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[CrazedArabMan]

needs moar SentinalFactory!!!

Sorry i missed out. I'm in dial-up-land this weekend. House hunting.

Highly recommended.

I use the same model with TV cable, a Mac Mini, and my 360 plugged in (+Hauppauge HD PVR soon), then use the controller to switch between the 3 inputs.

Same thing I have and I love it, I use it as a second monitor and for my xbox. I love it.

 

[vhfive]

not sure if we'll be able to play at the original intended time. as soon as i get word from forgehub i'll pass it along.

 

[Gui_PT]

I don't know what it was but I was in a really bad mood when we started and those maps really weren't helping. The makers could not have taken even one minute to think about how the maps would play. At least it led to a few laughs.

FFA snipes on whiteout - so good. Apart from everyone spawning at elbow while Merguson was in BR 1.

Also, if I'm needed as a sub I don't know if I'll be available to help out. My knuckles have all ceased up at the moment so wielding a controller might be out of the picture. I'll see how my hands fare when the time comes. =/

Man, it felt like Crap Map Weekend or something.

You know, I usually feel awkward speaking on the mic, since I'm usually the only non-naturally english speaking guy in the party, but the laughs those maps led to really helped

That and entering the enemy base in Valhalla with Dax asking for permission to take their flag :lol

 

[Warm Machine]

Nice. Improved over the old one a bit even though it is a Rocket variant.

 

[RdN]

http://i46.tinypic.com/aa7rlc.jpg

Nice. Improved over the old one a bit even though it is a Rocket variant.

That Ghost rocks.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

My knuckles have all ceased up at the moment so wielding a controller might be out of the picture. I'll see how my hands fare when the time comes. =/

Wat.

I'll probably be on sometime today. Shoot me an invite if you want to play.

 

[Hydranockz]

First match of MLG FFA.... 18 kills, 32 deaths and to rub it in... 18 assists

 

[bobs...onGaf]

First match of MLG FFA.... 18 kills, 32 deaths and to rub it in... 18 assists

Good Game :lol

Population for that has really died down right? Last time I was on only 600 people where playing it.

EDIT: 1,337 players on right now EXACTLY, what a leet playlist.

Spoiler

Ill stop now:lol

 

[Xx AmAzE xX]

http://www.mlgpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=207406

This was amazing help, you guys should look into it. Now time to decide which monitor I'm gonna buy, here are my priorities:

1. MINIMAL input lag.
2. HDMI input.
3. Price
4. Style

I really wanna buy one right now so I get start playing some hardcore H3 again, the tv I have in my dorm now is just utter rubbish for halo. I'd prefer a crt to this piece of shit Philips LCD.

 

[A Penguin]

My first game of MLG FFA I go +19 against a bunch of new accounts. Then I proceed onto the regular MLG playlist and get my ass handed to me.

 

[Syracuse022]

That Ghost rocks.

Imagine if you could swing the plasma sword like that while flying - ghost jousting would be awesome.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

My first game of MLG FFA I go +19 against a bunch of new accounts. Then I proceed onto the regular MLG playlist and get my ass handed to me.

How is everyone playing MLG FFA? Is it a new playlist or something?

 

[A Penguin]

How is everyone playing MLG FFA? Is it a new playlist or something?

Yeah, it was released out of nowhere.

 

[vhfive]

How is everyone playing MLG FFA? Is it a new playlist or something?

yup
today you can jump into 5 different ffa playlists

lone wolves
mythic brawl
7 on the 7th
rumble pit
mlg ffa

 

[Tashi]

MLG FFA is a really tough playlist. Mainly because it does require some luck. Much more so than 4v4 MLG. I'm taking a little break from the MLG playlist so that everyone can level past me so that when I do join back up, it'll be easier to find matches and I'll level up quicker. I was playing early one morning and it took over 40 minutes to find a match. I actually didn't end up getting a match. I'm currently a 41.

edit: Also the MLG playlist was released because MLG is now holding Combines throughout the year. They're Amateur only events and they feature 4v4 as well as FFA. What's odd to me though is that I'm pretty sure at the Combines, only Midship will be played on for FFA. While I'm OK with the other maps (besides Guardian), I do wish it was strictly Midship.

 

[ToyMachine228]

I was just thinking...the Gauss Hog better make a fucking return in Reach. It fucking better. More Gauss turrets too plz plz.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

I made a new account and for some reason the Spartan officer achievement hasn't unlocked? I've reached the requirements but the achievement isn't unlocking, anyone know what's up with that?

 

[bobs...onGaf]

MLG FFA is a really tough playlist. Mainly because it does require some luck. Much more so than 4v4 MLG. I'm taking a little break from the MLG playlist so that everyone can level past me so that when I do join back up, it'll be easier to find matches and I'll level up quicker. I was playing early one morning and it took over 40 minutes to find a match. I actually didn't end up getting a match. I'm currently a 41.

edit: Also the MLG playlist was released because MLG is now holding Combines throughout the year. They're Amateur only events and they feature 4v4 as well as FFA. What's odd to me though is that I'm pretty sure at the Combines, only Midship will be played on for FFA. While I'm OK with the other maps (besides Guardian), I do wish it was strictly Midship.

41, HOLY SHIT!

I havent had much time to play it unfortunatly, im worried that soon its going to be hard to get games at the bottom end :lol

AwesomeSyrup I may be wrong, but I dont think theres anything you can do about that, perhaps try and get to the rank you need in the exp ranking system?

 

[EazyB]

Imagine if you could swing the plasma sword like that while flying - ghost jousting would be awesome.

Might actually make the Ghost a fun vehicle to use.

I made a new account and for some reason the Spartan officer achievement hasn't unlocked? I've reached the requirements but the achievement isn't unlocking, anyone know what's up with that?

Why do you care whether or not your alt has that achievement?

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

Why do you care whether or not your alt has that achievement?

It's not an alt, I had to make a new gamertag because of problems I'm dealing with.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

Off topic, but does anyone have an extra Blur beta code or happen to know how I can get one?

 

[DiabolicalBagel]

Off topic, but does anyone have an extra Blur beta code or happen to know how I can get one?

Seconded.

 

[wwm0nkey]

Off topic, but does anyone have an extra Blur beta code or happen to know how I can get one?

I will have one tomorrow when Activision sends them.

 

[Stormtrooper30]

I will have one tomorrow when Activision sends them.

You, sir, are my new favorite Junior.

Spoiler

<3 Dubber

 

[wwm0nkey]

You, sir, are my new favorite Junior.

Spoiler

<3 Dubber

I will PM you the code tomorrow, have no idea when they will send it though.

Also on-topic, when Bungie starts rolling out more MP info, which game type do you guys think they will touch on first? I'm hoping for Invasion to be explained.

 

[user_nat]

I made a new account and for some reason the Spartan officer achievement hasn't unlocked? I've reached the requirements but the achievement isn't unlocking, anyone know what's up with that?

It should unlock when you get 50xp in 1 playlist, along with a 0g achievement.

 

[big ander]

I will PM you the code tomorrow, have no idea when they will send it though.

Also on-topic, when Bungie starts rolling out more MP info, which game type do you guys think they will touch on first? I'm hoping for Invasion to be explained.

I'm wondering what the Arena is.

 

[rac]

Good customs tonight.

Spoiler

Aegis Wing <3

 

[stephen08]

I'm wondering what the Arena is.

Obviously it's all speculation at this point but the best theory so far (IMO) is that Reach MP has two "modes" The first being Invasion, the second being The Arena. The idea is that the Spartan vs. Elites mode, with loadouts would be the invasion mode and classic Halo gameplay (all Spartans, set starting loadout, weapon pickups) would constitute the Arena.

Personally, I'm still really wondering what Active Rosters refers to.

 

[dilatedmuscle]

iirc, GDC starts tomorrow, any info on a time slot for bungie?... that is, if they show.

 

[EazyB]

Obviously it's all speculation at this point but the best theory so far (IMO) is that Reach MP has two "modes" The first being Invasion, the second being The Arena. The idea is that the Spartan vs. Elites mode, with loadouts would be the invasion mode and classic Halo gameplay (all Spartans, set starting loadout, weapon pickups) would constitute the Arena.

Personally, I'm still really wondering what Active Rosters refers to.

My dream is that they scrapped Firefight mode and turned it into Invasion. Ala-L4D the covie team would spawn as elites, sniper jackals, brutes, and hunters. Seeing that the elites might only have one perk gives me an ounce of hope that they're so limited because the other covie species offer the covie side the rest of the variety.

 

[stephen08]

iirc, GDC starts tomorrow, any info on a time slot for bungie?... that is, if they show.

From the GDC website, these guys will be involved in panels and such:


Marty O'Donnell
Matt Priestley
Joseph Staten
Jay Weinland
Brian Jarrard

It's more about game development though so it's likely it won't be new info from there.

Now, Microsoft's had a keynote where they have made big announcements before is more likely but I cannot seem to find any info about that. Do they even have one?

 

[metareferential]

My dream is that they scrapped Firefight mode and turned it into Invasion. Ala-L4D the covie team would spawn as elites, sniper jackals, brutes, and hunters. Seeing that the elites might only have one perk gives me an ounce of hope that they're so limited because the other covie species offer the covie side the rest of the variety.

Why would they scrap Firefight?

We can have both Firefight as it is in ODST but improved (matchmaking and overall tweaks)and Invasion as you described it, à la L4D.

So that everyone is happy.

 

[stephen08]

My dream is that they scrapped Firefight mode and turned it into Invasion. Ala-L4D the covie team would spawn as elites, sniper jackals, brutes, and hunters. Seeing that the elites might only have one perk gives me an ounce of hope that they're so limited because the other covie species offer the covie side the rest of the variety.

I like the idea but I think Firefight would still be relevant. Survival still exists in L4D despite Versus being a mode. And fighting AI is just different from fighting other players.

What would be really awesome is a Counter-Strike style game which is Covenant vs. Spartans and allows for upgrades that can be bought at the start of each round. Think about it, you could have the first round start off with just straight up starting weapons and as the match progresses you get to "buy" weapons, vehicles, armor abilities/species. Something that adds merit to this is that Sage, the lead sandbox designer worked on Shadowrun which revolved around this type of mode.

 

[EazyB]

Why would they scrap Firefight?

We can have both Firefight as it is in ODST but improved (matchmaking and overall tweaks)and Invasion as you described it, à la L4D.

So that everyone is happy.

Because I think the L4D mode would be exponentially more compelling. ODST convinced me survival modes become boring way to fast, even with great AI and vehicles. Camping and waiting for waves of AI to rush at you just doesn't have legs.

I only say "instead" because they have to dedicate a limited amount of resources. Sure, if they could do both I'd want them to do both along with a Battlefield class-based mode, an overhead RTS mode, a MMO, and a space-fairing JRPG mode.

Chances are we'll get a Firefight 2.0 mode anyways. Hopefully it'll be heavily revamped. I don't care if there's matchmaking because I'd have to be the loneliest fool on the Earth to play co-op with the general Halo community but it's gotta be significantly different than ODST's iteration which lost its appeal no more than a month after release.

I like the idea but I think Firefight would still be relevant. Survival still exists in L4D despite Versus being a mode. And fighting AI is just different from fighting other players.

L4D's survival mode sucks as well. Do people really play that when co-op and versus offer such a better experience?

 

[stephen08]

L4D's survival mode sucks as well. Do people really play that when co-op and versus offer such a better experience?

Firefight offers a constant stream of encounters though. That's what makes it different enough to exist. Sure Co-op offers the same type of idea but those encounters are set (which enemies appear where) and requires a play through of a level to get to.

Oh well, Firefight isn't perfect but it is something that me and my friends do come back to on occasion.

 

[Hydranockz]

I find it funny how Bungie market things compared to how they turn out. A good example is Forge. It was originally branded as a way to change the map in real time, so when blue team are down, the monitor spawns them a tank etc. As we all know, this was never really implemented that way for very long on release. It sort of happened with Firefight, but to a lesser extent. They used to always say that you could never camp the same psition, that you would be driven off... when has that ever happened??

 

[metareferential]

Because I think the L4D mode would be exponentially more compelling. ODST convinced me survival modes become boring way to fast, even with great AI and vehicles. Camping and waiting for waves of AI to rush at you just doesn't have legs.

The main problem is not the AI itself (so that it needs to be replaced by people) but the inevitable static approach that battles tend to have.

L4D co-op eliminates the problem forcing the player to move in order to accomplish mission objectives.

So yes, I would welcome a replacement of Firefight if it turns out just like L4D, being co-op and versus.

I only say "instead" because they have to dedicate a limited amount of resources. Sure, if they could do both I'd want them to do both along with a Battlefield class-based mode, an overhead RTS mode, a MMO, and a space-fairing JRPG mode.

And bridges. xD

 

[Not a Jellyfish]

I find it funny how Bungie market things compared to how they turn out. A good example is Forge. It was originally branded as a way to change the map in real time, so when blue team are down, the monitor spawns them a tank etc. As we all know, this was never really implemented that way for very long on release. It sort of happened with Firefight, but to a lesser extent. They used to always say that you could never camp the same psition, that you would be driven off... when has that ever happened??

Forge was marketed as an idea, it was never branded as a way to change the map in real time but instead that was merely a suggestion or idea for how it could be used. It is always wishful thinking when you give an audience that much control that it will be used in the one ideal wa you think of it to be used as. In the end great stuff has come out of Forge but it was just not used in that one way they mentioned it could be. I don't feel it was branded for that though, just an example of what could be done.

 

[EazyB]

L4D co-op eliminates the problem forcing the player to move in order to accomplish mission objectives.

Agreed. L4D had climactic moments when you had to hold down one position but that was for only about 5 or so minutes and after that it was back to the AI encouraging players to keep moving. Even then those holdouts aren't when L4D is at its best and Valve realized this with the sequel. I think the coolest thing L4D2 did was make those climactic moments but instead of holding a position require the players run across part of the level to turn off something and stop the hordes from respawning.

That's the reason I'd be all that surprised if many people play L4D's survival mode. Another thing they added in L4D2 was the scavenger mode which kind of players like survival in that it's set up in an arena but instead of setting up camp and waiting for zombies you have to run around and gather things around the level to gain points. When Bungie inevitably reveals Firefight 2.0 I'm hoping they implement things like this to make it a worthwhile game mode. They can stick with their Firefight-sized arenas but put dynamic objectives in there to get players moving. Maybe even have the AI dynamically gather their forces around these objectives to make encounters more engaging and less like AI randomly swarming towards players. The encounters set up in the campaigns have always felt much better than the random crap Firefight produced, this would help Firefight catch up a bit.

I find it funny how Bungie market things compared to how they turn out. A good example is Forge. It was originally branded as a way to change the map in real time, so when blue team are down, the monitor spawns them a tank etc. As we all know, this was never really implemented that way for very long on release. It sort of happened with Firefight, but to a lesser extent. They used to always say that you could never camp the same psition, that you would be driven off... when has that ever happened??

I think Forge is a rare occurance where it became much more than the developer promised it'd be. I too remember the whole RTS element but they never pushed that much and really just advertised it as a weapon/vehicle mover. As everyone knows, it's become a whole different beast with Foundry and Sandbox, it's implementation in MM still severly lacking but those wizards at Bungie really pushed forge to its limits.

Now for a real map editor.

 

[metareferential]

Agreed. L4D had climactic moments when you had to hold down one position but that was for only about 5 or so minutes and after that it was back to the AI encouraging players to keep moving. Even then those holdouts aren't when L4D is at its best and Valve realized this with the sequel. I think the coolest thing L4D2 did was make those climactic moments but instead of holding a position require the players run across part of the level to turn off something and stop the hordes from respawning.

That's the reason I'd be all that surprised if many people play L4D's survival mode. Another thing they added in L4D2 was the scavenger mode which kind of players like survival in that it's set up in an arena but instead of setting up camp and waiting for zombies you have to run around and gather things around the level to gain points. When Bungie inevitably reveals Firefight 2.0 I'm hoping they implement things like this to make it a worthwhile game mode. They can stick with their Firefight-sized arenas but put dynamic objectives in there to get players moving. Maybe even have the AI dynamically gather their forces around these objectives to make encounters more engaging and less like AI randomly swarming towards players. The encounters set up in the campaigns have always felt much better than the random crap Firefight produced, this would help Firefight catch up a bit.

Definitely.

Uncharted 2's horde mode tried something similar, though it wasn't really that engaging or fun to play since the "mission objectives" were pretty dumb.

A mix between ODST Firefight and territories could work: covenants spawn in place x and keep doing so until you gain access to the base and trigger something. Then you can reload/change weapons/get ready for the invasion.

Though I guess such a game type would require more than four Spartans.

 

[Kapura]

I don't think Invasion is going to be any sort of replacement for Firefight. It's just going to be a multi-objective gametype. Elites and Spartans are still hugely similar with only a few key differences. Firefight is, also, open-ended. There is no fixed time limit; the challenve should come from scaling difficulty. The skulls did a rather poor job in ODST so hopefully the syztem will be refined next time we see it.

 

[Shake Appeal]

L4D Survival is awesome. It just isn't as awesome as the other modes, which is why its the red-headed stepchild of the feature list.

 

[electricpirate]

I've been working on a Reach FAQ for those newly interested in the game. Did I miss any questions that are being asked again, and again, and again?

Halo Reach Speculation FAQ

SANDBOX questions

So you just watched that awesome vidoc, or that awesome MP trailer and you find yourself excited about halo again. Awesome, welcome back we of the Halo community are glad to have you.

But things you saw confused you, and that's cool, you don't pay the same kind of attention to this shit that we the Halo obsessed do. So before you post a question about how you don't understand something, just check this quick FAQ to help understand.

Question: Is it true that I can sprint now? Like Modern Warfare?

Answer: Yes you can sprint, but it takes some explanation. Sprint is one of a set of Selectable abilities known as "Armor Abilities." You can sprint, but you'll be giving up on the ability to cloak, engage a short term shield, or fly around in a jetpack.

Question: JETPACKS!?

Answer: fuck yea.

Question: Those assassination animations are cool, but they will suck if everyone is constantly doing them. Am I forced to do them?

Answer: In every Halo game, a rifle butt to the back of the head will down a player in one shot. That hasn't changed this go around, but now there is an extra option to go into an extended animation. In most situations, it would be faster to just melee for the kill like every other Halo. These animations are also interpretable, unlike say the GoW 1 chainsaw.

Question: wait, huh? if there's a faster way to pull that off, why would anyone ever do the higher risk Assassination move?

Answer: Humiliation of your opponent, possibly pushing spawn about a bit longer, but mainly just humiliation.

Question: What will the BR be like?

Answer: Most likely it's gone. Instead we have the DMR which is useful at longer ranges, fires a single shot. some call it the Redeemer, or the Deemer, or the Donger. I dunno, but I'm sure you'll hear some varaition of those names when a 12 year old headshots you with it.

Question: What's it mean that the weapons are now Hitscan?

Answer: Hitscan just means that the bullets have infinate speed in the game world, in other words, they hit instantly where you point the trigger. Halo 3 simulated the travel of all bullets, which adds to the simulation, and makes weapons require more skill. Unfortunately it makes lag a bigger factor, and can make gun fights feel more random. Halo 2 had hitscan weapons. Covenant weapons for the most part still have travel times.

Question: Weapon sounds in the MP trailer seem really weak. WTG bungle

Answer: Sounds were muted in the trailer, revel in the glory of the new weapon sounds here.
AR http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/Assault_Rifle.mp3
DMR http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/DMR.mp3
Crazy covie weapon in trailer, http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/Mystery.mp3
Frag http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/FRAG.mp3
Plasma http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/Plasma_Grenade.mp3
Sniper http://www.bungie.net/images/games/reach/audio/Sniper_Rifle.mp3

Question: Is the Halo CE Pistol back?

Answer: nope, but instead we are getting a new pistol that will hopefully be more effective than the other varients of the pistol, but not super powered like the CE pistol. The final balance of the weapon won't be known till the final game, but we should get a good idea from the Beta in May.

Question: Is Dual Wielding back?

Answer: Dual Wielding is dead.

Question: That falcon looks awesome can we fly it?

Answer: Yup

Question: Reticule Bloom? Do we lose accuracy with while firing guns now?

Answer: That is correct, though accuracy degradation happened somewhat in every Halo game, it seems like it will play a larger role this time around.

SINGLE PLAYER

Question: Am I the master chief in this game?

Answer: Nope, you are a different generation of Spartan, in a different service of the military. There are big story pieces that explain those differences, but they would run too long for this FAQ. Read "Ghosts of Onyx" and the "Headhunters" Story in Halo evolutions to learn about the Spartan III program that generated your character.

Question: Are Brutes or the flood coming back?

Answer: We have seen pics of Brutes being modeled, and we have seen the gravity hammer. No clue about the flood, we'll see on that one.

MULTIPLAYER

Question: I heard that the MP maps are all pulled strait from SP is that true?

Answer: yes, though some of the MP maps were designed for combat, then added to SP. We'll know more about how that works out soon.

Question: Loadouts? Like MW2?

Answer: Right now loadouts are thought to be focused on those armor abilities, and it may include weapons. We'll learn more when the beta hits.

Question: How do I get in the beta?

Answer: Put the ODST Campaign disc, hit intel, and download on May 3rd. Used copies will work, it's not a code, it's attached to the disc. MS has also begun a campaign to give out beta codes to Halo 2 players before H2 is turned off.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

I've been working on a Reach FAQ for those newly interested in the game. Did I miss any questions that are being asked again, and again, and again?

It's an ... energetic faq anyway. Skittle-powered if you get my drift.

 

[electricpirate]

It's an ... energetic faq anyway. Skittle-powered if you get my drift.

More like too much coffee powered.

 

[squidhands]

Damn, that new sniper rifle sound is awesome.

 

[AwesomeSyrup]

It should unlock when you get 50xp in 1 playlist, along with a 0g achievement.

Ok, thanks man.

 

[Mabef]

These animations are also interpretable, unlike say the GoW chainsaw.

Typo?

 

[electricpirate]

Typo?

No, but I clarified it to specify the Gears 1 Chainsaw