- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Posted by: SatanInASweater
Halo 2 is disliked for several reasons. Anyway, what's the difference between imbalanced gameplay and unfair gameplay?
Balance - equality of distribution (is that not a good enough definition?)
When weapons/vehicles or oppurtunities for weapons/vehicles are equally distributed, then the map is balanced.
Fair - when all parties involved in any matter are favored the same. (broad definition from many dictionaries)
When people have an equal playing ground at any given time in the game, whether weapons or vehicles, then the game is fair.
Example:
I'll use coagulation as the example since it has vehicles, many weapons, and is symmetrical (somewhat). Normal Settings, Team slayer, assume both teams spawn at their own base.
Both teams spawn at their respective bases with an SMG, Balance.
Both teams have a warthog, ghost, banshee, and maybe a tank at their base, Balance.
Both teams have a BR, Sniper rifle, Plasma Rifle, Magnum and teleporter, Balance.
Both teams have a BR, Needler and Brute Shot near equal distance apart further down the map, Balance.
These four things I have stated are the basic balances to the map. In other maps such as Zanzibar, the balance of weapons and vehicles may be tipped toward one side because of a larger defense area, more power weapons on one side, etc. These other factors along side the weapons create a balance for the entire map.
The fair factor comes in when you try to even the playing field throughout the course of matches. Lets go back to Halo 1 and use the Pistol. People loved it because it was a "balancing factor," when in fact it created no overwhelming favor to any side with the power weapons, which according to the definition, is Fair.
When people have an SMG and they are being spawn-raped by a BR or a Sniper, its not a lack of balance, its a lack of fairness.
What MLG does with its gametypes doesnt balance the game more, it makes it fair fair so that everyone has a chance at using their weapon skill (primarily) to kill opponents. The BR start makes it so that Power weapons are a lot less controllable, No Duals weapon settings create absence of the cheap Combo, no radar creates the absence of camping with power weapons for long periods of time, and the maps used by the league are picked for the best possible fairness (dont believe me? why isnt Relic or Ascension an MLG map?).
The bottom line is, there is a huge difference between balance and fairness and people seem to mix the two up.
Note: My posts have not been in the name of Flaming, they are just to help people realize what the differences are. I respect MLG and every other competitive gaming league and am not biased toward either game in their own respects.