Multiplayer



Multiplayer, as the term is generally used, refers to the ability of most games for more than one person to play in an instance at a time, usually in a competitive manner but also sometimes cooperatively. Multiplayer in the Halo games has been a core element to the design of the game, and a large part of the success of the Halo franchise revolves around the controls and functions of its multiplayer systems.

In Halo: Combat Evolved, Multiplayer was limited to split screen only. It did not offer online play over Xbox Live. Connecting two Xbox consoles together for System Link play is still an option.

In Halo PC, players could create and join servers over the internet, but there was no official standard rank system or function that allowed players to compete in an organized way.

In Halo 2 players can battle online via Xbox Live, either by creating a custom game or using Bungie's matchmaking service to join a variety of set playlists or a random game.

Halo 2 on Xbox Live using a ranking system based on levels. You have a level for each playlist you play in. The playlists are separated based on ranked and unranked. Unranked playlists do not count toward your ranking, ranked playlists do.

Profiles
The New updated profile creator in Halo 2 gives you the chance to choose a color, a secondary color, and an emblem with two colors and a background. You can also choose which character model you wish to play as, the UNSC Spartan or the Covenant Elite. You can also have a unique name, given that it is not offensive. Most players will remember you by your name.

So now you have a name, color code and emblem. Get busy pitting your skills against your friends and everyone on Xbox live. There are plenty of maps to play on, lots of game variants, and if you're not a hosting kind of person, join someone else's game. You can also set up a party so that you can always play with your friends as teammates or as opponents.

Medals
At the end of a round or rounds, medals and awards are given out to the players. Not all of the players will get awards, as there are many different kinds of awards requiring different skills.

Related Links
Internal
 * Xbox Live

External
 * A Newcomer's Guide to Halo 2 at MLG