Concerns about DLC 3

[Eco93]

I have some concerns with the upcoming DLC 'Fenix Rising', especially regarding Public Horde/Beast but also for Public Versus.

It has been stated multiple times by EPIC representatives that you need the DLC in order to play on the maps, so no Booster Map Pack for this DLC.

Public Horde & Beast
The problem with this, is that for Public Horde & Beast, everyone, all 5 players, will need to have this DLC downloaded in order to let the DLC maps appear as an option. Instead of just the host who needed the DLC in order to let everyone play Horde/Beast on a DLC map. Since this DLC pack was specifically themed for Versus, I wouldn't have that big problems with this, but it amazes me that they added Escalation, which is likely a good Horde map, but it will have to prove itself for Versus. Even some EPIC devs themselves felt the same about this, in fact they even went as far as saying they might remove it from Versus rotation and make it a Horde/(Beast?)-only map.
Proof can be found here:
https://twitter.com/#!/quinndelhoyo/...48589121683456
https://twitter.com/#!/quinndelhoyo/...40520983674880
https://twitter.com/#!/quinndelhoyo/...50701427699712

Now let me say this, for 800 points 5 new maps, a couple of skins and the re-up system isn't that bad. My problem isn't really that it doesn't offer enough content. But it would be a bit frustrating if the only DLC after this would be DLC 4, and Gears 3 ends up having less maps than Gears 2 for example.

Public Versus
On to the problem with Public Versus. Since it won't be like with the Booster Pack, the new maps won't be added to the regular map rotation. So a logical assumption would be that they'd do a special DLC playlist. There are a couple of issues with this:
- I thought the maximum slots was 8, there are 6 gamemode slots + Alpha, leaving one slot free which is usually used for (weekend) events. If this is true then this could cause some problems/complications.
- What gametypes will be supported? Will it rotate between a few/all of them or just TDM, because that's the most popular one?
- How many players will play this playlist? It would be a bit boring to play mostly against bots on these new maps.
- How long will the playlist exist, and will we ever be able to play Public Versus on these maps again if the playlist is gone?
- A DLC-playlist with just the new maps will get old quickly, more so than if it is mixed up with the maps we already have.

The only other option I can think of (without Booster pack or making it mandatory to buy the DLC in order to play online) is to let these maps show up in Public Versus if every player has this DLC. But what are the chances of 10 different players having the DLC happening?

There is another option, as mentioned by TAO Devil, matchmaking will team you up with players who also have the DLC. If they could do this that would be nice, if that doesn't mean there will be connection issues since it will check on DLC rather than optimal connection.

Please correct me if I'm wrong somewhere, and tell me what you think about this.

P.S. I tried contacting some devs about these issues, but never received a reply, apparently the Season Pass is so unclear that people still don't understand it entitles you to the first four DLC packs.

[Eco93]

If you don't share any of these concerns, please leave a comment on why you think it is fine. I can't think of a reason myself?

[TAO Devil]

it might also NOT put the maps into rotation unless all 10 players have the DLC, OR it might match players up BECAUSE they have the DLC.

[Rukia Kuchiki]

the community will definitely f*ck this up!

[InFlamesWeTrust]

it might also NOT put the maps into rotation unless all 10 players have the DLC, OR it might match players up BECAUSE they have the DLC.

OR they may end up getting lost in the code...

Far cry I know but still, it may happen!

Anyway, I only really care about verses because horde and beast neither entertain me nor interest me. I want to play on the maps but do fear that my only happen in few and far between games.

[Eco93]

it might also NOT put the maps into rotation unless all 10 players have the DLC, OR it might match players up BECAUSE they have the DLC.

I mentioned the first option already (which has a downside because the likeliness of 10 different players having the DLC installed is pretty small)
Second option I hadn't thought of yet, will add it to the main post, though it might still cause issues, for example connection not being optimal.

[Eco93]

Already 4 votes from people who don't share these concerns, yet I don't see any comments as to why they don't. Please enlighten me, it seems to me that we won't be able to play many matches on the new maps in Public, the special playlist probably being the best option since it will guarantee you'll play on them, but like I pointed out, there are some drawbacks for that as well. I don't have much hope for Horde/Beast, but then again this is mostly Versus DLC.

Please comment, I'm genuinely curious to what other people think.

[julianwelton]

I'm more concerned with the fact that I'll probably only like one of the maps just like with the Booster Pack. As for your concerns, well, they'll probably ditch Alpha or maybe do what they did last time and merge a couple playlists. If they do give it a playlist hopefully it includes all of the maps this time.

[Totallysafe]

If it was my way, they would be in rotation immediately. Once the game started loading a map you didn't have, it would kick you out. Beast and Horde have a map selection. In the case that a player enters a Horde/Beast, he should be kicked in order to continue to the game.

This isn't complex. I'm hoping that after a month, the maps are fully integrated.

[nagel 138]

If they make a DLC playlist and make it only TDM i will snap my disc, then i will grab the biggest hammer i can find and smash whats left of it.

TBH they should just make everyone buy it to play versus, its 800 points and its the only thing youve had to buy this game.

[FeRRATE II]

I'm certain the people that are STILL playing gears 3 by jan. 17th will be dedicated enough to purchase it, and i'm sure EPIC plans on that. That being said, the already very LOW numbers of people spread out (aside for TDM) is evidence that they cannot split the community further...(i.e. 'map pack' playlist and 'regular'), if ya don't gett'em your game freezes with clif givin the bird and your rank resets when u log back on. trolololo shoulda coughed up that 800 M-es-pee's!

[White Plague]

You know what would be great?
1. Make quick matches only for those who have this DLC. (Just like in Gears 2)
2. Separate DLC ranked playlist with player's choice (every gametype except Wingman)

That would be so awesome. It's very unlikely though.

*Preparing to get flamed. Putting on my flameproof suit.

[Eco93]

If it was my way, they would be in rotation immediately. Once the game started loading a map you didn't have, it would kick you out. Beast and Horde have a map selection. In the case that a player enters a Horde/Beast, he should be kicked in order to continue to the game.

This isn't complex. I'm hoping that after a month, the maps are fully integrated.

Sounds pretty good, but it will probably increase searching times, since it will need to find new people who have the DLC in Horde/Beast & Ranked. For Quick Match it will probably mean you get teamed up & will play against bots. I do hope EPIC implemented a feature in the matchmaking for all gamemodes that will increase the chances of connecting players who have the DLC if you have it yourself, provided the connection quality won't be put at a disadvantage.

You know what would be great?
1. Make quick matches only for those who have this DLC. (Just like in Gears 2)
2. Separate DLC ranked playlist with player's choice (every gametype except Wingman)

That would be so awesome. It's very unlikely though.

*Preparing to get flamed. Putting on my flameproof suit.

Not sure I get what you mean, you mean the people who don't have the DLC can only play Public Versus in regular Ranked? Actually doesn't sound too bad, if it weren't for the really low population numbers in Ranked. It'd probably make it really hard to find matches & laggy for the people who don't have the DLC.

I'm hoping EPIC will not disappoint with how they'll handle this, and have put a lot of thought into how they will handle DLC maps, so that it will work for everyone, both for people who have the DLC and those who don't, especially the people who'll buy the DLC since they're paying extra money.

[Sever]

You know what would be great?
1. Make quick matches only for those who have this DLC. (Just like in Gears 2)

For sure NOT! Rod, Cliff ans several others stated many times that they won't do this cause they don't want the community to split up.
Have you ever played Gears2 in during the last year? You couldn't find ONE match in this mappack-playlist at all.

2. Separate DLC ranked playlist with player's choice (every gametype except Wingman)

No one plays Ranked. You really want to split this little group up?!

There's only one way: Matchmaking checkes the status of the player. If a Mappack map is chosen, the ones w/o the mappack will be carried over to a matchmaking with a regular map. The notes for the TU3 stated this already I think: "DLC that is not owned by the current player will no longer stop the player from using DLC they do own."
Check out the release notes: http://epicgames.com/community/category/gears-of-war


Maybe we should ask Raczilla for proof...