21 replies to this topic

[Sandpit]

So after playing for a bit I wanted to give some feedback regarding the MM and premades. One thing I noticed when grouping up outside of CW is that when we pug together we tend to take mechs in similar weight classes. No prior planning in most cases, we just see what others bring and pick things that we think will compliment one another more often than not.

With that being said, is it possible, and would it possibly help alleviate MM woes if groups of 4 were able to designate themselves by weight class?
Example:
Team A: Everyone wants to run mediums, we click the option in the MM stating we're willing to take drops as a medium lance filling these parameters. This helps the MM form bigger "blocks" of players to piece together. It's easier to put a 1000 piece puzzle together when 3 of the four main sections are already formed for you.
Now when they enter the queue it can immediately search for any teams with a missing block of medium mechs.

Team B has only 2-3: They all take different weight classes. They get thrown into the "jumbo" pool of those other oddball number groups running and piece together as usual.

What this does is essentially take bigger chunks of players and helps them find spots on other teams more quickly by telling it to immediately search these parameters before jumping into the jumbo pool. It works on the same coding we already have, it just adds a parameter to the search which allows to look into the less chaotic "lance pool" first.

You can expand this to 8 mans as well. Let them choose 3 lance weights and go to town. Believe it or not there are plenty of experienced and good players that don't use meta builds nor do they roll in only one specific weight class.

This will actually encourage and increase the light and medium lances you see fielded as a byproduct. One of the main reasons many don't take these weight classes in these cases is because it's much harder to overcome a "carry" situation in an assault or heavy than it is a light or medium in most cases. With this system, you'll start to see more sub-units get to know one another and become more comfortable taking light and medium lance positions more often.

It could also have implications in CW helping ease the MM system there as well. Keep in mind that this is purely an optional parameter for your group to click in order to try and help find matches more quickly. You don't have to use it if you don't want to and you'll still be dropping alongside PUGs just as you do now.

The only real difference is now you'll start seeing some of the better pilots and teams in each weight class use those weight classes more often. So you know when you drop with Example Team A's Alpha Unit of light mechs, you're going to get some good light mech pilots.

It's another side-effect of allowing teamwork and social tools in the community to assist and alleviate some of the stresses simply by promoting an option to promote teamwork. It's very difficult to drop in a 12v12 deathmatch and trust that the 11 other pilots are on the same page. As the community gets to know one another, they quickly find little niches they like to play in and it creates more community in general.

So what do you guys think?

[Sandpit]

It might also be possible to use this system to lay groundwork for Solairs matches and doing different size matches from the standard 12v12. Lay groundwork for 4v4 and 8v8 matches as well. Then possibly use a similar system to figure out how to do 1v1 and FFA styles.

[Elizander]

If they allow us to have a 'drop deck' of 4 different weight classes and queue up then the MM can just pick which one we should pilot for us.

[Sandpit]

Elizander, on 27 November 2015 - 08:29 PM, said:

If they allow us to have a 'drop deck' of 4 different weight classes and queue up then the MM can just pick which one we should pilot for us.

Yes, they could use the exact same principal and code to use it for that as well. It just makes it easier to "put the pieces of the puzzle together" because chunks of it can already be done.

[adamts01]

Sandpit, on 27 November 2015 - 09:13 PM, said:

Yes, they could use the exact same principal and code to use it for that as well. It just makes it easier to "put the pieces of the puzzle together" because chunks of it can already be done.

I boils down to needing more players. I've completely given up on the Oceanic server. I tried dropping with some groups lately and the wait times are up to half an hour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that steam brings in the players, but we'll see. I think combining modes was a good step, but it wasn't close to enough. I still don't know why they even opened this server if they weren't going to market their game in these countries. No one I've talked to in any LAN center has ever heard of MWO. I'm keeping my order in for my Jenner but I'm finding another game for now. I'm downloading EVE, going to give that a try. MWO is just dead in this part of the world.

[Sandpit]

adamts01, on 27 November 2015 - 11:06 PM, said:

I boils down to needing more players. I've completely given up on the Oceanic server. I tried dropping with some groups lately and the wait times are up to half an hour. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that steam brings in the players, but we'll see. I think combining modes was a good step, but it wasn't close to enough. I still don't know why they even opened this server if they weren't going to market their game in these countries. No one I've talked to in any LAN center has ever heard of MWO. I'm keeping my order in for my Jenner but I'm finding another game for now. I'm downloading EVE, going to give that a try. MWO is just dead in this part of the world.

This system works regardless of player size. it doesn't segreagate players, it simply alleviates some of the stress in placing players. There's a big difference.

[adamts01]

Sandpit, on 27 November 2015 - 11:48 PM, said:

This system works regardless of player size. it doesn't segreagate players, it simply alleviates some of the stress in placing players. There's a big difference.

You're right, it would speed up match times. And I'd definitely have 3 mechs selected (I've never owned an assault) to support this, if PGI implemented such a thing.

[Tuis Ryche]

They should truly remove the server opt-in and just dump everyone in one bucket. It's for the Oceanics. It's for the matchmaking times. I'm sure the Murrikans and Euros will adapt for the 'greater good'.

[adamts01]

Sandpit, on 27 November 2015 - 11:48 PM, said:

This system works regardless of player size. it doesn't segreagate players, it simply alleviates some of the stress in placing players. There's a big difference.

I retract my last reply. My brother and I are both Tier 1s. We've waited for over an hour as lights as a two man when the que was 8%. When we finally, dropped, we were the only two lights.

Tuis Ryche, on 28 November 2015 - 12:20 AM, said:

They should truly remove the server opt-in and just dump everyone in one bucket. It's for the Oceanics. It's for the matchmaking times. I'm sure the Murrikans and Euros will adapt for the 'greater good'.

No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs.

[Sandpit]

Tuis Ryche, on 28 November 2015 - 12:20 AM, said:

They should truly remove the server opt-in and just dump everyone in one bucket. It's for the Oceanics. It's for the matchmaking times. I'm sure the Murrikans and Euros will adapt for the 'greater good'.

There ahve to be some concessions though. Oceanic have a very hard time with pings on the other servers. It really was needed to improve their experience. They've done away with extra buckets by implementing the vote system, now with things like this they can ease the stress on the MM without making more buckets

[Sandpit]

adamts01, on 28 November 2015 - 12:49 AM, said:

I retract my last reply. My brother and I are both Tier 1s. We've waited for over an hour as lights as a two man when the que was 8%. When we finally, dropped, we were the only two lights.

No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs.

How can you retract your last statement about supporting it using an example of how the current system still sucks in some cases. You being in a 2 man wouldn't cause you to wait longer in the new system. If you are in a 2man, it finds other 2man and solos to fill up slots based on MM like it does now, with the ability to place EVERYone faster.

I don't know why many on here seem to think "new" or "different" means or has to be associated with "taking away" or "limiting". This system in no way would cause others to have increased wait times in any way.

[adamts01]

Sandpit, on 28 November 2015 - 01:17 AM, said:

How can you retract your last statement about supporting it using an example of how the current system still sucks in some cases. You being in a 2 man wouldn't cause you to wait longer in the new system. If you are in a 2man, it finds other 2man and solos to fill up slots based on MM like it does now, with the ability to place EVERYone faster.

I don't know why many on here seem to think "new" or "different" means or has to be associated with "taking away" or "limiting". This system in no way would cause others to have increased wait times in any way.

I'm not opposed to new at all. I like your idea. I just don't see how it will help me find a match when I'm already the least picked weight.

[Tuis Ryche]

"No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs."

What is this non-participatory madness?! Why would you NOT play in this manner that is contradictory to your preferred play style? Do you not realize that it is for the betterment of the whole population? Sure, the small fraction would be inconvenienced, but the larger fraction would benefit from quicker matchmaking and easier kills. Surely, you can just take this one for the team.

For the lolz

Oh, but it doesn't need to be mandated. We can put it to a vote! DEMOCRACY FTW! Surely, if the more numerous North Americans vote for their best interests, it'll be in your best interests as well.

Adapt, like a good mechwarrior.

Or, you could just, um, leave.

[adamts01]

Tuis Ryche, on 28 November 2015 - 01:32 AM, said:

"No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs."

What is this non-participatory madness?! Why would you NOT play in this manner that is contradictory to your preferred play style? Do you not realize that it is for the betterment of the whole population? Sure, the small fraction would be inconvenienced, but the larger fraction would benefit from quicker matchmaking and easier kills. Surely, you can just take this one for the team.

For the lolz

Because I lack the skillz to play at 500+ ping I suppose. I'm all for sucking it up for the betterment of the community, to a point.

[Sandpit]

adamts01, on 28 November 2015 - 01:20 AM, said:

I'm not opposed to new at all. I like your idea. I just don't see how it will help me find a match when I'm already the least picked weight.

It will help EVERYone find matches more quickly. The more quickly the MM can place pieces of the puzzle together, the faster you find a match. By adding a new parameter to searching that puts bigger chunks of pieces together at the beginning would allow it to put the whole match together more quickly.

[Sandpit]

Tuis Ryche, on 28 November 2015 - 01:34 AM, said:

"No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs."

What is this non-participatory madness?! Why would you NOT play in this manner that is contradictory to your preferred play style? Do you not realize that it is for the betterment of the whole population? Sure, the small fraction would be inconvenienced, but the larger fraction would benefit from quicker matchmaking and easier kills. Surely, you can just take this one for the team.

For the lolz

Oh, but it doesn't need to be mandated. We can put it to a vote! DEMOCRACY FTW! Surely, if the more numerous North Americans vote for their best interests, it'll be in your best interests as well.

Adapt, like a good mechwarrior.

Or, you could just, um, leave.

please keep this kind of trolling and off-topic sarcasm elsewhere. Keep it on-topic and constructive

[Tuis Ryche]

adamts01, on 28 November 2015 - 01:34 AM, said:

Because I lack the skillz to play at 500+ ping I suppose. I'm all for sucking it up for the betterment of the community, to a point.

So be it. It's for the "greater good". Adapt to that new reality or quit.

That's essentially the 'advice' I've been given. I reject it. Apparently, you do, too.

Being constantly shoehorned into 'bad' modes is hurting player enjoyment, yet, instead of acknowledgement and redress, those players have gotten only silence from those with answers and ridicule from those without empathy.

Sandpit, on 28 November 2015 - 01:45 AM, said:

please keep this kind of trolling and off-topic sarcasm elsewhere. Keep it on-topic and constructive

Do something about it. Like, um, construct a weighted vote.

[adamts01]

Tuis Ryche, on 28 November 2015 - 01:34 AM, said:

"No. I'll absolutely not play if that happens. My ping to NA is 450 and EU is 550. You don't want me on your team. I can't even get a lock to fire LRMs."

What is this non-participatory madness?! Why would you NOT play in this manner that is contradictory to your preferred play style? Do you not realize that it is for the betterment of the whole population? Sure, the small fraction would be inconvenienced, but the larger fraction would benefit from quicker matchmaking and easier kills. Surely, you can just take this one for the team.

For the lolz

Oh, but it doesn't need to be mandated. We can put it to a vote! DEMOCRACY FTW! Surely, if the more numerous North Americans vote for their best interests, it'll be in your best interests as well.

Adapt, like a good mechwarrior.

Or, you could just, um, leave.

Sorry, didn't catch the sarcasm the first read through. lol

Sandpit, on 28 November 2015 - 01:37 AM, said:

It will help EVERYone find matches more quickly. The more quickly the MM can place pieces of the puzzle together, the faster you find a match. By adding a new parameter to searching that puts bigger chunks of pieces together at the beginning would allow it to put the whole match together more quickly.

What I think... Pre-select the a mech from whatever weight class you want to play if you want to participate and select only a single mech if you don't want to participate. Myself, and many others, have plenty of mechs and care more for quality matches and quick drops than what we play. I'd support it 100% if implemented as such.

[Sandpit]

adamts01, on 28 November 2015 - 01:50 AM, said:

What I think... Pre-select the a mech from whatever weight class you want to play if you want to participate and select only a single mech if you don't want to participate. Myself, and many others, have plenty of mechs and care more for quality matches and quick drops than what we play. I'd support it 100% if implemented as such.

That's exactly what I'm suggesting. You don't build a drop deck for pub matches. You simply choose one mech and go just like we always have. You simply allow the group leader to optionally select "(insert weight class here) lance" if all of the members of the group are running mechs in the same weight class.

[adamts01]

Sandpit, on 28 November 2015 - 02:46 AM, said:

That's exactly what I'm suggesting. You don't build a drop deck for pub matches. You simply choose one mech and go just like we always have. You simply allow the group leader to optionally select "(insert weight class here) lance" if all of the members of the group are running mechs in the same weight class.

I think we're talking about two different things. And my idea is better
I'm thinking, I select a timby, shadowcat and cheetah, and hit search. MM takes whatever it needs out of my garage and throws me in a match. A whole group could do that. If everyone selected a mech from each weight class to drop in then MM would only have to match skillz.
I get what you're saying. "we'll be medium lance." But that kind of really applies to 3 man teams right? From what I see, MM doesn't care about what class's are represented. I've been the only light on many drops recently.