How about a TIMER option?

from Sins Forums
What do you guys think about having a TIMER option? You can set the game to end after so many minutes or hours.

This would be especially useful for multiplayer games when you know you only have 2 hours to play, for example.

It would also help players to choose different strategies based on how long the game will be. If you know the game is only going to be an hour long then you know not to try the culture strategy.

This would also reduce the number of disconnected games by the host leaving. If the host created a 3 hour game then he would be more inclined to hang around for the 3 hour duration. The same applies for those who joined the game.

The game host would have the option of turning the timer on or off. This means you can still play a game with no timer at all.


Currently, players join a game having no idea how long the game is going to last.  Many players join a game knowing full well they will be quiting in an hour, for example.  The same applies for game hosts.  Having a timer will reduce the number of disconnected games.
33,421 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
Of course, you would need a TOTAL SCORE for each player to determine the winner if you're going to have a timer.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
This is such a good idea for multiplayer games that I'm going to bump it one last time to see if it gets any attention.

Peace!
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
EDIT
It's there for a fucking reason.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
EDITIt's there for a fucking reason.
End of quote


Wrong there buddy.

I reposted a reply to bump up the thread. Get a clue.
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Could be neat, though I doubt it would be used much, especially compared to how much work I think would be involved in creating such a system (mostly devising a way to fairly calculate such a "final score").
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
Could be neat, though I doubt it would be used much, especially compared to how much work I think would be involved in creating such a system (mostly devising a way to fairly calculate such a "final score").
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Well, it's really for multiplayer. I think it would be a nice option for the host to have. The host can choose not to have a timer at all.

Currently, a multiplayer game could last for days straight depending on the skill of the players.

I would like the option to host or join a game that I know will only last 2 hours (or whatever time the host wants to set).
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
Well, it's really for multiplayer. I think it would be a nice option for the host to have. The host can choose not to have a timer at all.

Currently, a multiplayer game could last for days straight depending on the skill of the players.
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I can't figure out what gave you the impression that I was talking about SP? The original author pointed out that this would mainly be for multiplayer use, and I didn't say anything to indicate I was talking about SP. You seem to dismiss me as talking about SP, solely because I don't fully agree with you.

I would like the option to host or join a game that I know will only last 2 hours (or whatever time the host wants to set).
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Based on the game settings, you are normally able to fairly sucessfully estimate how long the game is going to last. So if you show some forethought, you'll be able to play a game within the time limits you have. Other than that, most other players are often understanding of the fact that you have to leave. Several times, I've ended games as either an agreed draw (locked teams) or as a winner (unlocked teams, all remaining players ally) because either my opponent(s) or myself had to leave. Sometimes, we did so simply because the game had reached a boring stalemate.

I still believe that having such a timer as an option would be useful, but I also still think its use will be limited. Most players simply won't want to constrain themselves time-wise, unless they share the host's time plight. Sure, you might be able to increase the usefulness of the timer by making it subject to in-game options (determined by the host or votes), but that would just open another can of worms.


Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
I see no problem in giving the host the option to choose to have a timer or not. Freedom is always good.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
I see no problem in giving the host the option to choose to have a timer or not. Freedom is always good.
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I'm honestly not trying to be disrespectful. But, did you even read what I wrote?
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
we don't f'n need this.

First how do you propose to decide what is worth more? That LRM fleet or a bunch of research stations for a HC rush? You along with just about everyone else will get their panties in a bunch because no one will agree what is worth more. There is no hope of balancing the end score to have a victor and any attempt by the devs would detract from actual improvements to the game.


Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
we don't f'n need this.
End of quote


There is nothing wrong with making it an option. If YOU don't want it then when you host a game online then YOU don't have to select it. Get it?

For those of us who get tired of people quiting in the middle of a game, or for those of us who only have X amount of hours to play then a TIMER would be perfect. Get it?

The TOP 2 reasons why people quit in the middle of a game are:

1. They are losing
2. They have ran out of time

If you're looking for an online game to join and you KNOW you only have 2 hours to play are you going to join the game with a 2 hour time limit or the game with no time limit?

Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top

I really could use a timer. I find out sometimes by looking at the graphs that i fell behind in certain areas, such as ship building. If i had a timer I will know that by X time my fleet size is usually this big.
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
I really could use a timer. I find out sometimes by looking at the graphs that i fell behind in certain areas, such as ship building. If i had a timer I will know that by X time my fleet size is usually this big.
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The TIMER option idea is definitely for online multiplayer gaming. There would be no use for it on a single player game since you have a SAVE option.
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
I think that you should make it for single player as well. You could base the score on you fleet size, number of colonies, resources and how far your culture has spread.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
A typical online Win-Loss record for someone is:

47 games played
13 wins
2 losses

This means there were 32 games unaccounted for.

I believe a TIMER option could dramatically reduce the unaccounted games. If someone is getting spanked, instead of simply quiting, they may be a gentleman and hang in there until the TIMER is up.

Again, I'm saying it should only be an OPTION for hosts and players. If you don't like the idea of a timer then don't host or join a game with a timer.

The #1 multiplayer downfall for this game is the amount of time required to play a single game. The TIMER option will fix this problem.
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
How about replying to the rest of my post.
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You're in the category of those who don't want a timer. So, simply don't host or join games with a timer. Case closed.
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
The idea ist not entirely new. In Civilization a game for world domination can last weeks(or more) when you play 1-2h a day. Therefore you can set a round-limit. Then you just count existing cities, population, lost units etc. .Now you just have to grade it in some way, done.
Couldn't be too hard to implement a counter which triggers gameend in Sins...