: Saved films work by saving game data and then replaying them real-time
: in-engine. The great thing about saved films are that the file sizes are
: MUCH smaller that simply recording the footage and playing it back. This
: also allows you to fly around the map, pause, and change perspectives at
: any time.

: So here is my question. Would it be possible to STREAM gamedata over XBL? 343
: could create a Twitch-like interface that would allow you to watch these
: MLG matches (Or anyone else who decides to stream). It seems like
: streaming game data would be much less bandwidth intensive, and it would
: allow anyone watching the match to change perspectives, fly in free cam,
: and experience the game as they choose.

: Obviously you would have to own the game if you wanted to watch,

Yes. Yes. And yes.

This is commonly refered to as 'spectator mode.' A few games have it already. One fairly early and cool implementation I remember was in 2005's Project Gotham Racing 3 on Xbox 360. You could spectate your friends races, or pick from the 'best' players that were online right now and watch them race. There was even an achievement for making that list! Which I got! (when the online scene was long dead and no-one else was playing...)

: Any thoughts of how possible something like this would be? I'm sure it's WAY
: more complicated than I can even fathom, but it seems like a cool feature
: worth pursuing for something like Halo 5. It seems like the next logical
: step in 343's push towards MLG games, Twitch Live Streams, and more
: social-media based experiences.

It is, and in a way I'm kind of surprised it hasn't happened already because of it's obvious bandwidth and quality advantages over something like Twitch. But, ya know, game developers have puffed and professed how much they love competitive for ages but seem unwilling to make the investments on big features that would really support it.

It'd also be cool if it allowed non-participants to broadcast their commentary over it. So you get fantastic, reliable visuals as well as explanation/thoughts on what is transpiring.