310°

Half-Arsed XBL Matchmaking: Developers, Please Just Get It Right

OXCGN:

"We may live at the "arse end of the world", as former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating infamously said, but we deserve better than half-arsed matchmaking.

Multiplayer is one of the main reasons that many gamers purchase Gold Xbox Live membership; to gain the ability to face off against their friends and many other gamers around the world in the game of their choice.

Many games have come and gone, all featuring different methods in handling multiplayer, but so far none have come close to perfecting it so that everyone is happy."

XboxOZ3606157d ago

My experience with Xbox Live has me not want to be involved with it actually, and listening to a huge number of ppl here in Australia, it's a wonder they even buy Gold . .

The service is basically "basic" for anyone outside of Nth America and even Europe now. If you reside outside those area, forget about it, you really do NOT matter in the greater scheme of things - at all.

gaminoz6157d ago

Yeah I'm not big on Live myself....partly because it intimidates me with all the overly intense serious players out there and poor understanding of how it works, partly because of previous bad experiences with players, partly because it is hard for me to get solid un-interruptable periods of time, and partly because I prefer single player experiences.

I really think Gold should be discounted in Oz when you can't have the same experience or even the same features (where are the movies?) as North America.

kwicksandz6157d ago

COD4 For example on both 360 and ps3 is unplayable for aussies because of the matchmaking. if we cant get a local host you may as well not bother. Gears 2 ... is horrible and left 4 dead a glitch is needed to get a green bar game.

I read on the AUS xbox forums that the gears 2 devs flat out told forum posters that they arent going to implement a local search feature because our population is too small to justify. I felt like trading that game in the next day.

Halo 3 and Cod5 have a local search feature that allows good connection games, as does rainbow 6 vegas-s and frontlines fuel of war but sadly this isnt the norm

PSN unfortunately isnt much better. I think their was a grand total of one aussie warhawk sever last time i checked and most other games use P2P despite what the fanboys say.

GrathiusXR6157d ago

Even with left4Dead for Australians is weird.. During our OXCGN Community playdate i hosted a room full of 7 other Aussies and we all had red bars. which is completely strange..

and as you said to achieve full green bars and no lag you need to glitch the system by Pressing A every few seconds until you apparently see a countdown timer which means you have host.

Battlefield: Bad Company is another exception where the matchmaking system for it worked for a while though until the game got to a point where no matter how many bullets you think you put into someone they just won't die.

It's that kind of lag that ruins the game for you that type of misjudgment.

king dong26157d ago

i'm in the eu, and it's bad enough when you get put with an american host, so i'm sure it's terrible for you guys. and dont listen to all this"dedicated servers" bollox. if there's no dedicated servers in your region, and you're forced to play on them in the eu or the us, then you will experience the exact same thing.....you're f"cked basically.

Kushan6157d ago

L4D is hosted on dedicated servers, which is why you can be with 7 of your mates and still get red bars. It's a little bit unrealistic to expect Vavle to plop up servers all around the world, or even Sony for that matter, when you're not paying them a penny for the service. In theory, a P2P system like Live (Or indeed PSNs own P2P networking) SHOULD be able to overcome this, but it seems either developers just don't care or Sony/Microsoft haven't got a great backed for local matchmaking. Or a bit of both.

It still strikes me that some people use "Dedicated Servers" as part of their "PSN vs Live" debates, they don't seem to realise that not all games have Dedicated Servers and not all players benefit from them, especially if the servers are all hosted in the one place. Plus, L4D is proof that live can have dedicated servers as well, but in your aussie cases, it shows that they're no use at all.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6157d ago
Godem6157d ago

Couldn't agree more, Gears 1 is so much better than Gears 2..

I think one point that should have been more expanded upon, is how gay it is, in matchmaking that you are forced to wait a few minutes between every game, i mean I just want to sit down and have a good solid session, but I hate how every match you have to search for players again etc.

omg just be like a PC and give us a server/host list.

XboxOZ3606157d ago

What IS this thing with "how gay it is" . .

You do realise what Gay means . . It's not a term that should be used it that context . .

You could use something much more descriptive, and something that would mean more such as How futile, how rediculious, how frustrating etc, but Gay. really . .??

Godem6157d ago

im allowed to rant! leave me alone! lol... everyone uses it nowdays.

alright ill take gay back.... and say lame. happy? :)

The Dark Knight6157d ago

you gay or something? leave the guy alone were not writing english essays, were on a video game website, lighten up abit xboxoz

Shepherd 2146156d ago (Edited 6156d ago )

Gears 1 multiplayer was absolutely amazing. I played it for 2 years and its safe to say im a great player. When it comes to the first Gears, i know my stuff.

But Gears 2 multiplayer is so bad that is, indeed, gay.

Horrible changes, horrible matchmaking, horrible lag even if your in North America, and many more horrible things that need to be added or taken out.

P.S. It is good to see that this article constantly refers and compares other games to Halo 3. When it comes to matchmaking and multiplayer overall, Halo 3 really is the cream of the crop, id like anyone to name a game that nails the superior matchmaking and sheer amount of variety, multiplayer content and developer support that Halo 3 has and will continue to have until ODST comes out.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 6156d ago
KingKionic 6157d ago

hopefully people will read article.

gaminoz6157d ago

Yeah and not just say: PSN is soooo much better and free.

That's getting old.

Kyur4ThePain6157d ago (Edited 6157d ago )

That must be the worst attempt at stirring I have ever seen.
Sit down, mate. You're not ready for the big time.

ON TOPIC
Wow, I didn't realize you guys had it so bad down there.
But hey, at least your teams did better than the South African teams this weekend in the Super 14.
Good on the Brumbies after a sad week.

@Below
Are you for real?

gaminoz6157d ago

@ Kyr4ThePain

LOL. Yeah, well I was expecting it to break out, so I figured I'd get in first and be a smartarse and say it's probably going to happen!

Seriously, all console online seems to suffer something, which is why if the future is online multi only, I'm not interested.

Kyur4ThePain6157d ago

I most definitely agree on the multi online thing.
I use my gaming time to chill, and having to go through struggles to hook up with others or dealing with idiots is not my idea of chilling.
Single player makes up 90% of how I judge a game and whether I want to get it or not.

GrathiusXR6157d ago

Lately i have been seriously only playing Single Player side of gaming left4Dead Campaign witht he exception of co-op campaign *note still get red bars*..

As well as The Godfather II single player.. i gave multi a go and matchmaking again as well as red bars and lag.. unleahsed a wholw clip[ of my tommy gun on a guy only to not kill him as well as some random..

American who kept on killing his own teammates.. i sent him a message saying now why on earth would you do that for? Continue to do that and you will get some complaints your way for bad sportmanship..

His reply " NWS I WILL DO THAT YOU STUPID BRIT "

Put's you off multiplayer especially matchmaking games when that happens. AL more reason to bring back gears 1 Player Hosted matches.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 6157d ago
GrathiusXR6157d ago

I could have expanded upon how with most games you have to wait and hmm good point should of actually Godem..

Nothing worse than being forced to wait while it searches for matches and that sometimes takes up to 10 minutes even 15-20 in some cases.

Especially when a game does not have enough Australians players to have a full room you have to wait so long to get thrown into a match and when you do the lag is horrible and you quit straight away..

having to do the process all over again

iNcRiMiNaTi6157d ago

u can choose the language the room speaks, theres a visual representation of the server ping compared to yours (green, yellow, red) u can set the options to search for a certain map and a certain gametype which can be switched around as u please. u can create your own matches, using any gametype u want, map u want, u can put restrictions on weapons, and u can choose to host it as a dedicated server

N2NOther6156d ago

Exactly. I've been saying this for years. Matchmaking is terrible. You have zero control over who you play with if you just want to play a few quick games before your friends get on. COD 4 is loaded with people who have NO concept or care on how team based games work. They either suck, don't talk, or worse talk to their friends about dumb sh*t, only play for their kill/death ratio and so on.

In Vegas the host can kick people out and thus it makes the game a much more fun experience.

If MW 2 continues this matchmaking BS I'm not playing it online unless every single one of my friends has it so I can guarantee a good team no matter the time zone.

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120°

Halo 2 & 3 Campaign Remakes Allegedly In Development, Halo 7 Will Feature Multiplayer

Remakes of the campaigns featured in Xbox Game Studios' Halo 2 and Halo 3 are currently in development, according to a new rumor.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
medman116d ago (Edited 116d ago )

That's Microsoft's gaming division for you...kill off developers making new ip while trying to capitalize off some long lost glory that has no hope of ever being what it once was thanks to recent decision making favoring unrealistic profit goals and greed. What a joke.

Reaper22_116d ago

So much bitterness. Why be upset over something like this. Just don't buy it and stick with what you prefer.

Tacoboto116d ago

Complaining about Microsoft is the only thing people comment here for anymore.

This website is practically dead without it

Mmmkay116d ago

I remember when you guys constantly complained about Sony remaking and remastering games. Guess it is cool now. As usual.

thesoftware730116d ago

Give it rest medman..., take a deep breath and try to not sound so invested in something no one is forcing you to read, buy, or play.

"Console war"is over, Sony won, be happy.

medman111d ago (Edited 111d ago )

@thesoftware730
I'm invested in people losing their jobs and their livelihoods while Microsoft execs tout record profits for their gaming division. Not sure why you wouldn't be invested. Could be you one day. Good luck.

Travesty116d ago

So what’s their solution to having multiplayer? Wait until Halo 7?
That was one of the most memorable parts of Halo..

monkey602116d ago

I'm not sure spending the heavy investment in time to recreate the multiplayer here is the answer either though.
Remaking the campaigns is a great idea to bring the new players up to speed. But if the multiplayer is included in each it'll just fracture the player base of each release.
I think it might be better to turn these campaigns out quicker and have 1 multiplayer game to keep everyone in one place

Travesty116d ago

Maybe having an Halo Online and just release the Combat Evolve maps. And when Halo 2 releases have those maps release. I don’t know but I would like to play a newer version of Halo multiplayer. I know times have changed, and Fortnite is all younger kids really play. But back then it was Halo and you connecting 6 Xbox’s together lol.

jjb1981116d ago

I agree. I think that'll segment the playerbase and once 7 comes out, players might realize it sucks and go back to the older games. Especially if 7 is live-servixe, they'll be shooting themselves in the foot on the one good leg they have to stand on.

crazyCoconuts116d ago

Kinda surprised they didn't just port MCC.
Maybe more $ to by made with separate remasters

Inverno116d ago

Wouldn't have that problem if it were MCC being released. Gotta wait for 7 to be disappointed with MP all over again cause if they half baked Infinite what makes people think they won't half bake the next game? MP works in past HALO games not cause of nostalgia but because it's MP that isn't concerned with the endless service approach.

JEECE116d ago

There is so much cognitive dissonance over Infinite. People say they didn't like it because it was a live service. Yet if you look at what the criticisms of it were at the time it came out and when the playerbase started falling off, the primary issue people had was a lack of updates. In other words, it wasn't enough of a live service.

Which is really an encapsulation of the problem with multiplayer today. So many people think that they want to go back to the "good old days" of mid-2000s multiplayer (The first few Halos, Socom, the first few Battlefields, CS 1.6, etc), but in reality if a multiplayer game like that came out today, people would whine about the lack of content within a month of launch and go back to a live service with a grindy progression system.

isarai116d ago

Why not just port the MCC? 🤔 That was the easiest layup ever and you completely missed it

franwex116d ago

30% profit margins! People will pay $70+ for remakes!

Software_Lover116d ago

I thought the same thing, then I realized that they wouldn't include the remakes in that edition. We may get a different version of Halo MCC in the future with all of the remakes included. I just want them to include Halo 5 at some point for PC.

TheColbertinator116d ago

Can they remake Reach too with the multiplayer?

Knightofelemia116d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will port Reach over to Playstation I quite enjoyed that game. I played Halo 3 and it was not bad I have Halo 2 on the OG Xbox I just need some cables to hook up to my tv to play it.

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140°

Only nine franchises make up the top 20 all-time best-selling PlayStation chart in the US

In honour of PlayStation's 30th birthday yesterday in the US, data company Circana has dug out figures showing the top 20 best-selling PlayStation video games ever (date-range Jan 1995 to July 2025). Don't get too excited.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
JEECE167d ago

This is a great reminder of how game sales have become more concentrated in a smaller number of games/series over time. In the PS1/PS2 era a game was a success if it sold a million or a few million copies. The GTA games (3/Vice City/San Andreas) were pretty big outliers in selling as much as they did during the PS2 era. So in the minds of a lot of gamers something like FF VII feels like it was as big of a PS1 game as God of War 2018 was for PS4, but in reality far fewer people bought it (though it has obviously reached additional people through remasters, etc.).

StoneTitan167d ago

this was alwalys the case and will always be the case. with everything

167d ago
Zerobalance167d ago (Edited 167d ago )

What this says to me is, not many people are buying a PS to play PS exclusives. Like so many false narratives, like Xbox gamers don't buy games! It seems Playstation as a default system is a vanilla system to play call of duty, Minecraft, GTA games and a sports games.

badz149167d ago (Edited 167d ago )

if you look back into the PS history, it has always been the 3rd parties who sells the most games. it was just that the PS1 and PS2 were so dominant that many of those 3rd party games were exclusives. so, back during the PS1 and PS2 days, the strategy was "to sell as many consoles as possible in order to sell more 1st party exclusives" to ride on that wave. The strategy to push many 1st party exclusives to sell consoles only started with the PS3 when many of those prior 3rd party exclusives went multiplat but more accurately, it started with the PSP.

Sony saw with the PSP, which was being trounced in sales by the DS, that 3rd party exclusives are hard to come by if you're not dominating the market. So they started building more 1st party games and when the PS3 were facing difficulties in sales, they knew they had to rely on their own to differentiate the PS3 from the 360. So the strategy back then changed to "release more 1st party exclusives in order to sell more consoles".

the only manufacturer that is still consistently selling their hardware to play 1st party exclusives, is Nintendo, and that was because they gave up the armrace for power thus they can't rely on 3rd parties anymore as all multiplats play better on competing consoles. AND that's also why they are the most ominous in going after emulators and also patent trolling!

so, you're not wrong there, but not an "aha!" moment or anything. it has been this way since the last, at least, 15 years for Playstation.

167d ago
Deathdeliverer166d ago

@zerobalance

So... what this tells you is that Call of duty, being the absolute check writer that it is, has been outsold by Last of us, God of war, 2 Spider man games..... Saying Playstation exclusives doesn't sell is like saying call of duty doesn't sell because they have outsold some of iterations. Does that make sense to you?

167d ago
167d ago
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240°

Gears of War 2 Remake was in development “10 years ago” but was scrapped by Xbox

Ayi Sanchez: "Old work. I did this 10 years ago now as part of a material test for a remaster of Gears of War 2 that never happened."

RaidenBlack352d ago

lolz,
hope we're still getting Gears 2 & 3 for PC, as per rumors

Cacabunga351d ago

Xbox always taking the right decisions

XiNatsuDragnel352d ago

Wow... just wow Microsoft sigh at it again 😑

Lightning77352d ago

Weird, in mean they had no studios to make anything really new so there's a part of me thats kinda glad they scrapped it. If they released this back then it would of gotten ridiculed for remakes and remastering stuff. Now they have new and interesting games so the collection is harmless.

CrimsonWing69352d ago

Geez, Xbox, something like that I would’ve bought Day 1. Great business decisions over there.

lucasnooker351d ago

10 years ago it wasn’t such a big deal. The games were only a few years old by that point

CrimsonWing69351d ago

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition came out in 2015 (essentially 10 years ago), having a follow-up to that on the then next-gen console would’ve absolutely been welcomed, in my book.

LoveSpuds351d ago

I can only assume the the Gears of War Remaster flopped so they decided to scrap the other remakes?

Seems short sighted to me as I really enjoyed the 1st remaster. Regardless, I'll snap up some remakes to play on my PS5.

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