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Halo™ 2 Multiplayer
Behind the Scenes
The original Halo™: Combat Evolved dished out some manic multiplayer action, even though it lacked support for Xbox Live™ (what do you expect? It didn’t exist back then). Needless to say, Halo™ 2 comes fully loaded with full Xbox Live support and includes some nifty online features courtesy of Bungie.
Let's Get It Started
Whatever you’re doing in the massive Halo™ 2 universe, your Friends List is just a button-press away. Pressing the Y button on your controller will bring up your list so you can start sending game invitations or private messages to your mates. Nice touch, but we’re only just getting started.
Now you can join ‘Parties’ – gamer groups that stick together from match to match. So every time a match finishes, you stick with your crowd and play whatever the party leader chooses next. Parties can also be merged by inviting another party leader to your party, if they accept; all of their mates will join in the action too.
With Enemies Like These, Who Needs Friends?
If you don’t have a regular squad, or if you just prefer fragging strangers for fun, try the advanced matchmaking features in Halo™ 2. Optimatch lets you specify the exact type of game you’re after, just fill in the blanks, hit search and wait for your perfect match.
Halo™ 2 has a unique backend to the searches it makes for other gamers, checking network connection speeds to the host and to other players to ensure you’re only given the best possible game available. The search will also interrogate all player rankings, so you know whoever you play really will be your equal on the battlefield.
The Name of the Game
So, we know how matchmaking picks your foes, but what kind of game are you actually playing? Well, that depends on the "playlist" you have chosen. A playlist is a group of game types that matchmaking lets you choose from. For example, one playlist might feature only solo Slayer variants, while another contains entirely team-based games. Playlists are built by Bungie and can be updated at any time over Xbox Live (look out for special events).
I Am Not a Number! No, Wait, I Am
Halo™ 2 players will be able to keep track of all their stats online, in real-time, on Bungie's website. You'll be able to see how you fare against other players and access detailed stats for the latest games you've played. All of the data is clearly tabulated and cross-linked, so you can check the stats for your new arch-nemesis just by clicking on his or her name.
We hope you have enjoyed our closer look at the Halo™ 2 multiplayer features on Xbox Live. Stay tuned for future articles, where we'll explore everything else this epic game has to offer.
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