The HALO Trilogy | A Complete Retrospective - 1

The Great Journey begins…
From humble beginnings, video game developer Bungie launched into the 2000s with three of the most influential video games of all time. A trilogy of successes that rocked fans and the industry alike.
Now, take a journey from 1998 to 2007 to see the creation of their grand trilogy, from its inception, to its inevitable challenges, and eventually to how it became the most successful entertainment property of its time.
This is… HALO - A COMPLETE RETROSPECTIVE - PART ONE
MAIN SOURCES:
SameToken’s Halo Retrospective:
• Halo Retrospective | S...
The Complete, Untold History of Halo - VICE
www.vice.com/en/article/xwqjg...
Halopedia:
www.halopedia.org/
THE COMPLETE TIMELINE:
00:00 - 1998: Bungie in Trouble
00:04:27 - 1999: Ideas Develop / Macworld
00:08:36 - 2000: E3 2000
00:10:08 - 2000: Microsoft Joins the Party
00:12:11 - 2000: From Third to First Person
00:15:03 - 2001: Naming the Master Chief
00:16:07 - 2001: B30 / Xbox Revealed
00:19:40 - 2001: Combat Has Evolved
00:22:05 - 2001: The Fall of Reach
00:23:32 - 2001: The Launch of Halo
00:24:53 - 2001: HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED
00:48:33 - 2001: Reception / Co-op / Multiplayer
00:54:38 - 2002: How do you top it?
00:56:49 - 2002: Halo 2’s initial teaser
00:57:44 - 2003: Red VS Blue
00:59:35 - 2003: E3 2003
01:03:36 - 2003: Aftermath of E3
01:05:15 - 2003: Halo: CE on PC
01:05:55 - 2004: The March Begins
01:07:08 - 2004: Multiplayer Develops
01:08:50 - 2004: Sound / Music / Voices
01:10:54 - 2004: E3 2004
01:11:53 - 2004: I Love Bees
01:17:34 - 2004: Halo 2 Marketing
01:18:11 - 2004: The Halo 2 Death Run
01:21:37 - 2004: The Launch of Halo 2
01:24:03 - 2004: HALO 2
01:52:01 - 2004: Reception / Co-op / Multiplayer
01:58:12 - 2005: Another Day at the Beach
01:59:19 - 2005: A Slow Recovery
02:00:50 - 2005: Bungie splits from Microsoft
02:03:01 - 2006: The Story of Halo 3
02:05:55 - 2006: E3 2006
02:07:53 - 2006: Halo 3 Develops
02:10:35 - 2006: The Starry Night Trailer
02:11:59 - 2007: Halo 3 Multiplayer Beta
02:14:12 - 2007: Halo 2 for Windows Vista
02:15:10 - 2007: The IRIS Campaign
02:18:12 - 2007: E3 2007
02:19:34 - 2007: Promotion Continues
02:20:02 - 2007: Landfall / Believe
02:22:09 - 2007: Finish the Fight
02:23:42 - 2007: The Launch of Halo 3
02:26:20 - 2007: HALO 3
02:55:25 - 2007: Reception / Co-op / Multiplayer
03:00:27 - 2007: The Journey Will Continue…
Twitter: / theprimetheater
Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/prime_of_gamer/
Galvatron: / @galvysphone
Outro Music: Running in the 80s 1.5x speed

[@IronBeagle2003]

“Babe! Wake Up! New Prime’s Theater Dropped!”

[@pantyosashu8137]

I remember a time when he was called Prime of Grammar.

[@Spillow-C]

@@pantyosashu8137 "I was there Gandalf, I was there 3000 years ago

[@pantyosashu8137]

@@Spillow-C I've never actually seen LOTR so I don't know the rebuttal to that.

[@Spillow-C]

@@pantyosashu8137 its a meme version of: lots of time ago i was there and i feel old

[@pantyosashu8137]

@@Spillow-C ...wut?

[@CaptainRavi0l1]

“They put Master Chief in the soda” is the funniest line in an otherwise serious video, 11/10 that’s my Prime

[@lysolcoke2HD]

Dey put da mamster cheef in da sooda

[@Ree241]

The great legend begins now..

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

Finish this fight...

[@markusmitchell8585]

No it began 2001

[@Ree241]

@@markusmitchell8585 I know Halo have very cool and great Video Games

[@4th1st73]

It’s The Great Journey you heretic 😂😂 jk jk

[@LapisLazuliVA]

Ironic, the day after I watch the final season of red vs blue, prime comes back with a Halo retrospective. Today’s a good day.

[@NealBones]

I think that's more coincidence than it is irony, amigo. Cool nontheless

[@IronBeagle2003]

It also comes out the day Rooster Teeth was shut down

[@NealBones]

@@IronBeagle2003 Rip

[@Primeditz]

You knows it’s a good day when Primes Theater uploads

[@StanchestSword]

"Wait really? The perfectly rectangular cave made of I'm assuming metal, isn't natural? Woah!" Instant sub, that was hilarious and caught me off guard.

[@andrewmeyer3599]

Joseph Staten still loves and hates the cave change without changing the voice lines

[@abedekok322]

I love how Microsoft's undeniably most recognizable franchise, started life as Mac title. Fantastic recap, Prime

[@GhostRydr1172]

It was. Xbox lived and breathed based on the success of Halo. And now that Halo's limelight has faded, so has Xbox. Not long now before M$ scuttles the whole thing.

[@Wernissage]

My day just got a whole lot better

[@TheSILENTOne-tz3pf]

Still waiting on Pirates of the Carribean! (Love the videos!)

[@ABurntMuffin]

oh man, yeah that's a great series i'd love to see them do that

[@DullBoy23]

First series that I've seen of yours was the transformers retro and it was amazing. Actually got me into a huge transformers kick watching everything that they have released. Keep it up bro! I've already played through all the games recently but I know I'm in for a good watch.

[@NebLleb]

This retrospective is honestly, one of the best I've ever seen and I'm already 8:30 minutes in. It goes into the development history from how Myth 2 did a number on Bungie in the early days of the game's development to its slow transformation from Blam! to what we know as Halo: Combat Evolved, and then continues throughout the game's hype and development and beyond. Honestly, I will ALWAYS respect Bungie. Sure, the people that made them who they are left, so now they're corpo sellouts in the midst of butchering their oldest IP into an extraction shooter, but back then, Bungie had a knack for going through troubled development cycles and still ending up just fine whilst delivering quality experiences with their Halo games. Perseverance, strength and victory through dark times is what Bungie represented back then. And because of that, I will always respect who they were, rather than throw hissy-fits about who they are now. [Side note, for those interested, Classic Marathon is now available on Steam, and I highly recommend you check it out because that game is as good as Halo 1 & 2 IMO.]

[@Samlem14]

I’m forever in awe at the lack of subscriber you have. The quality of content you put out is probably the highest on KZbin. Not only is the analysis top notch but it’s entertaining as hell. Man just great stuff please keep it up. Movies video games anything I’m here for it

[@Neros_light]

I miss system link man. Growing up, my older brother and brother in law used to have an event once a month called Men's Halo Night. We'd bring our xboxes, buy costco pizza and play for hours. I wasn't allowed until I was thirteen. That event turned me into the good Halo player I am today. We don't do it anymore because my brother in law and my sister moved to Texas.

[@samuelgonzalez-tovar3936]

And you only needed one copy of halo?

[@noahturner8875]

Fantastic retrospective, Prime. As a commuter, long-form entertaining videos like this are exactly what I look for to occupy my attention while I drive. I’ll keep watching and enjoying your videos as long as you keep making them. Also side note, I’d love to see more video game series retrospectives from you. Thanks for being awesome.

[@TaTopePia]

"It's great." You know what? It is great. Subbed.

[@Destoroyah_Guy1995]

This just made my day. Thank you soooooo much Prime theaters!

[@IronMatty]

Once again another absolutely insane documentary! Seriously I don’t know how you do this! I’m gonna be honest I’m not the biggest halo fan (although I did go to a midnight launch for 3 and played it a LOT and have fond memories of it) but despite that I still sat and watched this entire 3 hours documentary. I’ve said this in a previous video of yours - how ur not 1 million subs is just beyond me! You are without doubt my favourite content creator who does these retrospective series! Would you ever consider a mass effect retrospective or was that a game u didn’t play that much? Again amazing job my friend and I’m waiting patiently for part 2 now

[@ThePrimeTheater]

i don't know much about mass effect right now, but that doesn't mean a retrospective on that is impossible. i only truly got into halo a couple years ago, so. wouldn't be soon but it's not out of the question as per the rest of your comment: thanks : )

[@cohollow7174]

@@ThePrimeTheater A Mass Effect retrospective from you would be lit! Not just because it means we get a great documentary about a killer trilogy, but also because it means one of my favorite youtubers gets to dive into some of the best games I've ever experienced.

[@hawk329]

Prepare for the trip here we go again

[@razorback6111]

2:25:33 holy shit that’s my childhood GameStop. Orlando Florida right across the street from UCF’s campus. I was there for Skyrim’s midnight release lmao

[@darklordgrim8484]

Never have I clicked on a video quicker. I love your retrospects.

[@sebastianrabalais3733]

This franchise changed my life in so many more ways than one.

[@ipodclassic91]

I really teared up watching this because it made me remember all the way back when I found out about Halo CE from being at a friend's house and as soon as I played it for the first time I fell in love....how I wish I could go back to those simpler times

[@IAmJasonDavis]

Back with another banger retrospective! Cheers, mate!

[@mrpresidentofkenya3517]

So happy you doing Halo games series! Love your videos. So much work put in and its super fun when you put a video out!! Keep em coming man❤

[@Sondi]

i appreciate that this is an actual retrospective on every aspect. great work dude!

[@thecynicaloptimist1884]

Amazing video, very well-researched and presented. There were a lot of facts here in the behind-the-scenes that I wasn't aware of until now. Great job, you earned a new sub!

[@QFenix23]

every new video of yours is my favorite, amazing work as always :)

[@Scerttle]

Man, your retrospectives are so good. I wish more of the viewers would sub to you.

[@apostolisgiannakoukis5828]

Awesome video as usual. Great job!

[@InclementFilms]

The fact that your Halo journey is relatively new but you captured everything perfectly says a lot of how well you researched! So we’ll made!!

[@jacobdavis6604]

Fantastic vid as always, Prime! You've obviously got your next video or several lined up, but seeing how you handled Halo made me realize I'd love to see you do an episode on the Mass Effect games.

[@ijme367]

Listening to your videos at work makes the time go by very quickly. Thanks 😅

[@jazoli8etfagha]

I love your videos keep up the great work man ❤

[@Appa-yi7yv]

Literally made my day

[@methamphetamemes4206]

GREAT VIDEO by the way, it's really informative and entertaining at the same time. Perfect! I'm at the point where I just watch halo retrospectives to remember how great it is. It's like a religion for me at this point, I worship old halo and what it gave me, I have watched almost every retrospective and analysis video XD. I can't bear to see the state it's in today, the only halo I play is in the form of lovingly crafted mods for other games and the MCC.

[@evandenison5310]

THE LEGEND IS BACK!

[@S3N531]

Incredibly well researched video. You’ll be at 1m subscribers in no time

[@frankieadriang]

Fantastic... just fantastic. I cannot wait until the next ones are released.

[@soruh2767]

really appreciate this labour of love you have created. halo 2 was my first videogame and i have very fond memories of that time.

[@Bronk7]

I love Halo so much man, and this video gave the original trilogy so much love. Thank you! 🙇‍♂

[@keerosah9970]

Another fantastic retrospective! Got me in the mood to boot up the Master Chief Collection

[@finndalby9132]

Dude, I love your videos so much. Not sure what you have planned after halo, but please, PLEASE consider doing the fallout series next. So much lore and backstory that could be covered. Thanks!

[@williamgilbert5982]

Love the work, can't wait to see the next 2? (Odst, reach, and Halo wars & then 343 era?) Installments!

[@robertlauncher]

The main theme makes me think of the world’s most intense conductor whenever those strings kick in.

[@sayanroy1641]

Excellent video!

[@jfoldger1184]

I remember the shock I had when the cutscene ended and I was playing as the arbiter, was indeed a wild twist

[@tjrage6168]

This is incredible

[@KittMcKay]

My favorite retrospective youtuber doing a series on my favorite gaming franchise after already having done one on my favorite toy franchise?! I must be in heaven!!!

[@joelwagner8072]

When I saw Primes Theater had a new video I was instantly grinning from ear to ear. I love your videos so much.

[@PHybrid2]

I always loved the halo 3 marketing campaign. The 2006 e3 trailer gives me goosebumps

[@Zorrack001]

Man youre Great. Thanks

[@Snowstorm77770]

As a Playstation owner, I'm disappointed.... But as a fan, I am excited as heck!

[@alphamarine4784]

Great video, I do have a few requests for you if it isn’t too much trouble. 1. Please mention the last stand of the noble 14 when halo 2 was shutdown. 2. Due to Rooster Teeth shutting down, can you do a series of series going over their work as a final send off to them? If you don’t feel like doing either, that’s okay. Hope you have a great day and a better week.

[@petrhanke8644]

Bought Halo MCC two years ago on Steam and I fell in love with Bungie games so much that I refused to play Halo 4. Halo 3´s final mission “broke me” and during the last few hundred meters in Warthog I was thinking “This is it. This is the end of the Series”. Soundtrack, lore, good and interesting level design, limited yet fun weaponry, humor, despair, hope… this series had everything. I do understand why so many people were hyped for Halo 2 and 3 during its glory days and playing these games in Multiplayer must have been the best gaming experience ever.

[@JordanJMyers]

Man Halo 2 I used to be a sniping machine lol played it so much. Friends would bring tv's and we'd split the room up and go at it for hours. Great times

[@wy8077]

This was the best birthday gift yesterday! New Prime's Theater and HALO!!!!

[@Reject101Personal]

I love hearing one of the famed Owen brothers talk about things they like.

[@nelsonpun]

halo2 looked so good for the time. cant believe they ran all that on the OG xbox

[@AllStarJD]

WE IN THERE BOYS

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

English?

[@AllStarJD]

@@jarlwhiterun7478 Portuguese?

[@janedoe1787]

Man this brings me back to

[@AimlessSavant]

Halo was such a profound influence to me as a kid, that despite only ever playing it once in 2005 with a then-friend-now-cousin, the word Halo in my mind first thinks of that sonorous main menu music and the ring before any other concept.

[@SkittlesBeats]

They really did put Master Chief in the soda. Fantastic video as always!

[@SharkJnr]

my day off immediately become one to remember

[@evolvedHE]

Holy mother of god I can’t wait to watch this

[@mrpresidentofkenya3517]

You are so underrated man 🥲

[@Hepheat75]

These are the games that made me a gamer.

[@williamcase426]

Such a great trilogy

[@nuhuh411]

perfect timging, literally just finsihed watching the transformers retrospectives haha

[@PsychoMoFoGaming]

You should make a full video on Red Vs Blue. With the last "season" Restoration out it would be cool to see a video remembering the series.

[@t20pIayer]

Great video as always but something I see in the background is the evaluation of gaming and the internet from the 2010's

[@hoseinbmr3449]

so we are having video game retrospectives now? hell yeah👍

[@artufutu8856]

He's back 🫡

[@natangweiitula]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy wooooohooooooo. Thank You

[@HaLoFreQ2000]

This series is the only reason i still have xbox today. Next to doom its probably my favorite fps series.

[@dekudakhan]

00:29:37 The AR is not your primary / default gun but its the pistol (hence it feels broken). CE pistol is supposed to be the "jack of all trades" gun which you can use whichever way. AR is supposed to be a secondary weapon to support the pistol.

[@liaramsay9976]

gg Prime; great vid.

[@austinskywalker92]

I was late to Halo, like after ODST came out. But I ain't gonna lie, This is an incredible series and the games are fun. Watching this and learning what happened behind the scenes......damn, I feel so bad for those guys at Bungie when they crunched to finish halo 2. But indeed, this fight is over but the journey must continue. For next time..... Forward unto Dawn.....I dunno how you plan to tackle the tidal wave of halo stuff that will be coming up but i will be there to watch it when you finish it Prime.

[@jonesy7650]

I was never a fan of the Halo games. They weren't bad or anything, but being a PC gamer most of my life i had played all the big shooters, and Halo to me was just another one. But most of my friends where console gamer, and loved it. But i admit despite not being a big fan of the series, hearing that music brings back tons of memories.

[@fanotastic]

Can you please make a patreon or something of the sort??? You literally have covered my all time favorites. I would love to throw my money at you.

[@Lean_time32]

Would love to see a retrospective of the grand theft auto franchise love the videos prime keep them coming

[@Rift2123]

Hey a random 3 hours on the best halo games ever let's go

[@laurenmasters]

This trilogy is iconic

[@TheDrexLord]

The legendary and rarely seen G.O.A.T has returned

[@JordanJMyers]

Great shit man. Maybe one day we can get a Call of Duty one

[@robertlauncher]

It’s sad that Halo 2 went without its intended ending, but it made way for my favorite entry in the series with Halo 3. I don’t think three levels would’ve done that justice

[@dygrdqjzco7j]

2:20:46 He then directed the first episode of Foundation on Apple TV+.

[@halosnakem6g28]

Yes please

[@jasonbean2764]

What fun!:) but quite time consuming.

[@tyrelljones5982]

Can't wait till you do more mcu stuff plus other movie trilogies

[@MrKushinator420]

Imagine missing the marathon trilogy in the lead up lol.

[@dygrdqjzco7j]

2:11:17 He later on made Top Gun: Maverick. He previously made the “Mad World” trailer for Gears of War.

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

This was our childhood

[@whenieatthenachos5307]

A dark souls retrospective would go crazy

[@Scorpshee]

The Great Journey begins

[@SchradeNation]

Am I really gonna sit here for 3 hourz and watch a retrospecrive on Bungies Halo? In the wise words of Phineas Flynn: Yes. Yes I am.

[@thenkk4914]

Bro, roosterteeth, the makers of red vs blue, shut down just a matter of days ago... after 21 years of content. Sure they lost their way, but its still heartbreaking to see it go

[@DokturProfesur]

Something that was a really big deal at the time about the Marines was that the Covenant would actually fight them. Other games at the time had the enemy completely ignore any AI buddies you may have. Halo was among the first games in the FPS genre that had AI on AI combat and Halo deliberately flaunted this novel innovation every chance it got.

[@jarlwhiterun7478]

John Q Halo III

[@joshh.2159]

LET GOOOOOO!!! YOU MAKE THE BEST VIDEOS AND IM SO PUMPED

[@serenityriver2701]

Damn, I love the library on legendary. I liked the challenge of it. I