View Full Version : Bungie fixes standby cheat and other glitches in new patch for Halo 2
Scorch
04-17-2005, 12:08 AM
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/15/news_6122355.html
Auto-update balances weapons and fixes cheats and bugs; automatic update available for download April 18.
Halo 2 fanatics who log in to Xbox Live after this weekend may notice that opponents wielding the notoriously sluggish brute shot aren't just fodder anymore. This Monday, Bungie is overhauling its wildly popular first-person shooter with its second auto-update. While the update addresses the standard bugs and glitches most patches do, it will also tweak several elements of gameplay.
This is the third auto-update for Halo 2, and the biggest change gamers will see is in the weapon balance. After rigorous testing on Bungie's guinea pigs, the company decided to revamp various elements to the game's arsenal of weapons to make the multiplayer aspect of it more entertaining.
"The scale of the auto-update gave us a unique opportunity--a chance to implement balance changes on certain weapons to smooth out the Xbox Live and System Link experience, and in a couple of cases, we feel, subtly improving the overall feel of the game," said Bungie representative Frank O'Connor on Bungie's Weekly What's Update.
The biggest change will be to melee attacks. Jumping attacks will most likely result in an instant kill, and the brute shot's melee strike will now be more lethal, on account of the giant scythe on its barrel. Now, hammering the butt of an assault rifle, or any other gun, into an opponent's face will cause more damage, minimizing the unfair advantage players had when close-combat dual wielding.
"Now if someone charges too closely with dual SMGs, you can melee them and actually kill them faster than they can kill you," said designer Jaime Griesemer. "You have viable options again."
Grenades get the second-biggest overhaul. Both plasma and frag grenade damage has been increased, lessening the gap between dual wielders and grenade lobbers.
"A common complaint among critics (and Bungie employees!) was that grenades felt very weak and often simply ensured that a player would be hurt rather than killed," said O'Connor.
The fuse on both grenades has been shortened to give those last desperate attempts at blowing an attacker up more plausibility. Plasma grenades, in particular, have been juiced up. Players who now see the familiar blue aura of the sticky grenade at their feet should no longer expect to run off with a few scratches, but rather, they should have a teammate deliver last rites.
Other guns have also been tweaked to lesser degrees. The magnum's damage has been slightly reduced to emphasize headshots. The power of the plasma rifle/SMG combo has also been reduced.
Says Griesemer, "With these changes, the stories get a lot more interesting and varied. Now, sometimes it's 'He came up behind me and started shooting. So I ducked around the corner and dropped a grenade, and he ran right into it!' or 'He jumped down at me just as I was reloading, but he got in too close, and I beat him to death with my battle rifle.' The fights last longer, and each player has several options."
The auto-update also helps relieve the modem standby cheat, eliminates flag bouncing and the "flag-grab-through-solid-walls" problem, as well as "sword flying," which let a player fly from one end of a map to the other when wielding the Covenant energy sword. In addition, The Red Team no longer wins ties, and the split-screen's heads-up display is now less cluttered.
Halo 2 players not connected to Xbox Live will be able to get the update with the retail version of the additional multiplayer maps, which will be released June 28.
Halo 2 is rated "M" for Mature and retails for $49.99. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's full review.
By Tim Surette -- GameSpot
Scorch
04-17-2005, 12:56 AM
wtf, this is the news everyone has been waiting for and no one replies?
Girion47
04-17-2005, 01:09 AM
the clan has already discussed it so dont expect much from them. who else really cares though?
Scorch
04-17-2005, 01:10 AM
the clan has already discussed it so dont expect much from them. who else really cares though?
Ohhhh, I dunno.. every single person that plays Halo 2?
Ozzkev55
04-17-2005, 01:11 AM
wtf, this is the news everyone has been waiting for and no one replies?
LOL, scorch, but yeah im looking forward to it, i encourage everyone to cut and copy there posts in the cag halo 2 forum, to give the poor guy some replies :)
Girion47
04-17-2005, 01:19 AM
yeah but a lot of the people on here that play Halo 2 and care are in one of the clans.
manofpeace20
04-17-2005, 01:46 AM
I guess those people that bought that lag switch are screwed now.
Trakan
04-17-2005, 01:48 AM
I read about it on DCR. Thanks for posting it though.
XboxMaster
04-17-2005, 01:27 PM
I'm kinda pissed about the weapon balancing. I've already been owning people using grenades and melee attacks because I have skill. Now, you'll be killing some noob and he'll just start throwing grenades on the ground and have a good chance at killing you. This is why Halo 1 is so much better than Halo 2, it actually required skill for most of the weapons.
psychobrawler
04-17-2005, 01:27 PM
OK, I'm not in the CAG clan but I am a Halo 2 player. I read the update Friday night, but I've been too busy playing all weekend to post about it...
Personally, I'm pretty psyched. For all the flak Bungie's taken over this awesome game, no one can say that they're not trying. It may have take a while, but if this is really successful, Halo 2 will be back on top in my book. Can't wait. Unfortunately it'll be a while before all the maps are free, but I'm looking forward to the first couple of maps, playlist update, and stats reset coming soon after this au. The weapons tweaks sound interesting too. Bruteshot may have a little more value now. They stated that they tweaked the pp/smg combo to tone it down slightly. I'm hoping what was not said is that the tracking on the pp has been toned down, making it a little less effective with the br also. WE'll see. I don't have major issue with that combo, but if they were shooting for balancing the weapons it seems like they would have addressed it.
Mr. Anderson
04-18-2005, 09:47 AM
Almost there.... no more cheating.... YESSSSS.... OH GOD YESSSSS.
EddieBelfour
04-18-2005, 10:09 AM
Almost there.... no more cheating.... YESSSSS.... OH GOD YESSSSS.
yipes, i agree this is fresh, but that just looks disturbing. ;)
we got cheated last night and were talking about how glad we were that people cant cheat anymore after today
GameDude
04-18-2005, 11:03 AM
Who cares. Unreal Championship 2 comes out today!
Ledhed
04-18-2005, 11:07 AM
wtf, this is the news everyone has been waiting for and no one replies?
Anyone who cares knew about this a week ago.
I like all the changes they're doing but the fact that grenades are even MORE lethal now means whoever gets the Assault Rifle/Plasma Pistol combo is going to be even more unstoppable. That combo should not be allowed in the game. Totally imbalanced.
Ledhed
04-18-2005, 11:17 AM
I like all the changes they're doing but the fact that grenades are even MORE lethal now means whoever gets the Assault Rifle/Plasma Pistol combo is going to be even more unstoppable. That combo should not be allowed in the game. Totally imbalanced.
Grenades are a joke as they are now. You pretty much have to be standing right on top of the current 'nades to see any real significant damage. This is one of the changes I was really gunning for.
Girion47
04-18-2005, 11:20 AM
that combo doesnt bother me much anymore since if I'm dual weilding I can block that plasma shot.
Ledhed
04-18-2005, 11:21 AM
that combo doesnt bother me much anymore since if I'm dual weilding I can block that plasma shot.
/waits for someone to say "OMFG ur makign that up n00be u cant blok it" :lol:
doubledown
04-18-2005, 11:29 AM
Ok, I'll bite....how do you block it
Ledhed
04-18-2005, 11:31 AM
Ok, I'll bite....how do you block it
http://nikon.bungie.org/gameplay/stratguide/movies/
Download the Vol. 1 video and learn. :D It's by no means easy, but still entirely possible.
This is why Halo 1 is so much better than Halo 2, it actually required skill for most of the weapons.
Except when you gave someone the pistol. That was way too imbalanced.
I've been logging on throughout the morning, and I haven't received the update yet. :( Hopefully, it will get to me soon...
Girion47
04-18-2005, 01:02 PM
they block it the hard way too. I still havent been able to do it with a pistol. the smg, p rifle, and needler are all much easier. but I just practiced it for like 5 minutes yesterday and already can do it more than half thetime.
shrike4242
04-18-2005, 02:20 PM
People have been reporting that the patch is now available.
Plus, it seems that Bungie's promise that it's being forced is correct, since it won't let you get online with XBL without it.
People have been reporting that the patch is now available.
Plus, it seems that Bungie's promise that it's being forced is correct, since it won't let you get online with XBL without it.
Yep. Just got mine. Won't be able to test anything out until 3 though... :(
zewone
04-18-2005, 02:42 PM
Plus, it seems that Bungie's promise that it's being forced is correct, since it won't let you get online with XBL without it.
This is how all auto updates on Xbox has worked since 2003.
that combo doesnt bother me much anymore since if I'm dual weilding I can block that plasma shot.
Can't block it if it comes from your side or from behind you.
Basically you know if someone is running around on a map with that combo and you get hit with the plasma shot you're as good as dead. It's really crappy.
craven_fiend
04-18-2005, 02:59 PM
damn the time for games to set up is really long right now. been in matchmaking for like 5 mins and just now started the game. time to test the stuff out
shrike4242
04-18-2005, 03:06 PM
This is how all auto updates on Xbox has worked since 2003.
Since I haven't seen one of those in a while, I suppose I've forgotten that they won't let you go until it's patched.
GuilewasNK
04-18-2005, 03:14 PM
Anyone who cares knew about this a week ago.
Well, its news to me! Thanks Scorch!
I am not in a clan so I really don't keep up with much news like this.
damn the time for games to set up is really long right now. been in matchmaking for like 5 mins and just now started the game. time to test the stuff out
It will probably be like that for awhile until everyone logs one later today.
Mr. Anderson
04-18-2005, 04:53 PM
damn the time for games to set up is really long right now. been in matchmaking for like 5 mins and just now started the game. time to test the stuff out
Yeah, Bungie said something about this in the Weekly What's Up. They said it'll be like that because they reset the network something or other, and it'll get back to normal speed soon.
TheUnsane1
04-18-2005, 06:08 PM
Superbounce is still live.
Ledhed
04-18-2005, 06:11 PM
Superbounce is still live.
Not everyone has the patch yet. You can still play with folks who don't have the patch. Wait until everyone has the patch before assuming that the changes haven't been made.
TheUnsane1
04-18-2005, 07:27 PM
I have the patch and hosted a custom game on zanzibar and successfully super bounced 10 out of 10 times alone.
KaneRobot
04-18-2005, 08:17 PM
Who cares.
Several million XBL Halo 2 players.
Unreal Championship 2 comes out today!
Yippee. Another good-but-not-great online shooter. Never seen one of those before!
zewone
04-18-2005, 08:20 PM
I have the patch and hosted a custom game on zanzibar and successfully super bounced 10 out of 10 times alone.
You have to be playing with people who have the patch. If one person doesn't have it, you will still be able to super bounce. When all people have the patch, no super bouncing. Try it by yourself.
jughead
04-18-2005, 08:26 PM
Several million XBL Halo 2 players.
Yippee. Another good-but-not-great online shooter. Never seen one of those before!
Halo junkies should shit on all non-halo fps threads just because halo is overly pooped upon by randoms.
woobacca
04-18-2005, 08:27 PM
Good stuff. I don't consider myself a Halo 2 fanatic, but I'm definitely a fan and will download the new patch as soon as I get back from my business trip.
Ozzkev55
04-18-2005, 08:28 PM
Halo junkies should shit on all non-halo fps threads just because halo is overly pooped upon by randoms.
and i just had tacos, its going to be all to easy
TheUnsane1
04-18-2005, 11:50 PM
You have to be playing with people who have the patch. If one person doesn't have it, you will still be able to super bounce. When all people have the patch, no super bouncing. Try it by yourself.
Did you read my post? This was ALONE. *edit* Tried again just now worked on the first try on Zanzi I am patched Superbounce IS NOT fixed!
crazytalkx
04-18-2005, 11:56 PM
Apparently some players are still getting stanbyed on after the update. I haven't had this problem (luckily) but none of my opponents today have even tried using standby.
Ledhed
04-19-2005, 12:31 AM
Apparently some players are still getting stanbyed on after the update. I haven't had this problem (luckily) but none of my opponents today have even tried using standby.
Bungie never said the patch would straight-up prevent standby; simply that it would be more difficult for people to do it while also lessening its impact.
Daywalker
04-19-2005, 12:53 AM
Actually, it does prevent people from using standby. It's just that some f***ers left their Xbox on the whole night so that they didn't get the patch. The fact that people with patches can play with people without is the problem since obviously, the people with the patch can still standby without being affected.
The grenade changes and melee changes have completely saved this game. Now even if the other team has all the good weapons you have a fighting chance of killing them. Thank God for these changes.
One thing I did notice is that my teammates and opponents are not quite as skilled as they have been in the past. Maybe this is due to people not being conditioned to throw grenades and hit melee attacks or maybe its because they can't cheat anymore - I dunno. All I know is the matches I played yesterday seemed much more even and balanced than they ever have in the past.
doubledown
04-19-2005, 10:37 AM
Yeah, I'm still iffy on the changes....the grenades seem TOO powerful almost, but it is nice to counter rockets and other power weapons. Now, it almost seems pointless to dual-weild guns
GuilewasNK
04-19-2005, 11:46 AM
I am glad the grenades are more powerful like grenades should be. The melee attack is exactly how it should be too. So far the changes are definite improvements IMO.
I really don't know if I have ever had standby used against me before so I don't know if people still use it or not.
Yeah, I'm still iffy on the changes....the grenades seem TOO powerful almost, but it is nice to counter rockets and other power weapons. Now, it almost seems pointless to dual-weild guns
They should be powerful. In Halo, you had to use distance and strategy to go at someone because you knew you'd just get pegged with a grenade if you tried rushing them. In Halo 2, every newb 12 year old became good because he could just grab a pistol and SMG and get 3 - 4 kills in a row. Now its back to the original style - try running straight at me with your pistol/SMG combo, see how long you live. :)
zewone
04-19-2005, 07:58 PM
Did you read my post? This was ALONE. *edit* Tried again just now worked on the first try on Zanzi I am patched Superbounce IS NOT fixed!
You're talking about superbouncing on Zanzi to the roof? I know that works. They never said they were fixing that. They fixed the flag super bounce on Collousus, which is what I thought you were talking about since thats the only thing that would make sense.
Mr. Anderson
04-19-2005, 08:57 PM
They should be powerful. In Halo, you had to use distance and strategy to go at someone because you knew you'd just get pegged with a grenade if you tried rushing them. In Halo 2, every newb 12 year old became good because he could just grab a pistol and SMG and get 3 - 4 kills in a row. Now its back to the original style - try running straight at me with your pistol/SMG combo, see how long you live. :)
What's your gamertag, mmn?
What's your gamertag, mmn?
kbc
I know, real creative huh? :)
specialk
04-20-2005, 12:31 AM
i noticed the 'nades were more powerful...but dang the melee is huuuge. i honestly was beat down more tonight, and beat down more people than in the prior month and half i have been playing live.....i like it though b/c you have actually have a chance against someone who comes up behind you dual wielding...before it was whoever got the first show in usually won.....
a question...if i play system link with someone who doesn't have the patch on my xbox that does have the patch....which settings will we use? anyone know? also will this patch be included on the map pack so we can all play on the same field?