Multiplayer: Difference between revisions

The updated profile creator in ''[[Halo 3]]'' kept those settings and added more. Players could create a Service Tag consisting of a letter and two numbers; Service Tags are now shown over waypoints instead of Emblems. Additional Emblem designs, colors, and features were added. [[Bungie]] also added a gender option, which changes the player's voice when killed. Most notable, however, was the addition of [[Armor Permutations]], which allow players to change the models used for their helmets, pauldrons, and chestplates.

[[Image:Chiron.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Multiplayer action in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' on [[Chiron TL-34]]: two Blue Team players attack a Red Team player.]]

The multiplayer component of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''<nowiki/>'s Xbox version was limited to split-screen and System Link play. Five core gametypes existed: [[Slayer]], [[Oddball]], [[Capture The Flag]] (CTF), [[King of the Hill]], and [[Race]]. Various stock variants with altered settings existed, and players could create their own.

[[Halo Custom Edition]], a multiplayer-only expansion of Halo PC, allowed players to run [[Modding|user-created maps]]. Such maps could be created using the [[Halo Editing Kit]]. Amongst these maps were a number of ''Halo 2''-based maps, such as [[Zanzibar (Level)|Zanzibar]]<ref>http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=1153</ref> and [[Coagulation (Level)|Coagulation]]<ref>http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=3108</ref>. Recently, there have been ''Halo 3'' ports in progress, such as [[The Pit (Level)|The Pit]]<ref>http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12501</ref>. In addition, there are a vast number of non-canon maps set in ''Halo''-inspired locations using only ''Halo'' assets, as well as many other maps which incorporate [[Tags|custom weapons, vehicles, locations, and player models]].

[[Image:1206873175 All action.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Multiplayer action in ''[[Halo 2]]'' on [[Tombstone (Level)|Tombstone]]: An ongoing [[Free-For-All]] battle.]]

''[[Halo 2]]''<nowiki/> 's multiplayer functionality was completely redesigned to work with Xbox Live. [[Matchmaking]] allowed players to search for games in a variety of different [[playlists]], such as Team Objective, [[Team Doubles]], and [[Rumble Pit]]; players could find each other quickly, relatively anonymously, and without having to sort through their friends list. Players could also create and host their own [[custom game]]s, and could invite other players to join them. The lobby system was also introduced; each form of multiplayer was given a lobby, so that players in a party could stick together after a match.

The Race gametype was removed due to a lack of popularity, and three new gametypes were introduced: [[Juggernaut]], [[Assault]], and [[Territories]].

''[[Halo 2 Vista]]'' utilized the ''Games for Windows LIVE'' service, but in a much different way than its Xbox counterpart. Rank-based Matchmaking was done away with, and, like its predecessor, ''Halo PC'', ''Halo 2 Vista'' added a server browser and allowed players to join games in progress. Servers ran a map cycle in the form of a playlist, where players would congregate in a lobby until the game starts, play the game, then go back to the lobby to review the Postgame Carnage Report and chat with other players until the next round started. LIVE Gold users could filter out servers not matching their interests, and quickly jump right into a game in progress by selecting a "Quick Match" option.

On July 27, 2008, the Gold-only limitations were removed, and all LIVE subscribers, regardless of membership level, could use all aspects of Halo 2 Vista multiplayer without restriction.<ref>http://www.developmag.com/news/30211/Games-for-Windows-Live-now-free-to-developers</ref>

[[Image:1206663408_800px-Mongooseelephant-1-.jpg|thumb|[[Capture the Flag]] in [[Sandtrap]].]]

[[Image:58783113-Full.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Two [[Spartan-II]]s clash in close-quarters combat.]]

Auto Update 2, live on August 1, 2008, added another layer of EXP to even further balance out players. EXP is now tracked for each individual playlist, in addition to the player's Trueskill ranks and overall EXP. When in a Matchmaking playlist, players' Trueskill ranks (if a ranked playlist) and playlist-specific EXP are shown. When in a custom game, or viewing a player's details or service record, overall EXP is shown.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=14994</ref>

''[[Halo Wars]]'' allows players to battle in a variety of multiplayer arenas. Players can choose from 3 different commanders from both [[UNSC]] leaders (i.e. [[Captain Cutter]], [[John Forge|Sergeant Forge]], or [[Ellen Anders|Professor Anders]]) and [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] leaders (i.e. Arbiter [[Ripa 'Moramee]], [[Brute Army Commander]], or The [[Prophet of Regret]]). Multiplayer matches are limited to six players and may be organized in evenly-matched teams or in free-for-all matches. Computer-controlled players may be used. ''Halo Wars'' also used a ranking system similar to that of ''Halo 3'', but the rankings were assigned based on players' scores in completed games.

The ''Halo Wars'' Strategic Options [[DLC]] pack gives players 3 more skirmish game modes to play for 800 Microsoft Points. The new game types include [[Keepaway Mode|Keepaway]], [[Tug of War]], and Reinforcements. A Map Pack DLC called Historic Battle introduced four new maps for the same price.

{{Main|Firefight}}

''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' features a new [[Firefight]] mode. In Firefight, up to four players fight against waves of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] forces and try to survive as long as possible with a set amount of lives, while the difficulty progressively increases by changing the currently active [[Halo 3 Skulls#List of Gold Skulls|Skulls]]. Firefight lacks any sort of matchmaking system or game browser; players must join lobbies though the Xbox Live guide (recent players with open parties, friends lists, invites), via System Link, or all play locally, on the same Xbox console.