: It seems that join in progress has gone from one extreme to another. It's
: looking like once the game has hit a halfway point, either from time or
: score (or both?), join in progress cuts off regardless of how close a game
: is.

This is correct. A system exactly like this was implemented.

:I'm not sure if it's possible, but I feel it would benefit the game if
: there was some way to detect how close a game is and how long is left in
: the game, not just some half way threshold. If the game is within 1-2
: kills or even a single flag cap or tied up, and one team has lost some
: players, getting someone in there can be the difference between a win or a
: loss, especially if there are still many kills left to go, or if in CTF
: you're looking at a 3-2 score with 5 caps to win.

This was a hot point of discussion a few months ago and public opinion was overwhelmingly in the other camp from what you are proposing.

It actually WAS how you described it before, JIP working until the game was over. That led to frustration from players being dropped into a game with only a few points left or with no chance to win (example, being dropped into a game where the score is 80-90 or more lopsided say 40-90). By the time the JIP player spawns its already over. That had happened to me multiple times an I found it very frustrating.

Apparently enough players also felt the same way because 343 refined JIP to only take players to a certain threshold, and it is a combination of score/time. The Hardcore competitive playlists have JIP disabled if I'm not mistaken, so just like the old days when a teammate quits it is what it is.

When you say "getting someone in there can be the difference between a win or a
: loss, especially if there are still many kills left to go, or if in CTF
: you're looking at a 3-2 score with 5 caps to win."

I'd have to disagree for the most part because you are assuming that 'someone' is going to be a player with the necessary skills to tip the game in your favor again, or someone who will asses the situation and know exactly what the plan is or something and that just seems very unlikely to me.

I see what you're saying- but in your case it seems like that problem could be alleviated by playing with a party rather than randoms.