Halo 4 - 343i Needs to read this Thread

Games Other Halo
1

Let me start off by saying that I enjoy playing Halo 4. I enjoy playing customs and I definitely enjoy the mlg v1 settings. I’m just going to list what the game needs below, so that we can try to see Halo 4’s flaws, but in a positive light. I will agree with the majority that Halo 4’s matchmaking is really bad right now. It is actually worse than reach’s matchmaking, but that can easily be fixed.

What we need in Halo 4:

Small maps - These maps encourage movement, teamwork, positioning, have more action, etc. Not a single on disc map in Halo 4 should be considered small. Haven is much larger than you think, and is (in my opinion) the only decent on disc map other than ragnorak and exhile which are both VERY large. Maps don’t have to be large just because sprint is in the game. Honestly bigger maps are needed because of instant respawn more than any other game aspect. It should be noted that when the dlc trailer was released, they noted Harvest as small-medium. It is confirmed by Bravo (MLG pro and new 343i employee) that this was a typo. It was also confirmed by Bravo that a new dlc map pack will be released late February and the 3 maps will be small, small, and medium sized. Another note is that in the next month, forge maps will be implemented into matchmaking.

Ranks - There is a reason people still play Halo 3. We begged for ranks for the last 2-3 years… That fact that this isn’t in the game is a big slap in the face. If you think that having our rank on waypoint will shut us up, it won’t. I’ll let ninja explain. I will say that the devs should have saved some time with the current ranking system and just made your rank = games played. Would have saved time and been the same thing. I will say that the current “casuals” don’t know what they want and they think skill based ranks will be a bad thing. The casuals in halo 2 and halo 3 LOVED ranks. Just because you are casual doesn’t mean you have to play ranks, not care about winning, not care about getting better.

What Ninja says

Better Playlists - I am going to list below the playlist that should be in game RIGHT NOW

Permanent Playlists:
Infinity Slayer
Big Team Battle (slayer and obj)
Team Objective (either 5v5 or 4v4 and includes ctf/oddball/koth/extraction/etc)
Team Hardcore (MLG v1 settings are out, you don’t have to name the playlist mlg, vg or anything, just name it hardcore/competitive and use the v1 settings. We don’t have to wait for ranks)
Grifball (you have a specific gametype for this, but no playlist? This is why player numbers are dropping in halo 4)
Flood
Lone Wolves (FFa with slayer, regicide, oddball, and koth gametypes)
Team Doubles (EVERYBODY wants this. Slayer, oddball, koth, extraction, ctf)
Team Swat
Team Snipers (ADD IN SMALL MAPS THIS TIME! haven, abandon, adrift even)

Rotational Playlists:
Rocket Race
Team Melee
Fiesta (NOBODY hates this gametype)
other community made gametypes

Remove Flinch, Add in get knocked out of Scope - Increases skill gap, Nobody likes flinch, even CoD fans want flinch gone from CoD games, Flinch is stupid, nobody likes flinch, flinch is stupid. Sniper is overpowered without unscoping when hit, no recovery shots, Mikwen has said he will come back to halo the day this is implemented.

No Join in Session - Stop trying to tweak it to make it better, it doesn’t work, At least give us an option to remove it, if you post a poll asking if you should remove it, 90% of the votes would say to remove it. Definitely don’t have this in with ranked playlists.

Forge Maps in MatchMaking - Forge is there for a reason, Don’t put a forge maps playlist out there, just put forge maps into EVERY SINGE PLAYLIST that is live. Grifball might be the ONLY playlist you wouldn’t, but even in grifball I would think a map or two should go in there.

The Boltshot - Have the boltshot take a longer time to charge up, as well as reducing the range on it. This just needs to happen. Either do this, or change the name of Abandon, to Boltshot Arena.

The DMR - It has too much magnetism, if you can’t reduce the magnetism, then there isn’t much to do in this area.

The BR - I would ask to make the BR 4 shot, but I think that it is fine where it is to be perfectly honest. I can’t have a non-biased opinion in this area or back it up with facts, I can say that the BR is much more difficult to use than the DMR. That is just a fact. It has less range, less magnetism, and you have to hit 5 * 3 = 15 bullets instead of the 5 with the DMR. I don’t think that changing the DMR or the BR will help though, so there isn’t much to do except reduce magnetism on the DMR.

The Beam Rifle - It’s easier to hit shots across a map while no scoping than it is scoping in. If it is too late to fix, than that is ok, it is fun and hilarious anyway.

The Mantis - I’ve been told it is overpowered. It isn’t. Don’t change it.

Rockets - I have heard that they are underpowered. They aren’t, don’t change them.

Sprint - Works quite well in this game. Don’t remove it. I hated it in reach, but it isn’t too bad in this game.

Jetpack - Nothing to do now, but don’t put this in Halo 5. Gets players out of stupid situations they should be punished for, and removes importance of map positioning and map movement.

Instant Respawn - Remove from every single gametype other than grifball. This ruins gameplay for too many reasons to list.

2

My opinion on MLG v1 Settings:

Download these settings from Ghostayame’s fileshare: OGhostayame

Ghost has done a great job with these settings. Before these settings, four dfferent variants as well as numerous maps were tested a lot in order to bring forward these v1 settings. DMR starts, BR starts, LR starts, EVERYTHING has been tested and tampered with. I congratulate ghost on making halo fun and competitive again.

BR Starts - I love it! Read in the above section under “The BR” to see many reasons why I like BR starts. But I also approve because starting with a BR encourages you to move across the map and get positioning. If you start with a DMR, then you can just 5 shot somebody no matter where you are or they are located on the map. The BR encourages movement to get this positioning, as well as team shotting to kill opponents before they can get away to another area.

DMRs on Map - Perfect, keep it how it is.

Weapon spawns - I prefer static spawns to ordnance drops, but that is just an opinion and I don’t mind it too much.

Maps - I think that Haven is the only competitive esk on disc map that is good for competitive play, but I understand the need to incorporate other maps as well. I do think that solace is lopsided without flipping the spawns around onto the sides. I hope to see more simplex style maps though. We need more maps to keep it interesting. Lockout TS should not come back though. Too much camping being promoted. Oddball Lockout was great though. Another map I would suggest is the pit, but 3 games in a row could get old for some.

Armor Abilities - I think that personal odnances are perfect. Same with armor abilities. I think it would be cool if you could pick one up on the map (like invis) but only get one use out of it. No armor ability regen. I have not checked if this is possible though.

Explosives - I don’t really know what to think of this. Sometimes I get mad that this is in, but usually that is right after I die from a grenade… I think we should keep this in for now.

Extraction - Keep the settings the way they are, nothing should be changed.

CTF - No recov on adrift and solace please.

Team Slayer - PLEASE remove instant respawn… It really affects the game in so many negative ways, even in slayer.

Oddball and KoTH - We need maps that are made with these gametypes in mind and only these gametypes. I would love to see a KoTH only map and an Oddball only map.

I think that one thing that everybody, especially 343i needs to realize is that sometimes simple is better. If armor abilities and all this was in halo ce, it would not have been as good. Sometimes less is more (gameplay wise). So 343i, while you are working on Halo 5, please remember this post. Remember though, stay positive about Halo 4, 343i, MLG, VG, AGL, Settings, DLC, and everything else. Thank you alot and add me for MLG v1 customs. Be sure to check out my youtube and follow me on twitter as well!
www.youtube.com/brothersofhalo
@ciutchism
gt: Ciutchism

3

Add Invasion to that list of Gametypes that need to come back.

As for your comment about jetpack, I disagree completely. Jet pack is okay, it just needs to be strengthened to Reach standards. then it’ll be fine.

4

I miss the Assault rifle from halo 1, also the flashlight…not sure why.Their is one thing that needs to be added and i have wanted it back since halo 1 and that is … a dark and foggy swamp.Why?That is because it gave an atmosphere unique to itself and also that one map … uh… section 9?I thought it was good.Im not asking for those exact maps but ones with a similar feel but with a streamline affect.Not to mention by making a enclosed map it will increase fps during battle which will make the experience smoother.Ive noticed on big open maps game performance drops significantly during heated battles.It makes it that much harder to hit a rabbit on the go.

5

I am mostly talking about gameplay changes that affect each and every player. Also if you think jetpack should stay in the game, you really don’t understand core game mechanics.

6

> I am mostly talking about gameplay changes that affect each and every player. Also if you think jetpack should stay in the game, you really don’t understand core game mechanics.

I understand that jetpack hasnt been game breaking and it adds a new level of challenge to the game. Enemies can now attack from multiple vectors and adds in new options for flanking and breaking through “high ground” defenses. Not to mention it increases the mobility of players, allowing them to traverse large gaps and get to the action faster.

All in all, jetpack as helped to quicken the pace of battle in Halo since its introduction.

Also, its a futuristic sci-fi game. Jetpacks fit in perfectly. Even in the Halo lore, the spartans were supposed to have Jetpacks for EVA missions in space. So, the jetpack, from all standpoints, was a good, natural, addition to Halo.

As for core game mechanics, it wouldnt be in the game if the mechanics werent meant to accomodate it.

I think youre just ticked off at jetpack because youve been caught out by jetpackers one too many time and havent yet learned to keep an eye out not just infront of you, but above you too.

7

Why is it only br starts? What about light rifle or carbine starts. I’m tired of mostly human weapons on " competitive" playlists. show the aliens some love.

8

> > I am mostly talking about gameplay changes that affect each and every player. Also if you think jetpack should stay in the game, you really don’t understand core game mechanics.
>
> I understand that jetpack hasnt been game breaking and it adds a new level of challenge to the game. Enemies can now attack from multiple vectors and adds in new options for flanking and breaking through “high ground” defenses. Not to mention it increases the mobility of players, allowing them to traverse large gaps and get to the action faster.
>
> All in all, jetpack as helped to quicken the pace of battle in Halo since its introduction.
>
> Also, its a futuristic sci-fi game. Jetpacks fit in perfectly. Even in the Halo lore, the spartans were supposed to have Jetpacks for EVA missions in space. So, the jetpack, from all standpoints, was a good, natural, addition to Halo.
>
> As for core game mechanics, it wouldnt be in the game if the mechanics werent meant to accomodate it.
>
> I think youre just ticked off at jetpack because youve been caught out by jetpackers one too many time and havent yet learned to keep an eye out not just infront of you, but above you too.

Smaller maps -> into the action faster. If we start trying to fit story into multiplayer, were fighting a losing battle. Multiplayer is meant for fun and competition, not to make sense. And I’m not ticked off my jetpackers, I’m mad that they are still in the game. They ruin map flow, don’t punish bad players, and they make map positioning useless. Might as well play team slayer on a grifball map.

Also you start with a human weapon in mlg v1 settings. There are carbines on the map and light rifles as well. It would not be balanced well enough to start out with them. Most of the alien weapons take less skill to use as well. The needler is added in there as well.

9

> Smaller maps -> into the action faster. If we start trying to fit story into multiplayer, were fighting a losing battle. Multiplayer is meant for fun and competition, not to make sense. And I’m not ticked off my jetpackers, I’m mad that they are still in the game. They ruin map flow, don’t punish bad players, and they make map positioning useless. Might as well play team slayer on a grifball map.
>
>
> Also you start with a human weapon in mlg v1 settings. There are carbines on the map and light rifles as well. It would not be balanced well enough to start out with them. Most of the alien weapons take less skill to use as well. The needler is added in there as well.

And how does jetpack not allow bad players to be punished? It doesnt make them invincible nor does it prevent other players from killing them. As a matter of fact, a jetpacker in mid-air is a sitting duck in most, if not all, situations. the jetpack is only effective in the hands of players who know how to correctly use it, the same as any weapon or other armor ability.

As for messing up map flow, its no different than having a grav lift item from Halo 3’s multiplayer. Those certainly didnt damage mapflow, nor do jetpacks. If anything, they make maps a bit easier to traverse, allowing players to move more fluidly through a map, if using the jetpack is your choice of armor ability.

My biggest gripe with jetpack in Halo 4 is how pathetically weak it is compared to that of Reach. In Reach, it was a useful tool for manuvering. Now it feels more like an armor decoration, as opposed to a useful ability.

10

no. Jetpack is still too strong. Grav lifts are so different it is unreal. My brother is a reach kid and always uses jetpack, even he knows what I say is true.

11

> no. Jetpack is still too strong. Grav lifts are so different it is unreal. My brother is a reach kid and always uses jetpack, even he knows what I say is true.

I agree with pretty much everything you say in this thread, but you’ve gotta be a little less condescending in some of your posts. just try explain your point of view and if you can’t agree just move on.

Also, you forgot something in your original post. What this game really needs is a Multi Team playlist. Seriously.

12

Agee with everything stated, great list . Don’t see why they don’t take instant spawn outta small and medium sizes maps and leave it on BTB .

13

Sorry if I seem condescending. Thats the problem with text based conversations. Also instant respawn in btb would be ok in slayer based gametypes. You should go back to the playlists and see that objective should be in btb. Thats why 90% of the people used to play btb anyway. Also I think that if we have doubles, multi team could be a rotational. It isn’t a core of a playlist as all of the other ones I listed.

14

I like this post and I would definitely like to see these changes made. Ive been EXPECTING team doubles since the release date. Everything from the BR down though is just excess and ranting to me. If 343 is to seriously consider these changes to their game then we need to be strong but to the point.

15

Agree with everything accept the armor ablities i want them out, just bring back equipment from halo 3

16

I would agree that armor abilities should be taken out, but that’s the new direction Halo is headed so might as well balance them out. Agree with everything here, hope 343 sees this.

17

I agree with pretty much everything. I´d take out the GRENADE INDICATOR as well, I don´t like it at all.

Oh, and CUSTOM CONTROLS.

18

Bring back an updated invasion in halo 5 since you can’t in halo 4. VIP needs to return permanently. Make Carbine one less shot. Buff the boltshot “bolts” a little, but nerf the shotgun function. Believe it or not, many people would actually appreciate a halo “gun game” gametype. Get creative in gametypes, like the ol ffa swords or make it team swords. Splockets on big maps.

Op pretty much covered the rest. Oh and make camo a power up.

19

I think 343 should just read this forum, if they haven’t already. We wouldn’t even know, since they never reply. That drives me nuts. Are they listening? They say they are. I don’t even know anymore.

20

we also need classic gametypes that have no ordnance for the people who like weapons on map and everyone spawning equal with lets say… a battle rifle tho it would be similar to hardcore(MLG) except this is with radar and a little less competitive but still compettitive for people who dont want to play MLG (im all for MLG but classic halo is still great)