Halo 5: Guardians Discussion

[Killmachine]

I'm really tempted to build a map on, or with the Breakout canvas, as I absolutely love it, but I have no idea what to build, or where to gain inspiration from. Any ideas, videos or the like?

Isolation

[TheIcePrincess]

Isolation

That's a negative, Ghost Recon.

[AlphaBenson]

That's a negative, Ghost Recon.

It's "Rider", not "Recon", you uncultured swine.

[Mr Grim]

Why not remake a version of chill out or damnation with the breakout pallete?

[Killmachine]

Why not remake a version of chill out or damnation with the breakout pallete?

Nope not Chill Out, guarantee you the window in pink hallway will be fucked up if she remakes it

[NavG123]

Just want to give my quick experience with Gamebattles;

 

 

I sign up for a tournament at around 7pm that started at 8pm.  Since the tournament had went up, the prizes were advertised at $170 for first, $80 for second, and $40 for third.

 

Fast forward a few hours, I get 3rd place, and am under the impression that I won $40. Sure as shit, I check the prize screen, and it says $40 for third place.

 

I'm about 10 minutes into making an account so that I can take an electronic payment, wondering why I haven't got a "prize claim" message. I check the prize screen, and imagine my surprise when the prizes are listed at $145 for first place, and nothing for second and third.

 

Holy fuck. I get that less people signed up for the tournament than expected, but how the hell are the prizes getting changed after the tournament is finished?

 

 

edit: Forget me. I feel bad for the guy who got 1st place in the original final game, then had to replay only to get fourth because there were no pistol secondaries in the original match. Fuck me, we were all talking in a party chat about how none of us even tried to switch weapons.

[Mendicant]

I had started writing feedback some time ago, but stopped after it became quite the repeat of what I had said in many posts before Halo 5's launch. However, with recent focus from 343i on Warzone/REQ system feedback, I finished the following: (any thoughts are welcome)

 

Warzone and the REQ System

What are the shortcomings and how can they be addressed?

 

Warzone is an interesting mode with definite potential, and its current iteration in Halo 5 has seen moderate success in realizing that potential. There are, as is to be expected for a first implementation, a number of shortcomings with Warzone itself, and the tightly integrated REQ system.

Scale

Warzone is a mode inherently concerned with scale; with 24 players, enemy AI and large maps, it was billed as the mode to combine all elements of the vast Halo sandbox. Its name echoes such concerns.

However, as it currently stands Warzone lacks the necessary features of Halo’s sandbox to achieve this end. In particular, the inclusion of such large vehicles as Pelicans, Phantoms (alongside smaller flying vehicles such as the Hornet and Falcon), Elephants and Mammoths is integral to selling the illusion of participating in a ‘Warzone’ experience. This extends to the inclusion of Scarabs, or experiences in a similar vein, as boss encounters.

There are of course, other ways that this sense of scale can be accentuated, particularly through music to evoke a campaign-like experience, but care must be taken to ensure this does not conflict with the sensory (audio) awareness necessary in a multiplayer environment.

The way forward is clear, but the technical challenges, particularly maintaining 60 fps, must be recognized.

AI

The implementation of enemy AI in Warzone has to date been somewhat uninteresting. AI spawn in specific locations, and generally pose very little threat to any player located beyond these. Enemy Bosses spawn in a fixed, repetitive fashion and kill-stealing is an issue. As a whole, enemy AI rarely feel like a third force in the PvPvE mix, but a distraction or side-objective.

Non-boss AI in Warzone should be given a wider area in which they are aggressive and greater ways to exercise such aggression, for example, assaulting and potentially ‘capturing’ player-captured bases. This may be facilitated by altering the spawning of such enemies to a wave-based system or a combination of this and the current system.

The spawning of enemy bosses may be improved by partial randomization; for example, what is now the Baron ‘Sroam spawn on Escape from A.R.C. would become a spawn for any flying boss, the specific identity of which is random. This blends the predictability essential to enable strong player decision making, but also keeps the experience somewhat fresh. As has been suggested by many a Halo 5 player, it would also be prudent to have a boss health bar for each of the Blue and Red teams, to prevent kill-stealing which is largely passive/waiting behavior, while still encouraging players to decide between taking out the boss quickly, or enemy players to slow their team’s progress. Indications of boss presence must also be improved, given the size of Warzone maps and the dispersion of players over their surface area; put simply, waypoints for Warzone bosses should be visible at all distances, with players given a proximity option to revert to the current system.

 

Objectives

Halo 5’s rendition of Warzone features a number of ‘objectives:’ taking out enemy players, AI, capturing bases and core destruction. However, these largely cover two experiences: slaying and holding a location.

It may serve the variety and thus replay-ability of Warzone as a mode to include a small number of additional objectives, that spawn at certain times or when certain conditions are met, in a partially random manner. For example, this may include running a flag from its spawn location on the map to a team’s home base, or an Assault ball to a base held by the enemy team.

Core Destruction

As many players have identified, Warzone currently does not sufficiently encourage the fast conclusion of matches through core destruction. Instead, many games last much longer than necessary, as a clearly superior team capable of ending the match by destroying the opposition core, elects to forego this in favor of stat padding, kill farming and other negative behaviors likely to dissuade those on the losing team from further multiplayer experience.

It is plainly obvious that greater incentives must be put in place for the swift resolution of Warzone games via core destruction, with XP and REQ point rewards diminishing with each minute of game time, until a certain point, for example 10 minutes, at which there is a minimum, safety net reward value.

Landslide Victories and the REQ System

In my own experience with Warzone, matches which are tight contests between the two competing teams are somewhat less common than one-sided matches with associated landslide victories. I believe there are a number of forces at work here which could be addressed, for reasons beyond this (i.e. regardless of whether or not my anecdotal evidence is indicative of the experiences of the whole population). Namely: the relationship between held bases and the scoring system, and the nature of the REQ system.

As far as I am aware, teams currently score 1 point every 5 seconds for each base held. It is, drawing on my personal experience, generally the team able to hold a second (almost always the middle) base that achieves victory in Warzone. This can be partly attributed to the fact that such a team is awarded 2 points every 5 seconds for the opposition’s 1. I believe dropping the additional points for holding a second base from an extra 1 to extra 1/2 point (i.e. the team would earn one point every 5 seconds as normal, and an extra point every 10 seconds; or earn 1.5 points every 5 seconds) would address this issue and allow greater room for a comeback in a tight game. However, I also believe that a team holding three bases should receive the 3 points every 5 seconds they earn under the current system for the reasons expressed in the ‘Core Destruction’ section.

(The relationship between holding the middle base and victory may be further exacerbated on maps in which that base acts as a garage and secondary vehicle spawn, and this warrants investigation.)

There are a number of issues with the current REQ system, some of which contribute to this shortcoming of Warzone. The biggest contribution of the REQ system to the problems of Warzone is the extent of the single-use nature of certain REQ cards. Such cards may only be used once in a match and that condition is a perfectly valid balancing tool that appears to work well.

Problems arise when that single-use nature extends beyond the singular Warzone match, and a player’s REQ collection becomes an ever-depleting resource pool that must be regularly refueled. This condition makes players conservative with their REQ use (rather than simply focusing on the best time of the match to use an item, the player must be worried about future matches also) and as a result passive rather than aggressive. These players consequently aren’t engaging in behaviors that support their teammates and their victory, but are instead forced by the system into the miserly position of hoarding REQ cards. What incentive exists for usage also drops significantly when a player finds themselves on a losing team: why use their REQ cards and support their team when chances of victory are slim? This, I believe, further contributes to the occurrence of landslide victories in Warzone.

The REQ system is also characterized by a number of other issues as a player investment/progression system, in particular the way in which the system appears divorced from a sense of player progression, identity/ownership and meaning. REQs very lightly integrated with the game’s XP system (the purpose of which is unclear as a result), and offers the player very little indication of their progression/experience/mastery of the game that a more traditional XP-based reward and progression system does. The randomized nature of REQ pack rewards also diminishes the extent to which each feels special or meaningful, as the only hierarchy or demarcation of items arises in terms of rarity – which is both difficult to recognize and widely viewed as inherently luck-based. Beyond this, the lack of any customization options (armor, helmets, weapon skins, etc.) tied to specific player achievements/feats or even experience/level reduces the extent to which the player can feel invested in the REQ system as a means of reflecting their identity to the wider player-base.

I would like to propose an alternative system; a number of features would remain, including REQ levels and in-match leveling and the energy system, as I believe these work well within Warzone. REQ cards which are currently permanent would remain so, yet those which are single-use would become so only within matches and not across matches. Players would then select an ‘Active Deck’ of ‘single-use’ REQ cards which must not exceed a certain energy/REQ level total. This is used for each match (and may be changed outside of matches), and players spawn individual items from such a deck from REQ stations as currently occurs. To encourage both extensive play time and experimentation, players will unlock a second use for their REQ cards when they fully complete that weapon/vehicle’s commendation (this second use affects the energy total of the player’s ‘Active Deck,’ but allows them to exceed the limit). Players will be matched in Warzone with others of similar ‘Active Deck’ energy totals, to account in particular for the impact of second uses acquired through commendation completion. Earning REQ items would revert to an XP-based system, or perhaps a Reach-esque credit and store system. Customization unlocks would be greatly expanded (especially as there would not be REQ card multiples), for example through intro and victory animations, armor effects, character voices/lines, expanded (traditional) emblem options (foreground/background), etc. There would also be a small (and therefore notable/recognizable) set of non-XP/credit unlocks, such as armor, for completing certain tasks such as Legendary/LASO campaign completion. Significant UI improvements to ensure that all such information and more (e.g. commendation progress, XP, medals earned, etc.) are easily and intuitively accessible would be necessary.

@@Sal1ent, any response is appreciated.

[TheIcePrincess]

Just want to give my quick experience with Gamebattles;

 

 

I sign up for a tournament at around 7pm that started at 8pm.  Since the tournament had went up, the prizes were advertised at $170 for first, $80 for second, and $40 for third.

 

Fast forward a few hours, I get 3rd place, and am under the impression that I won $40. Sure as shit, I check the prize screen, and it says $40 for third place.

 

I'm about 10 minutes into making an account so that I can take an electronic payment, wondering why I haven't got a "prize claim" message. I check the prize screen, and imagine my surprise when the prizes are listed at $145 for first place, and nothing for second and third.

 

Holy fuck. I get that less people signed up for the tournament than expected, but how the hell are the prizes getting changed after the tournament is finished?

That's really shit, dude. Next time you go into GB, you should screen-cap the prizes, just in case it happens again, and call them out on it.

[DoxGhost]

Played Torque for the first time and I already hate it.

 

 

Gamebattles

That's still a thing? I haven't been there since my Rainbow Six days.

[SweetNSavery]

What the hells Gamebattles?

[NavG123]

Played Torque for the first time and I already hate it.

 

 

That's still a thing? I haven't been there since my Rainbow Six days.

all of the cod kids seem to be really into it.

 

I figured we were all trying to be like them...

[Eamonn]

Gamebattles is where all the LCQs took place.. 

[proph]

Gamebattles pre '12 was the bomb.

[Zebradamus]

Matched h0lmb0m and his squad of 5 in social snipes. Did pretty well but naturally my randoms crapped the cot.

[My Namez BEAST]

I'm telling you right now that 90% of Halo 5's population consists of players that hold the controller upside down. I can't think of any other reason that players above rank 100 can go double negative in Warzone. I could do better with only a suppressor.

[Mow]

I'm telling you right now that 90% of Halo 5's population consists of players that hold the controller upside down. I can't think of any other reason that players above rank 100 can go double negative in Warzone. I could do better with only a suppressor.

It's actually amazing how many bad players there are on Halo 5, particularly Warzone and Warzone Assault, these are probably the same people that think the weapon balance is "perfect" and "the most balanced Halo ever"

[My Namez BEAST]

Its actually amazing how many bad players there are on Halo 5, particularly Warzone, these are probably the same people that think the weapon balance is "perfect" and "the most balanced Halo ever"

That's how it always is sadly. Just head on over to Waypoint, or any video game forum for that matter. People just love to have strong opinions on things they hasn't actually looked into and it sucks.

 

What really amazes me though, is that even with such a low population there are still SO MANY BAD PLAYERS.

[Mow]

That's how it always is sadly. Just head on over to Waypoint, or any video game forum for that matter. People just love to have strong opinions on things they hasn't actually looked into and it sucks.

 

What really amazes me though, is that even with such a low population there are still SO MANY BAD PLAYERS.

I play on 1MB download and still come top 3 with ease, even when a good %30 of my bullets don't connect and my inputs are 1-2 whole seconds delayed on the other persons screen, I've just played 2 Warzone Assault matches and I already feel completely infuriated because of terrible teammates and feel like coming off the game, what am I supposed to do, play ranked solo on this connection? Where's the casual/social/non MMR playlists that don't require me to rely on 11 other morons on my team to have any chance at some "fun" on this fucking game.

 

/rant

[My Namez BEAST]

I play on 1MB download and still come top 3 with ease, even when a good %30 of my bullets don't connect and my inputs are 1-2 whole seconds delayed on the other persons screen, I've just played 2 Warzone Assault matches and I already feel completely infuriated and feel like coming off the game, what am I supposed to do, play ranked solo on this connection? Where's the casual/social/non MMR playlists that don't require me to rely on 11 other morons on my team to have any chance at some "fun" on this fucking game.

 

/rant

Ahhh sounds just like me when the game first came out. Yea that frustration isn't gonna go away until they add a social list. Assault was the best playlist I have ever played so far. I actually think assault plays better 5v5 because 4v4 always ends 0-0.

[Scotchyy]

Tried searching in the FFA playlist last night and ended up getting an error saying that 'there may not be enough players to support this playlist' message, which is interesting since straight after that I searched some Halo 1 on MCC and pretty much instantly got a game haha. Same thing happened when I tried the FFA playlist again this morning; no games, same message and again, found a game pretty quick on MCC searching doubles straight after...

 

Would be really interesting to see what the population is tbh.

I'm still getting this issue even during peak hours, its actually stopping me from playing the game.

[Mow]

Ahhh sounds just like me when the game first came out. Yea that frustration isn't gonna go away until they add a social list. Assault was the best playlist I have ever played so far. I actually think assault plays better 5v5 because 4v4 always ends 0-0.

I don't mean to go on about it because most people don't want to hear someone complain about their personal experience which is fair enough, but I just want to hop on and play some Halo, I've got bad connection so I choose the most "casual" playlist, Warzone Assault, and just get stomped and spawn killed by the other team because:

 

1.Teammates don't know how to hold an Xbox controller

 

2.Horrible spawning

 

3.Terrible maps that weren't suited for the gametype

 

It also frustrates me that this season I'm a Platinum 5 in Team Arena because I play solo on bad connection, even though I'm fairly comfortable stomping Onyx's at a friends house, I was Platinum 6 but got deranked because I matched a team on Strongholds Overgrowth, despite me having most kills/least death/most captures/most secures out of everyone in the match.

 

Sorry for ranting so much I know nobody cares but I feel I do well despite my situation and just get slapped in the face because the game offers no alternatives, I just feel so frustrated and needed to let off some steam.

[-DeucEy-]

GameBattles 06/07 was the shit. As archaic as it was, I miss their layout back then haha.

 

That young StrongSide getting that $250,000 contract though lol. ^_^  (At the bottom).

 

Holy shit nostalgia.... How old am I?

[Jay]

I'm amazed so many people here like warzone so much. I played some halo 3 btb and it was pretty fun, reach it was horrible, h4 is was disgustingly bad and haven't even played a h5 btb game. I tried two games of warzone and think it is just as bad.

What is the big appeal of it to everyone?

[My Namez BEAST]

I'm amazed so many people here like warzone so much. I played some halo 3 btb and it was pretty fun, reach it was horrible, h4 is was disgustingly bad and haven't even played a h5 btb game. I tried two games of warzone and think it is just as bad.

 

What is the big appeal of it to everyone?

It's the only social playlist. That's about it.

[Moa]

I'm amazed so many people here like warzone so much. I played some halo 3 btb and it was pretty fun, reach it was horrible, h4 is was disgustingly bad and haven't even played a h5 btb game. I tried two games of warzone and think it is just as bad.

 

What is the big appeal of it to everyone?

I don't even know to be honest. It's fun as hell to run with some friends and use some dope ass weapons.