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[Fraxinus]

I think I missed this tweet, but I really need to address my concerns with this.

NS2 is probably going to use Steamworks. So easy to integrate and we don't have time to write our own matchmaking, anti-cheat, etc.

I understand the need for anti-cheat and matchmaking, but personally I have had nothing but negative experiences with L4D's matchmaking. I can't just pick a server and hop in a game like in counter-strike or even ns3.2 for that matter. I have to wait and wait and wait until 8 people join, which shouldn't really seem like a hard thing but for some reason it is. And if the waiting isn't bad enough half the time multiple players will drop before the game starts. If they don't drop before the game starts they rage after or during the first round.

If NS 3.2 had the same audience as L4D and used L4D's match making system it would be the most ill received game I could imagine. The immense learning curve and the difficulty of finding 5-10 tolerable players would make EVER completing a single round near impossible.

I really urge you not to use the 8 player quick start method of matchmaking that L4D has used. I rate my level of satisfaction with that product at about 20% since only about 2/10 times I can get a decent versus game going.

Please, please, please, use the server directory model that the current version of NS uses.

Not only that, but there are only 4 servers I ever play on and never anywhere else, so you could image how frustrated I would be if (in NS 3.2) I got randomed to some bot server every time I wanted to play.

I truthfully think that L4Ds quick start method matchmaking would kill NS.

Please tell me my understanding of this is wrong.

This post has been edited by Fraxinus: Apr 23 2009, 11:03 PM

[aeroripper]

The matchmaking system steamworks uses is going to get a major upgrade soon in Matchmaking 2.0. I would prefer this system for NS2 if it does use it:

1) All community servers create steam groups that people join.
2) Your favorite server makes one.
3) You can create a match like in L4D, then click to join that stream group server in the lobby.

4) Or you can just hop in the server to see what's up from steam group on the main menu.

One unresolved issue is what would happen if you get a full lobby that wants to join the server, but there is already players on there. All of this discussion is mute if they decide to use the normal server browser.

[Fraxinus]

@aeroripper

Sounds good in theory but why bother with all the extra steps?

The mantra, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies well to this situation. Load up NS, open your favorites list, join server. Simple. Done.

If it works well I don't have a problem with it, but I just don't see it working well, having L4D as my only example.

*Edit:

My issue is necessarily with steamworks as a whole but just their multiplayer matchmaking feature utilized in L4D. TF2 (from what I remember, since I don't play it) has a great blend of the feature, making use of its stat tracker and anti-cheat system. BUT it still uses the server directory method opting out of L4Ds matchmaking (again correct me if i'm wrong).

This post has been edited by Fraxinus: Apr 23 2009, 11:29 PM

[Paradox Monkey]

Max is adding load/save to the cinematic editor -- that's probably a bit overdue

Any chance of a videocast about the cinematic editor in the near future? Very much looking forward to this tool.

Charlie finished the first version of a new NS2 website. Details to come!

Awesome. The promo website we heard about a while back, I assume?

Max is putting the new light machine gun model in game

I second the request that screenshots/renders be posted. Interested to see which design you guys ended up going with.

[aeroripper]

I think the server browser is best for the type of game NS2 will be, but it could use some improvements. For example, clicking on a community server like usual brings up the box with 'auto-join' and a list of all the players on it. In addition, there is a steam group graphic that lets you access all the features of that (including the main menu function of just joining the server with a click and not even needing to open the general browser).

Probably a lot simpler than a matchmaking system.

[Max]

Max is putting the new light machine gun model in game.

Please, can we see at least ONE screenshot for the new LGM?

We haven't achieved the requisite level of awesomeness with the in-game version yet. I'm really impressed with what Cory came up with for the design though; so hard to make a gun feel new and unique without making it crazy, but he nailed it IMO.

[KungFuDiscoMonke...]

My issue is necessarily with steamworks as a whole but just their multiplayer matchmaking feature utilized in L4D. TF2 (from what I remember, since I don't play it) has a great blend of the feature, making use of its stat tracker and anti-cheat system. BUT it still uses the server directory method opting out of L4Ds matchmaking (again correct me if i'm wrong).

steamworks doesn't mean it has to use the L4D lobby system.

[Fraxinus]

@KFDM that was my main concern, I was unsure of a 3rd party developers ability to opt-in/out of certain features.

[Max]

Please tell me my understanding of this is wrong.

Your understanding of this is wrong. Steamworks has a server browser.

[NS-SkorpioN]

We haven't achieved the requisite level of awesomeness with the in-game version yet. I'm really impressed with what Cory came up with for the design though; so hard to make a gun feel new and unique without making it crazy, but he nailed it IMO.

I understand, thank you very much for answer

[6john]

Listening to a whole bunch of old NS1 sounds, many of which didn't make it into the game. Memories!

please tell me that you are putting in the tooltips popup sound from ns1!

I could be dying in a fire and if i heard that sound i would be calm as a summer breeze.

[Raza.]

I hope you are recording new turret sounds. The current ones sound so thin.
And they look kinda wierd.
I'm suggesting the turrets from ALIENS, those were awesome.

[N_3]

i love the turret blip sounds. reminds me of old late night 2 hour ns games; sitting quietly by yourself guarding a hive lockdown

[Xerond]

i love the turret blip sounds. reminds me of old late night 2 hour ns games; sitting quietly by yourself guarding a hive lockdown

Funny you mention that... I took that sound, put it on my phone, and turned it into a ringtone. Everytime I get a text message thats what I hear... I love it.

What's also funny is I used to work for a financial education firm, and some of our work software was on our phones(palm treos) and all my co-workers loved my tone, so I sent it to them. I don't work there anymore but a few of them have it... I wonder if it has continued to spread.

This post has been edited by Xerond: Apr 24 2009, 06:32 AM

[Align]

I can't just pick a server and hop in a game like in counter-strike or even ns3.2 for that matter. I have to wait and wait and wait until 8 people join

While I don't like L4D's matchmaking much, Quickstart seems to work fine. Although, I had to use that one console command that restricts it from joining you to high-ping servers...

[Flayra]

please tell me that you are putting in the tooltips popup sound from ns1!

I could be dying in a fire and if i heard that sound i would be calm as a summer breeze.

Lol. Actually yes, we're currently using the NS1 tooltip sound and I think it still works well.

[locallyunscene]

Lol. Actually yes, we're currently using the NS1 tooltip sound and I think it still works well.

This makes me irrationally happy.

*turns tooltips back on*

[Megahalo]

Twitter seems awfully quiet... something big coming soon me thinks?

[Triggerman]

Twitter seems awfully quiet... something big coming soon me thinks?

It's weekend, pretty natural it's quiet.

[Megahalo]

It's weekend, pretty natural it's quiet.

Yea, but there has also been talks about the new NS2 website, and showing off new cinematic movies. I think that in a few weeks we'll get to see a lot of new NS2 stuff.