Squads
Deadzone
Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17911Members, Reinforced - Shadow
Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17911Members, Reinforced - Shadow
<div class="IPBDescription">NO thank you if forced auto-squadding with friends</div>Not to say that this isn't an interesting idea, but if this is automatic and can't be turned off, I'm not a fan. I don't like it for the same reason I don't like games that force matchmaking or force an automatic server selection. It takes away my choice to go with what I feel is the better option at the time. It forces decisions I make outside of the game (who to include as a friend) to have an affect inside the game.
I may have played with people on a server that I know are good (meaning I want to squad with them) without wanting to friend them. Maybe I friended someone because they're awesome at the Steam version of Magic: The gathering, and are awful at NS2.
A friends list is a great tool, and using it to find games where friends are playing is great. However, you don't see it force you to play a specific game or on a specific server with anyone who happens to be on your list. You *do* see a neat button that says "join this friend."
It looks like you have considered the Battlefield squad system. I don't know how BC2 compares to BF2142 (my favorite of the series), but in 2142, the squads are created and maintained by players. There are other neat things that dont' warrant use in smaller teams like NS2, but the commander giving orders to each squad is a good idea.
The blob system was cool, and it could be a good visual effect for the benefit of the commander, but I'm glad we're moving away from that being the whole squad system.
On a side note, I really found it useful to see the names of players standing next to me. That way I knew without taking my eyes off the action that I had backup with me, and who it was.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!
I may have played with people on a server that I know are good (meaning I want to squad with them) without wanting to friend them. Maybe I friended someone because they're awesome at the Steam version of Magic: The gathering, and are awful at NS2.
A friends list is a great tool, and using it to find games where friends are playing is great. However, you don't see it force you to play a specific game or on a specific server with anyone who happens to be on your list. You *do* see a neat button that says "join this friend."
It looks like you have considered the Battlefield squad system. I don't know how BC2 compares to BF2142 (my favorite of the series), but in 2142, the squads are created and maintained by players. There are other neat things that dont' warrant use in smaller teams like NS2, but the commander giving orders to each squad is a good idea.
The blob system was cool, and it could be a good visual effect for the benefit of the commander, but I'm glad we're moving away from that being the whole squad system.
On a side note, I really found it useful to see the names of players standing next to me. That way I knew without taking my eyes off the action that I had backup with me, and who it was.
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!
Comments
However, I don't quite feel the same way about the new squad system. Granted we haven't tried it yet, but a Battlefield type squad system wouldn't suit the game well. In battlefield squads are mostly for fun, aren't really necessary, whereas in NS2 they're trying to make them a major part of the gameplay. In order for that to happen they do have to force you into a squad, yet find a way to incentivize you to actually PLAY with the squad. Sticking you in a squad with your friend I think helps with this, as you're normally more likely to want to stick alongside a friend. I always do because I'm often at my friend's house on my laptop and we're playing cooperatively. I don't feel like this system is going to impose too much but we will just have to wait and see I guess. Maybe commanders should be able to edit squads, which would certainly help in clan matches when the commanders know their teammates' strengths and weaknesses. That way pub players could request the comm to switch squads if they really had a problem.
Just my nickel's worth