Halo: Reach Forum
This topic has moved here: Subject: Will Matchmaking Be the Only Option? (Longer Post, Sources Used)
  • Subject: Will Matchmaking Be the Only Option? (Longer Post, Sources Used)
Subject: Will Matchmaking Be the Only Option? (Longer Post, Sources Used)

This is somewhat long, so if you don't want to take some time to read it, thanks for looking anyhow.

Almost 3k players have asked for a custom game search for Halo 3, and while this is not possible for ODST, it IS possible for Reach. (http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13328278)


I am not here to complain, whine, or scream "OMG, this -blam- is borked!!!!" I've put this together thoughtfully and intelligently, asking for something that is, in my opinion, quite attainable, and an appeasement for those of us who want an ability to play the maps and gametypes we want without forcing us to use Matchmaking.


How I think Bungie can help
Bungie has, on file, every game ever played in Halo 3. They have what gametype it was, who was in it, what they did in the game, they even have a map of where you were killed. They also have the ability to know where you are, what you are playing, and likely, the rules and stipulations of the game that you are playing. Third-party sites have been created but are lacking the access to Bungie's vast amount of information that you guy have and can receive in real-time.

- An in game search may be added to Reach. Code was written for Halo 3, but was phased out because Bungie thought it would dilute matchmaking (sources below).

- If Bungie still feels this is unnecessary, a search can be added through Bungie.net


This could happen in two ways...
ONE: Games being played can be posted on this site with the specific stipulations being used. To search, check boxes can be selected and unselected and the database can be queried, returning the results of games being played with those stipulations, or close to those stipulations.

TWO: A much more basic search can be created without people posting. Bungie, YOU KNOW what games are being played with your basic rule-set (slayer, CTF, VIP, Infection, etc). Allow players to search though these games according to game type and/or map, and get the names of people in the game. A friends request can be sent from Bungie.net or one can send a party invite through Xbox Live. The PARTY SYSTEM is truly a great way to make this happen.

[Edited on 06.24.2009 7:25 PM PDT]

  • 06.24.2009 7:19 PM PDT

What has been done to this point:
I posted this when Halo 2 came out asking for help, I posted a similar request when Halo 3 came out, and extremely little has been done.

- A third party search has been stickied, but it fails because it lacks the power of information that you have.
- Code was created for a custom search, but was discarded...
- The Forge was added to the game

Code and programing don't just disappear. Everything created for Halo: CE and Halo 2 was saved, and as evidence of that, Halo: CE and Halo 2 were ported and updated for the Xbox 360. You may not have the ability to put that code to work, but there is a demand for a custom search. The Forge was added to help players get a unique and different experience years after the release of the game. The Forge without a custom search is like a Ferrari without tires.

----------------------------------------------------


Bungie's Responses and Custom Search Activist Responses

"The reality is that it's not something that is getting changed or tweaked, so what exactly would the point of stickying it be? There's no searchable custom games because we want to keep the population in Matchmaking high so that the end user experience in matchmaking is as good as it can be, that success presupposes certain population levels. We appreciate your diligent feedback." -Lukems *10.01.2007*
Source - http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13198400&p %20ostRepeater1-p=21&postRepeater1-p=21

RESPONSE - It is understandable that this cannot be added to the game since it has already been released, and an update is not sufficient to make a dramatic change to the game, however, this can be created in Reach. Again, an online search through Bungie.net can be created. You want to keep matchmaking populated, with this statement, you recognize that a significant amount of players would not use matchmaking if a custom search is available, then and recognize how successful a search would be. Matchmaking would still popular if the search was added online, because many may not want to go through the bother, but a significant amount of us would use the online search.
-------------------

"Ultimately the decision was a design decision, we want players funneled into matchmaking and if they are playing socially with folks that they like, they can Press X to party up and from there go and play Customs. Diluting the population of matchmaking via a custom games browser is counterintuitive to Matchmaking. This is complicated even further by the vast array of map and gametype permutations that are created in the Forge and via Player Traits." -Lukems *11.08.2007*
Source: http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13328278&p %20ostRepeater1-p=47&postRepeater1-p=47

RESPONSE: Once again, this is a protection of Matchmaking, and an admission that a custom search would be popular and widely used.
--------------


"The main reason the custom games match making feature was not included because of the nearly infinite possibilities that are possible with the games settings and Forge features," Eberspecher told AMN. "For example, what if you only wanted to play a game of Slayer on Sand Trap that had all of the vehicles taken out in Forge, the players at 50% gravity, rockets only, with a 5 minute timer? You would be sitting in a game lobby all week while you waited for that variation to pop up."
Source: http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=11455

RESPONSE: While something that detailed would be impossible to find quickly, if someone is waiting in a game lobby for a week, good for him/her. Let them wait all week. If they're dedicated enough, let 'em wait. The Forge isn't nearly what it could be if there was a custom search. Further, Slayer on Sandtrap would be popular. A basic gametype on a basic map would be widely played and easily searched for.

--------------
While not sourced, this is often a response...
If you are reserved to customs you will not be a well rounded player.

RESPONSE: Some of us don't care about being well rounded. I, as of right now, just want to play basic slayer on Narrows with a good group of people. That's it, that's all. I don't plan on going to MLG tournaments, I don't care about my rank... I just want to enjoy the game and play what I want to play.
--------------------------------------------------------

This is something that has been asked for by many players since Halo 2. Make this happen in Reach!

[Edited on 06.24.2009 7:37 PM PDT]

  • 06.24.2009 7:26 PM PDT

Ugh...

First on a BWU.. yeah, I'm cool.

ODST;MYTHIC Screenshot winner! One of the first to get their hands on the mythic map pack.

The trend says no.

  • 06.24.2009 7:30 PM PDT

The original Lemon Head.

Halo 3 was supposed to be beat by COD 4, Gears One and Two; a multitude of other games. This has not happened definitively even two years after its release. Imagine Halo: Reach, on its first month of release? How about a year or two after? I don't think that there is anyway that Matchmaking will suffer from a CGS implement in Halo: Reach, despite the likelihood of Reach having Theater, Forge, Firefight, Custom Games and Matchmaking.

  • 06.24.2009 7:32 PM PDT

Ugh...

First on a BWU.. yeah, I'm cool.

ODST;MYTHIC Screenshot winner! One of the first to get their hands on the mythic map pack.

Why do you suppose "Custom Games" weren't added for Halo 2 or 3? It takes away from match making. Their are how many playlists in match making? Why can't this satisfy your thirst for halo?

Also, you can always invite friends for a custom game.

  • 06.24.2009 7:35 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Heroic Member

i posted wanting something similar a few days ago

but i didn't do what you did in finding out why it wasnt in the previous gsmes.

i thought of some ideas of how it would work though

  • 06.24.2009 7:43 PM PDT

The original Lemon Head.

Posted by: POKEY CLYDE
Why do you suppose "Custom Games" weren't added for Halo 2 or 3? It takes away from match making. Their are how many playlists in match making? Why can't this satisfy your thirst for halo?

Also, you can always invite friends for a custom game.


I must not understand your first question correctly, it is contradicting. Custom games is in Halo 2 and 3. You and I must have different values for your third question. Again, the ideal example, Sandtrap, 50% gravity, Rockets, and oh lets say that your friends are all offline because its two in the morning, but you can still play with people across the world with CGS. Finally, your last statement relies on a 'what if' situation.

  • 06.24.2009 7:43 PM PDT
  •  | 
  • Exalted Heroic Member

to say i want a search function as my friends are not always online when i wish to custom games u

  • 06.24.2009 7:50 PM PDT

Ugh...

First on a BWU.. yeah, I'm cool.

ODST;MYTHIC Screenshot winner! One of the first to get their hands on the mythic map pack.

When I said "Custom Games" I meant "Custom Game Finder".
Posted by: DAN393
Posted by: POKEY CLYDE
Why do you suppose "Custom Games" weren't added for Halo 2 or 3? It takes away from match making. Their are how many playlists in match making? Why can't this satisfy your thirst for halo?

Also, you can always invite friends for a custom game.


I must not understand your first question correctly, it is contradicting. Custom games is in Halo 2 and 3. You and I must have different values for your third question. Again, the ideal example, Sandtrap, 50% gravity, Rockets, and oh lets say that your friends are all offline because its two in the morning, but you can still play with people across the world with CGS. Finally, your last statement relies on a 'what if' situation.

  • 06.24.2009 8:34 PM PDT

A love for games and a love for writing.

German Shepherd Dog

Music by me

I Love You. ;)

  • 06.24.2009 9:10 PM PDT

Posted by: DAN393
Posted by: POKEY CLYDE
Why do you suppose "Custom Games" weren't added for Halo 2 or 3? It takes away from match making. Their are how many playlists in match making? Why can't this satisfy your thirst for halo?

Also, you can always invite friends for a custom game.


I must not understand your first question correctly, it is contradicting. Custom games is in Halo 2 and 3. You and I must have different values for your third question. Again, the ideal example, Sandtrap, 50% gravity, Rockets, and oh lets say that your friends are all offline because its two in the morning, but you can still play with people across the world with CGS. Finally, your last statement relies on a 'what if' situation.


I agree 100%. The thing that really burns me is that Bungie seems to KNOW that a Custom Search would be successful, and it's not used because it would take people away from their precious matchmaking system.

  • 06.25.2009 1:41 PM PDT