Multiplayer Matchmaking - Will we ever see an improvement?

[Ranger33]

I ask this because I recently picked up Battle Academy 2 from Matrix and saw how their PBEM++ system works.

Just imagine if you could fire up Combat Mission, hit multiplayer, create a nice little meeting engagement of size and type to your liking, post it, then wait until you get an email letting you know it's your turn to play! This is how Battle Academy works and it's awesome. You can browse games posted by others, decide on one that suits you and one-click later you are playing.

I haven't played CM multiplayer in over a year, but last I checked it involved using Dropbox and a third-party program to handle moving files around for you, which I suppose is convenient enough, but still feels clunky.

Not to mention, in BA you can browse and download new community scenarios from within the game.

I know this is unlikely, but just something to think about. I wonder if they could just lease the whole system from Matrix?

Edit: And before anyone says "Most people don't play multiplayer so it shouldn't be a priority" I would pre-emptively counter that by arguing that few people bother with multiplayer because it's a PITA to setup and play.

[SgtHatred]

I really don't see the point in enhancing PBEM in 2014. Direct connect Real-time and turn-based are effective.

[Sergei]

I really don't see the point in enhancing PBEM in 2014. Direct connect Real-time and turn-based are effective.

I much prefer PBEM, although I would be interested in TCP/IP turn based if it allowed replays. But PBEM also fits my play style better (playing one turn at a time, overanalysing each one ), and it's easier to play with people all over the world and you don't have to reserve a couple of hours from your daily schedule for a game. Now I don't actually have any suggestions for improvements as such, but both direct play and PBEM could be made more convenient for sure.

[Stagler]

Direct connect often doesn't work through routers. A lot of port forwarding and general F***ing about is required. Isn't that right Roy.

[SgtHatred]

Direct connect often doesn't work through routers. A lot of port forwarding and general F***ing about is required. Isn't that right Roy.

Nah. Combat Mission only requires 1 port to be forwarded. I would expect everyone to be able to figure that out.

A friend of mine has an internal network setup so terrible that I am pretty sure any IT network professionals exposed to it would instantly kill themselves, and yet he is able to host CMBN games just fine.

[A Canadian Cat]

I much prefer PBEM, although I would be interested in TCP/IP turn based if it allowed replays. But PBEM also fits my play style better (playing one turn at a time, overanalysing each one ), and it's easier to play with people all over the world and you don't have to reserve a couple of hours from your daily schedule for a game.

+1 for that.

I ask this because I recently picked up Battle Academy 2 from Matrix and saw how their PBEM++ system works.

What you describe sounds pretty good. I would even settle for some command line options (see my sig) so that third parties could build a layer on on top for handling just what you describe.

[Ranger33]

In case it wasn't clear from my post (upon rereading, I could see how there might be some confusion), all of that is done within the game. You have a screen that shows all new games waiting for opponents, games that you are waiting for your opponent to play their turn, and games that are waiting for you to play your turn. Easy peasy, no messing around with files outside the game.

[PeterH]

I wouldn't mind just better ability for real-time play. Its a pain due to having to gain miro skills, but it would create a smoother mp experience.

[purpheart23]

Direct connect often doesn't work through routers. A lot of port forwarding and general F***ing about is required. Isn't that right Roy.

Indeed it is Nick, hamachi to the rescue my lad.

[Vinnart]

This is an area I never understood why there is nothing good in place especially with real time HvH. There just is no support for it. If they ever go CoOp multiplayer (The crown jewel of real time play!) I hope BF learns the lessons from Sudden Strike 3's mistakes, and puts something good together for people to find and join games.

[Lacroix]

I really don't see the point in enhancing PBEM in 2014. Direct connect Real-time and turn-based are effective.

this. also you can save the turn and contiue playing later.

Only thing that is ''negative'' is that you cant replay action. but its not a big deal to me.Factor of ignorance or lack of information is needed sometimes.

Replay button for me is more a cosmetic feature than a gameplay one for that reason

[jep]

I really don't see the point in enhancing PBEM in 2014. Direct connect Real-time and turn-based are effective.

I am not sure there are enough players to make something like that viable. Nothing is worse than an empty multiplayer lobby. Battlefront hosted file server would work, but I doubt that BF can afford the development / upkeep costs. There are far too many "house rules" needed to make me wonder if players actually want to play against random opponent.

[A Canadian Cat]

Only thing that is ''negative'' is that you cant replay action. but its not a big deal to me.

Nope the real, negative is you have to dedicate a block of time the play a scenario through and cannot play asynchronously.

No offense meant in anyway. I am happy you like playing RT or WEGO connected directly. That is awesome. I hope BFC makes that way of playing better and better for you.

But I also hope they do not do it at the expense of PBEM because that is pretty much the only way I can play against a human. With kids and a wife that is not a fan of game playing of any kind I would be out of luck if PBEM went away.

So, do me a favour and ask for the features you care about, and the improvements you want but don't ask them to remove features that others care about.

[dan/california]

Nope the real, negative is you have to dedicate a block of time the play a scenario through and cannot play asynchronously.

No offense meant in anyway. I am happy you like playing RT or WEGO connected directly. That is awesome. I hope BFC makes that way of playing better and better for you.

But I also hope they do not do it at the expense of PBEM because that is pretty much the only way I can play against a human. With kids and a wife that is not a fan of game playing of any kind I would be out of luck if PBEM went away.

So, do me a favour and ask for the features you care about, and the improvements you want but don't ask them to remove features that others care about.

My wife hates my game playing more than porn. I mean ,like a lot more, still trying to sort this one after being married quite a little while.

[SgtHatred]

I am not sure there are enough players to make something like that viable. Nothing is worse than an empty multiplayer lobby. Battlefront hosted file server would work, but I doubt that BF can afford the development / upkeep costs. There are far too many "house rules" needed to make me wonder if players actually want to play against random opponent.

Well, I certainly wouldn't want to play with randoms in this game, so a lobby for multiplayer wouldn't be high on my list of wants.

Nope the real, negative is you have to dedicate a block of time the play a scenario through and cannot play asynchronously.

That sucks that you can't afford the time to play something you enjoy. Good luck with the schedule going forward.

My wife hates my game playing more than porn. I mean ,like a lot more, still trying to sort this one after being married quite a little while.

Help, I'm trapped in a bad sitcom.

If you want a PBEM matchmaking service, I would suggest creating one. You wouldn't be able to get around the exit/load cycle, but it'd be pretty easy website build. I'm surprised one doesn't already exist?

[Ranger33]

That's the thing, if you could reasonably expect a community member to come up with this in their free time, wouldn't it be reasonable to discuss the game developer integrating it into the game? I'm not demanding it or anything, but after a decade or two one might expect some upgrades to be made. Also, if you don't want to play with randoms, you can create a password locked game and still have it appear in the lobby.

I for one much prefer asynchronous play since I don't have hours and hours of free time, plus it's nice to be able to take your time with each turn, especially with big scenarios.