As a means of detraction from the many threads incessantly complaining about the ranking system (or, rather, the lack thereof), I would like to propose a radical topic shift onto something that I believe has been overshadowed by everything else, good and bad:
Forge.
Though those who use it are in a minority and those that create complete and enjoyable maps is an even smaller segment of that population, Forge has had a great impact on anyone that, however little, play custom games on custom maps with their custom friends. And that latter demographic is a -Yoink!- lot of people. So let’s get everyone up to speed here.
This link will take you into video walkthroughs of all three Forge canvases:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soGjZRe_Rs0
This link will take you to the bulletin wherein one can find a complete list of Forge pieces:
http://blogs.halowaypoint.com/Headlines/post/2012/10/25/The-Halo-Bulletin-102512-.aspx
As can be seen, we aren’t seeing a great many new Forge items right now. Almost all of them are imported from Reach with context-appropriate re-skins. The big hitters this year are going to be map diversity with our three vary different environments, interface and functional improvements that reduce Forge’s skill gap, and features such as gravity zones that allow the player to alter the Forging environment in new and exciting ways.
Now that we’ve gotten the basic information down, I’d like to propose a few discussion questions to get the ball rolling:
>If you are not a forger…
-How do you think the changes and additions will affect the maps you play in Customs?
-Do you think that ease of use will improve gross map output and maybe mean we’ll see more Forged maps in Matchmaking?
-Are you considering Forging this time around? If so, what will you build?
>If you are a forger…
-What kind of ideas are the new features giving you? Perhaps you have a new gametype in mind…
-Do you see yourself becoming more invested in Forging as a result of the new features?
-Was there ever an idea you had in H3 or Reach that you could never do, but now can with Halo 4’s improvements? If so, what?
-Do you want to create maps for the new Dominion game mode?
This is my chief concern with Halo 4. I’ll answer everything because I’m a forge and customs enthusiast but by no means a power user of forge.
-How do you think the changes and additions will affect the maps you play in Customs?
I think that the increased accessibility of Forge is going to lead to a serious quality boost in maps.
-Do you think that ease of use will improve gross map output and maybe mean we’ll see more Forged maps in Matchmaking?
The former, yes, the latter, it’s up to 343. Many, many people try out forge. When they find out they can make something that looks good in a reasonable amount of time, they’re going to be much more encouraged to make maps. I definitely think this will be a big boon to get more casuals into custom games.
-Are you considering Forging this time around? If so, what will you build?
I do indeed have confidence in my desire to forge this time around. First thing is infection on Impact, what else? I also, however, love discovering new things that can be done with gametype settings. Only time will tell what I can put out.
-What kind of ideas are the new features giving you? Perhaps you have a new gametype in mind…
Gravity zones and player trait zones come to mind first. Here’s a juicy idea I’ve had since the introduction of safe havens: An Alan Wake-esque gametype where you recover health and zombies are weak in the light. Outside of the light, you use your plasma pistol to pop shields and then switch over to a ballistic weapon.
-Do you see yourself becoming more invested in Forging as a result of the new features?
Yup.
-Was there ever an idea you had in H3 or Reach that you could never do, but now can with Halo 4’s improvements? If so, what?
See above, really. At the same time, I’m a little concerned with some of the gametypes and options we have lost in the transition from Reach to 4.
-Do you want to create maps for the new Dominion game mode?
Absolutely, it’s got potential out the whazoo.
Thanks for making a USEFUL topic.
> -How do you think the changes and additions will affect the maps you play in Customs?
>
> The maps will be a lot better quality and you wont have that one friend who will find an exploit in the map. That is if people are making there maps better quality.
>
> -Do you think that ease of use will improve gross map output and maybe mean we’ll see more Forged maps in Matchmaking?
>
> I think we will eventually see a lot of forge maps in matchmaking although I hope it never comes to the large amount of disgraceful and random maps that showed up randomly in REACH. most of which never got played so it’s a waste of a voting space.
>
> -Are you considering Forging this time around? If so, what will you build?
>
> I’ve always enjoyed forging and goofing around with it but I was never the most into actually creating maps especially cause my OCD and ADD were a very big distraction from what I actually wanted to accomplish. I want to make some space station themed smaller maps with indoor and outdoor areas with low gravity. Also making that classic trash compacter.
>
>
> -What kind of ideas are the new features giving you? Perhaps you have a new gametype in mind…
>
> The new feature will make it easier to make symmetrical maps IMO. I will try and recreate Juggernaut from regicide varients if it doesn’t return.
>
> -Do you see yourself becoming more invested in Forging as a result of the new features?
> Most likely more but I’m mostly gonna spend my time in multiplayer after I finish Campaign.
>
> -Was there ever an idea you had in H3 or Reach that you could never do, but now can with Halo 4’s improvements? If so, what? Make good quality thought out maps.
>
> -Do you want to create maps for the new Dominion game mode?
>
> Yes absolutely.
without directly answering those questions, i’ll say that Forge to Me looks amasising
the only thing i don’t like is the size of the maps, they seems a little small
don’t get me wrong, with a creative mind, one could make an epic BTB map
the thing is that me and my friends used forge world for large distance team vs team games
one team would build a base in the little room thing you initially spawn in, and the other team would make their base in the canyons
and it seems that the new maps are a little too small to put enough distance between the two bases
however, the ability to forge Dominion bases is holy damn epic!
ive always been a forger at heart but never had the patience to do anything. now it seems more like legos that you can do anything quickly. even reach with nudge controls took hours to align like 3 pieces and make them play right.
> ive always been a forger at heart but never had the patience to do anything. now it seems more like legos that you can do anything quickly. even reach with nudge controls took hours to align like 3 pieces and make them play right.
I’m hoping to see a lot of new Forgers enter the scene as a result of this. Hey, maybe one day you’ll pick it up and I’ll be playing one of yours in matchmaking, eh?