Halo 2 - Matchmaking Memories

[PredArtagnan]

Halo 2 - Matchmaking Memories

As the servers for original Xbox games closed on April 15th, I, like countless other players the world over, enjoyed my final games of Halo 2 matchmaking.
It was a bittersweet farewell, which felt akin to saying goodbye to an old friend.
It's only natural to reminisce about all of the good times which were had and to reflect on all the memories aquired over the years.

Halo 2 was the reason I subscribed to Xbox Live in the first place. I recall pre-ordering the game and being asked by the clerk if I intended to play it online at all. I'd shook my head in response on that particular day -
"No, I only have dial-up internet".
It took a grand total of approximately six hours after getting the game home before I was on the phone to my internet provider arranging to have cable installed.
A few days later I had my Live subscription set up and I had entered the world of Halo 2 matchmaking.... and what a world it was.

There didn't seem to be as many online jerks in those early days - perhaps because everyone was simply pre-occupied with enjoying themselves - Most players seemed content to just play, have fun and joke around.
I remember going through a phase where I thought it was a great idea to give a constant running commentary over my headset during games, in the style of a Steve Irwin documentary - I had the accent, why not exploit it?
"Crikey mates! Over that rise just ahead is an M808B Scorpion Tank! Isn't she beeeeaaaaauuutttiffffuuuuullll? Look at its main cannon! When startled, that thing can fire a 90mm high-velocity shell and if that hits you, you'll be dead mates!! So if you see a Scorpion in the wild, don't muck with it!!"
I'm sure my enthusiastic commentary annoyed some players to the point of disconnection, but others seemed to find it incredibly hilarious and encouraged me to continue.
Of course, the lighthearted nature of those early days meant that I wasn't the only person having fun and making jokes.

I recall during a game of team slayer, a couple of my team-mates successfully gunned down an enemy player. Upon their victory, they both ran over to the corpse and one of them bent down beside it.
Was he attempting an early version of a teabag? No... he was attempting a mugging as I heard through his headset -
"Quick! Grab his wallet!!!".

Another extremely memorable team slayer match saw myself and another player engaged in an epic battle in the middle of Blood Gulch, where we both ran out of ammo. We stood there for a few moments just staring each other down, before the sound emanating from my television made me burst out in fits of laughter.
"Pew pew... pew pew pew pew!" - The most pathetic, human-made gun sound effects ever.
He used this moment - me engaged in uncontrollable laughter, to melee me in the face. Still, he deserved the kill for his creative effort.

These are just a few of the amazing memories I have of playing Halo 2 online. I feel honored that I got to participate from the beginning, and that I was able to see how matchmaking improved, matured and grew from what it initially was.
Saying goodbye to Halo 2 filled me with a pang of sadness, but like any good friend, I shall always have my memories, and it will always hold a special place within my heart.

[BladesofBlood]

that touched my heart and im not lieing now im really sad that halo 2 is gone sad face =(. liked your stories wish i could've heard some of your impressions.

[Nova102]

that touched my heart and im not lieing now im really sad that halo 2 is gone sad face =(. liked your stories wish i could've heard some of your impressions.

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Harflin]

that touched my heart and im not lieing now im really sad that halo 2 is gone sad face =(. liked your stories wish i could've heard some of your impressions.

are those.... periods?

[Darth1Nader]

that touched my heart and im not lieing now im really sad that halo 2 is gone sad face =(. liked your stories wish i could've heard some of your impressions.

are those.... periods?

He does learn!

[i ic3 c01d i]

And his heart will go on. >_< not forgotten bout ya bro!

[Jawwi]

that touched my heart and im not lieing now im really sad that halo 2 is gone sad face =(. liked your stories wish i could've heard some of your impressions.

are those.... periods?

He does learn!

I Lol'd

[Hydrono]

My best memory of Halo 2 was playing customs with my bro before I got Xbox live. We both sucked at the time, but for our skill level, it was always a close match.

[tapsoda]

I wish I spent more time playing Halo 2.