13 replies to this topic

[ThePhoenix007]

I can understand not wanting to let us pick maps, but can you at least do something like sc2 does and let us exclude maps? I despise the large maps. Unless you spend hours grinding cbills to get a xl engine for a mech, you literally spend longer loading the map and running to combat than you do actually fighting. It's not fun. I'm at the point where if Alpine Peaks or Tourmaline Desert loads, I literally quit the match and search for a new one with a different mech. I understand some like the large maps, and that's cool, but it makes the game completely boring for me... It's why I don't play battlefield anymore. (spawn, run, die, rinse, repeat).

I know it hurts my teammates to bail. And for that I do feel bad about it, but sometimes, I only have time to play a match or two before real life calls, and to be honest, It's getting to the point where I'm feeling I'm spending more time running and loading the map than I do in actual combat.(because the large maps come up so much)

[Blue Footed Booby]

ThePhoenix007, on 12 April 2013 - 11:49 PM, said:

I can understand not wanting to let us pick maps, but can you at least do something like sc2 does and let us exclude maps? I despise the large maps. Unless you spend hours grinding cbills to get a xl engine for a mech, you literally spend longer loading the map and running to combat than you do actually fighting. It's not fun. I'm at the point where if Alpine Peaks or Tourmaline Desert loads, I literally quit the match and search for a new one with a different mech. I understand some like the large maps, and that's cool, but it makes the game completely boring for me... It's why I don't play battlefield anymore. (spawn, run, die, rinse, repeat).

I know it hurts my teammates to bail. And for that I do feel bad about it, but sometimes, I only have time to play a match or two before real life calls, and to be honest, It's getting to the point where I'm feeling I'm spending more time running and loading the map than I do in actual combat.(because the large maps come up so much)

It's never taken more than about a minute to get to combat, even with slow mechs like gaussapults. The maps aren't THAT big. Also, a pop-tart ***** shoot makes for a fun change of pace.

That said, I agree that it's a little wonky that maps are totally random. I think people would use a much larger range of builds if they could tailor for specific maps or classes of maps rather than having to either stick to generalist builds or risk bringing a comically inappropriate gundam.

I think this is one area where console games, particularly the flagship FPSs, have an advantage. Take Halo 4, for example. When you finish a match you go to the between-round lobby while it automatically sets up the next match. You can see detailed readouts of stats (eg multi kills, k:d, and mean time between deaths) for individual players, and customize your character. When it gets to the point where it's picking a map, it shows three possible choices and gives the players a few seconds to vote. You get some say, yet it's still random.

Once you actually start a match, it shows a list of several pre-configured character setups. You can pick stock ones, or from a fixed number of custom loadouts that you can set up between matches. This way you're never forced to bring a knife to a gunfight, or a sniper rifle to a close-in brawl. At the same time you still have to design versatile loadouts since the number of saved setups is limited. Granted, this sort of thing would completely screw up any attempt at matching dropweight.

Edit: Really, the term for a clay disk that you shoot out of the air for sport gets auto-censored?

Edited by Blue Footed Booby, 15 April 2013 - 05:56 PM.

[Koniving]

Blue Footed Booby, on 13 April 2013 - 07:37 AM, said:

That said, I agree that it's a little wonky that maps are totally random.

I think the real issue is that 80% of the time we get the two newest maps and not enough of the others. We had the same issue with River City Night. Because it's new its occurrence rate is through the roof. To be honest I haven't seen regular Forest Colony in about a week. I play daily, and pump in anywhere between 6 and 12 hours in a day. I haven't seen standard Forest Colony in a week. The forest colony winter used to have both a boat and non-boat version. I haven't seen the non-boat version in a while either.

[Syllogy]

Allegedly, all maps have an equal chance to get chosen. The (temporary) exception is Alpine and Tourmaline which are doubled.

11% Chance to hit any map is the default

Currently, there is a 9% chance to hit every other map, and an 18% chance to hit Alpine or Tourmaline (36% chance to hit one or the other, 64% chance to hit one of the other 7 maps)

It definately feels skewed, but it will change. When 12v12 gets here, you will be happy with the breathing room that the larger maps give you.

[Neolisk]

Map selection should be possible. You may drop C-Bills reward or XP reward for this, down to say 75% of the original (25% penalty), but give that option. Then you will be able to test particular builds in particular situations, which you cannot do right now, unless you play 12 hours per day like @Koniving.

[Syllogy]

Community Warfare's Lobby System will allow you to vote for maps. While it won't be a direct exclusion of maps, it will allow you to choose between 2 of them instead of being forced into just 1.

[l4Dl]

ThePhoenix007, on 12 April 2013 - 11:49 PM, said:

I can understand not wanting to let us pick maps, but can you at least do something like sc2 does and let us exclude maps? I despise the large maps. Unless you spend hours grinding cbills to get a xl engine for a mech, you literally spend longer loading the map and running to combat than you do actually fighting. It's not fun. I'm at the point where if Alpine Peaks or Tourmaline Desert loads, I literally quit the match and search for a new one with a different mech. I understand some like the large maps, and that's cool, but it makes the game completely boring for me... It's why I don't play battlefield anymore. (spawn, run, die, rinse, repeat).

I know it hurts my teammates to bail. And for that I do feel bad about it, but sometimes, I only have time to play a match or two before real life calls, and to be honest, It's getting to the point where I'm feeling I'm spending more time running and loading the map than I do in actual combat.(because the large maps come up so much)

Once the map is loaded:
- Give user the option to pick a mech before game starts

problem solved.
Now the user can pick a "sniper" mech, over a "brawler" mech and actually enjoy the map

[ThePhoenix007]

All great ideas!

[Durant Carlyle]

As far as larger maps go, the reason we're getting larger maps is because eventually our matches will be 12v12 instead of 8v8.

[Neolisk]

Durant Carlyle, on 13 April 2013 - 05:27 PM, said:

As far as larger maps go, the reason we're getting larger maps is because eventually our matches will be 12v12 instead of 8v8.

The question is whether 12v12 is enough to saturate Alpine.

[Daggett]

ThePhoenix007, on 12 April 2013 - 11:49 PM, said:

I know it hurts my teammates to bail. And for that I do feel bad about it, but sometimes, I only have time to play a match or two before real life calls, and to be honest, It's getting to the point where I'm feeling I'm spending more time running and loading the map than I do in actual combat.(because the large maps come up so much)

Sorry, but what you are doing is really selfish. Feeling bad helps no one including yourself, stopping the egoistic behaviour however does.

If loading times are an issue, then seriously your system is not fast enough for this game. Get an upgrade (i suggest an SSD), but don't let 15 other players suffer (yes, the enemy team likes a fair fight too).

The same is true for the walking time. If the 1-2 minutes to get into position is too much for you, then the game is currently not made for you. Either deal with it (e.g. by running fast mediums or lights or get patient) or take a break until the game suits you better (the large maps are probably put back into normal rotation this tuesday).

But simply disconnecting is griefing and you should be banned by PGI if you do this repeatedly.

[General Taskeen]

Syllogy, on 13 April 2013 - 08:02 AM, said:

11% Chance to hit any map is the default

And people say this game doesn't have Rolling Dice™ mechanics.

[Dreepa]

I just think that the game balancing is totally not made for alpine. It is a total game changer and seems rushed. Tourmaline Desrert has some more cover and acts more as a labyrinth. That's why it works a bit better. Generally though, I agree, large maps are not very fitting to the gameplay.

[Neolisk]

Dreepa, on 14 April 2013 - 06:06 AM, said:

I just think that the game balancing is totally not made for alpine.

Agreed. What could save Alpine is having some viable weapons in 2km range. So also need better zoom. And then this build will not be compatible with any other map.

Edited by Neolisk, 14 April 2013 - 06:17 AM.