Letter to 343i: Three Ways To Improve

Games Other Halo
1

Dear 343 Industries,

Most of your decisions have been brilliant. You are making three decisions, however, that I guarantee are not good, and I will try to give you proof that this is not just my personal opinion but are truly ways you can improve Halo 4.

First and foremost, it has been reported that there is still aim acceleration in the game (this is not the same as aim assist for the uninformed - i.e. CoD has little to no aim acceleration). If it is still in there, you must have your reasons. If it is to help new players, I guarantee it will NOT help new players. Here’s why. Almost all of your new players have played and are used to Call of Duty. Call of Duty nailed their aiming controls. If there’s one thing you should be copying from Call of Duty, it’s the aiming. The reason why is players that come from Call of Duty will drop Halo without a second thought simply because the aiming will feel horrible to them. How do I know this? I was one of these players and I know many others who never play Halo because of the aiming. It took me forever to give Halo a chance (and I’m pretty open minded when it comes to games) just because the aiming felt so horrible in comparison. Now if that’s not enough reason to get rid of aim acceleration, how about this - it’s one of the number one things the community is screaming for. Here’s just a few links to evidence:

https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst41006_Aim-Acceleration--Smoothing--ON-OFF-Option-please.aspx (with 19 massive pages of people begging for this)

http://halocouncil.com/f7/what-aim-acceleration-4015/

https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst89394_Aim-Acceleration--Halo-4-s-biggest-issue.aspx

https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst9034_Aim-Acceleration-is-a-no-no.aspx

https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst92916_Aim-Acceleration-Makes-Halo-Unplayable.aspx

https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postsm1055850_Aim-Acceleration--Halo-4-s-biggest-issue.aspx?find=unread#post1098959

https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst80060_Does-Halo4-Have-Aim-Acceleration.aspx

http://halocouncil.com/f7/aim-acceleration-halo-4-a-4702/

And that’s just what I’ve stumbled across. At the very least, please give us the option to turn it off. If there are options for color blind people and for clinchers, why not people that just can’t seem to play and are always fighting the controls with aim acceleration. There are obviously many of these people. In truth, it’s an accessibility feature.

Now to the second issue. I understand you are thinking of not showing rank. This is a mistake and I’ll give you a legitimate, thought out reason why. When I told my friends about hidden ranks, I received a universal and shockingly similar reply from every one of them: “Great, now I’ll have nothing to keep me playing”. They were aware you could see your own rank, but that is not the same. It’s not about bragging. It’s about the feeling of accomplishment and the proof that you accomplished something. It’s about having something to strive for and play for. Most importantly, it’s about having a reason to actually care about whether you win or lose. It’s kind of like having a karate contest and at the end, they announce “We decided we aren’t going to announce the winner, but he knows who he is.” People would not try so hard to perfect their Karate and wouldn’t waste their time with the tournament. My friend logged HUNDREDS of hours in Halo 3 just because he wanted to get better and get his rank up. I promise you, you will have a much higher drop off rate if you take away ranking because a large demographic plays specifically for this and isn’t as interested in ranking based on how much you’ve played rather than your skill level. My and many of my friends best memories of Halo are in ranked lists, trying to get better and striving with all our might and passion to win! I’ve never had an experience like that in any other game. At least do a poll to see if other people have the same attachment to ranked.

Last is something I think everyone would be happy about. I’ve heard the AR and other automatic weapons still feel weak compared to the BR, DMR and Carbine. Could you make these weapons an actual viable choice (if used correctly), so you could choose an AR and not be immediately branded a noob? It’s so bad that people use their secondary pistols over the automatic weapons! That’s pathetic and ridiculous. Furthermore, why is the AR in the game if it isn’t as good as other starting weapons? Just to make new players frustrated when they try to compete with one and get stomped? This kept me from playing Halo for the longest time until a good player told me to never use the AR if I had a choice. I have friends who aren’t great at accuracy on a controller and dislike Halo just because they feel they can’t compete if they aren’t using a BR, Carbine, or DMR. This is going to be made worse in Halo 4 because load-outs will allow all the good/experienced players to start with a BR. New players are going to be crushed and not understand why. I know, I’ve been there. It’s also a win-win because it adds variety to gameplay and more options for gameplay styles.

The game is looking fantasic! Thank you for reading my post.

2

Call of Duty does have aim assist. It’s called Aiming Down the Sights. You reduce your speed and zoom in to make it easier for yourself (which also has aim assist as it “snaps to” the closest player and gives snipers a one-shot kill).

So many people use visible rank to think they’re important. With visible rank people will be using whatever their boosted rank is as a defence in all arguments. Even when beaten they’ll hide behind their “magic number”.

Automatics are a viable choice. I have learned how to use them and have achieved many victories with them. The only reason why they “fail” is because they’re not capable of landing headshots, which is really the sole reason why precision weapons win.

3

While it is their game. You good sir raise very good points that would definitely help the game. Everyone loses with aim acceleration. A visible ranking system in addition to the progression system would be good for many. Automatics need some king of skill based love. Maybe a good headshot bonus to promote bursting accurately at the enemies head?

4

Yes OP I agree, good post and I hope 343i listen and implement those ideas. I’ve seen this threads all over the forums, I just hope 343i listens.

5

From what I’ve heard/seen, the AR is a solid weapon up close, as is the Storm Rifle.

6

> Dear 343 Industries,
>
> Most of your decisions have been brilliant. You are making three decisions, however, that I guarantee are not good, and I will try to give you proof that this is not just my personal opinion but are truly ways you can improve Halo 4.
>
> —
>
> First and foremost, it has been reported that there is still aim acceleration in the game (this is not the same as aim assist for the uninformed - i.e. CoD has little to no aim acceleration). If it is still in there, you must have your reasons. If it is to help new players, I guarantee it will NOT help new players. Here’s why. Almost all of your new players have played and are used to Call of Duty. Call of Duty nailed their aiming controls. If there’s one thing you should be copying from Call of Duty, it’s the aiming. The reason why is players that come from Call of Duty will drop Halo without a second thought simply because the aiming will feel horrible to them. How do I know this? I was one of these players and I know many others who never play Halo because of the aiming. It took me forever to give Halo a chance (and I’m pretty open minded when it comes to games) just because the aiming felt so horrible in comparison. Now if that’s not enough reason to get rid of aim acceleration, how about this - it’s one of the number one things the community is screaming for. Here’s just a few links to evidence:
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst41006_Aim-Acceleration--Smoothing--ON-OFF-Option-please.aspx (with 19 massive pages of people begging for this)
>
> http://halocouncil.com/f7/what-aim-acceleration-4015/
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst89394_Aim-Acceleration--Halo-4-s-biggest-issue.aspx
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst9034_Aim-Acceleration-is-a-no-no.aspx
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postst92916_Aim-Acceleration-Makes-Halo-Unplayable.aspx
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com//yaf_postsm1055850_Aim-Acceleration--Halo-4-s-biggest-issue.aspx?find=unread#post1098959
>
> https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst80060_Does-Halo4-Have-Aim-Acceleration.aspx
>
> http://halocouncil.com/f7/aim-acceleration-halo-4-a-4702/
>
> Watch the best in esports live - MLG
>
> Watch the best in esports live - MLG
>
> And that’s just what I’ve stumbled across. At the very least, please give us the option to turn it off. If there are options for color blind people and for clinchers, why not people that just can’t seem to play and are always fighting the controls with aim acceleration. There are obviously many of these people. In truth, it’s an accessibility feature.
>
> —
>
> Now to the second issue. I understand you are thinking of not showing rank. This is a mistake and I’ll give you a legitimate, thought out reason why. When I told my friends about hidden ranks, I received a universal and shockingly similar reply from every one of them: “Great, now I’ll have nothing to keep me playing”. They were aware you could see your own rank, but that is not the same. It’s not about bragging. It’s about the feeling of accomplishment and the proof that you accomplished something. It’s about having something to strive for and play for. Most importantly, it’s about having a reason to actually care about whether you win or lose. <mark>It’s kind of like having a karate contest and at the end, they announce “We decided we aren’t going to announce the winner, but he knows who he is.” People would not try so hard to perfect their Karate and wouldn’t waste their time with the tournament.</mark> My friend logged HUNDREDS of hours in Halo 3 just because he wanted to get better and get his rank up. I promise you, you will have a much higher drop off rate if you take away ranking because a large demographic plays specifically for this and isn’t as interested in ranking based on how much you’ve played rather than your skill level. My and many of my friends best memories of Halo are in ranked lists, trying to get better and striving with all our might and passion to win! I’ve never had an experience like that in any other game. At least do a poll to see if other people have the same attachment to ranked.
>
> —
>
> Last is something I think everyone would be happy about. I’ve heard the AR and other automatic weapons still feel weak compared to the BR, DMR and Carbine. Could you make these weapons an actual viable choice (if used correctly), so you could choose an AR and not be immediately branded a noob? It’s so bad that people use their secondary pistols over the automatic weapons! That’s pathetic and ridiculous. Furthermore, why is the AR in the game if it isn’t as good as other starting weapons? Just to make new players frustrated when they try to compete with one and get stomped? This kept me from playing Halo for the longest time until a good player told me to never use the AR if I had a choice. I have friends who aren’t great at accuracy on a controller and dislike Halo just because they feel they can’t compete if they aren’t using a BR, Carbine, or DMR. This is going to be made worse in Halo 4 because load-outs will allow all the good/experienced players to start with a BR. New players are going to be crushed and not understand why. I know, I’ve been there. It’s also a win-win because it adds variety to gameplay and more options for gameplay styles.
>
> —
>
> The game is looking fantasic! Thank you for reading my post.

That highlighted area made me laugh. but then I remember that’s the laughable thing 343i is doing with invisible rank… tsk. tsk.

this was a very good topic and has good points. and I agree with everything you’ve said except the automatics. the Storm Rifle is amazing up close and the AR is apparently very useful up close also.

7

You got the second point wrong messed up. Your trueskill rank is visible to only the account holder(You). Everyone else will have to rely on their skill to see if you actually are what you say. I’m honestly ok as that would give me something to work with, and hopefully brings more fairer matches without the BS associated with it. We’ll know we’re getting better, and the winners are still ultimately decided on the battlefield.

As to points 1 and 3, I definetly agree. I’m getting tired of devs describing something sounding awesome and looking awesome, only to find out that it actually is the most awesome looking, awesome sounding turd. And I would like to make the decision on who I want to shoot at(as far as the enemy team), and not the game. I still remember that one time I had a great moment to do a headshot on a player, and another player JUMPS over the reticle and the reticle followed him. Needless to say, it screwed me over, and I hate that.

8

I agree, a visible skill-based ranking system is conducive to creating a competitive online environment, since it will encourage players to win and do good in order to “be on top” or to be “the best” or to be #1. It allows players to make easy comparisons to one another, which is a key aspect that drives competition among humans. If this kind of system wasn’t implemented in Halo 4, players would have to go to actual tournaments and etc in order to get that high of getting ranked in comparison to your counterparts. Since there is high-speed internet there is no reason why we shouldn’t bring this kind of competitive ranking system to individual homes instead of making the only possible venue actual tournaments and events.

In addition to that, tough ranking systems work well for other competitive games like Street Fighter 4, Marvel vs Capcom 3, the previous Halos, SC2, LoL…and not to mention real life sports.

Yes, some cheating may occur as a result of the implementation of such a system, but people will always try to cheat for something worthwhile. It’s not worth cutting out a great feature just to deny cheaters a reason to cheat.

9

> I agree, a visible skill-based ranking system is conducive to creating a competitive online environment, since it will encourage players to win and do good in order to “be on top” or to be “the best” or to be #1. It allows players to make easy comparisons to one another, which is a key aspect that drives competition among humans. If this kind of system wasn’t implemented in Halo 4, players would have to go to actual tournaments and etc in order to get that high of getting ranked in comparison to your counterparts. Since there is high-speed internet there is no reason why we shouldn’t bring this kind of competitive ranking system to individual homes instead of making the only possible venue actual tournaments and events.
>
> In addition to that, tough ranking systems work well for other competitive games like Street Fighter 4, Marvel vs Capcom 3, the previous Halos, SC2, LoL…and not to mention real life sports.
>
> Yes, some cheating may occur as a result of the implementation of such a system, but people will always try to cheat for something worthwhile. It’s not worth cutting out a great feature just to deny cheaters a reason to cheat.

Unless it gets to the point that you can’t play without cheating. I practically gave up going for 50 in Halo 2 since just about every game I dealt with past 30 had a hacker involved. It wasn’t worth the trouble or frustration to go after something as little as a number.

In tournaments, there are usually guys that enforce the rules of a match and can physically deny your prize should you break them. In Xbox Live, I found this seems to be very hard to stop without taking forevor to do so.

On top of that, you can’t change your identity real well in a real tournament. In Xbox Live, you can if you happen to have a 2-day trial card lying around, allowing you a second chance and possibly shoot to the top without making the mistakes that probably cost you your chance to the top.

Unless they plan to have this game to last more than 3 years, a game studio isn’t going to hire a group of people to take on a God-knows-how-many cheaters and exploiters to keep the ranked places clean to promote fair play. Without any real way to tell who’s who, and no moderation team combating cheaters, I doubt we’ll see a ranking system that one can display without cheaters and boosters devaluing the system, and keeping players interested in going after it.

10

Holy -Yoink-, an intelligent CoD player I like. The world must be coming to an end…

If 343 thinks de-promoting competition in pvp FPS by hiding ranks is going to win them any fans, it wont. Most people play FPS for that raw, unfiltered, competitive experience and like it or not visible ranks provide just that.

Its why people throw down energy drinks and buy cutting edge headphones, its all to get them ready to go kick some -Yoink- in their shooter of choice.

11

I’m confused as to why you made one big topic for this instead of contributing to other topics for the issues you have pointed out.

12

My failed topic on headshots for non precision weapons: https://forums.halo.xbox.com/yaf_postst98686_Other-Weapon-Headshots--Skill-gap.aspx

13

Reads Thread title

Expects to find some nutcase rambling about how he can do the job better than 343i can

Reads OP

Final Judgement: Brilliant OP is Brilliant.

Seriously, nice post. Very well thought out. Very effective features I think.

14

> So many people use visible rank to think they’re important. With visible rank people will be using whatever their boosted rank is as a defence in all arguments. Even when beaten they’ll hide behind their “magic number”.

You got any non-BS arguments to argue that dont involve wide generalizations of competitive players or making the ridiculous notion that boosting is reason enough to neuter the ranking system when the ranking system itself should be preventing the boosting?

15

First thing. Excellent post OP. You’ll make Sgt. Johnson proud.

But these are my opinions on your opinions.

  1. Im sure they’ll have an option to turn off aim assist. I already do that when I launch any game. So that’s no problem for me.

  2. I can see why people want to see their rank but I really don’t care what my rank is in any game. I just play it to kill some time.

  3. AR and any other automatic weapons are useful in CQC.

16

> > So many people use visible rank to think they’re important. With visible rank people will be using whatever their boosted rank is as a defence in all arguments. Even when beaten they’ll hide behind their “magic number”.
>
> You got any non-BS arguments to argue that dont involve wide generalizations of competitive players or making the ridiculous notion that boosting is reason enough to neuter the ranking system when the ranking system itself should be preventing the boosting?

No, he doesn’t. Every post I see of his is him spreading is uninformed, and biased opinions as facts, and no matter what argument you give him, even if he acknowledges it in the thread, he will continue to spout the same garbage in every thread criticizing 343i in any way.

17

Not bad at all.

18

> > So many people use visible rank to think they’re important. With visible rank people will be using whatever their boosted rank is as a defence in all arguments. Even when beaten they’ll hide behind their “magic number”.
>
> You got any non-BS arguments to argue that dont involve wide generalizations of competitive players or making the ridiculous notion that boosting is reason enough to neuter the ranking system when the ranking system itself should be preventing the boosting?

I honestly don’t see how a ranking system that Halo 3 had can simply prevent boosting. When the primary way of information is a history of games played on that playlist, it can’t do anything to knock you down. It has no information of you playing, yet nothing tells it that you lost and should rank down.

So far, the only one I could think from another game is WoW’s arena games, where they had a system that starts at 0 and doesn’t really end. If you play well, you’ll get to a high rank. However, if you don’t play, another player can actually pass you if they have a bigger history, even if the win/loss ratios are the same.

19

> Call of Duty does have aim assist. It’s called Aiming Down the Sights. You reduce your speed and zoom in to make it easier for yourself (which also has aim assist as it “snaps to” the closest player and gives snipers a one-shot kill).
>
> So many people use visible rank to think they’re important. With visible rank people will be using whatever their boosted rank is as a defence in all arguments. Even when beaten they’ll hide behind their “magic number”.
>
> Automatics are a viable choice. I have learned how to use them and have achieved many victories with them. The only reason why they “fail” is because they’re not capable of landing headshots, which is really the sole reason why precision weapons win.

Too bad he wasn’t talking about aim assist, he was talking about aim acceleration, which is entirely different.

20

> First thing. Excellent post OP. You’ll make Sgt. Johnson proud.
>
>
> But these are my opinions on your opinions.
>
> 1. Im sure they’ll have an option to turn off aim assist. I already do that when I launch any game. So that’s no problem for me.
>
>
> 2. I can see why people want to see their rank but I really don’t care what my rank is in any game. I just play it to kill some time.
>
>
> 3. AR and any other automatic weapons are useful in CQC.

He’s not talking about aim assist. He said aim acceleration which is when turning starts slow then speeds up.