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Microsoft has never issued a fully satisfying answer about why Xbox Live, almost four years after the launch of Xbox 360, cannot support more than 100 friends. The company has blamed it on technical obstacles related to the original Xbox Live architecture. It's simpler than that. The real reason you can't have more than 100 friends on Xbox Live is because of Bungie. Specifically, Halo 2.
The continued community support behind Halo 2 is the only reason Microsoft hasn't ditched the lingering ancient Xbox Live architecture, a high-level Microsoft source confirmed to me late last week.
The original Xbox Live was not designed to support more than 100 friends. That's no problem for the Xbox 360 incarnation. Allowing players to add more than 100 friends on Xbox 360 is not a real technical challenge for Microsoft, but it requires ending support for the still-popular shooter. It's not as simple as issuing a patch for Halo 2, or else Microsoft would have released one ages ago.
Looking at Major Nelson's weekly Xbox Live activity lists, the Halo 2 connection should have been obvious a long time ago. Halo 2 is always the most played original Xbox title, suggesting a healthy community still enjoying Master Chief's second adventure online, despite the existence of Halo 3 on Xbox 360. What's keeping them playing? It doesn't matter, it only matters that they are.
My source said Microsoft still does not know when it will disable support for the original Xbox Live, thus ending Halo 2's reign on the charts. It could happen after the release of Halo 3: ODST, since that would give Halo players two new Halo games to move over to on the new Xbox Live. If you want Microsoft to move in that direction, however, it requires your voiced opinion.
Microsoft will be reading this and comments elsewhere. If there's real vocal support for finally moving on from Halo 2, it could very well happen in the near future, I'm told.
But at least we know the hold up. It's a technical issue, but it's really not. It's about a community doing nothing more than enjoying their favorite game, while the rest of the world is prevented a seemingly simple interface feature. When to call it quits is a challenging issue for online games, but really, it's almost out of Microsoft's hands. Gamers have to make the decision.
I've contacted Microsoft for official comment. I'll update you if I hear anything.
What do you want Microsoft to do?
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Comments
Displaying 101–120 of 149
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Fiddytree
Wow, what an interesting situation. On the one hand, it kinda kills me to see all of the old XBL games slowly going, because once they lost their XBL support unlike the single player aspect, you can never have that same experience again. I can still go back and play Sonic the Hedgehog or Street Fighter 2 and it will be exactly like it was when I was a kid, but once Mech Assault and Rainbow Six 3 and Halo 2 are all gone from XBL, it'll be experiences I'll never be able to relive again. That being said, the 100 friend list limit is quite overdue for an upgrade. It's ironic because the one time I probably needed more than 100 friends was when I played Halo 2. As much as it pain me to see the old xbox games go, I do think it is time for a change.
And for the article, nice job with the screenshots. Those were some of the first images anyone ever saw of Halo 2 multiplayer. Takes me back to a time when Halo 2 was the most hyped upcoming game in the world. Man, do times change
IXIELCHINGONIXI
its pretty simple reason what keeping people playing halo 2, halo 3 is a appointment, and quite frankly, theres alot less 11 year old kids cussing like theres no tomorrow on there.
Oinkness
Do you really think anyone is going to read a webpage that is full-on smothered with Norton ads? I highly doubt it. :)
sn34k
I don't play Halo so I don't care but i have 7 live friends, if you need over a 100 you need to go for a walk or something.
Jooseph
I think Microsoft would be smart to drop Halo 2 when Natal comes out. They probably have a number of other updates planned to launch along with Natal, and cutting off H2 and raising the cap for friends would fit right in. There's not a huge rush right now, most Gold members only have like 30 friends, and if MS wants to usher in the 'next generation of gaming' with Natal, they'd probably need to drop the last generation. If there's enough uproar about it, they can re-release H2 either re-tooled or without online multiplayer. MS is definately looking into dropping support for H2, and I really think the best time to do it is when Natal is released.
RedRingsOfDeath
People still play halo 2? that's new news to me. lol
360Rulez
I see a few ps3 fanboys have replied to this thread........funny how they talk about XBL when the PS3 only has a 50 limit.
badgarok725
ending original Xbox live just so people can go over 100 friends is stupid. Obviously, there's still a lot of people that want to play it, and the reasoning to end it is dumb. 100 friends is more than enough. And just because ODST is coming out, it doesn't mean that there will really be 2 new halo games for Halo 2 gamers to switch too. It doesn't have new multiplayer, and let's not forget that it was originally planned as an expansion. Microsoft, for once do something good with supporting your customers and don't end original LIVE for those that want to keep playing it
paulthebest
The original Xbox Live games are still fun and I'd be disappointed if microsoft shut down the servers that ran them.
Also, if you as a Xbox Live gamer need room for more than 100 friends, it's likely time for you to reevaluate either who you actually play with on that list or how much time you are putting into gaming in the 1st place.
My vote for keeping Xbox Live titles online.
nohomeJerome
If you can name all 100 friends off the top of your head (which I doubt) than kudos to you. Until someone can do that and also give a valid reason for adding a few more virtual friends, than the cap is fine at 100.
If there's a logical reason to punish the gamers who haven't adopted the 360 or Halo 3, by all means, feel free to share.
Fyzban
stop support halo 2 , we are in 360 age you know ? Why every 360 users have to be limited because of 1 last gen game? cmon, you shouldnt even ask yourself
Bulbachar
I keep my friends list pretty clean and delete anyone I don't play with at least every month or so. That said, I still believe that Microsoft should still be looking into letting Halo 2 go. It's a great game for online but there are boat loads of great online shooters.
I like the other idea too, of them relaunching Halo 2 on the arcade with it fixed. Then give anyone who can prove they own Halo 2, a free download.
funkytown109
halo 2 still roolz
WarpedEcho
Rumors are buzzing about Halo 2 being in the Games on Demand for the Xbox 360. It would suck for people that buy it and find out that there is no multiplayer.
Taking down multiplayer of one thee most popular games just so people can have more than 100 friends is stupid. I've hit my limit so I would stop getting random friend requests. If the cap goes higher I'm going to have more spammed friend requests.
madhatterz28
Dropping support for Halo 2 is like the dick move Sony did by ending backwards capability for the PS3. Don't burn your true fans. Its rare that I put in Halo 2 nowadays, but when I do its for live, not local play. It's a great game and deserves to be supported as long as it can. I play online quite a bit in many different games, and can not imagine the need for 100 friends on my list.
mackeyanthony
why do you need 101 friends really 100 is plenty
vismortis
They need to end the Halo 2 support on the XBOX but that does not mean abandon the people using it.
A) they could directly port all the halo 2 maps to HALO 3 and ODST and make it a free DLC (MS can afford it)
B) Relaunch Halo 2 as a DLC its self on XBL:arcade (EX Halo 1, Perfect Dark , Banjo)
also they need to not go hey this is an opertunity to charg these people an arm and a leg for DLC and a game (on top of the fact that there are some that have not moved to the 360)
MS needs to give these useres a REASON to upgrade without it they will not budge.
SoonerHawk
I have had the 100 limit for 6 almost 7 years. While some may think it's enough I do not! A greater pool of buddies helps in getting together in groups to avoid the ever marching timmie parade. Halo 2 has jacked XBL long enough move on please.
bigsulton
well i'd say it hurts me that one game alone is the reason why you can't add more than 100 friends. that's stupid. on the other hand i read all the comments and i will agree that even in real life i don't have 100 friends that will be there to the end but between facebook and myspace i know personally around 800-900 people that i have come in contact with in life, i'm 21 by the way. and when it comes to playing with my "friends" online, i only play with 10-20 max. so i say let it go and allow 100+ friends but at the same time, who cares....
Zackattack213
i have a few things to say.
1 y is it so hard to fix this problem? IDK but im not the expert so ok
2 I dont think eveyone has 100 friends that they actually ever play or talk to
3 heres an idea what if they ported halo one and 2 ( all in the same box 30 or 20 bucks it would cost) so then cut the support. at least people still have the option if they really like the multiplayer to get it back plus it would be a great chance for people who never played it.
Displaying 101–120 of 149
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