We’ve been living the Master Chief life for nearly two decades now, if you can believe it. With dozens of stories being told through games, short films and books –there is a LOT to know about Microsoft and Bungie’s Xbox seller Halo. Here’s just a taste!
1. Originally, Halo: Combat Evolved was always meant to be an RTS (Real Time Strategy) title. The game was completely retooled upon realizing a launch title would be more impressive if done in First Person perspective.
2. Those vocalists you hear pretty much in every single Halo title’s opening song come from Gregorian Monks. It’s such beloved tone now that it is a staple to these games and is one of the most easily recognizable theme songs in video games today.
(Microsoft)
3. Xbox, upon launch, did not have Xbox Live yet and it wouldn’t be until Halo 2 that multiplayer existed in the titles. Multiplayer in Halo: Combat Evolved would not go past LAN play for years.
4. Due to the constraints on time, Halo: Combat Evolved was meant to have 25 levels to it but settled in on 10 really finessed levels. With different game modes, this kept the replayability high.
5. Halo: Combat Evolved had a lot of creative inspiration from Aliens. In fact, some of the dialogue you’re going to hear those Marines use is taken directly from the films.
(Microsoft)
6. Halo 2 had 1.5 million pre-orders upon it being announced which meant it was a Platinum Hits title before it ever released.
7. There was nearly 18,000 lines of dialogue in the voice script for Halo 2. This was something unexpected based on the fact the first Halo title was less than half of that.
8. Conan O’Brien and Andy Richter actually voice two of the Marines in an Easter Egg type situation for Halo 4. (I included the video up above to see them record!)
9. Nathan Fillion isn’t the only well-known geek fave voicing a character in Halo 3, but also a good handful of the cast from Firefly and Serenity. Not too surprising he moved to Bungie project later on with Destiny, is it?
10. Speaking of which, Bungie actually left the possible development of Halo 4 in the capable hands of 343 Industries because they had a new game in mind. That game? Destiny. Who voices one of their strongest lead characters? Nathan Fillion. (Yes, I know you’re reading this post-Destiny E3 reveal. Let’s not talk about that reveal right now. I’m still a mess.)
