GamesHelldivers 2Former Halo devs say they pitched dozens of spin-off games, including a rumored ODST game similar to Helldivers 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesHelldivers 2Former Halo devs say they pitched dozens of spin-off games, including a rumored ODST game similar to Helldivers 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: 343 Industries)
Former Halo developers have revealed they pitched a plethora of ideas for spin-off games that ultimately got shot down, and among them was seemingly an ODST title very similar toHelldivers 2.
Helldivers 2 burst onto the scene earlier this month and has been an instant hit thanks to its fast-paced and frantic gameplay that pits you and your co-op buddies against hordes of giant insects and deadly robots. For many Halo fans, it’s the perfect formula for an ODST game, and according to recent rumors, former 343 developers once had the very same idea.
Just learned that some ex 343 devs pitched an ODST game that was almost exactly like Helldivers… pic.twitter.com/21qLN3t8V4February 18, 2024
Just learned that some ex 343 devs pitched an ODST game that was almost exactly like Helldivers… pic.twitter.com/21qLN3t8V4February 18, 2024
Giving more credibility to the claims, former343 Industriesdeveloper and senior designer on Halo Infinite, Kevin Schmitt, weighed in with aresponse. According to him, tons of ideas were pitched for Halo games, though these never saw the light of day for one reason or another.
“We must have pitched 20-30 game ideas over the 12 years I was there that would have totally worked in the Halo universe,” Schmitt says. “Many SP & MP ODST-themed ones. Some galaxy-spanning, some more intimate… and one that was really dark. lol.”
Naturally, the idea of these not being picked up has been met with a mix of sadness and confusion from fans. “Infuriating that none of these were allowed to be made,” says @PWCR13. “The universe is so massive [with] endless stories to tell.” @Halo_VFX writes, “I’d love to know the reasoning why they didn’t go with any of them. It feels, from a fans' perspective, that they do as much as they can [to hold] the franchise back from having tons of gaming experiences that could be fun and successful.”
And success is certainly what Helldivers 2 has found. In just 24 hours, the sequel managed toovertake God of War to become the biggest PlayStation Studios game launch on Steam. Since then, its spiraling concurrent player numbers have seen itsurpass Destiny 2 and Starfield to become the biggest Steam launch from PlayStation or Xbox Studios. Developer Arrowhead recently admitted it was"struggling to keep up" with the game’s immense popularityand has to raise the player cap to 450,000 to improve server stability.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
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Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
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4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”