Even with new DLC, Gears 2 struggles on Live

by Dustin Burg { Dec 24th 2008 at 4:15PM }

If we were to tell you that Gears of War 2 wasn't the most played Xbox Live game last week, it wouldn't be all that surprising or all that newsworthy seeing that it has failed to knock Halo 3 from the top spot for the past few weeks. What is newsworthy is the fact that Gears 2 has maintained last week's disappointing title of being the number four most played game on Live, even with new Combustible DLC releasing. Ouch.

You can view the complete listing of the top Xbox Live games (including XBLA and Community Games) after the jump. You'll notice that Halo 3 is still maintaining its "I'm the coolest game on Xbox Live" crown and both Call of Duty games are still holding strong at second and third place. It also looks like last week's Holiday Deal of the Week helped push Bomberman LIVE into the top five.

Tags: epic, epic-games, gears-of-war-2, gow2, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

travis @ Dec 24th 2008 4:20PM

wait till after xmas then gears of war 2 will be back on top.

Deezul @ Dec 24th 2008 4:27PM

Maybe for a week. I've already convinced a friend who was supposed to get GoW2 to get with L4D instead. COD:WoW might jump up, but I think COD4 will keep it from going higher. That's why Halo 3 is on top again. The COD fans are split between 4 and WoW. But Halo fans played GoW2, got pissed with multiplayer/glitches, and went back to Halo 3.

SeNiLe911 @ Dec 24th 2008 4:41PM

I doubt it with all this: http://x2theg.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-is-compile-of-gears-of-war-2-epic.html

I don't think Epic can patch as many problems this game has. They might be able to fix a few but they're so many...

Van Faulk @ Dec 24th 2008 5:40PM

Gears 2 is a fine game, and worlds more fun than say, anything with the words call or duty in the title. But those games have decent matchmaking. If epic hadn't slacked off on making sure we could fucking play the bloody game, then it would be higher.

Horde is still the best thing ever, but seriously, epic, fix the matchmaking. One of the these days I may decide I want to play against peopel and when i do, i'd lik to be able to.

SeNiLe911 @ Dec 24th 2008 7:34PM

and just posted PART 2 http://x2theg.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-is-compile-of-gears-of-war-2-epic_24.html

OrionnoirO @ Dec 24th 2008 7:48PM

Agreed. I enjoy GoW2 quite a bit, and I personally couldnt get into the CoD's, they just aren't my cup of tea so to speak. But, I do have to admit there are a decent amount of bugs/glitches/exploits in it, that I hope they fix... And 800 points for 3 maps is a bit ridiculous to be honest, which is why I haven't bought them, even though I keep debating on it lol...

Arnon @ Dec 24th 2008 11:12PM

You realize most games today suffer from bad glitches.. the ONLY thing I've ever seen wrong with Gears of War 2 is it's multiplayer.

"Shotgun Boomshot Host Glitch"
Never had this issue, nor have I ever seen it

"People Lagging Out/Dropping or just down right Quitting from Matches"

This is usually not an issue with the developers, as this revolves around your connection and your ego. This happens in every game that has online multiplayer.

"Spawning without a Weapon Game Bug"

Like I said before, never had this happen, nor have I seen it. Hence why there's no video to such a large 'bug'.

"Broken Chainsaw"

There is nothing wrong with the chainsaw. If you are experiencing problems, it's probably because you suck. I can win a chainsaw duel 9/10 times due to the fact that I have trigger happy fingers, and they can move quite fast.

"Game Design"

This is not a bug, nor is it an issue. You can simply, turn your mic down while it's plugged in.

"Walking Dead"

This would most likely revolve around lag.

I don't even need to go on about this crap.. it's minor issues that usually revolve around your connection speed. I'm also going to take those articles with a grain of salt since I read a lot of the comments and they're just hate posts from PS3 fans saying "No wonder MGS4 won "Best Graphics" ROFL. Another shitty 360 exclusive."

Arnon @ Dec 24th 2008 11:17PM

Also, for people complaining about the map pack..

1. You don't HAVE to buy it.

2. Whether it was released a month after, or 4 months after.. it's still DLC, and you have to deal with it.

Ellianth @ Dec 25th 2008 4:11AM

---Quote---
"Broken Chainsaw"

There is nothing wrong with the chainsaw. If you are experiencing problems, it's probably because you suck. I can win a chainsaw duel 9/10 times due to the fact that I have trigger happy fingers, and they can move quite fast.

---End of Quote---

Pay attention the the tips that come up on the loading screen, and then make sure you know what you're talking about before you tell people they suck. If you are revving the chainsaw and someone shoots you, the bayonet is supposed to lower. The broken chainsaw refers to people running at you while revving the chainsaw, no matter what you do the chainsaw does not stop revving, it just sucks you in and you die.

In other words, I'm running at you with a revved chainsaw, you shoot me with any gun you want, endless times, and I run right up to you and you get sucked into my chainsaw and you die. Even though you shot me 1 million times while I was running at you like a maniac, the bayonet never lowered.

You get it now?

(Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate)

SeNiLe911 @ Dec 25th 2008 7:13AM

@Arnon - You must not play much to not see any of these issues. I have a small little clan of guys that I play all night with and we have seen it all.

Just tonight we had a guy crab walking with the boomshield and a shotgun.

Another match started up where two of our guys drop. We had a few matches where the other team dropped a few.

One game had so much lag it took 12 sec. to plant a frag or smoke grenade.

Another game, had two guys shot gunning my team mate while my frag at their feet, it blows up, I shoot with my lancer, not one died! Just one of those games I guess.

I'm not saying Gears is bad, I play it every night. But the cheaters the glitches the lag, host advantage all plays a part why Gears 2 is now 4th and will continue to slide until they get a patch out and quick.

Halo 3, COD4 and many others never had this many problems, not even close.

What’s funny, Gears 1 didn't even have this many problems.

Jake @ Dec 25th 2008 6:50PM

No it won't everyone, except the wildest brainwashed Xbot knows that Gears2 was hyped to the hilt by Microsoft, and yet massively undelivered.

dicknjane @ Dec 24th 2008 4:23PM

it's simple really. if you FIX your multiplayer, then people will want to PLAY it.

duzzyman @ Dec 24th 2008 4:26PM

Yep thats a good plan to have people play it. Lets not fix the crap thats already broken before we charge you to play it some more only 7 weeks after its release

I DeX I @ Dec 24th 2008 4:45PM

Well, if the maps would have been a nice FREE christmas present and Epic would fix the online play a bit, Gears 2 would fair better against the competition. Microsoft like their moneyz though.

OrionnoirO @ Dec 24th 2008 7:51PM

... What does Microsoft liking their "moneyz" have to do with what Epic is charging for the map-pack? Honestly, I get tired of seeing those two things, "Microsoft likes their moneyz" and, "M$"... I guess I should start back up on my "B$3" and "Work in your world to pay for ours", "Play D3ad", etc. slogans.

Conor @ Dec 24th 2008 8:16PM

@OrionnoirO

Microsoft controls the pricing of the map packs. It is also evident that Epic made these maps before the release of the game, it could not have taken them such a short period of time. Making downloadable content before the game is released = lame. It shows how a small company like Epic has been transformed as it has been thrust into the spotlight after the success of gears1.

JohNey @ Dec 24th 2008 4:51PM

gears online is a complete mass ..

AnthonyGalindoX @ Dec 24th 2008 4:55PM

Yay! Bomberman in the top five. I'd play it over Gears any time.

Cory @ Dec 24th 2008 5:09PM

Yeah, Id love to play some gears online, but i find it next to impossible to get into any games besides Horde, and i know im not the only one. Once they fix that im sure it will jump up. Untill then COD4 and Halo 3 take up all my time

offday @ Dec 24th 2008 5:25PM

It's actually been working for me recently.

But yeah, to think that 3 maps that come in a suspicious 70 some MB for freaking 800 points would bring Gears to the top is ridiculous.

halongw77 @ Dec 24th 2008 5:44PM

You guys are a bunch of idiots. Call of Duty appeals to many different gamers, not just hardcore. The reason why Halo 3 is on top is because most of Call of Duty 4's players split up between COD4 and COD WAW while COD4 being ahead of COD WAW is simply because not everyone can afford WAW right when it comes out. As for Gears 2 being so low, it's probably because of the time it takes to find a match and the lag that usually happens during the match. Gears 2 isn't a bad game just because it has some lag and some match issues. I still manage to have great fun with it. And anyone who buys Left 4 Dead over Gears 2 is a complete moron. Gears 2 has WAY more content than Left 4 Dead. Try playing Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for the Wii and you'll experience REAL unplayable lag. Gears 2 is perfectly playable online.

Bobluling @ Dec 24th 2008 6:02PM

And why the heck would anyone play Budokai Tenkaichi 3 to being with? lol

Deck @ Dec 25th 2008 2:55AM

I disagree.

The amount of content for L4D is all depending on how many friends you have to play it with. The game isn't built on a content driven foundation like GoW2 is with its single player campaign. L4D is built for multiplayer, thus the amount of time you play it has to do with how often you can play co-op with your friends.

I can play about one "Movie" of L4D alone and that's about it. I can play L4D with a friend (XBL or on the couch) for 6+ hours straight and not get bored. So to compare L4D and GoW2 in regard to more or less content, is not a very valid comparison.

OrgunDonor @ Dec 25th 2008 4:05AM

I picked up GoW2 not to long ago. Play the campaign tried to play multiplayer, but found it a tad boring waiting sometimes close to 10 mins for a game, and then suffering through the glitches which really arent that fun. I may go back for some horde with a few mates, but thats about it. I actually picked up Halo 3 again, after it sitting on my shelf for ages and have started to get back into that! So L4D Halo3 and the bit of shaun white for me thanks!

todd @ Dec 24th 2008 5:58PM

800 points for maps doesn't help.

JCFG @ Dec 24th 2008 6:25PM

Yeah, 800 pts for a few maps is no way gonna get you up the list. Plus, getting a game on is incredibly long. I once spent 10 minutes just searching for party members, and another 3 to find another party to play with. Worst part of all, half my team quit the moment they saw the other team's ranks. I mean WTF. Some of you may hate on World at War, but that game knows how to drop you in a game in less than 40 seconds with no lag. So yeah, I said it, WaW > GeoW2

miguel @ Dec 24th 2008 6:39PM

800 ms points is a joke to me.. I find it insulting. Horde is really fun but how much horde can you play? You play for what seems to be hours just getting to say level 39, and some fool doesn't pick up the shields.. why is that so hard??!! I tried to play the other game types but they just aren't appealing.

I don't quite get the appeal of COW multiplayer either. I know some COW addicts and I just don't find it that great.

I'm pretty much bored with Halo multiplayer but do think they still have the best mp experience. I mean, how many different ways can we play capture the flag, slayer.. whatever.. it's getting pretty redundant don't you think? My point is, why bother creating a multiplayer experience when it's below par?? Seriously, do it right or don't do it.

Eddy @ Dec 24th 2008 6:53PM

I was really dissapointed with Gears 2.

I was a HUGE GoW fan. ykno everything from clan matches to wall bouncing, the works.

and after 2 weeks with GoW2 and witnessing the inconsistencies in MP, i was very upset. I'm a very unbiased gamer, and i NEVER stop playing games because of their flaws. But with GoW2, you never knew if you were gonna kill the guy in front of you even though you pumped him with a shotty point blank.

the list, sadly enough, is very long.

Epic, when you're losing your hardcore fans, you need to realize that you have to put your whole staff on addressing every problem, because frankly my friends, your game is unplayable.

Nick @ Dec 24th 2008 7:07PM

In the immortal words of nelson...

"HA HA"

I'm so mad. I LOVED Gears, almost every person on my friends list is from the original Gears and, regardless of the new releases, that's all they'd play. Gears.

Gears 2 comes out, and the first 2 weeks it is ALL GEARS.

Now, when I check "What's Up" there's, oh, maybe 5 people out of a WHOLE LOT.

Epic, buck up, admit the mistakes and FIX THE GAME.

I'm tired of game after game after game of lag. I don't play enough so that the games that don't lag make up for when I do, which seems to be twice as often.

SUCKS>

Rell @ Dec 24th 2008 8:17PM

Ha.

handlas @ Dec 24th 2008 9:26PM

The "issues" are putting too many people off I believe as well as probably a good deal of people will be getting this for the holidays. I, myself, am not at home to play it so....

The new map pack is good tho overpriced. The "issues" you constantly hear are blown WAAAAY out of proportion. I hope all the 12 year olds whining 24/7 on forums aren't putting off potential buyers. I wasn't into Gears 1 too much. But I bought Gears 2 and throughly enjoyed the singleplayer and still enjoy the multiplayer will little to no issues other than the occassion lag which should be expected when you have player hosts. But if I say all the bitching on forums I probably would not of bought it because it would of gave me the wrong impression.

In other words, the game is awesome and people bitch too much

slickhead @ Dec 24th 2008 11:00PM

"I hope all the 12 year olds whining 24/7 on forums aren't putting off potential buyers."

I am 36 years old and have complained on the forums. I complain because I have had Xbox Live from the beginning and I think this title was broken from the beginning. An "A" title should not be released in the state this game was.

I hope the "whining" does affect sales.Then maybe Epic will finish and test "Gears3" instead of rushing it out the door for the guaranteed holiday sales.

In other words, the game is sloppy and you bitch too much about others bitching.

sparkchronic @ Dec 24th 2008 11:11PM

too glitchy the kids found out bout the crab walking

handlas @ Dec 24th 2008 11:35PM

You must be new to gaming then slickhead and lying about your age cuz you are quite immature.

slickhead @ Dec 24th 2008 11:48PM

Been gaming since Pong, thank you. GOW2 is still broken.

You must get paid by Epic to troll forums.

Phader @ Dec 25th 2008 1:28AM

Not surprised.

Check out this video, shows why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4foUP2LuX8

Brian @ Dec 25th 2008 8:43AM

Maybe if they would fix some of the multiplayer glitches, everybody would be happy. That's a no brainier! Personally, I would of released a patch with most of the fixes rather then releasing a high cost map pack. Just my opinion.

Merry Christmas All!

-- Brian
Detroit, MI

Urza @ Dec 25th 2008 10:18AM

The map pack would have helped had epic also patched SOME of the bugs.. bug they didn't.

Ghostbuddy @ Dec 25th 2008 1:29PM

I certainly hope no one at Epic expected these maps to save the game.

No one wants to pay 800 points, for three maps that were finished before a game released, that were originally planned to release with the retail game. Especially when one maps a remake, and one reuses, and refurbishes a campaign area. Doesn't help most people think the games broken.

Seriously though, if your going to postpone some maps, to finish them off, release them for free or not at all. Is it too much to ask for you to have a shred of decency? I mean, otherwise no one touches the maps anyways. Sales of future maps are hurt. And your game, developer and publisher gets bad publicity.

horngreen @ Dec 25th 2008 3:00PM

Well I just got it and after reading all the stuff about how lousy online is I wish I'd saved my $60. There is obvioulsy a problem or this many people wouldn't be complaining. Those who say there are NO problems are fanboy dumbasses. (he knows who he is). It reminds me of the one guy whose 360 didn't (read hasn't) RRODed on him yet so he figures everyone else is lying. You know, self important, never wrong type of people.

x3f @ Dec 25th 2008 6:11PM

GoW2 seemed just like a DLC pack and some minor upgrades to the first one for me. L4D is just a lot more fun. COD is good, and would be great, except there are too many lame contrivances like Martyrdom (which ruins any sort of coordinated sustained attack) and the fighter jets which are just random death all the time.

Muckrak3r @ Dec 25th 2008 8:47PM

I use every post like this as an opportunity to shower potential GOW2 buyers (obviously a little late for the guy that wished he saved his $60) with primary source information on how bad and broken this game is.

I was a GIGANTIC GOW1 player. I played 8 hours a day MINIMUM for 3 months straight. Not kidding. My friends list was GOW folks. We were all looking forward to GOW2. I took the day of from work, got the midnight release, played the single player, and the next night checked out MP with my buddies.

It was amazing how we sugar-coated it to ourselves. We didn't want to admit what we INSTANTLY knew. The game is broken so much more than GOW1 ever was. With GOW1 all we really had to deal with was map jumpers and crab walkers. Very easy to kill crab walkers and map jumpers get rushed the next round they spawn on that side.

With GOW2 the list of glitches is so long its literally not funny. (being able to grenade tag people that are on THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL from you is a tiny example of the numerous problems). We were all getting so pissed at the game, we would come up with ideas on how we could not get so mad the next night. We were reduced to psycho-analyzing ourselves on the virtual couch that is Xbox Live.

As sad as that was, it only lasted a few days. I expected a patch soon, and refused to play the MP part of the game because I like to actually have fun when I play video games and I was certainly not having fun playing GOW2 MP at all. No glitch fixing patch has been delivered yet, but they have charged us $10 for 3 maps they already had made and I am suspicious are actually on our disc already. I sold GOW2 3 days ago for $44 on half.com after giving up hope. I want my $20 back that makes up the difference and the hours it took me to get 1000/1000 gamerscore on it.

And I am a 30+ gamer too, been doing this gaming thing for a while.