SDCC: ‘Halo 2’ Remastered Map And Cut-Scenes Revealed For ‘Master Chief Collection’
343 Industries returned to the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con on Friday to drop more details on Halo: The Master Chief Collection for the Xbox One. The third of six Halo 2 re-mastered maps was revealed along with the stunning new cut-scenes that are being produced for the Anniversary edition of the game by Blur Studio.
Zanzibar was revealed as the latest Halo 2 multiplayer map to be re-mastered for The Master Chief Collection. The map is best known for its massive wind turbine in the middle of the base. It is a fan favorite because it supports pretty much any play style from close-quarters to long-range. The base also features a gate that can be opened or closed by players to help block or allow ground-based vehicles into the base.
The previously revealed re-mastered maps for Halo 2 Anniversary include Ascension and Coagulation. The fourth map will be announced this August at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany.
The first trailer for Halo 2 Anniversary featuring the re-worked cut-scenes was also shown. During the panel discussion (via HaloArchive), it was revealed there is more than 60 minutes worth of updated cinematics and there will be additional cinematics added to the end of Halo 4 in The Master Chief Collection to help tie into Halo 5.
The Halo 2 cut-scenes were all done in-engine by the game, but Blur Studio has upped the graphical fidelity to stunning levels via CGI animation for The Master Chief Collection. The studio has previously been responsible for creating animation for everything from games like Halo 4, Batman: Arkham City and The Elder Scrolls Online to movies like James Cameron’s Avatar.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection set to release to the Xbox One on November 11. The collection includes Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4, all running at 1080p and 60 fps (with one possible exception). It also includes access to the Halo 5: Guardians multiplayer beta due to launch in December.
The live-action Halo: Nightfall series will be packed in as well to provide a connection between Halo 4 and Halo 5 plus serve as an origin story for Agent Locke. Turns out he will be a playable character since he serves a critical role in the next installment of the franchise.
Those hoping for a Limited Edition version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection will have to keep on hoping. During the Q&A session of the panel discussion today, 343 Industries stated there were no plans for any kind of a special edition.
