Halo 2 online - can it really work?

[Mr Ono]

Considering the reports of people having framerate and latency issues with some of the current XBox FPSs on Live (Unreal Tourney, SoF etc ) will Halo 2 actually be able to live up to expectations for online play?


I'm concerned that Halo 2 multiplayer will be a tacked on addition and be a bit of a let down.

[GOD?]

Halo 1 works fine online over XBconnect.

but I suppose connecting more than 4 xboxes will be more taxing.

[Rushy]

I'm concerned that Halo 2 multiplayer will be a tacked on addition and be a bit of a let down.

They have already stated that the multiplayer aspect is one of the most important parts of the game, and will be the definite live experience. Of which I have no doubt of, whether it be techincally or in gameplay terms.

[Commander Marklar]

Of course it will, especially if those playing are willing to play using a proper connections and none of this 128k STB nonsense

Now lets hear no more of your silly nonsense

[Super Stu]

It'll work if they write some half decent netcode this time around. 256kbps upstream required my arse.

[Brats]

Unreal Championship runs fine on Live now that they've patched it. The issue appeared to stem from an error where the publisher submitted the code with an earlier version of the graphics engine by mistake. I doubt they'll let this happen with Halo 2. I see no need to worry.

I can't speak for SOF, but RTCW runs fine too.

[Prine]

Yup i play RTCW twice a week on XBL, runs fine. Anyway, to answer your question..

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/r/?page=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php(que)id=97087

Do you think it will be the Live killer app?

Parsons: I guess I hope so. But I think Live itself is the killer app; everyone on the team was surprised by how much people liked Halo multiplayer. What's exciting about that is being able to do that online. Live is not a bolt on to Halo; it's something we've been thinking about from the very beginning.

Have you cure the framerate issues Halo suffered from?

Parsons: I don't think we had a ton of framerate issues, but the answer to your question, I think, is that we know a lot more about how Xbox works now, which is why you can see the best expression of that is in the graphics, just because it's easy to notice.

With Halo we didn't know exactly what the box was going to be, so we were aiming at this moving target, whereas we now know exactly what it is. So the answer to your question is yes.

We might even see warthog racing

[Cacophanus]

I think this thread should be re-named to: "Free Chocolate and Sex, can it really work?"

[dr_manhattan]

I think this thread should be re-named to: "Free Chocolate and Sex, can it really work?"

Well I only pay for one of those things myself Cacophanus, my sister works at a chocolate factory

[JRMacumber]

I think this thread should be re-named to: "Free Chocolate and Sex, can it really work?"

Well I only pay for one of those things myself Cacophanus, my sister works at a chocolate factory

So then, which is it that she gives you for free?

Seriously, I don't see why there should be a problem with Halo 2 online.

[Kerraig UK]

The one worry I have isnt performance related, but is more to do with the netcode. I forsee Bungie making lots of huge maps to accomodate 16 players, then us only being able to host for 8. This is currently the problem i'm finding with Island Thunder. that game REALLY needs MS to host some servers.

Also, I dont think players will be able to get the teamwork together as well over Live as they can with Lan, but thats hardly Bungies fault.

I hope they make some smaller maps, cos I actually believe 8 - 12 is a better number of players than 12 - 16. With that many players its really hard to coordinate teamwork and you end up getting fragged every 5 seconds.

[Commander Marklar]

Also, I dont think players will be able to get the teamwork together as well over Live as they can with Lan, but thats hardly Bungies fault.

That's the players fault though; horny 14 year olds who think they can take on the whole universe and blame poor server conditions when they fail (or get shot in the back by their team).

Ahem...

Totally OT though - Halo 2 customer review from Amazon...

12 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

Almost a six star game?, 8 August, 2003
Reviewer: Rusty Cockring from A strange place with flashing lights and a disco ball.
The original Halo is beyond doubt the best game ever (apart from Twister or maybe Kerplunk). This sequel will build on this benchmark to make it the new best game ever. New features include the previously mentioned 'ice' Range Rover together with a whole new array of weapons including the much speculated "vibromaster 4000" and the "double penetrator". A new sound track is added comprising of various remixes of "Hot Shot City" by David Hossellhaff which I feel I must add is a particularly good track.

[Uli]

i don't really care much for the online features of halo 2 as these will most likely not support co-op play but focus on deathmatch and the likes!

so, what troubles me most is that bungie still hasn't comfirmed a system link co-op mode. it would be a shame if you had to play halo 2 co-op via splitscreen only! ft:

[Roost]

I agree, if it hasn't got co-op on live then i doubt i'll ever play it on live.

[Valken]

Of course it will, especially if those playing are willing to play using a proper connections and none of this 128k STB nonsense

Now lets hear no more of your silly nonsense

Do we have a broadband snob in our midst?