- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Lately, it seems that the quality of online multiplayer has been steadily dropping. The quality of every matchmade game I play is dwindling, and it is no longer as fun as it once was to play online. This degrading condition is proportionately related to several problems which are conversely becoming more severe:
1. Bad Matches
Matchmaking is supposed to match individuals of simular skill, but recently the quality of the matches has become crude. Individuals with much more experience will routinely be placed with a lower set skill group, along with individuals new to the game. The result is two imbalanced teams that create monotonous and dull gameplay, as one side is pummeled by a superior other. This consequentially sets the stage for quitting, which exacerbates the already frustrating and tiresome situation.
2. Lag
Lag has always been a problem on Xbox Live, but recently the problem has grown more extreme as well as widespread. Almost every game matched is plagued by lag. The results are trying; what appear to be clean hits to me do not cause any damage. Lag is also a double-edged menace, as I will sometimes escape death when the computer registers lethal wounds (I will see blood spurt after being hit in the face by sniper or battle rifle rounds, yet I do not die). It also seems to have a curious effect on autoaim, as the lack of correspondence between the animation and the hit zone will foil the autoaim and make accuracy difficult and sporadic.
3. The Multiplayer Enviroment, Etc.
There are countless tiny things that are beyond control but are detrimental to gameplay nonetheless. Players seem to be less courteous, and more inclined to spout obscenities. I will never forget the one time I was matchmade to a capture the flag game, and everybody communicated, conducted themselves in a friendly manner, and worked as a team to capture the flag. The resultant victory was the most glorious win in Xbox Live history, unmatched by any other. That was a long time ago, and I am sorry to say that it seems such a victory will never again occur in Halo 2.
Now the problem could be on my end, as I use an Xbox 360, and the emulation of original Xbox games was never free of bugs. I doubt the issue lies in my internet connection, as the bandwith is high, and the connectivity is always indicated to be green in-game. I fear that Halo 2 may be in the process of being phased out in anticipation of Halo 3, and I pray this is not the case. I would appreciate any comments from anyone who has anything worth telling, and would be honored if someone from Bungie would reply, for I grow weary with so many questions yet no answers.
-Picaflor
[Edited on 09.04.2007 1:08 AM PDT]