[TrueDarkFusion]

A Forging Retrospective, Part III of III
Written by TrueDarkFusion

What are the "Musings?"
Miss Part I?
Miss Part II?

Part III: The Test of Time

In Part II of A Forging Retrospective we covered Foundry and the revolutionary changes it brought to the Forging scene. The Heroic Map Pack introduced two other maps of course - Rat’s Nest and Standoff. Although a small handful of innovative hits were created on the pair, they granted limited opportunity to Forgers when compared to their sister map, Foundry. Foundry was well received by the Forging community and nothing, thus far, can stand up to its might. In this edition of the Musings of the Truth we will take our third and final retrospective look into Forge.

Almost immediately after the arrival of the Heroic Map Pack, Bungie began hyping fans for the next epic map installation they ordained the Legendary Map Pack. Only time would tell for eagerly awaiting Forgers whether the new map pack would hold up to the new standards set by Foundry. Unfortunately, these were high hopes. Shortly before the release of the Legendary Map Pack Forging addicts would learn that another Foundry-like map would not be included in the newest map load out. Still, Bungie did not neglect Forge in the latest map pack. Avalanche, Ghost Town and Blackout would contain many familiar Forge objects re-skinned to fit the new maps along with an array of objects unique to the Legendary Map Pack.

Initial community opinion of the maps remained optimistic, but as time went on few quality maps were being released on the new maps. The Legendary Map Pack simply didn’t provide the sandbox Forging environment that the Heroic Map Pack exhibited with its inclusion of Foundry. Today Foundry is still the most popular map for custom Forge Maps. Avalanche, Ghost Town, and Blackout simply cannot compete with the legendary stature of Foundry. Foundry may seem bland at first glance when compared to other maps due to its gloomy color scheme, but it was and still is the most versatile map to date. Foundry offers the most space along with the greatest and best load out of objects compared to other maps. But what about the future - will Foundry remain the king of Forge?

It has been previously stated by Bungie that many more map packs will be available for Halo 3 than were available for Halo 2. Supposedly the maps will continue to trickle in for download. Unfortunately I believe Foundry may be the end of the line for maps aimed directly at pleasing Forgers. Aside from Forge maps Foundry is considered by many to be virtually useless for competitive purposes - that is, as far as the default layout goes. Bungie has a large and diverse community to please, the majority of which prefers competitive based maps and cutting through noobs (like many of us Forgers) in matchmaking. Many individuals may be thinking “Why not release another map aimed solely at Forge when so many competitive maps have been made and are being developed?” Well, my answer is this: what is there to improve on? Foundry may not be perfect. There are curved walls and a bothersome crane that seems to make many things difficult, but why release an entirely new map that would be virtually the same as Foundry with perhaps slightly fewer annoyances and a small handful of new objects? Foundry may very well be the king of Forge until the death of Halo 3.

While Foundry may remain the king of Forge, Halo 3 is no longer on the top of the heap. Halo 2 was on the top of the heap in the good old days because people would buy a Xbox and Xbox LIVE subscription primarily for Halo and Halo 2, myself included. In the pre-360 day there were no other games. Sure there were some great games like KOTOR or Fable, but no other game that utilized LIVE could really measure up to Halo 2. Well in the Xbox 360 era it is a different story regarding the third iteration of the Halo series. There are actually other games! Sure Halo 3 is a great game that provides a creative outlet to many of us, but there are other fish in the sea, some of which are mighty tasty. With the release of the 360 and the revolutionary guide that tied gamers together whatever their current activity on different games, players could now network and communicate despite previous isolation when partaking in different games. Halo 2 seemed to be the common factor that all players possessed. Now many of the innovations made in the development of the 360 tie players together and encourage them to try what their friends are playing. Besides who could really resist a good game of Call of Duty 4?

It is my personal opinion that there can no longer be a “top” LIVE title. Gamers thirst for diversity and if a game is good then they will play it. As new hyped games are released, previous top titles will be pushed down, as it is only human nature. Out with the old in with the new, yes? While Halo 3 held on to the top LIVE slot for a few months, CoD4 soon replaced it. Of course CoD4 will also be replaced in due time. Gears of War 2, Fable 2, and other highly anticipated titles are on the way. While titles may sink below others they are not forgotten. Remember that the 360 ties gamers together. While gamers may thirst for new titles, they often return to older titles for a change in pace, even if it is for only a game or two. Halo 3 will always have its spot, as will Forge.

Forge may always have a place in many of our hearts as something new and innovative that Bungie gave to gamers, but the dynamic of map creation is about to change. Far Cry 2 is headed our way with guns a blazing. While FC2 is a different animal entirely than Halo 3, it is still a viable choice for many of us who seek a creative niche in games. User generated content is now the name of the game, and FC2 offers just that. FC2 allows players to create maps entirely from scratch up to 1 sq km in range and even allows users to alter terrain. Do I believe that FC2 is a good option for Forgers to look into? Yes. But do I believe it will replace Forge? No. Forge is something entirely unique in itself that is present within a unique and rather large community. I believe as long as there are users on Halo 3, Forge will live on, and if not then at least we shall remember it as a stepping stone to something greater.

[SVD Zero]

epic win TDF!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad that this is out finally

[TrueDarkFusion]

Originally Posted by sabian133

epic win TDF!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad that this is out finally

Yea sorry about the delay. It was longer than the other ones so it took a bit longer to write, and last week some other front page stuff took priority and bumped this back.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by TrueDarkFusion

Foundry may very well be the king of Forge until the death of Halo 3.

DEATH?!?!?!! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF HALO DYING!!!

I'm not serious...I understand completely that it cannot live forever...which is saddening

Originally Posted by TrueDarkFusion

As new hyped games are released, previous top titles will be pushed down, as it is only human nature. Out with the old in with the new, yes?

Epic line here...You don't work for a magazine review team or something do you?

Originally Posted by TrueDarkFusion

While gamers may thirst for new titles, they often return to older titles for a change in pace, even if it is for only a game or two. Halo 3 will always have its spot, as will Forge.

Phew...halo always will have it's spot in our hearts, glad you clarified that...

Originally Posted by TrueDarkFusion

I believe as long as there are users on Halo 3, Forge will live on, and if not then at least we shall remember it as a stepping stone to something greater.

Indeed good sir, I've always thought these thoughts, and this is my final note, you've basically taken every piece of conversation I've had with my forging partner Shad0w Viper and reconstructed it into something epically beautiful. Great writings, and I hope to see more announcements in the future, even if the three part series is over.

[Mr. Moustache]

They better make another damn forge map.

[gordofrog]

(cries) beautiful, simply beautiful

[GD 27 Sh0ckWave]

This post touched my heart...
Why not make a map thats competetive but easily breakable in forge. Than once they get out of the map there could be an arena the size of foundry only with different colers objects and possably cliffs to make floating structures. It would satisfy the whole community!

[rafi 117]

that's deep man. good job

also, as usual, great pics. although the sandbox one didn't work for some reason

[Kronos]

I know what you mean by going back to older games for a change in pace.
I do it every once in awhile, not counting Halo 2 of course. But I do that too.

I might try FC2 when it's out, but I like Halo too much to quit. =D

[MacedoniaMafia]

I love the pics and it was well written like always.