Halo 4 Forge mode detailed: easier bridges, optional gravity

The world has had its first look at Halo 4's Forge Mode, something we'd previously only been told about in glowing but unspecific terms.

The mode is being developed by longterm Halo collaborator Certain Affinity, which was also behind classic maps for Halo 2, 3 and Reach. It's not finished yet, but a version was shown during the Rooster Teeth Expo (and reported by Polygon).

Crafting is made easier thanks to the ability to "magnetise" objects so that they connect to others in preset ways - so you can easily create custom shapes without having to painstakingly handcraft them each time - and you can easily duplicate items too, which should apparently make it easier to create bridges and roads. If you want to be precise, the cursor now highlights individual objects so you can more easily pick them out of collections.

There's also the ability to specify player abilities in certain zones of the map, so people will experienced localised areas of high or slow run speed, different gravity, or reduced damage. A new toy called the "Grav Volume" will flip gravity or augment it for anybody who steps into it, apparently. Sounds like a recipe for those ever-elusive "lulz" that all the kids seem to be after these days.

Expect more from Halo 4 at the San Diego Comic-Con and PAX - but not local show Gamescom.