Playing <em>Halo: Reach</em> on Xbox Live: how to stay sane

It <em>is</em> possible to avoid the slings and arrows of outrageous Xbox Live players, although it takes a little bit of effort. The benefits are worth it, however. Here are our suggestions for enjoying yourself online.

<a href='http://meincmagazine.com/gaming/news/2010/09/playing-halo-reach-on-xbox-live-how-to-stay-sane.ars'>Read the whole story</a>

 

[matt_w]

When someone is ruining my experience I usually like to ruin theirs. This doesn't mean I scream back. I stand in front of them while they shoot until they team kill me, then I give them the boot!

 

[ShapeGSX]

There is also a setting on the 360 that lets you mute everyone but your friends, globally, in every game.

Here's how.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/famil ... ations.htm

 

[CxOrillion]

I understand all that, but sometimes (And maybe it's just my probably relative youth) I like to egg on the trolls anyway. I like getting people a little worked up, and frankly for me it's just a part of the game. So yeah, either mute EVERYONE or join in a bit. I'll never badmouth a good player for killing me, nor a bad player for dying, but I'll certainly rile up some little kid who can't keep his mouth shut and play the game. Maybe I just enjoy egging people on and seeing if they'll make dumb mistakes... I dunno.

Either way, I plan on buying the game, and I'll certainly play it quite a bit. Looks like a lot of fun that I don't wanna be missing.

 

[Control Group]

This was the beauty of playing ranked Lone Wolf in Halo 3 - not only did you not need to use a headset, you weren't even able to during the game. So the most you missed if you didn't have yours on was the occasional comment in the lobby.

 

[SituationSoap]

This was the beauty of playing ranked Lone Wolf in Halo 3 - not only did you not need to use a headset, you weren't even able to during the game. So the most you missed if you didn't have yours on was the occasional comment in the lobby.

I always felt that the complete lack of headset chatter was a large part of the reason that I played 10 times more LW than any other game type on H3.

 

[Flit]

I wish that if someone had perhaps 30+ reports for abusive language, they would automatically be muted by XBL. You could unmute them if you liked, but they would default to mute. If you can't hear these morons, it's amazing how much more tolerable they are.

It's only very very rarely that I get stuck in games with actual gameplay griefers, surprisingly.

 

[Annihilator_X9]

I understand all that, but sometimes (And maybe it's just my probably relative youth) I like to egg on the trolls anyway. I like getting people a little worked up, and frankly for me it's just a part of the game. So yeah, either mute EVERYONE or join in a bit. I'll never badmouth a good player for killing me, nor a bad player for dying, but I'll certainly rile up some little kid who can't keep his mouth shut and play the game. Maybe I just enjoy egging people on and seeing if they'll make dumb mistakes... I dunno.

Either way, I plan on buying the game, and I'll certainly play it quite a bit. Looks like a lot of fun that I don't wanna be missing.

This is usually how I do it. It can be quite entertaining.

 

[Ignus Fast]

Until they either port it to Windows or add mouse support, I won't be playing it anyway. I just never have been able to get the knack of aiming with a gamepad, and I can't stand all the aiming assistance many console games throw in just to get past how inaccurate the bloody things are.

 

[Evil_Superman]

I just wish I had people to play online with

 

[Leaping Gnome]

I understand all that, but sometimes (And maybe it's just my probably relative youth) I like to egg on the trolls anyway. I like getting people a little worked up, and frankly for me it's just a part of the game. So yeah, either mute EVERYONE or join in a bit. I'll never badmouth a good player for killing me, nor a bad player for dying, but I'll certainly rile up some little kid who can't keep his mouth shut and play the game. Maybe I just enjoy egging people on and seeing if they'll make dumb mistakes... I dunno.

Either way, I plan on buying the game, and I'll certainly play it quite a bit. Looks like a lot of fun that I don't wanna be missing.

This is usually how I do it. It can be quite entertaining.

Yeah and the rest of us get to sit here and listen to the two trolls talk. Awesome! /sarcasm

 

[PaulWTAMU]

during my MP time on the 360, I just kept everyone on mute, all the time. Safer, easier and much more fun. Toss on some music, and frag and get fragged as long as you want...no racist homophobic BS

 

[Deleted member 1]

As an Xbox Ambassador I definitely agree with these tips, really good for anyone to follow. Many people get quickly frustrated with Xbox LIVE because of public voice chat issues and/or not having friends. Ars is a great community and I can easily say I've never had one bad experience with an Arsian in any online game we've played.

 

[kleinma]

Being close to 30, I am always a well behaved team player on XBL. I don't curse at people (although that doesn't mean I don't ever curse on the mic). If you are playing a game that is rated M, then there is a decent chance these days the single player storyline is already riddled with foul language (MW2, gta, red dead, gears, etc..). If the goal of the game you are playing is to blow someone’s head off with realistic graphics and gore, then a fuck or shit mixed into the audio is hardly a big deal. There is a big difference between cursing because it fits the current moment and flaming someone by cursing at them up and down. like an "Oh shit man Im sorry" when you accidentaly friendly fire someone in the face while running around a corner, is totally acceptible in my book.

These younger kids that play are immensely obnoxious though, and if there is anything worse than some of the stuff you have to listen to them say, it is hearing it from a squeaky pre-pubescent asshole who obviously has bad parents who are just happy he isn't bothering them at the moment. (them singing on the mic like they are auditioning for american idol comes in at a close second though).

I do have to say though, your advice about asking them "nicely" to behave is pretty laughable. I have never ever seen one instance where someone asked someone else that was being really annoying to please be quiet and have them comply. It is nearly a 100% guarantee to make it worse. The best thing is to simply mute idiots on an idiot by idiot basis. Many are out to piss people off in the first place, and often times totally ignoring them is a better way to get them to shut up or leave to go try to bother people in another server. I totally agree about reporting them. I do it all the time. Hopefully some of the shitheads I have reported had to explain to mommy and daddy why their xbox live account was terminated

 

[ronelson]

I understand all that, but sometimes (And maybe it's just my probably relative youth) I like to egg on the trolls anyway.

They call it a dick move, not a youngster move, for a reason. Plenty of 40 year old dickheads out there, don't assume that the lamers are all 10 year olds.

 

[Control Group]

Many people get quickly frustrated...because of...not having friends.

Indeed.

 

[Tundro Walker]

An epic opening to an epic game where you will fight epic battles of epic proportion ...

Until you hear some 8yo's voice coming over the chat calling someone a noob or crying about people not following his orders.

And then the fantasy is shattered, and a little part of you dies inside.

 

[Ben Kuchera]

When I was playing co-op with my friend we said hello to everyone using the Tommy Wiseau voice from the Room:

"Oh hai Elites!" *BOOM*

"Oh hai Grunts!" *snipe snipe*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMyV2YQgAA

 

[sidran32]

All good advice, and all advice I already have been doing. I will mute everyone by habit (when playing on Live with local multiplayer though, it is annoying that everyone has to mute them or else it comes through). I don't mute my friends. I rate people (avoid/prefer) and have reported offensive profiles before. In fact, it's a great thing too because it has the sweet taste of justice and revenge to give the person a bad rating (it downrates their reputation, and they can see % of who avoided them in their profile) and reporting accounts actually is acted upon (as some news reports have demonstrated). So do it both for your sake and because it's great to get back at them in the proper manner. Halo 3 is very good at managing the baddies in your party or in the game (I particularly love how it gives you the opportunity to instant-boot someone on your team if they team kill you intentionally).

 

[Ars of Ares]

And this is a feature?

I know, that’s a bit trollish. It’s not hard to see how one of a console’s biggest strengths can also be part of its weaknesses.

 

[Marc17]

Or I could save ~$120 a year not buying games that are designed essentially as online multiplayer shooters and not pay for XBLive.

 

[sidran32]

And this is a feature?

I know, that’s a bit trollish. It’s not hard to see how one of a console’s biggest strengths can also be part of its weaknesses.

Having a large, developed community is a double edged sword. You get lots of good times had by all, but then you also get the occasional bad apple that just likes to ruin it for everyone (or shouldn't be playing in the first place, I'm looking at you 14 year old prepubescent Halo players).

 

[Deleted member 1]

Or I could save ~$120 a year not buying games that are designed essentially as online multiplayer shooters and not pay for XBLive.

Not to mention saving ~120 seconds a year by not commenting on things you are not interested in.

 

[ShapeGSX]

And this is a feature?

I know, that’s a bit trollish. It’s not hard to see how one of a console’s biggest strengths can also be part of its weaknesses.

Having a large, developed community is a double edged sword. You get lots of good times had by all, but then you also get the occasional bad apple that just likes to ruin it for everyone (or shouldn't be playing in the first place, I'm looking at you 14 year old prepubescent Halo players).

The real strength is in having the appropriate tools to deal with the bad apples that are present in pretty much every community.

 

[BlueLikeYou]

I got a lot of use out of 'mute all' in Halo 3. One thing I didn't like is that this setting wasn't retained. So every time you start up the game, you have to change it again. If you are playing split screen, then everyone has to change the setting every time. I don't suppose they've fixed this in Reach have they?

 

[MightyPez]

My own personal list for the folks on mics (in no particular order):

1: Pull the mic out of your mouth. A few inches away from your face is the preferred space to make the mic sound nice and not transmit every cough, wheeze, and breath in between fist fulls of snacks.

2. Stop playing music loudly in the background. The newest Usher jam may be a kicking beat, but nobody else wants to hear it at the moment. With that said...

3. Stop singing. The quality of the mics and compression of the voice isn't great and doesn't lend itself well to those that are talented singers. And more than likely you're not a talented singer in the first place.

4. If your mic has a mute button use it when you're not talking. Hearing "That's fucking bullshit!" every time you die doesn't make your team want to rush to your side and save you.

5. If you win big or lose badly, show some class. If you win, try telling some of the other people thanks for a good game or thank your team for their help. If you lose, don't scream at yell at everyone and accuse them of cheating.

6. Don't be racist/homophobic/sexist. Seriously, does this need explaining?

7. Threatening to beat up someone in real life isn't frightening, it's just funny and sad. Yes, you are very tough and we're sure you beat up plenty of people every day for their lunch money. We'll just sit back and laugh at you while you show off what an internet tough guy you are.

8. This is a public game and not your personal chat room. We don't care if you and your friend are totally going to get high later or what class is going to suck tomorrow. You can start a private lobby for that and not be interrupted by people playing a pesky game.

I'm sure I've missed a few, but these are the ones that always annoy me.

*edited because I can't spell "mute" apparently

 

[Sp@nky]

Weird, I play a ton of Bad Company 2 on live and have never run into anyone that I find more then slightly annoying. Once there was a guy who just talked too much, that was the worst so far. Maybe it's game specific or because I can only hear my own team/squad?

 

[Penforhire]

Muting ruins too much of what I want from on-line gaming. Yeah, I like a little teamwork and communication.

There is absolutely a slice of the public out there that I'd like to never be matched with or against. Maybe that's a better method ("avoid this person" setting).

On the plus side, reasonable players tend to find each other and buddy-up for future games. That's most of who's on my Friends list.

 

[Mortus]

But Ben, if you mute everyone you won't be able to tell when there's a girl playing, and therefore you'll miss the all important dogpile of said girl for being a girl by the horny prepubescent masses. How shall you ever live with yourself?

 

[WamBam26]

I recently got back into PC gaming after realizing that my computer wasnt as outdated as I thought as well as being frustrated/bored but XBL scene. It had been at least a decade since I played an online fps for PC. I was intimidated at the prospect of playing TF2 and CS at first, knowing that I was a noob and fearing the wrath of more experienced but, ahem, intolerant players. But I found that there are plenty of servers with very good policing; mods who allow things to be fun but also know how to curb bad behavior. Im definitly going to play Halo and other games on XBL again but think that the console community can learn a thing or two from PC gamers.

 

[hubick]

Weird, I play a ton of Bad Company 2 on live and have never run into anyone that I find more then slightly annoying.

Maybe it's just my youthful age of 36, but my foul language (in+out of game) isn't much worse than the language in BC2 itself. I like games for adults and all that implies, and I think some people here maybe need to HTFU.

 

[Joshmx]

i just play with the headset volume all the way down. my gf listens to the people talk because she thinks it's funny. i'm just too embarrassed for those people to listen, but i do keep my headset on in-case something happens in the game and i need to tell somebody. even in team slayer, you never know when you need to call out "shotgun campers on the top of the lift"

I don't know how many people here read the Bungie site but this was part of their weekly update this week:

We are already aware of a number of nefarious deeds by a very small percentage of early adopters and we have already been taking action. We expect that a few more will turn up once the population explodes on September 14th. We will be ready, watching, waiting, firing at will on people who deserve it. We have all sorts of new fancy tools at our disposal now and as we start to come up to full speed we’ll be engaging all of them. Voice bans, host bans, console bans, gamertag bans, credit bans and the automatic habitual quitter penalty are but a few of our sharply honed weapons hungering for blood.

they go on to say that it can take time for them to be certain the person is actually the problem.

 

[Ars of Ares]

And this is a feature?

I know, that’s a bit trollish. It’s not hard to see how one of a console’s biggest strengths can also be part of its weaknesses.

Having a large, developed community is a double edged sword. You get lots of good times had by all, but then you also get the occasional bad apple that just likes to ruin it for everyone (or shouldn't be playing in the first place, I'm looking at you 14 year old prepubescent Halo players).

Yeah, I know. It was purely cheekiness.

 

[Killing Time]

When I was playing co-op with my friend we said hello to everyone using the Tommy Wiseau voice from the Room:

"Oh hai Elites!" *BOOM*

"Oh hai Grunts!" *snipe snipe*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMyV2YQgAA

too bad you can't play a rousing game of catch in halo.

 

[drjr]

Half the fun is talking shit and making fun of people.

 

[Hayted1]

When I was playing co-op with my friend we said hello to everyone using the Tommy Wiseau voice from the Room:

"Oh hai Elites!" *BOOM*

"Oh hai Grunts!" *snipe snipe*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mMyV2YQgAA

Oh, dear Darwin ... I _HAVE_ to do this with some friends of mine who suffered through The Room with me before. Ben, I can only say THANK YOU for that idea. Thinking of the fun that may come from this just made my afternoon.

 

[Revbob]

I just wish I had people to play online with

What? What are we? Chopped liver? For that, you will be muted!

We have a regular group that plays BF2 a couple of nights a week (anyone and everyone is welcome) so the party system is what we use. That said, almost no one talks in BF2 but on the rare occasion they do, in my personal experience, it's a welcome participation as it usually is helpful talk.

To me it depends on the game. Halo and MW, those I'll mute more often than not for teh same reasons everyone else does, but I too havebeen known to reply back to the idiots.

 

[bojesphob]

I used to play with a big group of friends, and I muted everybody but friends. I would always hear a friend reacting to some random person making an asinine comment, until we got the group chat. Now, we all mute everyone except friends, and then do the private chat with the group. Now we don't hear them, and they don't hear us making fun of them. Win-win! Occasionally we would find someone worth talking to, but it's nice to know that when we cuss at each other, or make a rude comment, nobody will hear us except us.

 

[sikodelika]

I understand all that, but sometimes (And maybe it's just my probably relative youth) I like to egg on the trolls anyway. I like getting people a little worked up, and frankly for me it's just a part of the game. So yeah, either mute EVERYONE or join in a bit. I'll never badmouth a good player for killing me, nor a bad player for dying, but I'll certainly rile up some little kid who can't keep his mouth shut and play the game. Maybe I just enjoy egging people on and seeing if they'll make dumb mistakes... I dunno.

Either way, I plan on buying the game, and I'll certainly play it quite a bit. Looks like a lot of fun that I don't wanna be missing.

Its insulting and humiliating to listen to people insult me and/or others just because they think its "fun". Justifying why you do it doesn't make it right.

 

[jedimed]

Not that I like to whine, but a "NSFW" tag on the headline would be nice. C'mon, a crudely drawn penis right at the top of a story? A bit childish, isn't it?