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What would have happened if the original Halo never had multiplayer? photo

One of the biggest reasons the original Xbox did so well was because of the original Halo. The multiplayer mode in the game is arguably what made the Xbox succeed and brought in the audience that had been looking for another GoldenEye/Perfect Dark experience again.

So can you even imagine what the playing field would be like today had the multiplayer been cut from Halo? Well, it almost actually happened. Gamasutra’s Chris Remo caught up with Hardy LeBel, one-half of the two-man team that made sure multiplayer stayed in the game:

" ... When we got bought by Microsoft, Alex Seropian and Jason Jones, who were the two principals of Bungie, came to me and [former Bungie engineer and animator] Michael Evans, and said, "Multiplayer is cut from Halo because we're trying to make it really work on the console and we just don't have the resources."

But we threw a fit and were like, "No way! You can't cut it! It's just too cool!"

They said, "We were hoping you'd say that -- because you two guys have to resurrect it."

The original Halo was the biggest, and really only, draw for the original Xbox for awhile. Do you think the Xbox would have succeeded without Halo’s multiplayer? Would we have an Xbox 360 right now? Would Rooster Teeth be in business?








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19 comments | showing # 1 to 19
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eternalplayer2345's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 16:50
eternalplayer2345
you guys remember the x-box, it was like the jaguar of it's time, man
XanderSan's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 16:52
XanderSan
FABULOUS 3! Covenant and Confetti! How fabulous...

Halo without multiplayer would've been a damn shame.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 16:57
mix
Halo without multiplayer is like a sandwhich without the tangy zip of miralce whip, un delicious.

Halo without multiplayer is like sex with a condom made of sandpaper, hurtful.

Halo without multiplayer is like a family member in a wheel chair, no fun.

.....how's that?
Gibbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 16:58
Gibbo
People still play Haloes? would actually make sense.
KyleGamgee's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 17:02
KyleGamgee
I have ever felt that without Halo (specifically the Multi-player in it) the Xbox would not have succeeded. The Playstation/PS2 was so well established with tons of great exclusive titles.

I bought my xbox because of halo. I was tired of getting so very killed and dead by my friend who played it all the time, I knew I would have to get in practice before I would even stand a chance.

So often in those LAN-party jungles of cables and hubs you would hear a pained cry of rage directed toward one of the other seasoned and frustrating players. MR POOPY!!! (when said with real rage and vengeance is incredibly funny to hear)

Good times.
falinter's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 17:02
falinter
Halo would be Haze.
SWE3tMadness's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 17:07
SWE3tMadness
No. One of the biggest draws for the Xbox, especially now with the Xbox 360, was online play. The PS2 barely had it, and the GCN completely lacked it. Without Halo's multiplayer and its massive following, I don't think there's many other games that would've been able to jump-start that trend in the same way.

And to be honest, Halo's campaign modes are kind of lackluster. Some games can be awesome with only single-player, but Halo would've been quickly forgotten if there was no multiplayer.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 17:43
Holyetheline
When I played Halo's multiplayer back in the day I felt like it was a huge step backwards from games like Perfect Dark... I didn't dig it and I'm still not impressed with Halo multi player.
Krow's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 18:15
Krow
Oddworld: Munch's Odyssey would be a remembered classic.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 18:27
Darren Nakamura
Things would have been vastly different for Microsoft if Halo didn't have multiplayer. While I appreciate what the single player campaign had to offer, I would have never even touched it were it not for my friends getting me into the multiplayer.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 18:37
vexed alex
I agree with most of you. Halo would not be the system seller it is today.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 18:44
TrailerParkJesus
Halo, Xbox, Microsoft, multiplayer gaming, and online gaming would not be as big as it is today... probably.
rbrooks's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 19:36
rbrooks
it completly saved the xbox...amazing really.
ajaxender's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 19:39
ajaxender
I think if Halo had been lacking Co-op too, then it would really have been forgotten. However, we spent much, much more time playing the campaign than multiplayer in Halo 1. It wouldnt have done as well, but it was still a damn fun game to play, by yourself or with a buddy.

However, if thered been no multiplayer in Halo 1, i suspect it would not have been such a big deal in Halo 2... and thats what really got the online play going. That would be a huge difference.
catsithx's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 20:08
catsithx
Halo would have just a regular FPS that never could or would.
Trevor McGee's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 21:52
Trevor McGee
Uh, it'd be what it is now, a mediocre over hyped and overrated FPS, minus multiplayer.
parrothead's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/15/2008 23:48
parrothead
it would still be a mediocre FPS
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/16/2008 15:35
Sharpless
DO PEOPLE STILL PLAY HALO? LOLOLOLOLOL I'M SO FUCKING CLEVER AND TRENDY.
Warhero6381's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/10/2008 15:34
Warhero6381
Wouldn't have been the same. Halo is Halo because of its multiplayer. Sure, we all played Halo's single-player tons and co-oped into the long hours of the night. But without the LAN matches... Halo 2/3 wouldn't be as big as they are now.

Stop hating Halo. It's pretty much the reason you have a 360.
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