[Disclaimer: I personally would be sticking with 12/12 Quick Play mode as it is, ad verbatim].
A) Please keep 12/12 as core of Quick Play!
Option A: Players must choose "12/12 Quick Play" for this option.
B ) Maybe 8/8 [or even 4/4] in appropriately sized maps (traditional QP mays, and even Solaris maps like 4/4 in Steiner Colosseum!).
~Option B: Players must choose this "8/8 Colosseum Mode" for this option.
C) Random Queue Assignment:
Player chooses "Random Queue Assignment" and MWO server will decide which queue you get into: 12/12 or 8/8.
A bit of virtual CBills rewards for user choosing Random Queue Assignment instead!
Other users can insist on waiting for 8/8 queue only, and
still other users can insist on waiting for 12/12 queue only.
This is the way another online game, ST:O, had overcome some queue which took too long to start!
StrongMouse, on 19 March 2022 - 10:12 PM, said:
Queue times were about 60 seconds faster than the 12v12 matches I have played recently. The tonnage match-up was skewed in some games as expected, usually resulting in lopsided match results. Objectives were typically not played. Every match but one that I played was played as Skirmish/Annihilation mode regardless of the vote outcome. Most matches degenerated into brutal slug fests once the teams were engaged. Strategy and objectives were mostly disregarded. As such, most matches were typically decided in favor of the team to get the first 1 to 2 kills. Recovery from this deficit usually did not happen. Pre-made groups further increased this problem.
From what I saw, heavy or assault mechs with high alpha/Meta builds were the most successful. Fast light/medium builds with a lot of small weapons were also successful. Damage over time builds were subpar. Unless part of a pre-made group working together with a spotter, ATM and LRM builds were not consistently effective. Also unless in a group, a player that tried scouting or flanking solo was usually ineffective or the first mech to be destroyed.
The social aspect of the match has declined and communications were mostly nonexistent. Most players did not use voice communication except to complain about another player's performance.
I played fully skilled and partially skilled mechs. Any mech that was below approximately 50 applied skill points was at a very noticeable disadvantage usually causing early deaths. This meant lower experience per match and potentially making skilling up a new mech to be a grind. I suppose this grind could be overcome if you're willing to pay real money for GSP...
In my humble opinion I feel the 8v8 mode in its current configuration should be dropped.
I think Quick Play should be a fun way to play the game, not be a hardcore annihilation match. I feel that hardcore matches should be done in faction or comp play modes where everyone is of the same mindset. I also feel that Quick Play should be a place to learn how a new mech performs and see what builds work best for you.
The experience point grind that will be required in 8v8 mode discourages me from purchasing any new mechs in the future. Also, I feel there is no point in investing in a game that forces me as a player to use a narrow set of build choices dictated by someone else (not to mention the cost of re-equipping and re-skilling a number of my current mechs to make them viable). For me, experimental and non-meta builds have been a fun aspect of this game.
The 8v8 mode was much less fun that 12v12. It is too intense and not sociable enough to make me want to play this mode regularly. 8v8 is fun if you just want to go out and try to overpower your opponents with Meta Burst or PPFL damage builds.
However I think the 8v8 or even a 4v4 configuration would be a good addition or a possible replacement to the current Solaris 7 arena with suitable rewards. From what I experienced of the 8v8 play mentality this weekend, where the only apparent objective is to annihilate the other players as fast as possible, it would be better suited for the gladiator style of play that Solaris 7 was intended to represent.
Again, this is only my opinion . GL&HF out there!
Edited by w0qj, 19 March 2022 - 11:09 PM.