First off, I’d just like to say that I understand it’s the first day, and that I can’t judge the entire system from day one. Also, I’m not trying to come off so negatively about today’s update. I was just let down big time and it carried over a wee bit.
Now, props to 343 for finally putting in a ranking system, but there are so many complaints I have about it. First off, I was so hyped for it and couldn’t wait til it came out. I’ve been waiting since Reach for a legit ranking system, but then this comes and I was just EXTREMELY let down. I can say part of it was my fault for thinking it’ll be like Halo 3 ranking systems (and I had a part of me praying it’ll be like Halo 2’s ranking system) but nonetheless I was upset from the CSR. I’ll point out the most obvious complaint that I think everyone has that you can’t see ranks in-game. Having to go to Waypoint or go to a computer to check your ranks on a console game is outrageous and downright absurd. I understand that 343 may have wanted to promote the community to use their precious website/console app more, but why not have the classic Halo 2 ranking system where you had ranks displayed in game and where Bungie’s website displayed how close one was to gaining/losing their level. You incorporate your website and have in-game ranks. I always would check to see how close I was to ranking up, that’s something that Halo 3 didn’t have that I wish it did.
Also, ranked/social playlists needed to be added, similar to Halo 3’s. I understand 343 wants to differentiate themselves from Bungie and try to create their own footsteps, but I would like to mess around in Slayer/Multi Team and not have it counted towards my rank. From a competitive gamer’s point of view, when you go into a ranked playlist you have the desire and mindset to win the match. You chose the ranked playlist because you want to attempt to level up and achieve the grand master level and have bragging rights to friends or whatever your reason is. On the same note, you chose social playlists because you either just want to have fun/mess around or not want to lose your uber-cool 45 in Slayer. In this game, you get put into ranked matches with teammates that have guests…GUESTS IN A RANKED MATCH. How are you supposed to play a CTF game, which rank is dependent upon W/L, with guests as teammates? Very few players play as guests and take it seriously, or those guests are even remotely skilled at the game.
I think the addition of ranked/social playlists would be huge for Halo 4. I think it balances out the competitors from the casual gamers evenly. Also, like everyone has stated, in-game ranks are a must. I can’t stress that enough. You can still incorporate your website/console app if you put your thinking caps on. I feel like the Halo 2 ranking bars or a way to show how close you were from leveling up or down is a good start. I am a true Halo fan and I am saddened that it lost a good chunk of its community, but there is still a great chance to maintain the community now and possibly gain new/old members.
Hopefully 343 will take these suggestions into consideration. I think they’ll be a good addition. My 2 cents.
My issues with CSR are a few (not as many as yours) although I do agree with your issues.
My “major” complaint with CSR is the “join in progress”. I mostly play Swat and to say there are maps on the Swat playlist that shouldn’t be there is an understatement. COMPLEX COMES TO MIND! I have played a lot of games today and EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! of the initial matches was a join in progress. That’s more than I have had in the previous two weeks (or so it seems). The only way I can vote on a map is to stay in some miserable game. Even then so many people back out that the remaining players (me included) join in progress in another game! Soooooooo, my CSR in Slayer is driven by how I do as an individual but I rarely get to vote on a map I like and I’m penalized for quitting? Hmmmmmmmmm. Seems legit…
My second issue is with the un Godly manner in which 343i has hosts assigned. If their k/d is low or their rank is low or their connection sucks because they prefer to play at K Mart (ok, that was a joke, lol), then they are assigned as a game host? Then, with their sorry connection they lag all over the map causing me me to empty an entire clip into their head just to get their attention only to watch them dissappear and reappear where I’m not looking and shoot me in the head (this happened to me a few times today most notibly on Solace). So my k/d goes down, my score goes down and my CSR goes down all because I have a good connection? Hmmmmmmmmm, still seems legit…
My last issue goes hand in hand with what JGint2 has already said. In competetive games involving CSR, there are players who don’t care or don’t have a clue about etiquate and hide in a corner while they go away from the controller to do only who knows what. Then, they force their team mates to continually spawn on them. The other team, if they’re any good, will see this and leave to one person alone and not kill him thus spawn killing to rest of the team. Happened to me just a little while ago on Swat with the Shut Out map (of which I never had the chance to vote on!). All of which totally destroys my CSR. Hmmmmmmmm, Im not sure…is that still legit?
Look, I’m not a great player that my name alone strikes fear into anyone’s controller. I’m an average player at best. But as an average player, I am seeing and noticing these serious flaws. I do like having the CSR but I just wish that these issues get corrected.
I know at least 50 of my friends that all stopped playing the game because there was no ranking system. They all got excited about it, and as soon as they found out it didnt show up in game… POINTLESS. They all are going to continue to play COD. They really need to see the obvious here! People liked the ranking system in Halo 2 and 3 because you could SEE the rank, BRAG about it, an COMPETE!