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kmolter
kmolter
Join Date 07/2008
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Biggest Weakness of On-line Multiplayer RTS Games: The Players

July 30, 2008 3:35:55 PM from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums

I enjoy RTS games, but have found on-line play to be less than enjoyable.  Apparently, what I am looking for is not what the majority of on-line players is there for.  I typically go on-line after I have figured out how to beat the AI in single player mode, looking for a human opponent or two that I can match wits against in a friendly manner.

What I find instead is many players who have the maturity of a typical 10-year-old.  I mean the person who will text you things like "OMG ur such a NOOB!!!" and generally mock and gloat ad nauseum.  I have literally asked players how old they are, because I was curious if I was playing a pre-teen or what.

Then of course you have the inconsiderate players who will just quit in the middle of a game with no explanation. Would they do that in a face-to-face game? - probably not, but the anonymity of the web changes people.

And in some cases there are teams of experts who seem to know each other and enjoy teaming up and wiping out a less experienced team.  I get more excited by losing to a strategy I hadn't thought of, and learning from it, than by winning big against an inferior opponent. 

Are there some out there who just want to learn to play better, test out new strategies against someone else, discuss what works and why, etc?  I'm sure they are out there, but they are in the minority, and hard to find.  What's needed is a matchmaker system to match players according to ability and what they want out of the game.

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kmolter
P5yy
Join Date 06/2007
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Reply #1 July 30, 2008 4:55:01 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I agree with all your points. I would add however

Point 2 - This is more prevalent in other RTS games. Ive found that by comparison , Soase has by far a very mature community. This could be linked to how Sins is a slow complicated game requiring the patience that kids often lack.

Point 3 - This is by far the games biggest sin. What I find is that many sins online players arent "long-time RTS players" so dont understand the concept of not quitting without explanation. Alot are just curious singleplayer peeps who have never set foot in the RTS arena before and many times ive witness them quitting without saying a word. Lukily a few in Sins come from the Homeworld series , and ive notice these players will never quit because they have learnt the etiqutte from this previous RTS games. My "rts career" would be... Total annihilation->Homeworld 2->SW EaW->DoW->TA Spring->Sins ...so I know the etiquette.


Point 4 - Ok I kinda think this is just how it is. I know its wrong , and experts are doing themselves a disservice because they develop bad habits from beating noobs , but I guess experts are just sick of having to babysit noobs who will quit anyway. Lots of experts will say they are friends too.

Point 5 - I would have said yes , but then I think..this is Sins. Is it worth it? no. Is it worth learning stuff for Homeworld 3 if that came out? yes. Was it worth learning the ins and out of Homeworld? yes. Sins? no. Matchmaking in sins? lulz.







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kmolter
KingBingo
Join Date 04/2007
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Reply #2 July 30, 2008 6:00:43 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
That's not just RTS, that's the internet full stop.

You get that level of inconsideration and immaturity on everything from forums to Poker sites. Although that's fun because if you know what your doing you can take their allowance while they vent expletives.

The guy above is right Sins is relatively mature. But I am hopeful things will improve on the net. Reason I say this is because I'm a first generation home gamer. and by that I mean the old BBC computer, the one where you had to play it a tape cassette so you could play a 10 pixel game. But I'm still (just) in my twenties. In ten years time your still have your newbies, but your have more of the old'skool around. The average age will rise and the general tone will change for the better.

Maybe.
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kmolter
Hack78
Join Date 04/2008
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Reply #3 July 30, 2008 11:20:08 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I refer you to my post which complains about many of the things you mentioned above...

Until the quit option is removed and changed to a "No Contest" option which does not record stats AND requires people to vote and accept it, people should only be able to surrender and therefore get the lose they deserve for quiting.

Point 4 - Ok I kinda think this is just how it is. I know its wrong , and experts are doing themselves a disservice because they develop bad habits from beating noobs , but I guess experts are just sick of having to babysit noobs who will quit anyway. Lots of experts will say they are friends too.


I think this is partially true - however I think that some of the better players get some deep gratification from opening a can of whoop ass on some smart assed punk who shoots their mouth off in the lobby. Or even in the game "Oh look - I killed XYZ's fleet, so I am better then XYZ!!!!". And then they wonder why they get wiped out - XYZ was either playing with them and/or was having to deal with something else as well as them...
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kmolter
Cykur
Join Date 03/2003
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Reply #4 August 15, 2008 6:02:15 AM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Quitting is a problem, to be sure, though we have to keep in mind sometimes the game crashes.

One of the problems with Sins is people can change their name constantly and behave badly. By changing their name every few games they avoid reprisal from the community, which can generally self police if people become widely known as nuisances.

As to the "teams of experts", while I have certainly been on those teams, I also have played many a game where I took someone on my team because I knew they were a reliable player who wouldn't give up. Sometimes I would even squash someone, but be impressed by their general tenacity that I would take them on my team in the next game I played. I would much rather have an OK player with a good attitude than a skilled player who quits if things aren't going his way, and there are some otherwise skilled players who do that.

The biggest frustration of SINS is that the game takes a while to play out...even when victory is certain. I don't take much pleasure in playing these games, because as you say, there is not much to be gained from crushing someone who is nowhere near your skill level.

Just hang in there and build your friends so you can try and team up with the better players you meet. If you seriously like the game, go to the Clan forums and find yourself a Clan. Most of those experts play together for one reason: While it sucks to have poor enemies, it sucks worse to have poor allies.
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kmolter
P5yy
Join Date 06/2007
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Reply #5 August 15, 2008 2:54:04 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I think the most Hated group should be the Silent Quitter and sins unfortunely is full of these noobs . Quitting in general is understandable because the game is so long. And surrendering is just as bad as quitting , because it leaves an Inert AI for his allies.

I dont mind a player quitting if he says "gg" , or types to tell me he feels the game is over. Im fine with that since spending hours planet bombing gets old. I mean lets face it , the stats are pointless , only thing that matters is the fun and interaction , whether its being humble in victory or sporting in defeat. Even if I lose , to atleast share a bit of sporting banter with my opposition when ive lost , makes me feel like a winner because ive had fun and the opposition has recognised that too . Its better then to be winning a game , and then suddenly the guy silently dissappears without saying a single word. Victory screen comes up but your feeling a bit stunned and WTF. Its insulting.








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kmolter
Flammablecamel
Join Date 08/2008
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Reply #6 August 15, 2008 3:09:03 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
Why do people like you cry so hard when someone makes fun of you in a game anyway? Why do you expect someone to stay in a game they have already lost, that will take another 45 minutes to end? To answer your question, yes I am 6 years old, immature and really don't know any better.
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kmolter
Kitkun
Join Date 06/2008
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Reply #7 August 15, 2008 3:16:09 PM
from Sins of a Solar Empire ForumsSins of a Solar Empire Forums
I think what people have been saying is that the problem there is when people quit without warning.
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