<mark>Do not troll.</mark>
As somebody who is new to Halo, I for one have a huge problem that I think need addressing. Competitive gameplay.
I think most of us agree that the MLGers and the sweaty players need to be ignored and forgotten. They have done nothing but stand in the way progressive gameplay for Halo. From anti-sprinters who want to go back to the darkages of gaming.
Here I will make a list of ideas that can help progress Halo to the modern era and end competitive merits so everybody feels welcome and equal to play.
1. End winning vs losing
I think winners and losers are outdated. People who continually lose over and over again to people who never go outside is problematic for the growing potential of Halo and how it can turn somebody away from being introduced to this franchise and how great it’s been since Halo Reach. I think a more progressive and fun system is to end the score to win and in it’s place put a 10 min timer and just have people go at it for fun. This will encourage players to enjoy the social aspect (something that “competitive” players lack) rather than trying hard to win. Nobody will get mad about losing, nobody will “trash talk” ( and in 2017 trash talking should be frowned upon anyway) and people will have more of a great equal experience.
#2. No more stats
Having stats is literally there for the competitive crowd to flex their ego. They should not be allowed to do so. We live now in a day and age where inclusiveness should be encouraged. No player should feel they are lacking in skill and unable to have equal fun. The experience of Halo should be enjoyed by all, and allowing players to farm stats does nothing but cause problems to thoughs who may not have the time to sharpen their skills like others in the “MLGing” scene. We all have jobs, family, friends, and other things we have to do in our day to day. We can’t all be MLG. We shouldnt encourage thoughs who can be mlgers to be mlg. So the best solution is to end stats and copyright ban third party stat sites from creating stats through third party software.
#3. No more ranks.
Halo 4 was the best example for this and I hope 343 goes back to their progressive roots by ending the ranking system. As stated above, it only pushes players to try too hard, and also keeps the competitive coming around to perpetuate toxic competitive testosterone pumping behaviors. The competitive scene alienates minority communities who may feel excluded from picking up the game. Especially those with impairments who may not play as well. I think it’s important to include players who arent as well to play, so we can create a thriving community focused on fun, and exclude the competitive crowd from being able to be aggressive and violent towards people who do not play as well. The solution. End ranks.
#4. Random elements/occurrences
The more random, the less competitive, the more fun.
Smash brothers was ruined by their “mlg” community because randomness was stripped from the game, and so there was no fun.
I think in Halo, to bring fun and inclusive gamplay to the franchise, we need random elements. And I mean lots of them. Like maps made in volcanoes getting flooded by lava which will make players have to run to a survivable areas to fight each other, or die trying. It will bring a rush to gameplay, bring a more casual social approach, and really bringing Halo into the modern era.
#5. Bans on players.
I think quality control is important. That includes players in game. I think we need stricter rules on the xbox agreements in general and hardcore overwatch on all games in servers. I think anybody who is Aggressive and/or too competitive should be given warnings and bans. One warning and console ban after. Foul language, racism, homophobia, and anything of the sort should be given instant ban and also we should have a database to investigate and press charges against these people for misconduct after agreement to the terms of service. It will create a better environment for all people and will push away the competitive players who are well known for their disgusting behaviors as listed above.
#6 Replace guns with other projectile weapons
Although this will be tough to push, gun violence is an issue and Halo in it’s current form may push away players traumatized by gun violence. The graphic immaagiriy of people dying can be a bit much in multiplayer. The solution? Make it seem like a game within a game? Instead of people actually dying, I think it would be a better experience to have clear visual that the person shot is still alive but out of the game until respawn. Kind of like paintball where players are shooting each other but nobody actually dies. The guns can be replace by bullets and magazines, and more energy play weapons that clearly do not kill people.
Obviously in campaign it’s one thing. Its story telling. But in multiplayer this is where Halo 4 also did good. It wasnt “real” but a simulation for Spartans to practice. I think this idea along with replacing “death” with “pretend” can help push Halo to a newer bigger era
#7. More powerups/abilities.
Halo 5 lacked in this department. We took away everything that made Halo reach/4 more player friendly, and catered to the people who do not matter at all. In Halo 5 I think we need more random elements via armor abilities again. Bring all of them from reach and 4 back and add new ones. Again, the more random, the more inclusive, the less competitive players will ruin the game.
These are just a few ideas I have had while playing this great franchise for the last few months and that has the potential to grow and exclude competitive players from brining toxic behavior to this franchise. We did well with Reach and Halo 4. Halo 5 is a step backwards as far and gearing toxic competitiveness away. If you would like to add anything, please post and let me know. Also, negative comments are not welcomed. If a competitive player/MLGer post about how great they are and wants to put down indigenous people, mods will be contacted for the deletion of your post. Thank you all and have a fantastic night! Long live Halo! 