I don’t come around these forums as much as I’d want to, but I believe this is the best place to raise a concern and hope for 343 to read it, and (wishful thinking here) address it.
I’ve come today because after reading an article, I’ve come to realize that many people, including but not limited to video game analysts, writers, and perhaps even people who work at 343 might not understand what is “wrong” with 343’s redefined Halo experience. I want to clear things up for some people.
I have been around the series since the day Halo 2 launched, but also have gone back to CE, and I have excessive MP experience with the series (I’d estimate around 50k online games total), but I’ve also played each Campaign a dozen times each. I’ve come to realize that more often than not, a lot of people seem to agree with my views on Halo and I hope that most of the people who have been around since at least Halo 3’s prime will understand how it makes sense.
Let’s start with the beginning.
343 has made it clear to us that it was intended to drastically change the MP experience of Halo. How, not so much. Just made the changes, a lot of videos explaining what changed and then came the launch.
A lot of us didn’t like what we saw, but thought “hey, might as well give it a try” and for the most part, the experience was nowhere near as great as expected. It’s hard to cover every single thing, so I’ll cover the important points and explain what needs to change and give a very understandable reason behind it.
If you don’t understand why I’m doing this, it’s simple. The peak concurrent users on the latest Halo title has never been so low. It’s just not popular. Of course, no one is forcing you to care; you can just forget about it and let it tank for the next release or two and call it quits in the most embarrassing manner… or you can correct the shot and be remembered as something good for one of the best video games ever created.
Most of us still care, most of us will hop right away on a good game, no matter how outdated the concepts seem. Halo 3’s “re-release” has shown us that. But it is a critical time. It’s been said over and over, and I hope I can help enlighten the people who don’t necessarily have as much experience with the series.
Here’s something I posted somewhere else. I’ve detailed it to post it on here.
Go back to what the last thing that has worked was. To where the last growth in Halo was.
Halo 3.
What did it do right?
Ranked vs Social
A lot less frustration around the Matchmaking aspect in general. Competitive people get competitive matches with their 50s to brag about. People who don’t care about that don’t have to, get fast matches and are able to have fun in casual games!
Progression System which rewards winners [EXP] and scales with skill, not one that holds your hand
Because most people will leave in the middle of a game if there’s no reason to win. Because of grieving. Because Halo 4’s SR system was too simple to beat.
WEEKLY bonuses [Double EXP weekends with awesome modes, but not ones that should be permanent]
OK, let’s face it. Little people want to run Mini Slayer games 24/7 (bad pun) but as an occasional thing, it’s awesome and super fun. It brings people back EVERY weekend because it’s a fun change and worth the time. [++ population]
Cosmetic customization revolving around achievements
Because it is the best incentive out there to get stuff done, rather than grind or boost through the progression system.
NOTE: Cosmetic. Armor, etc. Don’t unlock weapons. Weapon skins tied to your character (E.G. when picking up a weapon) would be an awesome concept.
Forge Mode
Now this is something you’ve been doing right. Taking the existing features and building upon them to make it even better! THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED, BUT ACROSS THE GAME. Just make sure the game can handle the performance needed.
Theater Mode that supports Campaign (important as hell for speedrunners, easter eggs, general interest, content)
This is the reason why almost no one did Spartan Ops or stuff in the Campaign post-launch. You can’t save your shenanigans, can’t make awesome content, routes, etc.
File Sharing system
Make it work pre-game – at the vote / veto screen – that’s how most files went around! Bring back the tile design for it
Custom Games options should ALWAYS get more and more with each title, never less
I would hope you got the message with Halo 4.
Arena-based balance more than ever
Smaller maps, even weapon starts, no AAs, no rock-paper-scissors 1v1 encounters. Skill. Two men enter, better man leaves. Scrap EVERYTHING that doesn’t pertain to making it an Arena shooter. Remove it from default modes. Loadouts, AAs, Sprint, Flinch vs. Descope, unlockable weapons and non-cosmetics.
Loadouts are acceptable when:
Everyone has access to a balanced selection of them, and when the maps are BIG. It can work in BTB, Invasion and borderline Dominion. Anything else, never.
And loadouts removed the incentive to go around the map to pick up important items. Need to blow up the Warthog? Go grab the PP and stickies and go in. It makes no sense to – as an individual – spawn with a PERFECT counter for a POWER ITEM that requires MULTIPLE people to use. It’s a horrid concept. You don’t need to know the map, it’s overpowered, and it’s frustrating!
Please read the following, over and over if you have to, but it is crucial that you understand it.
Halo was born in an Arena shooter, and was the most popular one at that. Halo is not popular for being “Halo”. It will never be a popular “generic modern shooter”. It needs to remain true to its genre to be popular.
Admit that it was a screw up to listen to the ideas of people who wanted to redefine traditional Halo, because it will not work.
Don’t listen to some random execs or people who have come from other franchises with no experience related to Halo. If you want to replicate another game, look at the older Halo games. They were popular for a reason. And if I can list this stuff alone, imagine what all of us can do.
You need to realize and accept the fact that us, the players, have EXPONENTIALLY more experience with the franchise than you guys. Even some of us might have more online games played than your entire studios combined. Sure some people do not know for crap how to voice their complaints and come off as arrogant jerks, but get past it, and look for the real message.
Some people do love Halo to no end and are frustrated, feel betrayed. You need to sympathize with the situation and understand where these people are coming from.
You need to ask us what works and what doesn’t, instead of shoving everything that’s a new concept in our faces. Ask us how to address X issue in the bulletin; then make a thread for it.
Take Halo 3’s ranks for instance; boosting is a major issue. What could we do? Remove the negative TrueSkill influence towards ranking up.
Best part is that you can do that for everything. Just make sure it’s a relevant issue for people.
Stuff like Ricochet is the awesome kind of new! A lot of people like these new interesting modes, and this is the kind of stuff we need as “new things”. Not excessive core changes. New fun things that doesn’t break or remove existing content.
Simple enough?
