Pre-Game Faction Selection

[Asterix]

I've had this idea for a while. Whenever i make a game on the online server, people come, but half the time i don't know if they're going to be random, or if they are not done picking. There should be a <picking> and a <random. button, so u can tell the difference. Any ways just an idea, see what other players think

[Joram]

Usually I just type in something like "Are you ready?"

However, I see the point that you are making, and while not necessary, it would be a nice touch.

However again, I'm not the one that would have to make the change. That makes the idea look better than it might otherwise.

[Turuk]

Well, if the game cannot start until everyone has selected a faction, even if it is random, why could you not tell then?




Moved to the proper forum and fixed the thread title.

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[deoxy]

Well, if the game cannot start until everyone has selected a faction, even if it is random, why could you not tell then?

It can start, as it defaults to "Random" for everyone, and, if you get someone who takes a little time deciding on their faction, you don't know if they have picked random or are still picking.

It annoys me, too, actually - it creates the need to ask the classic, "Everyone ready?" question. If the default was "Nothing", "empty", "still choosing", etc, then you would know when everyone was ready.

[Turuk]

It can start, as it defaults to "Random" for everyone, and, if you get someone who takes a little time deciding on their faction, you don't know if they have picked random or are still picking.

Fair enough, which is why I asked it as a question since I was not completely sure as I had never experienced being forced random myself. Well then, makes sense to me.

[Thrawn]

I like this idea ^__^

[Asterix]

At least 3 times this has happened to me when i join a game, all because of dial up. After i choose unit i hit"ok" and in a blink its already loading the actual game. This happens to me not because i'm a slow chooser, but becuase it shows i have joined the game the minute i click "join" After i click this, it takes like 45 seconds to load to where i can pick. In that time, the other players have thought i was going random and have already started the game

[ancestral]

Most multiplayer games out there have a "Ready" button which triggers a "Ready" status. The game doesn't begin until everyone is set. It's fair for all parties as, if people have last minute questions they can still ask them before they begin the game.

The immediate downside, were a "Ready" button to be implemented, is people would need to start remembering to use it

[Dragonchampion]

Ya, that was one thing I noticed different from other strategy game multiplayers- no ready button. I think it would be a good one to add.

[Lizard]

Also, I know this has been suggested before but I think a 'Ready' button for the game lobby should be implemented.

The latest discussion (2007) didn't result in anything either, that probably means the the ones capable of coding it would rather chat "ready?" and the ones wanting it can't code it/don't bother enough since it isn't trivial.

This actually isn't a bad idea. I don't know about the game starting itself, but at least if a player had a ready button to select the host would at least know the player is there, then the host could confidently begin the game.

Personally I won't start a game until every player at least replies when I ask "Is everyone ready?". History has proven that if a player can't be bothered to at least acknowledge they are ready, then that player will generally quit within 3 turns.

If this isn't implemented properly, it would be a counter-indication of readiness. All players need to prompted by the host for their 'ready' state - maybe even with a timeout. If it isn't prompted a player can flag himself as ready and walk away and be engrossed in daily life.

Although, this doesn't really provide much of an improvement over the text query for readiness state.
I.E.
host: ready?
player2: yes
player3: y
etc..

Although I do see a benefit because this could be implemented client side and therefore have the necessary translations - avoiding misunderstanding due to language barrier.

I think you can get your ready button if you submit a good patch. Don't trust me on that, ask #wesnoth-dev first