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- Allow solo players to opt out of FP matches with groups in it (but that lowers their queue priority).
- Give solo players stuck in a FP match with groups, a bonus for not having opted out of group matches.
- The solo player bonus should be proportionate to the bonus that grouped FP players enjoy out of being grouped against solo players.
WHY ?
The PGI reasoning for forcing solo players into FP group matches, is probably that ~every solo player would choose to opt out of them if they were given the option to, because there are no benefits and plenty of downsides to being a solo player stuck in a grouped match...
But by offering a reward to solo players for not opting out of grouped FP matches, you are ensuring :
- A significantly superior experience, for the many solo FP players who don't want to be involved in advanced FP group play right away.
- That it's the best solo players who are able to handle group play, that are the ones who choose to opt in to complete the group matches, for the bonus it offers.
- That inexperienced players can come put a toe into FP without being instantly farmed to the bone by one ~full group after another, resulting in a whole lot less players giving up right away on FP before ever making it into an advanced group themselves.
As an option : Maybe do make group match attendence compulsory after reaching a certain Faction Rank, such as rank 10, 15 or 20 ?
Basically it's win-win-win for everyone : No losers, a lot less complainers (who were complaining for strong reasons), more players enjoying and playing FP, more and significantly better balanced FP matches for everyone, grouped or not.
Also start if off with an FP event so QP players can find out what a FP match with a working matchmaker looks like.
HOW ?
Well basically one single FP queue for everyone, but two launch buttons to join it :
- One that comes with a solo bonus and higher queue priority, that will "include" you in grouped matches.
- One that comes with no solo bonus and lower queue priority, that will "exclude" you from grouped matches.
- The MatchMaker will only launch an "ungrouped" match, when there isn't the players for a "grouped" match.
- If giving solo players a bonus is a problem, then give solo players who "exclude" groups a malus instead.
- Option : After reaching a certain Rank, the "exclude" button is greyed out (no longer available for that Faction).
ALTERNATIVE METHOD ?
- Forget the solo player bonus, but keep the two buttons.
- The "exclude" button always starts out greyed out.
- The only way to activate it, is to play a full "include" match.
- After that, once an "exclude" match is played, the "exclude" button is greyed back out again.
This ensures that you don't land right back on the same ~full group if you choose to stick around for another match, instead of having to call it a day to avoid landing right back on the same group that just farmed you... which is the number one reason why players (grouped or not) decide to put an early end to their FP matches for the day, or simply stop coming to FP.
Edited by Humble Dexter, 06 October 2019 - 03:13 PM.
