Poll: Official Multiplayer Game Server

Meglobob · #1 February 17th, 2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Tyrant said:
I also worry that noobs who join a game and get clobbered and then can't find another one quick enough will give up the game.

Yes, I agree with this. New players are very vulnerable to being overrun early and becoming disillusioned with the game. The number of mistakes I have made in MP are huge and the late game in particular takes some getting used too. More beginner only games are definately a must, otherwise the community will not grow.

Gandalf Parker · #2 February 17th, 2007, 11:50 PM

There is also a disadvantage that with so few games, there is a higher chance that an expert will be in each game. That doesnt necessarily help newbies gain interest either.

But I dont think that anyone is arguing the need for more servers. Im not sure that we can justify extensive cost layout for one by Shrapnel. Would an extensive web signup system increase interest? Probably. Would it generate new sales? Possibly. Enough to cover the cost and slightly beyond? I dont know.

And how many games would it need to be? If it ran 10 games then that could fill up in a couple of days. And those games could run for months. 10 new games every couple of days? or every week? Even if it were 10 new games a month with all of the nations in an era, then that could end up being alot of games and alot of computer power and alot of administration.

We all agree that we want it. But its not simple after that.

Maltrease · #3 February 18th, 2007, 11:05 AM

How many copies of Dominions have been sold? Maybe take $.25 from each copy and put it towards the server cost, plus the amount people are willing to donate.

Personally I can't handle more then 2-3 games at a time. Sure when they are first starting out I'd love to play 10. But once you are spending 15-45 minutes a turn... that becomes a big commitment. Which then leads to abandonment or sloppy play.

Actually that is something that should be strongly conveyed to new players. I bet this "mistake" has been made by most people... I know it got me in a bit of trouble with Dom2.

I think Esbens base code is a great way to go. If the sever can give the game owners the ability to restart games, do all settings, perhaps even some file manipulation to remove a corrupt turn submission then it can be mostly self managed.

Gandalf Parker · #4 February 18th, 2007, 12:18 PM

On my server one of the big automation needs I have found is a way to decide that a game is dead and delete it. People tend to just wander away from the game and leave it running. Of course you can watch for anything where no one turns in a turn but that gets into problems with games that are taking a break.