Yesterday, I ran with a story about Halo: The MasterChief collection’s matchmaking multiplayer being blocked from within South Africa’s borders. According to a trusted source, South African gamers were geo-fenced, kept out of matchmaking to keep the experience a stable and enjoyable one for gamers around the globe. The lag we introduce into multiplayer games whose servers are hosted outside of close proximity can make games frustrating for other. I surmised that Halo: The Masterchief Collection’s matchmaking multiplayer might never work in South Africa. I was wrong.
Let me start with a bit of context. I was told by our source a few weeks ago that 343 Industries had actively blocked us from using matchmaking – and that the block had been in place since December. We’d since contacted 343, along with people from Microsoft in SA and Microsoft Global. I decided not to run with the story until I had some sort of confirmation or statement – but that never came.
Yesterday, the new patch for Halo’s matchmaking was released – and even after the patch was deployed South African gamers still couldn’t access matchmaking. The situation forced my hand – and I ran with it. Last night, we got word that South Africans were starting to enjoy Halo MCC, by being able to actually being able to join games through matchmaking. That’s pretty damned good news. We’ve tested it, and were able to join games through matchmaking.
I’m not so presumptuous to believe that yesterday’s article had anything to do with the matchmaking restrictions being lifted. Ostensibly, we’d just been blocked from the service while 343 got their matchmaking – which has been broken for four months – in order. Maybe the threats of CPA action forced a few hands. Maybe it’s a fluke – who knows?
I asked my source once again about the situation, and was told – in no uncertain, ambiguous terms – that South Africans were very much, and very definitely blocked.
We aren’t anymore. For the record, we’ve still not received a statement.
We have a statement. Microsoft says that they’re not doing any blocking.
“Xbox Live services are globally accessible and Microsoft is not blocking matchmaking in any region. Individual experiences may vary around the globe based on connectivity. We continue to adjust our tools that address latency and matchmaking in Xbox Live and encourage our fans in the region to jump on and play so that we can continue to improve performance. We are always evaluating ways to bring the best gaming experiences to fans around the world and improve server support that matchmaking experiences are so dependent upon.”
Last Updated: March 5, 2015
Pieter Kruger
March 5, 2015 at 10:35
Haven’t tried it myself but I know people using Unotelly are getting into matches quick quick and lag is minimal! Not sure if it will work without Unotelly though… ? Who’s your source, Kaz? ????
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 10:36
LOL
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 10:36
Source says you cant and Microsoft says nothing? Methinks the source is a pony.
Spaffy
March 5, 2015 at 11:01
I’m not even gone a few days and you become staff and have a birthday?
FML.
Happies and congrats man
Admiral Chief
March 5, 2015 at 11:05
He’s been staff for some time already
Spaffy
March 5, 2015 at 11:06
Well, damn .
I just noticed now.
Admiral Chief
March 5, 2015 at 11:14
I make sure you all play nice together
Spaffy
March 5, 2015 at 11:18
Nice.
http://weknowmemes.com/generator/uploads/generated/g1329333043664444512.jpg
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 13:02
What I really do…
http://i.imgur.com/jLZz4Na.gif
Spaffy
March 5, 2015 at 11:08
Uhm, what does he do at LG?
And on that topic, what do you do at LG? o_0
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 13:00
The resident upvoter.
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 11:08
Thanks bud! When it rains it pours
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 13:00
Happy birthday?
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 13:01
LOL yesterday.
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 13:01
Happy birthday for yesterday then 😛
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 13:03
XD
professor professorson
March 5, 2015 at 11:29
LOL the ponies have nothing else to do
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 12:59
The first source & second source. However source 3 was not existent for comment.
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 13:08
Neigh!
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 10:40
Jurnalizm rulz!
Admiral Chief
March 5, 2015 at 10:41
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT
Admiral Chief
March 5, 2015 at 10:43
I have it on good authority that Geoff’s source is [comment redacted]
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 12:58
not 3?
Loftus
March 5, 2015 at 10:46
Geoff while you are on a roll there. Report an announcement of Half Life 3 for later this year. it just might work!
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 10:48
Wear a wire next time 😛
http://cdn.hark.com/images/001/434/852/1434852/original.jpg
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 10:51
In other news, my source confirmed The Last Guardian would be out later this year… BWAHAHA #sorryumar
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 10:57
Best troll face EVA!!!
Pieter Kruger
March 5, 2015 at 10:58
Maybe leave the Xbox articles to people who actually owns One? ????
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 5, 2015 at 11:34
That header!! One of my favourite movies of all time! Very good if you can keep up with “Elizabethan English” – or “Shakespeare English”. Good times…
Brady miaau
March 5, 2015 at 12:14
Emma Watson. Is that her name? The female lead was just brilliant
Lardus-Resident Perve
March 5, 2015 at 12:22
You are referring to the excellent portrayal of Beatrice – then Emma Thompson. Movie actually had a very strong cast! Denzel, Keanu, Michael Keaton, Kenneth Branagh, Thompson, Beckinsale…and House’s best friend 😛
Brady miaau
March 5, 2015 at 12:30
Yeah, some great casting choices there. Fun movie
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 12:37
Interesting how quickly they commented when this article went live…
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 12:39
And it’s the typical “avoid answering the question directly” corporate BS.
Asswipes.
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 12:44
” Individual experiences may vary around the globe based on connectivity” So, like, NO connectivity may leave to a different experience?
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 12:57
Apparently, according to them 😛
Pieter Kruger
March 5, 2015 at 13:16
EXACTLY RIGHT! No connectivity could result in you only being able to enjoy 80 hours of SP sadly…..????
Gavin Mannion
March 5, 2015 at 12:44
Geoff is the winner… he fixed Halo single handedly for South Africans… IMO
Geoffrey Tim
March 5, 2015 at 12:45
Getting reports from many that it still, indeed, isn’t working for them.
Dawid Eduard Roestorf
March 5, 2015 at 13:59
More than likely the people who can join are using a proxy with a US account, and not a South African account
professor professorson
March 5, 2015 at 20:05
not working for me still
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 12:45
The rise of the MS lawsuit? 😛
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 12:56
All in the name of SCIE…A BONUS!
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 13:00
“to bring the best gaming experiences to fans around the world” then where’s the servers?
*Sees cloudless skies
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 13:07
hahah FLIPS SWITCH. MS seem to have more switches than a bag… of… switches…
professor professorson
March 5, 2015 at 20:04
Cant get find plays still
Craig Bester
March 7, 2015 at 00:04
I cant find games. Whats your ISP