If you randomize spawns, you're introducing another luck based element. Competitive games all about predictability. When luck provides a significant advantage to a team or player, you have a variable that can't be accounted for by any amount of skill, teamwork, or practice and that DESTROYS the competitive side of the game.
They're adding even more luck mechanics. We've watched each subsequent game in the series lower the skill ceiling and increase accessibility. There's no point in hiding from it anymore, halo is no longer about competition or skill.
It's not the end of the world though. Maybe we can try and focus on having fun instead of trying to be good at the game. Don't buy the game if you want a competitive experience.
I beat the game last night, it was pretty good. Some of the missions were brilliant (some of the best times I've EVER had in a game), some were not. The game mechanics are solid, fluid, and easy to pick up. I would recommend the game, but I think a sequel needs to be bigger and more challenging. I would also love to see more RPG-like depth, there's a touch of it already and expanding on that would be great. Overall, the game is ALMOST a masterpiece.
There were downsid...
I can certainly claim to hate it!
I started out as a huge fan and have invested thousands of hours into halo CE, halo 2, and halo 3, but I hate it now. With every release the game mechanics lower the skill ceiling and make entry easier and easier for new players. Reach just took it to far. The game trivializes skill in every aspect of its design. How could anyone not hate that?
Developers don't see money from sales in the sense that you're implying. Used game sales only directly affect the publisher (think RIAA and musicians).
More generally, this is a problem of economics, $300 for a console + $60+x for a game and all of its content + $x for peripherals = an extremely expensive few hours. The cost alone is absurd (especially in such an over saturated market), but once you figure in the risk of purchasing a game, new or pre ordering, it beco...
They still exist. Competitive gaming is on the PC and always has been. Counter Strike is still alive and well, Team Fortress 2 has a strong competitive community, and there are fantastic games like Tribes Ascend trying to create new competitive experiences.