Ever since Reach created loadouts in Halo, it seems like the only weapon anyone uses is the DMR (or in some cases the BR). I'm not so sure this is completely due to personal preference to the weapon, and rather because players have no choice but to use precision weapons while other players are using precision weapons. Otherwise they risk being constantly outmatched at mid-long range battles and getting kills stolen regularly by teammates (or enemies in FFA) who are using precision weapons. I personally have made it my mission to keep the AR as my main weapon, as I find it more of a challenge to use in multiplayer, and at level 43 and 250 games played, I'm happy to say that it's still my 'Favorite Weapon'. But I can't be the only person who finds it incredibly frustrating to be somewhat "forced" to use precision weapons in practically every playlist. A "Infinity Slayer AR" playlist could be made for like a month as a test to see if anyone would actually play it and go from there.
It could either be set up with all players starting with the same AR loadout, or just having a loadout for the main AAs (Pro vision, Invis, Jetpack, Regen, Decoy). From there it could either be like Halo 3, where the BR and/or DMR has one or two spawns around the map along with all the other normal weapons. Or it could be like Slayer Pro where the AR is the only weapon allowed and all the others (except the Magnum and/or the Plasma Pistol) would be locked. I personally think a SWAT AR gametype would be interesting, kind of with a tactical shooter feel where firing in bursts and keeping near cover are important.
What do you all think? Should the AR get more attention from 343 or am I in the sad minority here? Sorry for the poor writing but I'm kind of just trying to push this out before work.
Another suggestion I have, and I'm not a game programmer so I'm not sure how easy it would be to put this in a patch, would be to make the AR capable of headshots, or increasing the damage rounds make when they hit the head. It's extremely frustrating getting people's shields down with the bullets and just getting the kill stolen by someone using a weapon that can get headshots. It's not like it wouldn't be a challenge. You'd actually have to aim instead of just spraying like most people do with the AR.