Space_Jock

Join Date 07/2008

How is the online for this game?

I've been reading up on this game and looking at videos and I must say, I am really impressed. It's like everything I've ever asked for in a game. I was pretty close to buying it, though, when I read that there are only ever about 125 people online. Is that true? Is the online community really that weak? My main concerns with that is I won't A. be able to find a game or B. only ever run in to the pros and not be able to play with anyone at my own skill level.

So is it ture that there aren't many people playing online or do you think the online isn't so bad as to not buy the game?

Thanks

multiplayer

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Is that True?

Yes and No. Its true there are 125 people online at any one time , but its enough to get you games. Dont worry about availability and having tons of different type of games to join

Its different in sins. Person that can host comes on and hosts a 4vs4. 7 people join. Next few wait in lobby until a new host comes. He hosts a 3vs3 , the next 5 join...

People can wait for 5-10 minutes in the lobby at non-peak times , but at peak times theres often a 4vs4 or 3vs3 waiting to fill up.

Most games are 3vs3 and 4vs4 , and usually hosts just want their games to fill up quick so they can start so nobody is going to check your newb status. Even with 0 games , its rare for anyone to bat an eyelid other then to balance teams appropriately. Its a complete mixed bag of skill levels. You get skilled , average , learners , casuals , noobs everything... There are very few pro-only games in Sins.

Peak Time GMT 11.00pm - 2.00am

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How is the game online - EPIC

During the week it can be a bit light (if I play it is evening in Australia) as people are at work etc... - but on weekends there are almost always people coming and going - and if you can host, that is a very easy way to get a game as many people can't and so are waiting for someone to host. I was off sick for a few days and there were alot more on during the Australian day, meaning US evening/night - and Europe is starting to ramp up

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the multiplayer is kinda weak
played alot of games online
and this, well

singleplayer is really nice
but this game...

1) the game isn't made for multiplayer it seems. The speed of the game is way too slow

i played 1 game 1v1 on the smallest map and that was manageable. But in the larger maps....
Just "finished" a 3v3 on a map with 41 planets. took about 40 minutes before it became difficult, and after 1h40minutes the stupid game crashed

now in aoc/starcraft/aom/aoe3/c&c you're up fighting at min5-10, and the game is finished at min30-45. Thhe rare occasion that you play a 2-3 hour game in those games, well, you had action all that time with intense battles

2) the online server:
- no ranking system

- since there is no ranking system: players aren't punished for leaving a game instead of surrendering
- when a player leaves, a stupid AI takes over. So even when all your opponents leave, you're still left with the stupid AI's before you win the game
- finding a game is... anoying. when you host a game, you have no more view on the amount of users in the lobby. You can still chat in it, but not see how many people are there. Only tried playing it online 6 times.
1st time nobody was on (well, 25 according to the system, but nobody in the lobby)
2d time i started a 3v3 (took 15 minutes to start pfff) and after 1 hour in game we had no battles yet due to stupid freakky big map and 4 players left (yey)
nr 3 was a nice short 1v1 in which i got hammered

4 & 5: quitted after 20 minutes with no game
6th time: started a 3v3 again, with lame result (again)

conclusion: it is promising, but needs some urgent fixes

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You over exagerate I think

Of course the game is made for multiplayer - since the single player is EXACTLY the same except an AI controls the enemy instead of a human
It takes too long is a poor complaint - You can be engaged in fights with other players within 5 minutes depending on various conditions such as selected game speed(s)/map and of course the tactics you are the enemy employ (e.g. rushing vs turtling).

Just because the game take over an hour to finish (more like closer to 2 hours) does not mean there is no action etc... going on!!!

You need to understand that since this game takes a reasonable amount of time to get a resolution, if people are at work when you want to play, they won't be there...
If the lobby says there are 50 odd people online (most of who will be actually in a game), then you will probably have to wait a bit.
If there are 100+, then you can have something up and running fairly quickly...

And to qualify my points I would like to point out that this weekend I will probably pass the 100 game started mark - so I have played online a bit more and therefore know what occurs compared to someone who has played 6 games

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the_Monk

Join Date 01/2008

+222

I guess hanging out in the lobby waiting to help people with their hosting issues would make me really lame by Noorse's standards...

Seriously though, Space_Jock I've only played some 30 games (or so...since Feb 4th /08) online and most (if not all) were quite satisfying. I haven't been bitten by any "crashes" etc. yet, and although some people disconnect when it becomes obvious they're about to lose, this also hasn't been too common as my experience.

I believe the best way to enjoy any game in a multiplayer environment is to find like-minded individuals and meet for games on a semi-regular basis. Might be a good idea to check out the "Multiplayer Organizer" thread or see if there are still some active clans for SINS. I'm sure the clans for SINS are a lot more "casual" than say most of the FPS-geared clans out there.

Feel free to hit me up on xfire sometime and maybe we'll have a friendly game or two with some friends of mine (we're all casual gamers.....not hardcore, build-strategy nuts!)

the Monk

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Well, it's true that, sadly, the online player counts aren't really high. I'd say that about 125-150 people online sounds about accurate for North American prime time with fewer people on at other times and few people on (say, 30) early in the North American morning.

However, I play this game online all of the time and I haven't had much difficulty finding games to play in. However, I can also host games which kind of makes me similar to a rock star. One of the problems with the game as it stands right now is that not everyone can host and you have to configure your router properly. A beta of the 1.1 patch which is supposed to fix this problem so that anyone can host is scheduled to be released this month.

Don't let that stop you from buying the game. You'll be able to find games during North American prime time and at other times and the 1.1 patch might bring some people back online.

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a stupid AI takes over. So even when all your opponents leave, you're still left with the stupid AI's before you win the game-

False. When your last opponent leaves or surrenders you get the Victory screen.

It sounds like you've just had one or two bad experiences. Why not try getting on at 8 pm U.S. Eastern Standard Time. You'll find games quickly.

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played the last 2 nights (which is "primtetime" in usa) and there wreen't exactly alot of players online

alto of players, well. at the end of aoc we considered it a fact that there was "nobody" online. But that was still about 200-300 players.
even now they have more players online then you find here at the "primetime"

Now don't get me wrong. I like the game. But the online lobby can/has to be improved with some easy adaptions.

And erm, you only get "action" after 5 minutes if you happen to be next to someone else. and in a 3v3: fat chance.

also: there is no option to change the gamespeed? Only options to accelarate different things (ships speed, construction, ...) but that is definatly not the same as putting the speed of the game higher;

In fact, those options alter the game alot but don't necesarily speed up the game

to hack: 100 games in what time period?

the fun aspect of a multiplayer consists of:
- playing against other people
- playing against alot of other people
- chatting in the lobbies (which is totally absent aswell in here)

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Let's all just put it mildly by saying that the online system could "Use some work"

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Got my 100th game today - been online for about 5-6 weeks I would guess - def no more then 2 months

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