Ideas for Multiplayer

[Dentari]

Yeah, I know there are a few other threads similar in topic, but I wanted a consolidated thread just for ideas for improving multiplayer options in HoMM. Let's face it, multiplayer is the biggest reason the game is so popular.

So, here are some of my suggestions:

- Flexible Alliances and diplomacy. As I stated in another post, the ability to form long and short term alliances in game creates a whole new political dynamic that really adds a lot of depth to a game. It also allows weaker players to band up and help take down a stronger player to even out the playing field. This is one of the things I would most like to see in a new incarnation of heroes.

- An option to have all battles automatically resolved, for those who prefer quicker games that focus on strategy more than battle tactics. Less important, as I believe more experienced players would prefer to do the battles themselves, but it's a simple enough option to implement.

- I was going to suggest some manner of allowing a play by email system, but the turn by turn system doesn't really allow for an elegant way of handling it that I can see, unless there are drastic changes in the game design.

[Dentari]

Yeah, I know there are a few other threads similar in topic, but I wanted a consolidated thread just for ideas for improving multiplayer options in HoMM. Let's face it, multiplayer is the biggest reason the game is so popular.

So, here are some of my suggestions:

- Flexible Alliances and diplomacy. As I stated in another post, the ability to form long and short term alliances in game creates a whole new political dynamic that really adds a lot of depth to a game. It also allows weaker players to band up and help take down a stronger player to even out the playing field. This is one of the things I would most like to see in a new incarnation of heroes.

- An option to have all battles automatically resolved, for those who prefer quicker games that focus on strategy more than battle tactics. Less important, as I believe more experienced players would prefer to do the battles themselves, but it's a simple enough option to implement.

- I was going to suggest some manner of allowing a play by email system, but the turn by turn system doesn't really allow for an elegant way of handling it that I can see, unless there are drastic changes in the game design.

[Horn_HL]

Alliances and diplomacy IMO are purely singleplayer features. There is no need of them in MP game at all. If you want to even weaker and stronger players, you need a good handycap system, not alliances. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
The problem of the game speed is one of the biggest in MP. 4-8 hours per game (sometimes more, it's the mean value) - too long! But how to decrease this time without lost of interest?

[RexMund1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Horn_HL:
Alliances and diplomacy IMO are purely singleplayer features. There is no need of them in MP game at all. If you want to even weaker and stronger players, you need a good handycap system, not alliances. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
The problem of the game speed is one of the biggest in MP. 4-8 hours per game (sometimes more, it's the mean value) - too long! But how to decrease this time without lost of interest? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You could always try playing allied maps with friends instead of silent head to head games with anonymous oponents.

[Dentari]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Horn_HL:
Alliances and diplomacy IMO are purely singleplayer features. There is no need of them in MP game at all. If you want to even weaker and stronger players, you need a good handycap system, not alliances. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
The problem of the game speed is one of the biggest in MP. 4-8 hours per game (sometimes more, it's the mean value) - too long! But how to decrease this time without lost of interest? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Er, alliance and diplomacy are purely multiplayer options as far as I am concerned. Computer AI has never really been all that good when it comes to alliances. Some of the best multiplayer strategy games involve making, breaking, and backstabbing alliances with the other people you are playing with.

[Horn_HL]

Whom do I make alliances with? Almost all MP games are 1 vs 1 (some AI players may present on map, but humans - only two). It's possible to play 2 vs 2, than there I will know my ally and my enemies, they won't be changed during the game. But such playing is too long, one can sleep an hour between his turns. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
to RexMund1:
My opponents are not anonymous, we are playing by local network. I consider HMM as a sport competition, so allied maps are not for me.

[ApocCow]

Well, I think that Dentari has a good idea. And if 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2 are a problem, maybe there should be more 1 vs 1 vs 1 vs 1 maps. Alliances with set number of turns would be excellent in my opinion, even with just the AI.

[Dog_in_Black]

One item I can think of right now, from a long list of things I need to type up, is to have the ability to plan moves between turns.

I guess you could call this queueing (sp?) for structures. But if I have 7 armies going I'd like to be able to plan where they will automatically move next turn provided a certain type of event does not occur (they are attacked, enemy hero comes in range, etc..). This would shorten the turn length for me greatly, as all but the most important actions or fighting could be worked out ahead of time while other players are actually moving.

[C_h_u_c_k_l_e_s]

MP options? Okay, here's my biggest one. Some type of memory IP holder. Keep my frequently used ip's stored so I don't have to look them up and type them in every time. even allow us to type in a nickname for the IP's.

Allowing the other players to view a combat between other heroes when playing allied games. I hate having to get the "play-by-play" from the combatants....they have other things to do and they usually don't give the info we're wanting to know. Besides...we're bored waiting for them to finish their battle. :O)

[Dentari]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Horn_HL:
Whom do I make alliances with? Almost all MP games are 1 vs 1 (some AI players may present on map, but humans - only two). It's possible to play 2 vs 2, than there I will know my ally and my enemies, they won't be changed during the game. But such playing is too long, one can sleep an hour between his turns. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
to RexMund1:
My opponents are not anonymous, we are playing by local network. I consider HMM as a sport competition, so allied maps are not for me. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, you may not like allied play, but many others do. Yes, games with many players do take a long time, but some people enjoy long term games like that, although I find that games with more than 4 players run too long for my taste.

Hopefully HoMM V will include ways to speed up turns, perhaps through build queing as someone mentioned, or setting up waypoint commands for troop movements, etc.