Online Utopia
Why can't we all just get along?
August 31st, 2010
On the eve of Halo Reach, I find myself contemplating the many hundreds of hours I'm about to spend on Xbox Live. And all the shit I'm no doubt going to have to put up with.
Xbox Live launched in 2002. I was there, broadband connection and copy of Unreal Championship in hand. Of course, online gaming was nothing new, even on a console thanks to the Dreamcast but voice chat brought a whole other level to the experience.
It took at least 6 months before everyone stopped fucking about with voice modulation but I made some good friends, and wrestled with many a router to get my existing friends on board. Rainbow Six, Wolfenstein... Good times.
The Xbox Live service has grown with many an innovation along the way, not least from Bungie introducing parties, playlists etc via Halo, along with variations on ranked and social matchmaking.
So what’s missing? Okay, anyone can think of a handful of welcome technical additions. Bigger Friends lists/groups, (return of) Clan support... I hear you. However, I find myself wishing for one thing. Matchmaking by demographic.
Maybe I should be more specific. I’m not suggesting insane things like race or sex, although some of the more harassed individuals might welcome it. Simply age. After nearly 8 years of experience one thing is clear, kids playing with adults has some nasty side effects.
Both inanely insulting kids that wont shut up preventing any chance of enjoying a game, and maybe worse, pathetically immature adults setting that example in the first place make Xbox Live lobbies somewhere I don't want to be. And I’m pretty sure some people are only there for the ‘banter’. As soon as my wireless headset drops out and the in-game voice channel is free to spill out of the speakers in front of my family, I’m reminded its anything but.
Bungie are again treading new ground with new Matchmaking preferences in Halo: Reach. Although I’m not sure the voluntary options of ‘chatty’ and ‘team player’ are really going to cut it.
If there is one piece of information I’m pretty sure Microsoft are aware of for the vast majority of Xbox Live members, it’s their age. Give me 18+ Matchmaking, and for everyones sake, split us up. Besides, it’s embarrassing being beaten by kids all the time.
It took at least 6 months before everyone stopped fucking about with voice modulation but I made some good friends, and wrestled with many a router to get my existing friends on board. Rainbow Six, Wolfenstein... Good times.
The Xbox Live service has grown with many an innovation along the way, not least from Bungie introducing parties, playlists etc via Halo, along with variations on ranked and social matchmaking.
So what’s missing? Okay, anyone can think of a handful of welcome technical additions. Bigger Friends lists/groups, (return of) Clan support... I hear you. However, I find myself wishing for one thing. Matchmaking by demographic.
Maybe I should be more specific. I’m not suggesting insane things like race or sex, although some of the more harassed individuals might welcome it. Simply age. After nearly 8 years of experience one thing is clear, kids playing with adults has some nasty side effects.
Both inanely insulting kids that wont shut up preventing any chance of enjoying a game, and maybe worse, pathetically immature adults setting that example in the first place make Xbox Live lobbies somewhere I don't want to be. And I’m pretty sure some people are only there for the ‘banter’. As soon as my wireless headset drops out and the in-game voice channel is free to spill out of the speakers in front of my family, I’m reminded its anything but.
Bungie are again treading new ground with new Matchmaking preferences in Halo: Reach. Although I’m not sure the voluntary options of ‘chatty’ and ‘team player’ are really going to cut it.
If there is one piece of information I’m pretty sure Microsoft are aware of for the vast majority of Xbox Live members, it’s their age. Give me 18+ Matchmaking, and for everyones sake, split us up. Besides, it’s embarrassing being beaten by kids all the time.
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