An open rebuke of H5's "Mark V Alpha" *IMGs*

First off: for ease of reference, here is the original Mark V helmet design:

(Click here for full-sized version.)





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Also for ease of reference, here is the updated design of the helmet, found in Halo 3:

(Click here for full-sized version.)





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And now here is the version just released to Halo 5, which 343i contracted Airborn Studios to create:

(Click here for full-sized version.)



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...No.

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I think that Commander Shepard spoke for nearly everyone who has long been in love with the Mark V design (he certainly spoke for me) when he reacted to seeing the "Mark V Alpha" for the first time.

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When 343i contracted a team to make a set of Mark V armor for the graphically impressive Halo 5, they should have waited until the asset was created correctly, instead of accepting and implementing the completely unsatisfactory asset that they did.

The helmet for Halo 4's Mark V was far more true to the source material than this new design, so they themselves had already confirmed the precedent that had been in place for multiplayer Mark V armor.

To be clear:

This is the concept art for it:

(Click here for full-sized version.)



This is the rendered asset:

(Click here for full-sized version.)



And this is the "finished" asset:

(Click here for full-sized version.)



It is important to point out here that they did not even put the shield emitter lights in the correct places, even though the indentations are still there for them on the model.

Crazy, right?



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Now: let no one say that it would be impossible to do the original Mark V justice in Halo 5 while staying consistent with 343's art style.

Ohhh, it's possible :

(Click here for full-sized version.)



(Click here for full-sized version.)



For kicks, TekkaCroe also crafted a version without pouches, since the Airborn asset doesn't have pouches.

He also put together a classic "Green, Black, and Gold" version for those who would like it, both with and without pouches.

