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[Tha Robbertster]

Where does Halo 3 actually sit in terms of most played games now? I haven't looked at Major Nelson's weekly table in ages.

It was 15th last time I checked. It's doing pretty well for a 5 year old game.

 

[Steelyuhas]

Well, my main for reason for asking was to understand your specific motivation. I'm sure we'd all have fun with a system that heavily rewards donging, but would it be beneficial for the population?

My thinking is that a player investment system needs to encourage as many people as possible of as wide a skill variety to play as much as possible. You need to reward people for performance so that they are motivated to win and keep matches competitive. But stressing performance above all else can lead to all sorts of exploitative and negative behavior that is ultimately a detriment to the population.

Reach doesn't have it backwards, but it could probably use some tuning, especially with objective.

All players should be primarily rewarded for finishing games and should be punished for not finishing games in an experience system. Any rewards for wins or performance should be secondary.

We have a fundamentally different idea of what should be prioritized in an investment system based on that statement.

Reach's investment system: If I look at the wall all game and never attempt to gun my weapon or play the objective, I'm going to get basically the same amount of points as if I donged 60 dudes, had 14 sprees, and captured all the flags for the match.
An investment system based largely on performance: I am actually rewarded for those 60 dongings, 14 sprees, and flag caps. If I stand there and do nothing, I'm not going to get very much.

It's not perfect, but I don't see how the first one is better in any way. Nothing about the first one is engaging or fun in any way.

 

[m23]

Fewer people on = smaller chance for the game to match you up with people from your region with similar ping, etc. Plus we're talking about netcode from the mid 2000's.

I see, makes sense. Thanks.

 

[blamite]

I always thought it was dumb that Reach gives 6 credits for an assist, but only 4 for a kill (unless you get a headshot/melee/etc.).

 

[Overdoziz]

Why? Who doesn't try to win? Why does the game need to stroke the people who do well? It just doesn't make sense.

God forbid the game actually rewards good players.

 

[Kibbles]

Tomorrow reveal of the composer!

GI said that information will release all month, no specific dates though.

For Reach they did something like every other weekday, iirc.

 

[senador]

Halo: Communism

 

[Hydranockz]

God forbid the game actually rewards good players.

You'll get your reticules, don't worry

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Why? Who doesn't try to win? Why does the game need to stroke the people who do well? It just doesn't make sense.

The game rewards you when you do better?

That seems to be a pretty basic idea.

 

[Overdoziz]

You'll get your reticules, don't worry

You stick out your tongue every time you post it seems. Weird habit.

 

[TheOddOne]

Gamers most excited for Assassin's Creed 3 and other sequels in 2012, says Nielsen

Media research group Nielsen found that the 2012 releases most American gamers are anticipating are sequels, such as Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 3 and 343 Industries' Halo 4.

For both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, most gamers registered excitement for only upcoming sequels, spin-offs, or licensed titles for established franchises, and not releases based on new and original IPs.

On Xbox 360, the media group has Halo 4 ranked at the top with a 98 percent score, followed by Assassin's Creed III (94 percent), Rockstar's Max Payne 3 (91 percent), Madden NFL 13 (90 percent), Capcom's Resident Evil 6 (89 percent), and Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (85 percent).

Other sequels that appeared on both high-definition consoles' top ten rankings include Square Enix's Tomb Raider, 2K Games' Bioshock: Infinite, and EA Sports' NCAA Football 13.

HYPE GET!

For Reach they did something like every other weekday, iirc.

Ahh, ok.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

Why? Who doesn't try to win? Why does the game need to stroke the people who do well? It just doesn't make sense.

If anyone needs incentive, it's the people who are getting destroyed, people on the short end of the stick. They need something to keep them interested in the game so they try and improve and get better instead of just walking away.

Without that incentive to win people just dont try. It wont make everyone play more seriously, but it would be better than the system we have now. In general matchmaking the vast majority (myself included a lot of times) just dont bother. I think thats clear from the way people play. Theres just no real incentive to win.

As I said before, CoD got the balance right, the players who arent very good can still rank up, but the players who put more into the game get more out.

 

[WJD]

Still weird seeing "343 Industries Halo 4".

 

[Hydranockz]

You stick out your tongue every time you post it seems. Weird habit.

Oh shit :q Damnit!

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Gamers most excited for Assassin's Creed 3 and other sequels in 2012, says Nielsen

HYPE GET!

Relax OddOne, this is before they announced Viewtiful Joe 3. Let's wait until after E3, ok?

 

[shinobi602]

Gamers most excited for Assassin's Creed 3 and other sequels in 2012, says Nielsen

HYPE GET!


Ahh, ok.

DAT HYPE.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

The digital Gameinformer Halo 4 issue should be live now, so those who subscribe should go check out the pictures!

How do you all feel about Halo 4 being made a little more mature? We don't really know how that's going to play out, aside from less Grunt squeaks, but what do you think of it in theory?

Well, I suspect it will share a lot of the same styling that Reach had.. I would say those grunts were less squeaky.

Cortana nip slip.

She has no clothes. They are always slipping.

 

[Latvian Hitman]

Why? Who doesn't try to win? Why does the game need to stroke the people who do well? It just doesn't make sense.

If anyone needs incentive, it's the people who are getting destroyed, people on the short end of the stick. They need something to keep them interested in the game so they try and improve and get better instead of just walking away.

Griefers. The teenage kids who would call us "Tryhards".

Though, thankfully, Activision gives them a different game to focus on every fall.

 

[Biggest-Geek-Ever]

Gamers most excited for Assassin's Creed 3 and other sequels in 2012, says Nielsen

HYPE GET!

Pretty awesome considering how little info we've really seen. Chief + Cortana > All! <3

I'm really sad that Last of Us didn't make it into the PS3 top 10. WTF consumers?

 

[TheOddOne]

Relax OddOne, this is before they announced Viewtiful Joe 3. Let's wait until after E3, ok?

Bahahahahahahhahah... you're trust in Capcom is adorable.

Spoiler

VJ3 is going to be made by Ninja Theory, will be a reboot, will be serious and have nothing to do with the previous games.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Spartan Points sounds so bad. Reminds me a little of when Microsoft tried to push "Halo Nation" to represent Halo players, you can tell some dumbass marketing guy invented it.

I can't wait to spend my Spartan Points to unlock new Spartan Ops and Spartan Armor.

I hope it's a placeholder along with the map names.

 

[CyReN]

is there a place to see all the "chapter titles" from Halo CE - Halo Reach like "I Could Have Been Your Daddy." etc.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Spoiler

VJ3 is going to be made by Ninja Theory, will be a reboot, will be serious and have nothing to do with the previous games.

 

[Biggest-Geek-Ever]

 

[feel]

That Distraction medal mentioned in GI article pleases me. Very often I feel like I help my team more than the postgame stats/medals give me credit for, because since I lack good aim/skills I usually try to move around the map in unusual ways causing distractions with my positioning for my teammates to capitalize on. Hope 343i implements loads of stuff like that.

The digital Gameinformer Halo 4 issue should be live now, so those who subscribe should go check out the pictures!

Can I buy just the one issue?

 

[neoism]

I remember this being discussed a loooooong time ago

What do you guys think about vote to kick?

nope no one else should have that decision unless it's customs... I buy the game I want to play it, not get booted by someone for their reasons. Only if I betray.

 

[WJD]

That Distraction medal mentioned in GI article pleases me. Very often I feel like I help my team more than the postgame stats/medals give me credit for, because since I lack good aim/skills I usually try to move around the map in unusual ways causing distractions with my positioning for my teammates to capitalize on. Hope 343i implements loads of stuff like that.

The Park Ji Sung of the Halo Nation™

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Hey! It could be worse.

Don't get me started on that...piece of garbage masquerading as NG3. I refuse to even say the developers' name out loud anymore. They lost that right.

No matter WHAT happens to Halo 4, I can rest assured knowing it won't be the most disappointing sequel of the year.

 

[Tha Robbertster]

I can't wait to spend my Spartan Points to unlock new Spartan Ops and Spartan Armor.

I hope it's a placeholder along with the map names.

I'm pretty sure Microsoft registered Spartan Ops and Spartan Points as trademarks or something like that so I think it's a safe bet these names are here to stay.

 

[EvB]

nope no one else should have that decsion unless it's customs... I buy the game I want to play it, now get boot by someone for there reasons. Only if I betray.

Agreed, playing the game alone would become a nightmare. People ganging up on you and kicking you just because a party of friends have the majority.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Apparently the digital issue has some exclusive screenshots that weren't in the print issue. Im not sure what their content is exactly, but it seems people are talking about it on the waypoint forums.

Can I buy just the one issue?

Hm, Im unsure, probably not though. =/

 

[Biggest-Geek-Ever]

Can I buy just the one issue?

Yes, they probably have them for sale at Gamestop by now. Just be prepared for them to do whatever it takes for you to buy a Power Points card.

 

[HiredN00bs]

We have a fundamentally different idea of what should be prioritized in an investment system based on that statement.

Reach's investment system: If I look at the wall all game and never attempt to gun my weapon or play the objective, I'm going to get basically the same amount of points as if I donged 60 dudes, had 14 sprees, and captured all the flags for the match.
An investment system based largely on performance: I am actually rewarded for those 60 dongings, 14 sprees, and flag caps. If I stand there and do nothing, I'm not going to get very much.

It's not perfect, but I don't see how the first one is better in any way. Nothing about the first one is engaging or fun in any way.

The first one is better because it encourages new and inexperienced players to keep playing by giving them feedback for simply playing. Experienced players don't need such encouragement.

 

[Gui_PT]

You guys will be glad to know vote to kick is in

 

[TheOddOne]

I'm really sad that Last of Us didn't make it into the PS3 top 10. WTF consumers?

Look at this list and weep:

The 360 list has Halo 4, Fable: The Journey and Star Wars Kinect as exclusives.

 

[HiredN00bs]

The game rewards you when you do better?

That seems to be a pretty basic idea.

It is a pretty basic idea, but again, we get back to the point of the purpose of a player investment system. It's not for you. It's for the population at large.

Ultimately, they need to devise systems that cater to new, inexperienced players and experienced alike.

Reach tried to do that with the Arena. Performance is everything in the Arena. I'm not implying that its poor performance is because people aren't interested in such systems because there are a lot variables that contribute to the Arena's unpopularity. But it's there.

 

[HiredN00bs]

God forbid the game actually rewards good players.

What's not rewarding about being good at the game? You win. Winning is its own reward.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

It is a pretty basic idea, but again, we get back to the point of the purpose of a player investment system. It's not for you. It's for the population at large.

Ultimately, they need to devise systems that cater to new, inexperienced players and experienced alike.

Reach tried to do that with the Arena. Performance is everything in the Arena. I'm not implying that its poor performance is because people aren't interested in such systems because there are a lot variables that contribute to the Arena's unpopularity. But it's there.

You seem to have skipped past a bunch of my posts stating that the CoD system appeal's to the the mass casual market whilst also allowing the more competitive players to enjoy the fact that playing well is rewarded.

I also disagree with your arguments that the progression system is built to hook potentially the worst players, but thats a discussion for another time.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

Holy shit at the new and more clear pictures from the digital issue.

that is all.

 

[HiredN00bs]

You seem to have skipped past a bunch of my posts stating that the CoD system appeal's to the the mass casual market whilst also allowing the more competitive players to enjoy the fact that playing well is rewarded.

I haven't bobs, I just don't have experience with the latest CoD systems, so I can't really offer commentary on them.

I don't think CoD's success is because of its investment systems. I think it is because of its gameplay. I guess Halo 4 will be a litmus test.

 

[daedalius]

Holy shit at the new and more clear pictures from the digital issue.

that is all.

pics

I'd personally rather be rewarded better for playing better; but not get absolute shit for losing either.

 

[senador]

It is a pretty basic idea, but again, we get back to the point of the purpose of a player investment system. It's not for you. It's for the population at large.

Ultimately, they need to devise systems that cater to new, inexperienced players and experienced alike.

Reach tried to do that with the Arena. Performance is everything in the Arena. I'm not implying that its poor performance is because people aren't interested in such systems because there are a lot variables that contribute to the Arena's unpopularity. But it's there.

What's not rewarding about being good at the game? You win. Winning is its own reward.

Really? You have an odd view of the investment system IMO. It IS for me. I'm the one playing and getting rewards. I want to be rewarded when I do better. Why wouldn't I?

Holy shit at the new and more clear pictures from the digital issue.

that is all.

It has new ones from the magazine? WTF GI? I don't like the digital version. I'll get it when they do an iPad app/version.

 

[BackdoorBeauty]

I haven't bobs, I just don't have experience with the latest CoD systems, so I can't really offer commentary on them.

I don't think CoD's success is because of its investment systems. I think it is because of its gameplay. I guess Halo 4 will be a litmus test.

Earning my 40/45/50 was the biggest motivation for me in Halo 3. Didn't need credits, armor unlocks, or unicorns.

 

[Demoncarnotaur]

I can't tell atm if some are new, or just not cropped so they show more. But wow.

Cortana looks nice, though still no fully body pictures.

 

[bobs...onGaf]

I haven't bobs, I just don't have experience with the latest CoD systems, so I can't really offer commentary on them.

I don't think CoD's success is because of its investment systems. I think it is because of its gameplay. I guess Halo 4 will be a litmus test.

I totally agree, I was merely saying that the CoD system is exactly what I think the Reach system should have been. Essentially a friend who was pretty poor at the game still managed to hit the max rank simply by playing a lot, whereas by playing well I ranked up quicker. That system really did make him happy, and me happy. I actually think he refused to play Halo 3 because he found it too hard, and by not being able to progress up the ranks he felt like he had hit a brick wall. But on CoD, despite having a ridiculously bad K/D, dieing a lot and generally failing to pick up big scores, he still felt he made progress. I was doing pretty well and ranked up at a much faster rate, which encouraged doing well.

Even if you have no interest in the game you should check the the way they handle the progression system, for me it proves that you can reward skilled players without necessarily punishing new guys.

Earning my 40/45/50 was the biggest motivation for me in Halo 3. Didn't need credits, armor unlocks, or unicorns.

Going for 45 and then 50 was an incredible journey, and I doubt a pure exp based system will ever come as close. That said I can understand the shift towards exp based systems, ultimately they cater more for the mass market.

 

[senador]

I can't tell atm if some are new, or just not cropped so they show more. But wow.

Cortana looks nice, though still no fully body pictures.

According to this they aren't different, just better looking.

 

[Barrow Roll]

I can't tell atm if some are new, or just not cropped so they show more. But wow.

Cortana looks nice, though still no fully body pictures.

You actually have the digital copy?

 

[derFeef]

Holy shit at the new and more clear pictures from the digital issue.

that is all.

Hotdamnit. (is that a word? who cares)

 

[TS x Massacre]

I can't tell atm if some are new, or just not cropped so they show more. But wow.

Cortana looks nice, though still no fully body pictures.

My god, they look GOOD

 

[HiredN00bs]

I also disagree with your arguments that the progression system is built to hook potentially the worst players, but thats a discussion for another time.

I'll say it again, I believe an ideal player investment system will attract the most people to legitimately play the game as much time as possible, regardless of their skill. This is in the interest of the online game itself (i.e. all players), as match quality is a direct result of the available population.