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1. Long wait times for FP matches
2. No point in QP matches
3. Pug stomps in FP
4. Stale FP mode
5. Too many "buckets"
Temporary Solution:
Use QP queuing structure only (Group or Solo)
Currently in FP a player chooses a planet to attack/defend, then waits until the queue is filled. This can take a very long time, during which the player is doing nothing.
Instead, merge the buckets for 12 man play.
A player chooses "24 player mode" (replacing "Quick Play"), and the MM assigns the player into a drop the same way as QP is now.
The difference being that each 12 man team will be comprised of either IS or Clan 'mechs.
Replace "Map/Mode" voting with "Planet" voting
Once in game and the voting screen loads, the player can choose which of the currently contested planets on which to fight. (May keep multipliers). It would probably be necessary to limit the choices to 4 or 5, but there may be better solutions.
* of course map, mode, or both could be added in if necessary.
* FP maps could be fun with QP style games on them.
Make every battle count towards the meta map
Since every battle will be either IS vs. Clan, IS vs. IS, or Clan vs. Clan, and designated as happening on a certain planet, every battle counts.
Scouting Mode becomes 4 vs. 4 mode
Either keep the tonnage limits or don't. Same rules as 12 vs. 12 apply. (tech specific, planet voting, etc.) Perhaps add more 4 vs. 4 modes. Each battle counts toward capturing the selected planet (but at 33% of 12 player mode)
Mousing over the 12-player/4 player buttons would show % of each faction queued
So, in addition to the % of light/medium/heavy/assault queued, Show the % of IS/Clan 'mechs queued.
Other cool benefits (IMHO):
By letting the player see where the need is, they could play either their IS or Clan 'mechs.
If necessary, group queue drops could be restricted to their current faction.
Effectively this increases the number of available players for each side of the conflict, reducing buckets and lessening wait time.
This could be a temporary solution, keeping FP alive while it is further developed (and hopefully Solaris).
Edit: PGI has stated their intention to have QP maps in FP mode now...
Edited by Hotthedd, 13 September 2016 - 01:07 PM.
