So I just got on today and noticed that the Weekly was out, so I decided to check it out. I got to the part with Heavies returning to matchmaking and I got excited. One of my most favorite playlist was being brought back!
But then I got to the part where it removed Ricochet… What the hell?
Why not add it to the BTB playlist, so we don’t split playlist population again. I don’t see why Ricochet needed to be removed, seeing as how it still managed. But now what are those Ricochet players to do? Why do we need to removed a dedicated playlist just to have another BTB playlist. It’s redundant.
I don’t think there’ll ever be a point where I understand 343i’s methods regarding playlist management, but I should at least expect something reasonable.
The ricochet playlist is being consolidated into the existing playlists as said in the weekly update. That playlist has low numbers on its own so I kind of understand the method of moving it into other playlists.
> The ricochet playlist is being consolidated into the existing playlists as said in the weekly update. That playlist has low numbers on its own so I kind of understand the method of moving it into other playlists.
But do we really need two BTB playlists? Why don’t we have an Objective playlist for this kind of stuff?
I agree. I think it is very unfortunate that we now have two dedicated Big Team playlists.
I think this proves that it is more about the population number than about our feedback here. Otherwise we would’ve had a dedicated DLC playlist added a long time ago, or an Objective playlist, or a Dominion playlist. Anything but a Heavies playlist.
I get it though, I mean they have to respond to what the numbers show, and obviously Heavies is it. I guess I was really hoping that my dedication in time, money, and effort here on the forums to try and have a DLC playlist was not in vain.
> I think this proves that it is more about the population number than about our feedback here.
Makes sense. Ricochet, Dominion, DLC playlists, etc. were all removed because they didn’t keep a consistent high population. Big Team, Capture the Flag, and Heavies have stayed/will stay because they are capable of keeping a consistent high population.
I think 12 players is optimal for Heavies though and would get pretty chaotic with 16 players.
Yeah, I don’t get it. Heavies should be added into BTB, not a separate playlist. And all larger DLC maps should always be available in BTB and there should always be a dedicated DLC playlist on top of that.
To be fair, #s are the real feedback… So this move means that they are in fact ‘listening’.
I like them getting rid of low population playlists.
Now it’s time to require DLC for BTB and TS (the 2 DLC packs each). Heavies, CTF and SWAT great alternatives for people that wont buy maps. Adds long term value to current and future supporters.
The 2 lists will still be highest population (permanent requirement, not rental) and this wont add playlists (need to keep a lower # of playlists in general).
Go Go (:
I just can’t wait to play heavies again! It was my all time favourite game type during the days of halo reach! Should be a fun time indeed! 
> To be fair, #s are the real feedback… So this move means that they are in fact ‘listening’.
>
> I like them getting rid of low population playlists.
>
> Now it’s time to require DLC for BTB and TS (the 2 DLC packs each). Heavies, CTF and SWAT great alternatives for people that wont buy maps. Adds long term value to current and future supporters.
>
> The 2 lists will still be highest population (permanent requirement, not rental) and this wont add playlists (need to keep a lower # of playlists in general).
>
> Go Go (:
Have you not seen the DLC population numbers whenever 343 puts one in rotation?
> To be fair, #s are the real feedback… So this move means that they are in fact ‘listening’.
>
> I like them getting rid of low population playlists.
>
> Now it’s time to require DLC for BTB and TS (the 2 DLC packs each). Heavies, CTF and SWAT great alternatives for people that wont buy maps. Adds long term value to current and future supporters.
>
> The 2 lists will still be highest population (permanent requirement, not rental) and this wont add playlists (need to keep a lower # of playlists in general).
>
> Go Go (:
Yeah sorry, but this is kind of a contradiction in terms. When they did have a playlist that required DLC it became one of the lower populated playlists, Team Slayer, and they quickly changed it back. Sadly I think a DLC dedicated playlist is nowhere in sight.
However, I still think it is not the way to go. Pay homage to the players that dedicate real time and money not the ones who just buy and play without dedication. Those players already have somewhere to go. Those of us who want some DLC have been asking and wanting it for quite some time now.
I agree with BBQ. (PewPew…? Don’t know how you want to be called…)
Anyway, it’s about the numbers. Heavies was by far one of the most popular playlists, rotational or not, that ever hit the Matchmaking stage. It’s player count was well above 3500 whenever I saw it, and half the time over even 4000. Maybe once a month I’ll see BTB reach those statistics.
So what made Heavies return?
We practically begged 343 for it. In the week or two following Heavies’ leave, numerous threads were created about how awesome it was, and how it ‘totally should return’. And I was one those pleaders.
It had only two game modes: King of the Hill, or plain ol’ Heavy Slayer. That simplicity, and not having to choose between a multitude of choices (like in BTB), players had simple options. And they liked that.
Also, Heavies was probably the only non-DLC dedicated playlist in which DLC maps appeared incredibly often. This may be because a good chunk of players was playing it. But it certainly got their attention.
The reason Heavies wasn’t just added as another choice in BTB is because the fans liked it the way it was. More like loved it. As it’s own playlist, Heavies fans won’t have to worry about the type popping up once in a while, and then fighting other gamemodes in the votes. And players that didn’t care for it don’t have to worry about it either.
> I agree with BBQ. (PewPew…? Don’t know how you want to be called…)
So you agree to require DLC for these playlists as well? That is what PewPew is advocating. The problem with that is that when they did this for one of the most popular playlists, Team Slayer, the population suffered tremendously.
In the end it is not about what is asked for here on the forums. It is about the numbers in matchmaking. Otherwise we would have seen more changes like an Objective playlist added, and a DLC playlist added. I am fairly certain that both of those things were posted and asked for 343 to add way more than Heavies ever was. Yes, you guys posted about it, but not as much as DLC was posted about.
> > I agree with BBQ. (PewPew…? Don’t know how you want to be called…)
>
> So you agree to require DLC for these playlists as well? That is what PewPew is advocating. The problem with that is that when they did this for one of the most popular playlists, Team Slayer, the population suffered tremendously.
>
> In the end it is not about what is asked for here on the forums. It is about the numbers in matchmaking. Otherwise we would have seen more changes like an Objective playlist added, and a DLC playlist added. I am fairly certain that both of those things were posted and asked for 343 to add way more than Heavies ever was. Yes, you guys posted about it, but not as much as DLC was posted about.
Well… I guess not entirely.
I don’t think that something extra you have to play for should be mandatory. EVER.
Heavies can and WILL be successful. Also, has it been mentioned if it will be 8v8 or 6v6?
Hopefully we have a massive score to accumulate rather then end it after fifty kills. Don’t get me wrong this is a refreshingly chaotic playlist, but I remember Heavies allowing you to get from thirty up to sixty kills before time ran out or we reached one hundred.
I haven’t experienced much teamwork effort in Big Team lately, this should gain incentive.
don’t suppose anyone could quickly give me a link to where its stated its returning, would be much appreciated, am very interested in heavies
> don’t suppose anyone could quickly give me a link to where its stated its returning, would be much appreciated, am very interested in heavies
The Halo Bulletin: 4.23.14
> > don’t suppose anyone could quickly give me a link to where its stated its returning, would be much appreciated, am very interested in heavies
>
> The Halo Bulletin: 4.23.14
<3 , thanks
On one hand, I appreciate Heavies being returned, seeing as it was such a big hit, but I don’t think they should permanently remove Ricochet, I know how it feels when your favorite playlists get removed(Regicide, Dominion). I think they should put in BTB.
I know it would be a lot of people, but really, what else could they do? They could:
- Make a playlist for 6v6
- Put it in Team Slayer
- Make a entirely different playlist for just 6v6
All of these are very unlikely, so I think BTB would be the best option.
Ricochet is more of a jump in jump out playlist from my experience and it seems that people jump into it just to break the monotony.