Shacknews broke the story this afternoon, detailing the extensive work Bungie has done to make Reach's multiplayer better than ever. At the top of the list is the Arena, a Slayer and Team Slayer set of playlists designed for hardcore Halo players. The Arena features five different divisions: Steel, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Onyx. Based on performance, players will be ranked and placed in the appropriate skill division for month-long seasons of mayhem, with the opportunity to move up and down divisional rankings and eventually up and down divisions. From Shacknews:
The rating system is smart enough to realize that kills aren't the only determining factor behind skill. This is especially true for team games where assists play a huge roll. Similarly, players that have a greater kill/death ratio (had more kills than deaths) will rank higher than players that die as much as they kill.
Along with the Arena, Bungie has updated the Active Roster feature to make it easier to find and join friends in Reach matches. Map voting has been tweaked, giving players three maps to vote on if the original map in the playlist is vetoed, post match party-up has been streamlined, and players will be able to more clearly define their play tastes for better matchmaking. For example, players can describe themselves as a team player or lone wolf and whether their motivation for playing is to win or just have fun.
Halo: Reach launches for the Xbox 360 later this year.
Sharkey says: Big news out of Bungie. The Arena is a terrific idea, and I'm sure it will keep many a Halo fanatic logged on into the wee hours. I can't wait to get a taste of the action when the beta launches on May 3.
