So I originally (before the game dropped) had hopes for the customization/progression system. But those feelings fell short recently and I truly feel Infinite is equally the most fun-to-play Halo, yet the worst at any of it’s systems. We could’ve had a monetized system for customization and progression better than Reach’s and far better than Infinite’s. My ideas:
Give us 4 layers to customization:
First is the armor itself. Change the under-suit, helmet, both shoulder pads, chest, etc. Any variation of the pieces.
The second layer would be colors… Give players basic base primary, secondary and tertiary colors. Literally the most basic color wheel would be fine. That incentivizes players to unlock the other shades and hues available.
The third layer is armor appearance… Weathered, matte, polished, worn, rustic, etc. Can only choose one of these.
And the final fourth layer ties it all together which would be attachments, visor, camouflages, patterns and armor effects. Which this layer would allow you to choose one of each and depending on what armor you’re wearing the options might be different.
Honestly the 4 layers could be in almost any convenient order. Weapons and vehicles could have similar systems albeit simpler.
For earning/unlocking/buying more armor, attachments, patterns, colors, etc. We’d have this:
There could be “unlock trees” of some sort that could have a specific theme. Like a Noble Six unlock tree where it’s his specific pieces of armor, his armor color, his visor, etc. But pretty much no other unlock tree will have those things. And there can be tons of unlock trees that 343 could release. Not every tree has to have the same things either. But give us a grid layout of the specific trees and when you select one it opens up all of the unlockable items you can either earn or buy. Honestly, make some unlock trees payment only if it’s that big of a deal. And whatever you unlock goes into your personal armory where you have all of the things you’ve earned or bought. And you wouldn’t even have to complete a full tree BUT if you do complete a tree you’ll get a reward or the grand incentive of that unlock tree. Literally so simple.
All of those things can be monetized. In fact Microsoft could make more money by selling different $1.00 shades of blue and cool shoulder pads over what they’re doing now. It’d also be FAR more in depth than whatever they are pulling as well as give us more options than any other Halo game. Get rid of the season pass or progression. Give players those unlock trees where each unlockable has a specific goal/challenge. Get rid of Fractures and have players do basic credit/XP events to go towards whatever tree they’re trying to master. Every time you rank up you could get a specific unlock tree that is special to earning that rank from playing the game. And even then, the armory menu would be highly in-depth as it is because it’ll display all options you’ve unlocked on top of future unlocks and info on how to get them.
So simple. Quite intuitive too. Infinite’s customization/progression is half-baked and greedy. At least be greedy with a highly in-depth system like the above. I feel like corporate goals should be last and maybe the game wouldn’t be getting hated on by people. The campaign is the only thing that saved 343/Microsoft. I thoroughly loved the story and the gameplay is amazing. I just want to know why my system/ideas weren’t realized in the biggest Halo game to date?