My Top 5 Fixes to Improve Halo 4 Multiplayer

Games Other Halo
1

First lets get this out of the way:
THIS IS MY OPINION. If you disagree, explain your opinion and I am happy to read your post

Your thanks and favorites are appriciated if you agree. Your opinions are appriciated if you disagree.

Halo 4 is a decent game, and it has great potential, however there are some mistakes that must be addressed in order for Halo 4 to be successful.

The following are what I beleive are the 5 most important fixes that I hear people yearning for

1.Bigger Reward for wins, penalty for quitting

Players need to be rewarded for winning more than they are rewarded for kills. Players are caring only about their kills and aren’t caring about winning or losing. Players should be punished for leaving games.

2. Add more Matchmaking playlists
-Team slayer without infinity/pro
-Big Team objective (like invasion)
-1 flag
-Multi team
-Team Doubles (maybe in future dlc that includes halo 3 size maps like the pit)

3. Social+Ranked Playlist division
-Blending Competitive and relaxed players results in frustration and dissatisfaction from both sides
-While this may cut playlist numbers in half, there will be more total people playing halo online

ADDITION
3.5 Add Visible 1-50 Ranking system for ranked matches
A 1-50 visible rank in ranked matches would be perfect, giving competitive players exactly what they want to be happy playing halo.
In social matches the “CSR” is perfect

If you feel strongly about the 1-50 ranking system, please consider supporting the largest forum thread on the topic (linked below)
https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postst135168_1-50-Competitive-Skill-Rank-Official-Thread.aspx

4. Improve Custom games options
-There is no “infection” gametype, where the “infected” weapons and abilities can be modified
-No VIP,
-In flood you cannot have weapons on the map
-There is no way to change flag carry settings, instant respawn, Instant-grab objectives, sprint

5. Instant Spawning
-Makes players reckless, not caring about dying. Encourages running out in the open to get as many kills as possible without thinking about team. A 5 second punishment encourages players to be smarter and coordinate themselves with their team.
-Allows players to get cheap, easy revenge kills
This should at the very least be changed for haven

Bonus: DLC Requests

-UNSC Flying Vehicles. The hornet was awesome
-Smaller maps, like the pit (for team doubles and better 4v4
-A map like zanibar/last resort for 1 flag CTF
-A big, flat, grassy map for forging
-A map like Avalanche for warthogs/Hornet combat and 2 flag CTF

Please give opinions but be concise, as I want to hear everyone’s thoughts without having to read giant essays

2

I agree with two out of five of those listed.

Well, sort of. Fix the ‘join in progress’ and I agree with the custom options. Everything else, no thanks.

3

#3 needs to be addressed. I was a 50 in multiple playlists in H3 so I am Halo smart and have great teamwork, as do my friends. Searching slayer with 4 people is just boring. There are not many groups of players that can stand a chance. In H3, playing on my 50 guaranteed a competitive match, not blow outs every game.

Also there needs to be a substantial bonus for winning. Random people on XBL don’t play to win anymore. For example, other people are more concerned with their K/D instead grabbing the oddball.

4

h4 really needs a 1-50 visible ranking system please comment here

1-50-Competitive-Skill-Rank

this is the biggest thread on waypoint

5

If 343 implemented these changes it would completely ruin the game.

You are not A DEVELPER, you have no idea what you are talking about.

6

> If 343 implemented these changes it would completely ruin the game.
>
> You are not A DEVELPER, you have no idea what you are talking about.

Please don’t bash the opinions stated by others in this forum

Are you a “develeper”? I assume you aren’t, and neither am I. I am simply a halo fan who understands the game very well and has probably played the game more than the average game developer (those guys are indeed smart, because they study videogames instead of playing them).

So I do have an idea of what I am talking about. I have formed my opinions based on my personal experiences.

7

> Also there needs to be a substantial bonus for winning. Random people on XBL don’t play to win anymore. For example, other people are more concerned with their K/D instead grabbing the oddball.

THIS!!! This is my main concern in halo 4. Even though I am not a serious competitive halo player, I like to play for the team and I expect my teammates to do the same. I was a very low rank in halo 3, but I still had fun going for the win.

Halo is supposed to be Red Team VS Blue Team

Halo 4 often feels like Red guy vs Blue guy vs Red guy vs Blue guy

8

Sorry but i don’t agree with any of your improvements 1-5

  1. Join session in progress well what if your teammates leave or lag out 1vs5 well that leaves you with two options leave or stay then what search again what if the same situation happens again ?
  2. Well they are adding new playlist every week and DLC will be available in the future.
  3. Visible rank 1-50 LOL wut ?
    Halo 3 kinda rank system well i do kinda agree with the casual and competitive part i don’t fully agree with it. Halo 4 is N00B Friendly so it’s not really required just get past Rank 12 to get majority of the weapons DMR/BR/Light Rifle
  4. Flood can’t carry weapons in Halo 4 because of the one large claw sure Halo 1-3 Had flood holding a weapon with one arm but it looked kinda strange.
    VIP was removed since Reach.
  5. Instant Spawning is only in a few game types not all but people make that choice. They just want to have fun and play a game. Just have fun and play :smiley:
9

> 1. Remove Join in Progress
> - Games are started without a full lobby
> - Players give up on the team more
> - Joining a game after one team has taken a huge lead is no fun
> - The win/loss statistic is worthless, now people just try to get kills

  1. No they don’t. Players are simply quitting in the pre-game lobby (after the matchmaking process has been concluded) because there isn’t a sufficient delay between a game’s end and another start (sometimes we do like looking at the stats before we make the final decision whether to go for more.) It will happen with or without JIP (unless more of a delay is added to the post-game lobby), except without it would be a game breaking issue. Now it’s just an annoyance.

  2. -Yoink-.

  3. I find it is. Either you can take it as an incredibly rewarding challenge to pull the game around despite all else or an excuse to screw off and have fun in a responsibility-free environment. Either way it’s not necessarily a bad situation (unless you decide to make it one.)

  4. So we loose the “validity” of the win/loss statistic. So -Yoinking!- what? We also solve the quitter problem that destroyed the worth of much of Halo 2’s multiplayer and plagued Halo 3 and Reach. It’s a very big tangible gain at the cost of your farting love of stats. Why must you have an angry person on a forum, namely me, point out to you that you have such a bad position?

10

> If 343 implemented these changes it would completely ruin the game.
>
> You are not A DEVELPER, you have no idea what you are talking about.

I think when you’ve played for over 10 years, you have a pretty good idea of what makes a Halo game good.

11

I agree with all the points stated.

I would like to add that this is a solid post with good points. Thanks for using constructive criticism by stating your issue and then giving some further detail as to why it is bad, in your opinion, and how to fix it,in your opinion. Far too many threads on here that are just full of cry babies who can’t form a complete sentence let alone a full thought.

Everybody please remember, he said this is HIS opinion. He also made it clear that he can handle himself in a polite manner, please try not to be a tool bag when responding.

12

> Sorry but i don’t agree with any of your improvements 1-5
> 1. Join session in progress well what if your teammates leave or lag out 1vs5 well that leaves you with two options leave or stay then what search again what if the same situation happens again ?
> 2. Well they are adding new playlist every week and DLC will be available in the future.
> 3. Visible rank 1-50 LOL wut ?
> Halo 3 kinda rank system well i do kinda agree with the casual and competitive part i don’t fully agree with it. Halo 4 is N00B Friendly so it’s not really required just get past Rank 12 to get majority of the weapons DMR/BR/Light Rifle
> 4. Flood can’t carry weapons in Halo 4 because of the one large claw sure Halo 1-3 Had flood holding a weapon with one arm but it looked kinda strange.
> VIP was removed since Reach.
> 5. Instant Spawning is only in a few game types not all but people make that choice. They just want to have fun and play a game. Just have fun and play :smiley:

What? Did you even play halo 1-3? None of those games had a flood mode, and halo 3 had an infection mode.

Also I can’t understand some of you points, but about what you said in:
#1: Before JIP was introduced, players rarely left games.
#5: Instant respawn makes the game less enjoyable for me because it is too hectic and disorganized. Without instant respawn there is more risk for death and greater reward for kills.

13

I agree with all 5 main points from the OP. They are fixes that will improve the quality of the game immensely while still allowing it to be Halo 4, and not a remake of the previous halo games like many people are requesting. If I may add a couple gameplay tweaks I would like to see happen:

  • replace flinch with descoping when you take damage. It is too easy to use the sniper when DMR shots do not take you out of scope.

  • Make it so objectives can be chosen to be picked up or not (instead of autopickup) and make it so the objective can be dropped if needed (only the case with the flag)

  • Get rid of random world ordinances and have timed world ordinances that drop in the same location each time to encourage more teamwork to obtain map control. Right now there is no incentive to hold power positions on maps.

-Add weapon spawns on the map (BR, DMR, AR, etc.). Another solution to this problem would also be to just increase weapon despawn time. Right now a weapon that is not interacted with will despawn in 12 seconds… that is ridiculously fast.

14

Joining Game in Progress.
I could not agree more. I do not like to join games, it’s annoying and pointless when you join a game and it immediately ends. What’s the point!?

I miss;
Double Team
Assault

I would also like to see;
Grifball - for the rare occasions I fancy playing it.
Action Sack - For the fun of it,maybe new types.
Slayer Fiesta type playlist.

I agree with fixing the Instant respawning, I do not like it, sometimes it doesn’t feel ‘instant’ either.

“-Makes players reckless, not caring about dying. Encourages running out in the open to get as many kills as possible without thinking about team. A 5 second punishment encourages players to be smarter and coordinate themselves with their team.
-Allows players to get cheap, easy revenge kills
This should at the very least be changed for haven”

I also agree with;
"Bonus: DLC Requests

-UNSC Flying Vehicles. The hornet was awesome
-Smaller maps, like the pit (for team doubles and better 4v4
-A map like zanibar/last resort for 1 flag CTF
-A big, flat, grassy map for forging
-A map like Avalanche for warthogs/Hornet combat and 2 flag CTF"

It would be interesting to see the smaller maps, I cannot wait to play Double Team again. I’m not a great player but hey it’s fun unless the other team use jet pack as much as it was used in Reach. For me the jet pack ruined certain gametypes.

Thankfully, Armour lock is gone! I will admit I did use it but rarely.
That I am more than happy to wave good bye to.
:slight_smile:

15

HONORABLE MENTIONS

> - <mark>replace flinch with descoping when you take damage</mark>. It is too easy to use the sniper when DMR shots do not take you out of scope.
>
> - Make it so objectives can be chosen to be picked up or not and <mark>make it so the objective can be dropped if needed</mark> (only the case with the flag)
>
> - <mark>Get rid of random world ordinances and have timed world ordinances that drop in the same location each time</mark> to encourage more teamwork to obtain map control. Right now there is no incentive to hold power positions on maps.
>
> -<mark>Increase weapon despawn time</mark>. Right now a weapon that is not interacted with will despawn in 12 seconds… that is ridiculously fast.

16

Completely agree with you, OP (although I would change #1 to just “fix” JIP. I really don’t mind the idea as long as it was implemented properly). I also think Instant Respawn is one of the most underrated issues with Halo 4. It ruins pacing. Just go play an objective gametype where its turned off and it becomes very apparent.

17

I liked all of your ideas except for 3.5. The visible skill system sets the stage for boosting and -Yoink- like that.

I liked the idea of JIP but Halo matches aren’t nearly long enough to justify them. I’d be happy if I can turn off JIP.

But I want Social playlists back… I want to play with people who are careless and using weapons they want to use, not with tryhards who are using the BR and DMR because they’re leet and pro…

18

> I liked all of your ideas except for 3.5. The visible skill system sets the stage for boosting and Yoink! like that.

This is very true. However boosting is already happening in regicide. It is important that people will always be trying to exploit the game and we shouldn’t let it hold back important game features. I think the ranking system is worth it.

Also why can’t boosters just be banned? That’s a question for microsoft

19

I completely agree with this.

20

Not sure why you feel the need to completely remove join-in-progress. A few simple tweaks and the system would be near perfect.

Plenty of players quit games during H3/Reach. In fact an overwhelming majority of Reach games always had unbalanced teams; especially BTB or whenever you went against premades. A few minutes into the game and half the team would be gone.