Halo 4 Multiplayer, supposedly with special ops and custom loadtouts.

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**susejo239**

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/122/1222537p1.html

Adding to the Infinity experience is Spartan Ops, a separate story-centric campaign for four players. It presents objective-based missions and cinematics, both of which will be added weekly to expand on Spartan Ops' story. These updates will happen for months following Halo 4's release to hold players' attention long-term. Spartan Ops replaces Firefight, which won't have its own dedicated mode this time around.

Another interesting change to Halo 4 is loadouts. Rather than everyone rolling out with the same weapons online, players bring customized gear into battle. Everyone packs a primary and secondary weapon, armor abilities (including active camo, jetpack, and hologram) grenade type (plasma grenade is still unconfirmed). Weapons still appear around the map, of course, but they appear in random spots via drop pods. In another interesting minor tweak, the respawn in Team Slayer is instantaneous rather than reliant on a clock.

Since Chief vanished, Spartans have since learned to run; sprinting is an innate ability in everyone. Players can also use Forerunner Vision to peek through walls, Batman style. The X-ray vision upgrade is an armor ability you'll equip. Other abilities are unlockable via Spartan Points, the currency fueling the in-game economy. Points unlock additional Ops missions, armor abilities, and cosmetic upgrades.

Anyone heard this? Is it old news? What does DAKKA think?
I'm personally a little disappointed about this. Halo's turning into CoD, now.

**SkaerKrow**

Personally, I think that Spartan Ops mode sounds like it could be quite a lot of fun. Depending on the pricing model, it could also herald a significant change to the landscape of online shooters.

The rest of the changes adhere to the direction that Bungee was taking the series during Halo: Reach. I'm not particularly disappointed by the "COD-ification" of the series, since CoD is generally a more contemporary online shooter than the older Halo titles. Still, I hope that they continue to offer "Classic" playlists and modes for people who prefer the original Halo multiplayer experience. There's no reason why they can't cater to people of either appetite.

**daedalus-templarius**

Here are some clarifications for you

Summary of the comments made by Frank and David:

Not much can be said for now about the multiplayer for now in detail, because Gameinformer has a exclusivity period. (Source)
There will be a podcast clarifying some of the multiplayer changes, however the podcast will not release this week and there is no ETA on it. (I will update this thread when it’s available) (Source)
Some of the conclusions reached with the GI article are not entirely accurate, some of the MP items mentioned have been changed since the media visit. This will be clarified in the near future. (Source)
343 knows that some of the changes in multiplayer are going to be controversial in some circles, but they have not made these changes lightly. They have been clearly thought out and will be continued to be tweaked on based on player feedback. (Source)
Multiplayer changes that "invested, emotional" players are "raising eyebrows slightly at" are being very misinterpreted ("random" weapon spawns for example). This will be clarified in the future.(Source)
Some of the features and abilities (in the article) are being discussed without context. Again, this will be clarified in the future. (Source)
343 promises that it feels like Halo and does not feel or act like other games it’s being compared to. They do understand that people jumped the conclusion fast, but when players play it they will know.(Source)
There is no romance forming between Cortana and Master Chief. (Source)
Forerunner Vision isn’t really like UAV in COD, this will be clarified in the future. (Source)
Weapon drops are not “Random”, they are telegraphed and in some ways, predictable. There is a variation though. (Source)
Map control will still be important, but it has changed to some degree. (Source)
Custom games will be heavily customizable, and initial playlist will be clean and focused. Players will not be presented with a stack of lists, but there will be a variety of different tastes. (Source 1, Source 2)
Halo 4’s Infinity section will feature every aspect of multiplayer, except co-op campaign. (Source)
There will be new and traditional modes under Infinity and it will have zero effect on the scale, size, content or appearance of MP spaces. (Source)
You cannot use Forerunner Vision to see players anywhere on the map. (Source)
Instant respawns will not be enabled in objective based modes. (Source)
Visuals for Forerunner Vision are still being worked on. (Source)
Nothing will be said about ranking or progression in detail for a while. (Source)
Halo 4’s Multiplayer is not using True Skill in the same way Reach did. (Source)
Armor Lock is not coming back. (Source)
With Firefight not coming back, Spartan ops will scratch that and other itches. (Source)
Battle Rifle will be recoil. (Source)
Dual Wielding will not be coming back. (Source)

Note: Be sure to check out the source, some things might make more sense in the context of how they where answered.
Clarifications post, links actually work : http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=36805069&postcount=1240

Also, watch this and your fears melt away

Being able to choose to spawn with a BR and run doesn't really make Halo = CoD. You still will need to be able to move and aim well to win.

**purplefood**

This looks pretty cool...

**susejo239**

SkaerKrow wrote:Personally, I think that Spartan Ops mode sounds like it could be quite a lot of fun. Depending on the pricing model, it could also herald a significant change to the landscape of online shooters.

The rest of the changes adhere to the direction that Bungee was taking the series during Halo: Reach. I'm not particularly disappointed by the "COD-ification" of the series, since CoD is generally a more contemporary online shooter than the older Halo titles. Still, I hope that they continue to offer "Classic" playlists and modes for people who prefer the original Halo multiplayer experience. There's no reason why they can't cater to people of either appetite.

I'm as much disappointed with the Spartan Ops as I am with the custom loadouts. It's going to be nice, having some objective co-op games other than firefight. But, my fears have melted.

Sprint for everyone will be cool, though.
I'll definitely want Classic playlists, though. The Classic Reach playlists were awesome, even though not many people played them.

**daedalus-templarius**

I think the Spartan Ops sound much better than Firefight personally.

A story driven multiplayer experience that unfolds over several months with several missions... in addition to the campaign. How can you not like that?

Also, some images for you to poop your pants over (in-game and concept shots)

**susejo239**

Sick elite...
That Spartan helmet is really getting on my nerves. Looks too much like Hayabusa, yet not as awesome.
I actually want to still have firefight. I like the cliche wave fighting, but the ops sound cooler still.

**daedalus-templarius**

susejo239 wrote:Sick elite...

I actually want to still have firefight. I like the cliche wave fighting, but the ops sound cooler still.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some missions in Ops to be defensive wave based in nature, just maybe not exactly what we have now.

**susejo239**

Yeah, you're right. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Edit: Look at those BR pictures. They both look different, and have different ammo. The one up top must be the BR, and the one way on the bottom must be a single-shot DMR.

**purplefood**

The Halo Universe is my favorite one...

**daedalus-templarius**

susejo239 wrote:Yeah, you're right. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Edit: Look at those BR pictures. They both look different, and have different ammo. The one up top must be the BR, and the one way on the bottom must be a single-shot DMR.

That is correct, they are both in Halo 4.

The BR is a hitscan, 2x scope, 3-shot burst, 4 shot kill(as long as your 4th shot is a headshot) rifle. No leading like Halo 3, it is basically the Halo 2 post-patch BR.

no specifics on how the DMR functions in Halo 4 yet.

purplefood wrote:I want something fully automatic...
Even if it doesn't do anything firing back with a full-auto gun makes me feel better...

You'll probably recognize this gun

And if you don't, its the assault rifle.

**purplefood**

I want something fully automatic...
Even if it doesn't do anything firing back with a full-auto gun makes me feel better...

**Ma55ter_fett**

I love, I love!

**susejo239**

daedalus-templarius wrote:
susejo239 wrote:Yeah, you're right. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Edit: Look at those BR pictures. They both look different, and have different ammo. The one up top must be the BR, and the one way on the bottom must be a single-shot DMR.

That is correct, they are both in Halo 4.

The BR is a hitscan, 2x scope, 3-shot burst, 4 shot kill(as long as your 4th shot is a headshot) rifle. No leading like Halo 3, it is basically the Halo 2 post-patch BR.

no specifics on how the DMR functions in Halo 4 yet.

Me like, me like. Awesome.

In Reach I missed the BR, yet in 3 I'd miss my DMR. Now I'll have both.

**Grundz**

man, this he halo:: bump mapping to 11 edition isnt it?

**Galdos**

WOW those pictures.

At least Cortana looks awsome in my eyes

**Perkustin**

Oh........... More covenant.................................. Yawn....

**Melissia**

Customization isn't a bad thing IMO. And it's not like CoD is somehow unique in this.

It's a pity Halo 4 won't be on PC. And therefor I will never play it.

**susejo239**

Yes, I wholly agree. It's just that the CoD customization system is the most balanced system. The reason no one plays MW2 anymore, which is that the people who have played it since its release have all this overpowered weaponry, making it harder for newer playing to get into it.
Not to mention the special ops thing is a bit CoDish.

On the other not, yes, it is quite a shame there won't be a PC version. It'd be nice to play with my friends for once. (Most of my friends have PC's)

**Medium of Death**

Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Pretty sure they were defeated.

**purplefood**

Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Pretty sure they were defeated.

Their fleet may have been...
They still have a crap load of planets out there...

**Rabtorian**

Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Pretty sure they were defeated.

They could have the same objective, but trying to get there first. Or they may be enslaved by some greater power. The Chief may have attacked them first. It could be that there was a slipspace malfunction, resulting in the late arrival of some covenant who are ignorant to the loss. It could be a minority group still waging war on humanity. Relax, there will be a good reason. Until we find out, speculate.

**Kanluwen**

Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Pretty sure they were defeated.

Not by any real measure.

The Covenant is huge and may have been defeated as an organization. We seemingly defeated a portion of it, and turned a portion of it to fight on our side(in the form of the Sangheili). There's still the Jiralhnae and all the other client races of the Covenant who were capable of space travel.

With the Covenant gone, what's to keep them from making a play elsewhere?

**Melissia**

Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Because it's easier than coming up with new ideas.

**Totalwar1402**

Seems much the same multiplayer, not much to get excited about on that front. Glad they've gotten rid or armour lock; that was far too powerful.

I guess the Elite confirms that you'll be fighting Covenant loyalists who are looting the shield world. We all know there'll be flood at some point in this trilogy as well.

They're not going to show us new sentinal types (possibly infantry versions) or (possibly) forerunner units yet.

That would be a big story reveal that they'd want to save for later.

daedalus-templarius wrote:Here are some clarifications for you

Summary of the comments made by Frank and David:

There is no romance forming between Cortana and Master Chief. (Source)

Cortona has the face n voice of the woman he was brain-washed as a child to think of as a mother to ensure his loyalty and deference despite being basically tortured by the Spartan programme. Given that Cortona is fairly affectionate toward the chief he probably views her in those terms; shes a mother figure.

Personally I dislike the battle rifles return. Having one default gun that is massively better than every regular weapon in the game just made the game bland. Nobody ever experimented with different weapons and a game that was meant to be about close range shooting just became dominated by BR sniping. The BR and the DMR have no disadvantages, even at close range its so easy to get head-shots that you still do more damage than the short range guns bar the shotgun..

What needs changing in mutliplayer is that 343 HAS to put drop-in drop out games. As it stands every Halo game is decided by whoevers team has a person leave; then everybody leaves. Penalizing people doesn't work and people often have legitimate reasons for leaving mid-game. GoW and CoD handle this perfectly fine and they also use medals n such. Halo is just the odd one out and it makes playing the game unenjoyable on multiplayer.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Melissia wrote:
Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?
Because it's easier than coming up with new ideas.

The forerunners are coming back/survived or at the very least in machine form. Theres your new ideas and enemies. Be a reveal trailer soon enough. Its heavily hinted at in Anniversary that a forerunner general would intervene if the Halo plan were to fail or if forerunner technology were to be appropriated by the lesser species. Looting a shield world? They've also done a books series on the forerunners which suggests gearing up toward expanding on that side of the lore rather than covie-UNSC. Still, people want familiarity and they probably want a sense of mystery to begin the game. So why not kill elites and sentinals to warm you up?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Kanluwen wrote:
Medium of Death wrote:Sorry, why are we fighting the Covenant again?

Pretty sure they were defeated.

Not by any real measure.

The Covenant is huge and may have been defeated as an organization. We seemingly defeated a portion of it, and turned a portion of it to fight on our side(in the form of the Sangheili). There's still the Jiralhnae and all the other client races of the Covenant who were capable of space travel.

With the Covenant gone, what's to keep them from making a play elsewhere?

Yeah I think he knows that. But that thing the chiefs wrestling is clearly an elite. I think Grasslands (not read but heard) hints at there being some schism among the elites. Some are quite anti-human and Imperialist whilst others are for co-operation. Apparently the UNSC black-ops tries to sow discontent among them. If elites were to run into a spartan they would probably just shoot him. Especially to control such a valuable covenant artifact. Even if they knew it was chief they wouldn't want the UNSC to know about the facility and risk word getting out.

Spoiler:

**daedalus-templarius**

I think the 'covenant'(which probably isn't the covenant at all, but elite scavengers with grunts along as their underlings) are featured pretty prominantly in the first level of the game, which is confirmed to take place on the Forward Unto Dawn, which is that ship MC was stranded on.

After that, once we arrive on the shield world, I imagine we will run into some covenant, but they've already confirmed the major foe will be 'a brand new race'.

Hopefully as smart as Halo 1 elites, since I'm pretty sure they haven't been that deadly since then

Glasslands is such a good book. The events of H4 happen like 4 years after Glasslands, so hopefully the next book, The Thursday War, will give us some good lead-up to what happens in h4 (it comes out in October)

There is drop in drop out in social games, I doubt they will be in ranked games though. But, BTB will most likely always have drop in drop out; which is probably the worst offender for quitters.

BR is super awesome imo.

There is a big clarification podcast going up tomorrow, if there is anything super juicy I'll make sure to post it, altho I'll probably post a link in here I imagine.

**Brother-Captain Scotti**

This is the only reason i am sad i got rid of my xbox. Have to play it on my mates then

Thanks for the images, their gorgeous!

**daedalus-templarius**

November 6th release date, Dakka bros.

**susejo239**

daedalus-templarius wrote:November 6th release date, Dakka bros.

So far away.....

This is like how it was finding out last December that The Hobbit would come out in a year.....

**daedalus-templarius**

New best gif

link to larger version: http://i.minus.com/iC065YFykeL32.gif

Shows a lot of things if you know what you're looking for.

Also, sweet podcast

http://halo.xbox.com/Content/assets/en-us/Podcast/343Sparkast_012.mp3