Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

« Back

1826 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes ago

Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Request dynamic min & max rank in games.

The min and max rank for players entering a game are static. Once set, they remain where they are for the duration of the game. This can cause problems when new players join the game. I've seen a newbie player enter a beginner game near the end, and completely change the balance of the game.

My suggestion is that, after the game starts, the min rank be set to the lowest rank (or possibly one lower) of an active player, and that the max rank be set to the highest rank (or possibly one higher) of an active player. This will reduce the chances that an incoming player will significantly alter the overall balance of the game through inexperience or excessive experience.

In addition, I believe it will reduce the late game cheating, where a player enters a game as a second race, for the purpose of gathering additional information.

While I don't believe that this is a complete solution to either of the above, it will reduce the number of occurrences, creating a better experience for the active players.

1826 days, 17 hours, 34 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Hm. On first reading, this seems reasonable. I rather like it.

Thoughts, gentlemen?

1826 days, 17 hours, 2 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Feedback it for votes before it is hidden by the tide.

1826 days, 16 hours, 57 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

As mentioned in my "Pissed off" thread and shared here:

======================

Players with PREMIUM accounts can join existing games.

and/or

Players with a RANK of Captain or higher can join existing games.

That would eliminate a lot of the riff-raft and also give the PREMIUM players an additional benefit or those none premium players build up a high enough ranking to give them an EARNED benefit.

1826 days, 15 hours, 17 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

@Prohobo

It's good to see that someone else is thinking about possible solutions for this problem, but I believe that the fixed rules you're considering will do more harm than good.

Premium players - This requirement doesn't help to keep the flow of the game moving, and it doesn't keep players from entering a game where they're either unqualified or overqualified. Why have it? How does it actually help?

Captain - Again, This requirement doesn't help to keep the keep the game flowing either. In fact, it can often cause problems. In a game I just entered (turn 4), the players are all ranked between Midshipmen and Lieutenant Commander. In 20 turns, how would a Captain joining help? It would, in fact, unbalance the game.

The dynamic player level that I suggested will keep most of the people out who would unbalance the game, whether from being unqualified or from being overqualified.

As for keeping "cheaters" out (individuals using two game identities to get additional information), there's no way to guarantee this, but the change I proposed will keep 1st-time players out of most of the games. While not perfect, it's a definite step forward.

1826 days, 14 hours, 54 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

@WHISPERER

My thought on having Premium Players have access to joining games in progress is that it would eliminate those that seem to create "one off" new accounts just to join into an existing game they are already playing - to help eliminate cheaters. Technically, cheaters would have to PAY to cheat.

I do like your idea of having a Max/Min level as well - to help "Balance" the game. However, I am not sure that fully addresses the "cheat" issue that I am concerned with, but no doubt it would certainly help.

========

IP Address Idea - to eliminate cheaters.

Not allow anyone to join if they have the same IP as an existing player already in the game. That would make it far more of a headache and eliminate most cheating.

Taking it one step further, I think a warning message should go out to all players in a game IF two players share the same IP. At least that would keep everyone informed.

1826 days, 14 hours, 46 minutes ago

danneskjold

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

No it would not. There are very easy ways to mask your IP address. If cheating is your objective - it is going to be done.

1826 days, 14 hours, 35 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

This actually sounds like a simple and effective solution.
Just a thought here , I would imagine that the first half would be enough , that is making the minimum requirement equal to lowest player.

1826 days, 14 hours, 13 minutes ago

mkkangas

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

IP address is not so useful since 1. some people have dynamic IPs, 2. you can easily use a VPN to change your IP on demand, 3. there are genuine father/son teams I've faced playing from the same household

Lowest player is also not enough, as there is usually some new player alive late in the game - you would need to have some minimum rank requirement like MIN(lieutenant,median(player ranks))

1826 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

@Prohobo

The min level will keep a new account out of most ongoing games, so there's no need to add the extra complexity of requiring a check for a Premium player.

WRT the IP address, what happens when two players in the same household join a game? With NAT, they'll both appear to be from the same IP address. It gets worse when people play from work (if they're behind a NAT router. While this might be somewhat useful, I don't think it's worth the time required tocode and test.

@Siggi,

I've been in a game where the highest ranked player was a Lieutenant Commander, and had a Captain join. Everything in the game changed VERY quickly, to compensate for the greater experience. This was not an enjoyable game experience.

1826 days, 14 hours, 1 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

@Mkkangas

> Lowest player is also not enough, as there is usually some new player alive late in the game - you would need to have some minimum rank requirement like MIN(lieutenant,median(player ranks))

With FoF enabled, even in a beginner game, the lowest player will be Ensign by turn 28. I don't believe that's enough of a window to worry about.

1826 days, 13 hours, 57 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Rethinking Prohobo's Premium Player idea, we could set the min to the lowest ranking player, but allow Premium players to come in at one rank lower (never below the initial game requirements). This would obviously be more complex to code, so it might be implemented in two steps, with the second being done if it's seen to be needed.

1825 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

OK. How do we get this request on Joshua's queue?

1825 days, 19 hours, 40 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Using the feedback link at the bottom of the page

1825 days, 19 hours, 20 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

The request has been entered.

http://planets.uservoice.com/forums/136520-general/suggestions/6389175

If you're interested in seeing this implemented, please vote on it.

1825 days, 12 hours, 24 minutes ago

RE: Request dynamic min & max rank in games. The min and max...

Yeah, good idea! Voting!