Collecting problems
PostPosted: 14 May 2015, 16:40
Here I’m trying to collect known gameplay problems. (arranged in order of appearance during play session). Most of these problems have one or more possible solutions. Some problems are trivial and some are not even a problem. Yet I’m keeping them in for the sake of the topic - collecting the problems. Once collected we can think them through, possibly finding solutions that each solve more than 2 or 3 problems at once.
1. Complicated gameplay mechanics
Despite the genre the game is still quite complicated to a newcomer, compared to other RTS games. Basic town needs a lot of houses/units/roads/actions just to become self-sustainable.
2. MP slow game pace at the start
The game might me a bit too slow for today, especially at the start. Later on amount of decisions raises and the pace is nearly good.
3. MP games start by the template
Players build their towns by templates, always repeating the same formula until 20-30min mark.
4. Peacetime in MP
It takes 60 min before PvP action can begin. There is no PvP interaction until PT ends, which makes the game very repetitive.
5. Unresponsive army
Controlling army has inherent lag of ~1sec because of tiled unit navigation. Big armies have collision problems, part of the gameplay with armies is focused on keeping the army positioned right when moving and guarding.
6. Army control
Player loses control over groups when they engage in combat. Limits player decision making during engages. Snowballs the game after one engage.
7. Towers and turtling in MP
This problem seems to be dealt with, as players realize that towers can be destroyed with archers and/or sneaked by.
8. Leavers laggers and newbies in MP
MP games seem to be plagued with inexperienced players who lag a lot and leave them game spoiling everyone’s fun.
9. Abrupt game end in MP
Letting enemy into the base means certain defeat. Players can rarely fight back. As soon as player’s defence is breached he is likely to lose and just quits the match.
10. Abrupt game end
The game has no winning screens and graphics.
11. Low player involvement in MP
Despite being quite popular, MP game lacks support for long-term player involvement: persistent nicknames, reputation, competition, clans.
Please cast your vote on which problems are the biggest and which should be dismissed. Maybe I have forgot to list something?
1. Complicated gameplay mechanics
Despite the genre the game is still quite complicated to a newcomer, compared to other RTS games. Basic town needs a lot of houses/units/roads/actions just to become self-sustainable.
2. MP slow game pace at the start
The game might me a bit too slow for today, especially at the start. Later on amount of decisions raises and the pace is nearly good.
3. MP games start by the template
Players build their towns by templates, always repeating the same formula until 20-30min mark.
4. Peacetime in MP
It takes 60 min before PvP action can begin. There is no PvP interaction until PT ends, which makes the game very repetitive.
5. Unresponsive army
Controlling army has inherent lag of ~1sec because of tiled unit navigation. Big armies have collision problems, part of the gameplay with armies is focused on keeping the army positioned right when moving and guarding.
6. Army control
Player loses control over groups when they engage in combat. Limits player decision making during engages. Snowballs the game after one engage.
7. Towers and turtling in MP
This problem seems to be dealt with, as players realize that towers can be destroyed with archers and/or sneaked by.
8. Leavers laggers and newbies in MP
MP games seem to be plagued with inexperienced players who lag a lot and leave them game spoiling everyone’s fun.
9. Abrupt game end in MP
Letting enemy into the base means certain defeat. Players can rarely fight back. As soon as player’s defence is breached he is likely to lose and just quits the match.
10. Abrupt game end
The game has no winning screens and graphics.
11. Low player involvement in MP
Despite being quite popular, MP game lacks support for long-term player involvement: persistent nicknames, reputation, competition, clans.
Please cast your vote on which problems are the biggest and which should be dismissed. Maybe I have forgot to list something?
)
