Europe doesn't matter?

Games Other Halo
1

I have been playing Halo the Standard Edition since the first day it came out. As an enthusiastic Halo 2 and Halo 3 player, I was dying to get my hands on Halo 4. Because of the price-difference and a nice offer by the local gaming store, I decided not to buy the Limited Edition. Not having played Halo Reach, I didn’t see a reason in how it would limit my gaming. Until I reached level 70 two days ago. I’m stuck at it, without a chance of gaining some extra XP or specifications. I searched this forum and the internet to find a solution, only to find that I’m incapable of proceeding because I live in The Netherlands. Apparently, citizens in Europe don’t have the same rights according to 343i and/or Microsoft (not sure who to blame in this case) in comparison to them in the US, Asia, Australia or any other part of the world.

There are hundreds of thousands of players in Europe, if not millions. But apparently they don’t matter to 343/MS. Why are we rejected from the extra spec-codes 343i send to players in the beginning of this month? Me too have been playing this game before November 20th, but I will not have any benefits because of that.

Maybe if the game was flawless, I wouldn’t mind it. Ranking is not my main objective in a game, it’s to do the best I can in a shooter and just have some fun each time I go online. But with all the bugs I already encountered (named by others on this forum again and again and again), my frustration with the game has a reached a top like I never had with other games.

As I said, ranking is not my main objective in the game, but it’s just plain weird to finish a game without a single goal set by the game itself. I can improve my kd-ratio, get some more accomplishments or complete distinctions. But there’s no way to show it, cause there isn’t even a official ranking or something like it. I will stay level 70 and that’s it.

Is there anything known about when it will become available for every Xbox Live-player and not just the ones lucky enough to have the right nationality? I can’t find anything about it and it looks like we are just screwed over here.
Maybe when there’s finally a ranked based system online (Title update in January? Fingers crossed) there will be something to play for again. Not even XP, but to grade true skill and play against the best. Any news about when it will come out exactly? Would be a nice Christmas-gift.

Locking out all of Europe (and Africa + the Middle East for that matter) like this is a big, big mistake I think. Halo has a loyal community, such as myself, but disregarding them like this without an explanation will drive them away. I hope something will happen soon, because I love Halo and I love playing Halo. But just like this video sums it all up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxPAHIhvmto I just feel royally screwed at the moment (although I also don’t have any Dew, because that also wasn’t an advert here).

2

I’m glad I bought the Limited Edition. I don’t think there are any details about the specialisations becoming available to anyone, but it’s just a matter of time.

The downside of having an XP system is exactly this. As soon as you hit the ceiling, you’ll instantly get depressed by the lack of numerical progress. And apparently gameplay isn’t fun enough to make up for that loss nowadays. Quite sad.

Hope you’ll get your specs soon, one way or another. If you’re willing to drop a couple bucks, look for codes on eBay. They’re not that pricey.

3

343i and MS are not listening, and certainly not reading…hope the venting felt good because nothing will come from it

4

I completely understand your sentiment as I’m just across the North Sea in Britain, however I’ve been stuck at level 70 for 2 or 3 weeks now and at first it was annoying. But, now I’m quite happy with the situation as it has somehow freed my game up to play as I want to…not as the game wants. For myself, its about fun and personal targets (ie how many sticky kills in one match etc)- the chasing of game imposed numbers/stats can get in the way of fun. In fact I’m not even sure I will bother when the extra specialisations are released to us.

5

I wish someone would make a fps game to fill the gap in the market that halo used to fill

6

343 still hasn’t found out where Europe is on the map

7

No, I don’t think Europe matters.

8

Why are all you people crying about this. You get the specializations soon. The LE version only got them for a limited time.

Should have ponied up the extra coin.

And it does not limit your ability to play the game.

9

What the heck are Specifications? All I know about are Specializations.

Oh, and, uh, is it REALLY that bad to be stuck at a level? The next 10 will be released to you soon enough; And you knew this was coming anyway. If you didn’t, you can’t blame 343, only Microsoft, and maybe your own laws.

I seriously doubt they would prevent Europe from having it.

10

I heard that they’re giving europe the specs in January

11

This is a good point really. The short answer is “no” Europe doesn’t really matter. Japanese based games leave out North America in some respects and China won’t even let many of our games be played within their borders. It’s actually still shockingly common to find game makers leaving out entire swaths of players in foreign lands. There are some real difficulties when it comes to localizing games. You could be worse off: one Japanese MMORPG once gave Japanese players more than a year’s head start against North American players.

12

I honestly think it might have to do with the EU and what ever laws you guys have. I don’t see any reason on Microsoft’s end (and yes this is Microsoft’s responsibility not 343i’s) as to why they would exclude Europe. Also I know the UK is not part of the EU but I’m sure it might it has to do with laws and regulations there too.

13

The problem is that by not given the Specs code to all they are in a way FORCING those without the spec codes to NOT PLAY HALO 4.

Why do I say this… How can not getting a specialization code a reason not to play. Surely they could just play for fun?

It’s all down to Commendations and the wonderful XP you get from them. The more you play, the more XP yielding Commendations you get. The more you play the HIGHER XP boosts you get. Reach master level and you get 5000xp (not counting the previous levels attained).

“Great stuff… plenty of reason to play”, you say. But if you are stuck at level 70 when those commendations pop YOU LOSE THAT XP FOREVER. Gone… Poof… Kaput.

So to prevent losing that XP my guess is a whole load of players have just quit playing until 343 wakes up and gives EVERYONE the codes. Just so they won’t waste XP completing the various tasks.

This has to be the biggest foot-in-mouth design flaw in the history of gaming.
A valid reason NOT to play a game.

Personally I am glad I forked out for a spec code from ebay so I didn’t have a reason forcing me to pack in playing.

14

> […] I searched this forum and the internet to find a solution, only to find that I’m incapable of proceeding because I live in The Netherlands. Apparently, citizens in Europe don’t have the same rights according to 343i and/or Microsoft (not sure who to blame in this case) in comparison to them in the US, Asia, Australia or any other part of the world. […]

I think it’s the marketing teams fault. For most regions Specialization codes were given out for Halo 4 owners who played online during a short launch window. As far as I understand (but correct me if I’m wrong), instead of doing the same thing someone at the European branch decided to give out early access Specialization codes for those who pre-ordered the standard edition.

> Why are all you people crying about this. You get the specializations soon. The LE version only got them for a limited time.
>
> Should have ponied up the extra coin.
>
> And it does not limit your ability to play the game.

Some of the Specialization perks can considerably alter gameplay.

15

We’re always limited here in Europe. The problem is that we’ve accepted it for too long, so every company think it’s fine to leave us out.

16

> Some of the Specialization perks can considerably alter gameplay.

Yeah… the Gunner spec actually helps you to get “Size Matters” for sure. I was always dying when I tried before that because I was soooooo -Yoink!- slow at turning before I got Gunner.

17

It has NOTHING to do with the LAWS of the UK, how can it? Are you saying its ok to play a shooting game to level 70 then continue playing that same game but without gaining XP or extra armour abilities because of a LAW! Yeah great comment! How stupid a comment is that!

Specializations do give the player very slight game advantages over someone stuck on SR70 so a totally unfair game. Plus if you pop commendations etc you lose those extra XP gained forever! Yep thats fair NOT!

I personally feel my country (can only speak for my own country) is being victimised by 343i and Microsoft. I dont by into the rubbish it has to be Microsoft only as they are the bosses, thats complete junk! Both are to blame, 343i are not total lap dogs to Microsoft. 343i are capable of standing there ground on this issue if they felt they should and clearly they didnt.

So I say this, if you want to proceed to SR71 and beyond, then get on the net and buy the codes, as low as £2.50 on ebay, at present Im on SR96 :slight_smile: stuff you 343i and Microsoft on this particular issue!

All you guys that cant go further, take comfort in the knowledge that Microsoft and 343i have no faith or confidence in there own gamers abilities and feel there country needs advantages to be able to beat other countries in game play!!! Im sure the citizens of that country dont feel they need that and it would be great if they stood up and voiced there opinion on it! I dont think they need it either!

When I first realised what was happening I came very very close to binning Halo 4 and going to COD but instead I thought why should I? Stuff you, Ill play it but continue to be a pain in there back sides instead… However Halo 5? Not for me, Ill wait and see what comments are first this time and spend my hard earned cash wisely!!!

18

OP if you want a spec code PM me and I’ll give you the one i have.

19

> OP if you want a spec code PM me and I’ll give you the one i have.

Thats very generous, good on you.

20

This is Microsoft’s doing. Not 343. Their promotion, their codes, their eligibility requirements.

They are releasing specs to everyone early next year, most likely January.

Play the game for fun. No one is forcing you to not play as someone suggested above. There is more to the game than earning experience. Improve your game, use different weapon loadouts etc.