Archived from groups: alt.games.doom (
More info?)
"Kilowatt" <kilowatt@charter.net> wrote in message news:3Hm6d.450424$OB3.128377@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "Marshall" <marshall@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:XPj6d.12453$gG4.11179@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> "Kilowatt" <kilowatt@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:kdg6d.642814$Gx4.279676@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> >
>> > "Raymond Martineau" <bk039@freenet.carleton.ca> wrote in message
>> > news:f9pil0tetsvucpcpacvho7k2vanrt59ah7@4ax.com...
>> >> On Tue, 28 Sep 2004 04:33:50 GMT, "Kilowatt" <kilowatt@charter.net>
> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >Am I the only one that would like to see a handicap mode in
> multiplayer
>> >> >games?
>> >> >I have a friend with two kids that enjoy playing Quake3. I think the
>> > main
>> >> >reason we have been able to play for so long is because we can adjust
> the
>> >> >skill of the weaker players.
>> >> >
>> >> >I think more people would play multiplayer games if there was a
> handicap
>> >> >option.
>> >>
>> >> In my opinion, the handicap option is only useful in a non-tournament
> lan
>> >> setting. It doesn't work as well when you go into online play,
> especially
>> >> if players join and leave as the game progresses.
>> >>
>> >> Also, the system used in Quake 3 is a bit primitive - there was a mod
>> >> somewhere (don't remember the name) that gives a bit more control over
> how
>> >> handicapping works, as well as allowing it to be adjusted dynamically.
>> >
>> > I didn't get to see that mod, but dynamically adjusting the settings is
> what
>> > it is going to take to make it catch on. The goal becomes being the guy
>> > with the less handicap, but as long as he is falling as often as
> everyone
>> > else then it is fun for all. You still get to walk away as the bad ass.
>>
>> It would be fun for all in a friendly LAN setting, but would go over like
> a
>> lead ballon on public servers, where high-score is all that most people
>> care about. Looking for sympathy on XYZ-Server because your skills or
>> ping aren't up to snuff with the 'bad-asses'? LOL! Yeah, right ;-) Most
>> internet servers are pure, raw, dog-eat-dog, and sympathy for those with
>> lesser skills or higher pings doesn't fit in at all, in any I've ever been
> on.
>> -Marshall
>>
>>
>
> I think you underestimate this. With dynamic skill adjustments you are
> still very aware of who the best player is but he has to lay down just like
> everyone else.
Point is, they don't want to spend any time dirt-napping, if they can avoid it.
Just killing, irregardless of the skills of who they are killing. I don't say your
suggestion doesn't have merit, just that to the vast majority of online players
wouldn't care for it. It isn't just about being a bad-ass killer, it's about *not*
getting your own ass killed, either. That is the other half of the 'bad-ass' online
formula- kill, but don't_get_killed yourself.
> I guess you have never left a server after having your ass handed to you on
> a platter. I know I have.
On the contrary, with my 56k connection, I spent most of my time near the bottom
of the online heap, in the kills/deaths ratio. And that was back when fewer
players had broadband. Now, it's so bad for the few of us remaining high-ping
bastards, that I hardly ever bother with online shooters, except for the rare games
where coop against the AI is possible. But my beef wasn't about skill levels, just
about ping- which was my problem, not theirs.
But it would be great if some online servers were able to take your suggestion
and run with it, catering to those who would like to play using the handicap
theory. Variety is the spice.
-Marshall
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram