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it was now growing back in 2001, when Halo: Combat Evolved came on the scene in an instant and forever transformed the essence of first-person shooter: from that moment on a genre that was rampant on the PC began to look in a increasingly convinced the console, laying the groundwork for the invasion of authentic FPS so fashionable today. Bungee did it to demonstrate that the dynamics of first person shooter could also great with an integrated control system different from the canonical mouse & keyboard, by clearing the fun in the first person to millions and millions of fans bearing pad (or k, in reality there would be the glorious past of Rare dell'N64 with triton, but we do not do the fussy, by). Two decades later, Halo has become a real phenomenon, capable of transcending the boundaries of gaming, with forty million copies sold, 3.3 billion hours spent online fights, novels, comic books, action figures and whatnot. To celebrate the tenth birthday of the title that started everything, so here is to get Halo Anniversary HD remake sauce on 15th November of X360 relives the emotions of the past.

After a short preview (it was quickly shown a portion the revival of the Truth and Reconciliation, the third level of the campaign) and some gunfire in the company, we finally met Dennis Rise, game producer for 343 Industries: We have discussed with him the inexorable march of time, the heritage left by Bungee, Kindest and much more ... As good Spartan warriors, lean back and keep reading!

Video game it: Ten years ago, Halo: Combat Evolved has forever changed the DNA of the FPS on console: its impact has been undeniable, and no doubt it was a milestone for the videogame medium. Why do you believe that game remains relevant even after so many years? Are not you afraid that the genus may have evolved a little’ and maybe now people may not appreciate the same way that much loved in 2001? You know, it is often best to remember only certain titles because replaying you can encounter bad surprises...

Dennis Rise: Absolutely, what you say is true. And the funny thing is that many of us, at the beginning of the project, have launched discussions like "Wow, you remember what Halo was phenomenal at the time?! It was a bomb visually, put the disc in the console and really could not believe your eyes ... " and then remained not really impressed to see him now in HD on X360 (laughs). Anyway you're right, over time things evolve, and memories are often much better than the reality of the time. But what is also a bit 'strong point of view of how "classic": you want to live on your skin gaming ten years ago? Just press the back button and bam! You're back in 2001. Anyway, what I think remains steadfast, despite the passage of time, is the game play: the game has been really fun today, and the mechanical weight of ten years does not feel right. However, there is something for those who want something more than the original: for them have entered the Skulls, and to deepen the story even better are the terminals. In short, the end Halo Anniversary is more than just a remake: it is exactly what we had at the hands ten years ago, but if you want even more, much more.

A surprise is part of the conversation, Jonathan Hallowell Edelman UK, assisting the interview: I'm sorry, but I would add a funny story: a few days ago, in an event like this in London, some guys are sitting in front of the game mode reasserted and they told me, excited: "fantastic, just like we remembered it."

Dennis Rise: The problem is that this was the 2011 version, not the classic view mode! (All laugh)

Video game it: It 'a real problem, I understand them at the bottom ... time plays tricks on me! Really, it happens every now and then try again some titles that you remember how amazing years later, finding himself not exactly in good condition ... and do not speak only of the technical realization, indeed!

Dennis Rise: Very true! But in this case, the game play has aged very well, just take a pad to realize: the dear old Halo is still competitive for the context of today's shooters.

Video game it: The transition between the classic view and the reasserted is not instantaneous as I expected, and indeed need at least a full second (or perhaps even something more) to switch from one mode to another. Why this choice? Besides, the screen goes black, but the game is not interrupted when changing...

Dennis Rise: The game never stops, already! However, a switch would be nice to all the instant, I agree. But for technical reasons it was not a viable solution: Halo Anniversary two engines running constantly on each other - the reasserted over the original course - and jumping between the two without going to black moments attending to the facts of textures loaded and updated geometry gradually ... and believe me, it was not a very pleasant one. We made ​​several tests to manage the transition between the two engines, and eventually this was the best choice. 2001-2011 The jump is still evident and impressive!

Video game it: As we all know, the Halo series was created by Bungie. This is intended as a celebration of the reasserted first episode of the saga, as you did to make sure you always remain faithful to the spirit of something that was not born directly from you? Have you interfaced with Bungie in some way during development; you have been in contact with them?

Dennis Rise: I answer the two questions separately. First, as we were faithful to the original? We wanted at all costs to leave the game play strictly unchanged, and we knew that in proposing a remake we were getting the real risk of ruining everything ... and we just could not afford it. That's why we used the original code, that of ten years ago, without changing it. And all decisions made ​​during development have been taken bearing in mind that game: for example, we added support for 3D stereoscopic, which is a feature of cry today, but if you press back and you switch to Classic mode, the 3D disappears. This is because we did not want even marginally affect what has been ten years ago. The same goes for the Skulls and Terminals: are elements that are found exclusively in the viewing mode reasserted, and not the classical one.

Video game it: So inevitably the game play is a little different level of experience?

Dennis Rise: Absolutely. If you see a skull on the ground, you will notice that there is only reasserted mode: Pressing Back will disappear in the Classic View. Staying true to the original way was the way we honor and respect what Halo has been ten years ago. Regarding the question about Bungie, the curious thing is that their offices are very close to ours. And even more incredible is another coincidence: Bungie was part of Microsoft, and when they went away and they have moved to a town near where we stood. At that point 343 have moved into their old premises, and then in fact we work at the site of Bungie.

Video game it: So their spirit lingers within the walls...

Dennis Rise: Yes, exactly ... Halo live in the spirit of this place! (Laughs) Beyond the jokes, some members of Bungie working at 343 hours, while others have moved to 343 from them. In short, relations between the studies are excellent interpersonal level we deal almost every day, and the relationship is really good.

Video game it: But what happened in particular with regard to Halo Anniversary? Have you consulted with them, maybe even informally? Eventually Bungie has been involved in some way or not? Dennis Rise: They are working on a new project, and the last thing we wanted to do was to disturb them even if only marginally. So out of respect we have not quite done, although they will certainly be among the first to receive a copy of the game when it is ready. But any kind of disturbance during development.