Chronique:Halo Bulletin 18/09/2013
18 septembre
Original
As bsangel mentioned last week, it's because of all of you that we at 343 Industries get to work on something we love every day, and it's especially cool when we can share your Halo universe creations with the world. Bringing community-made content into Matchmaking is something that is very special to Halo, and we're super excited about the next installment of the ever-popular Community Forge Test playlist, which will focus on Halo 4's newest game mode: Ricochet. Certain Affinity has teamed up with the Community Cartographers to create a new Forge contest to find the best community-made Ricochet maps - let's talk about it.
Halo 4 Ricochet Forge Contest
If you haven't seen the official announcement, you should first check out the explanatory (and hilarious) video from our friends over at Rooster Teeth.
As you know, we have have been playing a great deal of Ricochet over the past few weeks, which has resulted in a lot of interceptions, yelling, and me demanding that everyone comes to my desk first thing in the morning to review my best throws from the evening prior. This past Monday, the Matchmaking Systems team updated the Ricochet playlist's maps with new variants as well as three new Forge maps, which we hope you high-flying goal scorers (and goalkeepers) have been enjoying. However, we know that there are undiscovered and yet-to-be-built Ricochet maps that you're wanting to share with the world, so we're happy to tell you that Certain Affinity's Halo 4 Ricochet Forge Contest is currently underway and accepting submissions!
They're looking for the six best community-created Ricochet maps on Forge Island, Ravine or Impact. Maps will be judged in phases by a panel of Certain Affinity members, Rooster Teeth members, Community Cartographers and individuals from 343 Industries. Not only will your map have a chance to be included in Halo 4 Matchmaking, but we've also got prizes. Oh yeah.
GRAND PRIZE
- Autographed Champions Bundle poster (signed by Certain Affinity)
- Autographed Halo 4 Concept art (signed by Certain Affinity)
- Certain Affinity T-shirt
- Autographed Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition (signed by 343 Industries)
- Halo 4 T-shirt
- Rooster Teeth DVD
- Rooster Teeth T-Shirt
- Rooster Teeth poster
2ND PRIZE
- Autographed Halo 4 Concept art (signed by Certain Affinity)
- Certain Affinity T-Shirt
- Autographed Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition (signed by 343 Industries)
- Halo 4 T-shirt
- Rooster Teeth poster
3RD PRIZE
- Certain Affinity T-Shirt
- Autographed Halo 4 Game of the Year Edition (signed by 343 Industries)
- Rooster Teeth poster
For a full breakdown of the rules, technical musts of the contest, as well as advice for creating a top-notch Ricochet map, check out the contest page. We absolutely can't wait to see what creations you come up with, and I am particularly looking forward to some new twists on Ricochet goal locations and map layouts. The top maps from the finals will be considered for placement into the Ricochet playlist. The submission time period will extends until 12:00 PM PT, October 8, 2013. Best of luck to all entrants!
Matchmaking Playlist Update
On Monday we made some updates to Halo 4 Matchmaking, and the specifics of this update were included in this week's Matchmaking Update - if you're interested, go read if you haven't already, and then read below for some additional insight.
The on-disc Ricochet maps have been updated to the "weapon tuning" layouts, with balanced and optimized starting spawns, weapons, and added geometry in select locations. Additionally, we've added Onyx, Dispatch, and Simplex due to their symmetrical, arena-type layouts. We'll continue to monitor feedback regarding not only the map selection but also goal, weapon, and ball respawn placement, and also cannot wait to bring in the best of the best from the Ricochet Forge Contest.
The map pool for Team Doubles has been updated, with maps like Pitfall, Graphite, and Onyx making their first Matchmaking appearance in the playlist. Additionally, Legendary BRs is currently available in the second voting slot, and we're glad to hear that you're enjoying the new game type in this setting. We've also seen feedback regarding on-disc and DLC maps being available in the first voting slot for split-screen players, and we'll be evaluating the voting options and likely making a change in a future update. Lastly, we are currently testing several maps for CTF Doubles, and hope to re-introduce the game type with improved settings and layouts in a future update as well.
Another thing we have noticed is that Big Team Battle has been quite popular this week. We've been reviewing feedback, and are currently considering additional map and game type combinations for the playlist, as well as reviewing currently weapon, objective, and respawn placements across the currently offered game types to create an optimal experience for 8 vs. 8 carnage. If you'd like to leave us feedback for this playlist, head over to the new Big Team Battle Feedback thread.
Lastly, as mentioned last week, we'll continue to monitor the Infinity Slayer playlist to determine if DLC required Matchmaking is a viable option. To provide feedback on this, any War Games playlist, weapon balance, or the newly added Spartan Ops Skulls, check out the War Games Feedback section.
In the next update, which will fall on September 30th, we'll be updating the Team Snipers playlist as well as other items across additional playlists. Stay tuned for the details of what's coming.
Team Throwdown Update
Team Throwdown is Halo 4's premiere competitive playlist, featuring settings and maps used at LAN tournaments around the world. As we continue to support this playlist, we are evaluating ways to highlight players who stand out, as we see the playlist as the go-to proving ground for aspiring tournament-level players. While we do not yet have the specifics nailed down for this effort, we'd like to provide you with some behind-the-scenes vision into what we're looking to do, which includes:
- Provide consistent updates on Waypoint that identifies, displays, and recognizes top 4 vs. 4 talent in this playlist
- Feature content, interviews, and other exclusives with top 4 vs. 4 players and teams
We do not yet have a date on when we'll be able to begin all of the above from this playlist, but hope to start by the end of this year. The update may also come with a name change for the playlist as we look to create additional incentives and content. If you'd like to contribute ideas or offer feedback, please feel free to use the "Discuss" link at the bottom of the page. Outside of this update, we are also currently working with GH057ayame on the "v5" settings, which will be featured in Matchmaking in October, ahead of Arena Gaming League's "AGL10K" tournament on November 1st. As always, best of luck to all competitors, and we look forward to supporting this playlist and community in new ways in the future.
Halo 4 Global Championship Competitor Roundtable
I still find myself remembering moments from the Global Championship Finals on a regular basis - the excitement of the crowd, the energy in the room, the amazing level of gameplay - it was all an incredible display of passion for Halo. One of my favorite things about the weekend was seeing players from all over the community (and world) come together to compete in and celebrate the game we all love. This week, I thought it'd be fun to meet up with a bunch of players who competed in the finals. We discussed the Global Championship Finals event, argued about what's best about the Champions Bundle, and more. Pull up a chair and continue reading if you'd like to meet these guys and gals from all corners of the Halo community. In addition, we've got some previously unreleased photos from the finals, so enjoy!
To start, let's get to know everyone a bit. Tell us your gamertag, how long you've been playing Halo, and your favorite map and game type combination in Halo 4.
Nak3d Eli: I'm Nak3d Eli. I've been playing for 11 years. Pitfall Ricochet is my favorite.
Greenskull: I'm Greenskull. Been playing Halo since CE. Eli is right for once - Ricochet is the bomb diggy, especially on Pitfall.
Chig: I'm Chig. Been playing Halo since about 2002, Halo CE days. Favorite map and game type is Simplex CTF, with Ricochet on Pitfall now being a close second!
ElamiteWarrior: ElamiteWarrior, I've been playing for 10 years. Skyline Concussion Rifle.
Goosechecka: Halo CE, Grifball on Thin Ice.
GrimBrother One: GrimBrother One. Been playing Halo since it came out really. Favorite Map/GT combo would have to be either Lockdown on Exile or Ricochet on Haven.
Start a R1OT: Hi, I'm Start a R1OT. I've been playing Halo since CE and I freaking love Ricochet on Pitfall. (stop copying me, Eli and Green!)
Minolta1034: Minolta1034, I've been playing since Halo: CE, Pitfall on any game type but probably Ricochet.
SMG90: I'm SMG90. I've been playing Halo since Combat Evolved. I too enjoy Grifball on Thin Ice.
SnowPRO: I'm SnowPRO, 12 years (I'm 25 you darn kids), Ricochet on Pitfall.
POD Dust Storm: I'm POD Dust Storm, I've been playing for about 6 ½ years now, starting just after the launch of Halo 3. Favorite map / gametype would have to be Coagulation CTF. I had so many memories from playing four hour matches in my freshman year of college.
Tashi: My name is Tashi. I've been playing Halo since 2003. Currently my favorite map and gametype combo in Halo 4 is 2v2 Doubles Pro on either Rail or Pitfall.
Before we start talking about the Global Championship, I noticed a few of you liked Ricochet on Pitfall. Outside of the map and game type, what is your favorite item in the Champions Bundle (armors / stances / etc.)?
Greenskull: Stances, baby. I'm rocking the Determined stance I unlocked by playing Spartan Assault. I'm ready to pounce like a tiger or a cheetah or another cat-like creature.
GrimBrother One: Easily new armor. Prefect is gorgeous. New weapon skins are sick as well. I definitely hope that we begin to see more post-launch options like this made available in the future, whether it be for Halo 4 or beyond.
Goosechecka: Flank stance because I look sneaky.
Tashi: My new sexy Steampunk Battle Rifle.
Nak3d Eli: I agree with Green. The new stances are pretty badass.
Minolta1034: I love 'dat blue pistol, ODST armor is sweet too because we all know ODST's are the best.
Start a R1OT: I definitely rock the Confident stance. I like my Spartan to look sassy.
SnowPRO: I still love that Recon armor.
Chig: Like everyone else said, the new stances and armor are awesome! Rockin' the Mark V armor and the Menace stance.
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