Okay here we go.
First of all let me preface this by saying that I have extensive time logged into all the Halos. I prefer to the play the game in a much more casual way, but I'll admit I'm fairly decent at the game in a competitive aspect but that's mostly because it's the only thing I've been playing for the last 12 years.
Anyhow, let me explain to you what happened to me during the Beta and probably other players. The first week we started, we had AR and Pistol starts. Everyone was getting a feel for the game and loving (or hating) it. I was bombing around, doing really well right off the bat with my first few games.
The game felt balanced for the most part, and I really enjoyed the AR Pistol combo because while most people instinctively seek out a BR, I do the complete opposite because I'm so fucking sick of 12 years of BRs.
You see, BR starts are great for people who want to compete and yell and trash talk. It goes all the way back to CE; when everyone spawns with the best gun/utility weapon in the game, it creates a "balanced" state of play. Everyone is special, so no one is. It makes the game play very fast, and very hard, and you get punished if you're playing even the least bit casually.
This next part goes without saying: OBVIOUSLY when H5 ships there will be a Team Slayer with AR/Pistol starts and a "pro/arena/tryhard" Playlist. Every Halo has been like this, so I'm not worried and this thread shouldn't even really exist because...ya, everyone will be catered to with separate playlists. Anyways.
My first week with H5 was unbelievable. Had a blast, either winning or losing. My long time friend played with me as well and he'es not the best, but he held his own during the first week and had fun. He really beats himself up when loses so I was glad to see him succeeding and even coming in first place a couple of times.
Enter Week 2 of the Beta. BR Starts. Fuck. I went from Hero to Zero the fastest I had in any Halo. Truth with BR starts is not. Fucking. Enjoyable. For someone like me and my friend anyways. Who want to come on and play Halo and not minor league tryhard.
I'm NOT trashing compettitive Halo, it's one of my favorite things about it and of course when Halo 5 comes out with their Pro playlist or whatever I'll be sweating it out just like the rest of you. But god DAMN I stopped playing the Beta the Wednesday of the week.
It's just I'm so desensitized by the BR you know? So many years of out-BRing, and strafing, and Top Pink and fuck. I'm ready for something new. I played the second week of the Beta totally to my detriment. I just kept picking up the SMG or trying to find a Magnum to bring me back to that first week where we were just playing Halo with the Classic loadouts. I love that kind of Halo.
So consider ourselves lucky I suppose that we get to stick to our certain Playlists. These last 2 days with the 6 maps and AR starts have been so fun. You want a BR? Go find one. Besides, you spawn with the Magnum which is just so sexy. Anyways that's my rant.