I had an idea for a different type of readyroom, but I don’t have enough insight in the Halflife code, to know if this is at all possible, and therefore I’m asking. And I would also like some feedback on my idea. I don’t have any illusions about this getting implemented, as it would probably be too complex, but I like the idea, and therefore would know if at sometime I could expect this in a game.

I started thinking about the readyroom, and the fact that it is often empty or when there are players in the readyroom during a game, the ones playing will get annoyed that those in the readyroom don’t join.

So I thought if the readyroom could be changed so that the number of players in the readyroom doesn’t affect the available slots on the server. The idea would be that this could encourage players to wait in the readyroom for an open slot, and talk to others. At the same time, those playing the game won’t be angry at those idling, because if someone want’s to join the game, the idling player isn’t occupying it. I hope I made that part of it understandable.

After this, I played a little more with the idea, and thought that if this could be possible, perhaps the readyroom could be further changed, so that those in readyroom could be alerted, when one side needed reinforcements. I thought of a siren, or some blinking red lights for marine, and something similar for aliens. Perhaps playing the sound for hive under attack, to encourage player to join the alien side.

And if you like that idea, I have an even further evolvement, which I know is probably totally unrealistic, but kind of cool (if I should say so myself ). If you could somehow link 10 servers, and have them play different maps, and then program a common readyroom. Then players would join the common readyroom, and they could join each of the 10 servers from this common readyroom. If they join a server, they go directly into the game, and not to a separate readyroom. If you add a tactical overview with a galaxymap, then players could see that on this planet or on that ship (different maps) the marine side needs reinforcement, or that a hive is dying somewhere else.

The idea is that players would feel much more involved, and when they join, they know they are needed to stop the invading marines/aliens. And the readyroom would be a more social and friendly place, where NSplayers would meet and talk. Perhaps you could also have clans make challenges in this readyroom.

It's a nice idea but you can usually see who needs reinforcements by looking at the scoreboard and taking a quick assessment of the player scores and numbers. NS is such that (unless the good players have stacked on one side) the team with the lower number of players will usually need an extra player.

Also this could put some players off joining a team because they know it's losing. I've noticed that in the never-ending quest for that perfect round of NS players would rather kill a round that try to save it for the losing team; some getting in the CC and dropping as many turrets as possible, others ramboing because 'they know the game is already lost' etc. It's those sort of players that would ruin your idealism by refusing to join a team out of principle.

On the other hand I do like the fact that if they did decide to do that someone else would still be able to join the game, someone who actually wanted to play instead of complaining about a noob Com or res **** etc.

The problem with the Sirens etc. is that you'd probably require entities for this, entities that would better be used in game than the ready room. The NS Mapping Guidelines specify that you only use a certain amount of entities per map. There are exceptions but I doubt sirens and the like would not count towards the precious entity count.

Of course this is perfectly feasible, but I can't see it being included in NS' current format. I also had an idea for a ready-room which I think is doable, but I'm afraid I'm keeping it under wraps until I can at least try it out...

very cool idea but i think there is a major problem with this

the server has the slots not the game

everyone in the readyroom is actualy on the server, no matter what!
so there is no way to implement this!

(except if the readyromm is on another server )

Is there no (conceivable) way you can allow the server to cater for 18 people but only allow 16 to join the game?

To be honest the best way to get around this is to have a 5 minute idle kick, enough time for you to have a cigarette, a cup of tea/coffee, go to the toilet etc.

P.S. I'm not advocating the buying or smoking of tobacco products.

I'm sure there is a way to implement the simpler ideas similarly to the reserved slot system. But it would be a big pain in the butt, and not worth it.

One of the mvm maps (co_deagle?) is actually set up so you can see the ready room from the playing field, and vice versa. Even in all the other maps, the ready room is still part of the level, and you are "playing" but removed from the action.

A better solution is to beg your favorite server's admins for an auto-kick for idlers and auto-join for people just screwing around in the rr.

Perhaps a seperate server for handling the readyroom, and then linking to the actual game servers would be a possible way to solve this.

After discussing this with some friends, they suggested that perhaps the paths leading to marine / aliens could light red or green depending on whether there was room in the game for more players. That way perople waiting to join could get in line, and when the green light goes on, they join.

I'm glad you like this idea, even if it's pretty difficult to do. Perhaps the biggest problem is that you can see most of these futures in the servers list, and the scoreboard. And that all these features isn't affecting the game itself. However it could give a better mood, and that is important in NS, as I see it.

I like the "separate server" readyroom idea, if it's possible...Especially if there were several servers running just one map you could link to...The marine/alien section could send you to whichever location needs reinforcements, ie you could join the readyroom, then go straight to Tanith or Eclipse, as needed.

So, the Readyroom would be more like a transit station than whatever it is now, and give a "massively multiplayer" feel to it "Hey X_buddy, come with me to Bast - the marines could use some help"

Unfortunately, this would require a lot of work, especially with linking up dedicated servers right now...This looks like something that would fit better in NS2, when that gets made...after all, "NS was the first contact, NS2 is the war"

A cool idea but you have to declare a max_players constant at the start...

This is idea is very cool but it will be a pain in the arse to program and having cross server connection is way outside the box. Why don't you use your second server for HLTV then?

Well... how about something like BattleNet or GameSpy Arcade?

You join a main "server" that has the ready room... from that readyroom, you can see a couple other, related servers (related as in same clan, by request, sister clan, ect) that show the game in progress...

exactly my point...I dont think this is possible using the steam system, so the game would pretty much have to be a stand-alone game, not just a mod. Which is why I think this idea would be great for NS2

also you have to pay for TWO servers!

i dont think this make hosting NS more popular

I would rather get in line to join the server and do something else while I wait than watch a readyroom for however long until somebody leaves.

i think this can be done as simply as,

player limit = 32

alien team limit = 10
human team limit = 10

so in theory it is a 20 person server, but can fit 32,
12 in the ready room, some in the spectators perhaps.

but the server name would have to be changed, to something like:

|NAME|-----------------------|PLAYERS|--|--MAP--|--|PING|
Optus NS 20pl #1-----------| 27/32 |--|co_bleh|--|150 |


i have no idea why your talking about seperate hosting etc

Great idea Cerebrus. Done in that way, it's actually pretty easy to do.

I know there are servers, that don't care how many players are on, and only limit this number to make the game more balanced. A 32 person server limited to 20 players ingame would indeed be a very easy way to do this. (Servers that charge you based on the number of slots ont the server shouldn't be used for something like this.)

But it would be hard to change player behaviour just by changing server stats. I still think this idea is correctly placed in ideas for future versions, but at least now it's more easy to implement.