Halo 2 Multiplayer Info

[simms]

24 player every man for himself deathmatch. That's what I want. Unrestricted mental crazy carnage.

I can see why you are going to hate this though kerraig. You do take a totally different thing from Halo.

Mind you, I'd have thought 3 teams of 4 per side would work. If you see what I mean.

I like the big all out battles, I just HATE the whole die, respawn, die thing. As long as the maps are designed well enough for you to be able to spawn somewhere safely, things should be fine.

Why have fps's never incorperated spawn 'rooms' that once you leave you cant go back in, or temprary invulnerability, to give you a chance.

In RTCW you were granted a few seconds of invunerablity after respawing but the dropship respawn idea someone mentioned sounds cool

[Beertiger]

I'm surprised you disliked the 2nd book so much, as it basically covers the story of Halo the game. I've bought all 3 books but usually lend them to a work colleague of mine to read first, he digs all the military stuff as he was a former marine, the 2nd book is his favourite.

As for the last book, well, it's by your preferred, of the 2, authors and is shaping up nicely to lead up to the events of Halo 2. There's some reader reviews here http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0...2397935-2929446 Oh yeah, it's less than 4 quid, what more do you want from your pulp sci fi based on probably the greatest FPS ever?

I felt it was poorly written but then i don't like anything written by Tom Clancy as he's the most boring author ever. Not to say the stories aren't good it's just the writing style.

I want to give The Flood another go just to read up about stuff i missed from the game.

I knew Nyland was working on a new book but didn't realise it was out. Thanks for bringing it up or i'd have missed it.

I'll try and give The Flood another go after i finish The Clan of The Cave Bear.

[RJames]

The whole dropship thing could definitely work, exactly the same as the parachute respawns in BF1942...

Could be nice

-J

[hub2]

In RTCW you were granted a few seconds of invunerablity after respawing but the dropship respawn idea someone mentioned sounds cool

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

[Harlen Quinn]

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

[Cthulhu]

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

But respawn times are important in games like Capture the Flag (especially with smaller numbers of players), because it stops the invading party from facing an effectively unlimited army or instantly-respawning-into-their-home-base opponents.

Hub2 - Your idea is not only brilliant mechanically, but would add a huge amount to the atmosphere of the game.

[hub2]

Actually I agree with your point about waiting around, not fun, five minutes is definately too long. But it's just an idea to consider.

[Harlen Quinn]

But respawn times are important in games like Capture the Flag (especially with smaller numbers of players), because it stops the invading party from facing an effectively unlimited army or instantly-respawning-into-their-home-base opponents.

Hub2 - Your idea is not only brilliant mechanically, but would add a huge amount to the atmosphere of the game.

Maybe the problem lies with players re-spawning in their own base and not with instant re-spawn times.

[kerraig UK]

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

It depends on the game type. We have 15 second respawn time, with 10 second suicide penalty AND odd man out in capture the flag games.

Instead respawn would make CTF absolutely impossible with my crew.

[Harlen Quinn]

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

It depends on the game type. We have 15 second respawn time, with 10 second suicide penalty AND odd man out in capture the flag games.

Instead respawn would make CTF absolutely impossible with my crew.

But consider my point above, far better to re-spawn instantly but maybe in a position 10/15 seconds travel from the base. I just like being in the game and not waiting around. You can tell that I rarely play CTF but I think my suggestion could be a possible antidote to being kept waiting or impossible CTF scenarios.

[RJames]

What Cthulu and Kerraig said is correct. If there's no penalty at all for dying then it undermines a lot of the team games.

-J

[RJames]

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

It depends on the game type. We have 15 second respawn time, with 10 second suicide penalty AND odd man out in capture the flag games.

Instead respawn would make CTF absolutely impossible with my crew.

But consider my point above, far better to re-spawn instantly but maybe in a position 10/15 seconds travel from the base. I just like being in the game and not waiting around. You can tell that I rarely play CTF but I think my suggestion could be a possible antidote to being kept waiting or impossible CTF scenarios.

But then you might respawn near(er) the enemy base, and if they're in your base, effectively behind enemy lines.

You'd be able to catch the buggers with your flag on their way back. Or similar.

-J

[therearerules]

What Cthulu and Kerraig said is correct. If there's no penalty at all for dying then it undermines a lot of the team games.

-J

Definately. See in CTF games in Halo where killing yourself is an easy way to get back to the base to defend it.

If there are 50 vs 50 scenarios then there really should be a limited number of lives, so tactics really would matter in that case.

[Harlen Quinn]

What Cthulu and Kerraig said is correct. If there's no penalty at all for dying then it undermines a lot of the team games.

-J

But surely only if the re-spawn puts you in a particularly advantageous position? The rub to dying should be that you aren't re-spawned close to your flag/base. Surely the best option isn't keeping you out of the game? I DO understand what you guys are getting at and admit, again, that CTF isn't one of my most played options but I still think my suggestion would work and maximise playing time for everyone. When my lot play team slayer, instant re-spawns don't seem to damage anyones fun/chances.

[kerraig UK]

Instant respawn for team slayer sure, just not base games.

[Harlen Quinn]

You could have the drop ship only arriving every 3-5 minutes or something... gives people a reason to be careful (I'm not too fond of the whole gung-ho aspect of large multiplayer/deatmatch) as when they die they'll be on the sidelines for bit. And the dropship would drop off all the players on your team who had been killed over the past three minutes... Gives protection in numbers too as the dropship and dropzone would be quite vunerable to fire.

Pity the person who gets killed immediately on landing though!

My point about the drop ship respawn is that you could choose your own dropzone. I always minimise respawn times, including suicides, who wants to play a game where you have to wait to re-spawn?, not me.

It depends on the game type. We have 15 second respawn time, with 10 second suicide penalty AND odd man out in capture the flag games.

Instead respawn would make CTF absolutely impossible with my crew.

But consider my point above, far better to re-spawn instantly but maybe in a position 10/15 seconds travel from the base. I just like being in the game and not waiting around. You can tell that I rarely play CTF but I think my suggestion could be a possible antidote to being kept waiting or impossible CTF scenarios.

But then you might respawn near(er) the enemy base, and if they're in your base, effectively behind enemy lines.

You'd be able to catch the buggers with your flag on their way back. Or similar.

-J

True, but you could respawn at the furthest point behind your own base. I'm just looking for a balance that doesn't reward dying but also doesn't unnecessarily punish you by keeping you out of the game. Work with me here, surely there's an alternative and I don't think this option is too far out.

[therearerules]

I still don't underastand what's wrong with punishing dying with time penalties.

[kerraig UK]

I'm all for time penalties for dying. Any way or place you respawn I can set up a camper. If you spawn at the furthest point and run i'll just set up a guy to wait for you

[Harlen Quinn]

Ah well, we debated, some good points were made by all and it seems I'm a lonely soul in hating re-spawn time penalties. I like my gaming fun and waiting isn't, I think even the losing team should have the capacity to enjoy the game. I've spent far too long on this thread already but I did have fun, pity I burnt my pizza because I was so intent on replying. I take some responsibility for taking this slightly OT.

P.S. Surely your camper covers the base under the current circumstances anyway so the difference is minimal ( ? )

[kerraig UK]

I do see your point though. its just wrong

[Harlen Quinn]

I do see your point though. its just wrong

[therearerules]

Ah well, we debated, some good points were made by all and it seems I'm a lonely soul in hating re-spawn time penalties. I like my gaming fun and waiting isn't, I think even the losing team should have the capacity to enjoy the game. I've spent far too long on this thread already but I did have fun, pity I burnt my pizza because I was so intent on replying. I take some responsibility for taking this slightly OT.

The great thing about threads is that they'll still be here once you've cooked your pizza.

Anyway, after I've been killed I think ten seconds in which you could view the field and see what type of games being played in terms of tactics would do a lot more good than respawning and being killed before you know whats going on.

Also, if I kill some people, I want the world to appear quieter for a brief moment, to make it feel as though I've made a difference.

Although in mass killathons where chaos reigns supreme, I guess noone really cares about that do they?

[Popo]

I play Day of Defeat a lot and the respawn method in that game works well - as soon as someone on the team dies a 10-second countdown begins, and anyone else who dies within that time limit respawns along with the first person. That way you don't wait a long time for a re-spawn and you also don't get a constant stream of re-spawning enemies when you're trying to capture a flag near the enemy spawn point.

[Harlen Quinn]

Further to the re-spawn instantly on CTF idea - How about re-spawning behind your own base, some 10/15 secs travel time away but you're invulnerable/unable to use weapons until you touch base, inside. Keeps you in the game but doesn't give you an advantage but allows you to participate slightly because whilst you're travelling to your touch down point you can try and observe enemy movements, flag runners etc. It's just me isn't it?

[Kryptonian]

Really? It'll be the first game they do it on.

I'd love it to be true, but they don't exactly have a track record for it...

Do you know there will be for a fact?

I look forward to Halo 2 too... so I can kill ALL of you fools.

-J

Bring it on!

Do you reckon you can do decals for the MC like for the bikes on Moto GP 2?

90% of my mates pick black. Probably cos they think it's cool and hard. I go for White. Looks like a Stormtrooper.

EDIT - took out the bits where I slagged off Kerraig

Ahhhh, now I KNOW you're an amateur. I change my colour depending on the map i'm on. Although 'Tan' is my colour of choice f I dont respect the opposition

Don't think so - I don't that sort of advantage cos I'm way better than everyone round here

That being said, I go Red Team on Blood Gulch

Oh, and I agree on Spawn Times and the fact that 24 player would be too tricky for voice comms over live.

[Valiant]

Halo is now more than two years old. That's actually rather scary as time has passed so quickly.

[Mr Do 71]

Halo is now more than two years old. That's actually rather scary as time has passed so quickly.

And we have enjoyed every second of every kill

[sir stiff_one]

I started playing the single player game again at christmas.

The game is still unbelieveable.

Basically, there's not an immense amount wrong with Halo 1, we just want more, and more options.

When you're joining a game, you want to be able to see exactly what the rules and set up is without asking, disliking it, leaving, joining another game, asking etc.

You need to be able to send over your game setups to your mates.

You need to be able to play with no grenades.

I think that if you have 4 players and you play a 2/2 split formation, you should be able to close the voice channel to speak only to a particular person, but be able to open the channel to your team easily. That might be a bit much though, not many spare buttons eh?

Perhaps each team has a designated commander/Captain, and their voice has priority over anyone else speaking on the team.

Also, you definitely need to be able to scream at the other team when you kill them/win, even if its only at the end of a ctf game.

There should be so many ways of playing this game, and I hope they are realised.

[simms]

I started playing the single player game again at christmas.

The game is still unbelieveable.

Basically, there's not an immense amount wrong with Halo 1, we just want more, and more options.

When you're joining a game, you want to be able to see exactly what the rules and set up is without asking, disliking it, leaving, joining another game, asking etc.

You need to be able to send over your game setups to your mates.

You need to be able to play with no grenades.

I think that if you have 4 players and you play a 2/2 split formation, you should be able to close the voice channel to speak only to a particular person, but be able to open the channel to your team easily. That might be a bit much though, not many spare buttons eh?

Perhaps each team has a designated commander/Captain, and their voice has priority over anyone else speaking on the team.

Also, you definitely need to be able to scream at the other team when you kill them/win, even if its only at the end of a ctf game.

There should be so many ways of playing this game, and I hope they are realised.

Yeah good ideas there. They should definately include different options of communicating with your team and opposing team via the voice comms as then people can play different formations and a more startegic way. This would add another level to the online multiplyer games.

I think the key to making Halo 2 multiplayer games so everyone is happy whether they be online or offline is to give as many options as possible even more so than Halo 1 and Perfect Dark.

[therearerules]

I think that if you have 4 players and you play a 2/2 split formation, you should be able to close the voice channel to speak only to a particular person, but be able to open the channel to your team easily. That might be a bit much though, not many spare buttons eh?

Perhaps each team has a designated commander/Captain, and their voice has priority over anyone else speaking on the team.

Also, you definitely need to be able to scream at the other team when you kill them/win, even if its only at the end of a ctf game.

There should be so many ways of playing this game, and I hope they are realised.

Yeah good ideas there. They should definately include different options of communicating with your team and opposing team via the voice comms as then people can play different formations and a more startegic way. This would add another level to the online multiplyer games.

Mmm-hmmm. It's what I said earlier, you can only play a tactical game (which CTF definately is), if you can discuss tactics and change them clearly. This is only possible if there is one person in charge of tactics, and so all comm should go through him (and be location based too).