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| {{Era|H1|H2|H3|HW|H3R|RE|}}
| | LOL WHATS GOIN ON GUISE |
| {{ratings}}
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| {{Cleanup}}
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| {{Realworld}}
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| The term ''''Multiplayer' '''generally refers to the ability of most video games allowing more than one person to play the game at the same time in a non-campaign setting. Multiplayer can consist of [[split-screen]], [[system link]], or [[Xbox Live]]. In the ''[[Halo]]'' games, multiplayer has been regarded as a core element to the game's design and a giant part of the success of the Halo franchise.
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| [[Image:A battle on snowbound.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Players in ''[[Halo 3]]'' fight on the map [[Snowbound]].]]
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| ==''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''==
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| [[Image:Chiron.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Multiplayer action in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] on [[Chiron TL-34]]: 2 Blue Team players attack a Red Team player.]]
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| The multiplayer component of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' for the Xbox was limited to split screen and four [[Xbox]] consoles together for System Link play. Five core gametypes are available: [[Slayer]], [[Oddball]], [[Capture The Flag]] (CTF), [[King of the Hill]], and [[Race]], as well as a number of stock variants, and the ability for players to create their own gametype variants by tweaking a number of variables, such as player health, weapons on the map, and available vehicles. Players are able to play online via network tunneling programs such as "XBConnect" or "XLink Kai". However, the game tends to freeze and stutter while it works to keep things synchronized; today's internet connection speeds come nowhere close to the 100 megabit connection that the game expects.
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| ===[[Halo PC]]===
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| The PC version has multiplayer over the internet and can have up to 16 players and custom game types. Players could also play on six maps that did not exist in the console version: [[Danger Canyon (Level)|Danger Canyon]], [[Death Island (Level)|Death Island]], [[Gephyrophobia (Level)|Gephyrophobia]], [[Ice Fields (Level)|Ice Fields]], [[Infinity (Level)|Infinity]], and [[Timberland (Level)|Timberland]]. It should also be noted that the [[Flamethrower]] weapon was available in the Halo: CE for PC. This was not available on the XBOX version or in Halo 2 but has made a second appearance (though modified) in Halo 3. The [[Fuel Rod Gun]] also became available for use in the PC version.
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| Players are able to host both listen servers and dedicated servers, and have other players join via a server browser provided by [[GameSpy]], as well as by entering the domain name or IP address of a server if it's known, and by a LAN browser. [[Halo PC]] multiplay has no stat tracking, set rules, global banlist, or cheat detection past what server administrators provide, making competitive organization not an easy task, and cheaters/grievers are an issue when server administrators are absent.
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| ===[[Halo: Custom Edition]]===
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| ''[[Halo: Custom Edition]]'', a multiplayer-only expansion, implemented a network code, and of course, custom, user-made multiplayer maps created with 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 universe-inspired locations using only Halo assets, as well as many other maps which can incorporate custom weapons, vehicles, locations, and player characters.
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| ===List of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' Gametypes===
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| *[[Slayer]]
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| *[[Capture The Flag]]
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| *[[Oddball]]
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| *[[King of the Hill]]
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| *[[Race]]
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| ==[[Halo 2]]==
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| [[Image:1206873175 All action.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Multiplayer action in ''[[Halo 2]]'' on [[Tombstone (Level)|Tombstone]]: An ongoing [[Free-For-All]] battle.]]
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| Multiplayer was completely redesigned for ''Halo 2''. Built around the framework of Xbox LIVE, players now had more options available to play online. [[Matchmaking]] allowed players to search for games in a variety of different playlists, such as Team Objective, [[Team Doubles]], or [[Rumble Pit]]. Each playlist offers a number of unique gametypes from that list. Players could also create and host their own custom games, and invite other players and friends to join them. The lobby system was also introduced, allowing players in a party to stick together after games to continue playing or be taken to a different lobby.
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| Putting [[Microsoft]]'s [http://research.microsoft.com/mlp/apg/Details.aspx Trueskill] system to use, [[Bungie]] employed a ranking system that displayed a level (1-50) based on how well a player played in a particular playlist. [[Ranking]]s were for individual playlists, and players who would continually win games in a certain playlist would rank up in that playlist. Bungie also split their multiplayer component into two major categories; ranked and unranked. While the ranked playlists offered players a chance to display skill, the unranked playlists were more social, allowing guests, and did not track ranks. Thus, unranked games tended to be more relaxed.
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| ''[[Halo 2]]'' introduced the concept of awarding [[medals]] to players for various accomplishments during a match, such as multikills and sprees, as well as kills caused by certain weapons or vehicles, and for completing objectives in objective-based games. Medals are shown on [[Bungie.net]]'s game viewers, and in the Postgame Carnage Report.
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| The [[Race]] gametype was removed due to a lack of popularity, and three new gametypes were introduced. An offshoot of [[Oddball]] called [[Juggernaut]], an offshoot of [[Capture the Flag]] called [[Assault]], and a whole new gametype called [[Territories]].
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| ===[[Halo 2 Vista]]===
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| ''[[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, as if the player had joined a custom game. Servers ran a mapcycle 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, by using a Matchmaking option to have the game find a Matchmaking-only server and more players to play with, or by hosting their own listen server.
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| ''[[Halo 2 Vista]]'' did not feature [[Tombstone (Level)|Tombstone]] or [[Desolation (Level)|Desolation]], but instead offered [[District (Level)|District]] and [[Uplift (Level)|Uplift]], as well as the Halo 2 Map Editor, which allowed players to create custom ''[[Halo 2 Vista]]'' maps.
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| Since 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>
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| ===List of [[Halo 2]] Gametypes===
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| *[[Slayer]]
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| *[[Capture the Flag]]
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| *[[Oddball]]
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| *[[Juggernaut]]
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| *[[King of the Hill]]
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| *[[Territories]]
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| *[[Assault]]
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| ==[[Halo 3]]==
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| [[Image:1206663408_800px-Mongooseelephant-1-.jpg|thumb|[[Capture the Flag]] in [[Sandtrap]].]]
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| [[Image:58783113-Full.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Two [[Spartan-II]]s clash in close-quarters combat.]]
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| ''[[Halo 3]]'' introduced many new features to its multiplayer experience. The most prominent feature was the ability to play the campaign [[Co-op|cooperatively]] online and via system link with 4 players, with the players 2, 3, and 4 taking on the role of the [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] and two other [[Elite]]s ([[N'tho 'Sraom]] and [[Usze 'Taham]]), instead of 2-player [[Co-op]] with a [[Master Chief]] or [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] clone controlled by the other player.
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| Custom gametypes were given a whole new level of customization, with settings such as player gravity, and spawn-time specific attributes (e.g. spawnkill protection). Two new core gametypes, [[VIP]] and [[Infection]], were added.
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| [[Matchmaking]] was enhanced with many under-the-hood features to help get better player matches and reduced wait time. Two very useful features were added to the pregame and postgame lobbies: game Vetoes to get rid of games nobody wanted to play, and the "Party Up" feature, so groups of people who enjoyed that last game could stick together. The number of [[Medals|medal]] types to be attained increased drastically, including medals for killing sprees with certain weapons, the [[Linktacular Medal]] for getting matched with nothing but [[Bungie.net]] members, and the [[Steaktacular Medal]] for winning a [[Slayer]] game by more than 20 points.
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| Finally, custom games were enhanced with the addition of [[Forge]], a multiplayer map editor. In [[Forge]], players can switch to and from a [[Monitor]] form on the fly to add, move, and remove objects such as weapons, vehicles, spawn points, and scenery props on the map. There is a budget set in each map for optimization purposes; each object in the map (except for netgame flags and spawn points) has a dollar value tied to it, and the map can only have so much in it. When you run out of money, you cannot place any more objects until you delete other objects. A glitch exists, however, that lets players bypass the budget and place as many items on the map as they want. The glitch requires you to put one of every object outside of the map.
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| ===Multiplayer Beta===
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| The [[Halo 3 Beta|''Halo 3'' Public Beta]] consisted of [[Matchmaking]] multiplay on a small number of ranked and social playlists, though custom games were eventually broken into via a glitch. The three maps included in the beta were [[Valhalla (Level)|Valhalla]], [[High Ground (Level)|High Ground]], and [[Snowbound (Level)|Snowbound]]. Players were limited to only [[Mark VI(A) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Mark VI]] armor permutations, but still could customize colors and emblems.
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| The [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]] and [[M6G Personal Defense Weapon System|Magnum]] were absent from [[Matchmaking]] games (but found later in the gametype editor when custom games were found) in an attempt to surprise the faithful fans on ''[[Halo 3]]'' 's release, and the [[Trip Mine]] was much more powerful, able to cling to vehicles with a smaller, yet very lethal blast radius.
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| ===Ranking, EXP And Skill===
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| The ranking system introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]'' was redone in order to balance out [[Matchmaking]] even further. The [http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/trueskill/default.aspx Trueskill] system was still present on ranked [[playlists]], but a new "Experience (EXP)" stat was added to player profiles. Whenever a player plays a match entirely and is in a top position or on a winning team, the player gains 1 EXP. Players who enter a playlist, but disconnect or quit early lose 1 EXP for desertion. Players who end up in a losing position or team do not gain or lose EXP. In theory, this helps with player matching and balance by finding players who have been playing the game as much as you have based on their EXP level.
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| Auto Update 2, live on August 1, 2008, added another layer of EXP to even further balance out players. This time, EXP was tracked for each individual playlist, in addition to the player's [http://research.microsoft.com/mlp/apg/Details.aspx Trueskill] ranks and overall EXP. When in a [[Matchmaking]] [[playlist]], players' [http://research.microsoft.com/mlp/apg/Details.aspx 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>
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| ===List of [[Halo 3]] Gametypes===
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| *[[Slayer]]
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| *[[Capture the Flag]]
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| *[[King of the Hill]]
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| *[[Oddball]]
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| *[[Assault]]
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| *[[Territories]]
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| *[[Juggernaut]]
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| *[[Infection]]
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| *[[VIP]]
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| ==Profiles And Emblems==
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| [[Image:1224636951_Customarmor.jpg |thumb|left|An example of a customized Halo 3 profile.]]
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| [[Image:My%20Halo%20Emblem.jpg|thumb|A customized ''[[Halo 3]]'' emblem.]]
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| The profile creator in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' was very basic. Players had the ability to create a unique name, customize their armor color, and change the game controls and settings. [[Halo PC]]'s settings were more intricate, including options to tweak various sound and video settings, and bind keys or gamepad buttons to each control (as opposed to picking preset control schemes).
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| With the addition of online multiplayer through [[Xbox LIVE]], the profile creator in ''[[Halo 2]]'' was redesigned and altered. Keeping the settings and adjustments from the previous game, Bungie added more color variants to the palette, and the ability for armor to have two colors. In addition, a major change was the addition of [[Sangheili]] model for players to use, rather than the standard [[Spartan-II]] model. To identify players better on the battlefield, Bungie included a "multiplayer emblem" in which players could customize the look and color to distinguish themselves. Emblems appeared on the HUD over teammates' heads instead of the plain green arrows in [[Halo: Combat Evolved]].
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| The updated profile creator in ''[[Halo 3]]'' gives players a host of different options to change, tweak and modify their multiplayer avatar. Again, the options from the previous games are included. However, the newest of these options include [[Armor Permutations]] for the left and right shoulders, the helmet, and the chest piece. Different armor permutations can be unlocked by gaining achievements, completing the campaign, completing certain levels on certain difficulties, or by finding skulls.
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| The list of multiplayer emblems is larger than in ''[[Halo 2]]''. Subtle differences in the emblem (i.e. hiding the portion of the emblem that uses the secondary color by pressing X) have been made possible. Players can now choose from a number of preset backgrounds as well. In addition, there are three color settings for emblems as well; primary, secondary, and background. Due to the vast amount of female gamers in ''Halo 2'', Bungie added in a gender option which changes the voice of the player when the player is killed. Finally, players may choose a callsign ([[UNSC]] Service Tag), consisting of a letter followed by two numbers (e.g. A12, P01) so that players may easily recognize you on the battlefield.
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| ==[[Halo Wars]]==
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| Halo Wars allows you to play in a variety of multiplayer arenas. You can choose from 3 different commanders from both [[UNSC]] (i.e. Captain Cutter, Sergeant Forge, or Professor Anders) and the [[Covenant]] (i.e. Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee, Brute Army Commander, or The Prophet of Regret). You can play either 1v1, 2v2, or 3v3, on either [[Standard (Halo Wars)|Standard]] or [[Deathmatch (Halo Wars)|Deathmatch]] modes, with all human players or some human players. There is also a form of ranking system which is very similar to that in Halo 3 except that in Halo Wars, it's based on your score in completed [[matchmaking]] games meaning you not only get a little bit for a loss but also get more for a convincing victory than for a lucky break.
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| 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. Also there's a Map Pack DLC, called Historic Battle, for the same price and including 4 new maps.
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| ==Trivia==
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| *In Multiplayer, players can [[Cease-fire|hold their weapons down, as if at ease]].
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| *In ''[[Halo 3]]'', when a guest is playing, their service tag is O00 even if they try and change it through the appearance options. Guests can only play in some lobbies.
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| *In ''[[Halo 3]]'' multiplayer, if you are the party leader in a custom game, the "End Game" option in the menu will say, "Choose this option to put an end to the conflict before it ends itself." For all other players, the "Leave Game" option will say: "Choose this option to embrace your cowardice and leave the game prematurely." Attempting to leave a team-based [[Xbox Live]] match will warn you that "Quitting is discouraged in the UNSC. Do you want to lose EXP as a penalty for desertion?"
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| *The maximum number of players that can play in all versions of ''[[Halo]]'' Multiplayer is 16, via System Link, Xbox Live, and Internet.
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| *In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Bungie offers a "[[Double EXP Weekend]]" [[playlist]] making it easier for players to level up during weekends ("weekend" here means between Thursday and Sunday).
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| *In ''[[Halo 3]]'', Bungie offers a "7 on 7 on the 7th" [[playlist]] dedicated to getting [[Achievement]]s based on [[DLC]] maps around the 7th of every month. Obviously, this is a throwback to [[Bungie]]'s favorite number.
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| ==Sources==
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| <references/>
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| ==Links==
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| ===Internal===
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| *[[Xbox LIVE]]
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| *[[Matchmaking]]
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| {{Levels}}
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| {{Games}}
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| [[Category:Halo 3: ODST]] | | [[Category:Halo 3: ODST]] |
| [[Category:Multiplayer]] | | [[Category:Multiplayer]] |
