8 replies to this topic

[Mr Andersson]

This has probably been suggested before, but I think it is important enough to make another thread.

Myself and a friend just spent over three hours trying to get a match in group queue, and found none. Not a single one. We ended up doing synched drops in solo queue, which worked much better. At least we got to play the game, even if we weren't in the same match every drop.

We had the same problem a few months ago. At that time, it persisted for several weeks.


I see a real problem here. If players who enjoy playing together are denied the opportunity to do just that, then the future of this game is threatened. As far as I understand, the player base is already in a slow decline. And if group queue dies we will probably lose a big chunk more.

So, here is a possible solution:
Allow solo player into group queue. Make it on voluntary basis (add a box you can tick if you want to be eligible to group with groups), so that the players who want to avoid it can do so.

There is of course the risk that the quality of group games goes down. But I think most players would prefer that to getting no match at all. Perhaps limit the number of solo players in a group match (4?), to avoid dropping said quality too much.


There is of course the alternative solution of doing the opposite - allowing groups into solo queue. But I think that runs too much of a risk of creating very uneven matches.

[Cichol Balor]

you already can do this by creating a solo group and entering the queue that way


as for our initial experiance i have never come across this. being unemploed do to an injury i am on across most time zones playing in groups te longest i have waited is 20min with a group of two. if it took an our know there is a bug that has been around for years where the queue can "forget" you. stoping and restarting the search can fix this

Edited by Cichol Balor, 19 December 2018 - 04:34 AM.

[Mr Andersson]

Cichol Balor, on 19 December 2018 - 04:31 AM, said:

you already can do this by creating a solo group and entering the queue that way

No you can't. You can't drop if you are only one player in the group. At least I haven't been able to.

And you are missing the point. The point with the suggestion is to allow the matchmaker to "draw" players from the solo queue when there aren't enough players in groups to fill matches, thus joining the two queues in a way. Hopefully in the fashion that creates the least imbalances.

[Wild Kadabra]

Mr Andersson, on 18 December 2018 - 02:45 PM, said:

This has probably been suggested before, but I think it is important enough to make another thread.

Myself and a friend just spent over three hours trying to get a match in group queue, and found none. Not a single one. We ended up doing synched drops in solo queue, which worked much better. At least we got to play the game, even if we weren't in the same match every drop.

We had the same problem a few months ago. At that time, it persisted for several weeks.


I see a real problem here. If players who enjoy playing together are denied the opportunity to do just that, then the future of this game is threatened. As far as I understand, the player base is already in a slow decline. And if group queue dies we will probably lose a big chunk more.

So, here is a possible solution:
Allow solo player into group queue. Make it on voluntary basis (add a box you can tick if you want to be eligible to group with groups), so that the players who want to avoid it can do so.

There is of course the risk that the quality of group games goes down. But I think most players would prefer that to getting no match at all. Perhaps limit the number of solo players in a group match (4?), to avoid dropping said quality too much.


There is of course the alternative solution of doing the opposite - allowing groups into solo queue. But I think that runs too much of a risk of creating very uneven matches.

While I am not opposed to the idea as long as it is a voluntary thing.... it is a slippery slope to eventually PGI deciding to just force them into it to fill the gaps eventually.... to which I am completely opposed. Nobody enjoys getting roflstomped by premade groups, which is the reason I and many other players stay the hell away from group queue. The biggest problem with this game is that it requires too much grinding to be friendly to newcomers. I tried introducing friends to this game, but unless you are willing to spend some real long cash into it very few enjoy playing the same 3 or 4 mechs for dozens and dozens of matches getting paultry C-Bills to then get that one new mech and having to grind again to upgrade it and get it that juicy LFE that's worth almost as much as the mech.... you get the idea. All friends I tried to get into the game bailed out when there are games that are much more rewarding from the get go. I am not saying MWO is the only game that does this, but just because the other kid in your class got an F in the exam does it mean you should too if you catch my drift.... anyway I think I got sidetracked too much but my point is, the way to fix the population issue should be to make the game more friendly to newcomers, though it may be too late for that now.

[justcallme A S H]

Cichol Balor, on 19 December 2018 - 04:31 AM, said:

you already can do this by creating a solo group and entering the queue that way

Ah, no you cannot do this.

It will not let you launch with a single player into Group Q.

[Mr Andersson]

Wild Kadabra, on 19 December 2018 - 08:11 PM, said:

Nobody enjoys getting roflstomped by premade groups,...

Of course. Which is why it should be 100% voluntary to tick the box and allow yourself to be drafted into group queue.

Speaking only for myself, I would definitely tick that box. The higher quality of play in group queue by far outweighs the risk of running into a 12 man comp team.

[Cichol Balor]

Mr Andersson, on 20 December 2018 - 04:39 PM, said:

Of course. Which is why it should be 100% voluntary to tick the box and allow yourself to be drafted into group queue.

Speaking only for myself, I would definitely tick that box. The higher quality of play in group queue by far outweighs the risk of running into a 12 man comp team.

except it's not just bad for the solo player it also sucks for the groups that get stuck with 5 random solo guys against a full group. now if it has to be voluntary for both the entire thing becomes useless

[Mr Andersson]

Cichol Balor, on 22 December 2018 - 11:31 AM, said:

except it's not just bad for the solo player...

I would say its a good thing for the solo player. He gets to play in group queue, where the quality of play is generally much higher than in solo.

Cichol Balor, on 22 December 2018 - 11:31 AM, said:

...it also sucks for the groups that get stuck with 5 random solo guys against a full group.

Sure, that would put them at a disadvantage. But the alternative is to get no match at all. I know what I would choose.

[Cichol Balor]

except that is not the solution considering it never takes more than a few minutes to get a match. and after a few months of players constantly getting lopsided matches you will find it even harder to find a game than it is now

and no the quality in group queue is only better if you yourself are playing with a group. otherwise it tends to be far worse as most groups communicate out of game for the majority of it. Not to mention the weight balancing of the teams is far worse in group.