I originally posted this on Bungie.net, but I thought it would be good to post it here, too. This list is incomplete, so I’ll be adding some more ideas (mainly dealing with Loadouts) later when they are more solid. Well, enjoy:
Perks should be removed from the loadout system because they create an unleveled playing field by allowing players to spawn with overpowered abilities, some which cripple gameplay mechanics (Survivor) and handicap base player traits (Resupply). Removing these perks will allow some standards of Halo’s multiplayer to be revived and will make sure that all players spawn with equal base traits and no immediate leverage. The idea of modifying base player traits is not necessarily bad, but does not fit Halo in its current state.
Ordnance Drops, while providing a nice in-match reward system, is incredibly game breaking for an arena style franchise. At the cost of removing all strategically placed weapons on the map, Ordnance Drops allow players to be spoon fed power weapons. This system makes multiplayer matches unorganized by allowing players to spawn weapons, such as a Sniper Rifle, in areas where a Sniper Rifle is not fit to spawn, such as a close quarters hallway, versus being naturally spawned in a vantage point fit for Sniper Rifles. Also, not planning maps around weapons can impact the general map design of the game by either not compensating for areas created for specific weapon combat or overcompensating maps by mashing together all possible play styles into one map.
There are three possible ways to fix Ordnance Drops and the Infinity modes all together while maintain an arena styled game: 1.) Remove Infinity playlists and Ordnance Drops all together (which is the easy way out), 2.) Make Ordnance Drops only contain power ups like overshield, speed boost, and active camo, 3.) Have Ordnance Drops grant you the choice of one out of three perks, which can stack up over time if you don’t die; these perks can also be set in a customizable Ordnance Drops. Ordnance Drops would only be in Infinity playlists.
Also, Team Ordnance Drops should be implemented to specific large scaled objective game types. It would work by culminating all of the players’ point into a universal Ordnance Drop. Once the meter is filled, players will be able to vote between three powerful team based (multiple passenger) vehicles. A Pelican would then fly the vehicle into the map and drop it at your team’s spawn.
There should be three game type playlists: 1.) Ranked – Classic Halo; no Loadouts or Ordnance Drops, 2.) Infinity (Social) – Loadouts and Ordnance Drops are permitted, 3.) Community – Fun, laid back game types like Flood or Action Sack. All standard game types in Ranked and Infinity will have weapons spawn in default locations around the map.
Elites should return for Halo Xbox One with either their Halo 2/3 or Reach, depending on how 343i wants them to effect gameplay. If they want Elites to fit canon, then they will be like Reach’s and be in Invasion and Invasion-like gametypes, along with Elite/Spartan vs. Elite slayer. If 343i wants to take the arcade road, then the Elites will be identical in traits to the Spartan-IVs, although that would resort in shorter Elites. Elite Armor customization should be fully supported and have roughly the same amount as the Spartans. This will result in Spartans not getting as much armor, but also result in better designs since 343i (or whoever they outsource it to) will not have to worry about so many Spartan designs.