Add a commander "opt in" option

Zora-LinkZora-Link Join Date: 2012-11-17 Member: 172195Members
edited November 2012 in NS2 General Discussion
Just a thought. In the options, and at a certain time after you've been playing, such as after you lose your rookie tag, allow players to 'opt in' to be commander. Alternatively, ask players during the load screen if they want to opt in, and the side they'd like to opt in for. Then select a commander randomly from those who opted in. The load screen question makes more logical sense to me.

Part of the reason I suggest this is because of the ridiculously long pre caching times for this game resulting in a lot of the time missing out on commanding (compared to quicker loaders/people who have played that map since launching NS2), failing to even offer the opportunity for me to command, which I prefer greatly over being a foot soldier. Also because I'm sick to death of the 'race' in the beginning for the command seat.

Good idea, terrible idea?

<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Alternatively just fix the stupid long pre caching times.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->

EDIT: Also meant to add, for the purpose of pubs (Which this post is largely regarding...), perhaps a feature where if a commander hops out of their hive/command station, the commander position remains 'locked' to them for 30 seconds or so before someone else can jump in. Just a thought, after having someone hop into our hive when I had gotten out to kill a marine shooting it.

Comments

  • NikedawgNikedawg Join Date: 2012-10-11 Member: 162093Members
    While I don't command personally it would be nice to have this option, it is silly sometimes watching several players "race" to the hive. Would be a lot better if you could just be randomed into it.
  • XerondXerond Undefined Join Date: 2004-07-09 Member: 29817Members, Constellation
    I think this is a good idea, at least mod worthy. A commander election that happens while the game loads. Simple, straightforward.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    Why? This makes no sense. The system is already opt in and it's already random. There's literally nothing changing here aside from a few moments of running time.
  • glimmermanglimmerman Join Date: 2004-04-29 Member: 28300Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=2028595:date=Nov 19 2012, 04:21 PM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Swiftspear @ Nov 19 2012, 04:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2028595"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why? This makes no sense. The system is already opt in and it's already random. There's literally nothing changing here aside from a few moments of running time.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Got it in one.

    /thread
  • Zora-LinkZora-Link Join Date: 2012-11-17 Member: 172195Members
    edited November 2012
    <!--quoteo(post=2028595:date=Nov 19 2012, 03:21 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Swiftspear @ Nov 19 2012, 03:21 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2028595"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Why? This makes no sense. The system is already opt in and it's already random. There's literally nothing changing here aside from a few moments of running time.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It's opt in if you've been able to:
    1) Load in before the game starts
    2) Get on the side you want, assuming it isn't filled
    3) Then actually spawn before the countdown begins

    Then you have to win the 'race' for the hive/command station, and hoping you spawned closer to it than the others who want commander. It's silly.

    Not exactly an equal opportunity 'opt in.' If you can't see the difference between the proposed idea and the current system, well then...

    <!--quoteo(post=2028651:date=Nov 19 2012, 05:32 AM:name=glimmerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (glimmerman @ Nov 19 2012, 05:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2028651"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Got it in one.

    /thread<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    How constructive.
  • BVKnightBVKnight Join Date: 2012-02-26 Member: 147496Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2028987:date=Nov 19 2012, 01:02 PM:name=Zora-Link)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zora-Link @ Nov 19 2012, 01:02 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2028987"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->It's opt in if you've been able to:
    1) Load in before the game starts
    2) Get on the side you want, assuming it isn't filled
    3) Then actually spawn before the countdown begins

    Then you have to win the 'race' for the hive/command station, and hoping you spawned closer to it than the others who want commander. It's silly.

    Not exactly an equal opportunity 'opt in.'<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    No, he's got it right. Your idea is exactly the same as what currently exists, just in different form.

    1) The only disadvantage of a long pre-cache is that you won't get an equal opportunity <b>for the first round only</b>. With your idea, however, the game start would have to be postponed until every single person had finished loading the game, in order to give everyone a fair chance. That won't work with people connecting at different times and with different hardware. With every subsequent round on that map, you have the same chance as everyone else.
    2) An opt-in for commander during a load-in screen could not be allowed to supersede the team balance of those already joining teams. Yes you might not get on the team you want, but them's the breaks.
    3) There is no spawning time during the countdown before a round begins. It happens instantly. If you have joined after the countdown has ended, you don't deserve the chance to be commander anyway, since they need you from the very beginning.

    In the current system, people opt-in by trying to get to the command chair--it's random because your starting position determines who gets it. Same system, less work.

    I wouldn't mind seeing more of a delay added for when players can join a team when the map loads, or for the game to not start until at least 2 players have joined each team. Right now two players can hit the readyroom after a round ends, immediately join opposite teams, and start the game before the rest of the players can move to the team portals. The game has already been going for several seconds by the time teams start filling in, which just messes with things.
  • ZekZek Join Date: 2002-11-10 Member: 7962Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    The game shouldn't be starting when a significant number of players are still loading. Games have been starting too fast for ages.
  • UnderwhelmedUnderwhelmed DemoDetective #?&#33; Join Date: 2006-09-19 Member: 58026Members, Constellation
    I've suggested this for NS1 a while back and I think it's a good idea for NS2 as well: Allow teams to vote for their commander. You can have a pre-game screen where players can opt-in to be commander and the team gets to vote for whoever has nominated themselves. Votes increase the probability to be selected as commander (Ex. If you get 80% of the vote, you have an 80% chance of being selected). Stops the mad scramble to the chair/early game confusion, doesn't lock out less popular commanders but still gives preference to ones that the players deem the better commander.
  • LilbitHeartlessLilbitHeartless Join Date: 2012-11-19 Member: 172517Members
    I can see it being annoying if it takes you awhile to load into the game. If anything it would be nice to have the game start a little bit later.

    Not a fan of the voting idea, although I like when the team I'm on keeps getting the same awesome commander I also think it's great when a new random person hops in and ends up being great. Obviously Mr. Random New Dude wouldn't get votes.
  • SopsSops Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17894Members, Constellation
    Or they could just extend the warm up round another 10 seconds. Problem solved.
  • Zora-LinkZora-Link Join Date: 2012-11-17 Member: 172195Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2029643:date=Nov 20 2012, 12:02 AM:name=Sops)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sops @ Nov 20 2012, 12:02 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2029643"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Or they could just extend the warm up round another 10 seconds. Problem solved.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Works for me too!

    I'd just like to see something be done to at least level the playing field. My biggest issue is with the load times screwing anyone who isn't a quick loader over.
  • SwiftspearSwiftspear Custim tital Join Date: 2003-10-29 Member: 22097Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2029180:date=Nov 19 2012, 04:53 PM:name=Zek)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zek @ Nov 19 2012, 04:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2029180"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The game shouldn't be starting when a significant number of players are still loading. Games have been starting too fast for ages.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Or loading too slow.

    Another disadvantage of a randomized opt in system.... VERY often comm chair is negotiated. If I call comm, but there's a better player who asks me to stand down so he can comm instead, I may be happy to. If someone is just shoved in there, well, no more negotiation. Random number generators are never better a discerning who should comm then the team communicating together is.
  • Zora-LinkZora-Link Join Date: 2012-11-17 Member: 172195Members
    <!--quoteo(post=2030950:date=Nov 21 2012, 12:42 AM:name=Swiftspear)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Swiftspear @ Nov 21 2012, 12:42 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2030950"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Or loading too slow.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The optimization for loading in this game is... backwards. Whatever is done for it makes it load significantly slower than any other game I've played, during loading times.

    <!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Another disadvantage of a randomized opt in system.... VERY often comm chair is negotiated. If I call comm, but there's a better player who asks me to stand down so he can comm instead, I may be happy to. If someone is just shoved in there, well, no more negotiation. Random number generators are never better a discerning who should comm then the team communicating together is.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    "Very often"? I wish I was in your games. :(

    Besides, have it as a server option, not to mention the commander could still just leave the chair.
  • GlissGliss Join Date: 2003-03-23 Member: 14800Members, Constellation, NS2 Map Tester
    edited November 2012
    simpler idea: game doesn't start until both teams have a commander

    Whoa.
  • HusarHusar Join Date: 2012-11-11 Member: 169523Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=2027560:date=Nov 18 2012, 05:36 AM:name=Zora-Link)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zora-Link @ Nov 18 2012, 05:36 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2027560"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Part of the reason I suggest this is because of the ridiculously long pre caching times for this game resulting in a lot of the time missing out on commanding (compared to quicker loaders/people who have played that map since launching NS2), failing to even offer the opportunity for me to command, which I prefer greatly over being a foot soldier. Also because I'm sick to death of the 'race' in the beginning for the command seat.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Awkward, in most of the games I've played the players, me included, run like hell from the command station in the manner like "Who is last at the comm chair <b>IS</b> comm".

    <!--quoteo(post=2029187:date=Nov 19 2012, 10:01 PM:name=Underwhelmed)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Underwhelmed @ Nov 19 2012, 10:01 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2029187"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I've suggested this for NS1 a while back and I think it's a good idea for NS2 as well: Allow teams to vote for their commander. You can have a pre-game screen where players can opt-in to be commander and the team gets to vote for whoever has nominated themselves. Votes increase the probability to be selected as commander (Ex. If you get 80% of the vote, you have an 80% chance of being selected). Stops the mad scramble to the chair/early game confusion, doesn't lock out less popular commanders but still gives preference to ones that the players deem the better commander.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I like that idea very much. Popular comms get to comm more often. But everyone who opted in for comm should get a minimum of chance to be randomly elected else with new comms it will be like don't know, don't want, never gets a random chance though opted in.
  • Omega_K2Omega_K2 Join Date: 2011-12-25 Member: 139013Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=2033511:date=Nov 24 2012, 12:18 PM:name=Gliss)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Gliss @ Nov 24 2012, 12:18 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2033511"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->simpler idea: game doesn't start until both teams have a commander

    Whoa.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Yeah exactly. The other idea can be implemented aswell, but this one should be done first :)
  • TimariusTimarius Join Date: 2012-11-15 Member: 171220Members
    I know this is crazy, but... ready button. Everyone loads in, joins a team, then presses the ready button. 70% to start, server counts all connections, including those still loading.
  • Zora-LinkZora-Link Join Date: 2012-11-17 Member: 172195Members
    edited November 2012
    Honestly, any of these ideas sound good to me, I'd just like something to be done to at least make it a bit more fair. I do like the idea of ready votes as well, though you could also get those people who just sit in the ready room not moving screwing it up. Which then leads back to people loading slowly into the game in the first place, since to avoid the ready room people it would have to include people on teams. Full circle.
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