Halo Wars Minigame - A Map in Progess (Need some suggestions!)

Halo Wars Minigame - A Map in Progess *Pics UPDATE*

As I was playing Halo Wars today, it hit me. Why not combine Halo Wars and Halo 3 using Sandbox and Forge? I thought of this pretty elaborate idea and tried some things out in Forge today. I still have some flaws in the idea, and I need some suggestions. Prepare for a massive description.

So here is the basic concept: Every player on each team (but one) spawns trapped inside separate open topped boxes on the middle layer of Sandbox (variation where lasers are blocked, making the level huge). One person, let's call them the commander, spawns in the Skybox.

To simulate a limited amount of "money" the commander spawns with a sniper (maybe some other weapon like a laser) with only 8 shots (maybe less/more). You "spend" your shots shooting pallets holding items your trapped comrades need. For example, so your units can escape from their prisons, you can shoot a pallet that has a portable gravity lift on top. The gravity lift will fall down to an ally, and they can escape their box and fight the enemy. This is how you "build" units. Other means of exiting trapped boxes (since you can only have 4 portable gravity lifts) are: Bubble Shields to get past kill balls blocking your way, deployable shields you can place and jump on top of to escape, and plasma grenades to destroy a gravity lift pushing you away from escape. Also, the sniper/laser would respawn after a period of time to simulate getting more resources/money.

That is just how you build your basic units though. Let's say all units start with a BR, but you want to upgrade them? You could then shoot a pallet that drops down a Rocket Launcher, a Splazer, or a Sniper. Maybe you want to help your troops defend, and you drop down some Bubble shields or Regenerator (maybe like 2 at a time). Maybe you want to drop in some real power, and you shoot a pallet hold a Guass Warthog, a Hornet, and even a Scorpion. One team could be the Covenant, and the other could be the UNSC as well, eahc having different weapons, vehicle,a nd other things. This whole dropping concept is what makes it like Halo Wars.

Another idea, so the commander doesn't get bored, is leader powers. Let's say lasers are used to break pallets instead of sniper. Instead of, let's say making 5 units, the commander could make 4 units, and save one laser to shoot the enemies from above. Any ideas for more leader powers?

The map itself would have pretty complex bases. I tested the dropping out, and you can get it to work fantastic, it just takes some time to get the correct positioning. The map would ideally have lots of cover. Maybe some capturable bases that give you some weapons, equipment, vehicles, or turrets? I don't want cover from above, but side to side if you get what I am saying (so the commanders can always see everything and everyone). Home bases could start with turrets as well a maybe one hog.

I think I would want all players to have about double health than usual to make it less like Halo 3, and more like Halo Wars. Maybe speed could be increased as well as other settings. Lots of testing would have to be done to make sure everythind is balanced. So that air vehicles, ground vehicles, and ground units can all be countered. Respawns would probably be instant (spawn trapped anyway), and indicators would be on team only.

Now I have really figured out a good way to "win". Should everyone have one life for quick matches? Or should some way be created to take out the commander of each team? I need some ideas here, there are lots of possibilities. It could also be a series of quickish rounds, then the commanders would probably switch up as well.

There is also the problem of protecting the commanders from the players (If they get some sort of long range weapon/vehicle). Everyone could agree not to attack the commander, but we all know what happens when people say that. Maybe some sort of protection could be used? I don't really know yet... Also, there would definitely be barriers between the two commanders so they don't kill each other.

Any more general ideas to make the minigame more balanced, fun, uncheatable, and Halo Wars like? I really appreciate any feedback and suggestions, thanks!

*UPDATE*
Alright, so I am about 7 hours in, and almost halfway done. I encountered many problems and had to fix them. I am done with one base, and now that I know how to do everything, the second base should go quicker. The bases at the moment are bare bones, just in case I run out of budget (only used about 500 so far though). Here are some pics with descriptions:


From left to right:

-Wraith held up by a pallet. Break it, and the Wraith comes down to the base
-Mongoose dangling on the edge, shoot it once, and it will fall down to the base.
-Weapons that can be shot once, and they fall down. The weapons are Rockets, Brute Shot, and Sniper. They may change.
-The tube pieces are where 5 of 7 players spawn (assuming 8 are on the team). There are blocked teleporters in each closed box.
-The tube corners contain grav lifts on pallets that can be shot to release 2 players from the base. Shield doors prevent everyone but the commander from shooting the pallets.
-Shoot the fusion coil, and the Hornet is pushed into the Man Cannon, and shot down.


Overview of base (Two close tube corners for spawns, 1 turret, and 1 Hog at spawn. Bases will become slightly more complex later.) Also in this pic are the 5 teleporters blocked by pallets, with shield doors to protect them.


Commander spawn with Custom Powerup and Sniper. He is held in place by a gravity lift and can see everything well.


The simple base so far. Not pretty, but will hopefully improve later. It has a Hog that spawns at the back, and a turret on top.


This shows what all my hard work has gone towards. I went up to the Commander spot and shot everything down. All the vehicles landed great (consistantly do). The weapons landed OK, but they can be easily tweaked. The Rocket bounced to a bit in front of the base, the Sniper landed on the orange ledge, and the Brute Shot landed next tot he Hornet. As long as everything is pretty close to the base, I am happy.

So far, things are going great! I am still open to suggestions, and I hope to fiish the map soon!

 

I didn't even think of that, that would save me a bunch of effort! Can you make the effects of the power up last forever, because that would be fantastic!

I didn't even think of just making timed rounds and points per each kill either... The only problem with not having an overall objective is that one team could just like make one unit and get the lead, then make no more units.

Also, I was just thinking ammo might be a problem with lots of health. Maybe I could make it unlimited for everyone except for the commander when he picks up the custom power up?

 

Thanks for the ideas! I still kind of have a problem with ammo though. I need the people in combat to have lots, but the commander to have minimal. I will send you a friend request when I get further along because I really haven't done much yet, mainly ideas.

 

That's a good idea.

The problem with the power up is making the commander pick it up. I can make him spawn on it, but he wouldn't want to pick it back up so he could have unlimited ammo, and drop everything down to the players.

And the players aren't ordered by the commander. The commander just simply chooses how many units, vehicles, and weapons his team recieves. He can also adjust as necessary.

 

Great ideas man! My only worry of the Man Cannon thing is the Man Cannon itself would block the view of a section of the map from the commander.

 

1. That sounds like a great idea as long as the hole is big enough!

2. I don't completely understand your concept, but it sounds cool. COuld you maybe forge a quick example and send it to me, I would love the help.

3. I was also thinking this, assuming the original works well.

I send you a FR, but I probably won't be on much until Thursday night.

Lefty, that is another excellent idea to balance out larger vehicles. I think your suggestion about dropping the weapons is what I alreayd had in mind, or is it different than what I explained?

Cake, if it becomes popular enough, I will. My only problem with the special weapons as leader powers for the commander is that he could use the weapons to shoot more weapons, equipment, vehicles, etc. down, instead of actually shooting people with them.

I REALLY appreciate all the input guys, thanks!

 

Ah, I get what you are saying. The only problem is that like a tank could just push all the heavy objects out of the way, which would kind of ruin everything .