We've all met them in our First Person Shooters (FPS). Whether online or beside us on the couch in a splitscreen match. They're looking down the scope and you're praying they don't see you. And then...CRACK. You've been sniped. Snipers, deadly, effective, and on the decline. Now, I am not a hardcore gamer by any means, but I have always kept up to date on FPS's. And over the years I have noticed a severe decline in multiplayer maps where a sniper, such as myself, can play effectively. Instead the FPS industry has increasingly catered to large fire fights where subtlety is a thing of the past. I recall in one eventful match with my friend years ago (I forget the game) there was a map called Sniper Square. It was the ideal map for picking off anyone who decided to run around the square. So, what is the ideal map for a sniper?
The Ideal Map
-Lots of open space -Places of high elevation -Cover in those elevated places
The problem with most maps in multiplayer these days is that snipers are hardly catered to. You may get a map with two or three places that are ideal for sniping, but they often lack cover or high enough elevation. This causes a problem, because without the cover or elevation snipers risk being slaughtered by opposing players.
What a Sniper is NOT
-A Camper -A direct fighter
Snipers, are NOT campers. Yes they will lie in wait for a while to make that perfect kill or two, but the moment that happens a true sniper packs his things up and hauls ***. Preferably to a different spot. This is particularly important since "kill cams" have come into play. Kill cams are a sniper's greatest enemy, because they may have found a perfect place, but the kill cam gives away their position. It's annoying, and ridiculously irritating having to move around a map relying on a sniper rifle for close range combat.
Why Create Ideal Sniper Maps?
Ever play capture the flag? Ever have someone gun you down once you get that flag and move two feet? Annoying, isn't it? Snipers are useful for picking off those pesky defenders and clearing up a sourounding area. They're the perfect cover. Snipers also keep in check those maniacs who love running and gunning. You know the ones who run around the map shooting anything that moves? They would think twice if they knew someone had they're head lined up for a shot. Snipers provide a more tactical edge to games. Sniper hunting requires patience and the ability to move quickly. An FPS that doesn't cater to all classes is a poor FPS. That means any recent FPS that supports multiplayer and provides sniper rifles yet no sniper worth map. Think recent Call of Duty.
Also, a good sniper in CoD BO knows locations to get kills and where to go.
I'm not saying there aren't spots, but they're often far from ideal. Firing Range comes to mind. There's essentially a sniper tower, the problem is the sides are completely open. Those open sides also cater the greatest area of open space that a sniper would love to cover.
or if you're a pro, you can no scope the enemy quite close, but will result in failure most of the time. Unless you're good.
Even if you're you have to get fairly close and shoot quickly. Any sniper that has to do that regularly is on the wrong map. It wouldn't be so bad if they removed the kill cams.
It's annoying, and ridiculously irritating having to move around a map relying on a sniper rifle for close range combat.
And that is why I always pack a pistol when I go sniping in CoD Black Ops. Although they are far less efficient than an SMG, they're fast, efficient, and easy to handle.
Also, snipers do not necessarily need to have high ground for extra view. A nice, grassy and flat area would also be an ideal place for sniping people in buildings.
Also, snipers do not necessarily need to have high ground for extra view. A nice, grassy and flat area would also be an ideal place for sniping people in buildings.
Agreed. But those are hard to find as well. Maybe it's just me, but I find Black Ops is not a sniper friendly game.
Black Ops is not at all a sniper friendly game, I had to work so hard for the 2 thousand some odd kills I have with the L96. Although, I have recently just been playing BC2, the hardcore is great fun when your sniping. Not to mention the map are about as sniper friendly as you can get on an FPS now days. The bullet drop aspect is just icing on the cake for me, I love the realistic feel it adds to sniping. It makes you actually have to try.
I have noticed in Halo Reach that sniping has been twisted and perverted beyond recognition. Take a game of team snipers for example. Everyone on the map running around with sniper rifles, and no one actually following the brilliant sniping strategy posted by wolf1991! It makes me mad.
Games like Halo and CoD aren't meant for people like you who want real sniping.
The why include sniper rifles? I see no point in including a sniper rifle if said sniper rifle is expected to be used as a shotgun on most maps.
My theory is that everyone became sick of people like me because we're considered "cheap". >.> Yes because waiting patiently for someone to be an idiot is somehow unfair...I don't know why snipers have declined though, does anyone?
I think Halo Reach is pretty sniper friendly. You just need to get the rifle. Have you seen Hemmorrhage? If that map is not sniper friendly, no map is.
Wolf I totally agree with the fact that you said snipers haul their *ss after the kill they're waiting for.
This morning I was playing Crysis 2 and I was playing on that map with the Lighthouse which I believe is redundantly named lighthouse. I waited for a good 30 seconds than saw what I wanted and picked of 3 guys in quick succession. Those are the kinds of moments I love. But then again I'm actually much better at fast-paced face-to-face action like in CoD. But I find it more fun to snipe so I respect both opinions.
Ultimately, the reality is that game developers only cater to one side or the other. Game developers should start making different games that cater to different people. Not that they already do, they've just been lacking in the sniping department. What I REALLY hope for is that game developers instead make ONE game but make maps that cater to different play styles and have playlists like: 1. Close and fast-paced 2. Sniping 3. A playlist where you can have large-scale maps with individual people playing therir own play-styles.
A more realistic approach would just be making maps like #3.
I would like to add that I dislike this modern pish-posh these children call: NOSHCOPE and QUICKSHCOPE. Real sniping is what I believe they call HARDSHCOPE.
meh i can usuay hold out for about wat whole match if its a good map like vila and you spawn on the right side (the c flag on dom) just check out my videos on sniping (either youtube ano1batman (psn) or yugioh6123 (channel) either one works)
