Halo: Reach

[Hass]

Yep, you can do it in CoD, Gears and so on. I guess Bungie don't permit it because it might unfairly affect peoples stats to drop into a losing game 30 seconds from the end, although as has been discussed before, the answer to that is to just not make partial games count on your stats. I'd also guess that Bungie's matchmaking is slightly more robust than other games and perhaps would therefore take a hit in performance looking at games in progress too, taking longer as a result. In Gears and CoD I have little belief that they really match you against people of similar skill, but with amount of metrics that Bungie collect I'd put my money on their skill-based matchmaking being better than anyones.

For what it's worth, I've found the matchmaking in Reach to be excellent so far. Lots of close games and almost non-existent lag. Very impressive.

[Tomdominer]

Is bcass on the blob today or something? He seems really up for an argument.

[bcass]

you need to be a bit dim to see that allowing people to only ever play one particular gametype on one particular map would seriously lower the overall experience for everyone. The people who are happy playing a mixture of maps and modes (ie. the majority at the moment) would be split into two groups; many would remain who wanted to play a mixture, while there would undoubtedly be some who then decided that, now they come to think about it, the only map that they ever wanted to play on was Construct. But then out of the pool of Construct fans, you'd be fine getting a game, but the skill difference could vary wildly due to the lack of numbers. You'd spend half the time getting dicked on by level 50 Construct fans, whereas if you were to play a mixed selection (you know, like everyone else) then you'd get a much better experience.

Nonsense. Halo's userbase is easily large enough to facilitate my ideas.

selfish people like bcass get frustrated at these 'draconian' (lol) measures, and decide to take their highly-valued custom elsewhere

I don't play anything online any more. I don't even have a gold sub anymore. Their new draconian banning system doesn't affect me in any shape, way or form. If Bungie decide to be a bit more open minded about their matchmaking system I might be persuaded to pay and play it again. If they don't want my money, then fine, their loss. Alienating people from an online community is not going to win them many fans, that's for sure.

The thing is, bcass, even if we accept the view that Bungie's matchmaking system is flawed, the people that are quitting games are still tarnishing the experience of other players.

But what about people who are being forced into playing gametypes and maps that they don't like? Their experience is being tarnished too. They've paid for their subs just like you.

[Mr Cochese]

The should be a play list called "Dropout", and it sets up a game as normal except that once the level has loaded a player is randomly ejected from one of the teams, and then another player is booted from the same team every two minutes.

[Nespresso]

Took some shots of a match just now.

Stucked

The Cycle of Life

Sniper Action

Into Oblivion

Death From Above

Explosive Diarrhoea

[MalevolentPanda]

I think losing people like bcass from the Halo community is everyone's loss. I'm sure Bungie would realise the error of their ways if only they knew that their new system was driving people like him away.

[Robsk1]

Is bcass on the blob today or something? He seems really up for an argument.

On the blob?

I didn't realise anyone used that expression anymore.

[Shook]

The quitters piss me off, spoilt little shits that they are.

If you can't even cope with a few varieties of gametypes, selected via a vote system, to ensure everyone has a laugh (and the game plays like it should) then get some friends and play with them only or just don't play it.

[Straps]

Nonsense. Halo's userbase is easily large enough to facilitate my ideas.

It isn't. It's huge, but even the numbers that Halo garners would not be enough to split each playlist into a further 10 or so sections and still give a satisfying experience on the whole. Well, I understand that you would be happy, but most would not want to either get matched up with rubbish/awesome players.

I don't play anything online any more. I don't even have a gold sub anymore. Their new draconian banning system doesn't affect me in any shape, way or form. If Bungie decide to be a bit more open minded about their matchmaking system I might be persuaded to pay and play it again. If they don't want my money, then fine, their loss. Alienating people from an online community is not going to win them many fans, that's for sure.

Didn't we work it out that there were like 50,000 players bcass has screwed over with his antics over the years? They'll be sorry you've gone, no doubt.

But what about people who are being forced into playing gametypes and maps that they don't like? Their experience is being tarnished too. They've paid for their subs just like you.

Forced?! There was no one forcing you to play Halo. Unless there was, in which case I'm sorry you were taken captive but am happy you have managed to regain your freedom. And subs? I don't pay Bungie any money to play Halo online. What are these subs?

[Superunknown]

For what it's worth, I've found the matchmaking in Reach to be excellent so far. Lots of close games and almost non-existent lag. Very impressive.

I agree, it's been excellent for me so far in the beta. I was just guessing as to their reasoning for not permitting drop-in matches

[Guest]

No it doesn't. I haven't renewed my gold sub for over 6 months now. I love the retarded logic here: let's alienate large numbers of paying subscribers just because we can't be bothered to design our game properly. Banning people isn't going to stop people quitting, it's just going to turn large numbers of people away from the game, and possibly Xbox Live. My idea of a quitters playlist is far more innovative than anything Bungie have come up with so far.

If it means I don't have to play with quitting fuckers like you, I'm all for it.

[Soi]

Didn't we work it out that there were like 50,000 players bcass has screwed over with his antics over the years? They'll be sorry you've gone, no doubt.

It was something like that. But Bcass said that Bungie put the quit option in Halo 3 so it must be ok.

Anyway, what do you make of the Reach needler bcass?

[Guest]

You're both totally missing the point of some of the main reasons why people quit. Not everyone quits just because the team is losing. Stop being so fucking blinkered. With arrogant arseholes like Jon using the service, you can chalk-up another reason as to why people might be less inclined to see a game through to the end.

A selfish little quitting cunt like you has the balls to call me an arrogant arsehole. Your stupidity really knows no bounds, does it? Why would playing with me make somebody want to quit? I don't go in a childish mood just because my favourite map or gametype doesn't come up.

The sooner that you and your pathetic friends fuck off and stop ruining games for people the better.

It really baffles me that you can't see that giving you the options you talk about would spread the community far too thinly and be a worse experience for it. There's only one person in this thread missing the point, son.

So... what's your gamertag then?

[Chaz]

Halo was the only reason why I used to buy a Gold sub.

Why did you bother? Judging by the amount of times you would quit games and roughly calculating your time in lobbies vs. your time actually playing the game, it seems like you massively wasted your money. And a lot of time.

[Mr Ben]

i quit to many games because bungie is retarded and never allows me to be a spartan on invasion slayer.

This is the only reason for quitting that Bungie can actually fix. Some people just have shit luck of the draw. Why they dont do 2 rounds of Invasion swapping sides for each round I dont know. Take too long? Not really, just give 2 games worth of XP or whatever at the end.

[Kryptonian]

I don't go in a childish mood just because my favourite map or gametype doesn't come up.

[Straps]

This is the only reason for quitting that Bungie can actually fix. Some people just have shit luck of the draw. Why they dont do 2 rounds of Invasion swapping sides for each round I dont know. Take too long? Not really, just give 2 games worth of XP or whatever at the end.

They're doing that for the full game, apparently they just wanted to cram as many games of it in as possible.

[Mr Ben]

I don't go in a childish mood just because my favourite map or gametype doesn't come up.

"Oh not this again! Back in a bit"

*comes back for the last round of ctf where we're losing*

"Alright I'm back. Are we winning?"

[chris on the moon]

here were a LOT of matchmaking playlists in halo3. If you don't like any of them, why the crap are you playing halo online?for people who don't want to play the game types in matchmaking, there's always custom games. Unless everyone hates you and won't play with you.

the only thing that's been bugging me so far is that people actually WANT to play oddball in single player. whyyyy

Now I know how to use the grenade launcher manually, it's probably my favourite weapon.

[Mr Ben]

here were a LOT of matchmaking playlists in halo3. If you don't like any of them, why the crap are you playing halo online?for people who don't want to play the game types in matchmaking, there's always custom games. Unless everyone hates you and won't play with you.

the only thing that's been bugging me so far is that people actually WANT to play oddball in single player. whyyyy

Now I know how to use the grenade launcher manually, it's probably my favourite weapon.

Its why I tend to avoid playing that playlist, everyone picks oddball then just shoots everyone anyway

[Guest]

"Oh not this again! Back in a bit"

*comes back for the last round of ctf where we're losing*

"Alright I'm back. Are we winning?"

I went for a drink/piss/smoke or something! At least I didn't quit.

[Mr Ben]

I went for a drink/piss/smoke or something! At least I didn't quit.

Aye, dont see much point in quitting either tbh, especially in Reach where you get exp/credits for every game. I dont think I've ever quit a game of Halo, as far as I can remember anyways.

[chris on the moon]

that's a cockish thing to do too.

ps. it turns out i have no idea how invasion slayer works

[Guest]

that's a cockish thing to do too.

ps. it turns out i have no idea how invasion slayer works

What is? You're not seriously having a go at me now are you?!

Krypt and Benn are just winding me up. We were playing as a group of 8 on grab bag and nobody was taking it too seriously.

I'd never do that if we were against a team of randoms.

[chris on the moon]

IT'S OK AMONG FRIENDS

just like racism

[Kryptonian]

What is? You're not seriously having a go at me now are you?!

Krypt and Benn are just winding me up. We were playing as a group of 8 on grab bag and nobody was taking it too seriously.

I'd never do that if we were against a team of randoms.

I just think he meant it was cockish to quit, not sneak off for a smoke & a pancake.

I have -14 exp on Halo 3 under the deductions bit - I didn't think I'd had to leave that many games, a few will be from disconnects too I imagine.

[Kryptonian]

Aye, dont see much point in quitting either tbh, especially in Reach where you get exp/credits for every game. I dont think I've ever quit a game of Halo, as far as I can remember anyways.

You have -6 penalties on Halo 3, so not many at all. You didn't play it too much though as you were chicken collecting in WoW I bet.

[Guest]

No need to be jealous now Chris. I did send you an invite, but you chose not to join us...

[Alan Stock]

VNX1 - love the Stucked screenshot!

I don't think Bcasses issue will be much of a problem in the full game. I can understand why he disagrees with Bungie's current policy as people don't have any alternative modes/playlists to play. Of course, as it's only a Beta it's a shame people do quit but if they're for the reasons bcass says then you can see the reasoning behind it. In the full game I expect there to be a variety of playlists for single modes, maps of course will still be voted on or randomised, but if you want a specific map you can just host a custom game. The current banhammer approach is a bit dodgy in my opinion but in the final game it should be great.

Anyway, aside from that, I've really been enjoying this Beta. The addition of loadouts and weapon nuances add that bit of extra variety and strategy to keep things fresh. The weapons are meatier, the soundscape is excellent and the new game modes are quite fun. I like Powerhouse but find Sword base a bit chaotic and hard to find my way around even after 60ish games.

Wish there was a bit more to the customisation aspect, I'm not really bothered about a few crappy looking shoulder pads (most of the armour looks more rubbish the more expensive it is!). The graphics aren't great but it doesn't look bad at least. The new friends list is a good idea and the queuing system to join mates.

Invasion is a bit of a mixed bag, it's sometimes great and sometimes pretty dull. I think we need to see it on more maps to judge, I don't think boneyard is that good. Looking forward to seeing the other Spartan vs Elites mode tonight.

I think the devs have got to be commended for making a lot of small tweaks to make the game more interesting and fun, getting rid of some of the Halo traditions. Stuff like making the grenades massive on the ground so you can actually see them.

Not sure about the jetpack yet. It's great fun to use but frustrating to play against, especially if a whole team has them. It turns a little bit silly then. Usually you have to stand still or around one place getting a bead on a jetpack guy, whilst his mates inevitably home in on you. It makes it very easy for them to escape from death too.

All in all, it's still Halo, again, but I think they might have put just enough new things and strategies to make me become a regular player again when the full game comes out. Hope there's a bunch more new vehicles, game types, weapons and loadouts to keep things more interesting.

[Guest]

You spoke too soon. Those 3 games we just had were some of the worst games I've ever had on any Halo. Ever.

It seemed to be connection issues as people were skipping all over the map, repeated headshits weren't registering, stickies were flying past people then they'd magically be stuck.

It really put me off Spartans vs Elites. I just didn't enjoy it at all.