First off, I’m sorry if the title evoked memories of people crying “adapt” every time disputes over Reach are argued. That’s not what I mean to say at all.
It seems obvious that the more that MLG has to tweak a game’s settings, the more of that game’s normal population they alienate, decreasing the number of people both their events and their playlist can draw from. The best thing for them to do would be to keep it simple and not deviate from the original game’s settings by too much.
For example, here is where Reach’s MLG playlist differs from Reach’s default:
-raised movement speed
-raised jump height
-increased gravity
-faster movement acceleration (due to increased gravity)
-no bloom
-no loadouts
-on-map AA’s
-1 grenade starts
-no spawned-with secondary
-faster shield recharge
You’ll notice that this is a huge step away from default Reach, which is understandable because Reach’s default settings aren’t very suitable to MLG’s highly competitive play where, if someone loses, it is completely down to their own error or lack of skill relative to other players.
I think that, with Halo 4’s settings, MLG could achieve this without deviating too much from default Halo 4 by not allowing the use of custom loadouts, but providing one starting loadout with no AA, one grenade, and modifications that contribute to settings MLG wishes to achieve. In effect, you utilize some of the game’s features, but in a more restrictive way, giving 100% even starts with a loadout.
It’s been stated that Halo 4 will not have instant spawns in every gametype (objective games for example, possibly others), so it’s possible to assume that a new player won’t hop into the MLG playlist expecting instant spawning. Halo 4 already looks to have high movement speed, high jump height, and fast movement acceleration, settings that MLG won’t have to change. Add to this the fact that the weapon drop spawning system should allow for user control through custom games. MLG could utilize the weapon drop system to provide consistent weapon spawning on set timers and in set locations, while still keeping an appearance close to that of default Halo 4. If sprint’s slowdown-when-shot is drastic enough, MLG could even allow sprint, again keeping close to Halo 4’s default, at least on the surface.
Conceivably, the only differences between MLG and default Halo 4 would be:
-No custom loadouts
-slightly higher damage (to make the BR, DMR, or whatever they use kill faster)
-slayer games scored only on kills
This would allow more players to access the MLG playlist to both improve themselves, and add to the playlist’s population. So, what do you think? As many people on this forum proclaim themselves to be pretty competitive players (because it is a self-given title) I’d like to know whether MLG staying close to Halo 4’s default on the surface, but using Halo 4’s features to achieve their desired settings, is a good idea, and if not, why.
Thanks for your time, I’m not very good at explaining points quickly.
Edit: If you vote “no”, can you please post why you did?
