I am currently in love with the Halo 2 game mode editor. While it is not as robust and diverse as a true level editor, it is simple enough for my simple simian mind to grasp. Because of its ease of use, I have been churning out gametypes for the GS-forumites wednesday night halo 2 XBL parties.
Its so odd how making people not have radar will change a game, or giving everyone access to super weapons, or giving them only one live will change the entire psychology of a game. Instead of becoming a run-n-gun affair, players are tasked to think about what the hell they are doing, and to make sure they dont get creamed.
While Halostrike is pretty popular (*cough* i created it), I'm looking to find another gametype that will compel the community to play more. Its tough though, as many of the people on my friends list have not been on live since Nov 10th. Or at least I havent seen them since launch and the day after.
The GGD group is great online. We dont take things too seriously, and we still encourage fun over anything else. I have friends come over and play, and while they get discouraged and do stupid stuff, the GGD players dont get too mad at them. From what my guests have told me they are not trying to do anything intentional, they just suck and get confused during some of the gametypes (Rocketball, and Minda's Extreme Banshee).
Oh and Halo 2 NEEEEEEEEEEEEEDs more maps, theres really no excuse for this. 125 million bucks and they cant hire a guy to churn out maps everyday? Seriously this is LAME. MS is not only leaving us gamers out in the dust, but they are missing out on possible $$$$$s from the million or so people playing that could be buying 5 dollar map packs (I dont like having to pay for them, but you know that MS will do it). I mean, seriously.