Experience System, New Maps Coming To Gears of War 2

Gamespot reports that Gears of War 2 will soon be getting a new experience system to facilitate multiplayer progression. Epic's Rod Ferguson had this to say: "Basically, it was a matter of listening to what people were saying about the TrueSkill system. We spent a lot of time on the forums and talking with other players, and we were noticing that people were sort of plateauing really quickly. ... So to remedy the issues, we figured we should impose a system where people could earn experience; even if they lost the match they would feel like they're moving up the ladder. We want them to feel like they're progressing, gaining levels of experience in multiplayer play." Gears of War 2 will also be getting a new set of maps, including Fuel Depot, a popular selection from the first game.

No good at all

[ColePEET]

People plateau because there is a limit to their reaction time and skill level. I love it the way it is and think it should stay. I'm a three bar personally, and I watch the fourbars play, and I'm just not that good. I'm damn good, but I can't make my reaction time better. Bad idea.

Re:

[Slashdot Suxxors]

Yes there is a limit to your reaction time and skill level, which is why after you've been playing it for 100+ hours, it becomes more and more about the specific map strategies and techniques. You don't necessarily have to be able to mash the buttons quickest, or have ridiculous reaction times. Those certainly help, but it's not the end.

Re:

[KDR_11k]

Yes but if that added time does not translate into more game success then you have plateaued with all your means of winning, be they reflexes, strategy, etc. That there are other things besides reaction time doesn't matter because they're only tracking the results and those results plateau. They see it as a problem and want to artificially inflate a player's skill rating so he feels like he is progressing without actually playing better.

From the Article

[SupremoMan]

"No price has been announced, but the last add-on for the game, December's three-map Combustible Map Pack, cost 800 Microsoft points, or $9.99 in real-world currency."

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, suckers!

Re:

[spire3661]

Remember back when addons were free? ahh the good ole days...... Epic has fallen so far.

Re: Remember back when addons were free?

[VinylRecords]

Unreal Tournament III is getting a huge and free expansion pack this month.

The Titan Pack, with some new upgrades, 16 new maps, and a new game type.

Generally?

[tannsi]

I think the point of online multiplayer in shooters is to have an even starting point so people can really show off their skills.

Standardized rules and relatively few weapons are what makes it so much fun.