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[giga]

Player Investment system revealed.

I really love the design of the UI. Really modern and slick.

Tip: don't bother with the video. Two kids that need haircuts just blabbering.

 

[Shake Appeal]

I understand and I know it's a pretty smart thing to do, but why would I spend credits to customize my spartan? Why would I care if I get this squarish shoulder pad or that roundish shoulder pad?

Edit : What I mean is, everone's always gonna wear the most expensive stuff anyway, to prove their "elite-ness".

IMO, they should have kept this with Achievements.

Cosmetic customization isn't a huge feature in the same way that the Arena was last week, but I think it's all gravy. Anything that keeps people invested, keeps giving people (of all shapes, sizes, skill ranges) reasons to play, is appreciated.

Increased customization and commendations mean that everyone is going to have their avatar, who is identifiable through appearance and achievements (and not just Achievements). And, from the point of view of someone who was writing about this, and who has never really cared much for Master Chief as a character, giving players ownership of their avatar in campaign is a great thing.

Edit to your edit: I also don't think everyone is going to buy the most expensive stuff, after a while at least. In Halo 3, people were initially drawn to wear the stuff that marked them out as being "elite" (hayabusa armour, security helmet, and recon, of course), but over time they ended up picking the stuff they liked the look of best.

 

[BladedExpert]

I know right? Jeeze...

Less reading. More montage-ing.

Spoiler

I've had some computer fail. New PC Monday. Montage status: on hold

Spoiler

once I get the new PC I'll be on it day and night, you have my word (and my bow, an my axe)

I love the sound of those challenges. Sounds like a great way to get people to keep coming back without breaking the gameplay. Also really like the sound of the commendations. Finally my epic amounts of assists will be recognized

 

[metareferential]

Increased customization and commendations mean that everyone is going to have their avatar, who is identifiable through appearance and achievements (and not just Achievements). And, from the point of view of someone who was writing about this, and who has never really cared much for Master Chief as a character, giving players ownership of their avatar in campaign is a great thing.

It's the Bungie approach to Shepard in Mass Effect xD

I like this very much.

 

[Shake Appeal]

I'm a little worried about challenges, because anything that encourages people to play the game differently than they would by default is potentially troublesome. I am not looking forward to having little kids begging everyone to "do headshots" in the lobby, or people hogging vehicles on a given weekend because there is a new challenge for splatter sprees.

Commendations seem like a far more natural way to recognize how different people play Halo, rather than demanding that they adjust their play for arbitrary rewards.

 

[Prophet Steve]

I really love this kind of stuff. I only hope that the challenges don't get too idiotic so that people play differently then normal. Like "throw so much grenades" and everybody is going to grenade spam everything. Like sometimes is happening with achievement. Speaking about achievement, I really hope there aren't annoying multiplayer achievement like in Halo 3.

 

[feel]

Perfect. It's all about gaining experience to rank up and just having fun shaping your profile, and unlocking stuff to improve your character's look, and less about being punished for not having a fantastic connection or playing 24/7 like all the cursing mouth breathers out there, and because of that just sitting there on the same rank forever. But I'm hoping getting all the armor stuff and reaching top level, takes a goood while.

 

[JaggedSac]

Credit system is exactly what I thought it would be. Great stuff.

Challenges are a fantastic idea. Daily and weekly challenges are a much better way to handle getting people to keep playing than Prestige.

 

[NJ Shlice]

I'm a little worried about challenges, because anything that encourages people to play the game differently than they would by default is potentially troublesome. I am not looking forward to having little kids begging everyone to "do headshots" in the lobby, or people hogging vehicles on a given weekend because there is a new challenge for splatter sprees.

Commendations seem like a far more natural way to recognize how different people play Halo, rather than demanding that they adjust their play for arbitrary rewards.

I agree with this.

I know some people are going to say "If you want serious play, stick to the Arena."

Which is fine if I want to sit up in my chair, turn the lights off and buckle down and sit in the arena for 8 straight hours (Which I have no problem doing.) But I don't want everything that is non-arena to be a challenge-fest.

Now we don't exactly know what kind of challenges there are going to be. But I'm not looking forward to playing in games where a player is sitting in one corner looking down a hallway the entire game because they need to connect a bullet with every shot of their DMR for a challenge.

 

[electricpirate]

Cool to see luke taking a design role.

While I understand the appeal of that customization stuff, it doesn't get me all hot and bothered. I never really tinkered around my with my spartan too much in H3, and I doubt I will too much in Reach.

Much more interesting to me are the challenges. I think the most interesting application of these ideas will be in campaign and firefight 2.0. While Campaign replays and firefight are fun, and skulls make the awesome happen, sometimes I feel more like I'm building sandcastles that I just knock down again when I play them and play with skulls. Which is fun, but again, doesn't hold my interest for too long. The idea of specific goals, and skull sets crafted around bringing unique challenges out of specific conflicts gets my blood really pumping.

And Commendations will hopefully be a nice way for support players (like me ) to get rewarded, maybe it will help bring selfless players out a bit more.

 

[Shake Appeal]

I guess my big question to urk/sketch/whoever is this: are commendations just another kind of non-Achievement achievement that you progress towards in a linear way (i.e. with a bar saying 1/100 wheelman medals earned!), or do they adjust fluidly to take into account what you do most, relatively speaking?

Because if it's the former, unless the commendations are set stupidly high, there are always going to be some players who have every one within a few weeks of launch. If it's the latter, on the other hand, people who play this game every day for the next three years are still going to have an identifiable style of play (i.e. maybe it turns out they have hundreds of wheelman medals, but they have thousands of headshot medals, and so the game acknowledges that although they've done a ton of both, it's their headshots they should be commended for).

 

[Wizman23]

A big fuck yea to the new information. I knew armor customization was just the tip of the iceberg like I said yesterday.

Some of the most fun I had with Halo 3 and ODST were getting the vidmaster achievements playing co-op with friends. From what I understand from the article, Bungie more or less can make a new vidmaster achievment every single day. I wonder if progress will actually be tracked through the games UI. This also gives Bungie the ability to make up some absolutely crazy insane stuff through challenges. Hopefully some of them are at an extreme difficulty so you feel like you accomplished something insane when finished.

This feature sounds like the nail in the coffin for alt. accounts.

 

[Trasher]

I've had some computer fail. New PC Monday. Montage status: on hold

Spoiler

once I get the new PC I'll be on it day and night, you have my word (and my bow, an my axe)

Shit dude. That sucks! GAF montage killed your machine?

 

[Hydranockz]

I like the sound of it so far. I wonder if there will be a pool of possible challenges every day. Let's say 100,000 players play Reach every day for a week. Rather than have 100,1000 players have the same 5 daily challenges every day, I would rather see a sort of rotation system. I might have to get 5 headshots on a Monday, whereas my friend might have been given that challenge on the Friday. This would solve that problem of everyone going for the same thing...

 

[squidhands]

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/Circio_GR/PDVD_017.jpg

? :lol

:lol

Wow @ the new information. I'm more of a single-player guy myself, so hearing that you can get credits from doing campaign stuff is pretty exciting. Although I will be playing the hell out of the beta, and this new credit/Challenges system will probably hook me right in to more Matchmaking than I've ever done.

The new Service Record sounds completely awesome. Being able to see at a glance how someone plays will be so great when trying to balance teams when playing customs. Plus it sounds like it might help you better understand where your strengths and weaknesses are, which is always helpful (especially for me).

God damn I can't wait for this beta. *excited face*

 

[JaggedSac]

Does "NEW" on the armor selection screen mean that different armor unlocks at different ranks? Or that Bungie can pump out new armor perms updates whenever they want?

 

[randomlyrossy]

As someone who spends far too much time customising my stuff in games where I can I love this new info. I spent countless hours over the course of Mass Effect 2 tweaking my Shepard (gigiddy), so having this sort of thing in Reach is going to be awesome.

I really like the idea of earning credits too, having a reason to replay the Campaign, Firefight or whatever other modes Reach will have other than achievements (which I personally am not too arsed about oddly enough) is good news to me. I think Bungie were halfway there with campaign scoring and the like, which this seems to be an extension of. Giving those points an actual purpose is genius.

I hope we get a taste of this stuff in the beta too.

 

[BladedExpert]

Shit dude. That sucks! GAF montage killed your machine?

Hah. Partly. The poor thing was getting old (been meaning to upgrade for over a year now). It's just easier to start from scratch at this point.

The HD video just didn't want to render on this machine once I get past 3 minutes worth of clips. Probably my 2gb of RAM and crappy processor. Vegas just freezes or crashes at that point. So role on Monday and my new Quad core and 4gb! Full steam ahead from then on

 

[GhaleonEB]

Everything that players gain access to via credits in Halo: Reach are used solely to purchase helmets, shoulders, chests and other accessories that allow Halo: Reach players to create a Spartan who is uniquely them. These items are for visual changes only and do not affect the flow of gameplay.

"When the cut-scene comes up in campaign, we want you to see you," said Smith. "For instance, that trailer that we showed with the helmet and soldier picking it up, the Noble 6 trailer, that helmet is going to be your helmet. If you're pink and adorned with unicorns, that's how you're going to look. [...] With Reach, this is your story, this is your identity, this is your version of a story that we want you to be a part of."

"One of the things that we really want to do a better job with Reach is [highlighting] the guys out there who do like their Halo maybe differently than, for instance, I like mine. I like head shots, I like killing people with a sniper rifle, I like all that stuff. But there are guys that we've encountered along the way who just love to drive; they just want to drive people around. We haven't really done a great job of reinforcing that kind of behavior in the past and the Commendation system is one way we're doing that."

Challenges

Absurdly good stuff. The integration of the armor into Reach's single player, the Challenges (which sounds like a steady feed of achievements Bungie can keep pumping out), the Commendations. Bungie simply gets it. Fantastic stuff.

The Challenges are going to consume people. I'll probably be one of those people.

 

[Merguson]

This new player investment definitely sounds like a great way to keep players invested in Halo: Reach.

Since the focus of the player investment seems to be focused on Spartans considering you'll use the armor pieces for campaign and multiplayer, are we to assume that playing as Elites will be restricted to certain game types like Invasion Slayer? I guess we may have knew this already but I wasn't 100% certain.

 

[metareferential]

The Challenges are going to consume people. I'll probably be one of those people.

Count me in.

And I can't wait.

Hopefully we will see some absurdly crazy and difficult challenges for 0 cR. Yeah right.

Like finish the campaign with all skulls on legendary and alone. :lol

I would love it.

 

[broony]

Challenges and commendations are what I'm pleased about. As a mostly single player person there is rewards for me now too. Hope challenges don't end up fucking with games though.

 

[Trasher]

So definitely appears that Luke will be that old friend that was spoken about, and NOT the BR.

 

[BladedExpert]

So definitely appears that Luke will be that old friend that was spoken about, and NOT the BR.

Yeah, thats a shame...

 

[metareferential]

The screens show a linear-progression-type of ranking system.

Will it be combined with the existent esp and skill system?

 

[Flipyap]

Oh, that is a handsome screenshot. My new favorite!

I'd love to see some more expensive unlockables. I wonder how high do these "prices" get, there must be some fun long term goals.

 

[feel]

The screens show a linear-progression-type of ranking system.

Will it be combined with the existent esp and skill system?

EXP is gone, replaced by credits system. Skill 1 to 50 is still there, but hidden, just there to help matchmaking do its thing better. Super competitive people will have to stick to Arena for all their bragging needs.

Oh, that is a handsome screenshot. My new favorite!

I'd love to see some more expensive unlockables. I wonder how high do these "prices" get, there must be some fun long term goals.

They couldn't have picked a worse shoulder pad to put on that screen.

 

[metareferential]

EXP is gone, Skill 1 to 50 is still there, but hidden, just there to help matchmaking do it's thing better.

Yeah right, I completely forgot.

 

[borrowedchief]

I hope these challenges do not fuel game play reminiscent of Gears of War.

Also, the ability to customize my Spartan in campaign kinda rubs the wrong way. I always separated my Spartan from campaign and multi player. I hope there is a way to leave the single player version at default.

 

[Shake Appeal]

EXP is gone, replaced by credits system. Skill 1 to 50 is still there, but hidden, just there to help matchmaking do its thing better. Super competitive people will have to stick to Arena for all their bragging needs.

We still have military rankings, though, which is what I guess he was referring to. I assume these are based more on "time spent playing" rather than "skill", though. Or maybe they're tied to cR earned, so it's a mix, and anyone can reach General, but some people will do it a lot faster.

 

[backflip10019]

Wow, I'm really starting to like the credit system. Love the unlockables, too.

I'm wondering how Bungie will handle quitters this time around. Think they'll dock a certain amount of cR for each quit out? Seems like people might start quitting less if this is the case.

 

[Shake Appeal]

Does "NEW" on the armor selection screen mean that different armor unlocks at different ranks? Or that Bungie can pump out new armor perms updates whenever they want?

The latter, I suspect; I imagine they were annoyed with themselves that they couldn't add more permutations to Halo 3 post-launch as it was. You can also see a little '!' in the other screen, next to 'Armory', which presumably pops up whenever they have updated the Armory with new equipment.

 

[Revengeance]

Oooh, very cool!

I understand and I know it's a pretty smart thing to do, but why would I spend credits to customize my spartan? Why would I care if I get this squarish shoulder pad or that roundish shoulder pad?

Edit : What I mean is, everone's always gonna wear the most expensive stuff anyway, to prove their "elite-ness".

IMO, they should have kept this with Achievements.

Never underestimate the appeal playing dress-up has for some grown-ass men

Spoiler

vhfive

 

[Shake Appeal]

I'm wondering how Bungie will handle quitters this time around. Think they'll dock a certain amount of cR for each quit out? Seems like people might start quitting less if this is the case.

Yeah, all they'd have to do is pop up a screen that effectively says, "Wanna quit? You're letting your team down and this is going to cost you 200cR."

And they could raise the cost in competitive gametypes (including the Arena and MLG), lower it in sillier playlists, and remove it completely in FFA.

 

[Pennybags]

The latter, I suspect; I imagine they were annoyed with themselves that they couldn't add more permutations to Halo 3 post-launch as it was. You can also see a little '!' in the other screen, next to 'Armory', which presumably pops up whenever they have updated the Armory with new equipment.

But it's also possible that it just notifies you whenever a new armor piece is unlocked. If you look at the screenshot, it appears that the armor pieces apparently have prerequisites to fulfill before you are able to buy them.

 

[Raide]

I hope these challenges do not fuel game play reminiscent of Gears of War.

Also, the ability to customize my Spartan in campaign kinda rubs the wrong way. I always separated my Spartan from campaign and multi player. I hope there is a way to leave the single player version at default.

I kinda get the feeling that is what they are going for. Less of the "everyone is Master Chief" and more "I am my own Spartan!"

I guess you could make 2 profiles and have 1 do the SP stuff and another for MP but I guess there will be rewards from SP that fit into the MP action.

According to the interviews etc, the challenges could be split between SP and MP and be on a daily or weekly basis. There is bound to be a "kill x amount of mobs" but they could also be a bit more creative in how you do things. They could do a stealth only run challenge. :lol

 

[Shake Appeal]

But it's also possible that it just notifies you whenever a new armor piece is unlocked. If you look at the screenshot, it appears that the armor pieces apparently have prerequisites to fulfill before you are able to buy them.

The prerequisite is only the cost, as far as I can make out. And the screenshot shows the player doesn't have enough cR to afford one of the pieces marked as 'New'.

Edit: actually, there is a ghostly little square next to "prerequisites not met", so maybe they're tied to, say, (military) rank in that they have to be unlocked even if you have enough money to buy them.

But the lock symbol is still showing next to one of the 'New' pieces, so I stand by the idea that Bungie are able to add more permutations post-launch.

 

[DeadFalling]

So, can someone explain to me what the ranking system is now? I know there's an invisible TruSkill ranking, this credit system, but how are they going to show a real ranking? Are the Onyx/Gold/Bronze/Silver the only 4 rankings we are going to get this time around? ;_;

 

[Shake Appeal]

One thing that has occurred to me is that between keeping the Arena ticking over, tinkering with playlists and veto options, introducing daily challenges, etc. (to say nothing of creating new maps and armour permutations), Bungie has given themselves a lot of post-launch work to do. I hope Shishka is getting some minions to assist him, or he is going to be seriously overworked.

 

[RebornYeti]

Oh man, I was hoping for a Challenge system in Reach!

Commendations sound really nice. I like the thought of actually being rewarded for my use of the Needler.. If I read it correctly. :lol

 

[Wizman23]

Hey Infinity Ward, this is how you properly do a sequel. Reach is is really bringing to a head what a mail in job Infinity Ward did on MW2. Heck, IW didn't even change the same shit UI from the first game!

 

[electricpirate]

So, can someone explain to me what the ranking system is now? I know there's an invisible TruSkill ranking, this credit system, but how are they going to show a real ranking? Are the Onyx/Gold/Bronze/Silver the only 4 rankings we are going to get this time around? ;_;

You can see a military rank in the screen shots, but it hasn't been explained if that's something you buy, or if it's tied to some other kind of experience system. There's also an upgraded system of rewards that tailor more to your style of play.

Hopefully Urk will explain more on the BWU, or maybe Luke has some time scheduled to go into the forums and answer questions like Tyson did last week.

 

[Blueblur1]

One thing that has occurred to me is that between keeping the Arena ticking over, tinkering with playlists and veto options, introducing daily challenges, etc. (to say nothing of creating new maps and armour permutations), Bungie has given themselves a lot of post-launch work to do. I hope Shishka is getting some minions to assist him, or he is going to be seriously overworked.

This.

 

[feel]

post game credits breakdown

CREDITS EARNED

GAME COMPLETE ___________10
PLAYLIST AWARDS _________40
INVASION BONUS __________50
COMMENDATIONS __________60
CHALLENGES ______________80
ACHIEVEMENTS ____________90

TOTAL _________________ +330

 

[Shake Appeal]

Oh man, I was hoping for a Challenge system in Reach!

Commendations sound really nice. I like the thought of actually being rewarded for my use of the Needler.. If I read it correctly. :lol

Commendation unlocked: "Pretty in Pink"

 

[Shake Appeal]

GAME COMPLETE ___________10

In the carrot and stick approach to stopping quitters, this is the carrot.

 

[op_ivy]

looking forward to the spartan customization. I hope there are TONS of choices. should be super cool to see the same spartan in the single player cinematic goodness

 

[JaggedSac]

post game credits breakdown

CREDITS EARNED

GAME COMPLETE ___________10
PLAYLIST AWARDS _________40
INVASION BONUS __________50
COMMENDATIONS __________60
CHALLENGES ______________80
ACHIEVEMENTS ____________90

TOTAL _________________ +330

Nice, I didn't see them at first and it required some monitor adjusting to be able to read them.

 

[Pennybags]

The prerequisite is only the cost, as far as I can make out. And the screenshot shows the player doesn't have enough cR to afford one of the pieces marked as 'New'.

Edit: actually, there is a ghostly little square next to "prerequisites not met", so maybe they're tied to, say, (military) rank in that they have to be unlocked even if you have enough money to buy them.

But the lock symbol is still showing next to one of the 'New' pieces, so I stand by the idea that Bungie are able to add more permutations post-launch.

Thinking further, it wouldn't surprise me if some permutations are obtainable with credits from the outset, while others are tied to specific events before unlock.

I do hope that Bungie will be able to add new armor pieces, though.

 

[electricpirate]

I wonder if Commendations will play into matchmaking team pairings at all. IE, if I have a wheelman commendation will it try to put someone with a gunner commendation on my team?

Also, whenever someone gets near the sniper rifle their sniper commendations should pop up above their head so you know if that persons should actually be handling it.