I think this thread has frame by frame analyzed it enough I mean every game community site probably has their own take on it as well. Some youtube videos do a good over the top commentary of what they're seeing.
I found one analysis about the new trailer that was alright but sometimes he didnt know what he was talking about. He did mention how an enemy looked far away on the radar but was pretty close, so maybe radar range has been lessened? Sounds like a good idea to speed up the game.
Sorry, I'll admit I coasted through that condescending link posting. Microsoft better bring their A game this E3. They closed a block in Times Square for the release of H3, I expect that level or greater hype building for Halo 4.
Not hard to understand at all. It's a big playground for vehicles and sniping, the two things people in BTB want to do the most. Every other map is more treacherous and hard to navigate or find targets in. Hemorrhage (and Blood Gulch) are close to big, open fields. (Wayont would be more popular I think if it had more vehicles than just warthogs, and if it had snipers.) Anyway, I don't really want to see vetoing return - voting for maps gives you more options than just two. But I would like to see more randomization and maybe give matchmaking a little "memory" so if you just played a map in the same playlist, it's less likely to come up in your next match or two. That gets tricky the more players there are in the game, but they could just see which map the most people played and exclude that. That would mean no more "Hemorrhage afternoons"; at least every other game, it simply wouldn't come up.
I played some H3 the other day in honor of the BR's return and I realized a few things: 1. The Veto system was terrible. Definitely would not like to see that come back. 2. I don't miss the BR. Here's to hoping its much improved!
The randomisation is the most important fix they could use. I actually quite like the voting system, but the problem is that certain map/gametype combinations are basically given permanent spots. Not only is BTB on Hemm common to the point of coming up for voting near every game, but it almost always sits in the first voting spot. This means that, in a tie, it wins out, and I'd also argue there's a psychological factor in voting for the first spot, much as that's significantly less influential. It's the same problem that TS had (last time I dropped in to that hell hole, anyway, don't know if it's still the case) with ARs on Sword Base having first dibs on the top spot. Those factors aside, you're right about it being appealing to the majority. I have this theory that, by and large, awful people like awful maps. Whilst I'm not gonna stop saying it, I do realise that it's reductive and unfair in many ways. But there is an argument that certain maps are more friendly toward certain playstyles, and I see your point about how Hemm could be appealing. It just really grinds my gears and puts me right in to elitist mode when it seems like the majority of the player base seem intent on playing the most reductive forms of Halo. At times I suspect that, if there were a map where all you could do was hold forward, spray your AR and melee, it'd be the most popular in the game within days. Hemm is basically the vehicle equivalent of this. EDIT: ^ Truth. Utter truth.
I like stuff that "evolve." e.g: 1. radar jammer messes up radar ->radar jammer jumping 2. Roll/dive (forget what it's called) avoid vehicles/etc. -> scale inclines 3. Energy drain take out shields/disable vehicles -> Make vehicles explode into the air after use I guess I like manipulating **** for a fun output... or at least to my own advantage. I'm not a very competitive gamer and I pretty much play to mess around and create laughs. If I can figure new **** out like I could with: Vehicles in H1 Super-jumping in H2 Equipment use/forging in H3 Specializations in Reach I pretty much play for those things^ and always have. I know Bungie had a knack for doing these things, but 343 look.. well, I can't say for sure yet. Edit: Of course, that's not to say I ignore the story or don't play competitively, because that's an aspect I really like about Halo... the diversity- both competitive and casual gaming.. which I don't see much in other games.
I feel exactly the same. My roommate and i sometimes pop in h3 to play some team doubles or multiteam, and it frustrates me to no end when almost every game everyone else vetoes BRs on pit stop or construct and we end up playing hammers or swords on epitaph or something like that.
Don't know if someone already mentioned this but fyi 343 is releasing a "bulletin" on their website today or tomorrow that will answer questions about Halo 4 people asked on their forums. (they made a thread that gave people four hours to ask questions and promised to answer as many as possible in the bulletin)
You're right that they need to change that - the placement on the list should be random and in no way weighted by how popular the map already is (because putting popular maps at the top only psychologically reinforces their already-strong popularity - why bother? Other maps need the help!). Also, I think when there's a tie, they should either select the winner randomly, or have a second round vote-off between those two maps only (and if it ties again, THEN determine the winner randomly). The combination of giving the first map on the list tie-breaking powers AND having it usually be the most popular map of the three options is just silly, and ensures that you end up playing it over and over again.
Bulletin is up with a ton of questions and answers. BR is hitscan, mech suit not in campaign but Frankie said you will be able to pilot something that will "dwarf that."