Hack 43. Overload the Game Engine

Use object overloading to create dramatic glitches.

This isn't a difficult glitch to reproduce, but it does take some time. When too many objects crowd into a small space, strange things can happen to the Halo 2 engine. For example, objects that would normally spawn may simply not appear.

In addition, you can use this glitch to create a dazzling effect that encompasses multiple explosions. A gamer named ZombiePt2 accidentally reproduced the glitch while attempting to amass a large pile of grenades. He was actually trying to reproduce the effects shown in Randall Glass' famous Warthog Jump video (http://www.oz.net/~rglass/warthog/).

To try out the glitch yourself, start any level (with grenades) in co-op mode. In this example, I use the Metropolis level. Reproducing this glitch involves fragging close to 70 players in the same location.

Probably the quickest way to do this with one person is to create a split screen campaign game with two players. Put both of players in a Warthog and drive to the soccer ball building [Hack #26]. Next, put one player in the gunner seat. If you are by yourself, you can hold down the trigger for the Warthog gun by putting an elastic band around your controller. To create the gory pile of bodies, repeatedly walk the other player into the path of fire. When I tried this glitch, it took 68 bodies to reproduce the object overload behavior. You will know when you have reached the limit when the second player fails to spawn.

At this point, you should slowly turn the Warthog gunner until some object goes out of view. When the object is no longer visible, the engine will clean it up and the player will spawn (see Figure 5-13).

Figure 5-13. The Warthog is gone but the turret is still there

Next, leave the gunner in the Warthog (i.e., with all the dead Chiefs in view), and go for a short walk to get a checkpoint. During this stroll, you will notice all sorts of odd behavior (see Figures 5-14 and 5-15).

Figure 5-14. The entire Warthog and the bodies are gone

Figure 5-15. Where are the cars and the Warthog?

By getting a checkpoint, you will guarantee that you can try the grenade toss many times. It's important that the gunner does not move during this time. If the pile of bodies and objects goes out of view of both players, it will immediately disappear.

Once you reach a checkpoint, you can step back, toss a grenade into the pile and enjoy the fireworks.

Theoretically, the reason you are able to create multiple explosions is that Halo 2 begins to layer objects when there are too many in the same location. This would explain why it is possible to produce multiple explosions from a single pile of objects. The first layer blows up, followed by the second layer and so forth until the entire pile is gone (see Figure 5-16). For greater effect, you could try reproducing this glitch with the Sputnik skull [Hack #16] active.

Figure 5-16. So glad I have a checkpoint