Halo and the Evolution of Gaming.

The name speaks for itself. A FPS (First Person Shooter) developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game studios. The first game of the Halo series, it was released on November 15, 2001 as a launch title for the original Xbox gaming system. This completely changed the world of gaming forever. Things that have never been done before became possible. First of all, it was a smooth and graphically impressive for its time. Solid campaign and multi-player maps that would set the standard for games to come. With the Xbox's linking capabilities you could battle with up to 16 of your friends. With classic game types like CTF, Assault, and of course Slayer. Sure Ps2 did have online capability, if you got the attachment. However it was sketchy and took forever to connect. It was nothing like the type of competitive online play we have today. I remember epic Saturday nights with around 12 of my buddies. Food, Soda, TVs, xboxs, and cords as far as the eye could see. Slayer matches that would last long into the next day. This game was far ahead of its time, and i remember thinking that there is no way they could top this.

Then Halo 2 set the bar even higher when it was released November 9, 2004. With the newly introduced xbox live on its side, it became an instant hit. Now you could connect instantly with anyone around the world at any time. It was not perfected just yet, but they introduced ranking systems, new game types, and larger maps to keep things interesting. Also some new vehicles, weapons, enemies, and even the ability to dual wield some weapons became possible. Not to mention the graphics and cut scenes put everything else to shame, and the "Elites" campaign was a nice little twist too. However the online play was still a little sketchy. I don't know if any of you remember people using glitches to get out of maps, or using a "stand by" glitch to kill you and your whole team a few times. It was far from perfect, but it did help shape what gaming is today.

Now we move on to Halo 3 which was released on September 25, 2007. Some real big changes happened in this game compared to the rest of the series so far. To start, the new forge program was added. Now players have the ability to create, modify, and edit all the maps. As you can imagine with the large halo online community some crazy maps and game types were created. One of my personal favorites was called Zombies. You could create crazy barricades with trap doors and hidden rooms. Just a new way players could make the game their own, it also gave the game a great replay value. Next was the addition of "equipment", such as bubble shied, power-drain, ect. Which completely changed the game for everyone, it made the not so good players better and the good players great. It was not about chasing each other and who ever had the biggest weapon won anymore. It added a great deal of strategy to the game. Now a single player could wipe out and entire team with a well placed power-drain and a few Battle Rifle shots. Sniper battles with shield regenerators and don't get me started about shotguns in a bubble shield. Also new was the theater option, for recording all of your kill-streaks and epic sticks. You could also put your videos, game types, and maps into the "file share" system. So everyone can download them and check them out. One again new vehicles, weapons, and maps are added as well. I thought that this was complete perfection, there is no way they could top this right?

Ok I know some of you are thinking, "You forgot ODST". I didn't, it is part of the franchise, however I do not think it is that relevant to this article. Sure it was fun and it did introduce a few new features to the game. Honestly I was bored with it, and with no multi-player it does not give the series justice. I will mention one positive about it. It has firefight, which is were the name of the game is survival. Just stay alive as you fight off hordes of enemies and earn points. Anyway back to the main topic. Halo: Reach was released September 14, 2010 and is by far the greatest, of the most innovative series of games ever made. It has everything that the other games before it had but better. Still has the forge system except now, the maps are larger and can support more items. I love how Bungie updates and brings back all of our favorite maps from previous games. Now with better online ranking, armor customization, daily and weekly challenges, firefight, theater, and equipment classes. It was everything you could ask for in a game and more. Also Bungie decided to add jet packs. Now everyone is like "I hate jet packs it totally is not Halo." Or "this game is to much like Call of Duty." Everyone just listen, games must evolve and change. Otherwise kids like you would not play them. If ever year they just came out with a new version of pong, video games would be dead. I personally like the new addition of jet packs, I think it creates a new dimension of game play. Like I said before it will make the not so good players better and the good players great. So the games are changing to keep you challenged and keep you entertained. You should embrace this, because like it or not the world of gaming is always evolving, and ever-changing. Thanks Bungie.