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  • Subject: Who else is depressed about Halo 4?
Subject: Who else is depressed about Halo 4?
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I've been depressed about the course of Halo for quite some time. My trust of 343 diminishes everyday. Simply because even though the campaign might turn out better than H3 and Reach, the emphasis is still on multiplayer.

These are my main issues:

1. While I'm glad that Limited Edition doesn't have game affecting stuff (making Grunt Funeral preorder was a terrible decision), it's sad that the maps make up $30 and that the $10 is mostly mp content and avatar gimmicks.

The 90 min special version film isn't worth it if it means I have to spend money for things that don't appeal to me. Hopefully, some kind sir will upload the thing to YouTube or record it or something.

The decision not to appeal to campaign players has left me devastated. This could have been my first time getting a Limited Edition.

But this is not the only reason for my apathy.

2. Even though CEA's mp was Reach, it felt more like a finished product than CEA's campaign, which only looks nice (on some levels).

I'm not going to go in-depth about my campaign disappointment (or I'd be covering things like skulls and tricks making this post even longer). This article should cover some of them for me. Installing to the hard drive didn't seem to improve the loading very much (only when I switch to classic graphics is there faster loading) and it didn't eliminate the loud noise the Xbox 360 makes...

3. It would seem Spartan Ops missions requires Gold. This doesn't alleviate my concerns and there's no way I'm going to get Gold just so I can play 1 game.

4. No Elites in mp (particularly in Custom Games and Forge). Playing as an Elite helped me to relate to campaign Elites and felt more fun than playing as a Spartan (particularly in Reach). I enjoyed Firefight Versus.

Things that may change my mind about H4:

-Chief able to push vehicles. One of the things that I actually liked about Reach was the infinite armor lock glitch. I could move freaking vehicles!! The only other time I felt this way was in CE, where I could move Scorpions and Pelicans by meleeing
-obedient friendly AI
-a decent pistol (like ODST's, only a bit stronger)
-Hunters that actually hunt
-options: create checkpoint, 2 sensitivities, hud control
-English speaking enemies (it's slightly more easier to anticipate them when I'm hearing their commands, though I'd rather see near sighted, deaf enemies like in CE)
-vehicles that don't just ram into walls but they bounce like in CE, Covie vehicles with better hover height, Banshee support in campaign (H3's Banshees were horrible in campaign), UNSC counterpart to the Banshee, vehicles that don't flip like they were origami paper, H2 Wraith
-CE Zealots

[Edited on 05.18.2012 8:06 AM PDT]

  • 05.18.2012 7:53 AM PDT

I have no worries as to what 343 are doing with the campaign, since it can't be worse than Reach anyway.

As for multiplayer, they're taking all the WRONG steps. Instead of marketing to their current audience of Halo fans, they're marketing to the CoD audience, something that has ruined countless franchises already.

343 isn't making Halo because they want to, they're doing it for money.
And that upsets me.

  • 05.18.2012 7:59 AM PDT

I feel the same, I'm really displeased about the visuals as well. The covenant look stupid and so does the chiefs armour. I'm very excited about the world itself, however. Looks very promising.
But I swear to god. If they show Chiefs face I will flame and scream and kick and tantrum like never before.
I hate game companies need to 'CoDernise' everything today, nothing's fresh.

  • 05.18.2012 8:27 AM PDT

Vinnie White

Remember the name.

ITT: People with no priorities getting depressed over a video game and not real world problems.

  • 05.18.2012 8:49 AM PDT


Posted by: bottle hygene
ITT: People with no priorities getting depressed over a video game and not real world problems.


We choose to spend our free time on here. It's a game forum, we talk about games here. I choose to talk about world issues in person, it would be out of place here and you could talk to a friend about on Facebook or something.

  • 05.18.2012 9:27 AM PDT


Posted by: Sliding Ghost


The probable reason why it feels like they are focusing on multiplayer this time 'round is because that is all they have talked about. It is a paradox, but this to me suggests a bigger focus on campaign and story than ever before (which they have said, btw). They do not want to spoil too much on the campaign, so they go for the multiplayer in terms of marketing. They appreciate the campaign, so they leave it alone.


Posted by: scmitar1
I have no worries as to what 343 are doing with the campaign, since it can't be worse than Reach anyway.

As for multiplayer, they're taking all the WRONG steps. Instead of marketing to their current audience of Halo fans, they're marketing to the CoD audience, something that has ruined countless franchises already.

343 isn't making Halo because they want to, they're doing it for money.
And that upsets me.


The irony here is that people give CoD way too much credit. Everything that has something that CoD had automatically means it is trying to be CoD. Innovation is taking an existing idea and making it your own. Nothing they have said or revealed implies they are simply copying CoD. There are ideas popularized by them in H4, but that means CoD owns the right to those ideas and every idea that resembles them?

H4's features instead are made its own. CoD's loadouts were not restricted by game-type, and CoD made no effort to balance its weapons. Nor did they offer several, completely unique loadouts to each map to prevent long time players from dominating newer ones. CoD's special ops had no plot, and much less a fully cinematic one with a whole new cast of characters. CoD's perks were more instrumental, not simple things like carrying an extra magazine or grenade.

Is 343i doing it for the money? You would be a fool to believe any company does not do it for the cash to at least some degree. To what degree is the question. Consider the times: Halo is a sinking boat. They need to revitalize it to keep it alive for the fans. How do they do that? By marketing it to the masses. You can't be so elitist as to believe that Halo should belong to only those who were there from the beginning, or only those who play a specific way. That's tantamount to saying "this is MINE! And NO ONE else's!" What makes Halo unique in the gaming world is its near infinite ways you can play. When was the last time you played hockey in CoD? Or skeeball? Or mario kart double dash with ATVs? Or Grifball?

All 343 Industries have done is add to the preexisting playstyles, they have not taken any away. Don't like those new features? Then just play with traditional rules, or even the classic playlist they are bound to have. You do not have to play with anything resembling another franchise anymore than you have to play hockey.

*omg they're so unoriginal, they totally ripped off NHL* You never hear anyone say that about Reach do you? Because it is a game, a game meant to have fun in. If you can't just relax and play the game for what it is then I wonder how you can get any real satisfaction out of life if you get that worked up because your favorite franchise innovated on ideas from a prime competitor. If that logic was consistent, then no franchise, ever, in history, can be fun for you. You know that Halo invariably ripped off Quake in its pacing and arena shooter style? Why do you not trash Bungie for doing that? Nor do you trash them from taking the concept of the Ringworld from Larry Niven, or the space marines from James Cameron. The design of the Pelican is about as close to a copy paste as you can get, from the dropship in Aliens. No one complains there. Why? Because Bungie took the ideas from other great franchise's and made it there own.

So do tell me, why is the same courtesy not extended to 343i? Why are they not given the same leniancy that Bungie was given? Because as it stands, it sure looks from here that it has nothing to do with actual quality, and more everything to do with company loyalty, a simile for "nostalgia" and "hero worship."

Now, be honest, to not just the person I quoted, but to all, be honest with yourself this time: is that true?

  • 05.18.2012 1:20 PM PDT


Posted by: ROBERTO jh
So do tell me, why is the same courtesy not extended to 343i? Why are they not given the same leniancy that Bungie was given? Because as it stands, it sure looks from here that it has nothing to do with actual quality, and more everything to do with company loyalty, a simile for "nostalgia" and "hero worship."

Now, be honest, to not just the person I quoted, but to all, be honest with yourself this time: is that true?
No, because I am actually willing to give 343i a chance. I am a Halo fan, not a Bungie fanboy. Bungie is a great company, but just because Halo isn't being made by them doesn't mean its not Halo.

People need to chill out and take games for what they are, games.

  • 05.18.2012 1:46 PM PDT


Posted by: Spartan1995324

Posted by: ROBERTO jh
So do tell me, why is the same courtesy not extended to 343i? Why are they not given the same leniancy that Bungie was given? Because as it stands, it sure looks from here that it has nothing to do with actual quality, and more everything to do with company loyalty, a simile for "nostalgia" and "hero worship."

Now, be honest, to not just the person I quoted, but to all, be honest with yourself this time: is that true?
No, because I am actually willing to give 343i a chance. I am a Halo fan, not a Bungie fanboy. Bungie is a great company, but just because Halo isn't being made by them doesn't mean its not Halo.

People need to chill out and take games for what they are, games.


Agreed; was directing it at those who don't give chances. I appreciate that some people have patience on here.

  • 05.18.2012 2:24 PM PDT
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Posted by: bottle hygene
ITT: People with no priorities getting depressed over a video game and not real world problems.

I gave up over those issues a long time ago.

What can my small contribution do to change things? A drastic change comes from finding the source of the problem... in the end, it's poor vs. rich (not in the millionaire sense). Some people get jobs easily. Some people have difficult jobs. What's my point? People are too busy.

That's why I come on here, to take time off, to chill.

Some time later when I'm actually able to do more than just donating or researching, that's when I'll be doing better contributions.

Posted by: ROBERTO jh

Posted by: Sliding Ghost


The probable reason why it feels like they are focusing on multiplayer this time 'round is because that is all they have talked about. It is a paradox, but this to me suggests a bigger focus on campaign and story than ever before (which they have said, btw). They do not want to spoil too much on the campaign, so they go for the multiplayer in terms of marketing. They appreciate the campaign, so they leave it alone.
Well, that quelled some of my fears. Thanks.

[Edited on 05.18.2012 4:57 PM PDT]

  • 05.18.2012 4:52 PM PDT

Join Halo Haven for all things related to Halo 4


Tell her that If you jingle my bells, Ill promise you a white Christmas - Call Me Venom
The world can't end next month. My yogurt expires in 2013 - Princess Cadence
If Apple invented a car, would it have windows? - Xxembers

hate to be a buzz kill but this is more about game mechanics than story elements :/

  • 05.18.2012 8:47 PM PDT


Posted by: A 3 Legged Goat
hate to be a buzz kill but this is more about game mechanics than story elements :/
When was the last time game mechanics defined the story of Halo?

The story of Halo on the other hand has defined multiplayer. For example, we have Covenant weapons because the story of Halo includes the Covenant and their weaponry. In Reach, as soon as the Spartan IIIs were introduced into the games, Spartan III became the player model. Same deal with Spartan IVs in Halo 4.

Multiplayer is generally influenced by the changes in the single player universe.

I think that people need to stop saying "Halo is Halo because the game doesn't play like Halo 3." Story defines what Halo is, not gameplay.

Without a story, Halo would be another sci-fi shooter with a few cool guns. No meaning, no background, nothing.

[Edited on 05.18.2012 9:11 PM PDT]

  • 05.18.2012 9:10 PM PDT

-HisRoyalFreshness

I completely agree. Halo 4 looks like its deviating from the formula that made the previous Halos a success.

More excited for the next Bungie game, and it's not even formally announced.

  • 05.18.2012 9:30 PM PDT