Absolute Dog

I have read that there is part of the forum population that want the armor abilities in Halo 4. There are others that either do not mind them, will deal with them or want them changed. The last group seems dead set against the idea. Reach was a game unto itself. It followed the exploits of Noble Team and was a predecessor of the series. The following campaigns and multiplayer took place later on in the story line, even though we played them first. The question is this: Why include armor abilities in a new game that would chronologically follow Halo 3. Is it just because you have already played with them and feel that because they have been used we can not go back? Do you feel like they have to be part of the series from here on out? Explain your ideas and thoughts. If you state they "Are in for a fact.", give us some proof.

What makes you so certain it has AA's? You know something none of us do? Please. Share.

That could be achieved in the option of the "skin", as in the wood, stone, metal or natural option. Not bad.

I forget the name, but go to the part where you exit the cave in a Scorpion and acquire a sniper and pop heads from a mile away! Man I love that part.

I thing you might have something here. I don't play infection, maybe 10 to 20 games my whole life, but the Flood is the ultimate infection. Not bad. You should start a thread on this and see where it goes.

Yeah, I forgot about the Reach music. It never seemed like the "Golden Oldies", lol!

There is one thing I missed mentioning. There is a bad affect that occurs when multiple items and intersected. It gives off a visual lag and sometimes an actual movement lag. Some people, including me, are affected by this in our eyes and make playing in forge world for an extended period hard and can cause headaches. This should be addressed if at all possible.

I am open to any system here, even a new one. It is one part of the game I never really had a problem with. I heard more complaints, I believe, with the Reach system, but that may have been more about maps and load outs and character played, ie. Elites. I could live with any of them or just about any combination.

I wrote a piece under the Halo 4 forum "Since we have time" and was remembering similar feelings. I admit I did not start on Legendary, I had already played some customs with my nephews and had my "you know what" handed to me. I really liked that once you got used to the campaign you did feel invincible and that only poor judgement or planning cost you your life. That campaign play, which I must have played through at least 15 to 20 times, is what really game me the skills to play heads up against others.

That reminds me of one of the Clancy games. I would prefer just to have a smarter AI for fellow fighters. When they gun, shot at the higher value targets. When they drive, do it in a way that gives you something to shot at and do not stop dead in front of the enemy.

Agreed John, my bad. Just did not like be blasted.

I am much more interested in the actual game as it relates to the trilogy before it. I never liked playing as an Elite, even in H3. To me the game was, and is, about the Spartans and their fight with the Covenant. Yes I know the story line, and if they do include the option of other playable Covenant it will not ruin the game for me, but not the Flood. They were the common enemy. With that said, I just want a game that will not be some major departure from the series, something that will continue with what was given us in the past.

Nope, uh uhhh, not me, no way, absolutely not, and.......no.

I have to admit, I read this under your original post Decree and I have to smile, out of empathy with you.

Valentine you have no clue what you are talking about, not one thing you said is true, period. I don't play Black OPs and I have never called people who use AA's noobs or loosers. I actually have a good k/d ratio in Reach and deal with them when I play. You have grouped everyone who does not care for the AA's in a Halo game based on one simple thought. You have just posted your ignorance. Simple as that!

I agree with your post in spirit. Where I differ is the attitude. I do not want another version of Reach either, but if you take the time to read through the forums, completely, you will see a lot of people who feel like you. I am not about to put someone down for an idea no matter how ridiculous or childish it may seem to me, they get a voice. I do not believe the forum here or the one at Bungie ever ruined a game, period. The people who develop these games know what they are doing. Some come here or there to vent, let them. Some come here to offer unique ideas that may not have been considered by developers and what gets talked about here may help give direction to what we may or may not respond well to. Only they truly know what emphasis they put into what we say or suggest. We all are aware of what happened with Reach, like the game or not, it did not hold the numbers that it's predecessors had over an extended period. Those who truly loved it, for whatever reason, are allowed to give it props. A few of the friends I have really like it. They were never able to compete in previous ranked play of existing Halo's, but feel they are accomplishing something with the Reach rank system and spend all of there time in competitive. They have found pleasure in the game and when those who like Reach so much post it is fine with me. Take some time to consider this before you attack others in the forums.

I do not know what is going on with the betray system in Halo 3 but it is wrong. I drew a mic less player that continually would hit me from behind then jump off the map on Blackout. I got booted for it by him. What a joke, absolute joke.

This topic has be edited and a new voting system has been added for a line item vote. If you have previously vote you can delete your vote and recast it under the new categories. In the beginning of Halo play online all the way through Halo 3 there was a recognizable rank. Even though it seemed to be based on the Marine scale, which is perfectly fine with me, it represented a real rank that we see in our military, not some fictional emblem that had to keep being crated and had no end in site. You also earned you rank though successful game play in the "ranked" category and had a separate "social" rank. Your armor was unlocked by achieving rank plateaus' and by completing various campaign related goals. A firefight type could be added as well. Here is what I suggest: 1) The use of the Marine ranking was fine, just make it harder to achieve higher and higher ranks in "ranked" play. This isn't t-ball where everybody wins and gets a cookie! Let there be a social rank separate from that of ranked play. Each displayed depending on which Match making category you were in, like H3. Also, bring back the global 1 - 50 ranking system and overall rank. 2) Having "unlockable" armors for specific skill accomplishments, such as a sniper variant for a "Head Shot Honcho" achievement say...times ten, would be a great chase for an armor. Assassinations expert armor for a repeated 10 times assassination in 10 games and so on. Armors achieved by rank, special feats and finishing in higher skill level in campaign have and would always add more sense of accomplishment. 3) Once a player achieves the highest possible rank give another incentive such as special armors or military style awards such as a Silver Star or Medal of Honor that could be see in miniature next to the gamer tag or actual rank. These would be extremely hard to unlock and available to only the best players, give them there due. 4) Once a player has maxed out completely let him gain the option of commanding his own willing unit of players, much like a clan, in matches that pit one unit against another for in house tournaments. The "commander" would be responsible for the training and strategy of his unit and new recruits. A clan emblem would be made available to current clan members which they would lose upon leaving or being voted out. Bring back clan matches! 5) Have achievements in game that are temporary such as having a sword become "flaming" if you get a "sword spree" or "slice and dice" and let it then leave the dead body burning after a kill, like the flame thrower did in H3. Achieve 5 assassinations and and get a flaming body, helmet, or invisibility for a short period. In reference to the "clan" part, these are just ideas being offered that can possibly create new experiences, more community, and an overall sense of accomplishment not only for the eventual leaders, but the individuals. Remembering that no one will want to be lead by some egotistical jerk which means no one will want to be on his team. Feel free to add rational thoughts and constructive criticisms. Additional thoughts: I'm willing to let 343 Ind. deal with the specifics of the actual skill to advance rank method, but always liked the H2 and H3 system much better than the flacid Reach system that resembles the afore mentioned "T-Ball" type where every one wins and gets a cookie. We are adults, most of us, and we understand the reward for winning is, and should be, much greater than for losing. The "loser" get the lesson of defeat and should learn from it. Just my take on it. Add additional thought that you have.

I would love to see improvements in forge and the incorporation of maps into the play lists. I do not want to see them become a DLC because of the obvious reasons. One being the producer of the game will make money on a map they did not create or pay for. Two, I feel the maps from the community should possibly have a playlist, say once a month and on a weekend, were player can go into matchmaking on them and vote on the map after a certain number of game have been played on it. Maybe it would be possible in this playlist to force single players into matchmaking there by making it easier for the system to place the players on the maps needed to vote. Once you have earned the status of voting on all maps you are released into group matchmaking status that allow groups to play together and select from a set number of maps. After it is determined by the those in charge of the game which maps are viable, voting weighing a notable part, drop them into a community forge playlist. As the votes for the maps continue by the community playing them, they could be incorporate into the regular play lists. It would help to ensure play ability of the maps and bring new maps into regular multiplay on a sustained basis. Third, the addition of wreckage and/or "inert" ships and vehicles that would give more texture and color to an environment would be a very nice touch. It may be possible as the game is being developed certain items from the campaign or multiplayer maps could be rendered for forge while they are in creation. Lastly, if does continue in Halo 4, it would be nice to be able to have a color pallet for the forge items, were applicable, and even the ability to make the shapes have a stone, wood, metal or natural finish. There are geometric shapes that can be added to give more range to the structure, maybe themselves having thickness and/or dimensional properties that are adjustable. The same could be applied to elements such as trees, waterfalls, and possibly a localized fog or steam. I realize that items that show movement are much trickier to implement, but who knows what is possible on a limited scale. Not much really needs to be added to forge to improve it. Since forge has become so widely used and incorporated into the game, I would be willing to pay extra for a "Special Edition" of the game that brought us more flexibility in forge world. If there is an effort to keep forge in mind while items and pieces of the game is being created, it may be there that more can be given to our beloved forge world. Giving us more may ultimately increase the life span of Halo 4 and keep the play lists fresh with new maps, which is always a plus. One additional thought. Possibly offer different environmental platforms such as an urban, jungle, mountainous, and areas similar to the actual campaign part of the game environment to build off of.

Sorry, wrong forum for this. Removed.

I'd date her, just saying!

Have gone back into the closet, dug up my old XBOX and loaded CE, H2, and played a little to get that "old feeling". Then played some H3. This is what really brought back the memories and the feeling I used to get from the beginning and all the way through. On all the games, the intro into the games were so warm with that Halo music. The graphics of the Halo symbols and the drop into the familiar menu. (Thank God the loads have gotten faster) It was the iconic Halo ring symbol that really pulled me in. It would be nice to have a similar experience with the loading of H4. The menus were straight forward and easy to navigate. Ranked play here, social play there, and special play over there. There were comparative lists between social and ranked giving you a chance to try the game variant in a more relaxed social setting, then move into ranked play when you felt you were ready to take off the training wheels. It gave the casual as well as the hyper competitive their areas to play and enjoy. The maps were mostly balanced and had so much atmosphere in them. They reflected parts of the campaign, but had there own qualities. Almost every single map was so fun to play on and the variety and style of the maps were perfect. Though there were places to camp, it seemed like it was covering a strategic area then camping a choke point with a shot gun and invisibility. When you moved through the game you felt powerful, you could jump so high and endure very high drops to the ground, almost like you had little mini thrusters on you feet to dampen the impact. The weapons, man could you feel the difference from game to game, had continuity to them. Elites were not these towering figures. (Yes I know the actual story line) The feeling the maps gave you were so different from what I feel in Reach, plus you never got thrust into the dull, gray world of forge to play game on maps that sometimes hurt you eyes from all the multiple pieces being placed so tight together and creating visual glitch. Duel wielding the small arm weapons reminded me of how it balanced out better against players who were crack shots with the BR and sniper. Grenade did not feel like the mini-nukes they have become. The Brute Shot would bounce and careen around. (Except for H3) The sniper had auto reload, not a distinct pause. These were a mix of weapons from the future and reliable ones, trued and tested in combat. There can be so many ways Halo 4 could capture these nuances and still be a modern, enjoyable game. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, just give the progression of weaponry, ability and environment that will feel seamless with the trilogy of HCE-H2-H3. Plus, did I mention the music was so soothing and memorable that I can remember leaving the XBOX on and listening to it as I fell asleep. The load screens still pumped me up with their simple but memorable graphics. I hope the developers, artists and designers frequently go back and play the campaigns and maps regularly for some inspiration. To be fair, there could be some inspiration found in the community forge maps as well. Forge not withstanding, some of them were structurally very cool and playable. We all want something that brings back the old feelings and still is new to us, something new to figure out, improve our skill on a new weapon or two. There is only so much a game can offer and the standard is pretty high. Get to it 343 Ind., give us something we can, most of us, believe in, play and enjoy for years to come. Post your most memorable moments from previous games.