I’m a 35 year old, married & college educated professional. Thoughtout the years, I have been, and remained, a dedicated/diehard fan of this franchise…
and i must say.
343i, your company has DESTROYED a franchise I loved so dearly for nearly TWO DECADES!
Between the MCC and Halo 5 Guardians, you have unequivocally & undeniably shown Microsoft made a catastrophic decision by ENTRUSTING you with the Halo franchise.
There are so many GLARING failures that I don’t know where to begin. Let’s look at H5G:
1). The campaign. Easily THE WORST IN FRANCHISE HISTORY. it’s not even a contest. The AI and fireteam concepts are shameful. The story, bad. The engine, belonged on the 360, not the Xbox One. The level design, incomplete and linear. The character development, non existent. The marketing campaign, misleading to the extent of appearing intentional. The list could go on and on
2). The User Interface, not friendly, clunky, slow and complicated. What exactly was going through the minds of the developers who created this unorganized and hard to use mess? How could you allow something so bad to ship?
3). The lack of anything social in MP! Was your intent to cause a large percentage of your fanbase to develop an early onset of cardiac problems?
4). The servers. 343i, Inspite of your recent work product, You have a fan base that spans THE KNOWN WORLD (otherwise known as) PLANET EARTH. how could you fail to have the proper infrastructure laid out for fans who enjoy multiplayer? especially after the MCC debacle?
5). The lack of common sense to perform badly needed maintence on your servers after each new content update (the lag in multiplayer is now out of control).
This list is by no means all inclusive.
Im sorry for ranting. But something’s gotta give
Halo is too important to allow 343i’s bush league amateurs to continue making a mockery out of what we have come to love so dearly.
I understand your concerns but you need to back up more than just these flaws to prove that Halo is now a failure. This is actually the only game launched in 2015 that, although at first glance seem inferior, has actually managed to continually entertain most players.
Hell I played Fallout. Great game, but I prefer skyrim and my journey ended some while ago. I played the Division, and that was the most boring piece of crap I’ve ever played. Tell me if you’ll play Quantum Break more than 2 times this year?
Halo 5 has some flaws that disappointed me dearly. I used to dislike Halo 4 but now I love it. Halo 6 will be the main factor whether or not Halo is doomed or instead it’s absolute peak.
Main problem with MCC is that it’s not cross-platform with Xbox 360. If it was we could join matches all the time.
I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
> 2533274819302824;4:
> I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
>
> I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
>
> I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
>
> What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
>
> And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
>
> I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
Somewhere there is a video of (Quinn Delhoyo?) analysing the development of Halo multiplayer, talking about how it went from primarily a 4v4 experience to a BTB experience in H4. Thus 343 put their biggest focus on an ‘even bigger’ team experience in H5 (And so they felt they could do away with regular BTB completely).
One of 343’s problems is that they are very big on analysis of player data without accepting responsibility for the design decisions which drive the data to that predictable end result. Thus;
“Lets make a multiplayer that will be popular with the players of today”. Results in starting the modernization process and ‘CODification’ of Halo.
“The data shows players are now wanting more of a big team experience” after H4. Ignores the fact that the multiplayer decisions in that game drove away the traditional players and worked best in a BTB environment.
“Classic playlists have low population”. A true (no sprint) classic playlist was never introduced into H4. Any discussion of MCC populations is invalidated by the disastrous state of that game at launch and the still frustrating (But mostly working! so please play it everybody!) matchmaking.
“The poll shows that most Halo players want sprint” after the franchise has already alienated most of it’s traditional fanbase so they didn’t participate in the poll in the first place.
343 are not making Halo from the heart like Bungie was. That indescribable “Halo Feel” escapes them in everything from the art design to the understated humour, to the inspired sheer epicness (is that a word?) of the story. A mention also must go to the awesome matchmaking experience (UI, Preferences, Simple yet so informative and intuitive!) that Bungie perfected with Reach. I find it is best to just think of 343 as NU HALO. The best I hope from 343 is to keep some kind of buzz around Halo that will keep drawing new players to buy the old games and maintain population in them.
In answer to the OP, the time to wake up has long past. The dinner has burnt while 343 snoozed. They didn’t read the cooking instructions properly, they refused to wake up when the alarms went off. The smell of smoke didn’t wake them and now all that is left is to try and scrape some edibles from the inside of the charred mess.
I’m so depressed. #supportMCC - YES! you too 343!
> 2533274819302824;4:
> I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
>
> I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
>
> I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
>
> What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
>
> And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
>
> I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
I completely agree with the idea that the MP focus was Warzone but it’s Warzone that keeps me playing this game.
> 2533274819302824;4:
> I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
> I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
> I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
> What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
> And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
> I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
Yeah. They made new engine, have REQS, Warzone and were/are missing all other features as a result.
To me it is all a clear sign that they started with the idea of a REQ system and a casual game mode to sell them through. Because this required a new engine and the focus of the work went in to the REQs and Warzone, we saw classic Halo features removed or delayed in order to see Warzone make the launch. So BTB, Forge, infection, Firefight, Assault, Griffball, all delayed. Ad things like LAN and Split screen completely cut.
343i clearly approach the development of Halo completely different and it shows.
> 2535414369351666;3:
> I understand your concerns but you need to back up more than just these flaws to prove that Halo is now a failure. This is actually the only game launched in 2015 that, although at first glance seem inferior, has actually managed to continually entertain most players.
It actually doesn’t entertain most players. Most players have abandoned the Halo franchise after H4 or MCC. The population of H5 is a fraction of the audience Halo used to have.
> 2533274962785885;5:
> > 2533274819302824;4:
> > .
>
>
>
> “Classic playlists have low population”. A true (no sprint) classic playlist was never introduced into H4. Any discussion of MCC populations is invalidated by the disastrous state of that game at launch and the still frustrating (But mostly working! so please play it everybody!) matchmaking.
>
> #supportMCC - YES! you too 343!
Is this true? The digital download of MCC can be found for 15ish dollars now. That kind of bargain bin pricing on what should be a timeless title just screams broken to me.
> 2547348539238747;7:
> > 2533274819302824;4:
> > I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
> > I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
> > I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
> > What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
> > And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
> > I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
>
>
> Yeah. They made new engine, have REQS, Warzone and were/are missing all other features as a result.
>
> To me it is all a clear sign that they started with the idea of a REQ system and a casual game mode to sell them through. Because this required a new engine and the focus of the work went in to the REQs and Warzone, we saw classic Halo features removed or delayed in order to see Warzone make the launch. So BTB, Forge, infection, Firefight, Assault, Griffball, all delayed. Ad things like LAN and Split screen completely cut.
>
> 343i clearly approach the development of Halo completely different and it shows.
It isnt even a new engine. They even say so in the sprint.
> 2535468636219845;10:
> > 2547348539238747;7:
> > > 2533274819302824;4:
> > > I keep trying and failing to rationalize the state of Halo 5 to myself.
> > > I’m inclined to believe that Warzone is responsible for a lot of problems, and the mode itself confounds me.
> > > I’m not going to deny there was a demand for a larger scale gamemode. Even I thought it would be a decent idea at the time. However I never expected them to execute it in the manner that they did. What I expected, what I think a lot of people expected, was some sort of standalone mode containing a few upscaled maps and larger vehicles. Nothing too ambitious or intrusive.
> > > What we got was a gigantic mode that most of the game is designed around or intertwined with in some way. An ambitious MOBA mode containing hundreds of custom items, with a brand new system primarily based on providing and distributing items for the new mode but also providing customization for all modes. I believe it’s where a large majority of the game’s attention and resources initially went and continue to go, and as a result the Arena aspect of the game is left lacking in comparison. Time that could’ve been spent programming Assault or Infection was instead allocated to programming AI and the REQ system.
> > > And honestly, the mode we got as a result isn’t even all that good, and only continues to unnecessarily grow more and more each month.
> > > I mean so far that’s the only plausible explanation I can come up with for the sheer lack of content.
> >
> >
> > Yeah. They made new engine, have REQS, Warzone and were/are missing all other features as a result.
> >
> > To me it is all a clear sign that they started with the idea of a REQ system and a casual game mode to sell them through. Because this required a new engine and the focus of the work went in to the REQs and Warzone, we saw classic Halo features removed or delayed in order to see Warzone make the launch. So BTB, Forge, infection, Firefight, Assault, Griffball, all delayed. Ad things like LAN and Split screen completely cut.
> >
> > 343i clearly approach the development of Halo completely different and it shows.
>
>
> It isnt even a new engine. They even say so in the sprint.
Well no, it still has the backbone of the original Halo engine, but you wouldn’t know that from the way they sold it as a “completely new” engine and the way the 343i fans defend as such.
343 built a game that is really quite fun mechanically and then failed to give us a variety of ways to actually play that were enjoyable.
Compared to the complete disaster known as MCC, H5 seemed polished at launch but things were not as hey seemed. Many standard features (private game lobbies, custom gametypes, theatre, fileshare, forge) were broken or missing at launch.
Multiplayer options were and still remain weak. Warzone and breakout were shoved down our throats. Breakout died an ugly death. Big team battle still needed to be added in spite of warzone which I find very gimmicky and overall just underwhelming. Many maps and gametypes were put into rotation only to be quietly removed or patched or both after being found broken or just plain awful to play. No 2v2 for when it’s just you and your best friend. Arena is supposed to mirror competitive gametypes but a majority of my arena games are on bad “DLC” maps or gametypes not played in tournaments.
The “free content” should have been included in the game or just cut altogether. Overgrowth was broken and not fun even after they patched the game breaking exploits. Riptide sucks. Torque was the biggest turd ever and the new version Actually plays decently. Why release the horrible one? Lol. Have all of the new warzone maps been removed? Slightly off topic because it was a map that launched but what ever happens to Orion? LOL
> 2535414369351666;3:
> I understand your concerns but you need to back up more than just these flaws to prove that Halo is now a failure. This is actually the only game launched in 2015 that, although at first glance seem inferior, has actually managed to continually entertain most players.
>
> Hell I played Fallout. Great game, but I prefer skyrim and my journey ended some while ago. I played the Division, and that was the most boring piece of crap I’ve ever played. Tell me if you’ll play Quantum Break more than 2 times this year?
>
> Halo 5 has some flaws that disappointed me dearly. I used to dislike Halo 4 but now I love it. Halo 6 will be the main factor whether or not Halo is doomed or instead it’s absolute peak.
>
> Main problem with MCC is that it’s not cross-platform with Xbox 360. If it was we could join matches all the time.
Yo bro, I met with the directors of the Division. Really cool people. They put a ton of effort into the game, and you saying that it sucks shows a lot of your level of respect. I would say the game isn’t for you.
> 2533274894783242;9:
> > 2533274962785885;5:
> > > 2533274819302824;4:
> > > .
> >
> >
> > “Classic playlists have low population”. A true (no sprint) classic playlist was never introduced into H4. Any discussion of MCC populations is invalidated by the disastrous state of that game at launch and the still frustrating (But mostly working! so please play it everybody!) matchmaking.
> >
> > #supportMCC - YES! you too 343!
>
>
> Is this true? The digital download of MCC can be found for 15ish dollars now. That kind of bargain bin pricing on what should be a timeless title just screams broken to me.
If you haven’t got MCC then it’s a steal at $15. The reputation of the MCC was just destroyed by the 113 days it didn’t work at all (even though according to 343 “it was all fine in our tests!” :-o !!)
Being a 343 game it is a bit random as to how much trouble you will have with the matchmaking. Sometimes you have to hard boot and start a custom game to kick the MM back to life but generally it works.
> 2535414369351666;3:
> I understand your concerns but you need to back up more than just these flaws to prove that Halo is now a failure. This is actually the only game launched in 2015 that, although at first glance seem inferior, has actually managed to continually entertain most players.
>
> Hell I played Fallout. Great game, but I prefer skyrim and my journey ended some while ago. I played the Division, and that was the most boring piece of crap I’ve ever played. Tell me if you’ll play Quantum Break more than 2 times this year?
>
> Halo 5 has some flaws that disappointed me dearly. I used to dislike Halo 4 but now I love it. Halo 6 will be the main factor whether or not Halo is doomed or instead it’s absolute peak.
>
> Main problem with MCC is that it’s not cross-platform with Xbox 360. If it was we could join matches all the time.
Actually no, Halo 3 entertained the most players overall. If you’re speaking in terms of games on XBL currently, then that would be Black Ops 3 and GTA V. Also, no, that’s not the main problem with MCC. The main problem with MCC is that it still suffers game breaking bugs and glitches.
I honestly think it’s not 343 who needs to wake up, its the community that needs to wake up.
H5 right now is by far the most fun I have had in any Halo game to date and that is saying something.
The butter smooth gameplay
Extremely high skill-cap
longevity with the arena seasons and REQ’s
Endless possibilties with forge and the fact that forge maps actually look quite stunning!
Well okay it doesn’t really change anything me listing good things about Halo since there is one thing I have learned from this community…
Literally no matter what 343 does or add’s to the game, there will always be something wrong with it apparently if you look at the forums everytime after something gets added. Its almost like a meme now.
> 2533274925159248;18:
> I honestly think it’s not 343 who needs to wake up, its the community that needs to wake up.
>
> H5 right now is by far the most fun I have had in any Halo game to date and that is saying something.
> The butter smooth gameplay
> Extremely high skill-cap
> longevity with the arena seasons and REQ’s
> Endless possibilties with forge and the fact that forge maps actually look quite stunning!
>
> Well okay it doesn’t really change anything me listing good things about Halo since there is one thing I have learned from this community…
> Literally no matter what 343 does or add’s to the game, there will always be something wrong with it apparently if you look at the forums everytime after something gets added. Its almost like a meme now.
Agreed. Halo 5 is actually my favorite halo game. I know it has flaws but I still think it’s awesome and fun to play. IMO 343 are doing a great job, better than halo 4 and mcc.
> 2535422406224546;12:
> Don’t worry. Once Halo 3 anniversary comes, these last few years will be a long forgotten nightmare
Assuming they don’t mess it up like they have these past few Halo games. Are we really gonna trust 343 to perfectly remake Halo 3 and iron out the kinks on top of that? I certainly don’t have that much faith in them to do so. We may be lucky to get Halo 3 multiplayer in Halo 3 Anniversary at all (assuming they even do it), we might just get a reskinned campaign and multiplayer dlc for Halo 5 like we got for Reach with Halo CEA.