[360] Gears of War 2, still no Denise Richards shower scene :(

I dunno Miles, a lot of that can be chalked up to the fact we were playing past Midnight. The patch can't fix my inability to land all my shots when I'm tired. There's been noticeably less bullshit in my experience, really.

I'm trying to get the firing from the hip thing down again. That was my favorite part about Gears 1. Played Territories a bit this morning and there was a guy on my team that had gone back to the good old shotty dance as well, we spent most of the match blasting the fuck out of the people that were still aiming with the left trigger making them unable to keep up with us.

Just a little more, it's all coming back to me. =DDD

Lowering the chainsaw actually works now, but obviously if the person is RIGHT IN YOUR FACE when you're hitting the left trigger to square up and fire there's a high change you're fucked. Unless you are the host, in which case their pitiful chainsaw disintegrates along with the rest of their body every time.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

For US based Gears 2 players, you might want to pay a visit to this page and sign up for a new competition thing they're going to be running at the beginning of February: 13 Days of Gears.

Quote:

Starting Feb. 1, Microsoft is going to be giving away $25,000 in prizes (including an HDTV, a Gears of War 2 poster signed by the dev team, and a locust bust, to name a few) to random online combatants in Gears 2 over a 13-day period. ...

Prizes

A Samsung 40" 1080p LCD HDTV
An Xbox 360 Limited Edition Red Wireless Controller
A Marcus Fenix bronze statue from Mindzeye Studios
A life-size Locust drone maquette from TriForce Sales
The "Gears of War 2" video game soundtrack from Sumthing Else
The Gears of War Aspho Fields novel from Random House imprint, Del Rey
Codes to download the golden Hammerburst and Lancer
A "Gears of War 2" poster signed by members of the development team
Five first prize packages every day, which includes the soundtrack, novel, in-game golden weapons and a signed poster

FELIPE NO

Has anyone else had problems with the game freezing after the patch, or know someone who has? Ever since the patch, my game has frozen within 20 minutes of starting. And it's not just a normal freeze, it's a freeze so bad that I can't even turn the system off by hitting the power button; I have to unplug it.

How ya doing, buddy?

That actually happened to me the other day, but only once. Otherwise, I've had no problems.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'm still having problems with bullet lag, or my blindfire not even working during matches.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by House Hippo

Has anyone else had problems with the game freezing after the patch, or know someone who has? Ever since the patch, my game has frozen within 20 minutes of starting. And it's not just a normal freeze, it's a freeze so bad that I can't even turn the system off by hitting the power button; I have to unplug it.

Actually my game has been freezing less since the newest patch. The last patch in December that was supposed to make matchmaking better caused my game to freeze often when joining a game but now it rarely happens anymore.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Mo0 just has terrible luck with having his consoles not work properly.

I hope they get Title Update 3 out the door soon. The region filter for multiplayer is really the only thing I'd really like to see now. Everything else about the game is decent at the moment.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Tails

I hope they get Title Update 3 out the door soon. The region filter for multiplayer is really the only thing I'd really like to see now.

There's a Title Update 3 in the works? Is there info floating about anywhere on what might be in that, or are you just saying you'd like a region filter?

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Apparently they started working on it shortly after Title Update 2 hit.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

So it looks like Epic are adding XP/levels to the multiplayer, and bots to deal with dropouts:

Quote:

Epic Games will be adding experience levels to Gears of War 2 multiplayer in the next title update, due to arrive sometime in the "near future".

"You would gain experience through your individual performance in Public multiplayer matches - the higher your score at the end, the more experience you acquire.

"Of course the experience gained across the different match types would be balanced so you couldn't just grind on the re-spawning game types to try and level faster. The experience requirements for each level would grow with each level gained (like a typical RPG) and we'd have 99 levels of experience for you to show off your leetness," he adds.

Levels mean nothing but bragging rights at the moment, but Epic plans to tie Achievements to them when the next set of map DLC is rolled out. This will likely cost, but the Microsoft-placed restriction on Achievements as part of DLC makes this an option Epic cannot bypass.

[B]ots will now replace drop-outs during public matches, so giving weakened teams a realistic shot at winning. These will be Insane-level AI and added to every team short of five people - even 4v4 matches will gain two bots. It's not yet determined whether bot kills will increase your end-of-game score and thus experience earned.

TrueSkill ranks will still be included and not wiped or reset, but they will be hidden and used solely to match players of a similar rank.

[ source ]

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Awesome. More shit that means nothing for the idiot masses to fawn over. "OMG HIGHER EXP THAN U SCRUB".

Also the AI thing is a nice idea on paper, but Insane level AIs are capable of killing you across the map with their shotgun for some retarded reason. I hope they fine tune that a little bit before the TU hits.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I will just join your games and then immediately drop out for work conference calls so you guys can get miracle shotty bots. You can thank me later.

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I can't stand the idea of bots in public matches let alone private (takes the fun out of xbox live). I don't really have a reason other than the fact that it takes forever for bots to finish a round if left with no human players.

If the XP is implemented it might draw more people to the game because it'll give them the sense they are accomplishing something; but then again they'll quit because they don't want to loose it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Clearly you've never played a game that actually does stick bots in when people leave. Sticking in bots prevents the cascading quits that happen in games like Gears when one person leaves. One person might lag out or have a legitimate reason to leave, but within 2 rounds other people quit because they'd rather not play on a shorthanded team and then you're left with 5v1. It makes the rounds a lot less stunted after someone lags out.

Also, it wasn't mentioned in the article Omagnus posted, but they are talking about having an XP penalty for leaving matches early.

Holy crap your signature hurts my eyes

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by House Hippo

Clearly you've never played a game that actually does stick bots in when people leave. Sticking in bots prevents the cascading quits that happen in games like Gears when one person leaves. One person might lag out or have a legitimate reason to leave, but within 2 rounds other people quit because they'd rather not play on a shorthanded team and then you're left with 5v1. It makes the rounds a lot less stunted after someone lags out.

Also, it wasn't mentioned in the article Omagnus posted, but they are talking about having an XP penalty for leaving matches early.

Holy crap your signature hurts my eyes

Yeah I rarely choose to play games were there is bots, but that's just personally opinion. Good point with the cascading quitting (didn't even think about that). I just don't feel any satisfaction in killing a bot in a ranked game. Also a lot of people just quit because they're losing. If you're on the team that is pwning it's kinda satisfying to win and get on with another game.

Sorry about the signature, It's the first one I've ever made.

How ya doing, buddy?

It's just that random fuzzing action going on, it's so fast that it kinda hurts.

I see your point about killing bots being less satisfying than killing actual people, but between the bots keeping the teams from being lopsided and the XP penalty for quitting I think the odds of bots showing up is going to be reduced compared to the ridiculous number of games that crap out now.

I was speaking idiomatically.

So Title Update 3 is on its way soon, 11 days in fact, and soon after will be some new maps:

Quote:

Epic has announced that it will release an expansive free patch for Gears of War 2 on 24th March, introducing a new experience system and associated Achievements.

This will then be followed by a new premium map pack, called Snowblind, on 31st March, introducing three new maps and a remake of Fuel Depot from Gears 1.

Once the patch goes live, players will earn experience in subsequent matches that helps them advance through 100 levels, with significant milestones each getting their own unlockable Achievement. Along with four others introduced in the Snowblind Map Pack, these will account for an extra 250 gamerscore points.

As for the map pack, there's no word yet on pricing, but the last outing - the Combustible Map Pack - sold for 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60), which seems like a safe bet.

Fergusson has said that the four maps are Grindyard, a winter-themed junkyard processing plant and spiritual successor to Gears 1's Gridlock; Under Hill, a highway junction leading into a mountain, with an exposed mortar spawn to consider; and Courtyard, which features long sight lines and recalls Embry Square.

Fuel Depot, meanwhile, will be spruced up with a new wintry theme.

[ source ]

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It would seem that to Microsoft charging 800 points and piece for 2 (light on the maps) map packs isn't quite taking the piss enough, so they have more up their sleeve with some new DLC heading to Gears 2 in the near future (July 28th):

Quote:

This is... interesting. Microsoft has found a great way to get your money for new and old content, and you better pay up if you want to keep playing with the big boys in Gears of War 2. The company is releasing a retail package that includes all the previous map packs for the title, as well as seven new maps and a new campaign mission that features an all new "stealth mode." The package is called the All Fronts Collection, will be sold at retail for $20, and is a great deal for people who want to get caught up with all the downloadable content and be up to date with long-time players.

So the package will contain [the] seven [new] maps, plus the “Flashback” Map Pack, “Combustible” Map Pack, and the winter-themed “Snowblind” Map Pack. You also get a poster, strategy guide, an Xbox Live theme, and a new video with Cliffy-B. So your $20 is well spent, looking at everything you get in the retail package.

But what happens if you already own all the previous map packs? The "Dark Corners" map pack with the seven new maps and campaign chapter will be available as a download through Xbox Live. The price? 1600 points, or $20. Yup, no matter how you buy it, you're paying for the old map packs.

[ source ]

So anyone foolish enough to have paid for both those current map packs is about to get a swift sharp kick to the bollocks (and wallet) if they want this new DLC too.

I also have a feeling that $20 is going to translate to a slightly less reasonable £20 (or more) over here in the UK, making it slightly less value, and still only really worthwhile if a whole bunch of us were to get it.

How ya doing, buddy?

Joystiq says it's going to be £15 here, which isn't too bad.

For people who've not bought any of the map packs yet, this is an absolutely fantastic deal - £15 for new campaign content and fifteen maps holy shit. Picking this up without hesitation.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Too bad nobody really plays anymore. I bought the Snowblind Maps because they're decent, but I've heard the Combustible Maps are pretty shit.

Way late on the ball here, Epic. I doubt anybody will give a fuck by the time this comes out.

Also can they stop making all these shit new maps and just re-release War Machine already.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Yeah, I stayed away from the map packs because they were way too pricey. £15 for all fifteen maps and all the extra stuff is ney bad, so I might give that a pop. But yeah, the lack of interest as Tails points out is the real issue it faces.

How ya doing, buddy?

I hear actually playing the game might be a good way to generate interest.

Seriously, when this pack hits, I'm all for getting back into it. I've not really taken Gears 2 online at all aside from the occasional round of Horde. On that note, I've not actually played anything with you lot yet

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Tails

Also can they stop making all these shit new maps and just re-release War Machine already.

You clearly didn't click on link Tails. Anyways, I'm guessing this chunk from the quoted article might appease you:

Quote:

Here are the new maps:

* Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.

* Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.

* Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.

* War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.

* Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.

* Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.

* Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by KrelEN

I hear actually playing the game might be a good way to generate interest.

Therein lies the problem. A lot of people have already thrown in the towel since it took them about oh, five months to fix all of the rampant problems in the game? Stanbying, people quitting mid-match, various weapon glitches and horrible map balancing.

It's no small wonder that this thread has been so dead. I've been playing the game since launch still but this is because I am:

a) a masochist
b) significantly better than most of the gears playerbase

So all the rampant bullshit hasn't affected me too terribly, but I can understand why everyone else called it quits. Why play a game that the developers obviously didn't bother testing enough prior to release? I'd be more than happy if everyone picked it back up, but come on.

Also Edit: While I am glad they are indeed bringing over WM, it hardly counts as a new map. EPIC.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Let's just switch back to the first Gears since we all just want to play on the old {read: good} maps anyway.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?