The waiting

[Tharael]

When HoMM is played over the internet, there's also a lot waiting every round if there's more than 2 players. So my suggestion is that you create a small mini game, which can be played when waiting for the other to end his/her turn.

The minigame would be like this: First you could create your own army, you could put anything to it. You could choose what monsters, how many of them and what kind of hero you have. Then you would create other team, which would be controlled by a computer. Then you could just fight against the computer, while the other one is using his/her turn.

Ofcourse this minigame would NOT affect the main game at all.

[Captain_Stifu]

Your mini game idea is much too close to Heroes, in my opinion. It should be something totally different... Like a dart board game, a card game, a dice game (all of those with a Heroes tavern theme to them) or whatever...

[indie85]

Something similar to the card game in might n magic 7 would be quite cool.

[phoenixzs]

How about playing a second heroes game while you are waiting.Ä?f the game had the option of supporting two multiplayer games at the same time we wouldnt needing such games.You could play your second game while waiting the turn come in the first.Ofcourse it could be confusing sometimes and need some extra rules so that players are not stuck waiting another players turn that is playing his second games turn.
But since this is a bit tough at this time how about giving preorders while its not your turn.Say you are sure that no matter happens in your next turn you are building this or you are moving your hero to that point.So you give preorders and next turn its all done at the begining of your turn.Ä?ts a bit risky ofcourse but saves time thats for sure.

[LegendReborn]

Several games have used "simultaneous turn" concepts, and rewarded the fastest player. Something like that should be possible.

In this kind of gameplay, the following standards more or less apply:

- Your units execute their moves only once ALL turns end.

- Your opponent issues orders at the same time as you do, and may have a timer that ticks on after you submit your orders (e.g. you finish your turn and your oppoonent gets a warning [variable time set in the game options when the game starts] All other turns completed: 90 seconds to turn end.. and then a countdown)

- All orders are then executed, and conflicts are resolved based on movement on the world map.

This kind of systems sounds great, however historically it has proven to be VERY difficult to balance. It does allow for some really cool strategic moves, however its hard to prevent the AI from leaving towns open or similiar errors...

[SandroOrc]

If you are getting bored during opponents turn, I would recommend playing some of the free games on yahoo. Plenty of card games available and Zuma is a great time killer http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Or if you are still in school/college, you can always do homework/study while waiting.

I do like the idea of the mini game you suggested though even if not for between turns. Would be nice to have an easy way to practice various battle situations to find the best tactics.

[Aseved]

Well, that mini-game could be some sort of Zuma or Tetris, or some other simple game but (Heroes of) M&M-related. Benefit would be you don't have to go out of your game.

Could be interesting, for games with 3-players or more that you could play some of these games against the other players.

Of course, it would be nice to be able to "save" the game at the time you are going to play your turn and then recall it when you have finished it.

[UndeadDontDie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LegendReborn:
- Your units execute their moves only once ALL turns end.
- Your opponent issues orders at the same time as you do, and may have a timer that ticks on after you submit your orders (e.g. you finish your turn and your oppoonent gets a warning [variable time set in the game options when the game starts] All other turns completed: 90 seconds to turn end.. and then a countdown)
- All orders are then executed, and conflicts are resolved based on movement on the world map. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No no no.
Such a change will completely change the entire game, one of the fun points about HoMM is that you can take your time if you want to, and fast players gain no advantages over slow player.
I don't want HoMM to become another click-fest game rewarding fast gameplay.
You can't make the movement simulataenous as well because heroes don't move just once in a turn, they move to many different places (killing X, picking up Y, claiming mine Z...).
Simultaenous turn resolving only fits games like "Risk" (if you saw the PC version of it), "Dominions" is a good example of a well done simultaenous-turn game.
I'd say that allowing a PBEM mode would be a much nicer solution to the problem (as well as the little game the thread opener suggested, it sounds pretty nice).

[LegendReborn]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by UndeadDontDie:
1. No no no.

2.Such a change will completely change the entire game, one of the fun points about HoMM is that you can take your time if you want to, and fast players gain no advantages over slow player.
I don't want HoMM to become another click-fest game rewarding fast gameplay.

3.You can't make the movement simulataenous as well because heroes don't move just once in a turn, they move to many different places (killing X, picking up Y, claiming mine Z...).
Simultaenous turn resolving only fits games like "Risk" (if you saw the PC version of it), "Dominions" is a good example of a well done simultaenous-turn game.

4. I'd say that allowing a PBEM mode would be a much nicer solution to the problem (as well as the little game the thread opener suggested, it sounds pretty nice). <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I took the liberty of numbering your points to facilitate responding to them...

LOL, miss the point much? ;-)

1. I was explaining how simultaneous turns work, NOT specifically recommending them. They would be an interesting fast game option, much like.. oh my gosh.. Speed chess ;-P

2 A. Simultaneous turn systems do not create a "click-fest" they only reward the faster player in direct proportion to the lack of their opponents skill/timing. Moving through your turn quickly can slaughter you if you forget to build a critical building or move an important hero...

2 B. That being said, the feel of a simultaneous turn system is almost completely antithetical to HOMM, which, in my mind, should be more graceful and measured than clashing and spastic...

3. You could certainly make the movement simultaneous.. try MAX or MAX 2 in simultaneous mode for an example. Again, I don't think you should, however if you can't figure out how you could, than I bemoan the paucity of your imagination.... (simplest method would be a Zone of control that triggers combat between two armies when they interact / pass near). In fact, something like this would allow for some fascinating strategic options.. (loop your movement deliberately when near a mine to delay when in the execution phase your hero encouters the mine.. staging it to be after your more direct opponnent has tagged it and wiped the defenders)

4. Ugh, PBEM totally misses the point as well, as what the OP was complaining about was the slow response of his opponent in an internet H2H game.

Personally, having some sort of mini-game is very unneccessary in my opinion.. read a book or browse the internet in the interim if you are that short attention fixated...

[Fidanas]

Aaaah...this **** waiting! I don't think that an inside game should do any good either. Whenever i played Multiplayer, i was get frustrated because i missed the quick action. Auto combat in HOMM-3 did a fair job, but not to all races. I don't really know.http://dowstats.relicnews.com/sm/sergeant_melee_2.jpg

[Tyler_toh]

I think the simultaneos moves system is a verry good ideaa and i think it will eventually be implemented in heroes no doubt about it...
In what series it will be it's up to them http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[UndeadDontDie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LegendReborn:
I took the liberty of numbering your points to facilitate responding to them...

LOL, miss the point much? ;-)

1. I was explaining how simultaneous turns work, NOT specifically recommending them. They would be an interesting fast game option, much like.. oh my gosh.. Speed chess ;-P

2 A. Simultaneous turn systems do not create a "click-fest" they only reward the faster player in direct proportion to the lack of their opponents skill/timing. Moving through your turn quickly can slaughter you if you forget to build a critical building or move an important hero...

2 B. That being said, the feel of a simultaneous turn system is almost completely antithetical to HOMM, which, in my mind, should be more graceful and measured than clashing and spastic...

3. You could certainly make the movement simultaneous.. try MAX or MAX 2 in simultaneous mode for an example. Again, I don't think you _should_, however if you can't figure out how you could, than I bemoan the paucity of your imagination.... (simplest method would be a Zone of control that triggers combat between two armies when they interact / pass near). In fact, something like this would allow for some fascinating strategic options.. (loop your movement deliberately when near a mine to delay when in the execution phase your hero encouters the mine.. staging it to be after your more direct opponnent has tagged it and wiped the defenders)

4. Ugh, PBEM totally misses the point as well, as what the OP was complaining about was the slow response of his opponent in an internet H2H game.

Personally, having some sort of mini-game is very unneccessary in my opinion.. read a book or browse the internet in the interim if you are that short attention fixated... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Now I can use your numbered points =P
1. Well, I thought you implied you'd like that, just a misunderstanding then =P
2.A. I only mentioned a "Quick Fest" because you said it should reward the fastest player, which is not something I want in a game I play, I want to have time to think and not be forced to move quickly just to get the upper hand.
2.B. A simulataenous turn system might somehow work, but IMO not in this format and not in HoMM.
3. Im not saying you can't, Im saying it would be difficult and uncomfortable for HoMM, other games can (obviously) work just fine with a simultaenous system, mainly because they are designed to work on such a system.
4. PBEM is just a nice feature that can be added, and it does mean you don't have to actually wait for your opponent's turn (since you know you won't recieve another Email you can just go and engage in other buisness rather than have the game running in the background.

Now, with everything being said, I have two more things to add (which, for your convinience I will number 5 and 6):
5. Ive seen several games where simultaenous movement worked out swell, but never seen ones working the way I think you mean your system will work (my understanding of your system has somewhat changed due to your last post).
Dominions and the PC version of Risk are good examples, in both games each player has ample time to make his turn and his decisions, but the decisions themselves will only take place after everyone finished their turn, and everything will happen at the same time. So if you ordered army X to attack province Y and an enemy ordered army Z to attack army X's province, you will have two options, either X will attack Y and then Z attack X province, or have Z attack X with its army.
Now I just made a mess of everything =P.
6. I like arguements and I like arguing, so keep that in mind while replying =P.