Since there is such a commotion going on about not being able to drop the flag and automatic flag pickup, why doesn’t 343i implement specific game mode options so that we can at least play classic ctf in custom games. They can make it were automatic flag pick up can be on or off and they can also give us the option to turn flag dropping on or off. If they don’t include specific game mode options, they better include a classic ctf gametype so competitive ctf doesn’t die out.
bump
Within the bulletin, 343i actually disclosed the answer to your question, which is contained within some of the highlighted snippets that I took from the bulletin:
"[INTRODUCTION]:
<mark>We recreated CTF as an all-new experience for Halo 4. Our goals early on were to create a fresh and exciting experience, focusing heavily on team play and being the flag carrier…</mark>
PICKING UP THE FLAG:
<mark>This is easily the biggest [change] to CTF in Halo 4, and we’ve made it a huge focus and priority to develop… The first thing you’ll notice about being a carrier in Halo 4 is you’ll automatically pick up the flag.</mark> Unlike a weapon, you won’t need to hold or press a button to take the flag. We extensively tested different flag pick-up methods and settled on this one as it gets you into the action very quickly. While there will be occasions when you accidentally pick up the flag, we feel this is worth it…
THE FLAGNUM:
<mark>The moment you pick up the flag, you’ll hold the flag in your left hand and draw a Magnum in your right. The Magnum allows you to defend yourself in combat and joust other flag carriers.</mark> We’re still working with the exact tuning of the flag carrier’s Magnum, but we’re hoping to give the flag carrier a slight damage boost. As in previous Halo games, your melee attack will still instant-kill. You can’t switch weapons while holding the flag, and there are unlimited reloads on the Magnum…
YOU ARE THE OBJECTIVE:
<mark>As soon as you pick up the flag, your HUD will change to highlight the point of delivery.</mark> Each player in the new CTF has a special presentation layer that changes based on the current game state. <mark>The new HUD features clear navpoints and verbs that let you keep track of the objectives and flag locations with just a glance.]When you’re holding the flag, you’ve got a job to do – deliver it! You’ll become the center of attention as your teammates are charged with escorting you, and enemies with stopping you. To help reinforce this, you can’t drop the flag; this makes you the centerpiece of encounters as you move the flag to the delivery point, with teammates escorting you along the way.</mark>
RETURNING AND DEFENDING THE FLAG:
<mark>When the enemy team drops your flag, the return timer will start.</mark> The timer is now clearly integrated into the flag’s navpoint, so it won’t be a surprise when it returns back to your base. Unlike previous Halo titles, standing on the flag will not speed up its return timer. <mark>We found this greatly improved the flag attack and defend scenarios as players can use more of the play space around their flag to defend it.</mark> It also helps to think of the flags as moving entities across the map, and your job is to keep the enemies moving, and yours in one place. So many games come down to the final moment, and defending your flag for even a few seconds can make all the difference.
[Q&A WITH 343i STAFF:]
What Objective options do we have in Custom Games?
<mark>We have many new custom game options coming… CTF specifically offers tuning the “Flag Return Time/Proximity Return”, “Flag Reset Time”, “Flag at Home Requirement”, “Overtime Length”, and “Flag Carrier Traits”.</mark>
Will there be a way to disable auto-pickup for Flag/Oddball?
<mark>At launch and in the launch playlists, we will be deploying CTF as-is.</mark> Although it’s possible in the future that we will give players more specific control and choices, this is something we feel pretty strongly about – and is in some ways a new mode, rather than simply an evolution of an existing game type. <mark>We understand the reaction this may cause, but there’s method in our madness and we ask your indulgence in the short term…</mark> ’
Will stat tracking for kill/death ratio be done separately for the different playlists? ill stat tracking for kill/death ratio be done separately for the different playlists?
<mark>K/D ratio in general will only be highlighted for Slayer.</mark>
In CTF, you now hold a Pistol with the flag. If I have a Plasma Pistol secondary, will it use that or still pull out a Magnum anyway?
The Magnum, or “Flagnum” as it’s been dubbed, is specific to this mode. As we’ve mentioned before, this is similar, but ultimately a replacement for, rather than simply an evolution of, CTF. <mark>We understand this is controversial but are now pretty confident the changes will be enjoyed.</mark> And as we’ve said in this very article, we will have <mark>more information about options and customizability much later.</mark>"
NOTE: There is more information of course, but these are the things that stuck out to me. The next items of any consequence to me are scoring and medal, which you can all check out for yourselves.
Cheers…
I remeber reading somewhere that if things didnt work out with not being able to drop the flag. Then things could be easily fixed with a patch.
You’re right OP! They should make these changes. More options can never hurt.
> I remeber reading somewhere that if things didnt work out with not being able to drop the flag. Then things could be easily fixed with a patch.
I saw a post by a forum member stating that as well. As far as 343i, they indicated in the bulletin that they are ONLY offering the “new” CTF at launch and will consider customization “much later”.
> > I remeber reading somewhere that if things didnt work out with not being able to drop the flag. Then things could be easily fixed with a patch.
>
> I saw a post by a forum member stating that as well. As far as 343i, they indicated in the bulletin that they are ONLY offering the “new” CTF at launch and will consider customization “much later”.
Hopefully, by “much later” they actually meant a week after launch.
> > > I remeber reading somewhere that if things didnt work out with not being able to drop the flag. Then things could be easily fixed with a patch.
> >
> > I saw a post by a forum member stating that as well. As far as 343i, they indicated in the bulletin that they are ONLY offering the “new” CTF at launch and will consider customization “much later”.
>
> Hopefully, by “much later” they actually meant a week after launch.
I get the sense that they really mean mmmmuuuucccchhhh lllllllaaaaaatttttteeeeerrrr, as in don’t hold your breath, but maybe I’m reading too much into this.