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'Halo 4' multiplayer loadout system and permanent sprint explained by 343

XMNR: Halo 4 is not just launching a new trilogy for the premier Xbox franchise but it is also making some significant changes to the classic multiplayer component. 343 Industries lead multiplayer designer Brad Welch explained why 343 Industries is introducing the new loadout system and how sprinting went from an armor ability to permanent fixture.

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examiner.com
Titanz5152d ago

"Some" shooters actually benefit themselves amongst the rest of tps/fps genre, because of it.

Perfect Dark Zero would've been a better title.

aviator1895152d ago

I just can't wait to see a video with all of it in action.

SITH5152d ago

Assualt rifle and shotgun everytime all the time will be my load out.

lategamer5152d ago

Shotgun may be considered a power weapon, so instead of loadouts it may spawn on the map.

We'll probably get choices of Rifles (i.e. Assault Rifle, Carbine, BR, DMR, Plasma Rifle, etc.) and Pistols (Plasma, etc.) as primary and secondary weapon.(IMO)

It'll be interesting to see what 343i does.

SITH5152d ago

Never has been considered a power weapon and never will be. I absolutely do not see why you would think otherwise.

DarkBlood5152d ago

prehaps it has to do with the instant ish kill upclose to be considered a power weapon as any other gun would take quite a few seconds to kill you

which is just enough time to run up to them and shoot them in the face with it as well as melee them immediatly after if its not a instant kill in most cases

lategamer5152d ago

Huh, according to the new Sparkcast CQB weapons will be part of load out. It'll be interesting to see how this turns out.

5152d ago
-Alpha5152d ago (Edited 5152d ago )

This "unlock weapons and customize loadout" thing has me real pissy. And I totally disagree with the "it brings variety" argument. I hope a shotgun is considered a power weapon, since you cant spawn with power weapons.

I really hate the idea of a team spawning with a needler, I'd miss picking these things up across the map as opposed to using the generic "make a loadout" system. It doesn't bring variety as far as I'm concerned, it brings more randomness with players trying to etch out a spawn-and-play style as opposed to the controlled "Chess" concept of Halo I liked.

life doomer5152d ago (Edited 5152d ago )

do you realize how stupid you sound. How do you know your going to spawn with a needler when the weapons aren't confirmed yet. What do you mean that the loadout system doesn't bring variety because it certainly does.You think playing with the same guns in every game brings variety? Oh yeah, stop judging it before you play it because it really shows how much of a closed minded individual you really are and not willing to accept change. Who knows, this could be the best halo yet.
edit: @kingnick
kaveti6616 is right. Just by adding a few elements from cod doesn't me that the game has turned to a cod wanabee. It may perhaps improve gameplay from what i hear. Besides, many shooters implemented elements from cod yet, they weren't being criticized as being cod clones as much as halo 4. Another thing, why is kaveti getting disagrees and you are getting agree even though kaveti is right. Man, this site is run by ignorant people.

@darkhollow
but with the right balance, it may very well be fair and rely solely on skill.

dark-hollow5152d ago

i agree with alpha.
the balance would be played like rock paper scissors, which really doesnt hold a candle to the way halo 3 was balanced out.

Gazondaily5152d ago (Edited 5152d ago )

I'm sorry life doomer but you're the one sounding stupid by being so overly defensive about Alpha's comments.

You sound like a bit of a noob at Halo too because Alpha raises good points. Controlling weapon spawns requires skill and team coordination as opposed to holding the players hand and giving them a 'power' weapon like a shotgun or needler from the get go. Alpha isn't being close-minded, he's airing concerns about a gameplay element that doesn't sound appealing to him. Where in his post does it say that he's judging the game prematurely? True fans don't just bend over and swallow the hype. Us Halo fans, those with some modicum of competitive integrity are excited yet weary at the same time.

I'm sorry but you are the one that sounds ignorant. Halo's multiplayer is very unique. Jumping on the much abused Call of Duty bandwagon would most likely do more damage than good. Halo's multiplayer component is far superior and unique to something like Killzone and just observe how negatively COD affected the latter title.

So relax and accept other people's concerns. I myself cannot wait to play Halo 4 yet its precisely because of my passion for the franchise that I'll approach any news on it with excitement and a sense of trepidation as well. 343 industries needs gamers like us.

morganfell5152d ago (Edited 5152d ago )

If this effort works all comes down to one thing. Whether or not someone can bury their ego...if it becomes necessary.

Bungie was and is a master of play testing. They are one of the best studios ever at picking the right people to evaluate and then interpreting multiplayer data in order to find game balance. If this method is carried over to 343 by people like Frankie then none of us have anything to worry about. It used to be Tyson Green's department but hopefully this system was passed on.

The issue I have is there has been no word of external play testing having been taking place already and that is where true balance is discovered, not by using internal studio personnel. 343 have made some bold statement s and changes to go with it.

If the setup goes to public beta and it does not work and 343 is willing to admit an error then we will all have great MP awaiting us come this fall. If not then the game is in serious trouble. Implementing something for the sake of change is a dangerous thing and the unwillingness to admit an error even more so.

But if this works it will be exactly the shot in the arm the series needed.

KeiserSosay47885152d ago

I agree COMPLETLEY, dude. I'm "ok" with sprint, but LOADOUTS? HELL NO, everyone should start with the same weapons and fight for control of power weapons/control the map. THAT IS HALO; Not this spawn/play COD crap. I'll wait and see how it turns out, but right now I'm scared that another favorite franchise of mine is being changed for the worse.

kaveti66165152d ago

The random weapon respawn is going to operate under a predictable pattern, according to Frank O' Connor on Neogaf.

Basically, it means that you'll still be able to control respawn points but it'll force you and your team to move around the map more multiple times during the match.

It's a bit more tedious but it's not as irritating as I thought it was going to be when I first read about the feature.

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180°

Halo art director leaves studio after 17 years with ominous message alluding to discontent

Glenn Israel writes: "As of today and after seventeen long years, I am officially no longer contributing to the Halo universe. There is little more I can say for the moment, though I intend to share this particular story in its entirety when it is absolutely safe to do so next year. In the meantime, I have a message for anyone and everyone who needs to hear it.

I know that the state of our industry seems dire, but never forget that you are *free to choose*. No illusion of security nor promise of wealth or fame or power is worth trading away your health, your dignity, your ethics or values - and no one can force you to. Stay strong, take evidence when necessary, and find where you belong."

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linkedin.com
Bathyj227d ago

My god.
There's a story for next year.

VenomUK227d ago

I’m really disappointed to learn there are still people/morale problems. I thought the whole point of rebranding 343i to Halo Studios was to signal that real changes had been made - not to cynically rebrand to paper over the problems.

I really hope the Halo CE remake is great and gets people hyped for the future of the series.

DarXyde226d ago

It's inevitable with the modern landscape. Even if some issues have been assuaged, new ones crop up all the time.

I'm willing to bet AI and the lack of regulation is causing substantial upset.

shinXseijuro227d ago (Edited 227d ago )

He said something very marking . We tend to complain a lot about the industry but deep down I realize that we never have we been offered this crazy amount of games all available for you to play now . You can literally play any sorts of games in 2025 . Nobody is forcing you to buy the latest COD or the latest BF . You’re more of a 8 bit cozy gaming guy there’s a whole niche of modern games for that . You like micromanaging there’s games for that . I feel like we have been spoiled so much we just stopped being realistic and thinking for ourselves . We follow trends cry about stuff online when you are the buyer you have the power .

Notellin226d ago

I'm not buying any games until another Immersive sim is made.

PhillyDonJawn227d ago

....wth happened over there?
Does this confirm a new Halo by next year?
What did they want him to do that made him feel it was morally wrong or a insult to his integrity?

-Foxtrot227d ago

Well how about that, a name change doesn’t fix internal issues

Who would have thought

jznrpg227d ago

MS was throwing money around for a long time but now it’s time to pay the Piper.

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110°

Halo 4 & Halo 5: Guardians Sales Reached Nearly 10 Million Units Worldwide

Lifetime sales of 343 Industries' first-person shooters, Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians, reached nearly 10 million units worldwide each.

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twistedvoxel.com
Sciurus_vulgaris318d ago

There were reports that Halo 4 and Halo 5 had similar sales to Halo: Reach years ago. The clickbait websites and rage bait YouTubers from 2012-2016 just wanted to spread excessive negativity about the franchise for their own benefit.

VenomUK316d ago

What did Halo: Infinite sell?

Sciurus_vulgaris316d ago

I don’t know. However, I would assume around 10 million. All the Halo FPS titles have done around 10 million sales, except ODST. Halo 3, was reported to exceed 14 million copies. I still remember back in 2007-2008, Halo 3 and COD 4 would duke it out for the most played XBL game.

MrNinosan316d ago

@Sciurus

There is NO WAY Infinite sold 10 million. Wake up dude.
Once upon a time, there was gamers on the Xbox side who actually bought games. Those times are since long gone.

Infinite has most likely not even hit 5 million sales

slate91316d ago

Nearly 10 million units and killing the brand is crazy work. Nicely done.

peppeaccardo316d ago

This New: Putting chocolate chips on top of a freshly made dog turd .....

1Victor316d ago

So let me get this straight in almost 13 years both games sold a combined 10 millions units.
Now I’m not going to use the obscured mentality and compared it to the amount of consoles sold and say it’s a failure 🤷🏿

thesoftware730316d ago (Edited 316d ago )

1Victor,

Halo 4 and Halo 5: Guardians, reached nearly 10 million units worldwide "each."

Read it again, there is a word in there that clears up your misunderstanding.

1Victor316d ago

@thesoftware720
I apologize I skimmed through the article and the headline blinded me and stuck in my mind thank you for the correction 👍👍

AuraAbjure316d ago (Edited 316d ago )

Halo 4 is the best multiplayer ever! It’s even better than Titanfall 2. I admit Halo 4 got CoDified but there’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other games sometimes and halo 4 did it sooooo well with that speed boost plus sword combo and SAW plus damage booth combo, holy guacamole 🥑

Some crucial improvements to halo 4 could’ve been to boost the power of the AA sentinel, and whenever matchmaking pits people against each other with an armor abilities turned off completely then the map needs to routinely spawn, plentiful, predictable, power weapons. Also, all frame rate drops are unacceptable for a halo game during split-split screen or couch co-op. Just dynamically scale the resolution of the game down but whatever happens don’t let the framer dip in a Halo game for the love of all that is holy and good!

My personal gameplay of getting 30 kills in a 4 v. 4 game of team slayer up to 60.

https://youtu.be/ZYDvior_K-...

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190°

OG Destiny artist recalls Bungie’s “disgruntled” reaction to Halo 4’s art style change

Original Destiny artist Darren Bacon recalls how Bungie reacted to the art style change of Halo 4 by 343 Industries.

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videogamer.com
Tacoboto399d ago

Bungie at that time became the most wonderful bunch of hypocrites in the gaming industry. Knowing this now, gosh the entitlement they felt was out of this world.

Nothing like buying yourself from Microsoft because you don't want to be the Halo Studio anymore, and the FIRST THING you do is sign your next IP over to Activision, for a DECADE, while they are in the middle of ousting the heads of Infinity Ward so they can exert even more control over COD while screwing out the devs at IW...

Should've come as no surprise then that Activision gutted the content of Destiny 1 before launch and was a horrible partner through Destiny 2, until history repeated itself and Bungie had to split from Activision only to wind up in the arms of another major conglomerate that also doesn't know how to handle these unmanageable devs.

Profchaos398d ago

Tti their credit they praised the technical abilities of 343 and I remember at the time thinking halo 4 was a huge graphical leap above reach everything else was rubbish when I actually got to play it but there was no doubt it looked good for the 360 and is probably the best looking game on the system.

But ultimately I think bungie has always had a leadership problem and going independent ultimately proved this it's only getting worse with studio heads being outed by Sony for abuse allegations seems like all bungies past success has been in spite of management not because of it.

But really I think the bungie we have today is not the same one we had in that Xbox era of Bungie

PhillyDonJawn398d ago

I liked the artstyle change. For the most part. Something looked worse but most of everything else looked better. Weapons and vehicles for sure. The wraith come to my mind instantly.
And how can they get mad when the bungie changed it with Halo Reach?

Sciurus_vulgaris398d ago

I know a lot of people dislike Halo 4’s arts style, but there’s thing about it I like and dislike. Personally, the Halo 4 design of Master Chief’s armour is my favourite depiction of the character’s armour.