like to push my medium (any medium, in this case Halo 4) to its limit, and if that limit is relatively constrained compared to other similar engines, it's of no use to me. I'd rather just switch.

Better to use what's more suited to the story than to push a game engine beyond what it may or may not be capable of. That's being blunt, not derisive.

Listen: the fact that video game companies are businesses first is entirely true. I'm not denying that. However, you seem to be arguing that this fact reconciles everything they do, as long as it brings in more revenue. In short, the ends justify the means. Rarely is that logic ever ethically sound. But perhaps I am at fault here, for thinking morals and business belong in the same sentence.

It is widely accepted that "selling out" is choosing money over personal or social principles. And I believe your justification for them mimicking other games is that money is more important than any such principles. So tell me, how is that not selling out?

As for the state of machinima as a genre (that it's "dying"), I admit I over-exaggerated. Largely due to that fact that I'm experiencing a publicity drought. However I don't think I am entirely in the wrong; there's a thread dedicated to that very issue, in which every contributor is facing a similar problem.

I don't want this thread to be riddled with personal disputes. But if you're going to play devil's advocate, at least go after some legitimate points, not tiny quotes without context.

Jesus, looking back at what I said must be giving people the impression that I'm an asshole. This is why I shouldn't join debates when I'm in a bad mood.

Anyways, I apologize. I got this out of hand. I should tell you that my points still stand but I addressed them incorrectly.

When I meant to say keep discussions civil was to be open-minded as such. I honestly don't mind what people say about games. I still see tons of people bashing games like Reach and Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts for their changes in gameplay. I just don't seem to like it however when people try to impose their opinions as fact (Something that I'm guilty of). Halo 4 may not be a Halo game for some but in all honesty, it is. It is the sequel to Halo 3 and nothing will change that.

And what I meant by companies not selling out is that companies produce games to make money as a priority. Some generous companies like Gearbox and Valve actually give their fans added extras like Hats, Free DLC and everything in one package whereas companies like 343 Industries and Bioware leave the little extras out and add them later in-game.

So I will agree with you when you say 343 Industries are "selling out" in the impression that they focus primarily on the core game and not the added extras that Bungie would implement but I won't deny my fondness for Halo 4 as a game. I see where everyone is coming from though. I guess I'm just comfortable with the alternative takes needed to make Machinima on it.

So I'll say this again, I'm sorry for acted. Life on my end has been pretty tough and I just don't want this site to end up like the others I've been to.

Halo 3 is my favorite machinima hands down for it's cartoonish style and beautiful environments.

Halo:reach is good for it's grim and dark atmosphere, also the included near realism on the armor. not to mention the biggest sandbox ever. Which makes this the best for Large scale battle scenes.

Halo 4 is great for the return of Halo 3's cartoon style, as well as the most beautiful maps ever. the lighting effects, the details on everything looks great. But is best for machinimas that include small scale firefights or conversations.