Believes the game looks great, better than Halo 3.

Halo 3: ODST screenshot

It's not uncommon for a game to run at a sub-720p resolution, but when that game is an entry in a console's flagship franchise, people take notice.

Halo 3, the first Halo title released on Xbox 360 and Bungie's first title for the console, sacrificed 720p and ran at 1152x640 in order to maintain a steady frame rate. Now, two years later, Halo 3: ODST has sparked internet chatter about sub-720p resolutions once again.

 Advertisement

Asked by VideoGamer.com at gamescom last week if too much has been made from the fact ODST runs in a sub-720p resolution, Bungie community and pr director Brian Jarrard agreed, stating, "I think so".

"I think the game looks great. I think like CJ [Cowan, director of cinematics] pointed out, ODST looks even better than Halo 3, and it's the same technology and the same engine," explained Jarrard. "Whether it's 640p native or 720p, I mean I don't think that's really a deterrent to whether or not the game looks good and is fun to play. I think it's a bullet point media love to pick up on, and they love to pick and pry. But I feel like it's definitely overrated.

"We're very happy with the engine we have, and how robust it is and the ability to have all these great features. If that means that we've shaved off 20p somewhere, so be it."

Has too much been made of Halo 3: ODST's sub-720p resolution or should a game in Microsoft's flagship franchise be showing off the Xbox 360 to its full potential? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.