8 replies to this topic

[Big Tin Man]

Ok, I'm sick of people crying about CW [BETA] and how it is not perfect. This guide will help you understand how the matchmaker actually works (PGI, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is my understanding of the system).

1. Understanding how to find a match (and find it QUICKLY!!!)

On the faction tab, you will see lots of planets and some of them are sparking and flaming and stuff. For sake of conversation and explanation, we will call planets restaurants from here forward.

These restaurants are open for business for a 23 hour window. You will also notice a window in the top right with a list of all the restaurants in the known universe. Some of those restaurants in the window have red swords (restaurants your faction can attempt to conquer) or blue shields (restaurants your faction can defend from hostile takeover). Next to the names is a pair of numbers: XX/XX. Those are the number of people red people and blue people waiting outside of the restaurant for a table.

Some things you should know about the restaurants:

1. Every restaurant in the galaxy has only 15 tables.

2. Each table seats two groups of twelve, one red and one blue (3049 is a very racist time)

3. Now the hostess at the restaurant is tired and hungover from last nights equal rights protest rally, and doesn't want to think too hard about how to fill up a table with EXACTLY 1 group of 12 reds and 1 group of 12 blues. If a group of twelve shows up, she is grateful and gives them the next table so she can take a break and ignore the masses outside.

What does this mean?

At this moment, we have no way of knowing how many tables at a restaurant are currently being used. What we do know is how many people are waiting in line outside, and that each table clears out in 30 minutes or less. When you see that there are 60+ reds and 60+ blues waiting outside, odds are every table at the restaurant is full, and there are likely 5 groups of 12 on each side ready to take a table, BEFORE YOU EVEN GOT IN LINE.

What makes it worse is our hungover hostess is favoring the groups of 12 our of the sea of 60+ people because she can't be bothered with trying to figure out how to group up a bunch of random people. When a group of 12 finishes their meal, there is nothing stopping them from turning around and cutting in line to get the next available table, or from another group of 12 showing up and using the VIP line and walking in right past you.

Now this isn't the end of the world. There are plenty of places to eat in the galaxy. What you want to find is a restaurant with about 15-30 people in line on the other side. That way you know your table will be full of lively conversation, and the wait shouldn't be very long.

You don't want to go to the restaurant that nobody is in line for. That place should have been closed by the health department. Nobody goes there and you will be lonely. You may also get food poisoning.

As for the pop-up messages, there is a time delay when they go out on the PA system. Many times they are so delayed, the need is met before the message pops up on your screen. It is also only specific to your side, so a message will go out if there are 11/0, that you need more attackers. It is trying to fill the table of 12, but there isn't anyone on the other side. Maybe you don't want to go there.

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Things you can do to help your restaurant's hostess find you a seat at the table:

1. Get yourself into a group of 12. Her head is pounding and she's out of advil, don't make her think.

1b If you don't have 12 friends, get a easily dividable group together. She likes even numbers less than 8.

2. NEVER join a crowd at a packed restaurant with a huge line. Unless you want to complain about being in a huge line and not getting service. That is what you'll get. A huge wait and no service.

3. If you are going solo, look for restaurants with an odd number of people in line. You will help the hostess fill in an empty seat at a table, because some jerk showed up with a group of 11.

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In closing:

Yes, it is BETA. I know it's corny to hear that after so long, but it is what it is. They are looking for new constructive criticism, bugs, exploits, etc. They have identified there is an issue with MM. Use this guide to get in matches and find new issues that need addressing.

[Caustic Canid]

So what do I do when only 1 planet has any activity, and is already at 60/60?

[Davers]

Caustic Canid, on 31 December 2014 - 03:12 PM, said:

So what do I do when only 1 planet has any activity, and is already at 60/60?

Then you wait, or join another queue and hope people follow you.

[Caustic Canid]

Davers, on 31 December 2014 - 03:15 PM, said:

Then you wait, or join another queue and hope people follow you.

Or...

I go play normal mode, because I'm not waiting 30 minutes on the off chance that 23 other people are gonna show up.

[Davers]

Caustic Canid, on 31 December 2014 - 03:26 PM, said:

Or...

I go play normal mode, because I'm not waiting 30 minutes on the off chance that 23 other people are gonna show up.

That is always an option too, but I thought we were talking about CW.

[Caustic Canid]

CW's queue system is badly broken and needs a larger pool of players to choose from. People naturally flock to the planet with the most activity in hopes of finding a game, but just end up swamping it. I've seen plenty of planets with one or two players waiting, and considered for a second joining them, until I realized that I actually wanted to play Mechwarrior.

Solo players are leaving CW because people can't find games fast enough on non prime time hours. You can explain how the system works all you want, it's not going to make 23 people show up to an almost empty planet.

Edited by Caustic Canid, 31 December 2014 - 03:57 PM.

[Davers]

Hopefully PGI will put in a 'drop any' option and will automatically assign players to fill up planets.

[ZeuS531]

Davers, on 31 December 2014 - 04:07 PM, said:

Hopefully PGI will put in a 'drop any' option and will automatically assign players to fill up planets.

I'd also settle for the ability to browse the faction map while queued to at least see if any changes in activity are happening so I can rethink my choice. As it stands, after waiting 10 minutes if I check the map to see if things shifted to another planet, I just lost my spot in line...

If they have a generic queue up option, I'd like to have options like in regular play where I can select/deselect some options (like: IS only, Clan only, IS attack only, IS defence only) etc.

[DEMAX51]

Nice write-up man. Loved the restaurant analogy.