Playlists and Map Weightings

[RedStarRocket91]

Everyone has their favourite maps: everyone has their favourite gametypes. Most people enjoy a round of Slayer on Countdown, or Slayer DMRs on Boardwalk. When finding a match in the 'Team Slayer' playlist, for example, it's common to be offered Sword Base, Asylum or Uncaged. Likewise, players are regularly given the choice of SWAT on Countdown, One Bomb Assault on Hemorrhage, and Oddball on Treasury.

 

For some players however, this isn't much fun. What happens when you really want to play Elite Slayer on Synapse? What if you want to play Snipers Pro on Boneyard?

 

And for some players it's even worse. What if you really don't like Uncaged? What if just the thought of Slayer DMRs makes you want to turn off your Xbox, or you love the 'Invasion' playlist for the Invasion Slayer and the Invasion Skirmish?

 

What, in short, if the game types and maps you love never even seem to be offered, and you're stuck playing those that you aren't particularly interested in or even outright hate because they, too often, are all that is offered?

 

Now, it's a well-known fact that every now and then, the playlists are updated to make certain game types and maps more or less common: this is why, one year from release, we don't see nearly as many games of Slayer Pro as we used to, and why maps like Powerhouse and Zealot don't appear for selection nearly as much as those like Sword Base and Reflection. So, my question to you is this:

 

If you were in charge of map/gametype weighting in each playlist (i.e. how likely they are to appear in a round of voting) what would you change? Do you feel 'Team Slayer' needs more Elites and Pro matches? Do you feel there aren't enough maps in 'Invasion'? Are you just sick of playing on the same maps over and over and want to change things around or sheer variety? Are there any maps or gametypes which you think should be much less common?

[Twinreaper]

I think an easy way to compensate for this, would be the addition of allowing each player to select a "Custom" box instead of the simple "Veto" one we are given. then lets say, the server gives you roughly 5 minutes to discuss with everyone what map type and shiz should be played. If possible, they should have a drop box or secondary menu with checkboxes. And have each player check off what they are looking for.

 

Or if that is too complicated, you could simply have a checkbox of sorts for a custom playlist, where you tell the server what you are looking for, and the server matches people up and displays a list of variants and maps for voting close to or exact to what you want to ply.

[Kurt S-501]

 

Or if that is too complicated, you could simply have a checkbox of sorts for a custom playlist, where you tell the server what you are looking for, and the server matches people up and displays a list of variants and maps for voting close to or exact to what you want to ply.

I think that's a great idea. It could totally work, and would make the experience more enjoyable.

[RedStarRocket91]

That's inspired! Replacing playlists altogether with options to choose favourite maps and games would be much better than just changing playlist weightings, which frustrate people either way.

 

I really hope this is brought in for Halo 4!