Please note that this is a suggestion for a possible improvement to Spartan Ops, Multiplayer, and Firefight modes in future halo titles. First topic post, may not be formatted quite right.
(In order to keep things easily understood, I’ll mostly talk about episode 7 “Infinity.” These would have been doable in Halo 4 and if not I’ll mention it.)
Here is a basic summary of ideas. (No one likes to read through a wall of text.)
1. Less chapters per episode.
2. Number of Spartan Ops Episodes.
3. Play as Majestic Team in Spartan Ops.
4. Randomization and Skulls.
5. More than one Character class usable.
6. Armor and Equipment matter.
1. Less chapters per episode: After playing episode 7 several times it occurred to me that chapters 1 &5 were not really necessary for the plot. The Episode could have began with Murphy crashing into the hanger bay and ended with the covenant cruiser being destroyed at the end of chapter 3. This would give the story a solid beginning middle and end of the story are, and the Infinity level itself was fairly large. (By doing these two steps throughout the entirety Spartan Ops, it would have been able to have an experience that more closely resembled the campaign.)
From here a Firefight mission (Engine Room or Hanger Bay) could have been unlocked on the completion of the weeks episode. It’s also that possible that a multiplayer map could have emerged for the Hanger Bay with some Forge pieces.
1a. The Firefight and multiplayer maps: These should only be unlocked after the player has played the episode of Spartan Ops. This would incentivize the players to actually try to play the episodes. Instead of paying for more maps you would give them the option of playing the game to unlock these maps. (I accidentally stumbled into a good idea. )
This would have shorted Spartan Ops by 40% overall, but would have been alright if firefight and multiplayer map unlocked afterward.
2. Number of Spartan Ops episodes: Twelve (3 chapter long) episodes in total would be needed for Spartan Ops. Only one season would be made and released in 3 parts over the course of the first year. (I figure they would release in November, April and August.) This should coincide with 343 “Official” map packs, armor skins and weapon skins.
2A. Campaign and Spartan Ops maps to matchmaking: Multiplayer and Firefight spaces could be created from parts of the Campaign and Spartan Ops maps. This was done in Halo Reach. (However, they really should only be released in the months in between the release of the “Official” 343 maps.) These maps would be free, and would help to fill out multiplayer map selection over time.
3. Play as Majestic Team in Spartan Ops: (Taking a page from Mass Effect.) Have an official Majestic team, but then allow us to customize their armor as we see fit.
4. Randomization and Skulls: While Spartan Ops is fun… like the campaign it is VERY predictable on the second play through. When a Phantom drops off troops in the Hanger bay the player shouldn’t know that is coming out. (instead of grunts the game would randomly choose hunters.)
5. More than one Character class usable: After play through of the weeks episode allow the players, allow the player to play the campaign or firefight mission with a Spartan 3 or ODST rule set. So if you choose Spartan 3 you know you will die from a 20ft fall, have a life bar, armor abilities and health packs. If you choose ODST you know you will die from a 10ft fall, have a life bar, no armor abilities, no sprint and health packs. (This idea MAY have been possible in Halo 4 with some work.)
6. Armor and Equipment matter: For Firefight and Spartan ops only, have consequences for what we choose. Example, if you choose to wear BIG armor you might have 25% more health, but move 25% slower. If the player is wearing Soldier armor he might be able to carry more ammo or move faster. (The armor description itself refers to this in Halo 4.) If you had Halo Reach like armor attachments make them actually do some thing. Have them act as open slots for the player, which could actually be seen on the character. (The soft pack leg attachment in halo reach would have 2 slots and allow for a extra grenade 1 or 2 extra DMR clips.)
These are some fairly big changes but they could definitely help the Spartan Ops, Multiplayer and Firefight communities. (Wall of Text not averted.)
After thought: A lot of comments on the Waypoint forums criticized Halo Reach for reusing areas for the Campaign in Firefight and Multiplayer. However, now I understand that that wasn’t such a bad thing.
If done properly this could help the 343 sustain team out some. If in Halo 4, parts of Spartan or the Campaign were released as multiplayer maps for free over the time first year of the games it would help to give the community a map or two a month until the next map pack releases. This would ensure every month that players would be rewarded for continuing to play the game.
P.S. BSANGEL: I do have one request for 343, regarding “Future Halo projects.” (Gave a lot of room there. :)) Would it be possible to see concept art, weapon descriptions, or sounds? Or… (Holy Grail question) … a virtual shooting range where you test weapons? Stills from the halo t.v. project. Greg Bear or Karen Travis’ High School photo? (I realize you guys are basically under a non-disclosure agreement, but some info occasionally would help to generate more Halo Community Content. Answer is already no, but I had to ask.)