That Cozy Feeling of Split-Screen Slayer Returns in Halo: Flashpoint
Cole MarkeyAn Age of Mourning
Da bois fighting for the Elephant in Halo 3
I’m sure many of our readers, much like myself, spent much of their adolescence splitting their TV screen into 4 neat sections, with each one being controlled by a person next to you. Whether this was a sibling, parent, or good friend, split screen sessions (And LAN parties!) were a way for people to connect in-person over something they enjoyed. Perhaps no series has embodied this as well as Halo did in its prime. Whether you were playing the campaign co-op for the umphteenth time (This time, lets try to do it using nothing but melee!), setting up micro-tournaments in multiplayer, or getting creative in forge and custom games, the era of split-screen was a truly magical time to experience. Yet, ironically, as the world found itself more connected than ever, and games began to resort to online-only multiplayer, I can’t but help but feel that we have never felt further apart. LAN parties are a thing of the past, something only the most dedicated friend groups partake in. Halo 5 did away with split-screen all-together, and most people I come across don’t even realize Infinite sports the feature at all (Not to mention that it has no support for the campaign…).
Perhaps my age is just catching up to me, is this nostalgia? Am I simply no longer hip with “it?”. I think not, because at a time when I found myself mourning a forgotten age of community and shared enthusiasm, I stumbled across what has become one of my favorite pastimes, Halo: Flashpoint. What surprised me was discovering that the feeling I missed wasn't tied to a screen at all. It was tied to gathering around a game with other people.
Spartans Never Die
Me and my wife playing with the deluxe terrain
I’m not here to tell you what I find so enticing about this game, mechanically at least. I am far more interested in sharing my experiences with people and finding community because of it. Because at the end of the day, Flashpoint has been the closest thing to split-screen Halo in well over a decade.
As an adult that has moved around as often as I have (On average, I have moved to a new state once every three years… woof, just now realizing that!) and works in a relatively solitary field, it can be EXTREMELY difficult to make new friends. It has nothing to do with me being unfriendly, or being a total weirdo, and I’m sure many people my age feel the same way. Work, intimate relationships, and independent responsibilities suck up a lot of time. Places in which someone can even meet people have greatly diminished as well, making this task all the more difficult. That is where Flashpoint comes in.
While I still lived in New Mexico, I stumbled my way into the Black Harriers group, where I have met all sorts of wonderful people. Finally, I found myself a refuge after a long day at work where I can make “pew-pew” noises with my lil-guys and release my inner dork. I had found my in-person community, where we take some time to chat eachother up, play a silly game, and talk about life. It made me wonder how many people out there are starving for social interaction without even realizing it these days.
Even as I made my move from NM to MN, I continued to find “my people” up north. I still get to drive up to Gamezenter in Roseville and start a multiplayer match with some buds, whether it be custom games, or competitive multiplayer. Frankly, if it wasn’t for Flashpoint, I would have thought that this feeling was dead, it had been so long since I looked forward to casual events like this. I’ve even gotten involved with the game more than I ever expected to, writing for this site and working with Mantic, It had been a while since I felt like I had been apart of something, and I am incredibly grateful for the feeling.
Objective play at GameZenter
Sad Sappy Sucker
I guess you could say 3D printing terrain is essentially Forge mode.
I understand that this might come off as a relatively strange article, but I saw it as a way to connect with other players who may be experiencing similar struggles. Maybe that's why Flashpoint means so much to me. It isn't just a game, It's proof that the communities many of us thought we'd lost still exist. We just have to find them in new places.
Has anyone else had a similar experience with the game? Am I just being a sappy little dork (I mean, obviously)? I would love to hear your story or anything else you’ve got to say, reach out!
-Cole Markey
