GOW: ranked friends matches a possibility?
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Nov 9th 2006 at 4:45PM }
Many people are understandably upset that they can't play ranked matches of Gears of War with their friends. After all, Halo 2 spoiled us on this feature, and most assumed it would be standard on a game as big as Gears. Unfortunately, thanks to the workings of the TrueSkill system, ranked friends matches are a no-no. Don't resign yourself to this grisly fate just yet, though. Numerous sites around the net are latching on to a few choice words from Epic's Mark Rein, featured on Gamer Andy. When asked about the current matchmaking system, Rein had this to say:
"Yeah, Microsoft came to us and said there would be a lot of cheaters if we did it that way so for right now this is how it is. In the future we might roll out some additional functionality."
Could ranked friends matches be in the cards? We hope so. If non-ranked matches is all we'll ever be able to play with our friends -- in Gears or any other game -- will it change your feelings about Xbox Live?
[Via Major Nelson]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dirk Dorkelson @ Nov 9th 2006 4:54PM
I really don't like the idea of ranked friends matches. It really does encourage cheating. Honestly, what's wrong with playing unranked matches? Are people really that into the whole ranking thing that the lack of it is going to ruin a good time with friends?
agdTinMan @ Nov 9th 2006 5:08PM
Has anyone had problems using the OXM coupon at Circuit City to buy the regular GoW? I made sure to have the updated coupon (with the right dates, cause I knew there'd be problems), then the pimply teenager was saying the coupon was only good for the Deluxe package, since it was only ringing up as that. I told him it said right on there Gears of War/Gears of War Deluxe but he wasn't budging. I insisted, and he went and spoke to a manager, and was able to give me the discount, but I think it's only cause I complained. He had said someone earlier came in and bought the deluxe package because the coupon wasn't ringing up as good for both.
Anyone else run across this?
Grant @ Nov 9th 2006 5:14PM
I think that the system is BETTER this way...if you're in it for the rankings, make it level and purely on skill and not teaming up with your friends. If you want to get together with your buddys for fun, do it unranked. I think its a no brainer.
Hal @ Nov 9th 2006 5:24PM
I like the ranked system right now... but this game is pretty dependable on good teammates, so if you are stuck with someone from Mexico it's tough to coordinate attacks. It'd be nice to have official clan matches.
DPFinch @ Nov 9th 2006 5:33PM
I'm fine with no friends in Ranked Matchs, but i would like to see Clan Ranked Matchs in its place!
Adam @ Nov 9th 2006 5:44PM
I'd be fine with no ranked friend matches as long as you could get achievements while playing unranked matches with your friends. I really don't care about being ranked or anything, and just enjoy playing with friends. However, I want my achievements dammit!
I can't even connect to a ranked match right now because of the "lost connection with host" bug. Pretty frustrating.
Garrett @ Nov 9th 2006 5:45PM
I definitely like the intent but I don't think they had to go to the extreme of not allowing friends in ranked play. I guess initially this is an OK byproduct, but I'd like to see a better compromise.
I have no idea what the answer is, but that's why they're paid to make the games and not me. There IS an answer to this problem though nd it needs to be found. What's the point of an online system that connects you and your friends if you can't play with them in one of the biggest games of the year.
Adam @ Nov 9th 2006 5:50PM
They could allow achievements in unranked matches and set up a separate ranking system for existing teams/clans. That would be fun to be able to take your existing team of friends and go for rankings up against other experienced teams. What do you think? Good compromise?
Scott @ Nov 9th 2006 5:52PM
Actually this system sucks ass cause those that want to play with friends can..... because the server list shows the name of the host. all someone has to do is set their match to an obscure number of games (like 9) and then all their friends can join (similar to how they do it in GRAW) then the host stacks the team and rapes the 4 random unlucky souls. It'd be fine if they didn't show the server host's name then no friends would be in ranked matches ever.... but as it is its even more unfair
Grant @ Nov 9th 2006 6:54PM
Adam, thats a good point...let the achievements happen in unranked matches too. The rank crazies are different from the achievement peoples, so I think the achievements should be like cumulative kills regardless of ranked or unranked...good call!
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Nov 9th 2006 7:25PM
I've been advocating for private leaderboards/trueskill ratings on XBL for some time now.
Ranked matches within your friends list (or some other private group) would count towards a separate leaderboard / trueskill rating than playing ranked matches with the general population.
Some of the larger online communities would REALLY benefit from a feature like this.
Marc @ Nov 9th 2006 8:28PM
NUMBER 6
Is the "Lost connection to host" something Epic has acknowledged as a problem they need to work out, or is it just coincidence that i too get dropped from approx 80 percent of the games i choose to join? I have a wired connection and Fios so i doubt it is my connection. Anyone have any info that may help?
refinedsugar @ Nov 9th 2006 9:38PM
The subject has been beaten to death. Wanna play with friends - go unranked. Wanna play for legitimate skill - ranked. The last update for GRAW had to turn on random teams for ranked matches just to cut down on the cheating and team stacking.
Boris Shubinsky @ Nov 9th 2006 10:56PM
#12
Yes it has. It's actually an Xbox Live problem and not a GoW problem. It happens often in GRAW and CoD. From what I was told, Epic has brought it up to Microsoft and they are finally listening and should (sooner or later) release a patch.
Marc @ Nov 10th 2006 2:06AM
thanks Boris and lets hope that it is sooner rather than later.
Abs @ Nov 10th 2006 3:46PM
GoW will definitely be the Game to get for Team Clan Matches. I played the training scenario and was awed by the game play (and graphics of course). The game most accurately feels like a real-life strategic paintball/speedball game. If you think about it, this third person shooter actually immerses you in the game a lot more than you think of. You have a wider FOV and can see your immediate team mates around you (as you normally would sense them in real life) as you cover and maneuver around. Then you get the immersion of the first person shooter as you zoom in, focus and aim. This mostly resembles the tunnel vision one would see trying to get that one annoying frag. The game also finally makes it natural for evasive covering and hiding--all with (1) button! Not to mention, the camera work and views just add to the realism, especially when running to the next bunker or objective. All in all, get the right team together and they can dominate and use very similar tactics as they would in a real speedball setting. I am very impressed and am wondering what will happen to Halo...
Andy @ Nov 10th 2006 6:28PM
I'm sorry but anyone who says that having friends in ranked games encourages cheating doesn't understand what the deal is. You should be able to have friends on YOUR team.
The reason that people cite Halo2 as a problem with boosting was due to a glitch in the system that let people get matched AGAINST their friends in ranking which was never the intent. It's a pity that people are citing this as the reason to not allow friends in ranking when it wasn't an inherent problem with the Halo2 system, only an exploit that should've been fixed.
Craig Cleaver @ Nov 29th 2006 10:37AM
I can see why they have implemented the ranking structure, but MS also created the achievements to keep people playing for longer.
Who wants to keep on playing just to get an impossible (GRAW) or not very fun achievement. Those who cheat at the game cheat because they can, trying to stop this spoils it for everyone else who doesn't want to play a game they enjoy with 3 others in the team who don't speak the same language or are complete idiots.
If the industry wants to make it a level playing field - why don't they release games in the USA and UK at the same time.
They won't and don't, so there catering yet again for some people and not thinking about the bigger picture.
Patrick Guerriero @ Dec 29th 2006 11:15PM
I HATE this ranked system without being able to play with my friends. That is what made the matchmaking in Halo 2 so fun was being able to find a game quickly and being able to play with your friends. Matchmaking wasnt fun by yourself with a bunch of people you dont know especially if they sucked. My friends and I are constantly trying to search the exact rounds and game type in GoW just to play together. I like to play unranked matches and all, but first of all, you dont get achievements. And second of all, people constantly have the mic glitch where no one can hear you. Once they get the mic glitch fixed itll be alright, but theres still the fact that you dont get achievements.
This game is also based on teamwork and there is somewhat of a stragety to it. When you are matched up with people who dont care, quitters, or people that dont speak your own language it is extremely hard to win the match. Thats why you need to be able to play with friends.