6 issues with the current MP user interface

from Sins Forums

1.  I can see that there are 20 games currently started, but I can’t see what those game’s names are nor who (or how many players) are in those games.  I want to be able to see this info.  Seeing how long it’s been going on would also be nice.  If I could see that there is a 5v5 that has been going on for about 1 hour, I can figure it will likely be over soon and can wait for a follow on game.

 

2.  When I make a game, I can only talk to the people in my game’s room or in the Lobby, I can’t talk or monitor both because there are not 2 windows and there should be.

 

3.  When I enter a game, I can no longer see how many people are in the lobby, I should be able to monitor who is in the lobby and talk to people in the lobby while also hosting a game or while in a game’s chat room.

 

4.  I should be able to see what other games are currently available while I am in a game or while hosting.  When waiting for a game to fill up, I have to leave and then check to see what other games have been created before returning the game I was waiting in.

 

5.  After a mini-dump/disconnect, I can’t reconnect, being able to do so would be nice.

 

6.  I want to be able to preview a map while in the multiplayer interface.  I still don’t know about 75% of the maps in the game because I always play online and it’s usually the random maps that skilled players want to play.  The only people who will play one of the pre-built maps are usually new people who’s skill level is quite below mine.

 

I feel that if there was a way to preview the maps while in the game, more people would be interested in playing prebuilt maps.  I think people don’t want to play a map they don’t know online because they could be at a serious disadvantage.

 

Probably all been brought up before by others, but I am posting it because I have not specifically highlighted these things myself yet and I feel like doing so because I can't get a MP game going because so few people are online right now...

8,003 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

Personally, my biggest complaint is the way MP is set up, not necessarily the interface.  But I do agree with most of your assessments there.  I'd like to see a matchmaking system implemented myself.  Like the way Halo MP is set up.  You choose how many people you want to play against, and the game finds players who have a similar skill (i.e. similar win/lose ratio) as you, and sets up the game.

-Twi /)

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top


1.  I can see that there are 20 games currently started, but I can’t see what those game’s names are nor who (or how many players) are in those games.  I want to be able to see this info.  Seeing how long it’s been going on would also be nice.  If I could see that there is a 5v5 that has been going on for about 1 hour, I can figure it will likely be over soon and can wait for a follow on game.

 

2.  When I make a game, I can only talk to the people in my game’s room or in the Lobby, I can’t talk or monitor both because there are not 2 windows and there should be.

 

3.  When I enter a game, I can no longer see how many people are in the lobby, I should be able to monitor who is in the lobby and talk to people in the lobby while also hosting a game or while in a game’s chat room.

 

4.  I should be able to see what other games are currently available while I am in a game or while hosting.  When waiting for a game to fill up, I have to leave and then check to see what other games have been created before returning the game I was waiting in.

 

5.  After a mini-dump/disconnect, I can’t reconnect, being able to do so would be nice.

 

6.  I want to be able to preview a map while in the multiplayer interface.  I still don’t know about 75% of the maps in the game because I always play online and it’s usually the random maps that skilled players want to play.  The only people who will play one of the pre-built maps are usually new people who’s skill level is quite below mine.

 

I feel that if there was a way to preview the maps while in the game, more people would be interested in playing prebuilt maps.  I think people don’t want to play a map they don’t know online because they could be at a serious disadvantage.

 

Probably all been brought up before by others, but I am posting it because I have not specifically highlighted these things myself yet and I feel like doing so because I can't get a MP game going because so few people are online right now...

 

1. No doubt a nice feature, but probably way beyond the engine.

 

2. You can actually switch channels. So host the game, and then switch to channel "Lobby 1" to advertise it. Dont forget to go back to your game channel though, as no chat from inside there will be visible to you. Or ask one of the joined people to advertise the game. Two windows would still be cool.

 

3. see above, although you cant see how many people are left in the lobby.

 

4. Nice feature idea, but probably requires a lot of effort to implement.

 

5. Yes, that would be a nice additional feature, but probably requires a major rework of the game engine. At least you can rehost using the latest autosave. While this doesnt help much in pure online MP its an awesome feature for LAN play. One that I am very grateful for.

 

6. Ever since initially released this has been a much debated weakness of the game. Unfortunatly, there is only one way to see the maps in full scale. Create a singelplayer game.... start it.... surrender and then hit "Keep playing". Now you can see the entire map. Do this will ALL maps that come with the game.... and then you will know what they are like. Now, if you make a screenshot of the Galaxy view of those maps, we could do a nice wiki article about them.

 

https://www.sinsofasolarempire.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

 

7. There should be an option:

 

Hide passworded games

 

Hide games with loaded save game

 

That would help finding the right game, especially if more games are open.

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

You can sort-of see how many people are in the lobby from your own game.

switch channel to lobby, and then just keep pressing tab, with every tab you will see another name pop up until no new names will pop up anymore.