Yes- the memory is probably the number one change they need to make. Bigger 'worlds' could be loaded, with fewer breaks.
Wireless networking built in would be nice, but I just added an adapter, which does the same thing. But, it was another $80, and it hangs off the back.
Hopefully they'll be able to add enough new features to really make a difference. But I am probably just being naieve (spelling) about the whole thing.
I forgot about the whole 'convergence' thing. DVR, make it the 'music center' of the living room.
Yes, in most games the entire equation is taken into consideration. I can't vouch for every game, but at least in all the games I have seen.
The changing standards that you mention may not affect the Xbox as much as they have PC gaming in the past. This is due to the fact that you *must* have a broadband connection in order to get onto Live in the first place.
So a red dot will always be unacceptable, while a green dot will always means that the game will play fine. Because they have forced a standard that is acceptable to play the game, not a standard based 'midway in the current technology'. In 3 years, we may have much lower ping times- and then EVERY server will get a green dot. That's good- but a server that gets a green dot now really does play well- no lags. Any improvement won't be nearly as large as the difference between a 28.8 modem, and a DSL connection. 28.8 was just unplayable.
I suck at MechAssault- but I think it is a fun game-
In a good game, I'll die 12 times, and maybe get 9 kills. Very rarely will I go over the 50% mark.
The most fun I have is when I am in a game, and getting beat horribly...like 0 kills and 15 deaths. Then, finally...I kill someone. Just taunting him for the last few minutes of the game (while he kills me 5 or 6 more times) makes it all worth it.
Actually, it is more complicated than just the ping time- so just knowing the ping won't always help.
If someone is hosting a game, you need to know how good the ping is- but how does that relate to the number of players on the 'server', the type of game they are hosting, and the upload speed of his/her Xbox? All 4 items are a factor.
If I had a low ping, but I tried to over-ride the suggested number of players to host (I chose 16, instead of 8), then my original ping time is worthless- because my internet connection now just can't handle the bandwidth.
So, on some games there is just a green, yellow, or red dot next to the 'server' name. I don't need to think..."Well, his ping is 75ms, but his upload is only 82kbps, and he is trying to host 12 people on a Ghost Recon server- BUT, he is playing Team mode, and we can only talk to the people on our team..." I just look at the red dot and move on to the next game. Yes, I could try to 'do the math' and figure it out myself, but I'm trying to play a game...not do math.
So- a straight ping time generally won't be of much use- there are too many other factors. The rankings really do make a lot of sense.
Believe it or not, Tetris is an on-line multiplayer game.
Tetris Worlds for the Xbox is Live enabled, and yes people play it....and yes, people actually like it.
I for one get trounced every time I try to go on-line, just like the article says. My daughter on the other hand can keep up with the other players, AND likes to talk to them while she plays.
I work in a fairly small 'shop'. 4 IT people in the whole place- 1 does desktop support/plays games, 1 is the manager, 1 talks to our field offices all day long about networking issues, and I'm a programmer- I also administer the servers.
I'm not a 'real' sys admin, and I really wasn't hired for it- I was hired as a programmer. I try to keep the sys admin work to a bare minimum.
With that background- I really LIKE using a GUI. If there are settings on the server that I very rarely change, it is easy for me to poke around, look at little pictures, and figure my way through windows (or Windows, take your pick). I've got 8 servers that all perform different functions- so replicating tasks isn't important to me. I don't do anything often enough that I would be able to remember how to use the command line.
And, I *like* pretty install packages- they make my life easier, and let me get back to my real job- programming.
There are a lot of people out there, in jobs similar to mine. We don't all work in situations where efficiency of large tasks is paramount- but ease of use for many different small tasks. A GUI is perfect for us.
Soul Caliber is a good looking game- but please steer your attention to 'Voodoo Vince'. I got the demo, and this game looks absolutely fantastic. The game looked *nearly* as good as the cinematics. The game is cartoony, so they weren't going for realism, but I thought it looked better than any game I have ever played- even on my PC. Screenshots
Dino Crisis 3 though was a complete, steaming, pile of crap. Horrible.
Metal Arms- awesome game. Great graphics. It will be on all 3 platforms. Metal Arms will be a good thing for Nintendo, one of the better 3rd party non-sports games that they will have.
If more games like Metal Arms come out, then a $99 GameCube makes sense. But even if the box itself is $99, I would still need to buy more controllers, memory cards, etc. (right?) so having multiple consoles is more expensive than just the initial buy-in
Are you nuts? Or do you just have a very small understanding of business?
If this person was a writer/researcher/whatever for a company, and he made comments that were not only attributed to him, as an individual, but to the company he worked for- yes, they can get rid of him. And, if these comments made by him, under the guise of 'official' statements were contrary to the companies position, then yes, he *should* be fired.
If he wants to say these things on his own time, and not associate them with his company, then fine. Unless of course he has a contract that states he CANNOT do this. This is fairly common for people who are a 'spokesperson' for their company. Or, who are strongly identified with the company.
But, this person wanted to use their company's good name to push his own agenda- that is not a good thing. I work for a major university- I cannot publish papers filled with my opinions, and my own platform, and associate it with my university. In fact, anything that IS published, and associated with the university, needs to get peer-reviewed by at least 3 other people who are experts in the field. This is to ensure that individuals cannot use the university's good name as their own pulpit.
You make some excellent points. This arguement can be used in a lot of different aspects of life. Basically, don't waste time on silly things that don't matter- especially when they are negative. Spend your time on something positive, and you, and the world, will be better for it.
Excellent point.
Strange use of the word 'imoblized' though- but that can be overlooked in this case.
I agree completely. If this same suggestion were made in any other industry, people would be going crazy. It is not the government's job to force companies to produce things they don't want to do. Unless it is for the health, and safety of others. Or, to pay taxes.
A few weeks ago someone made the suggestion that game makers should port their games to Linux, and charge the Windows users a few dollars more to cover the expense. Somehow that was supposed to help all of use out- I don't know how.
Maybe my local newspaper should be translated to Vietnamese- this would help out the ~1% Vietnamese population in my area, but also make the paper more aware of other cultures. The rest of us wouldn't mind the added expense. Oh- what about Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese...etc. etc..I guess they should be forced to do those too. The other 95% of us wouldn't mind if the paper price more than doubled, as long as it is just a lot more 'fair'.
The problem I have with EA's plan of dropping servers, is the forced upgrade model. You said you were fine with Madden 2003 servers went down, because you had just bought 2004.
I don't want to buy a new copy of Madden each year, or any other game, just so I don't lose some of the on-line support it originally came with. If this is a major sticking point, I agree with Microsoft here.
I sure hope you are not freelancing your technical (computer) skills. Because there is obviously something wrong with your system, and if you are the guy who is supposed to know how to use it- then there is a problem.
I just copied a 194MB file from one directory to another, and it took about 25 seconds. I'm running a PIII 700 with 384MB RAM- similar to the system you mentioned. Oh- I assume that you are not running an original Pentium at 900MHZ, but maybe a PIII.
So please- find the 'computer guy' where you are working, and tell him that your computer is 'broken' (no need for you to elaborate). He should know how to fix it.
Also- do you really type your Slashdot posts into Word? Is that to use the spellcheck or something?
Maybe it doesn't attract the same people as Mario- but they've also got Flight Simulator. Personally I have never gotten into it- but an amazing number of people have.
Similar to the story about XSN- their gaming network, I welcome this.
With EA keeping their paws off of Live, it IS up to Microsoft to create their own games. And as long as they utilize what makes the Xbox unique (Live for one thing) Xbox owners will benefit far more than just getting another version of Grand Theft Auto.
I'm really looking forward to a lot of these games. When I first saw Topspin, I thought it looked like an awesome tennis game- then I learned about the tournaments, ladders, etc- and this has really got me going. I am actually one of those freaks who enjoys the real sport (tennis) and likes to play the video game during the winter- when I can't do the real thing. So, the idea of playing in tournaments and stuff like that is cool for me.
How many people will feel the same way? I don't know- but as long as there are enough to fill the tourneys, I'll be happy.
Then I saw it...Rallisport Challenge?!?!?! Oh man- if they make that Live enabled, this really will be the be-all and end-all for me. Rallisport Challenge is awesome when you are playing against other humans, but you need to do the crappy split-screen. Over Live?!? This should be very good. I really don't care about Football, Hockey, etc...but Tennis and Racing, those interest me.
I really think that Microsoft is on to something good with they way they are executing Live. It's easy, and it works. They're adding more games- and with the ladders, rankings, etc., it is far more interesting. The best part about Live over on-line PC gaming is the lack of cheating.
Cheating has ruined every on-line PC game for me. Once you've experience cheaters, you are always on the look out. You always wonder- "is that guy really good...or is he cheating?" "Hmm...how come killerguy42 has 10 kills every round, but when I follow him, he doesn't seem that good.."
I don't mind giving them my money, if they are going to create this stuff.
The JSRF and Sega GT bundle (should be) long gone. Haven't seen the Clone Wars/Tetris Worlds, but I just bought the Live Starter Kit, and it came with Tetris Worlds. So I *think* they are just replacing Tetris Worlds with Mechassualt- much better deal.
I on the other hand have made every bad decision possible.
I *just* bought the Live Starter Kit - with Tetris Worlds. $50
Then, I bought Mechassault for $40.
Now I need a damn wireless game adapter- running the cable through the house is not too popular. $80 (Linksys)
Total of $170
The new pack they have would have included all three- minus Tetris, which would have been fine. I guess I should have waited a week.
Umm...you have no idea what a huge step up 31F is from 31M.
I had the dubious honor of being top in my class at 31M school- meaning I used PART of my brain. Despite my outstanding achievements, I was not eligible to attend the first 31F school- which they gave to the top 10% of Mikes at the time, because I had guaranteed station of choice (Germany) and they weren't going to have 31F equipment there for a while.
Went to Europe for 4 years, where once again, I couldn't go to Fox school, because my unit needed Mikes so bad. In USAEUR (sp?) competition, my Mike team was the 'best in Europe' for 3 years (or some stupid thing like that- we got to go to a few competitions and get even drunker than usual.) Oh HHB 6/52 69th Brigade 32nd AADCOM by the way...
I actually wanted to re-enlist, but my retention NCO was such a dumbass, he never got my shit together, and by the time he was ready, I couldn't get anything good- so I left. There were some job fairs on the way out, and some of the big Telcos were actually hiring 31F straight out of the Army- of course they wouldn't touch a Mike with a ten-foot pole.
Surprise surprise, I went back in 7 years later, including basic all over again, because I wanted to go airborne infantry, and Ranger. I hurt my dumbass self, and eventually got booted. Best thing that ever happened to me actually. Now when I leave work, they can't call me back in and tell me to clean toilets all night for the next inspection.
My take on this whole thing-
If you want the Army experience- join the Army. If you want 'high tech education' go to DeVry. But going in the military and being the computer bitch, is only gonna piss you off- because you won't really do either. It won't be the real Army experience (you'll be the red-headed stepchildren that everyone looks down on...) and your vision of high-tech, probably isn't the same one you will be dealing with.
I don't agree with your first point. I think that a lot of times 'interactive environments' are a pain in the butt. I don't like going around and smashing hundreds of crates looking for ammo (most games) and I thought the filing cabinets in No One Lives Forever 2 were ridiculous. My god, I spent a lot of time flipping through filing cabinets, what a way to bring down the action. And that was one of the 'features' that reviewers thought was cool. Yeah, the first 25 times...
Also, in at least one game (Deus Ex comes to mind) there were problems with the way you interacted with things- for instance, moving chairs around was a pain in the butt, and it seemed like they got in your way more than anything else. A lot of times it seems like the developers want to make things interactive, because it sounds good in a review. I think Halo leans a little more toward Serious Sam than Thief- which is fine in my book. (faster, rather than slower)
On the other hand, you are dead on with the second point. They re-used the same rooms over and over. It was hard to navigate around, because you are wondering "where the hell am I" all the time. This was a let-down, but as you pointed out, some of the exterior levels were pretty awesome. The insides were so bad, that they had to draw those little arrows on the floor- good thing they did that, or I'd still be going in circles.
Slashdot Mirror
It's great for the first few months.
That way your shiny new PS2 doesn't sit there gathering dust, because you have no games...while your PS1 gets played with.
Santa Claus would feel stupid about that.
Hmm..some good ideas.
Yes- the memory is probably the number one change they need to make. Bigger 'worlds' could be loaded, with fewer breaks.
Wireless networking built in would be nice, but I just added an adapter, which does the same thing. But, it was another $80, and it hangs off the back.
Hopefully they'll be able to add enough new features to really make a difference. But I am probably just being naieve (spelling) about the whole thing.
I forgot about the whole 'convergence' thing. DVR, make it the 'music center' of the living room.
Okay...but after THAT, what will be next?
I've been wondering the same thing...
The Xbox is capable of resolutions greater than standard television, up to HDTV.
It's got a hard-drive, it's got networking.
What will be next?
I usually look forward to 'what is next' but now I think I finally reached the stage of 'just make more games for this version'.
Yes, in most games the entire equation is taken into consideration. I can't vouch for every game, but at least in all the games I have seen.
The changing standards that you mention may not affect the Xbox as much as they have PC gaming in the past. This is due to the fact that you *must* have a broadband connection in order to get onto Live in the first place.
So a red dot will always be unacceptable, while a green dot will always means that the game will play fine. Because they have forced a standard that is acceptable to play the game, not a standard based 'midway in the current technology'. In 3 years, we may have much lower ping times- and then EVERY server will get a green dot. That's good- but a server that gets a green dot now really does play well- no lags. Any improvement won't be nearly as large as the difference between a 28.8 modem, and a DSL connection. 28.8 was just unplayable.
I suck at MechAssault- but I think it is a fun game-
In a good game, I'll die 12 times, and maybe get 9 kills. Very rarely will I go over the 50% mark.
The most fun I have is when I am in a game, and getting beat horribly...like 0 kills and 15 deaths. Then, finally...I kill someone. Just taunting him for the last few minutes of the game (while he kills me 5 or 6 more times) makes it all worth it.
Actually, it is more complicated than just the ping time- so just knowing the ping won't always help.
If someone is hosting a game, you need to know how good the ping is- but how does that relate to the number of players on the 'server', the type of game they are hosting, and the upload speed of his/her Xbox? All 4 items are a factor.
If I had a low ping, but I tried to over-ride the suggested number of players to host (I chose 16, instead of 8), then my original ping time is worthless- because my internet connection now just can't handle the bandwidth.
So, on some games there is just a green, yellow, or red dot next to the 'server' name. I don't need to think..."Well, his ping is 75ms, but his upload is only 82kbps, and he is trying to host 12 people on a Ghost Recon server- BUT, he is playing Team mode, and we can only talk to the people on our team..." I just look at the red dot and move on to the next game. Yes, I could try to 'do the math' and figure it out myself, but I'm trying to play a game...not do math.
So- a straight ping time generally won't be of much use- there are too many other factors. The rankings really do make a lot of sense.
Believe it or not, Tetris is an on-line multiplayer game.
Tetris Worlds for the Xbox is Live enabled, and yes people play it....and yes, people actually like it.
I for one get trounced every time I try to go on-line, just like the article says. My daughter on the other hand can keep up with the other players, AND likes to talk to them while she plays.
Yes...Tetris online multiplayer really does work.
Cingular has been fine in Californa for the last two days. I've probably made 30 calles, and sent 20 messages. No problems.
I work in a fairly small 'shop'. 4 IT people in the whole place- 1 does desktop support/plays games, 1 is the manager, 1 talks to our field offices all day long about networking issues, and I'm a programmer- I also administer the servers.
I'm not a 'real' sys admin, and I really wasn't hired for it- I was hired as a programmer. I try to keep the sys admin work to a bare minimum.
With that background- I really LIKE using a GUI. If there are settings on the server that I very rarely change, it is easy for me to poke around, look at little pictures, and figure my way through windows (or Windows, take your pick). I've got 8 servers that all perform different functions- so replicating tasks isn't important to me. I don't do anything often enough that I would be able to remember how to use the command line.
And, I *like* pretty install packages- they make my life easier, and let me get back to my real job- programming.
There are a lot of people out there, in jobs similar to mine. We don't all work in situations where efficiency of large tasks is paramount- but ease of use for many different small tasks. A GUI is perfect for us.
Soul Caliber is a good looking game- but please steer your attention to 'Voodoo Vince'. I got the demo, and this game looks absolutely fantastic. The game looked *nearly* as good as the cinematics. The game is cartoony, so they weren't going for realism, but I thought it looked better than any game I have ever played- even on my PC. Screen shots
Dino Crisis 3 though was a complete, steaming, pile of crap. Horrible.Metal Arms- awesome game. Great graphics. It will be on all 3 platforms. Metal Arms will be a good thing for Nintendo, one of the better 3rd party non-sports games that they will have.
If more games like Metal Arms come out, then a $99 GameCube makes sense. But even if the box itself is $99, I would still need to buy more controllers, memory cards, etc. (right?) so having multiple consoles is more expensive than just the initial buy-in
Are you nuts? Or do you just have a very small understanding of business?
If this person was a writer/researcher/whatever for a company, and he made comments that were not only attributed to him, as an individual, but to the company he worked for- yes, they can get rid of him. And, if these comments made by him, under the guise of 'official' statements were contrary to the companies position, then yes, he *should* be fired.
If he wants to say these things on his own time, and not associate them with his company, then fine. Unless of course he has a contract that states he CANNOT do this. This is fairly common for people who are a 'spokesperson' for their company. Or, who are strongly identified with the company.
But, this person wanted to use their company's good name to push his own agenda- that is not a good thing. I work for a major university- I cannot publish papers filled with my opinions, and my own platform, and associate it with my university. In fact, anything that IS published, and associated with the university, needs to get peer-reviewed by at least 3 other people who are experts in the field. This is to ensure that individuals cannot use the university's good name as their own pulpit.
wow. good.
You make some excellent points. This arguement can be used in a lot of different aspects of life. Basically, don't waste time on silly things that don't matter- especially when they are negative. Spend your time on something positive, and you, and the world, will be better for it.
Excellent point.
Strange use of the word 'imoblized' though- but that can be overlooked in this case.
I agree completely. If this same suggestion were made in any other industry, people would be going crazy. It is not the government's job to force companies to produce things they don't want to do. Unless it is for the health, and safety of others. Or, to pay taxes.
A few weeks ago someone made the suggestion that game makers should port their games to Linux, and charge the Windows users a few dollars more to cover the expense. Somehow that was supposed to help all of use out- I don't know how.
Maybe my local newspaper should be translated to Vietnamese- this would help out the ~1% Vietnamese population in my area, but also make the paper more aware of other cultures. The rest of us wouldn't mind the added expense. Oh- what about Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Chinese...etc. etc..I guess they should be forced to do those too. The other 95% of us wouldn't mind if the paper price more than doubled, as long as it is just a lot more 'fair'.
The problem I have with EA's plan of dropping servers, is the forced upgrade model. You said you were fine with Madden 2003 servers went down, because you had just bought 2004.
I don't want to buy a new copy of Madden each year, or any other game, just so I don't lose some of the on-line support it originally came with. If this is a major sticking point, I agree with Microsoft here.
I sure hope you are not freelancing your technical (computer) skills. Because there is obviously something wrong with your system, and if you are the guy who is supposed to know how to use it- then there is a problem.
I just copied a 194MB file from one directory to another, and it took about 25 seconds. I'm running a PIII 700 with 384MB RAM- similar to the system you mentioned. Oh- I assume that you are not running an original Pentium at 900MHZ, but maybe a PIII.
So please- find the 'computer guy' where you are working, and tell him that your computer is 'broken' (no need for you to elaborate). He should know how to fix it.
Also- do you really type your Slashdot posts into Word? Is that to use the spellcheck or something?
Maybe it doesn't attract the same people as Mario- but they've also got Flight Simulator. Personally I have never gotten into it- but an amazing number of people have.
Flight Simulator HistorySimilar to the story about XSN- their gaming network, I welcome this.
With EA keeping their paws off of Live, it IS up to Microsoft to create their own games. And as long as they utilize what makes the Xbox unique (Live for one thing) Xbox owners will benefit far more than just getting another version of Grand Theft Auto.
I'm really looking forward to a lot of these games. When I first saw Topspin, I thought it looked like an awesome tennis game- then I learned about the tournaments, ladders, etc- and this has really got me going. I am actually one of those freaks who enjoys the real sport (tennis) and likes to play the video game during the winter- when I can't do the real thing. So, the idea of playing in tournaments and stuff like that is cool for me.
How many people will feel the same way? I don't know- but as long as there are enough to fill the tourneys, I'll be happy.
Then I saw it...Rallisport Challenge?!?!?! Oh man- if they make that Live enabled, this really will be the be-all and end-all for me. Rallisport Challenge is awesome when you are playing against other humans, but you need to do the crappy split-screen. Over Live?!? This should be very good. I really don't care about Football, Hockey, etc...but Tennis and Racing, those interest me.
I really think that Microsoft is on to something good with they way they are executing Live. It's easy, and it works. They're adding more games- and with the ladders, rankings, etc., it is far more interesting. The best part about Live over on-line PC gaming is the lack of cheating.
Cheating has ruined every on-line PC game for me. Once you've experience cheaters, you are always on the look out. You always wonder- "is that guy really good...or is he cheating?" "Hmm...how come killerguy42 has 10 kills every round, but when I follow him, he doesn't seem that good.."
I don't mind giving them my money, if they are going to create this stuff.
Well that seems impressive, hosting all of those games.
Then I read your sig.
Oh oh oh Mr. Kotter...pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Yep- I passed, and will pass until it has Live. I will be forced to buy NFL Street though, even without live, because NBA Street was so damn cool.
But for a 'realistic' football game- EA might be the best, but they are faily interchangeable. And I want to play on-line.
The JSRF and Sega GT bundle (should be) long gone. Haven't seen the Clone Wars/Tetris Worlds, but I just bought the Live Starter Kit, and it came with Tetris Worlds. So I *think* they are just replacing Tetris Worlds with Mechassualt- much better deal.
I on the other hand have made every bad decision possible.
I *just* bought the Live Starter Kit - with Tetris Worlds. $50
Then, I bought Mechassault for $40.
Now I need a damn wireless game adapter- running the cable through the house is not too popular. $80 (Linksys)
Total of $170
The new pack they have would have included all three- minus Tetris, which would have been fine. I guess I should have waited a week.
Umm...you have no idea what a huge step up 31F is from 31M.
I had the dubious honor of being top in my class at 31M school- meaning I used PART of my brain. Despite my outstanding achievements, I was not eligible to attend the first 31F school- which they gave to the top 10% of Mikes at the time, because I had guaranteed station of choice (Germany) and they weren't going to have 31F equipment there for a while.
Went to Europe for 4 years, where once again, I couldn't go to Fox school, because my unit needed Mikes so bad. In USAEUR (sp?) competition, my Mike team was the 'best in Europe' for 3 years (or some stupid thing like that- we got to go to a few competitions and get even drunker than usual.) Oh HHB 6/52 69th Brigade 32nd AADCOM by the way...
I actually wanted to re-enlist, but my retention NCO was such a dumbass, he never got my shit together, and by the time he was ready, I couldn't get anything good- so I left. There were some job fairs on the way out, and some of the big Telcos were actually hiring 31F straight out of the Army- of course they wouldn't touch a Mike with a ten-foot pole.
Surprise surprise, I went back in 7 years later, including basic all over again, because I wanted to go airborne infantry, and Ranger. I hurt my dumbass self, and eventually got booted. Best thing that ever happened to me actually. Now when I leave work, they can't call me back in and tell me to clean toilets all night for the next inspection.
My take on this whole thing-
If you want the Army experience- join the Army. If you want 'high tech education' go to DeVry. But going in the military and being the computer bitch, is only gonna piss you off- because you won't really do either. It won't be the real Army experience (you'll be the red-headed stepchildren that everyone looks down on...) and your vision of high-tech, probably isn't the same one you will be dealing with.
No- I was serious. Dude number one said "they should do these two things"
Dude number 2 (Mike) said: "They already did those things..and he proved it."
It was beautiful.
This was probably the most informative post I have seen here. Like, this Mike guy knows what he is talking about or something.
I can pull crap out of my ass, but I've never been able to refute someone elses comments so succinctly.
Good job Mike
Well, I am half and half with your points.
I don't agree with your first point. I think that a lot of times 'interactive environments' are a pain in the butt. I don't like going around and smashing hundreds of crates looking for ammo (most games) and I thought the filing cabinets in No One Lives Forever 2 were ridiculous. My god, I spent a lot of time flipping through filing cabinets, what a way to bring down the action. And that was one of the 'features' that reviewers thought was cool. Yeah, the first 25 times...
Also, in at least one game (Deus Ex comes to mind) there were problems with the way you interacted with things- for instance, moving chairs around was a pain in the butt, and it seemed like they got in your way more than anything else. A lot of times it seems like the developers want to make things interactive, because it sounds good in a review. I think Halo leans a little more toward Serious Sam than Thief- which is fine in my book. (faster, rather than slower)
On the other hand, you are dead on with the second point. They re-used the same rooms over and over. It was hard to navigate around, because you are wondering "where the hell am I" all the time. This was a let-down, but as you pointed out, some of the exterior levels were pretty awesome. The insides were so bad, that they had to draw those little arrows on the floor- good thing they did that, or I'd still be going in circles.