Skittlze Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 The Halo 4 Battle Rifle Approximately one week ago, we released a slew of Halo 4–related information, much of which we provided clarification about in last week’s Bulletin. One thing that didn’t need clarifying, however, was the return of the Battle Rifle. After sitting out for a few games and letting its brethren shine, the Battle Rifle is officially coming back in Halo 4, in all of its three-round-burst glory. As someone who invested a decent chunk of time in both Halo 2 and Halo 3, I’m excited to welcome the BR back into the fold. Whether I was wandering around aimlessly with a fully charged Plasma Pistol or playing SWAT on Lockout, camping lower BR tower and spawn-killing everybody in my direct line of sight (yes, I was one of those people), the Battle Rifle was my trusty sidekick for nearly six years, delivering three bullets per trigger pull to either my opponent’s head or the area adjacent to their head. Some people would say the latter more than the former. And those people would be right. Whether you are welcoming back an old friend, or introducing yourself to a new one, take a second to fully absorb the BR’s appearance, because this will be your rifle. There may be others like it, but this one will be yours. The BR85HB Service Rifle is a gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle optimized for three-round-burst firing, and proven to be extraordinarily effective against dissipative energy shielding on both exotic and domestic armor types. Performance-wise, the Battle Rifle is hitscan (meaning the effect is immediate), it features a scope attachment (x2), and it has recoil in its current tuning (rising slightly when fired but in a suppressible way). It doesn’t have bloom, the rhythm feels good when firing it, and it can be used for longer-range engagement. For the uninitiated, the Battle Rifle is most known for its three-round burst. In previous games, this three-round burst was known, but not felt or heard. In Halo 4, it’s known, felt, and heard. The first time I picked up a Battle Rifle in Halo 4, I was excited, but not overly so. I knew it was there and I was happy it was there, but I was more curious than anything else. Upon picking it up from a fallen foe, I started searching for someone to test it out on. After finding one such person, I began to unleash my fury upon them, and after the first pull of the trigger, my ears were greeted with three distinct and powerful pops, my controller began rumbling, and I suddenly felt like the most powerful and badass Spartan to ever walk the earth. Then, I died. The experience of wielding the Battle Rifle was so satisfying, though, that upon spawning, my only goal was to get it back. I did just that, a few different times, and what I learned from that first experience was my excitement caused me to flail, but exercising control and focusing on precision were ultimately rewarded. The major driving force behind the design of the Halo 4 Battle Rifle was a decision to base it on real-world weaponry and then add sci-fi elements. Since the BR already existed, we didn’t want to deviate too far from its last iteration. So we updated it, while putting our own creative spin on it. The overall silhouette is similar to the existing BR, with a few artistic changes. Old-school UNSC weapons were grounded in modern day to give the sense that Spartans are underpowered. We wanted to retain that while pushing the sci-fi elements. You can see that in the scope, the LCD display, the ammo count, and other stylistic details on the gun. In regard to the scope in particular, traditionally, Halo has had one type of each weapon per game. Taking into consideration Halo 4’s sandbox, we went with the square scope to differentiate it from other guns and rifles that have bulky scopes on them. Another way we’re conveying the power of the Battle Rifle is through audio. This weapon is truly a force to be reckoned with, and it’s important that viciousness is incorporated both in how it feels and in how it sounds. The three-round burst is one of the most important aspects of this gun, and that is represented through a slightly ascending pitch scale and a strong accent on the final shot. The base sounds are from FN SCAR and M16-A rifles, and then other elements were added to help fill out the frequency spectrum. A caulking gun, a belt-sander being turned off (pitched down half an octave), and a short snippet from a 2-inch mortar explosion all contribute to what will eventually be going directly into your earholes. If you play with Nerf guns as much as we do (there may or may not be a few scattered around the studio), you’ll enjoy knowing that rather fun noise is one of the components that make up the BR's reload. Accompanying it are a metal C-stand, an old rusty scooter, and real weapon mechanics from WWI-era to modern day firearms. Since the Battle Rifle is one of the most popular Halo weapons, we’ve repeatedly asked ourselves, “What do we keep the same, and what do we change?” We want the Battle Rifle to be an iconic status weapon. When players get it, we want them to feel empowered, especially by the way it operates. We’re hoping that we nailed it. You can let us know Holiday 2012. -Waypoint update- So this is pretty cool. Not much new but lots of details about the br. Not to pumped about hit scan but I hope it will work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unease Peanut Posted March 16, 2012 Report Share Posted March 16, 2012 just read it on waypoint before i went over to the forums And did you see the sounds?! I'm going to have an eargasm for sure if I shoot that beast (and reload like a nerf gun XD) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCPO Mayh3m Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Hitscan was in Halo 2 right? Anyways, good article. I enjoyed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valyou3 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Awesome post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Biggles Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 No bloom. Yes. 2x Zoom. So is this like reach DMR now? Recoil, not a bad idea, makes it more realistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorB77 Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I like this new design. I hope they change the reticle though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archangel Tyrael Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 Hitscan, good..Square optic is weird but i can get used to it i believe, and glad their focusing a lot on the BR, and changing the sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zamio Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 I know what the guy means. I played Halo 3 online yesterday and my only goal was to get the BR. I ran right past the Energy Sword and the Shotgun just to get the BR. When I had it, I commenced stage two. Kill someone. It was highly affective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuko 'Zarhamee Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 No bloom. Yes. 2x Zoom. So is this like reach DMR now? Recoil, not a bad idea, makes it more realistic. The Reach DMR has 3x zoom not 2x. The Battle Rifle has always had 2x zoom, if I remember correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highplainsdrifter Posted March 17, 2012 Report Share Posted March 17, 2012 This is the most excited I've been to see the BR in a long time, think 2004. I missed out on all the March 4th celebration because of some stuff but this is just so sweet to the triangular fossae. It looks dangerous, I love it's new scope and the more austere design, and the yellow stripes kind of hint that this is the reconciliation between the BR and it's friend from Reach. I had heard the footage but after reading this I can't wait to bring this home and blast the volume! Nerf gun? belt sander? mortar explosion? And then I get to shoot it again?! Finally, recoil in the BR, how did they know it's exactly what I wanted? I'm actually looking forward to hitscan because it will help with lag (now someone come in here and tell me that it wouldn't affect it anyway) and anything to help a weapon, that fulfill the function the BR will, with that is a plus, although I still share some of your sentiments, Skittlze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZB-85 Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 BR looks awesome. Hopefully the zoom is more than 2x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lᴜᴋᴇ Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Looks really cool. I've always preferred the DMR, but this looks awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinreaper Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 Im dying to see this is action by way of a longer vid. I have been doing some testing with the implimentation of recoil on the halo 2 br... and I have to.say it is nice. it adds a nice skill element vs just point a pound away like we do now in halo 2. Now if 343 would just release a few new gameplay vids of it..... i could have a version done and released. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCPO Mayh3m Posted March 18, 2012 Report Share Posted March 18, 2012 No bloom. Yes. 2x Zoom. So is this like reach DMR now? Recoil, not a bad idea, makes it more realistic. Hmmm... the BR has no bloom, does that mean it alone has no bloom, or that all the weapons have no bloom? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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