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Hummer Designers Deny Halo Influence On Design
Posted by Kotaku US Edition at 10:11 AM on January 15, 2008
That new Hummer HX concept? Totally a Warthog rip-off, we all know it. Or is it?! Yes. Of course, it is. Even though Carl Zipfel, GM's director of exterior design for the concept ride on display at the North American International Auto Show, denies finding inspiration in Halo's staple vehicle, we believe the side-by-side comparisons of the two remove any doubt that Hummer has swiped. Did anyone else notice both have four wheels? The designer even admits to being "an Xbox guy", telling mLive that several of the vehicle's designers play Halo regularly.
We will not stand for these lies, Zipfel! Give the Bungie design team their due and all associated royalties should the car come to production. We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it any more, etcetera, etcetera.
Hummer denies Halo influence on HX concept [mLive]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Moonshadow101
Posted 5:55 PM 14/1/08
@Covert_Knight: The overwhelming majority of comments to this post say it doesn't look like a Warthog at all. Who exactly are you arguing with/rebuking?
Moonshadow101
Covert_Knight
Posted 5:51 PM 14/1/08
As somone who was going to originally be an exterior car designer, I can tell you straight up that, this isn't based on a warthog at all. Anyone who doesn't know much about car design will tell you "OH ITS JUST LIKE ______" or I love this one, "IT LOOKS LIKE THE BATMOBILE!" Anything that is out of the ordinary, to the regular person can't possibly be original, but rather based on something of their own personal interest. I've drawn plenty of unique designs, getting the most obscure reactions even if they were very positive, I wanted to pull out my hair, and I can only imagine the poor guys down at the design center that Hummer hired doing the same as many of us "car stupid" halo fanboys go "OMG TEH WARTHOG" /sigh.
Covert_Knight
Sollus
Posted 5:43 PM 14/1/08
It doesn't look like a warthog at all. It looks like a non-pussy FJCruiser that Toyota makes. I think it's Toyota that makes it.
Sollus
Maiken
Posted 5:40 PM 14/1/08
To be honest, it looks more like a hummvee than a warthog.
Maiken
Huckleberry
Posted 5:39 PM 14/1/08
Like most other people here, I'm not seeing the resemblance.
And whatever, I think the car looks cool. Not that I'll buy it, as I drive in Los Angeles, I need good gas mileage, and I'd like to actually fit in parking spaces.
Huckleberry
x999x
Posted 5:33 PM 14/1/08
I see an aggressive SUV, I don't see a warthog. Perhaps if I sat and stared at warthogs long enough I might even find a resemblance, but then again I might find a resemblance to anything if thats the case.
So this begs the question, where do you think the Warthog's design got it's inspiration from?
If the shoe fits...
x999x
Jest
Posted 5:30 PM 14/1/08
I never saw the similarity.
Jest
LaserJudas
Posted 5:27 PM 14/1/08
So, because the Hummer prototype has agressive treads and a slightly off-beat fender, it's a Warthog rip-off?
Excuse me while I shake my head.
LaserJudas
Black-Dog-Howls
Posted 5:25 PM 14/1/08
Unfortunately for Halo, the Warthog wasn't exactly the most unique design. It was a rather typical affair in Sci-fi land. Much like the plotline, the character designs, even the music.
Halo is just the newest in a long line of series with future space marine combat vehicle appreciation.
Black-Dog-Howls
goldwings
Posted 5:16 PM 14/1/08
Glad to see I'm not the only one who doesn't see a warthog design
@monstericreated: Shhhh! I thought I heard a thumping sound
goldwings
luisrm
Posted 5:12 PM 14/1/08
@NeverSage: Gak! I had it like that at first but changed it. Damn my unmanliness!
luisrm
KirbyMorph
Posted 5:11 PM 14/1/08
Uh, this looks nothing like the Warthog.
KirbyMorph
McWhertor
Posted 5:08 PM 14/1/08
Will no one start an internet petition to right this wrong?!?!?
McWhertor
KeroseneClimax
Posted 5:06 PM 14/1/08
I'm not going to call plagiarism until I see a built in Cortana A.I Navigational GPS.
KeroseneClimax
monstericreated
Posted 5:04 PM 14/1/08
Who gives a sh*t. It's Halo.
monstericreated
wiilink
Posted 5:03 PM 14/1/08
@D1SCO_D3ATH
No but I will leave. And what do you mean proverbial that doesnt make and sense. Does it I dont know. bye.
wiilink
NeverSage
Posted 4:57 PM 14/1/08
@Luis: "Toe hooks"
And I think it looks a lot like the Warthog... though I don't think it matters
NeverSage
tmanflys
Posted 4:57 PM 14/1/08
windshield is more hummer and much less hog
tmanflys
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PBP, link in profile
Posted 4:56 PM 14/1/08
@OtisElevator: Of course not. Don't you know, everything in Halo is 110% original material, even the use of that horrible cliche of 110%.
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PBP, link in profile
OtisElevator
Posted 4:52 PM 14/1/08
Because, of course, the Warthog was not based or inspired by ANY vehicle in existence - ever.
OtisElevator
d1sCo_d3aTh
Posted 4:51 PM 14/1/08
oh and btw...
@wiilink: take your "free tv" spam and stick it up your proverbial a$$.
d1sCo_d3aTh
DELETED
Posted 4:51 PM 14/1/08
this isnt news.
DELETED
d1sCo_d3aTh
Posted 4:48 PM 14/1/08
Harley-Davidson Brute Chopper: CONFIRMED!
d1sCo_d3aTh
MrBionic
Posted 4:47 PM 14/1/08
I have to look really closely, and then squint, and then force myself to believe I see any real resemblance.
Remember folks, "inspired by" and "ripping off" are two entirely different concepts as well, even if this new hummer *was* inspired by some design elements in the warthog.
However, it's not even as close in design as the Dodge Charger to the Ford Mustang of newer vintages.
MrBionic
wiilink
Posted 4:45 PM 14/1/08
man after all that forgot the link
[plasmas.free4me.net]
wiilink
wiilink
Posted 4:44 PM 14/1/08
Hey i am trying t get a free tv. But i have to refer 27 people so if you sign up i get closer to my tv and then mabye i can help you with yours.
trust me this isn't some crazy scam its real. Hell its not like you have to complete it. but try it out I think its prety neat. If you want
you dont have to get the tv you can trade it for paypal to buy something else. I already got a ps3 from one of there other sites. If you sign
up ill email with ways i can help you. Thanks hope you sign up.
wiilink
Viet0ne
Posted 4:43 PM 14/1/08
Yeah thats not even close to a rip off.
In fact, the warthog in Halo looks a lot like the US military vehicles.
Viet0ne
Mr. Fap☆Fap!
Posted 4:39 PM 14/1/08
Now that is a vehicle that'll finally make people think I have a big penis.
Mr. Fap☆Fap!
smitty1123
Posted 4:39 PM 14/1/08
@homelessvagrant: I thought the planet was commissioned and paid for by mice?
smitty1123
skrame
Posted 4:37 PM 14/1/08
@ssjmichael: I do.
(There, you got your response. Are you happy?)
skrame
darascon
Posted 4:34 PM 14/1/08
I have to agree on the crackdown resemblence over Halo. It looks a bit like the turret-less hog from halo 3, but throw in a roided up merc in a super suit, and you've got crackdown the movie... aww shit, don't tell Uwe. That's the last thing we need. Another PoS game-->movie crapfest.
darascon
Len Bias Cocaine Surplus
Posted 4:33 PM 14/1/08
But Sarge hasn't tried to program it to kill the blues yet
Len Bias Cocaine Surplus
huginn
Posted 4:33 PM 14/1/08
@Maleficence: Did we ever get away from Mario? Pac-man?
Hell, we can't get away from bad mascots like Duke and Lara
huginn
necrotoxin
Posted 4:32 PM 14/1/08
I love it. I hope they end up manufacturing it.
necrotoxin
Maleficence
Posted 4:31 PM 14/1/08
We're never getting away from Halo are we?
Maleficence
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PBP, link in profile
Posted 4:29 PM 14/1/08
They are really reaching for straws with this one. It has vague similarities to a Warthog, but it looks more like a dune buggy on steroids.
ceilingFANBOY: sponsor me for PBP, link in profile
homelessvagrant
Posted 4:28 PM 14/1/08
@Sparx88:
actually, the entire planet was inspired by the halo video game series...
at least that's what god said last time i asked her about it.
homelessvagrant
Sparx88
Posted 4:27 PM 14/1/08
@Sparx88:
rivets** that is
Sparx88
Sparx88
Posted 4:27 PM 14/1/08
@seafisch:
Its not that bad, the H2 and H3 yes, but the original was ok and if you can get some custom work to get rid of those bolts on the fenders it'd look pretty cool
Sparx88
seafisch
Posted 4:24 PM 14/1/08
Yeah, I don't see the resemblance either. Unlike the Warthog, Hummer tries for the "so ugly it's cool" look, but only gets the first part right.
But all of the dudes that need to make up for their shortcomings will enjoy it, I'm sure.
seafisch
Sparx88
Posted 4:22 PM 14/1/08
Sory people but not everything has to be inspired by Halo. It is not the ultimate force in the world. Just because someone sees a resemblence it MUST be inspired by Halo? wow people, get over yourselves.
Sparx88
huginn
Posted 4:20 PM 14/1/08
I give it a month afther this is releases before someone paints it greenish halo colors and gets in a MC suit.
Honestly, this could be used for marketing in the halo movie we'll never see too.
huginn
MagnusGman
Posted 4:19 PM 14/1/08
hmmmmm, I really don't see a resemblence. Apart from the color they look nothing alike to me....
MagnusGman
OllieCostello
Posted 4:19 PM 14/1/08
Sorry but they don't look alike. >:l
OllieCostello
SzinDragon
Posted 4:19 PM 14/1/08
The Warthog probably gets better gas mileage than that Hummer.
SzinDragon
ssjmichael
Posted 4:18 PM 14/1/08
So no one else thinks it looks more similar to the vehicle in Crackdown? :(
[360.advancedmn.com]
ssjmichael
Limey
Posted 4:17 PM 14/1/08
They look kinda similar, but that doesn't mean it 'borrowed' fromt the warthog at all-- I mean, the warthog was based off of military vehicles like hummers in the first place
Limey
homelessvagrant
Posted 4:17 PM 14/1/08
sure, it's stealing, but it's a nice bit of advertising for halo...
and then it's always fun to think that real world cars are now being modeled after videogame cars.... =)
homelessvagrant
FrigidAir44
Posted 4:16 PM 14/1/08
That thing so resembles a Warthog. The lines lifted look of it are very similar. There had to be some inspiration from Halo there in some form.
FrigidAir44
-EDGE-
Posted 4:14 PM 14/1/08
When it gets at least 25-30 MPG, call me. As much as I love em, I just can't allow myself to think otherwise with the world in its current state.
-EDGE-
TJordan0331
Posted 4:14 PM 14/1/08
Um, looks more like a two door H1, with hard back then anything. If I recall, Halo came out long after Hummer was an established manufacturer. If anyone has served in the military, take a hard back, throw on a H2 front and wala! To say it looks like a warthog is retarded.
TJordan0331
playclever
Posted 4:12 PM 14/1/08
They don't look even remotely alike...
playclever
Cagny
Posted 4:11 PM 14/1/08
It looks more like a warthog with the doors and fenders off. [kotaku.com]
Cagny
Witzbold
Posted 4:11 PM 14/1/08
Screw this, wheres my Mongoose! ;D
I kinda like the feature this hummer has though with the removable doors and such.
Witzbold
mordennight
Posted 4:11 PM 14/1/08
At first look it does kind of look warthoggish... but not enough I don't think to call it ripping it off.
mordennight
crewwolfy
Posted 4:11 PM 14/1/08
To be fair, the Warthog probably takes some influence from the military-issue Humvee.
turret humvee: [www.armyrecognition.com]
airborne humvee: [www.ece.msstate.edu]
Warthog: [home.twcny.rr.com]
Either way, this new Hummer looks cool...but it's still a Hummer...
crewwolfy
smitty1123
Posted 4:10 PM 14/1/08
Puma.
smitty1123
SithNinja
Posted 4:08 PM 14/1/08
I can't believe that Micro Cash isn't all over a Halo 3 themed H3 Hummer. Halo 3...H3...2...+...2...=....4...
Make it happen and I will be all over it.
SithNinja
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 4:05 PM 14/1/08
Interesting that they use the Halo 2 Warthog instead of the Halo 3 one, isn't it?
It's like they don't want you to know the truth.
And wasn't the Warthog itself a "futuristic ATV" concept in itself?
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
PirateGrum
Posted 4:05 PM 14/1/08
I think it looks more like a puma.
PirateGrum
ibelli
Posted 4:03 PM 14/1/08
I actually don't think that it looks much like a warthog at all.
ibelli
fenndoji
Posted 4:02 PM 14/1/08
Umm...isn't this just kind of full circle then?
I mean I wasn't the only one that thought "Cool Futuristic Humvee" when I first saw the warthog...
Was I?
fenndoji
ssjmichael
Posted 4:02 PM 14/1/08
Uh Crackdown anyone: [360.advancedmn.com]
ssjmichael
Luis
Posted 4:01 PM 14/1/08
See this tow cable in front. These resemble tusks. . .
Luis
Cell9song
Posted 4:01 PM 14/1/08
How the hell do you see a warthog influence there? Blistered fenders and mud tires?
sorry but I don't see it...at all.
Cell9song
bOOmStiCK83
Posted 4:01 PM 14/1/08
Lies, I tell ya! Lies!
bOOmStiCK83
DigiMish
Posted 6:40 PM 14/1/08
I don't know what happened to it, but there was a video interview instead of the still picture on the website. I guess they took it down...
DigiMish
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 6:36 PM 14/1/08
@Dormin: Sure they weren't reffering to these: [www.siliconera.com] ?
@McWhertor: I think I will go and hide in a cave in shame.
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
soccerhawk
Posted 6:35 PM 14/1/08
Now are they going to have to make a covenant version of this to please everyone?
soccerhawk
Dormin
Posted 6:33 PM 14/1/08
God, this is nonsense.
Warthog influenced this?, how about Warthog was influenced by a truck-load of another vehicles?.
This is what happens when people take a videogame too damn seriously, they start to "see" it in the real world(not that i would´t enjoy watching the Rumble Roses crew fighting in mud......wait), everything resembles the game, heck i even heard some kids the other day saying NERF guns were Halo based, My ass!!
Dormin
goldwings
Posted 6:27 PM 14/1/08
@goldwings: Doh commented a second too late. My bad :p
goldwings
goldwings
Posted 6:26 PM 14/1/08
@McWhertor: Ouch I feel for you KIRBY, but it was kind of funny XD
goldwings
McWhertor
Posted 6:26 PM 14/1/08
@Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!: See my comment on sarcasm *one* more time, KtS. ;)
McWhertor
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 6:24 PM 14/1/08
@Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!: a* KoK finalist.
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 6:23 PM 14/1/08
@McWhertor: @McWhertor: I did. I swear I did. Now I have to figure out where it went. Oh. Doh.
My bad.
Like I said, I'm new at petition making.
I think this is it:
[www.petitiononline.com]
New here? How could you forget me? I'm one of the top 3 or 4 most followed commenters on Kotaku. I was Kok finalist. I'm a little sad.
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
eponym
Posted 6:17 PM 14/1/08
There are other vehicles that look far more like a warthog than this p.o.s.
eponym
Sabre_Justice
Posted 6:15 PM 14/1/08
Yeah, I don't see that much of a resemblance either myself. The Renegade concept was a not closer.
Not that they can't release mod kits for Jeeps and Hummers...
Sabre_Justice
McWhertor
Posted 6:13 PM 14/1/08
@McWhertor: Oh! You never created it. Damn!
McWhertor
McWhertor
Posted 6:12 PM 14/1/08
@Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!: KirbyTheSlayer, you must be new here, but you get a "K" for effort anyway.
P.S. Why'd you delete the petition? :(
McWhertor
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 6:07 PM 14/1/08
@McWhertor: Uhh...You posted that about 5 minutes too late.
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Posted 6:07 PM 14/1/08
@McWhertor: Okay, I probably screwed this up badly, but here:
[new.petitiononline.com]
Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!
Soriya
Posted 6:06 PM 14/1/08
This truck is awesome and if I can drive it, I would totally play the Halo theme real loud so everyone can hear.
Soriya
ConstantCupcake
Posted 6:06 PM 14/1/08
I.... I actually want a hummer. i'm so ashamed!
ConstantCupcake
McWhertor
Posted 6:05 PM 14/1/08
Just found out that Wikipedia has an entry on sarcasm. Very informative!
McWhertor
Dp.
Posted 6:04 PM 14/1/08
Looks nothing like a Halo vehicle in my opinion but, if we're going to be like that, doesn't the Warthog look like the UT2K4 Scorpion?
Speaking of UT2K4 this Hummer reminded me of the Hellbender.
Dp.
belain
Posted 6:03 PM 14/1/08
They both look like generic futuristic trucks. I dont really see how you can copyright a generic truck design. Never mind the fact that the warthog is a pretty solid lift from the Hummer.
belain
MichaelR
Posted 6:02 PM 14/1/08
Uh, so by being a jeep it is somehow a warthog rip off?
If it did look like a warthog (Do you have any idea what one looks like?!) than I'd want it, but it doesn't so it's just a pile of none-warthog crap.
And if in fact they did rip off the warthog to make this than they did a horrible job.
MichaelR
Phlycheez
Posted 6:01 PM 14/1/08
I wonder how much it will cost to add a gigantic pulse rifle to the back of that truck. If it's under 500 bucks or if it comes standard, then I'm sold :p.
Phlycheez
Elliuotatar
Posted 8:41 PM 14/1/08
It looks more like a chupacabra to me.
Elliuotatar
Covert_Knight
Posted 8:33 PM 14/1/08
@Moonshadow101:
LOL not you guys, I mean other people sorry just putting my point out there, I saw a lot of people saying in other places though.
Covert_Knight
neoyaku
Posted 7:31 PM 14/1/08
Yea, I kinda see where people are making the connections to the Warthog, but it's not strong enough of a comparison to say... maybe it's just this color makes the comparison a little easier....
I'll have to respect the artist's comments and believe that the Warthog wasn't the "inspiration" for the design...
neoyaku
DigiMish
Posted 7:21 PM 14/1/08
@Kirbytheslayer: Punch the Penguin and Win a Prize!:
haha, I love that. Owned by McWhertor on sarcasm. :) Maybe next time, Kirby, my buddy.
DigiMish
Kneal
Posted 9:35 PM 14/1/08
It doesnt look anything like the Warthog...
Kneal
explodingman
Posted 9:20 PM 14/1/08
I was expecting to have to beat down a few Halo fanboys but my opinion seems to reflect the majority in that it doesn't look enough like the warthog (note I did not say that it doesn't at all) to where I would call this not credible.
Not to say certain concept cars in the past did not look like dead ringers for the warthog.
explodingman
subnet6
Posted 11:12 PM 14/1/08
Yeah, this is definitely a hummer derivative. I don't see much warthog there at all. If you want to bitch about people posing off the warthog, raise some hell about that peugeot concept from a few years ago. Now, THAT was a F&CKING warthog. They even called it "Hoggar".
[www.ultimatecarpage.com]
subnet6
RaepGoblin
Posted 10:15 PM 14/1/08
I really don't see what everyone is seeing. It looks like a mix between a jeep and a hummer, warthog has very slanted nose and windshield, hummer has very abrupt angles on nose an windshield. Just to name one opposite.
RaepGoblin
tehFluffzComeback
Posted 9:55 PM 14/1/08
The only parts that do somehow show Warthog likeness already existed in the "last generation" Hummers.
tehFluffzComeback
boopadoo
Posted 1:29 AM 15/1/08
You know what would settle all this?
A side-by-side video comparison on Gametrailers!
boopadoo
NotZed
Posted 4:29 AM 15/1/08
Wow, you guys need to get a life.
NotZed
Purple Dave
Posted 3:34 AM 15/1/08
@fenndoji:
Meh. No Warthog that I've seen made me suddenly thing "Hummer". This, on the other hand, clearly is just a fancy edit of the original Humvee profile.
@huginn:
What part of "concept car" eludes you? I can only think of two, offhand, that were later released for sale. One was the Prowler (which is sadly out of production), and the other was the Tomahawk (which was limited to production run of 15, none of which are street-legal).
Purple Dave
Malmer
Posted 2:32 AM 15/1/08
Kotaku making a last twitching effort to make people believe it looks like the warthog.
Still not successful.
Malmer
ビッグ ボス
Posted 6:58 AM 15/1/08
I seriously want one of these, but just as something to drive for fun on the weekends off-road or something. The gas mileage is not worth it for my daily commute...
ビッグ ボス
devilhunterx
Posted 8:09 AM 15/1/08
Let me guess... The HALOS INVENTED JEEP!!
devilhunterx
tiberianviper
Posted 8:44 AM 15/1/08
wow, what's with all the hate in these comments?
every other comment seems to be 'stupid halo fanboys' and 'hummer? compensating much?' as opposed to criticizing the halo-inspiration idea.
tiberianviper
TheBoxNinja
Posted 3:06 PM 15/1/08
From the side I can definitely see the resemblance, however this is THE UGLIEST vehicle ive seen in a while from the front, its scrunched up looking and therefore (from the front) doesnt resemble a Warthog)
Stupid hummers
TheBoxNinja
Sunjammer
Posted 2:29 PM 15/1/08
I'm confused. HOW does this look PARTICULARLY like the warthog again? It's not like the warthog itself doesn't owe a heavy amount to this exact type of vehicle to begin with.
Sunjammer
MajorWedgie
Posted 11:54 PM 15/1/08
mm.. mhmm... but.. but does it morph into a robot?
MajorWedgie