competitive match making

(bighogins) #1

I have two major suggestions about keeping a strong community following. My first suggestion is to have a competitive match making similar to CSGO. Where u can select a group of maps and rule out a group of maps.

My second suggestion is to integrate the IRC channel into the original download of the game. It should also be encouraged to idle in chats, also posting top clans channels for people to idle in.

If the game is going to be followed by players wanting to compete in competitions and leagues, having a common place to gather and set up scrims is crucial.

(Seanza) #2

I kind of agree with match making, but I think seeing a server’s player list, map and gameplay mode is enough.

Integrating IRC is a good idea, but not to the extent you’re talking about. What is the benefit of instantly connecting to 20 IRC channels full of, most probably, the same people?

I’ve run various gather channels in the past, and they’ve worked flawlessly without any in-game clients. I’ve written an IRC guide which you can check in the public section of these forums to help people connect to IRC and become familiar with how to use it for these situations.

(Reacto) #3

Even though I love IRC, I completely agree with Sean here. When it comes to competitive matchmaking I think the best way to do this is some sort of league/ELO system, sort of similar to LoL/SC2. It lets new players get a chance to try out competitive gameplay, in addition to making it more serious by connecting matches to a ranking system (like ESL/Clanbase/CG does for more casual competitive players). This shouldn’t really be prioritized until the game is in a much later stage though, at least not in my opinion.

(bighogins) #4

You are missing the point of listing irc servers. I am not suggesting joining in 20 servers at once and seeing the same people. I am wanting to have a listed version where you could pick from a list of rooms of clans registered to play in a particular tournament, looking for scrims, recruiting, or even rooms to share or work on strategy. Top teams, and players will always eventually find each other, but this will cut to the chase.

(bighogins) #5

Now I am not as familiar with the LOL and SC2 interface, but if there is a better way than old school IRC I am all for it. Just as long as top tier players and teams are able to find each other in a timely fashion my goal would be accomplished.

(Evil-Doer) #6

I think we can all agree if it was implemented INTO the game that would be way more subsetable to people who NEVER used IRC before. The easier the better right?

(Seanza) #7

Why IRC when it’s possible to develop an in-game communicating client such as lobbies?

(Evil-Doer) #8

Hmm…That’s pretty much what I meant, anything implemented in game, not necessarily IRC.

(stealth6) #9

Because then you don’t need to start the game to join in on the chat + multi platform.

(DarkangelUK) #10

Agreed, I quite like being able to chat with you horrible lot without having to load the game to do so.

(LeeStyle) #11

It would be nice to have an in-game lobby system that resembled League of Legends where people could gather in rooms and create their own rooms for conversation or if someone is streaming the game, the viewers could join that room to converse with the streamer. I would also like to see some sort of in-game voice communications included which helps when you’re playing a public game and not everyone will be on the same Ventrilo, Mumble, TeamSpeak or Skype call as you. If you include a competitive matchmaking system that resembled CS:GO or Black Ops 2 then you have an out of the box environment that was already pushing the game in the right direction in terms of competition. I don’t believe that people want to go backwards in time to using third party tools such as IRC in order to arrange scrimmages and practice as a team.

(acQu) #12

Short question: what is CS:GO matchmaking system ? I don’t know that.

I think a casual-player-oriented-matchmaking-system would be cool. Similar to Starcraft 2, where you are ranked platin, silver, diamond, or master. Then you click the search button and the game throws you in with a random group of people you didnt know before to form a team which is around same skill level. Then you play for one match, you get or loose points, and climb or fall some sort of ladder. I think that would be awesome stuff and would keep me playing for a while. The way you calculate playerskill is probably the hardest part. I would sort of track how good he can kill, and how good he can play peripherie, that is all the rest (objectives, healing, etc). Jup, i would find that quite good. Don’t go too hardcore all the time. Scrims can be played nevertheless, pros will find themselfes nevertheless. Don’t forget the casuals imo.

(k0k0nat) #13

I think a competitive game in year 2013 really needs a matchmaking system. The new system in LoL is really fun.

This is how it works:

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/news/new-league-system-coming-soon-ranked

Long story short:

At the start u play 5 games, which decides the bracket/tier u will be matched to. U start with some points, losing games = - points, winning games = + points.

If u reached 100 points, u have to play best of 3. If u win 2 games, u get promoted to the next higher tier. Losing best of 3 = u have to start collecting points again.

I think matchmaking for competitive gameplay is great thing, if u want to play some comp. games, but u dont want to join a clan or look for members. Or u just want to play some “serious” games after your working day, with just some clicks.
This would only work for shooters if u can communicate via VOIP ( see Steam ) or else.

Of course this also means, if a shooter for example offers you a solo-queue: Its always a risk if you will be matched with some nice dudes or some trolls. ( Just lik it is in LoL).

The consequences of a matchmaking-system would be system that can report/ban players, which I guess it a lot of work. Which is in my opinion totally worth it.

Another way to get to matchmaking would be: Offer leagues like the ESL an API to connect their versus system and Dirtybomb. This could also be a good benefit.

ESL “Versus” - Matchmaking: http://www.esl.eu/eu/versus/

(Rex) #14

Do we talk about match making in general for all players or just about those who are interested in competitive play?

(ImageOmega) #15

I think match making works for everyone interested in just playing. However, you can also choose the dedicated server or server list route.

This is not intended as a plug, but I did an extensive write up of my ideas behind servers, match making, and finally ladders on DirtyBombers.com:

http://dirtybombers.com/gaming/servers-matches-and-ladders-oh-my/

I think LoL probably does it right and as far as FPS games go I use CS:GO as the best example of this. Would love to hear people’s thoughts on that article.

(k0k0nat) #16

Both. The best would be a normal server list + match making option for those who like it more.

(INF3RN0) #17

I’d really like it available for everyone too :).

(TacTicToe) #18

Matchmaking should not ever never ever be included in a PC release, EVER. It is a horrible concept and a real clan killer. Now if youre the type that does not like or care for clans, and your only interest is to jump into a game here and there, and leech off the resources of the people paying for the servers and supporting the community, then I guess match making is for you. The only place you should see match making are where you need noobsticks to play. Xbox, PS3 etc.

Matchmaking is horrible, and not seeing it in DB, has already made my day.

(Mustang) #19

[QUOTE=TacTicToe;441293]Matchmaking should not ever never ever be included in a PC release, EVER. It is a horrible concept and a real clan killer. Now if youre the type that does not like or care for clans, and your only interest is to jump into a game here and there, and leech off the resources of the people paying for the servers and supporting the community, then I guess match making is for you. The only place you should see match making are where you need noobsticks to play. Xbox, PS3 etc.

Matchmaking is horrible, and not seeing it in DB, has already made my day.[/QUOTE]
How would you know if someone joined your server through an automated match making process or through the server browser?

And more importantly why would it bother you so?

(Raviolay) #20

Correct me if I am wrong but if you were a competitive player, would you not just join a clan/team and play in ladders?