The technology of Halo is just as impressive as its game-play. The game has real-time shadows, inverse kinematics, 3D positional and ambient sound effects, multipass texture mapping, scalable polygonal models, and deformable terrain mesh. Enemy artificial intelligence operates simultaneously on both individual and squad levels, accounting for morale, with the result that no combat situation plays out the same way twice.

screen captures taken from the keynote address broadcast

The physics of Halo are also mind-blowing. The details show Bungie's hard work. When a jeep comes to a rapid stop, everybody inside leans forward from the deceleration. When the jeep goes off a bump, everyone moves around inside the vehicle. It's all extremely realistic and will add tremendously to immersion.

screen captures taken from the keynote address broadcast

Bungie's Halo should be out sometime in 2000. So far, it's beautiful, it's amazing, and it's awesome.

screen captures taken from the keynote address broadcast