Forge Mode is Halo 4’s map editor mode. As with Halo 3 and Halo: Reach, players can enter and modify the game’s levels on their own or with friends. Forge enables players to spawn and place a large number of environmental objects, weapons and vehicles along with spawn points, gametype specific objective placements and several other options to create their own twist on existing Halo 4 levels.

Whilst the game allows you to utilize forge on any of the set multiplayer maps, there are three additional maps that are not currently in Halo 4’s online rotation (Erosion, Impact and ravine) that at the moment serve essentially as a blank canvass specifically for Forge fans.

Basic Editing¶

During the Basic Editing gametype of Forge, players can assume control of either a Spartan or a Monitor. The monitor can fly and is required to perform all of the level modification tasks and as such is able to remove existing objects in the environment or to synthesize and place new ones. Switching to Spartan mode allows you to test out how the level works once changes have been made.

Whilst in monitor form, there is a editing menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. Each level has a resource budget and with every item you place in the map, some of the resources are consumed. Items available include:

Spawn Points (initial spawn points, spawn points).

Ordnance Drops (timed or random).

Objective Locations (CTF Plates, KOTH Hill markers, Extraction targets, Dominion terminals and defenses).

Scenery (Barricades and other minor in-game objects such as street cones and chairs etc.)

Structures (Map specific items, building blocks, bridges/platforms, generic buildings, decorative, doors/windows/walls, Slopes and natural features).

Gadgets (Explosive barrels, jump pads, teleporters, gravity alteration zones, toys and level visual filters).

Vehicles (Mongoose, Warthog, Scorpion, mantis, Ghost, Wraith, Banshee, shade turret).

Weapons (Human, Covenant, Forerunner).

Armor Abilities

General Editing Tips¶

Forge Maps¶

Whilst Halo: Reach featured one giant map with Forge in mind, Halo 4 features three smaller, more unique maps. Here’s a brief overview of each of the new Forge maps…

Erosion¶

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Erosion is a to date, a Forge exclusive map. It is situated inside a large cave area and features a very large, open UNSC warehouse building, perfect for setting up a number of indoor maps. Outside of the building there is an open rocky zone that slants downwards towards a tall obelisk-style tower at the bottom of the dirt area. Further below this structure is a large, green lake with a lot of free, open vertical space that can be used by players to construct just about anything they like! > The budget you have to work with on the blank map is 10,000. > There are a number of map variants on offer for Erosion including: - Ascension (Budget already allocated 4345/10000) - Griftball Court (Budget already allocated 20/10000)

Impact¶

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The Impact map is an outdoor space zone based on a sprawling asteroid field. There are three main zones that we can focus on during editing. There are a pair of large, rocky open areas situated on asteroids across a gap from one another. Additionally on the larger asteroid of the two you will find a large, cylindrical UNSC structure containing a deep mining area in the circular room at its centre featuring multiple tiers of platforms. > The budget you have to work with on the blank map is 10,000. > There are a number of map variants on offer for Erosion including: - Relay (Budget already allocated 5400/10000)

Ravine¶

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Ravine is the third of the three forge maps for halo 4 and is characterised by a large, raised grassy island that has been split down the middle, with the cliff here forming a ravine between its two sides. On one side is an open, grassy area and on the opposing side is a huge Forerunner structure. In addition to the two main points on this map, Ravine also features a number of rocky ledges and raised cliff platforms, adding a degree of height to the map. Additionally, players can build a fair bit in the air above the ocean beside the islands. > The budget you have to work with on the blank map is 10,000. > There are a number of map variants on offer for Erosion including: - Settler (Budget already allocated 4255/10000)

Downloading Custom Maps¶

Note that online file sharing of maps is not yet live in Halo 4. Rumors are it will go live later this month (December ’12). From what is already in the game, it appears that similarly to Reach, you will be able to search and download for other players maps, this time through the Spartan Hub menu. Here, infrastructure is already in place to search for and filter map variants by gamertags, most downloaded, most recommended and by the map and gametype that you are interested in.

If the Forge mode in Reach is any indicator, in addition to being a great way to boost your offline/player match map roster, seeing other people’s work in action can give you some ideas as to what you can achieve in Forge.