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[CatLady]

Can’t see where the ‘incompetence’ you cite is. They’ve made a solid game, and they’re just pivoting to provide post launch content, albeit slower than many would like.

Attacking him isn’t going to erase Infinite’s Metacritic score and 19 GOTY awards

Actually, according to the GotY tracker Infinite got a total of 29 GotY awards plus NeoGAF Game of the Year. It got 26 regular GotY awards and MP alone got 3 GotY awards.

Source:
https://www.gameawards.net/

 

[clarky]

I think once they get into their stride, we should see content come out at a steady clip.

For season one, they had to deal with burnout from a year of crunch, significant launch bugs and modification to the much criticized progression system.

Hopefully this is the case. Fingers crossed for a 12-16 week season with a content drop half way. Once forge comes if its as good as they claim then all of this is irrelevant.

 

[clarky]

Where did I say they were purchased? I said they were trying to purchase them. Reading and comprehension .

i never said that. I asked how do you know they are trying to purchase them? one liked tweet and a bunch of chatter on message board? Chill out, id just like to know if you pulled it out of your ass or you know something I dont. Again got a link?

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Every single successful game around today has great gameplay, period.

I guess we have to define what gameplay is. I'm pushing back on the following statement that gets said a lot...

"Halo Infinite multiplayer has solid/great gameplay, it just doesn't have enough content."

To which I think "Well it plays like a pretty standard modern shooter. It might look a bit better than most but running around, shooting, and getting into vehicles feels pretty good I guess."

But every modern AA and AAA game feels pretty good to me. Heck, most modern indie games feel good.

Roblox, DayZ, Rust, Ark, Human Fall Flat are all examples of games that don't feel particularly good to play but they get the important stuff down and they're successful for doing so.

Long story short: I'm hesitant to compliment 343 on anything regarding Infinites multiplayer. It's a very unimpressive package that more maps and more arena style modes isn't going to save. Hopefully Certain Infinity knows that and they actually fix the games biggest flaws.

 

[Ozriel]

I guess we have to define what gameplay is. I'm pushing back on the following statement that gets said a lot...

"Halo Infinite multiplayer has solid/great gameplay, it just doesn't have enough content."

To which I think "Well it plays like a pretty standard modern shooter. It might look a bit better than most but running around, shooting, and getting into vehicles feels pretty good I guess."

It plays much better than Vanguard and 2042. Two modern AAA shooters launched around the same window.

Not all gameplay hits at the same level.

Anyway, this is a moot point. By far the biggest complaints around Halo infinite is about content, progression and microtransactions. All are being improved. It’s more likely than not that this - in addition to more popular modes - gives the mature product a boost in popularity.

Not sure what there is to argue about.

 

[ResilientBanana]

I felt the campaign was half baked to be honest. Like there was a much bigger more ambitious game planned but it was never realised. Enjoyed it mind but certainly not the campaign I was hoping for.

Hopefully they expand on it.

Spoiler: STORY SPOILER

In that campaign they covered a lot of ground

• Cortana Detroyed Brute homeworld
• Cortana scattered the UNSC
• The Original Cortana arc was put to rest
• The Weapon named herself Cortana
• Trust was put to the test between Chief and The Weapon
• Failure was another story beat
• Atriox destroyed the infinity
• Escharum and Atriox dismantled the UNSC
• Atriox is alive
• The Endless were let loose
• The Flood is most likely looming from HW2
• Where are Lasky, Halsey, the Arbiter, Sarah Palmer, Locke, Buck, Blue Team and various other major characters?

In essence there was a lot going on in and out of the cutscenes. I enjoyed what was there and it set up the expansions or sequels very well. I'm hoping that with Staten at the helm at the beginning of the development of the next games or expansions in the series, quality control will be huge. we shall see.

 

[CatLady]

Hopefully they expand on it.

Spoiler: STORY SPOILER

In that campaign they covered a lot of ground

• Cortana Detroyed Brute homeworld
• Cortana scattered the UNSC
• The Original Cortana arc was put to rest
• The Weapon named herself Cortana
• Trust was put to the test between Chief and The Weapon
• Failure was another story beat
• Atriox destroyed the infinity
• Escharum and Atriox dismantled the UNSC
• Atriox is alive
• The Endless were let loose
• The Flood is most likely looming from HW2
• Where are Lasky, Halsey, the Arbiter, Sarah Palmer, Locke, Buck, Blue Team and various other major characters?

In essence there was a lot going on in and out of the cutscenes. I enjoyed what was there and it set up the expansions or sequels very well. I'm hoping that with Staten at the helm at the beginning of the development of the next games or expansions in the series, quality control will be huge. we shall see.

Everything behind your spoiler tags are some of the major reasons I love the campaign so much. Those and the awesome game/gun play, open world exploration and the awesome grunts. Staten did such a great job on the grunts I almost hate to kill them until one of the little bastards blows me up.

The only problem with the campaign for me is I loved it so much I'm jonesing for more.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

It plays much better than Vanguard and 2042. Two modern AAA shooters launched around the same window.

I'd argue it doesn't. I don't think 99 percent of the audiences would even understand what you mean by "playing better".

Then I'd argue that Halo Infinite plays significantly better than Rust, DayZ, Ark, Roblox, and Minecraft to further bolster the point that no one cares about game feel anymore (all those games are waaaay more popular than Halo now). It's a quirky discussion on places like NeoGAF but real gamers don't even think about that stuff. It's completely unimportant in terms of how the market reacts to a game.

Anyway, this is a moot point. By far the biggest complaints around Halo infinite is about content, progression and microtransactions.

Will Certain Infinity listen to the complaints or will they fix the games biggest issues? They're not the same thing.

 

[SteadyEvo]

343 too small and Indy to support own game

Can we fairly judge a studio that’s forced to work on something vs making what they want?

Thinking of The Coalition as well. Remember that Shanghai trailer. Some kinda stealth shooter. Then MS assigned them Gears which already wrapped up nicely after 3.

Who knows what 343 is truly capable of. I hope to find out.

 

[Havoc2049]

You all are crazy and don't see the gaming landscape that's GaaS now. Shuttering of a studio that's probably making shitloads of money off idiots buying cat ears for $10? 343i survived the bad releases, the delays, the 6 years without a game because it had mtxs in Halo 5. It's not going to get shuttered. Rare had the same lack of content on a release and no new games for upwards of 6yrs. They survive on mtxs and won't get shuttered or suffer a shakeup just because it's not a good game or the game people want it to be.

Not sure what you are talking about. Rare has never had a six year drought without a new game. Sea of Thieves was a full priced game and didn't launch with micro transactions. Sea of Thieves has also sold close to 10 million copies and is one of Rare's most successful games ever. MTX were introduced almost two years after launch as a way to support a high level of continued develelopement, as the game has been successful. Sea of Thieves also had a well planned and executed MMO/GAAS strategy (unlike 343) for supporting the game before it even launched. New content was practically ready when the game launched, as the Hungering Deeep trailer was shown six weeks after launch and was introduced into Sea of Thieves eight weeks after the original game launched. There has been a steady flow of content since. Hopefully Halo Infinite can get to the point of having a steady flow of single and multiplayer content, but so far they have been lacking, which is why the community numbers have been falling quite rapidly and they are behind the eigt ball.

Even if Infinite has turned a profit, what about their long term projections of its performance? Surely that has imploded. Worse, what is the shape of the Halo brand since it's been in the hands of 343 (in particular post-Infinite)?

I'd have to imagine by most metrics Microsoft must concede that 343 does not have what it takes to helm this flagship franchise. This stands in stark contrast to, say, The Coalition and the work they've managed with Gears of War.

Microsoft surely knows change has to happen.

Hey, I agree that new upper management has been needed at 343 since the disastrous launch of MCC, but if we are going by stats and metrics, the Halo franchise is currently in WAY better shape than Gears of War. Gears 5 right now is a wasteland, as less than 300 people at its peak are playing on Steam and it dropped out of the Microsoft Top 50 most played games last year. 343 currently has Infinite and MCC in the Microsoft Top 50.

 

[clarky]

Roblox, DayZ, Rust, Ark, Human Fall Flat are all examples of games that don't feel particularly good to play but they get the important stuff down and they're successful for doing so.

All these games play great. They have great gameplay systems. All are great at what they set out to do.

Anyway this is off topic i might set up a thread if i get time, interesting i suppose.

 

[Frank Horrigan]

On one hand, if they've worked with Microsoft for 15 years, it's wierd to announce a deepening relationship. On the other hand, if they've worked for Microsoft for 15 years and are a solid studio, then they deserve the financial security and recognition of being 'bought' by Microsoft, if for nothing more than a seal of approval. Props to CA.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Does this mean that Halo is saved?

 

[BreakOut]

Ineedahero.gif

 

[Three]

Not sure what you are talking about. Rare has never had a six year drought without a new game. Sea of Thieves was a full priced game and didn't launch with micro transactions. Sea of Thieves has also sold close to 10 million copies and is one of Rare's most successful games ever. MTX were introduced almost two years after launch as a way to support a high level of continued develelopement, as the game has been successful. Sea of Thieves also had a well planned and executed MMO/GAAS strategy (unlike 343) for supporting the game before it even launched. New content was practically ready when the game launched, as the Hungering Deeep trailer was shown six weeks after launch and was introduced into Sea of Thieves eight weeks after the original game launched. There has been a steady flow of content since. Hopefully Halo Infinite can get to the point of having a steady flow of single and multiplayer content, but so far they have been lacking, which is why the community numbers have been falling quite rapidly and they are behind the eigt ball.


Hey, I agree that new upper management has been needed at 343 since the disastrous launch of MCC, but if we are going by stats and metrics, the Halo franchise is currently in WAY better shape than Gears of War. Gears 5 right now is a wasteland, as less than 300 people at its peak are playing on Steam and it dropped out of the Microsoft Top 50 most played games last year. 343 currently has Infinite and MCC in the Microsoft Top 50.

I'm pointing out the similarities. Sea of Thieves was meant to release in 2017, got delayed a year to 2018 and got reviewed poorly for lack of content on release. Now Rare has not released anything since SoT and doesnt have anything ready and just pumps out "seasons" for microtransactions like Halo 5 did. It wasn't 2 years for mtx either it was meant to release with the first content drop 3 months after but released the next year.

 

[Razvedka]

Not sure what you are talking about. Rare has never had a six year drought without a new game. Sea of Thieves was a full priced game and didn't launch with micro transactions. Sea of Thieves has also sold close to 10 million copies and is one of Rare's most successful games ever. MTX were introduced almost two years after launch as a way to support a high level of continued develelopement, as the game has been successful. Sea of Thieves also had a well planned and executed MMO/GAAS strategy (unlike 343) for supporting the game before it even launched. New content was practically ready when the game launched, as the Hungering Deeep trailer was shown six weeks after launch and was introduced into Sea of Thieves eight weeks after the original game launched. There has been a steady flow of content since. Hopefully Halo Infinite can get to the point of having a steady flow of single and multiplayer content, but so far they have been lacking, which is why the community numbers have been falling quite rapidly and they are behind the eigt ball.


Hey, I agree that new upper management has been needed at 343 since the disastrous launch of MCC, but if we are going by stats and metrics, the Halo franchise is currently in WAY better shape than Gears of War. Gears 5 right now is a wasteland, as less than 300 people at its peak are playing on Steam and it dropped out of the Microsoft Top 50 most played games last year. 343 currently has Infinite and MCC in the Microsoft Top 50.

This is true, but I would argue that 343 has 'survived' based on the past inertia of their franchise. Erstwhile the Coalition has been putting in serious work and their games are pretty stellar, it's just that Gears has never been as big of a draw as Halo.

Or put another way, if The Coalition was put in charge of the next Halo game I would expect superior results relative to 343. The execution would be superior, a better product.

 

[Gavon West]

Everything behind your spoiler tags are some of the major reasons I love the campaign so much. Those and the awesome game/gun play, open world exploration and the awesome grunts. Staten did such a great job on the grunts I almost hate to kill them until one of the little bastards blows me up.

The only problem with the campaign for me is I loved it so much I'm jonesing for more.

I was just rockin H.I. yesterday after a bit of a hiatus. Fucking game is incredible! The gunplay and gameplay are literally second to none.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Everything behind your spoiler tags are some of the major reasons I love the campaign so much. Those and the awesome game/gun play, open world exploration and the awesome grunts. Staten did such a great job on the grunts I almost hate to kill them until one of the little bastards blows me up.

The only problem with the campaign for me is I loved it so much I'm jonesing for more.

Couldn’t agree more. I was invested on multiple levels and it felt like a great campaign.

 

[clarky]

Hey get this obscene positivity out of here. Its a Halo thread you guys not keeping up to speed?

 

[Leyasu]

Played some big lag battle with my boy earlier. I'm normally quick play, but damn we had some great games.

If this game had launched with 6 or 7 BTB, 10 arena maps, no networking issues and a decent season pass, nobody would be saying anything.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Did you just pull the "I'm not a fanboy I have all the systems!!11" card, and do it with a suspiciously cropped picture of a purchase history?

LOL

This lame ass response is a day late and a penny short kid.
You try act like I wasn't familiar with Halo but don't know wtf you are talking about.
Keep burying yourself troll.

 

[Ozriel]

Will Certain Infinity listen to the complaints or will they fix the games biggest issues? They're not the same thing.

More or less the same thing.

But either way, they’re not exactly taking the lead on Halo Infinite. They’re just providing content support.

Or put another way, if The Coalition was put in charge of the next Halo game I would expect superior results relative to 343. The execution would be superior, a better product.

There’s absolutely nothing to back this assumption.

I'm pointing out the similarities. Sea of Thieves was meant to release in 2017, got delayed a year to 2018 and got reviewed poorly for lack of content on release. Now Rare has not released anything since SoT and doesnt have anything ready and just pumps out "seasons" for microtransactions like Halo 5 did. It wasn't 2 years for mtx either it was meant to release with the first content drop 3 months after but released the next year.

Criticizing Rare for providing live support for a live service game is quite the inane comment

There’s also no sense in your claims that Sea of Thieves was delayed a year. It was supposed to release in 2017, then slipped to Q1 2018. For all you know, it was originally targeted as a Holiday 2017 game before the slip.

They aren’t just ‘pumping out seasons’ for microtransactions. They’ve put out solid, meaningful content so far, including that very popular crossover with Disney.


Zero similarities.

 

[Razvedka]

There’s absolutely nothing to back this assumption.

You mean apart from their output which has been demonstrably superior to the absolute shit carnival put on display by 343 the past.... Years?

343 leasing out responsibilities to other groups was the best choice they could make right now. Because they're incapable of doing anything well.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

More or less the same thing.

Halo type games went extinct for a reason. It's only peer left is traditional call of duty multiplayer and that's plummeting in popularity as well.

If the complaints don't address the reason for the exodus, it won't work. You can put lipstick on a pig...

 

[clarky]

Halo type games went extinct for a reason. It's only peer left is traditional call of duty multiplayer and that's plummeting in popularity as well.

If the complaints don't address the reason for the exodus, it won't work. You can put lipstick on a pig...

Splitgate, MW2019, Blackops, Counterstrike, Destiny 2 (crucible) are amongst the most popular games of the last couple of years tho?

Dunno where your getting that 4v4/8v8 or whatever shooters are extinct, not as popular as Fortnite/Warzone for sure but still very popular. It appears like to some if your not pulling warzone numbers you might as well not bother.

 

[Ozriel]

.

Can we fairly judge a studio that’s forced to work on something vs making what they want?

Thinking of The Coalition as well. Remember that Shanghai trailer. Some kinda stealth shooter. Then MS assigned them Gears which already wrapped up nicely after 3.

Who knows what 343 is truly capable of. I hope to find out.

343 wants to make Halo. They aren’t ‘forced’ into anything. You can see how they’ve enthusiastically thrown themselves into the lore, books etc. and whenever they’ve had any spare capacity, they end up supporting yet even more Halo spin-offs like Halo Wars

You mean apart from their output which has been demonstrably superior to the absolute shit carnival put on display by 343 the past.... Years?

Really? I don’t recall any of their games hitting the high ratings of Halo 4 or Halo Infinite.

Or Gears 5 multiplayer player count?

They also aren’t saddled with a decades old engine.

Aside the stumble with Halo 5, 343 has taken over a franchise and put out high scoring games.

No disrespect intended to Coalition, of course. They’re up there with the best Unreal developers in the world.

343 leasing out responsibilities to other groups was the best choice they could make right now. Because they're incapable of doing anything well.

Certain Affinity has been supporting Halo since Bungie. Does that mean Bungie isn’t capable of doing anything well?
Infinity Ward is a highly regarded FPS studio, responsible for making some of the best call of duty games. They’ll pull support from multiple Activision studios. Does that mean they’re incompetent too?


343 released Halo Infinite to great critical reception and 19 GOTY awards. Imagine you warbling on about them being incapable of doing anything well.

 

[Shmunter]

Can we fairly judge a studio that’s forced to work on something vs making what they want?

Thinking of The Coalition as well. Remember that Shanghai trailer. Some kinda stealth shooter. Then MS assigned them Gears which already wrapped up nicely after 3.

Who knows what 343 is truly capable of. I hope to find out.

The studio was created for Halo, not an existing entity with a project thrust upon them in this case. Irrespective, professionals get things done not only things they like.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Splitgate, MW2019, Blackops, Counterstrike, Destiny 2 (crucible) are amongst the most popular games of the last couple of years tho?

Dunno where your getting that 4v4/8v8 or whatever shooters are extinct, not as popular as Fortnite/Warzone for sure but still very popular. It appears like to some if your not pulling warzone numbers you might as well not bother.

Splitgate - Current Halo is more popular.
MW2019 - " "
Blackops - " "
CSGO - Not an arena shooter.
Destiny 2 - The crucible vs campaign popularity.

I guess if Microsofts barometer for success to their biggest, most expensive franchise of all time is to be a 4th or 5th tier multiplayer game, then doing what the Halo purists want is the way to go.

I get the feeling that's a disappointing target for most of the people involved. And keep in mind, multiplayer is only going to get more competitive moving forward as other big publishers start dropping their GAAS games.

 

[SteadyEvo]

The studio was created for Halo, not an existing entity with a project thrust upon them in this case. Irrespective, professionals get things done not only things they like.

Didn’t know they were created specifically for Halo. My opinion is biased. I don’t think every franchise needs a 20+ year career. There’s only so much you can do drawing from the same material. I have a hard time believing future Halo titles will get any better. Same with Gears.

 

[clarky]

Splitgate - Current Halo is more popular.
MW2019 - " "
Blackops - " "
CSGO - Not an arena shooter.
Destiny 2 - The crucible vs campaign popularity.

I guess if Microsofts barometer for success to their biggest, most expensive franchise of all time is to be a 4th or 5th tier multiplayer game, then doing what the Halo purists want is the way to go.

I get the feeling that's a disappointing target for most of the people involved. And keep in mind, multiplayer is only going to get more competitive moving forward as other big publishers start dropping their GAAS games.

I said of the last few years. When did I say they are all current?. You said these types of game are extinct, died out long ago, I'm saying they haven't. I gave you examples.

Reading and comprehension my man.

Also been a while since I played CS:GO but its played on enclosed maps, deathmatch or objectives. Sound familiar? Maybe its changed since i played it years ago.

Edit: Also Destinys PVP is played regularly by around 40% of its fairly large player base so I'm not sure of your point there either.

But this is also wildly off topic so carry on.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

I said of the last few years. When did I say they are all current?. You said these types of game are extinct, died out long ago, I'm saying they haven't. I gave you examples.

Reading and comprehension my man.

Also been a while since I played CS:GO but its played on enclosed maps, deathmatch or objectives. Sound familiar? Maybe its changed since i played it years ago.

I tend to measure a multiplayer games quality / success on how well it retains players after the honeymoon period (3 months after launch). I feel that's kind of the metric for GAAS to a certain extent.

So Halos 3 biggest weaknesses are as follows...
- Horrible in game progression (not the Battle Pass)
- It's a horrible social experience.
- The world / maps aren't interesting.

CSGO has solid in game progression (buying phase) and is a great social experience (one life allows teammates to coordinate more often). Halo has to get the main pillars right.

 

[clarky]

I tend to measure a multiplayer games quality / success on how well it retains players after the honeymoon period (3 months after launch). I feel that's kind of the metric for GAAS to a certain extent.

So Halos 3 biggest weaknesses are as follows...
- Horrible in game progression (not the Battle Pass)
- It's a horrible social experience.
- The world / maps aren't interesting.

CSGO has solid in game progression (buying phase) and is a great social experience (one life allows teammates to coordinate more often). Halo has to get the main pillars right.

Not sure how that relates to my post. You said nobody plays arena shooters, but ok.

The main pillar for me is fun factor and Halo's campaign and MP are a ton of fun. Its main issue is content, or lack of.

 

[Gambit2483]

They should've had a backup team to help with updates MONTHS before the game even launched...but hey, at least they are actively trying to get things back on track.

 

[SteadyEvo]

Splitgate - Current Halo is more popular.
MW2019 - " "
Blackops - " "
CSGO - Not an arena shooter.
Destiny 2 - The crucible vs campaign popularity.

I guess if Microsofts barometer for success to their biggest, most expensive franchise of all time is to be a 4th or 5th tier multiplayer game, then doing what the Halo purists want is the way to go.

I get the feeling that's a disappointing target for most of the people involved. And keep in mind, multiplayer is only going to get more competitive moving forward as other big publishers start dropping their GAAS games.

MS could listen to the numbers. If engagement vs money invested doesn’t make sense it’s time to move on. With all due respect, Halo has had an amazing run.

 

[clarky]

MS could listen to the numbers. If engagement vs money invested doesn’t make sense it’s time to move on. With all due respect, Halo has had an amazing run.

They had a chance with the launch and good word of mouth but blew it, completely lost momentum with the zero updates and lack of a steady stream of maps. Pretty clear this should have been delayed another year.

Edit. Destiny 1 was in the same spot if not worse and look where that franchise is now. Pretty sure if they get the content flowing and some campaign DLC, the game will be just fine.

 

[Wimbledon]

343i issues have always been incomplete games, or they play it too safe or they chase trends. But more importantly, there are good ideas they just don't take it further.

I imagine so many things they could've added to Halo infinite. The campaign should've had more in it. I shit on 343i alot but I did enjoy the campaign but it's very bare.

Halo's campaign should've been.....

Story
Bounties (which i did enjoy)
FOB outpost
bases
saving marines out in the world

Stuff that i would've like to see that would've added more to the game

Elite Assassins hunting us down like the silent shadow throughout the world and there are audio cues that let you know when their getting close, maybe the grunt towers give a warning that their coming for us.

Forerunner temples/dungeons (which aren't on the map you have to follow sentinels that are flying to certain secret areas environmental hints, the dungeon has puzzles, artifacts terminals, secret unique Sentinal bosses they could've played with more unique Forunner Sentinal designs). They could have storytelling elements both visual and through terminals to tell a story about these locations let me know more about the history of the places on the ring since there is so much unknown there. Have secret bosses throw a War sphinx at us, or a unique prometheon knight with a better design hunting us through a maze-like forerunner structure.

Raids - I'm not saying like Destiny raids, but maybe each section that we were at has these giants bases that we need to take down, there's a small substory where were assisting an elite ODST unit that's been fighting with whomever they could find and you assist raiding and taking down these bases that are on each section of each area so like 3-4 and each one has it's own unique story and battles. One of the base is guarded by Scarabs Bungie-styled scarabs. We fight unique enemy types that we don't usually see , and each section of the base has mini boses leading up to the main boss

They could introduce aliens that have been confirmed in the Halo verse one mini-boss could be

sharquoi

After we get past it and the scarab were accomplishing objectives that are leading to the destruction of the base

and then the main boss is

Is an elite who duel wields blades.

If Infinite had all this in each section of the map this would've been an amazing game. On top of that, they add more story content that blends multiplayer and more story bruh this would be an exceptional game!

Then you have great multiplayer and then you bring in another team for Battle Royal (even though i don't care for Battle royal there are people who would play that)?!?!?!?

Bruh this would've been arguably the best Halo game made. If the focus was just on making a complete game instead of being a game as a service model because I'm not even tempted to jump back into this game, not until this game is FULLY COMPLETE!

 

[Ozriel]

Splitgate - Current Halo is more popular.
MW2019 - " "
Blackops - " "
CSGO - Not an arena shooter.
Destiny 2 - The crucible vs campaign popularity.

I guess if Microsofts barometer for success to their biggest, most expensive franchise of all time is to be a 4th or 5th tier multiplayer game, then doing what the Halo purists want is the way to go.

I get the feeling that's a disappointing target for most of the people involved. And keep in mind, multiplayer is only going to get more competitive moving forward as other big publishers start dropping their GAAS games.

But the general consensus is that 343i has struck a great balance with Infinite…not a complete departure from the past, but not firmly rooted there like many of the purists wanted.

Not you trying to pitch the game as ‘outdated’ or something. People who actually play it have said what the key issues are - content, progression system and microtransactions.

Why you’re desperate to pitch the game as outdated or to insinuate the core game has unfixable issues is just weird.

This should have been a good news thread. Microsoft investing in the game to dramatically improve the content amount and cadence of releases. But you folks can’t help yourselves with the troll bullshit.

 

[Ozriel]

343i issues have always been incomplete games, or they play it too safe or they chase trends. But more importantly, there are good ideas they just don't take it further.

I imagine so many things they could've added to Halo infinite. The campaign should've had more in it. I shit on 343i alot but I did enjoy the campaign but it's very bare.

Halo's campaign should've been.....

Story
Bounties (which i did enjoy)
FOB outpost
bases
saving marines out in the world

Stuff that i would've like to see that would've added more to the game

Elite Assassins hunting us down like the silent shadow throughout the world and there are audio cues that let you know when their getting close, maybe the grunt towers give a warning that their coming for us.

Forerunner temples/dungeons (which aren't on the map you have to follow sentinels that are flying to certain secret areas environmental hints, the dungeon has puzzles, artifacts terminals, secret unique Sentinal bosses they could've played with more unique Forunner Sentinal designs). They could have storytelling elements both visual and through terminals to tell a story about these locations let me know more about the history of the places on the ring since there is so much unknown there. Have secret bosses throw a War sphinx at us, or a unique prometheon knight with a better design hunting us through a maze-like forerunner structure.

Raids - I'm not saying like Destiny raids, but maybe each section that we were at has these giants bases that we need to take down, there's a small substory where were assisting an elite ODST unit that's been fighting with whomever they could find and you assist raiding and taking down these bases that are on each section of each area so like 3-4 and each one has it's own unique story and battles. One of the base is guarded by Scarabs Bungie-styled scarabs. We fight unique enemy types that we don't usually see , and each section of the base has mini boses leading up to the main boss

They could introduce aliens that have been confirmed in the Halo verse one mini-boss could be

sharquoi

After we get past it and the scarab were accomplishing objectives that are leading to the destruction of the base

and then the main boss is

Is an elite who duel wields blades.

If Infinite had all this in each section of the map this would've been an amazing game. On top of that, they add more story content that blends multiplayer and more story bruh this would be an exceptional game!

Then you have great multiplayer and then you bring in another team for Battle Royal (even though i don't care for Battle royal there are people who would play that)?!?!?!?

Bruh this would've been arguably the best Halo game made. If the focus was just on making a complete game instead of being a game as a service model because I'm not even tempted to jump back into this game, not until this game is FULLY COMPLETE!

Then you should be pleased. Because expanding Certain Affinity’s role in multiplayer content should give 343i more time to expand the campaign like they’ve said. Because it’s well known that campaign expansions are coming.

The base campaign as it stands is a complete experience (aside from the obvious one of coop). A game isn’t ‘incomplete’ because the devs didn’t put stuff you’d have liked to see. It’s like calling Witcher 3 ‘incomplete’ because there’s some combat changes you’d have liked to see. Or saying MK11 is incomplete because you’d have wanted tag team battles in it.


Some of the rhetoric around this game is extremely puzzling.

 

[phil_t98]

I guess we have to define what gameplay is. I'm pushing back on the following statement that gets said a lot...

"Halo Infinite multiplayer has solid/great gameplay, it just doesn't have enough content."

To which I think "Well it plays like a pretty standard modern shooter. It might look a bit better than most but running around, shooting, and getting into vehicles feels pretty good I guess."

But every modern AA and AAA game feels pretty good to me. Heck, most modern indie games feel good.

Roblox, DayZ, Rust, Ark, Human Fall Flat are all examples of games that don't feel particularly good to play but they get the important stuff down and they're successful for doing so.

Long story short: I'm hesitant to compliment 343 on anything regarding Infinites multiplayer. It's a very unimpressive package that more maps and more arena style modes isn't going to save. Hopefully Certain Infinity knows that and they actually fix the games biggest flaws.

the same can be said any modern game though? did the last of us innovate gameplay? not really. it was solid but it won loads of awards. that's the thing one person loves something and because you don't docents mean it aint a great game

 

[stickkidsam]

Can we fairly judge a studio that’s forced to work on something vs making what they want?

Thinking of The Coalition as well. Remember that Shanghai trailer. Some kinda stealth shooter. Then MS assigned them Gears which already wrapped up nicely after 3.

Who knows what 343 is truly capable of. I hope to find out.

Forced? These people signed up for a job at a company created with the sole purpose of working on Halo.

343 may suffer from many things (shitty management most of all), but being unfairly pigeonholed is not one of them.

 

[Despiralman69]

adding split screen multiplayer to an open world fps isn’t just pushing a button and it done. They’ve already said they have co-op working but it’s the open world wirh checkpoints (there is a shit ton already) and other things that they have trouble with.

Plus, forge and maps are just leaps and bounds more important than campaign co-op. I highly doubt when it happens it’s not going to change much population wise but when forge and season 2/3 come out it will. They just need co-op In before they have campaign dlc.

I can understand forge being delayed, coop in an open world isnt something new though, only thing i can think of thats holding coop back is of it gets implemented on all consoles, if its series s/x that gets the update then i stand corrected that 343 are struggling which isnt a good thing given the amount of time they're had

 

[Ozriel]

I can understand forge being delayed, coop in an open world isnt something new though, only thing i can think of thats holding coop back is of it gets implemented on all consoles, if its series s/x that gets the update then i stand corrected that 343 are struggling which isnt a good thing given the amount of time they're had

Can you share examples of open world games where you’ve been able to play the campaign in co-op?

Genuine question. Just want to see how it’s been handled in these examples you cite.

 

[Infamy v1]

This lame ass response is a day late and a penny short kid.
You try act like I wasn't familiar with Halo but don't know wtf you are talking about.
Keep burying yourself troll.

You have the testicular fortitude to tell me my response is a "day late and penny short kid"... but MY response is lame? Lmao, sit tf down, you got called out my multiple people including me which proved you don't know shit about Halo aside from uneducated trolling. You didn't even know CA's relation to Halo, pretending they're some random no-name developer when they've been with Halo for 15 years and are founded and staffed by Halo devs since Halo 2.

YOU are the one who doesn't know what you're talking about and continue to bury yourself with cropped images that prove nothing. Hold that L.

 

[Despiralman69]

Can you share examples of open world games where you’ve been able to play the campaign in co-op?

Genuine question. Just want to see how it’s been handled in these examples you cite.

Theres alot, we have sainta row 2 (and every other game in the franchise) destiny 2, dying light 1 and 2 and even valheim, 343 probably wont even make the game fully free roam to the 2nd player whose playing, end up being like the rest of the halo where if one player progresses the other teleports to the player if there far away

 

[Razvedka]

.


343 wants to make Halo. They aren’t ‘forced’ into anything. You can see how they’ve enthusiastically thrown themselves into the lore, books etc. and whenever they’ve had any spare capacity, they end up supporting yet even more Halo spin-offs like Halo Wars



Really? I don’t recall any of their games hitting the high ratings of Halo 4 or Halo Infinite.

Or Gears 5 multiplayer player count?

They also aren’t saddled with a decades old engine.

Aside the stumble with Halo 5, 343 has taken over a franchise and put out high scoring games.

No disrespect intended to Coalition, of course. They’re up there with the best Unreal developers in the world.




Certain Affinity has been supporting Halo since Bungie. Does that mean Bungie isn’t capable of doing anything well?
Infinity Ward is a highly regarded FPS studio, responsible for making some of the best call of duty games. They’ll pull support from multiple Activision studios. Does that mean they’re incompetent too?


343 released Halo Infinite to great critical reception and 19 GOTY awards. Imagine you warbling on about them being incapable of doing anything well.

It's interesting you have to reach back in time a decade to find something that 343 put out that wasn't completely panned on release or a total cluster. Even then in the case of H4 it was divisive.

How did MCC go? How did Halo 5 go? How is Infinite going? 343 has not been going from strength to strength with each game.

Halo 4 was the 'high point' of their tenure handling the franchise. Erstwhile the Coalition hasn't to my knowledge released a dumpsterfire of a game. Their stuff has been on time, good looking, and engaging even if the brand/gameplay of Gears has never been on par with Halo.

One good/'ok' game in the XBOX 360 era does not a good studio make. Honestly that's basically my point, and I'm just using The Coalition as a prop for the argument. 343 is an wholly depleted neuron quarry of talent and we Halo fans should be ecstatic that Microsoft is putting rubber bump helmets on their head, taking away their construction paper, glue and scissors and putting Certain Affinity at the helm for more aspects of Halo.

 

[clarky]

It's interesting you have to reach back in time a decade to find something that 343 put out that wasn't completely panned on release or a total cluster. Even then in the case of H4 it was divisive.

How did MCC go? How did Halo 5 go? How is Infinite going? 343 has not been going from strength to strength with each game.

Halo 4 was the 'high point' of their tenure handling the franchise. Erstwhile the Coalition hasn't to my knowledge released a dumpsterfire of a game. Their stuff has been on time, good looking, and engaging even if the brand/gameplay of Gears has never been on par with Halo.

One good/'ok' game in the XBOX 360 era does not a good studio make. Honestly that's basically my point, and I'm just using The Coalition as a prop for the argument. 343 is an wholly depleted neuron quarry of talent and we Halo fans should be ecstatic that Microsoft is putting rubber bump helmets on their head, taking away their construction paper, glue and scissors and putting Certain Affinity at the helm for more aspects of Halo.

Thats all subjective though. Not saying 343 are perfect, but ive put many many hours into 5's MP and infinite. I cant stand gears of war 4 or 5.

 

[Bradamante3D]

I think it’s more the optics of firing a woman when they are a minority in the tech/gaming industry and she’s probably in one of the most prominent positions in the industry. Regardless of it being 100% deserved based on performance, the optics wouldn’t be good for MS. They’d be hit by all the cuck gaming sites like IGN, and the Twitterati/Ree purple hair mob screeching in to their plates of chicken tendies.

There's a established solution for this problem: Don't fire her, instead promote her away from her current position somewhere she has more power, but less real influence.

 

[Razvedka]

Thats all subjective though. Not saying 343 are perfect, but ive put many many hours into 5's MP and infinite.

Barring hidden variables to all of this, if MS has any measure of competent leadership whatsoever they're going to perform some big shakeups at 343. Because 343 has not been good stewards of their sacred cash cow. I'd bet on it.

In my opinion, bringing Certain Affinity in close is probably a first step to all of this.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

But the general consensus is that 343i has struck a great balance with Infinite…not a complete departure from the past, but not firmly rooted there like many of the purists wanted.

Not you trying to pitch the game as ‘outdated’ or something. People who actually play it have said what the key issues are - content, progression system and microtransactions.

Why you’re desperate to pitch the game as outdated or to insinuate the core game has unfixable issues is just weird.

The general consensus (of what exactly, NeoGAF?) and reality are often at odds with one another.

Problem: We've lost ~95% of our week 1 player base.

Solution 1: Let's ask the 5% remaining players, the gamers who still enjoy our game, what's wrong with the game.

Solution 2: Let's figure out why the larger audience ~95% left our game.

Purists of any dwindling entity are never concerned with fixing the entities trajectory. They're concerned with their personal preferences only.

I'm sure there were people at Kodak preaching that photos on film were what the company needed to focus on in 2003. If MS is happy with Halos current position, then I can see them focusing on maps and Battle Passes. However, if that's the case, they're going to be leapfrogged by companies who understand the market better in the coming months and years.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Based on some of the rumors flying around, this may end up being a re-imagining of the Warzone mode from Halo 5. If so, I hope the devs take a good look at old school Battlefield and Battlefront for inspiration.