Author Topic: New Arena (Read 384 times)

kylecmurphy · « **on:** March 12, 2002, 11:36:53 AM »

It seems as though many players are getting frustrated with the Main Arena lately and leaving the game. This is not good for the game or HTC. I think much of this frustration stems from the fact that at times there can be such a huge amount of players in that one Arena (470).

In my opinion one of the ways this could be addressed is for HTC to create a new arena, different enough from the MA or the CT, and lower the maximum number allowed into the MA.

If this is a common sentiment amongst the AH community a large vocal outcry for a solution could make a difference and save HTC from losing a large number of players, and money.

Just my thoughts.

MurphRTC

Apache · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2002, 11:42:52 AM »

Seperating the community has never been a good idea IMHO. As much as some hate to hear it, lazs area arena is a way to go.

I do share your concern.

ZOSO · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2002, 11:57:08 AM »

300-400 players is way too crowded for my taste. Maybe things will change with the bigger maps we're supposed to be getting with the new version. I sure hope so. The CT is an option, but I'm only interested in the Pac setups.

popeye · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2002, 12:04:51 PM »

There will always be giant furballs -- in the current MA, a larger MA, separate arenas, and/or "area" arenas. People go where the action is.

However, I don't have much trouble finding small fights, no matter how many players are online. You just need to look around.

Ripsnort · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2002, 12:09:50 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by popeye

However, I don't have much trouble finding small fights, no matter how many players are online. You just need to look around.

Agreed, and/or go to the CT.

J_A_B · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2002, 12:38:43 PM »

Oh how quickly people forget.

It IS possible to get rid of the massive 40-50 plane "gangfests"; this simply does not happen with under about 200 people in the arena. Limit it to 170 or so and the fights will generally remain high-quality, manageable affairs.

There are many different ways to give various arenas a different "flavor" without having everyone go to just 1. Less strat/more strat; early/late war (although this has failed in the past it may work in AH); pacific/europe; two country/three country; regular planeset/country specific planesets.

As for "separation of the community"......considering now when 400 people are online there practically isn't a community beyond squad affiliations anyway, I don't see that as a problem. Reducing the player numbers will IMPROVE the AH community by virtue of improving communication, much more so than most people who've only played AH realize. Lower numbers is why the CT is often referred to as being a "more personal" arena than the MA is.

I understand the concerns that a lot of people here have about AH going in a new direction, but in this care there's nothing to worry about. If AH were to move to the "multiple MA" concept it would greatly improve the variety and community of AH with little or no drawback.

J_A_B

K West · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2002, 01:14:44 PM »

I agree with JAB 100%. And mutiple arenas do not split a community. Having two different products under the same name do - ala AW (rr vs. fr) and WB's (easy (FO/ACA) vs. real mode)

Until HTC's gets a larger ''net pipe moved to Skuzzy, when the AH host is able to crunch the computations faster & better for larger number of online players (seems to be a problem IMO when large numbers are fighting all in a condensed area) and the host-to-client con limit is upped then the huge numbers seen in just one arena lately will continue to be a problem.

Luckily the pipe is going to be bigger, moved back to Applink and I suspect the client bandwidth raised (based on a recent online poll I answered when logging in)

Westy

popeye · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2002, 01:52:10 PM »

"I suspect the client bandwidth raised (based on a recent online poll I answered when logging in)"

Yeah, I wondered about that, too. I'm guessing that my pathetic 26.4K connect is right at the ragged edge as it is.

WhiteHawk · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2002, 02:16:01 PM »

I would go to CT but there is never anybody in there.
I wonder how many other playeres feel thisway.
Need an idea to prime the pump in CT and I believe that the
arena will be a success. But, unlike the early settlers,
I wont go in there and waste my time waiting for otheres to
arrive.

hitech · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2002, 02:26:17 PM »

The poll had nothing to do with game bandwidth, had to do with download sizes.

CptTrips · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2002, 02:39:13 PM »

>However, I don't have much trouble finding small fights, no
>matter how many players are online. You just need to look
>around.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Agreed, and/or go to the CT.

Well, perhaps not THAT small a fight Rip.

Wab

Ripsnort · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2002, 02:44:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by AKWabbit
>However, I don't have much trouble finding small fights, no
>matter how many players are online. You just need to look
>around.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Agreed, and/or go to the CT.

Well, perhaps not THAT small a fight Rip.

Wab

Actually, we've been running 10-15% of the MA total, reminds me alot of the Beta days, Wab. Week nights about 30-60 online in the CT arena, but its VERY dependant on the terrain, and the ability of the terrain designer to make spawn points for GV's useable.

SKurj · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2002, 03:22:48 PM »

We'll see what happens when the new terrain in 1.09 is released which is 4x the size of the largest terrain used in the MA to this point.

I honestly feel that NONE of the current terrains can handle the player base during primetime.

The players need to be spread out over larger fronts or more arenas IMO

SKurj

whels · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2002, 03:38:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SKurj
We'll see what happens when the new terrain in 1.09 is released which is 4x the size of the largest terrain used in the MA to this point.

I honestly feel that NONE of the current terrains can handle the player base during primetime.

The players need to be spread out over larger fronts or more arenas IMO

SKurj

larger maps wont solve the huge furball problem. the maps we have now we rarely use more then 4 to 5 bases at 1 time.
bigger maps will be just more unused bases. each map has certain bases that are the furball/choke points , example:

Islands : A1 to A4, 9 and 10, and 27 to 8
Uterus: 19 to A1, 44 to 13, and 42 to 43
Mindano: anything to 44, A1 to 43, and 5 to 22
Baltic: 18 to 19, 51 to 10, 62 to 5, and 41/42 to 44 43 45

as u see each map has about only 5 or so bases
where we all fight 99% of time. expanding the size
of these maps wont change that. we will still
just a small # of the bases just like now.

whels

SKurj · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2002, 03:56:44 PM »

well whels... i am remembering big pac in aw (rr)

I think it WILL spread the fights out. The milkrunners will be to thank for this +)
"oh hey... noone watching that base way over there..." so off he sneaks trying to pork that base. Someone ups to defend it, then retaliation.. then a nice small furball.

Personally i think for those that want small fights the large map will make them easier to find WITH less risk of being banged +)
It should be better for everyone.

SKurj