Would it be neat to have a Forge-esque editor in GoW2?

[Redsonic]

I know it's hard to make a full-blown map maker in console games (even though Far Cry did it), but maybe there could be a Forge (A map editor in Halo) esque editor in GoW2? Maybe place some destructibles in maps and stuff like that.

I think it would be rather neat. Do you?

[II Coffey II]

Would be alright if done well enough to suit gears, but what could you edit? Weapons, sandbags, boxes and other map stuff. Is it really worth it?

[ManWithNoThumbz]

I don't think there are really enough objects in the Gears world to make Forge work. However, I would love a straight-up map editor, like that's gonna happen.

[Marth]

A full map editor is possible. Games like Pariah and Far Cry did it well. Much better than Halo 3s 'forge'.

-Marth

[CRYSiiS]

I don't think there are really enough objects in the Gears world to make Forge work. However, I would love a straight-up map editor, like that's gonna happen.

That is Gears 1, we have no idea whats in Gears 2, except we know there is destrucable environments.

[ManWithNoThumbz]

Actually I just realized that with Gears' cover system a map editor could run into some serious problems. Ever piece of cover in gears has specific metadata associated with it for taking cover. That would be difficult to incorporate into a map editor.

[CRYSiiS]

yeah but Im sure each object already has that implemented in its code, instead of adding it seperate.

[Taffer]

yeah but Im sure each object already has that implemented in its code, instead of adding it seperate.

Not for Gears 1 it doesn't. Albeit there's a few objects that already have the cover, but not much.

Forge really wasn't supposed to be a straight up tool for level design. I mean, people who really enjoyed that sort of thing could take the time alone to individually place objects around, but for the most part it's just tons of fun playing around with a bunch of your buddies, spawning weapons at random to combat eachother, coming up with new game types (I've played some baseball in forge a couple of times).

I'm not sure if this would work well for Gears. I mean, with the limited movement that we have and lack of vehicles, I don't think it would be quite as fun in Gears. Not that it flat out wouldn't work, but I don't see it being quite as good.

[Redsonic]

Not for Gears 1 it doesn't. Albeit there's a few objects that already have the cover, but not much.

Forge really wasn't supposed to be a straight up tool for level design. I mean, people who really enjoyed that sort of thing could take the time alone to individually place objects around, but for the most part it's just tons of fun playing around with a bunch of your buddies, spawning weapons at random to combat eachother, coming up with new game types (I've played some baseball in forge a couple of times).

I'm not sure if this would work well for Gears. I mean, with the limited movement that we have and lack of vehicles, I don't think it would be quite as fun in Gears. Not that it flat out wouldn't work, but I don't see it being quite as good.

Um, you're saying Forge can't be used for ADVANCED level design?

Wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpgEVUunOHc

[< Profess >]

That isn't advanced in the least.

Whatever way you look at it Forge is just arranging prefabs.
I'm pretty sure advance map design is more than that.

[StandupDown]

Forge is M$'s answer to map editors on the PC and PS3. But it falls way short of what they can do.

Placing prefabed objects around a map is kinda level design, but it's extremely limited. There's no true custom content. Normal map editors let you make custom models, textures, animations, etc. M$ is so anti-mod it's sad really.

[Marth]

I respectfully agree with Taffer. He might just be the only person in this forum that takes the time to post his opinions with such thought and detail. Good points.

-Marth

[Taffer]

Um, you're saying Forge can't be used for ADVANCED level design?

I never really said that. In fact, my exact words were, "people who really enjoyed that sort of thing could take the time alone to individually place objects around," implying that, yes, if you really want to, you can spend hours of your own time trying to recreate old Goldeneye levels out of rudimentary boxes and... well, more boxes. But now that you make me think about it, YES, you absolutely cannot do advanced level design in Forge. You can't create new geometry (most important), make scripted events, create super complex particle effects and new materials, etc. In the end, if you're truly trying to do some hardcore level design, you'll always just be jerry-rigging a bunch of objects and attempting to make them emulate pathways.

I'm really split as to whether I think a full blown level editor on a console would be the wave of the future. At first I felt that it should be left for the PC, but with that market taking an absolute beating, it might make sense to begin shifting that over. I don't know, a part of me says that simple sandbox editors would be better suited. If you just want the ability to haphazardly place random pieces of cover around a map, place a bunch of crazy weapons all around, or set up fun scenarios to screw around in, a full-blown level editor isn't really the way to go. You can do that stuff, sure, but it takes a hell of a lot more time to learn the in's and out's.

Now I think we're getting pretty general though. The original question was whether a level editor of any sort would be good for GEARS, and I stand by my original points.

I respectfully agree with Taffer. He might just be the only person in this forum that takes the time to post his opinions with such thought and detail. Good points.

Oh you make me blush, Marth.