343 Title Update for Reach!

[TACO]

Just rumors i guess? Your thoughts?

just browsing the internet and random gaming forums and came across this

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=26149228&postcount=10434

http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=57064107&postRepeater1-p=1#57064426

http://elderstv.wordpress.com/2011/02/19/what-do-you-think-halo-reach-title-update/

I noticed that there were a bunch of copies of Halo: Cryptum on each side of the TVs and asked Ellis about it and he told me that anyone who plays the Defiant Map Pack gets a free copy. As I was saying goodbye to him at the end of the night, I went to grab one, but he stopped me and handed me 4, haha. So I'll have 4 copies to give away (still haven't figured out how, just yet). I'm going to be getting my own copy, too, mine's just being sent around 343i courtesy of Ellis to have it autographed, including Greg Bear's. :)

Shishka - He's not touching matchmaking like Frank stated, but I knew people would assume he'd be doing that. He's a designer at 343i. I don't know his specific role, but Ellis and Frank told me he did actual design development on the Defiant Map Pack so you can put two and two together to figure out what he's doing. And considering how awesome the Defiant Map Pack is, I have faith in his work. He has experience to back it up, too, with his work on Left 4 Dead and Age of Booty.

343 Industries - They moved into Bungie's old building last month which I think is awesome because I liked the look and internal atmosphere of Bungie's old building from everything I saw from all the Halo 3 ViDocs and Behind the Scenes footage that was released for Halo 3. Also, the building's address starts with '434' so it's a match made in heaven. Kind of funny to think Frank is literally right back where he started just with a different title. Frank told me they're filled up in the building so it's a safe guess to think that they're 100+ people strong. I believe Bungie hit 150ish people in the old building when they knew they needed to move because they were all filled up. Good for 343i that they have their own building and are strong in terms of employees.

Now, another great thing that took place that night were the extensive and thought provoking conversations I had with Ellis and Frank. It truly was something else. Towards the end of my heavy playtime with the Defiant Map Pack, Ellis was really curious to know what I thought of the maps and that's when I chose to let him know how I really felt about both the maps, but Halo: Reach as a whole. I told him straight up that as much as I love the Defiant Map Pack, Halo: Reach's core mechanics (or specifically, 'the big 3' [Armor Lock, Bloom and Melee change] are what I referred to when talking to both Ellis and Frank]) and how the big 3 are preventing me from loving the Defiant Map Pack and any other map in Halo: Reach exponentially more than I do if these elements were gone.

I'm not going to go into specifics of what Ellis and Frank's responses were in fear out of putting words in their mouths that they never said, but what I CLEARLY and EXPLICITLY got from both of them was, well.... :)

I'll leave you with this quote that I will never forgot from Ellis:

"We are 343 Industries. We do everything for the community. We are listening, trust me, please. We. are. listening. Support means more to us than just worrying about playlists and new maps." At this point he was having a huge grin on his face and when I continued to grill him on the big 3, he said "Don't worry, Domino. I would not be having this huge grin on my face while telling you all of this if I wasn't serious. This is only the beginning."

If what I learned from both of these gentlemen is indicative of 343 Industries' business practices and behavior, then Halo's best years have yet to come, and that includes Halo: Reach's.

Have hope, guys. That's what they told me and after what I learned, that's what I'm telling you all. Have hope and don't worry. :)

[ParaSit3]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh SNAP!

[gazurk]

Let's hope that 343 can make reach a better game and with better maps.

[D Moralize]

Im so exited for this, if they changed those things halo would be awesome again

[Snipemare]

Let's hope that 343 can make reach a better game and with better maps.

I'm with u on this 1

[N!TRO]

Thats awesome

[RhythmOfSleep]

Let's hope that 343 can make reach a better game and with better maps.

This, hopefully

[Vivacity]

Please let this be true.

[ZeroCool]

Please make these changes. *fingers crossed*

[Kunamori]

I saw this earlier. Since Bungie hasn't deleted that thread yet then maybe it is true.

I would really like to see some changes made to Reach.

[Justin21]

I hope they come back with a halo 2-3 style game, reach is a good game but i feel the BR is just a better weapon in general and the maps for H3 were better (original not forged). I think reach is really relying on forge world to save it now.

[Hylian]

:D :D :D :D
I'm excited.

[gazurk]

I think they need a BR and a DMR. Then every one can select the weapon of their choice. I'm not sure how the bloom would work with a BR though.

[Joe Fries]

I support the bloom. It makes the game exciting and lifts the skill ceiling.

[Kunamori]

I support the bloom. It makes the game exciting and lifts the skill ceiling.

Totally agree.

I don't really want to see another BR. The idea behind the DMR is awesome. It's just that the bloom right now feels inconsistent.

[gazurk]

Ya. Starts to get frustrating though when you are under pressure, start spamming shots, and then get emberassed by a sergeant.

[SullyVan]

:D :D :D :D
I'm excited.

basically sums it up:P

[Kunamori]

This could also have been why we haven't seen an update from Bungie as well. Seeing as how they pretty much handed the game over to 343.

[Justin21]

I like reach really, i think if this whole 343 thing is true, then for one they should rank the mlg playlist and not call it "community" its a competitive playlist. Please fix the meele system, its so broken. And lastly more maps! Forge world can only do so much and be so grey

[kevindourn]

I like bloom... to a extent but when im online in playlist and 1/2 shield shooting a guy right over his head with red reticle well he is one shot and somehow dont hit his head once before he kills me... changes need to be made. I am not saying I am good but come on no matter how much spam i do thats just stupid that at that point its not about skill its about luck and one of the bullets landing yes call me bad i cant finish but I think bloom is tad bit too much maybe a smaller scale bloom i can go for!

also edit: excited to see what 343 does with reach now that is been handed to them, I think this is gonna be a great testing ground for them and what they can do for the next installment of the Halo franchise whether it be a stand alone game or a expansion like ODST was , it will be cool to see how they experiment on reach now :)

[Kunamori]

I know how yah feel dude. I got a guy in some customs today to a one shot. When I tried to shoot hit four times. None of my shots hit, and I was only half spamming haha.

[Soulcage]

Man this would be awesome if it actually happened.

[americanbash]

I really look forward to see what they will now. I am super excited for any of this.

[DYNASTYBLUE2]

i cant wait to see whats all true with this

[Briimstone]

Saw this just the other day. Great find! Hopefully this is true, and 343 ACTUALLY listens to the community.

[Luke]

I support the bloom. It makes the game exciting and lifts the skill ceiling.

this^^

also a few new maps would be nice

[Imp3nded]

Remove the bloom, lessen the skill gap. If they can't find a way to simply punish spammers more, then don't even bother touching it.

[rasha fasha]

They should just remake midship and warlock. Life would be complete then

[Makin]

Well 343 is made up of mostly hired bungie employees so I don't expect anything too different.

[brian pumpher]

they have to do something ...halo reach just isnt fun and nobody is playing it anymore my whole friend list is playing black ops now

[Hi im Jakey]

If this is true and melee is changed then yay.

[kevindourn]

they have to do something ...halo reach just isnt fun and nobody is playing it anymore my whole friend list is playing black ops now

This....

[Cantro]

sounds good to me

[Waterboy7]

Remove the spamming bloom, AA, melee system, and I will gladly embrace Reach. There is hope after all :)

I believe Ola said it when he was shooting Lunchbox who was one shot " It should not take 5 shots to kill him with spamming "

Totally AGREE , Remove the bloom!

I have not played Reach for about a month in a half....

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/dahwaterboy/no-spam-logo.jpg

[kevindourn]

If they dont fix bloom... >.< ! The only way to really counter Bloom is make the NR the only gun and make it a 5 shot gun or something with the NR since that seems to be less effected by Bloom in comparsion to the DMR at least ... idk just ideas hopefully they will just fix Bloom wont have to worry about it. Gonna suck on main stage to see one shot people getting away cause of sprint/ and crappy Bloom . I think sprint be fine if it wasnt for such crap on the bloom like I can nail one shot on a guy sprinting but the chances of it hitting him where I was shooting and killing him is less than 25% :\

[N!TRO]

had someone the other day started spamming before coming into the room, some ppl live heavily on spamming

[Chopz]

Reach needs a title update i welcome changes with open arms. Like many people above me i am sick of my friends list being full of people playing black Ops. Reach is clearly missing something.

[DrunkTiger]

I actually enjoy Reach for what it is. However, I would really enjoy Reach if the fixed things about the blooms and beatdowns. If a really good patch comes out...I may have to quit my job and break up with my girlfriend :D Reach all day every day!!!!

[iDan Jan]

Bloom is good for the game, nuff said.

[vesslux]

Even if halo was a mindless driving game in a warthog, it would always be better than black ops

[D Moralize]

the bloom is ok, but it would be better if it wasnt random and spammers didnt win so often, my other problem with bloom is that it slows down kill times, and it gives takes away alot of clutch possibilities that I feel are crucial to the fun of halo

[Justin21]

Bloom is good, only when its consistent. DMR is almost as random as the BR if not worse

[Chicken]

I hope they make the game less shitty. :/

[KRILLIN]

I don't think there should be bloom at all. What's wrong with having a gun that hits what you are aiming at. If you are good enough to keep the reticle on someone for 5 shots with a head shot at the end, so be it. It worked in Halo: CE and Halo 2.

[Vivacity]

I don't think there should be bloom at all. What's wrong with having a gun that hits what you are aiming at. If you are good enough to keep the reticle on someone for 5 shots with a head shot at the end, so be it. It worked in Halo: CE and Halo 2.

This. Introducing a probability mechanic into a game that requires consistency is flawed.

[REPTILE]

good point.

[Waterboy7]

I don't think there should be bloom at all. What's wrong with having a gun that hits what you are aiming at. If you are good enough to keep the reticle on someone for 5 shots with a head shot at the end, so be it. It worked in Halo: CE and Halo 2.

The more you post KRILLIN the more i like you :)

in a totally hetro way lulz

Off topic: does any one still remember that video on youtube where the guy modded the DMR so that it would have no bloom at all, and register where you actually aimed at? when i saw this video I fell in love with Halo again, but came to my senses that this patch would not happen as long as Bungie was involve. Thanks to 343i though they might remove the bloom if given full control of Reach. I would game soooo hard, kinda like H2 old days :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2DVe7bYi_8

[Pegasi]

This. Introducing a probability mechanic into a game that requires consistency is flawed.

At the risk of putting words in his mouth, I don't think KRILLIN is criticising the inconsistency (although that is the main problem with it). He's making the point which is often overlooked and that I also support, the same thing that D_Moralize is saying, that even if it's consistent is raises kill times and thus arguably slows gameplay. I don't think it's quite as simple as it raising the skill cap. Obviously in basic terms it indisputably does, simply because it's another skill to master, but it also raises kill times and makes ensuring that an enemy can't escape before you're able to kill them (simply by the limits of your tool, not limits of your skill) much more difficult. This potentially makes more encounters redundant, and reduces the speed at which the game can progress.

Basically, what I'm saying is that it's not as simple as bloom, even consistent bloom, raising the skill cap by adding another skill, since the increased kill time can reduce emphasis on other skills in terms of keeping up with game pace, decision making, winning encounters as opposed to just escaping them etc. I'm not saying that it inherently hurts the game either, the balance between the added skill and effect on other skills is (imo) an open debate in terms of which results in an overall more competitive game, but I would personally like to see a no bloom game for the increased pace. I know a lot of people blame Sprint for the increase in 'redundant' encounters, but I actually think bloom is more at fault and would rather see a Sprint + no Bloom game than a no Sprint + Bloom game.

However, I think what is most important would be that MLG gets to make this open decision between consistent bloom and no bloom and pick which they feel works best overall, hence my call for both fixed bloom and a gametype option to turn it off entirely. Personally I'd like to see the bloom consistency fixed with Frag's old suggestion of bullets only being able to fall in a ring with width 'x' on the inside edge of the bloomed reticle (where 'x' is the radius of the centre reticle at fully reset bloom), but also have a bloom on/off toggle added to gametype options. You can see Frag's original video of this suggestion here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHGItn8JCz0). This would fix the vanilla game, which needs fixing however you feel about MLG, but also allow MLG to try a no bloom game and see how the pace runs, then being able to choose between consistent bloom or no bloom based on what turns out to work best.

In the wider sense, my title update would be (probably forgotten some so expect an edit):


Bloom consistency fixed, either with Frag's suggestion which I mentioned above, or the other common suggestion of a max bloom 3 times as large, with a reset rate that's 3 times as quick. Pacing at the proper rate therefore has the same effect, but spamming is punished 3 times as much. I'd personally prefer Frag's suggestion because it ensures consistency as opposed to making a lucky spammed 5 shot simply less likely, and it also keeps the visual and feel interaction with the bloom the same as it is currently, only changing the outcome to be more rewarding of range-dependant pacing.



Bloom on/off added to gametype options.



Melee Bleed on/off added to gametype options.



Explosive modifier added to gametype options (same as dmg and melee modifiers which have 90, 75 etc. % options) affecting Nades, Rockets, GL, CR and Plas Launcher.



New option added to Infinite Ammo setting, 'No Reload', which has the same effect as Bottomless Clip but without the Infinite Ammo effect.



Banshee Nerf which includes tricks in the boost charge limit. 1 Banshee trick should deplete the boost/trick charge by 1/3, and basically work in a similar way to the Armor Lock AA charge, 3 uses and a reasonable recharge time. This makes conservative but timely (skilful) trick use just as effective, but stops spamming and balances boost with tricks (in the sense that boosting even a little would mean you could use one fewer trick in a full charge of the circle) for skilful use. Remove homing effect on bombs, however slight it is it's stupid and makes a powerful weapon easier to use.



Here we go, AL nerf. First, remove the 360 melee on exit, it's stupid, end of. Second would be a proper nerf, though not too significant as otherwise the AA will be redundant (I'd personally love to see it removed, but that ain't gonna happen so it might as well be balanced). Either introduce a warmup time on it so the effect doesn't activate immediately as the button is pressed (or rather, once latency is introduced, even retroactively in some cases, 'way to just undo that Snipe, dude'). This makes that split second 'FUUUU' use much harder and means use must be smart. Or they could reduce the time that it can be held for significantly. It should either be a momentary 'save yourself' button, or a 'hide in your shell' button, but currently it's both. If it's kept long use with a slower activation, remove the shield recharge whilst in AL. Stretching out a battle is bad enough, but coming back in to it with an advantage on the person who just outshot you is moronic.



Reduce kill trade window significantly. No amount of latency needs the current kill trade window, and if it does then your internet is awful. Most of the time it's so generous that it even overcompensates for latency, I should never see my OWN GUN fire after I have died and get the kill. Latency windows should allow for differences in what happened on screen on host and client sides of the operation, not just give you 0.25-0.5 seconds of 'second chance' after you've died. I was playing Dubs the other day, me and one of the other team sniped each other at the same moment twice in the same game (though I have to admit that after the game me and that guy were slightly like 'f**k yeah').



Fix all gametype option glitches.


I would love this game SO much if a patch like that was introduced.