- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: Achronos
Sigh. While it is true I do get tired dealing with people like you who think that they know everything, thankfully most people around here are much more understanding.
Anyway, you seem to have completely missed the point. Matchmaking's purpose IS to match gamers up with people of similar skill, but quickly. This means less time in menus and more time actually playing the game. I was using it as an example of something in Halo 2 that nobody "requested" but after implemented, found it was a good solution to a problem with the status quo that nobody had ever solved in that way. Apparently, you latched on to the idea that playlists are our way of telling you how to play the game... which isn't the case at all. If it were, Custom Games wouldn't exist. Like so many others, you're complaining about a fault in the party system (it is hard to find other players to fill your party's empty slots) rather than the matchmaking system. Of course, we weren't talking about that particular issue, so I'm wondering what relevance it had to the actual conversation. Or are you just one of those people who talks at other people, rather than participating in the conversation? Ironic that you accused me of the same thing... at least I was on topic.
Regarding your other statements... well, I'm not sure what to say. I don't recall working on a game for children. I recall working on two M rated games that by all measures are successful. I'm sorry you think I'm preachy. Usually the only people who ever make silly claims like that are ones who either don't like what they're hearing (usually people who are getting banned) or people who can't discuss things on topic without making things personal. It is possible to disagree with what I've said without trying to insult someone. You should try it - maybe you should try to post again, and explain your position. Then we can engage in a real debate of ideas, and hopefully come off better for it. Or, you can post more drivel, and waste everyone's time some more. But that would probably irritate everyone else who enjoys having a good debate of design ideas. I think we just have a different perspective on the game. It is unfortunate that you use this forum (that the designers of the game read!) to be close minded instead of trying to get your throughts heard.
Here, I'll try and restart the discussion, to make things easier. I do believe most people don't know what they want. This isn't about playlists (focusing on that is simple-minded and not what I mean, pay attention now) - once you're presented with a list of features (say, all the customizations possible in a game of Halo 2), most people are easily capable of knowing what they want. I'm referring to the possibilities of what people want for Halo 3 - while some people are trying to think of new things they want in terms of gameplay, far more people just want "it to be like Halo 1", or "be like Halo 2", but with more maps and guns and better graphics. This becomes especially true the more popular something is - witness the calls we still get for a remake of Halo 1 that has Xbox Live capability. We think it is a good idea as a studio to include some stuff people expect, but that a sequel should tread off the beaten path and change up the status quo. Hence... matchmaking, destructible vehicles, etc. in Halo 2. They changed a lot about the way the game played. But we figure if we make then new game fun, then people have a reason to get the game versus playing its previous incarnation. It would have been easier in Halo 2 to simply make a new campaign, up the graphics a bit, and add a basic Xbox Live implementation. But I doubt the game would have been as popular, or as fun.
Anyway, this post is already too long. But maybe that will spur some relevant discussion. OksanaBayul, I'm sure you have some insightful comments to make, just stop trying to make it personal - this is supposed to be a discussion forum, not a place to insult people just because they have a different perspective on things.
Posted by: OksanaBayul
That's odd. I thought Matchmaking came about to match gamers up with other gamers of equivalent skill level. Now it also exists because people don't know what they want, and you are gracious enough to spoonfeed it to us. I see. I find your attitude egotistical and patronizing. It's always been your problem Tom. Take a page out of NoF's book. He listens. He converses. You preach. You talk at us, not with us. And you presume too much because you're probably burning out. And I don't blame you, you deal with children all day, because you designed a game for children. How ironic.
Kids don't know what they want most of the time, so you are correct with regard to children. Why? Because most experiences are new to them. Kids don't really know themselves...they are in the process of getting to know themselves. But kids aren't supposed to be playing your game. It's quite violent.
You presume too much about people knowing what they like. I've been walking around this planet long enough to know what I like and dislike. But thanks for your generalized opinion. It was fascinating.
I disagree. Matchmaking in H2 is a joke. It doesn't match you up with similar skilled people.
The game give you too much help to even put in matchmaking. Do you think it is good when I can shoot you to the side of the head when the retical is not even near you and still get a head shot? All you have to do in this game is just look in the general direction and hit B or R and it still gives you a head shot or a shot registration or melee for you. Do you think thats fun. Where is the challenge of do it yourself. This game doesn't seperate the beginners from the better players. Once you hit lvl 28 the line blurrs. Im sorry I mean 25. Yet you still call that matchmaking? Do you think getting matched up with people 10 lvls below you is fun? Its boring! Also is it skill when you play in internet time? Do you call it fun when im arournd the corner on my screen and still die or get hit from a pp bolt because the other person still sees me in the open?
Posted be me above
we have to send our info across the coutry to the host before it goes to the persons box so that causes it to lag and shots not register. We have to send our info to the middle man instead of skip the middle man so the info goesn't go from point A to C but with H2 it has to go from point A to point B than to point C.
Skill=Fun because you are being paired up with people who think as fast as you on you and that is fun and a challenge.Why because its in human nature to be the best and be better at what we do. When you create a game that realies on skill the fun follows and the payoff comes later. It's just a formula that goes hand in hand. Not only that but also that game will still sell 10 or more years later. Dont believe me look at Starcraft, Warcraft, Counter Strike and those few others. Blizzard, Valve and those few others. set up a formula in there games that is going to make more people play it more in the comming years. Look at Starcraft. Korea and Asia have TV stations dedicated to it and it is becoming more and more popular over here in the USA and Europe. Those games that I mentiond above are still being played by the thousands and growing and are still use in the WCG and others after 10 years! Why because the developer saw the long term and not the $ sign and its still paying off. The same formula worked with H1 but the reason its not played as much is cause there is no online play. I believe it is called the boomerang formula.
So if you want to say that im wrong please say it. I gave my reason as to why H2s matchmaking doesn't work and a reason why skill equalls fun. So now please enlighten me O holy one.