- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
First off... Halo 3 for PC is a LONGGGG way off, Halo 2 has just recently made it's debut appearance that it will become available via Windows Vista, Hell, even Halo 3 is a little ways off.
Secondly, There are ranked and unranked gametypes in the match making playlists over XBox LIVE. If you don't want to play a ranked game where there may be cheaters, play the unranked... If you want to play a gametype where you can't play it in unranked, play it in the ranked games, and if someone happens to cheats, just quit, it's JUST that simple. Rank doesn't matter right?
Thirdly, you go on about how ranks are so unimportant, so, if your claim is true for yourself, you should have absolutely NO problem backing out of games because of unfair/dishonest gameplay; oh, and all those other crappy situations such as betraying, etc, etc. If the end result of the game means you will lose no matter what, you have every right to quit, and it is logical to do so. There's no bungie handbook that says when someone quits because they're upset that they should be penalized, that's stupid, REALLY stupid, and I can't stress that enough.
Being temporarily banned for killing someone so many times? Er, I will agree, this sounds logical, but you'd be surprised how many times I've been betrayed in a game on accident where my team still won. You've also got to take into consideration that there are bugs that cause you to "suicide" and "betray" someone when you don't mean to, the freak glitches if you will, which is most likely the reason bungie did not implement this already.
In the end, dedicated servers would just be stupid, plain and simple. Halo 2 is one of thee most unique online multiplayer games with it's party system as it is, and bungie has done a fantastic job. Changing it would only take apart what they've built upon the first two games.
LASTLY, the biggest solution to cheaters... Play some game on XBox LIVE, send some friend invites, and makes some parties. It's not hard to do, and it will save you from all the betrayals, suiciders, cheaters, etc; from coming on your team. Add a bunch of people on your list that play your gametypes, and send some invites, that's the best thing you can do to avoid cheating.
Enjoy the game for what it is, and quit trying to change what it is.... Everyone points out the imperfections, but people don't realize that Halo 2 really is a great game. Every game has its flaws, but c'mon? Give bungie a break.
[Edited on 6/29/2006]