Clans still possible for Gears of Wars ranked matches [update 1]
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Nov 9th 2006 at 11:40PM }
Mark Rein maintains that Microsoft prevented the developer from implementing clan support (e.g., Halo 2's Party System) into Gears of Wars' ranked multiplayer matches. But, in a recent interview with Gamer Andy, Epic's VP did hint that team support could still be added, stating vaguely, "In the future we might roll out some additional functionality."In the meantime, a tedious workaround does exist. If one member hosts a ranked match, it's possible for the rest of the clan to grab spots in the match via the custom search menu. Of course, this method will become more difficult as the Gears player base grows and you and your teammates' TrueSkill ranks begin to differ.
Update: Gamer Andy contacted us to clarify that his conversation with Rein was not an interview. According to Gamer Andy, Rein's comments did not hint at future clan-play implementation. The cryptic statement about upgrading functionality was just an offhanded remark delivered to steer the conversation toward a new direction (i.e. away from concerns about Gears' multiplayer).
See also: Gears of War's ranked matches smell rank
[Via 1UP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brandon @ Nov 9th 2006 11:55PM
Wait, Microsoft blocked them from using clan support? Why would they do that? It's not like it's a Halo 2 exclusive, as I believe Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow was the first title to have clan support.
HoodOrnament @ Nov 10th 2006 12:29AM
Microsoft did not want them to allow clan support as this could allow people to easily do boosting on the ranked leader-board. They are doing this to keep this from becoming the fiasco that became of Halo 2's multi-player.
007craft @ Nov 10th 2006 12:49AM
you know, non ranked games with friends and no clan suppost for ranked is why i did not purchase GOW and will not purchase it. It seems silly for some perhaps, but I really only care about multipalyer in games and playing with friends. I surly hope halo 3 allows ranked games to be played with friends and clans.
BTW, saints row has clan support and ranked with friends who are not in your clan, so there is hope for halo 3
bill pullman @ Nov 10th 2006 1:48AM
"you know, non ranked games with friends and no clan suppost for ranked is why i did not purchase GOW and will not purchase it."
i've of the opinion that GoW doesn't really lend it's gameplay to clans OR ranked matches, for that matter. i mean anything can include them, but i think they're best suited for straight up action-oriented kill-count fests, a la Halo and it's ilk.
and if you're not buying GoW because of those two reasons, you're better off altogether. the multiplayer's fine, but i don't think it's going to be the "next big thing" in that regard. i think the play mechanics are bit too narrow to capture a really large audience (at least, of any immensely popular MP games).
Lekko @ Nov 10th 2006 2:08AM
that's why sometimes it's better to just leave it up to the developer.
Danno @ Nov 10th 2006 3:02AM
bill, I really have to disagree with you. Gears just has this incredible rightness when playing multi. The small match size, capacity for reviving team mates, and cover dynamics really makes the multi great.
I've only put in about six hours of multi so far, but it's been some of the most engaging multiplayer I've ever done.
There are a few weird things here and there that seem to be a result of lag (some of the chain saw kills I've seen have been weird). And the shotgun is very temperamental (okay, I just suck with it).
The simple fact alone that the sniper rifle is both easy to use AND not the be all end all weapon of the game is going to keep me coming back for a long time.
Sure, more game types would be nice, but the game types that are there really DO feel quite different, contrary to what I've heard from other people.
BTW, getting a 3 man kill with the rocket launcher is more amusing than should be legally possible.
kuroshi @ Nov 10th 2006 11:00AM
cheaters ruin it for everyone. When you play someone in halo and he has a rank of like 35 and he sucks, you know he's been boosting. Boosting doesn't make you a better player. This is one of the result that they have tried inorder to stop the cheats. Hopefully they will try something else. You got the high rank and gamerscore but look deep inside yourself. When no one else is around, you know and I know that you really suck. It will be okay.
Jeremy Gray @ Nov 10th 2006 12:37PM
007craft - re: "non ranked games with friends and no clan suppost for ranked is why i did not purchase GOW and will not purchase it." - pulling friends into non-ranked games seems quite easy. The host just sends invites after starting up.
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...
BBF Brim @ Nov 10th 2006 9:40PM
By not allowing clan support all Microsoft is doing crippling itself and the gaming community it has built thus far.
This is about the dumbest thing Microsoft could have done. Clans are simply a group of players that like playing with together. Clans are becoming the future of gaming. If MS is blind to that fact it will only hurt a so far stellar XBL experience.
CentaurX @ Nov 11th 2006 12:24PM
How is microsoft not allowing clan support? Chromehounds was based solely around clan (squad) support. you couldn't play multiplayer unless you were in a clan (squad).
That being said, It should be a microsoft requirement that every single game has a party system. Not the other way around. They don't have to be ranked games for there to be a party system. Isn't most of halo 2 non-ranked games now? It just makes it so much easier and faster to play with your friends if you are in a party.
KSI GODS ARMOR @ Jan 5th 2007 5:11PM
Alright..this is frustrating because Microsoft talks about them not wanting people to go into ranked games and being able to boost?...PEOPLE DO IT ALL THE TIME!!!!all they have to do is find the same host....Just put in the ability to have CLAN becase the reason they didn't have it in the first place has no basis anymore.