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Post by primax on Nov 5, 2005 9:48:34 GMT -5
As you all may have noticed it is utter chaos in the civ4 lobby. Its hard to find any ladders to play and no-one really seems to know what is going on. I have a couple of suggestions I hope may help the civ4 experience. 1. Someone should wirite a set of default game settings for each scenario. eg. CTON - 150 turns, always war, 2 ciity elim etc. I am extremely keen to play a future teamer and think some ladder standards will help this to happen. 2. One of the admins should make a channel/room in GS called 'civ4' or something similar so that all civ4 ladders can join thru gs and we can talk in a non-chaotic enviroment to organise games. 3. Maybe a ladder standard password for the timebeing so that we can setup games and not have to worry about ladders not joining for not knowing pass and open players joining due to no pass being used. I really think the Admins should be doing something to help us thru these trying times thanks for taking the time to read this, feel free to leave comments good/bad. Primax
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Post by whiplash on Nov 5, 2005 11:38:35 GMT -5
It is a mess; but I believe the admin's are trying to get some sort of lobby upgrade.
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Post by sparta on Nov 5, 2005 11:54:11 GMT -5
The only game types you should be playing now, IMHO, are ancient ctons, FFA, and teamers. No other future starts, etc... because 1. Not lots of people dont even know the basics, 2. Future sucks and 3. I don't want to join a game thinking its going to be ancient then see its future and waste my time
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Post by SirPartyMan on Nov 5, 2005 12:12:24 GMT -5
Yes, the lobby is chaotic (what else is new). I have asked people to put the word LADDER in any games they host to help us find them.
We have petitioned the vendor to allow a public gamespy room to that as in the past someone who is hosting can also be "in the lobby".
The Admins try to be visible and help others in the lobby. The game is new with a lot of new confused players who need the basics explained to them.
Every member of CIV4Players is encouraged to be helpful in the lobby and to advertise Ladder games as clearly as possible.
Thanks, SPM
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Post by SirPartyMan on Nov 5, 2005 12:13:27 GMT -5
By the way I would object to the statement that Future Games aren't playable. I was in one the other night and it's great - a little different (no regicide for example) but still an excellent scenario with a lot of our favorite weapons.
SPM
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Post by Canucksoldier on Nov 5, 2005 15:37:01 GMT -5
As you all may have noticed it is utter chaos in the civ4 lobby. Its hard to find any ladders to play and no-one really seems to know what is going on. I have a couple of suggestions I hope may help the civ4 experience. 1. Someone should wirite a set of default game settings for each scenario. eg. CTON - 150 turns, always war, 2 ciity elim etc. I am extremely keen to play a future teamer and think some ladder standards will help this to happen. 2. One of the admins should make a channel/room in GS called 'civ4' or something similar so that all civ4 ladders can join thru gs and we can talk in a non-chaotic enviroment to organise games. 3. Maybe a ladder standard password for the timebeing so that we can setup games and not have to worry about ladders not joining for not knowing pass and open players joining due to no pass being used. I really think the Admins should be doing something to help us thru these trying times thanks for taking the time to read this, feel free to leave comments good/bad. Primax You obviously were not around for the introduction of PTW, this is normal. Soon there will be more ladderites than not, but it will take time, we already have almost 600 players in two weeks. But every C3C vet is our ambassador, so take it apon yourself to bring people into the ladder. CS
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Post by MMV on Nov 5, 2005 18:01:31 GMT -5
perhaps those "in the know" could prompt the "vendors" that all the advertising said "powered by gamespy" - the box says "powered by gamespy" - the disks say "powered by gamespy" and the game itself says "powered by gamespy" during the boot process.
yes, I know that the programmers changed (without input) their decisions about "gamespy" and also that "gamespy" probably wouldn't support the "hotseat join from drop players/ai stuff" - but none'the'less it's what's advertised.
but, EVERYTHING says "powered by gamespy" and in the interim and/or even after they have patches for their lobby, my oppinion is that they should ALSO interface with "gamespy" because EVERYTHING says so.
at least with a dedicated "gamespy" chat room, we could advertise ladder games and connect via ip.
will "gamespy" give them a dedicated room? I wouldn't think so (after advertising it and posting it everywhere then changing their mind)
"gamespy" makes money through it's membership traffic advertising and they may be a little "miffed" because they were shorted as well.
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Post by SirPartyMan on Nov 5, 2005 18:42:25 GMT -5
Canuck can also speak to this issue, but as far as the lobby goes:
a) We have expressed our desire to have a separate public Gamespy Lobby, as opposed to, but in addition to, the in-game Lobby which is run as a "private" deal with Firaxis/TakeTwo. We all know the advantages of a host (and others) being connected thru both Gamespy and the game. To do this today - you need to set up a separate GameSpy Account using both separate UserNames and separate email addresses. Then it works. DTA has been leading the way to try to get the major players (GameSpy and Firaxis/Take Two) to agree to stop making it so difficult to be in both Gamespy and CIVIV. We are pursuing this topic aggressively, but it's not our call - it's between Gamespy and Firaxis/TakeTwo
b) The chaos in the lobby is due to a large influx of new players who are enthusiastic about playing but who lack experience. We can help them. You know the spiel. Get them to join the ladder. Put "LADDER" in the names of the games. Talk up the Ladder in the Lobby. When it gets to the point that 2/3rds of the game are ladder games we'll have it better under control.
c) So please be friendly and patient with newcomers. The sign up process now is like 60-90 seconds if you're computer literate. Host a game (everyone can host now, technically speaking, even if you couldn't in Conquests). Tell the noobs you'll wait a couple minutes for them to signup. Show them how MP can be great. Set up sensible rules and game options. Have fun.
I've really enjoyed my first few games with CIVIV. I've found many of our ladder people out there looking for games. You just have to "sift" a bit thru a list with a lot of MP noobs. It's a new world out there - these are formative times - let's help get it running better - all of us.
Best, SPM
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reptile
Worker
in desperate need of a new avatar
Posts: 106
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Post by reptile on Nov 5, 2005 20:34:29 GMT -5
By clicking on "game name" in the game list you can sort the games alphabetically. So maybe we could have an easily visible block of games by calling them "Ladder game (host, settings etc...)"
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Post by Canucksoldier on Nov 5, 2005 22:29:38 GMT -5
You are also confusing "powered by gamespy" with "compatable with gamespy arcade". They are no longer the same. Yes it sucks for us, and yes we are trying to lobby the powers that be to remedy the situation. At this point it is just more likely that Firaxis will improve the CIV lobby, whether Firaxis or Gamespy will work together to make CIV arcade compatable is not clear atm, so for now I'll get used to using the CIV lobby, the bugs it it right now will soon disappear and more enhancements to it will be coming.
CS
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Post by MMV on Nov 5, 2005 23:17:37 GMT -5
I'm confusing nothing, lol - it's right on the box and both disks.
I also have it on good authority that mutual support, co-branding, and user agreements were signed but are now in "limbo."
I said once that my only true disapointment in this game was the "gamespy" issue and it remains so. The depth of play and return to all-around strategy are tremendous.
Wanna' buy a Ferrarri with a Volkswagon engine?
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Post by Canucksoldier on Nov 6, 2005 2:32:09 GMT -5
Well I'm not privy to either sides legal arrangments. I hope we do get a Arcade lobby but I do know that Firaxis never agreed to support that from the start, now if GS wants to "convince" them to do that now, so that GS can get more money from our memberships...well that's between them.
CS
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Post by Cobra on Nov 6, 2005 4:41:35 GMT -5
one thing i would like to mention to all current ladder players. While we are an "elite" group among the mp environment. I would like to see more advertising for our league as well. It was suggested to have a standard pw for ladder games. While I can see the benefit in this, I also see that as a loss. I host ladder games frequently 1-2 a day. I do not password my ladder games however.
You may ask me why and the simple answer is this. It take no more then 3 minutes for a new member to join our ranks. I have had at least 15 people join the ladder though my games. Sure not all of them report, who cares? While we are in the development stage of CIV4PLAYERS we should reach out to to new players.
Does 1-2 reports really mean so much if you can get someone new to join the ladder and show them how fun our games can be? IF i get 3 people to sign up to the ladder and only just one of them stays and becomes a productive members of our community than i say it was well worth the few reports that i missed out on.
Too many of us have forgotten the reason we are here. Its to play a game and have fun. Even the games where new members joined and new members didn't report and new members don't show back up the game was FUN. Isn't that the point to play good games?
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Lord_Phan
Settler
Member of the Nation of Domination
Posts: 52
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Post by Lord_Phan on Nov 6, 2005 5:40:38 GMT -5
Well Said Cob, very well Said.
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mezi
Settler
Posts: 23
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Post by mezi on Nov 6, 2005 6:55:27 GMT -5
Yea this is weird i agree with pha, its strange to give cobra props for being altruistic (showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others)
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Post by Sly_time on Nov 6, 2005 14:00:10 GMT -5
WOW Cobra when did you get P.C.(politically correct)
I do agree with you when i set up a room i do not password it until i have however many players are going to be in my game...then i tell them that i will remake the room and they will have to use such and such password...i also explain why to the new players that i am doing this and they seem to understand...at least no one has complained so far
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Post by SirPartyMan on Nov 6, 2005 14:52:34 GMT -5
I support Cobra's ideas here and salute him.
We should host Ladder games and when a non-ladder person joins, then encourage them to signup. Give them the 1-2 minutes it takes to register at MyLeague.
We are growing very nicely so far by the way. As of this morning we were at 621 members with 2,432 matches reported.
Best, SPM
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Post by zzZhenon on Nov 6, 2005 17:34:05 GMT -5
This thread has turned into the twilight zone.... but uhhh I agree
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Trayk
Worker
Lets Party at your place!!
Posts: 148
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Post by Trayk on Nov 6, 2005 19:40:27 GMT -5
TG you should change your name to "Anode" because your the most negative person I have ever seen? Do you even play CIV? Or is the only reason your around is to make disparaging comments about the game?
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Post by sparta on Nov 6, 2005 22:40:19 GMT -5
one thing i would like to mention to all current ladder players. While we are an "elite" group among the mp environment. I would like to see more advertising for our league as well. It was suggested to have a standard pw for ladder games. While I can see the benefit in this, I also see that as a loss. I host ladder games frequently 1-2 a day. I do not password my ladder games however. You may ask me why and the simple answer is this. It take no more then 3 minutes for a new member to join our ranks. I have had at least 15 people join the ladder though my games. Sure not all of them report, who cares? While we are in the development stage of CIV4PLAYERS we should reach out to to new players. Does 1-2 reports really mean so much if you can get someone new to join the ladder and show them how fun our games can be? IF i get 3 people to sign up to the ladder and only just one of them stays and becomes a productive members of our community than i say it was well worth the few reports that i missed out on. Too many of us have forgotten the reason we are here. Its to play a game and have fun. Even the games where new members joined and new members didn't report and new members don't show back up the game was FUN. Isn't that the point to play good games? I agree with Phanny, you explained this well and you have a good point. And nice avatar also ;D
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