Yeh it's funny Xbox main marketing tactics is "the most powerful console with a hdd and online adapter", and the GC doesn't market it's power nearly enough, yet it produces jaw dropping visuals like seen in Rogue Leader.
I still think Factor 5 know the GC hardware better than many other companies. Just looking @ Rogue Leader, I think it's pretty damn obvious.
The thing is does Factor 5 want their next title to be a graphical powerhouse like Rogue Leader? Or will they be taking a different approach?
It's pretty clear want Bungee are out to achieve top notch visuals as one of their goals of Halo 2.
"Our code squeezes every drop of power out of the Xbox... We're doing dynamic lighting and shadows, per-pixel everything, rendering gigantic, lush environments. The graphical features we're using are so advanced we don't even have buzzwords for them yet." --- Chris Butcher, lead engineer
Then again I thought Halo was rushed
I think that's why they dropped the frame rates. So maybe with a bit more time on their hands, Bungee can make, yet again, another visual powerhouse.
1) Do you believe that--from a technical standpoint--Factor 5 can once again prove that GameCube can indeed keep up with Xbox, by rivaling what Bungie is doing in Halo 2?
I think they can. Anything is possible with Factor 5 mixed with the Cube Hardware. But you did bring up a good point there Dreal. Halo ran at approximately half the speed (fps) as Rogue Leader, so that visually Halo could look more refined. Personally I still think visually, Rogue Leader surpassed this.
Therefore I think it's possible for Factor 5 to produce on par (or even surpass) the visuals of Halo 2 assuming this is one of Factor 5's objectives for this new game.
2) Is there anyone that thinks Bungie Studios/Xbox may have raised the bar to a point where Factor 5/GameCube can only approach Halo's visuals/technology, but not equal/surpass them?
Hmm not sure. I guess we'll have to wait and see.