Incentives for map packs.

Games Other Halo
1

I didn’t buy map packs because I suspected that it would be similar to what happened in Halo Reach, and unfortunately I was right.

I was trying to think of ways that would encourage people to buy the DLC’s.

I was thinking of doing it this way with the map selections in matchmaking: Have the maps actually show up regardless if people have them.

In World at War, even if you didn’t have the maps, they would still show up in matchmaking. If it got voted in, you would be booted from the lobby. After awhile though, I bought them because I was bored of the old maps AND because I knew I would play the new maps because I saw them all the time.

I think the biggest problem is that people don’t ever see them and it never generates interest. What if every now and then, one of the three maps for voting is a dlc map, people will see the map and want to play it but realize they don’t have it.

It would be a way of advertising within the game, but it would be presented where it counts: In the map selection.

2

REINIAT APPROVES. After all theyre only worth 2000MP, wich isnt much at all, and im tired of never play them besides of the DLC list. Or you can make an all DLC list, that would be cool.

3

I like this idea

4

I have a better idea: Don’t charge for map packs.

Microtransactions and merchandising are part of the business strategy for any major game manufacturer now; I accept that fact. Generating revenue beyond the simple original sale of the game allows the sale price to be reasonable. I understand and accept that fact as well.

However, when I buy a game, I expect full functionality. Maps are an essential part of any map-based games, and in order to continue to keep people playing, releasing new maps and updating maps based on feedback is generally necessary. I expect that this be done free of charge. I also believe that many others feel this way as well, else buying map packs would be more popular.

What I would like to see is for 343i to switch their strategy from requiring payment for game essential items to inessential items like armors and weapons skins. So those folks that feel the need to “complete” the game and collectors can satisfy their wants with payment, while those who just want to play the game are fully supported.

Additionally, since paying for armors / skins does not require anyone else to pay for armors / skins for you to use them, this might actually be a strategy that generates more revenue. I won’t buy map packs because I know lots of others won’t, so I’ll not get full use out of the pack. But if I were an armor collector, buying armor does not have that downside. If I buy it, I know I’ll get to use it.

5

> I have a better idea: Don’t charge for map packs.
>
> Microtransactions and merchandising are part of the business strategy for any major game manufacturer now; I accept that fact. Generating revenue beyond the simple original sale of the game allows the sale price to be reasonable. I understand and accept that fact as well.
>
> However, when I buy a game, I expect full functionality. Maps are an essential part of any map-based games, and in order to continue to keep people playing, releasing new maps and updating maps based on feedback is generally necessary. I expect that this be done free of charge. I also believe that many others feel this way as well, else buying map packs would be more popular.
>
> What I would like to see is for 343i to switch their strategy from requiring payment for game essential items to inessential items like armors and weapons skins. So those folks that feel the need to “complete” the game and collectors can satisfy their wants with payment, while those who just want to play the game are fully supported.
>
> Additionally, since paying for armors / skins does not require anyone else to pay for armors / skins for you to use them, this might actually be a strategy that generates more revenue. I won’t buy map packs because I know lots of others won’t, so I’ll not get full use out of the pack. But if I were an armor collector, buying armor does not have that downside. If I buy it, I know I’ll get to use it.

I agree with you about Microtransactions. They’re a great idea and they’re definitely the future for gaming. Halo 4 would definitely benefit from it.

Only problem is, people already paid for the maps, and people complain enough as it is. Making the maps free would cause an uproar.

Going on the principles of your idea. I would make the map packs free and give something to the people who paid for the maps already such as several new specializations or, if its in the works already, 20 dollars worth of weapon skins and Armour skins.

6

The Majestic maps show up pretty frequently for me, and they are actually good. It’s a win-win.

Haven’t seen any Crimson or Castle in ever, though.

7

> I have a better idea: Don’t charge for map packs.
>
> Microtransactions and merchandising are part of the business strategy for any major game manufacturer now; I accept that fact. Generating revenue beyond the simple original sale of the game allows the sale price to be reasonable. I understand and accept that fact as well.
>
> However, when I buy a game, I expect full functionality. Maps are an essential part of any map-based games, and in order to continue to keep people playing, releasing new maps and updating maps based on feedback is generally necessary. I expect that this be done free of charge. I also believe that many others feel this way as well, else buying map packs would be more popular.
>
> What I would like to see is for 343i to switch their strategy from requiring payment for game essential items to inessential items like armors and weapons skins. So those folks that feel the need to “complete” the game and collectors can satisfy their wants with payment, while those who just want to play the game are fully supported.
>
> Additionally, since paying for armors / skins does not require anyone else to pay for armors / skins for you to use them, this might actually be a strategy that generates more revenue. I won’t buy map packs because I know lots of others won’t, so I’ll not get full use out of the pack. But if I were an armor collector, buying armor does not have that downside. If I buy it, I know I’ll get to use it.

you’d be right about that, but eventually, why would they give something for free when they can make you pay for it?
would you rather make 10$ because you only sell skins, or would you rather make 30$ because you seel both maps and skins? the game INDUSTRY sees us as bags of money they must empty. not as players. they don’t care about what is right.

8

No that was a horrible decisionn by Treyarch in WAW.Its one one of the reasons why i hated that game.Ill searrch a match get in a lobby and kicks me for not having the dlc rofl

9

> I didn’t buy map packs because I suspected that it would be similar to what happened in Halo Reach, and unfortunately I was right.
>
> I was trying to think of ways that would encourage people to buy the DLC’s.
>
> I was thinking of doing it this way with the map selections in matchmaking: Have the maps actually show up regardless if people have them.
>
> In World at War, even if you didn’t have the maps, they would still show up in matchmaking. If it got voted in, you would be booted from the lobby. After awhile though, I bought them because I was bored of the old maps AND because I knew I would play the new maps because I saw them all the time.
>
> I think the biggest problem is that people don’t ever see them and it never generates interest. What if every now and then, one of the three maps for voting is a dlc map, people will see the map and want to play it but realize they don’t have it.
>
> It would be a way of advertising within the game, but it would be presented where it counts: In the map selection.

I like this idea and you’re on the right track but I have a couple of thoughts and possible modifications.

I like the idea of the maps coming up for voting but lets take big team infinity for example. We know the max players here is 16. what happens if you have 8 players that have the DLC maps and 8 players that don’t.

Now if the DLC map gets the nod then you’re left with a big team match with a total of 8 players and then that causes other problems.

So what’s the solution?

Well why not just impose a limit or “ceiling” or “threshold” of WHEN DLC maps show up or not for voting.

So take Big Team as an example:

I say if you go into a pre-game lobby and it ends up with FOUR PLAYERS OR LESS WHO DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THE DLC MAPS then have the DLC MAPS COME UP FOR VOTING.

By doing it this way and imposing a ceiling to determine whether or not DLC maps show up for voting the worst case scenario for a match is 7 vs. 7 if the lobby votes for a DLC map. So you boot off the four NON-DLC players and the problem is solved and your still left with an appropriate match.

Right now the way things are set up it’s just not fair for example if you get a scenario where you could possibly have 15 DLC players in a lobby waiting to play on that shiny brand new DLC map and won’t get to see it because the party was ruined because of one LONE NON-DLC PLAYER. Totally unfair.

So in other words in the current matchmaking system the “ceiling” is ZERO because all it takes is ONE NON-DLC PLAYER to break the ceiling AND FORCES THE SYSTEM TO NOT PULL UP ANY DLC MAPS FOR VOTING.

In my example the ceiling is FOUR because it would take FIVE NON-DLC PLAYERS to break the “ceiling” of the DLC “HOUSE PARTY”.

This whole concept of a “ceiling” is fair and win-win for everyone because:

  1. DLC buyers get more of a legitimate shot to play on their shiny new maps

  2. With a fair ceiling DLC maps still get a chance of coming up for voting and advertising even in the unlikely event they don’t get the vote.

  3. NON-DLC players still have a shot albeit a LONG one of playing on a non-dlc map in a majority house party of DLC players.

343 PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MATCHMAKING SYSTEM!!

10

What about something similar to Crash Course 2?

You can either earn in-game currency to unlock stuff, (xp, commendations, golden hats, gems or whatever) or you can buy the stuff earlier on w/ actual money. Would give 50-130 value as you could give them bonus currency so as to be able to unlock a map or two every few levels and keep them playing longer.