Raising Legendary Slayer's Population

Games Other Halo
1

So, I’m concerned that there probably isn’t a whole lot that could be done to attract people at this point in the game’s life cycle, but it would be nice if they could at least get it to a point where it is playable 24 hours per day. I’m not sure if adding magnums or BR starts would really make a huge population difference, even if they did end up being positive changes

  1. Awareness- Making sure to name drop legendary slayer and briefly mention its basic settings in weekly bulletins could help. Also, perhaps a double experience weekend for it (i have no idea if they have the necessary tools in place to do this) would get more people to give it a try. There are still plenty of people that regularly play the game and aren’t at 130.

  2. Accessibility- The Halo 4 player base isn’t used to having to go after weapons. Providing weapon layouts for the maps in a weekly bulletin could lower a barrier to entry while also raising awareness for the experience Legendary is providing.

  3. Variety- Right now the play list is only five maps if you don’t have DLC. This in effect becomes a two map play list because Haven and Shutout seem to always win the vote, and there is something like a 90% chance that at least one of those maps will be one of the three options. Get a couple of forge remakes of old favorites or some original forges that work for the play list. Again, announcing these additions and changes would give you another chance to raise awareness.

I’m not sure any of these measures would amount to more than trying to bail water from a ship that has already sunk, but even if they only raise the population by 100 or so people at off hours, it would significantly improve matchmaking times and accuracy.

Any thoughts on these or other things that could be done with relatively little effort? I’m kind of trying to look at things that relate less to design philosophy because for every person that advocates removing sprint, there is another guy that will have a different opinion. Kind of trying to work on the assumption that the actual settings are adequate and changing surrounding circumstances can help the population.

2

Upon reflection, I’m against BR starts. Giving players a Magnum Secondary allows them to compete with BR’s, but still encourages map movement and weapon control. The Sniper Rifle should be replaced with the Lightrifle, as even with precision weapons it’s hard to counter.

The Shield Delay could use a fix, especially with the over-reliance on grenades.

The map selection is mediocre and one of the main issues. Despite having very few maps, some just aren’t geared at all towards AR starts (Shutout). They should implement forge maps that fit this style of play, make it DLC required, or do something.

3

I just want a magnum as a secondary, sprint removed(we can increase movement speed in its place), and more weapon ammo pick-ups. I have a hard time finding ammo for BR’s and Carbine’s at times.

4

> I just want a magnum as a secondary, sprint removed(we can increase movement speed in its place), and more weapon ammo pick-ups. I have a hard time finding ammo for BR’s and Carbine’s at times.

Depending on the map, I think you just need to spend some time learning the spawns. For example, people complain about weapon spawns on Haven. But while there are only two BRs on the top level, the map contains eight precision weapon spawns, four magnums, and a sniper. 12 scoped weapons per minute plus a sniper every three minutes should be more than enough.

5

> Upon reflection, I’m against BR starts.

Out of curiosity, why are you against BR starts?

I’m not asking because I disagree, I’m actually quite indifferent to be honest.

6

I wish I could contribute something meaningful to this topic, as I find it quite interesting. But I really don’t have any additional ideas about what might make Legendary Slayer more popular.

For me, your third point (about variety) is a very valid one, I can’t stand the lack of map variety in the LS playlist.

If Legendary Slayer’s population can be increased, I really don’t think it can be increased significantly, seeing as most of the remaining Halo 4 players are probably Infinity fans.
I also highly doubt that improving Legendary Slayer in any way would bring back many people that have left Halo 4 as a result of the game not feeling very traditional. Most of them would probably never even hear about Legendary Slayer.

It’s kind of a sad situation because no matter how traditional they make Legendary Slayer feel (assuming that is the plan), it’s almost set up to fail.
Which could give 343 the impression that no one wants traditional gameplay anymore.

I certainly would hope that they are more aware than that.

7

> I also highly doubt that improving Legendary Slayer in any way would bring back many people that have left Halo 4 as a result of the game not feeling very traditional. Most of them would probably never even hear about Legendary Slayer.

I don’t disagree with you. I’m just brainstorming on small measures that could boost the population of a minority play list to the point where it is surviving, even if it isn’t thriving. I really do believe there is a place for it, but the previous seven months have created something of a barrier to entry.

8

> > Upon reflection, I’m against BR starts.
>
> Out of curiosity, why are you against BR starts?
>
> I’m not asking because I disagree, I’m actually quite indifferent to be honest.

At least for the reason I am against a BR off spawn is because the spread. The weapon is quite simply random, and forces players into close range engagements. There is little incentive to pick up other weapons while spawning with a BR. Maybe a LR or DMR for longer sight lines, but why would I want to waste half of my weapon slots when I already have an easy-to-use, powerful weapon right away?

9

> At least for the reason I am against a BR off spawn is because the spread. The weapon is quite simply random, and forces players into close range engagements. There is little incentive to pick up other weapons while spawning with a BR. Maybe a LR or DMR for longer sight lines, but why would I want to waste half of my weapon slots when I already have an easy-to-use, powerful weapon right away?

Ah ok cool.

Doesn’t the Assault Rifle also force players into close range engagements? Which weapon do you find to be the best choice for the default starting weapon?

This is something I’ve not thought about much until now.

10

> > At least for the reason I am against a BR off spawn is because the spread. The weapon is quite simply random, and forces players into close range engagements. There is little incentive to pick up other weapons while spawning with a BR. Maybe a LR or DMR for longer sight lines, but why would I want to waste half of my weapon slots when I already have an easy-to-use, powerful weapon right away?
>
> Ah ok cool.
>
> Doesn’t the Assault Rifle also force players into close range engagements? Which weapon do you find to be the best choice for the default starting weapon?
>
> This is something I’ve not thought about much until now.

Either the DMR or Magnum.

11

I believe challenges to bring players to Legendary would be a start. One for finishing games since that is one of the major problems in the playlist. One for going to Waypoint from your Xbox to check out the maps with the weapons locations, maybe even have info on some strategies for the start of the game. Have all the challenges in a given day focused around LS, plus the monthly and a Waypoint challenge.

The need for some different maps is a must. The Forge ones that are rotating around would do nicely I think: Simplex, Dispatch and Opus come to mind.

The bulletin idea doesn’t really work since very few players take the time to read it. It would be nice to have a larger population. I will keep playing it though. That’s the best way to support it, in my opinion.

12

The next large influx of players will be for Christmas, unless there is some other sales push by MS before then (doubtful though). Otherwise, the population will remain about what it is now.

13

> > I also highly doubt that improving Legendary Slayer in any way would bring back many people that have left Halo 4 as a result of the game not feeling very traditional. Most of them would probably never even hear about Legendary Slayer.
>
> I don’t disagree with you. I’m just brainstorming on small measures that could boost the population of a minority play list to the point where it is surviving, even if it isn’t thriving. I really do believe there is a place for it, but the previous seven months have created something of a barrier to entry.

Yeah I know don’t worry! I wasn’t trying to challenge you in any way by saying it, I understand that you’re just trying to think of ways to at least boost the population to some degree. I’m all up for that.

I bet the suggestions you’ve made would make some kind of a difference and I would hope that 343 will at least consider those things.

14

I just want a magnum at spawn to compete with the precision rifles and sniper.

15

> The next large influx of players will be for Christmas, unless there is some other sales push by MS before then (doubtful though). Otherwise, the population will remain about what it is now.

I don’t see as big a rush due to the Xbox One coming out before then. Unlike last gen, we can’t play our 360 games on the One. How many people will really be buying new 360 games when the new Xbox comes out?

16

> > Upon reflection, I’m against BR starts.
>
> Out of curiosity, why are you against BR starts?
>
> I’m not asking because I disagree, I’m actually quite indifferent to be honest.

The Magnum better fits the goal they are trying to achieve, it’s an inbetween in range and power.

It is weak at range due to it’s extreme bloom, but can still beat a BR in the right hands and at the right range. It also has very limited ammo and kills per clip, still encouraging you to pick up a new weapon.

In general, I’d probably support BR starts. Realistically I’d prefer DMR starts, but the heavy bias people have against it I wouldn’t expect that to go well.

As for spread, I don’t really care strongly about it. There are way better ways to limit weapon range, but it’s not like spread matters if you are within proper range to begin with. Ideally, Halo 5 should have a BR with no spread, and eliminate the DMR.

> Doesn’t the Assault Rifle also force players into close range engagements?

Yes, but at such an extreme amount as to discourage map movement instead of promote it. It’s much more rewarding to just camp in a corner with the AR.

Ignoring the killtime, I felt the CE Magnum was the best utility weapon. It promotes map movement, it can be used at all ranges but scales in difficulty (and eventually, effectiveness as well) as you get further away, rewarding good players.

The main issue with the Halo 3 BR is that projectiles already limited it’s range. It didn’t need awful spread on top of that. Yet again, potential was there but it was lost.

17

> > I just want a magnum as a secondary, sprint removed(we can increase movement speed in its place), and more weapon ammo pick-ups. I have a hard time finding ammo for BR’s and Carbine’s at times.
>
> Depending on the map, I think you just need to spend some time learning the spawns. For example, people complain about weapon spawns on Haven. But while there are only two BRs on the top level, the map contains eight precision weapon spawns, four magnums, and a sniper. 12 scoped weapons per minute plus a sniper every three minutes should be more than enough.

oh I learned the weapon spawns, I went into forge and studied the maps but I still think we would be better off with an actual secondary and a couple more ammo pickup weapons on the map. AR’s become boring, I don’t hate AR starts but I prefer having a BR in my hands along with it just in case. Again I am not saying weapon spawns are bad I just like having a BR in my hands instead of a pistol for long-range scenarios.

18

> > The next large influx of players will be for Christmas, unless there is some other sales push by MS before then (doubtful though). Otherwise, the population will remain about what it is now.
>
> I don’t see as big a rush due to the Xbox One coming out before then. Unlike last gen, we can’t play our 360 games on the One. How many people will really be buying new 360 games when the new Xbox comes out?

There will most likely be some sort of price reduction to push Halo 4, maybe even an inclusion with the new 360 model.

I imagine MS will want to keep 360 semi-relevant and pairing their best exclusive title is a good way to do that.

19

> > > The next large influx of players will be for Christmas, unless there is some other sales push by MS before then (doubtful though). Otherwise, the population will remain about what it is now.
> >
> > I don’t see as big a rush due to the Xbox One coming out before then. Unlike last gen, we can’t play our 360 games on the One. How many people will really be buying new 360 games when the new Xbox comes out?
>
> There will most likely be some sort of price reduction to push Halo 4, maybe even an inclusion with the new 360 model.
>
> I imagine MS want to keep 360 semi-relevant and pairing their best exclusive title is a good way to do that.

They’re bundling Forza with it?
I kid, I kid. As a game Forza has some glaring flaws. But it was setting out to be a driving sim… and good god did it ever succeed. I’ve only played it with a steering wheel once, but I am very confident in saying that Forza is probably the high point of the current generation in simply succeeding in what it set out to do.

20

I am all for adding a magnum secondary, having only an assault rifle can be frustrating when your trying to turn a game around, especially when the other team has a sniper and br’s pinning you down.

more maps would also be a great inclusion