‘Halo 5: Guardians’ Gameplay, Features & Release Date: Developers Explain Ban Policy, Medals, and Skill Ranking in Upcoming ‘Halo’ Game

Halo 5: Guardians

343 Industries gave a rundown of the rules for the upcoming "Halo 5: Guardians" game.

According to the development studio, the latest installment in the "Halo" series will feature new policies on banning players, new skill ranking regulations and medals, Gamespot reported.

Most of the rules pertain to Arena, which is one of the multiplayer features of the upcoming game. Since the performance of players in this mode will depend on their skills, 343 Industries included a few improvements to provide gamers with a fair competitive match experience.

As detailed in the Halo Waypoint website, players can be banned from the game's Arena if they commit any of the following offenses:

  •  Quitting matches
  •  Betrayals or team killing
  •  Idling
  •  Intentional suicides
  •  Excessive disconnecting

343 Industries did not indicate how long the ban will take effect but noted that it will be implemented once a player displays any of the behaviors listed above repeatedly. In addition, the duration of the ban will depend on the nature of the offense.

So for example, those who continually kill any of their teammates will not be allowed to participate in match-making procedures for a longer time.

Aside from the ban polices, 343 Industries also explained the new Competitive Skill Rating (CSR) system for "Halo 5: Guardians."

According to the studio, earning CSR points, players must first complete 10 matches. After doing so, their performance will be evaluated and will then be included in one of the seven ranks of the game. These are the Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Onyx and Champion ranks.

Players will only be able to increase their rank by winning matches. Losing, however, will cause their rank to decrease but this does not automatically mean that they'll go back to Bronze from Silver.

Once players reach Onyx, winning will cause their overall CSR score to increase. The top 200 Onyx players will then be awarded with the Champion rank.

To protect the CSR earnings of players, the game's matchmaking system will not allow them to join games that have already started.

"You will get a fresh match every time without fear of putting your hard earned CSR at risk and joining a losing team in the middle of a match," 343 Industries wrote. "Your skill, teamwork and decision making during the entirety of the match will decide whether you win or lose."

"Halo 5: Guardians" is scheduled to debut on October 27 exclusively for Microsoft's Xbox One console.