My intelligent, in-depth observations concerning Luke’s drawing of an upcoming Halo 3 map titled Purple Reign apparently left some people wanting more as they began discussing, dissecting, and otherwise speculating upon every last sketched detail. While the most repeated remark is the noting of the similarities to Midship (a Halo 2 map I personally didn’t care for but one that many people called a favorite), a few other worthwhile points were also mentioned. In my forum, tinycg brought up his thoughts that the image presented on the last Bungie Weekly Update was purposely warped to make the final details more vague to those viewing it. He then stretched the image to the proportions that he thought were accurate. Let’s compare the two images, the first being Luke’s original drawing and the second being tinycg’s modified image.
vs.
Besides stretching the image, he also has a few theories on the map and picture in general.
- He first thought the image was simply squished to fit the update but then changed his mind when noting the full-size version was also skewed.
- While the update states the sketch was done “freehand on computer paper using a Pilot G-2 7 and the ‘coloring’ in Photoshop”, tinycg instead thinks “he drew OVER an existing screenshot of the map, then added simple flat color to it, before or after squishing and rotating it” because the original image has a vertical seam problem at a uniform distance and the texture on the image is more than likely a repeated pattern in Photoshop.
- Possible map features include a ramp, an archway, a shield door, and a lift (you can find the labeled image by clicking on tinycg’s picture above) .
While Bungie has already stated that Purple Reign is a brand new map, some are still wondering if Purple Reign is to Midship as Guardian is to Lockout. What are your thoughts on any and all aspects of this? Do you agree or disagree with tinycg? Have you devised any speculative theories of your own? Most importantly, do you prefer 
, Prince, or The Artist Formerly Known as Prince?
Posted by AusQB on July 28, 2008 at 2:55 am
When I first saw Luke’s drawing, it just looked like a poor imitation of some MC Escher-esque shamble of lines. The only feature that was really identifiable was the ramp at the left. tinycg’s version definitely adds more detail and perspective to the image, but doesn’t really help me envision the end result. I guess the only thing that springs to mind is a mixture of Midship, Gemini and the Halo 2 campaign level “High Charity”.
Posted by Aperture S on July 28, 2008 at 3:33 am
When is this map meant to come out?
I hope not when PAX is, that is ages away.
Posted by mendicantbias00 on July 28, 2008 at 5:03 am
Oh I dont think we will see this map before next year. The legendary maps just came out and they just released Cold StOREage. From what little I have played in Halo 2, it does look an awful lot like Midship. But I really like AusQB’s Idea that it could be based on High Charity. I would like more covenant themed maps.
Posted by Captain Spark on July 28, 2008 at 6:01 am
I’m thinking Purple Reign may be a combination of Gemini and Midship?
Posted by Paulie Danger on July 28, 2008 at 6:10 am
I think you guys are missing the mark with thinking Purple Reign is going to be a throwback. I have a distinct feeling PR is going to be a completely new map and will probably come out late fall as part of a pack rather than a one-off release.
Posted by XMixMasterX on July 28, 2008 at 6:11 am
The right side of the original looks like a teleport.
Since they said it isn’t mid-ship, and mid-ship didn’t have teleports… I’m saying it’s a Gemini-esque level based on covenant themes.
Posted by » Blog Archive » Details on New Map on July 28, 2008 at 8:25 am
[...] In the latest Bungie Weekly Update, Luke posted a Sketch of the upcoming map, Purple Reign. bs Angel over at HawtyMcBloggy.com has compiled an analysis of the map. You can check that out Here. [...]
Posted by snorkle256 on July 28, 2008 at 8:39 am
This could be the thing Bungie says they will reveal at PAX.
Posted by Ray on July 28, 2008 at 8:50 am
I prefer pretending that guy didn’t exist, lol.
Anyways, I am pretty sure Bungie is going to reveal this “new” map at PAX, so we won’t have to speculate much longer, and I am not too worried about whether or not it is a new map or a remake… what I am worried about is this:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/28/new-xbox-360-dashboard-update-gets-leaked-shown-off/
=(
Posted by Anti Enemy on July 28, 2008 at 8:55 am
It definitely reminds me of Midship, but the purple coloring is probably enough to do that. I have been craving some Covenant maps for Halo 3, since it seems like all of the H3 Maps are either Human or Forerunner.
Am I the only one who absolutely loved Gemini?
Posted by Azrael on July 28, 2008 at 10:42 am
Attention, attention. I have a huge announcement to make about this map. It’s purple. Thank you.
Hopefully it won’t be long until we can all jokingly look back and laugh at how wrong we all were win this turns into a Barney & Friends map. Or possibly something worse.
Posted by Reverendtiki on July 28, 2008 at 12:14 pm
It certainly looks like the picture from the New york times(?) that was found a few months back.
Posted by -S- on July 28, 2008 at 1:55 pm
hahaha…everytime bungie leaks out “hawt new info on the latest map”, its like throwing a meatless buffalo wing into a endless pit of hungry dogs. You are NEVER going to figure out what the new map is until Bungie finally unveils it. Ever lol. 2 choices – it’s either a guardian/lockout midship style remake as Angel has noted, orrr its something completely new altogether. 2 choices, pick one lol. What theories are being drawn from this picture, other than the fact that as the name confirms “yup, it’ll be purple”?
(i think the abstract drawing is cool tho)
Posted by KingHippp0 on July 28, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I don’t think this is Midship or Gemini. I believe that what we are looking at here is the deck of a Scarab… and here is why.
May I direct your attention to the 1/11/2008 Bungie Update:
Azathoth117 asks: Are the orange worm-type thingies in the back of the Scarab the same things as the worms in Hunters, or is it just superficial resemblance?
The resemblance is not just superficial. A future DLC map might expand upon that mystery.
A Future DLC map which might expand upon Scarabs? Well they are PURPLE…. and they do REIGN down fire from above….
Here is another clue from the 5/23/2008 Weekly Update
Decorators and detail have brought subtle differences to each of Purple Reign’s symmetrical bases. One base of this open-air arena could end up getting called “Energy side” and another call-out could end up “Hunter side.” Geometrically, Purple Reign is built on a bowl, with some gentle concavity on the floor space, dotted with columns for cover. Four elevated walkways converge in a small bi-level center structure that sports a cache of important items.”
Hunter Side? As in Hunter = Lekgolo = Scarab Side?
Scarabs as a unique vehicle? Like the Elephant? I’m not holding my breath, but that would be sweet.
KingHippp0
Posted by Azrael on July 28, 2008 at 2:31 pm
New idea: Scarabs as bases? Possibly movable bases at that. Sounds like a plausible addition to KingHipp0’s ideas.
Posted by Tinycg on July 28, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Nice info you dug up hipp0, my primary intention for doing this was more out of boredom and to relieve some stress and I just started looking at it like a little more in depth.
Going off of Hipp0’s concept, I’d say this is Energy Side, as I strongly think that is a shield door. As to the lift/teleporter.. I dont think its a teleporter due to how the base of the object was drawn, if it was a teleporter I’d expect a three pronged base, not a circle. The lines suggesting upward movement, suggest more of a lift to me than a vortex of teleporting goodness.
Movable Scarab bases would be hella interesting.
Posted by El Burritoh on July 28, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Tiny… you’re such a nerd…
…
I’m using your XBL theme, by the way. I love it!
Posted by SonofMacPhisto on July 28, 2008 at 4:07 pm
What if this is more then just a new DLC multiplayer map?
A lot of people keep thinking, me included, that Bungie might be coming up with a squad based Haloverse shooter.
Now it reminds me of ‘Truth and Reconciliation…’ or maybe some of the Covenant ship assaults in the fiction (Fall of Reach, First Strike).
Posted by Mike on July 28, 2008 at 7:31 pm
That would be awesome if it looked like Halo 1’s Covenant stuff, but if not we still NEED another covenant map at least. I mean, snowbound barely even counts!
My thoughts are that what we’re looking at is the ‘center structure’, and that the vague background is just some kinda wall. That would mean that the rest of the map is reeaally small though… =’(
Does anyone remember the destroyed scarab in that halo 2 map? The one that’s lying on it’s side? The scarab might just be a piece of a wall, completely unnecessary and a big disappointment.
Posted by Tinycg on July 28, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I always wanted the dead scarab on Sandtrap to have carved out bunker structure/ inside’o’scarab base to act as another ‘base’.. and for the crashed pelican on the other side to be setup the same way.
Posted by Azrael on July 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm
A crashed Pelican vs. Destroyed Scarab map would be pretty awesome…until you see Spartans spawning in the Scarab and Elites spawning in the Pelican. That would ruin everything. (Forced character selection anyone?)
Posted by Digipatd on July 29, 2008 at 5:55 am
Prince.
Posted by lukems on July 29, 2008 at 8:08 am
I”m flattered that people would think I spent enough time to stretch this image in photoshop, that’s not the case at all. Here’s what I did:
Grabbed a double-sized sheet computer paper, folded it in half so it was 8 1/2 by 11, booted up my dev kit, grabbed a recent build of Purple Reign, positioned stood in one place and then just sketched out what I saw. Had one of the creative services guys scan it in, and then dumped color into it via photoshop, choosing only to color the HUD and Assault Rifle with any “detail” and made the rest of the map Purple and made the skybox not-purple.
The image wasn’t the right size for a Wallpaper so we added blackbars to it and made it the right size for a wallpaper and watermarked it.
And because it never seems to settle in: Purple Reign is a new map. It is not inspired by, influenced by or based on Midship.
Posted by Tinycg on July 29, 2008 at 9:35 am
I stand corrected. haha.
Posted by Sigafoos on July 29, 2008 at 9:39 am
‘Tinyownage’: not to be confused with ‘tiny ownage,’ which means ‘just a little.’
I didn’t know ‘it’s not a remake of Midship’ had been said before, but thanks for clearing it up.
Posted by bs angel on July 29, 2008 at 11:39 am
Well, it was fun while it lasted Tiny! LOL, …
Thanks for clarifying Luke. Much appreciated. :)
Posted by AT-AT on July 30, 2008 at 10:41 am
Oh, I forgot they said its on a bowl. Im probably gonna hate it then (that’s the one thing i can’t stand about Standoff; no pun intended).
Posted by SPLATTERxHOUSE on August 26, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I would love for the Scarab to be a unique vehicle like KingHippp0 said. That would be so sikk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!