Gears 2 slides further down Xbox Live activity chart
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Dec 17th 2008 at 12:20PM }
Feel free to let the theories fly as to why the mega-hit title, which holds most of its value in the multiplayer, has slid so fast. Perhaps the new maps and matchmaking server tweaks will bring players back in the coming weeks?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 17th 2008 12:25PM
My theory is because it isn't all that. Despite Tycho jocking it constantly, outside of Horde mode, does Gears of War 2 really add all that much to what Gears of War 1 already had?
Easo @ Dec 17th 2008 12:33PM
Yes it does. The problem is that for every good improvement, they made 2 royal f*** ups.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 17th 2008 12:37PM
What are the major improvements that really make the gameplay different and attractive to players to keep them playing?
Dr. Stabbingworth @ Dec 17th 2008 12:40PM
There are some serious design flaws, among other things. For example, after a match, why is there a 20+ second countdown before you can leave the lobby and find a new game? What is the point of making me sit there and wait?
It takes forever to find people to play non-horde with, then it takes forever to find the other team, then the teams are rarely balanced at all, and then the match always devolves into a shotgun-fest.
The weapons are not balanced at all. In Halo, you can use just about any weapon. In Gears, it's lancer (20%), shotgun (80%) (maybe sniper).
I love Gears 2. But there's a reason it's sliding, and it's not a glut of multiplayer games. The PvP multiplayer is just not that good.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 17th 2008 12:52PM
The weapons are unbalanced, but they were unbalanced in Gears 1 also.
At the start of Gears, everyone used grenades. Then they fixed those. So people switched to lancer and shotgun. At some point, the shotgun became so powerful that most people were using that.
None of this kept Gears 1 from becoming #1 on Live. I just feel Gears 2 is following the same track. If you spent hours playing Gears 1 online, then outside of Horde mode, Gears 2 just feels like more of the same. Why not play something different (and better to be honest) with CoD4?
That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying it isn't a good game. But I kinda feel that unless you are playing in larger groups than Gears 1 allowed, it feels somewhat like you're just playing a level expansion.
Marty @ Dec 17th 2008 1:10PM
People have too many other good games to play. It's that simple.
Ryan LN @ Dec 17th 2008 1:35PM
I think you're only a little off-base: the modes that shipped with GOW2 that are identical to those found in GOW really don't offer much over the original, but I find myself doing the lions share of my Gears 2 gaming in Horde mode. I think I would be playing a lot of the execution/warzone type modes if the matchmaking servers didn't suck so badly, but quite frankly I've played the game non-stop since I got it over a month ago and I'm starting to get a little Gears Fatigue. In addition to less than ideal matchmaking, I believe it was the newness of the original that made it possible to keep the attention of me and my friends for so long. It's still great- but it's still more of the same.
MN Guy @ Dec 17th 2008 1:42PM
It is simple. The game runs horrifically online. Or, at least it does for me. When the first one came out, there weren't many other options and it was so fun and fresh that I overlooked those things. The second one is out, it runs terrible compared even to the first, and there are very smooth running options out there.
I couldn't be more disappointed with the multiplayer in Gears 2. And I am a huge fan of the first game. On the plus side, the campaign in Gears 2 flippin rocked in my opinion.
rv @ Dec 17th 2008 1:43PM
Or maybe its because you can't fucking play the game!
DigDug @ Dec 17th 2008 2:19PM
Perhaps it's crap? I have this and Resistance2, and R2 is getting all my time at the mo, it's simply a far better game.
Vcize @ Dec 17th 2008 2:54PM
"If you spent hours playing Gears 1 online, then outside of Horde mode, Gears 2 just feels like more of the same."
Oh bullcrap. I can usually buy the "omg it's just more of the same" crap, but it's ridiculous to come out for THIS game, where it's BIGGEST problem is that it plays COMPLETELY different than Gears 1.
I wish with every fiber of my being that it was just "more of the same". If it were, I would still be playing it 10 hours a week like I was with Gears 1 even 2 years after it came out.
With the balance and control tweaks they made they shifted the game from a focus on up close, unique, close quarters combat where body control mattered more than aiming to a focus on mid-range machinegun battles like every other shooter in existence.
Gears 2 has a crapton of problems, and it's barely 1/10th the game Gears 1 is at its core in terms of actual fun factor, but as far as those problems go being "more of the same" is certainly not one of them, though I wish it were.
Vcize @ Dec 17th 2008 2:57PM
Also, they took what was the best social game to play with friends ever made (Gears 1) and stripped 50% of that aspect of the game out with moronic decisions like not being able to chat with everyone after the end of the round (living people remain in a separate chat as if the round was still going on), having to go through several long loading screens inbetween maps where chat is disabled, randomizing teams every map, and allowing private games to be openly joinable.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 17th 2008 2:58PM
Okay Vcize. There are 10 people on here saying it's so similar that it even has the same bugs as Gears 1, but they're clearly wrong because you say it's different.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Dec 17th 2008 3:02PM
“In Halo, you can use just about any weapon”.
Well there is more variety that's right but that's because is a game about weapon whoring. The guy with the bigger weapon will always win.
Also I feel Halo is pretty much a dumb version of Unreal Tournament.
I think what stops these games from being good is a problem that’s been affecting every MP game in the xbox live and yes I mean MATCHMAKING. Even Banjo Kazooie is not safe (I know have been talking so much about how awesome this game is that you probably think Rare paid me or something, sadly no but it is still good).
There are a lot of problems with matchmaking:
• A match takes ages to start and you have to love when it restarts even when it seems is about to start.
• Achievements actually divide the players between those who like the game and play in normal matches and those who just want to finish the damn game (MP games are actually more fun without achievements).
• Depending on the above either Ranked is empty like in PC where nobody gives a jolly f*ck about achievements or if you play in the xbaucks no one except clans play in social. For some reason the game believes you cheated the achievements if you got them in Ranked yeah is not like you could go to sites like Xbox360achievements.org and form a boost party (Something I think I should do from now on)
• Matchmaking actually fixes Host advantage which is actually an improvement for games like Gears of war but random host advantage is still a b*tch since if you live in a different Country than the host or hell not even in the same State were depending on where the host lives the Host could take 5 shotgun blasts to the face and he could kill you with one.
• The pseudo skill system which broken as hell.How the f**ck are LVL 50s at the same level as a bunch of LVL 20s?
• The penalization for leaving is also stupid, I have to answer the phone or I just don’t like the map or the type of game and I have to stay? Why? Halo goes the extra mile calling you a wuss for doing it. Seriously I hate Bungie with a passion.
• With that said those problems aren’t the main issue the main issue is the fact you can’t choose what you would like to play and this is HUGE in Halo and even worst in Banjo Kazzoie. I spend 20 minutes creating a vehicle for King of the Hill and guess what I could never join a Koh match, nice.
Matchmaking is a problem; I already said Xbox live is like the generic cartoon bully that’s takes your lunch money to let you play well then the xbox playground is like a Prison ground with every warden being replaced by a combination between Rosco from Dukes of Hazard and The guy from the Shield.
The only games that are safe from this are Battlefield because it uses dedicated servers and TF2.
Vcize @ Dec 17th 2008 3:07PM
"Okay Vcize. There are 10 people on here saying it's so similar that it even has the same bugs as Gears 1, but they're clearly wrong because you say it's different."
To casual fans who haven't played Gears 1 in a year and a half, I'm sure it looks the same from the outside.
But the way the game is played has been flipped 180 degrees. Look at any of the hardcore fans of the first game and you can see that. Ask Fenix. Check the Epic forums. Check the Gears sections of old community websites. Everyone that played Gears 1 religiously will tell you this game barely even feels like Gears because it's core style is so different.
My XBL friends list is full with 100 people, all Gears fanatics, because that's practically all I played for 2 years straight. Every single one of them will tell you the same thing. Every. Single. One.
holto @ Dec 17th 2008 3:54PM
I agree with Vcize,
As will every single person on my friends list. I don't give a rats ass about Halo, and I play the COD franchise about two/three weeks each release.
I have played gears1 for at least 10 hours every single week since it's release. They completely and utterly destroyed the mechanic in Gears2.
The problem was the friggin sniper rifle and active downs and retardedly overpowered weapons like the boomshot. So, what did they do? fix the sniper and completely murdered the shotgun. And don't get me started on the completely fuck-tarded idea of adding those G-damned smoke/stun grenades.
Jesus christ. Plus, the new maps (80 percent of them anyway) feel like a damn unreal tournament environment. Not to mention they took out anything that created a mood, leaving you (minus hail) with nothing but sunshiny-ass glee and wonder.
But mainly it's the slaughter to the gameplay. I was an absolute beast at Gears1. I should feel like a preschooler with a sequel to that game.
Duke @ Dec 17th 2008 4:54PM
Dig Dug, we all know your opinion is bullshit. All you do is crap on 360 games and hype PS3 ones, so not only is it impossible to believe you have an educated opinion, but none of us even care to give you a chance anymore.
FAnchax @ Dec 17th 2008 7:28PM
EPIC knows what they need to do but they have their hands deep in their asses while talking to tv shows about their "blockbuster sequel". CMON EPIC, please, fix it soon. i dont care if it does cost money to put patches, IT SHOULDVE BEEN FIXED IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Marcus @ Dec 17th 2008 12:28PM
Halo and COD are better games, END OF STORY
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 17th 2008 12:31PM
That was entirely too straightforward and sensible.
Erluti @ Dec 17th 2008 12:33PM
LOL
BigFat @ Dec 17th 2008 12:49PM
NEGATIVE
w00master @ Dec 17th 2008 12:56PM
Shame b/c TF2 is better than both combined.
IMHO, of course. ;)
Too bad Valve *STILL* hasn't updated the game. It's still the best MP game on ANY platform (yes, even the 360 version).
JD @ Dec 17th 2008 12:56PM
I would agree that Halo and COD4 are better multi-player titles. But Gears 2 is a solid title. I love the game... it just isn't as strong an online title as the other two. I don't like games that give you options to use different weapons and strategize.. only to have someone abuse a flaw.... (Overuse of shotguns... etc.) What good are the other weapons if people only use one?!?! The campaign is fun. Bots are fun. But it really feels unbalanced when you go online. In COD4 or Halo.. you can use anything to take out someone. I don't find a need to rush towards something. It's a shame. Epic has a solid title that just isn't quite there yet.
Marty @ Dec 17th 2008 1:11PM
I disagree. They're all good games, I just think people are too busy playing other new games, and so the strong base of people still playing COD and Halo have broken through.
Alien Lord @ Dec 17th 2008 1:21PM
Halo is better but CoD isn't.
DangerMouse @ Dec 17th 2008 1:38PM
I disagree, it's a very good game, but i think Donkey Kong is better.
roboluke @ Dec 17th 2008 1:44PM
Ah, the internet, where subjective opinions are stated as facts.
lol @ DangerMouse, I almost peed my pants, and peeing your pants is cool.
xGeneral DEATHx (Mr ESC Welcome Back Party Ultimate Mega Action Force) @ Dec 17th 2008 2:19PM
What else was there to play on Live when the first Gears came out? I remember Call of Duty 3, but that was it. I feel it's a combination of A) Other solid MP titles out there, and B) The PvP MP has changed drastically...I feel in some ways it has changed for the better, though. Has everyone forgotten how much of a shotgun-fest the first Gears was? If you weren't using a Longshot, Hammer of Dawn, or Boomshot, may as well just wait for the opposing team to roll [literally] up in your face and try to duel it out with shotguns, because the Lancer certainly wasn't cutting it.*
*I see the terrible pun now, and apologize to anyone who gouged out their own eyes after having read it.
Brodo @ Dec 17th 2008 5:11PM
Well... I asked for Gears 2 for Chistmas I still hope that it will be enjoyable.
Im wondering if I will find time to play it with COD and the absolutely epic L4D. That is pretty much the only game I ever REALLY want to play
sirfishouse @ Dec 17th 2008 12:31PM
Not really... I didn't bother with it this time around. I'm too busy with PS3 home.
Shmil @ Dec 17th 2008 12:37PM
doing what?
phobic99 @ Dec 17th 2008 12:39PM
Busy doing what exactly?
Boffo the $ock @ Dec 17th 2008 12:40PM
Obviously he's busy waiting in virtual bowling lines.
OMGOMG @ Dec 17th 2008 12:40PM
Dance moves?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTMb3JUmMTg
sirfishouse @ Dec 17th 2008 12:43PM
Cybering... What else I do there.
BIGGEN (LIVE-PSN: BIGGEN1103) @ Dec 17th 2008 12:51PM
"I'm too busy with PS3 home."
Easily entertained I see.
Honestly, G0W MP never was that good to me. Gears needs a Perks system, that's mostly why the CoDs are at the top of the list. For the life of me tho, I can't figure out why Halo is up there.
Miguel @ Dec 17th 2008 1:02PM
PS3 Home, are you serious? The only fun I had on PS3 home was creating the ugliest woman ever then watching people look in disgust as I walked around. Other than that, there is nothing to do in home.
slycooper_rocker (lorddshadow the amazing) [anti-panda death squadron force five] @ Dec 17th 2008 5:45PM
too busy getting virtually butt raped of course.
Poisoned Al @ Dec 17th 2008 10:34PM
Oh come on guy. He's ether joking, trolling or just plain retarded. In any case he's not worth this long a thread.
SirFishouse @ Dec 18th 2008 12:35PM
In comes the hero to point out the obvious.
Erluti @ Dec 17th 2008 12:30PM
I think a lot of it has to do with "it doesn't work" being such a popular opinion that people aren't playing it, and people who don't necessarily agree with that aren't playing because their friends aren't.
Cheesecake Jones @ Dec 17th 2008 12:31PM
The truth of the matter is that your average Xbox Live user prefers a FPS over a OTSTPS (Over-the-Shoulder Third Person Shooter.)
reyes @ Dec 17th 2008 1:34PM
Bingo. If you practice, you can easily "sneak up" on someone by running straight at them from the right angle because their own body takes up so much of the screen. Over-the-shoulder views, a good online shooter do not make.
D2 @ Dec 17th 2008 12:33PM
Here's the thing. GOW 2 is amazing, no doubt. But it's SO SERIOUS and kinda predictable. Halo 3 is more fun, and sometimes funny as hell. Left 4 Dead is more fun and funny as hell. Multiplayer games like Halo and L4D have more of that old, crazy Quake energy about them. They're more fun. To me, that's the elephant.
Brodo @ Dec 17th 2008 5:14PM
AMEN
+1 for the use of the term ELEPHANT
sarge mat @ Dec 17th 2008 12:33PM
Well a lot of people are not happy with how gears 2 play, but Epic appears not to give a shit. Instead of putting out a patch they make maps.
This is what Bungie gets when that support the shit out of there game. You have to hand it to them. COD4 is a great game and I am very much looking forward to getting World at War, but I think out of them all Halo will have the longest life.
KingOfGods @ Dec 17th 2008 1:01PM
I don't think people are unhappy with it.
When Gears 1 came out there really wasn't another online game to contend with it. This Gears has Halo 3 and not 1 but 2 Call of Duty Games that are fun to play. If the gamers on Live are anything like me they are splitting there time with all 4 games.
I think the gamers on live have been given a great selection of games to play this time around and the numbers show it. This month may be Halo's turn at the top but it may be COD:waw next month and maybe Gears after that.
Vcize @ Dec 17th 2008 3:04PM
"I don't think people are unhappy with it."
Well you think wrong then. If you go to the Epic forums or the Gears section of any videogame forum you'll see that the vast majority of Gears 1 fanatics were immensely dissapointed with Epic's design changes for Gears 2.
Gears 1 had rushed multiplayer that didn't work out as they intended it to. What happened was they accidentally ended up making a totally unique shooter experience that moved away from your typical stand-still and aim mid-range machine gun battle that every other shooter in existence is also, and many people loved that. Now, they've changed things with Gears 2 to what they originally envisioned, which is much more similar to your run of the mill stand still and aim multiplayer that you see in every other shooter, and everyone that fell in love with Gears 1 feels betrayed, because being tired of that type of gameplay is the reason many migrated to Gears 1 in the first place.
valgas @ Dec 17th 2008 12:36PM
Hmmm...could this be because the online multi-player is badly broken and EPIC is seemingly doing nothing to fix it?