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Halo |OT15| Beta-tested, GAF approved

Madness

Member
I'm also confused. Can anyone from 343 comment on this?

This is the problem, we expect them to comment about it here on GAF as opposed to the official bulletins.

I'm guessing most likely the sandbox fixes were not greenlit in time and so they decided to hold off for now and just work on the bug fixes. They probably wanted to get the map pack and the new playlists out of the way before they introduce the sandbox changes. That's got to be the only answer because they also said they didn't want to talk about the TU because people could exploit what they're fixing.
 

Fuchsdh

Member
343 made a mistake by calling this a "Title Update" when it is really a "Patch." A patch fixes bugs (which is what this is doing). A title update adds features, make significant changes. This is a patch.

Either way, Halo is still in a death spiral after losing its identity.

You do realize that TUs have always included big fixes and that was the main point for Halo 2, right?
 

Fotos

Member
Those who have hit SR-130, you may have noticed your player card now says MASTERY in a lobby and not your final Specialization, this wasn’t mentioned in the patch notes.

Best thing on the TU.
 
You do realize that TUs have always included big fixes and that was the main point for Halo 2, right?

I don't get that complaint either. Since their inception in the Xbox ecosystem TUs have almost always been patches. Very rarely are TUs actual new content.
 

LunaticPuma

dresses business casual
You do realize that TUs have always included big fixes and that was the main point for Halo 2, right?

Yes, but the language and communication from previous updates set expectations. The last TU was for Reach which was a drastic re-balancing so that is everyone's last impression of a TU. This TU does not reach that same level of re-balancing that many are begging to be implemented, and it was not communicated to simply be bug fixing. Hence expectations were left to run wild leading to a very underwhelming TU.
 
Yup. That stuff is huge for guys that love to stream their games like some of Halogaf does.

To be more accurate, this is huge for everyone EXCEPT those of us who stream our games. We already have capture cards and fully featured streaming options/capabilities. Neat feature still, I suppose.

EDIT: Got Weather Channel on in my office. LaRosa lookin' goooood.
 
It makes btb fun. And the light rifle.
It makes BTB fun the same way Standoff was fun.
Spoiler Alert:
Standoff was only fun for Jenga Tower

And Light Rifle shots don't even register half the time. Which is unfortunate, because it is an interesting gun.

I'm being quite snappy, I apologize, I didn't sleep.
 

Risen

Member
If I was a developer, I'd say fuck y'all.

They turned default Halo into Team Fiesta... I believe they've already said it.

On a serious note... like the look of one of the maps anyway. Not sure of the other two as yet. I'll be interested to see the full layouts and how they play once they are added to TT after a bit. TU seems like a start... I wonder how often updates will come throughout the year?
 

CliQ

Member
343 made a mistake by calling this a "Title Update" when it is really a "Patch." A patch fixes bugs (which is what this is doing). A title update adds features, make significant changes. This is a patch.

Either way, Halo is still in a death spiral after losing its identity.

Well according to PC games like World of Warcraft patches also include adding new content. See Patch 5.2 coming out at the end of the month for WoW. New raid, more gear, new zone to quest, more PvP, and bug fixes.

Title Update and Patch are one in the same.

I'd say the community is just expecting something....see in Xbox land you have to pay for more content.
 

Tashi

343i Lead Esports Producer
"Team Throwdown launched on Monday and we’re happy to see that many of you have checked out the playlist."

So we are not going to put the awesome, small, and competitive, new maps that fit Team Throwdown perfectly in that game type sorry losers. See Infinity FFA! Witch lucky player will get the best drop in order to win the game!

Give it time bro, the maps arent even out yet. Holy fuck. They need competitive testing and tweaks.
 
It ruins every BTB map.
It puts every other primary rifle to shame.

Those are pretty simple points to comprehend.

I comprehend those as arguments sure, but I disagree with them.

Did you love the CE pistol? Did you love cross map pistol battles? Well I did. And while not exactly the same, the DMR harkens back to that. Everyone had a pistol in CE and I loved playing big team-esque games with it. The pistol was stronger than every other weapon too, but it was fun – and that's why I play games – to have fun.
 
I comprehend those as arguments sure, but I disagree with them.

Did you love the CE pistol? Did you love cross map pistol battles? Well I did. And while not exactly the same, the DMR harkens back to that. Everyone had a pistol in CE and I loved playing big team-esque games with it. The pistol was stronger than every other weapon too, but it was fun – and that's why I play games – to have fun.

Except that the CE pistol would have been abused through hell and back if it was in MM.

Except that it made everyone dangerous off spawn, placed them on even footing from a weapon standpoint, and made every interaction's outcome dependent on the skill, accuracy, and awareness of the player rather than some game mechanic.

That's not defending the CE pistol, that's deafening mechanics that Halo 2 and 3 had as well (without the CE pistol).
 

Risen

Member
Except that the CE pistol would have been abused through hell and back if it was in MM.

Except that it made everyone dangerous off spawn, placed them on even footing from a weapon standpoint, and made every interaction's outcome dependent on the skill, accuracy, and awareness of the player rather than some game mechanic.
 
Except that it made everyone dangerous off spawn, placed them on even footing from a weapon standpoint, and made every interaction's outcome dependent on the skill, accuracy, and awareness of the player rather than some game mechanic.

This and you have to lead your shots. I don't think the pistol would be OP if you matched people up by skill. If you're putting a team of good kids up against a team of shitty kids, well then you may have a problem.
 

CliQ

Member
I comprehend those as arguments sure, but I disagree with them.

Did you love the CE pistol? Did you love cross map pistol battles? Well I did. And while not exactly the same, the DMR harkens back to that. Everyone had a pistol in CE and I loved playing big team-esque games with it. The pistol was stronger than every other weapon too, but it was fun – and that's why I play games – to have fun.


WoW someone who actually has the same opinion as me. I too enjoy cross mapping. The BR has it's place and can certainly take out DMR holders. It really depends on the skill of the player. Sure range does affect the gun's performance, but in larger maps, if you choose the BR then you are choosing a different play style.
 

FyreWulff

Member
343 made a mistake by calling this a "Title Update" when it is really a "Patch." A patch fixes bugs (which is what this is doing). A title update adds features, make significant changes. This is a patch.

Either way, Halo is still in a death spiral after losing its identity.

That's different words for the same thing, muddied by how games have used them on Xbox. A Title Update is a Patch is an Autoupdate (what they called them on Xbox 1) is an whatever they'll call it next time.

I'm liking this, because this is what I wanted them to do in the Reach TU. Which was fix bugs. And actually FIX bugs, something Bungie was limited in doing because they never wanted to break LAN.

I was annoyed when Reach's didn't actually fix any bugs even though they didn't have to worry about LAN.. now they're doing stuff like fixing bugs in the underlying gametype engine, fixing biped bugs, audio engine bugs (announcer in theater) etc. This is GOOD. They're serious about TUs now.

Halo 2 didn't get it's mega rebalance patch (AU3) until the middle of the April after it came out. Halo 4's next DLC is releasing April 1st. Since TUs are generally coming with the DLCs to add their achievements, we can probably guess the sandbox patch is coming late March. So, technically Halo 4 is actually going to have a faster sandbox update than Halo 2 did.
 

Omni

Member
WoW someone who actually has the same opinion as me. I too enjoy cross mapping. The BR has it's place and can certainly take out DMR holders. It really depends on the skill of the player. Sure range does affect the gun's performance, but in larger maps, if you choose the BR then you are choosing a different play style.

Yeah, I agree. I love spending entire matches hiding behind the same rock because a group of people can ping me from across the map. It's just exciting, you know? The DMR without bloom is the best thing to happen to Halo, ever.
 

CliQ

Member
Except that the CE pistol would have been abused through hell and back if it was in MM.
(without the CE pistol).

Abused? Do you mean used the most? I don't think you played Halo CE. The pistol was used by everyone all the time because; it was a great counter to the sniper, it had great accuracy, it had great range, and it made you feel so powerful and in control of your own actions.

I'll defend the pistol everyday of the week. The BR limits you after a certain range and i'm sorry but I would rather believe in a future where super soldiers have small lightweight guns that are powerful, with excellent accuracy and range, with a scope that is linked to your helmet (its in the instruction book - called smart-link scope) then a weapon that is inaccurate after 100 yards and is bulky.

Remember this is supposed to be the future and we are super soldiers, think of what gun super soldiers would rather have.
 

CliQ

Member
Yeah, I agree. I love spending entire matches hiding behind the same rock because a group of people can ping me from across the map. It's just exciting, you know? The DMR without bloom is the best thing to happen to Halo, ever.

Check my fileshare or any of my uploads on twitch if that's how you think everyone with a dmr plays.

twitch.tv/dunkman316

GT - xCliQuEx

I encourage you to take a look. I have a wide variety of play styles and I think that is what makes the best type of player. Someone who can manage them self in any situation.
 

Computer

Member
I comprehend those as arguments sure, but I disagree with them.

Did you love the CE pistol? Did you love cross map pistol battles? Well I did. And while not exactly the same, the DMR harkens back to that. Everyone had a pistol in CE and I loved playing big team-esque games with it. The pistol was stronger than every other weapon too, but it was fun – and that's why I play games – to have fun.

The CE pistol had a bigger skill gap then the H4 DMR.
 

Havok

Member
I comprehend those as arguments sure, but I disagree with them.

Did you love the CE pistol? Did you love cross map pistol battles? Well I did. And while not exactly the same, the DMR harkens back to that. Everyone had a pistol in CE and I loved playing big team-esque games with it. The pistol was stronger than every other weapon too, but it was fun – and that's why I play games – to have fun.
The pistol didn't have aim assist out the ass at extreme range like the DMR does. You don't have to lead the DMR at extreme range like you did the pistol. These two things make for a pretty sizable difference in how it plays. If they want to actually make five-shotting someone at long range something that requires some talent instead of being trivially easy like it is now, they can go nuts with the weapon's power.

Abused? Do you mean used the most? I don't think you played Halo CE. The pistol was used by everyone all the time because; it was a great counter to the sniper, it had great accuracy, it had great range, and it made you feel so powerful and in control of your own actions.

I'll defend the pistol everyday of the week. The BR limits you after a certain range and i'm sorry but I would rather believe in a future where super soldiers have small lightweight guns that are powerful, with excellent accuracy and range, with a scope that is linked to your helmet (its in the instruction book - called smart-link scope) then a weapon that is inaccurate after 100 yards and is bulky.

Remember this is supposed to be the future and we are super soldiers, think of what gun super soldiers would rather have.
Invoking fiction to defend multiplayer balance is incredibly silly.
 
Abused? Do you mean used the most? I don't think you played Halo CE.

I played it more than you know.

I would rather believe in a future where super soldiers have small lightweight guns that are powerful, with excellent accuracy and range, with a scope that is linked to your helmet (its in the instruction book - called smart-link scope) then a weapon that is inaccurate after 100 yards and is bulky.

I'm sorry, that sounds terrible.

Remember this is supposed to be the future and we are super soldiers, think of what gun super soldiers would rather have.

That's not good logic in a gameplay since. That's no different than CoD being in modern times (or it was), so every shotgun should have 10x the range.
 

FyreWulff

Member
With an eight year difference, you'd expect things to roll out faster and have better communication detailing said info.

Halo 2:
Nov 9 2004 - April 18, 2005 Sandbox Update
5 months

Reach:
March 31, 2011 (handoff) - Sept 21, 2011
5 monthsish

Halo 4:
November 6 2012 - Last week of March 2013 (guessing)
5 months


About in line with expectations
 

Omni

Member
Abused? Do you mean used the most? I don't think you played Halo CE. The pistol was used by everyone all the time because; it was a great counter to the sniper, it had great accuracy, it had great range, and it made you feel so powerful and in control of your own actions.

I'll defend the pistol everyday of the week. The BR limits you after a certain range and i'm sorry but I would rather believe in a future where super soldiers have small lightweight guns that are powerful, with excellent accuracy and range, with a scope that is linked to your helmet (its in the instruction book - called smart-link scope) then a weapon that is inaccurate after 100 yards and is bulky.

Remember this is supposed to be the future and we are super soldiers, think of what gun super soldiers would rather have.

Oh don't even bother trying to bring the 'it's the future' argument into this. Did you know that the Spartan's shields and armour is pretty much impenetrable by projectile weapons? That wouldn't exactly make a good multiplayer game now, would it?
 
The CE pistol had a bigger skill gap then the H4 DMR.

I'm not saying they are the same gun, and I'm not discounting some of the aim assist issues, my only argument is that the DMR isn't over powered and the style of gameplay it encourages isn't something that Halo fans should be un-accustomed to.

EDIT: Sorry for the DP
 

CliQ

Member
You know I see the argument about standing back with the DMR and taking advantage of someone who doesn't have a weapon to reach you. But, I ask the competitive communty, how do you feel about spawn trapping? Do you think it's fair? Do you think it promotes competitive play?

If your answer to these questions are yes, then what is different about that and corss mapping with a dmr?

Break it down to it's simplest form. You are taking advantage of a mechanic of the game so that you have a winning edge of the opponent.

Spawn trapping takes advantage of the spawn system. DMR wielders take advantage of the size of the map. Which one is more frustrating? Not being able to spawn or not being able to hit your enemy because you have a different gun?
 

CliQ

Member
Oh don't even bother trying to bring the 'it's the future' argument into this. Did you know that the Spartan's shields and armour is pretty much impenetrable by projectile weapons? That wouldn't exactly make a good multiplayer game now, would it?

Well, to be honest I started playing this game in CE because it sounded cool to me that you were a super soldier that was fast with great weapons.
 

Omni

Member
That sounds like a personal problem.

Not meant to be taken literally.

Take any map other than Haven and you'll see how broken the DMR is in this game. If I'm able to sit at the back of a map without a sniper and just get uncontested kills all match, something is definitely wrong.

Hitscan, minimal bloom and a 3x scope break it - especially on Halo 4's bigger maps. The CE pistol had spread, a 2x scope and travel time. They aren't even comparable.
 
You know I see the argument about standing back with the DMR and taking advantage of someone who doesn't have a weapon to reach you. But, I ask the competitive communty, how do you feel about spawn trapping? Do you think it's fair? Do you think it promotes competitive play?

If your answer to these questions are yes, then what is different about that and corss mapping with a dmr?

Break it down to it's simplest form. You are taking advantage of a mechanic of the game so that you have a winning edge of the opponent.

Spawn trapping takes advantage of the spawn system. DMR wielders take advantage of the size of the map. Which one is more frustrating? Not being able to spawn or not being able to hit your enemy because you have a different gun?
It isn't easy to spawn trap. It is easy to cross map with the DMR.
Completely different.

Same thing with comparisons between DMR and CE pistol.
Pistol had a large skill gap, DMR does not.

Check my fileshare or any of my uploads on twitch if that's how you think everyone with a dmr plays.

twitch.tv/dunkman316

GT - xCliQuEx

I encourage you to take a look. I have a wide variety of play styles and I think that is what makes the best type of player. Someone who can manage them self in any situation.
He was saying hiding behind a rock is how you have to play in BTB against a decent team.
Because it is literally how you have to play or else you'll be pinged by the DMR from 5 different angles.

Take any map other than Haven and you'll see how broken the DMR is in this game.
Yep, the DMR works okay in maps with lots of small-medium sight lines. The other guns can compete.
But once you get to medium-large sight lines, it becomes extremely OP.
 

Madness

Member
Well, to be honest I started playing this game in CE because it sounded cool to me that you were a super soldier that was fast with great weapons.

Quit double posting man, you've done it now twice on the same page. I know, Dax angrily told me the same last OT but I did it within a few pages gap.
 
The lack of sandbox tweaking outside of the Boltshot is really disappointing.

But hey, at least we don't have instant respawn where it doesn't belong, now.
 
Just throwing it out there to suggest some sandbox fixes:

-Get rid of all the stupid shit that happened to the Banshee from Reach and 4 and just use the Halo 3 Banshee. I don't think I've heard complaints about it anywhere near as much as I have the Reach and 4 variants.

-Replace the Gauss Hog with the Rail Hog. Turret operates in an identical fashion to the Railgun (charge time, arcing projectile, bright blue warning that it's flying at you, and so on) with reload times included, but with a slightly increased blast radius. Still works in an anti-infantry fashion but also requires you to actually pace/charge your shots while in a moving vehicle. If that isn't enough, the Rail Hog could also "buck" or slow down a little bit when the railgun fires as a sort of recoil compensation thing.

-For the Scorpion, it's hard to make suggestions that wouldn't piss everyone off. I'd suggest keeping it identical to the way it is now in the Campaign, but replace it with a "Serket" in multiplayer. The Serket's blast radius for the main 93mm tungsten round is increased by about 150% compared to what we have now, but it can only drain shields. You might be able to one-shot a single target if it's a direct hit (the shield drain combined with the actual contact with the slug could be enough to kill). However, to compensate and still make the Scorpion a viable anti-vehicle platform, the central radius of the blast (probably consisting of about 50% of the overall explosion) could EMP targets and the blast "propellant" itself would be upped pretty significantly. If you try fighting a tank in a Mongoose, one hit would EMP you and send you flying into next week, and likewise with aircraft like the Banshee.
 
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