I've never been a fan of Donner or Kalt. They are okay...I'm just not a fan.
I think a few people feel that way, I think with Kalt, it can kind of seem a little gloomy at times. lol
I recommend we put together a work detail to clean up the sewers, and Alicia takes first shift. lol
Donner has so many narrow corridors, it makes for easy pickings with the MG's, probably another reason
why so many people get upset when a small amount of people are on the server and someone picks up an MG.
it can be a real meat grinder, and having to run a good distance just to get beat up in the same manner,
can kind of wear a person down. lol but perhaps you do learn a little better because of this.
So I think part of the reason we have the psychology that.. the game is only fun with lots of people, is to do
with the nature of the map. That's something to think about... which is why I highly recommend at least mixing
it up with a custom map... just so people don't get burnt out on a standard map. Especially if some of our
eGO plan to spend long hours filling the server. Playing the same map over and over is just mind numbing, and
as Einstein said, doing the same task over and over and expecting different results... is the definition of madness. lol
1. Avalanche is really fun. Great people. Just make sure the game doesn't reset during peak game time in the evenings. (If that is possible)
I'm afraid the server resets are mandatory... it's not a good idea letting the servers play constantly without a reset,
just in case there is a glitch or a bug, it resets the internal state of things, and probably updates some information
somewhere. Plus... its like i said in another post, some people play too long and need a break... so if someone leaves,
its probably for the best.
Also, usually it doesn't take too long for the server to fill back up after the fact... its usually the transition between the
americans leaving for the evening, and the europeans day starting.
2. Replace Donner and Kalt with just one server and eliminate those maps. I would try a rotation server of "two" fun and fast maps. It's been a while since I played a variety of maps but I do remember Orange maps being fun and also "Flash" as a good map (full disclosure it?s my favorite but I realize it isn't everyone's). I make the recommendation of "fun & fast maps" like Avalanche because of the smaller number of DODs players now.
I don't mind playing an orange map every now and then, lol but i don't think i'd want to play one 24/7
I do like Flash, and i think people who like Avalanche, tend to like Flash as well.
Most peoples complaints with Flash is that its too small of a map, and is a grenadier's dream, which I don't
think a lot of players quite associate with skill.
We actually used to have a Flash 24/7 server, but it was quickly drummed out because there was only a
handful of eGO who actually enjoyed the map.
3. I think if the Avalanche server is full then an auto-redirect to the eGo secondary server is a good idea. Especially if the maps meet my expectations of item #2. However, why redirect players to maps that already don't generate enough interest like Donner #88 and Kalt #108?
You make an excellent point, the maps currently don't have the activity, so why redirect to maps that don't have the interest.
Its like i said in my previous post... the maps -do- generate the interest, but only if we get enough players...
you need a certain number of players or some good repertoire with a player, to keep the players there for any duration.
Its like the other night, I invited all my steam friends to play Donner. lol only 1 showed up.
but we quickly turned 8 people... into 19...
The problem then became... that one team kept overpowering the other, and took all of the flags.
So one side... basically captured flags, while the other tried to kill them in the process. lol
which made it pretty lopsided, and so after each Victory, we lost 1 or 2 members.... which quickly
added up... until everyone saw each other leaving, and got discouraged.
Which is why, we can't just rely on the server overflow, but I believe have to also make a distinct
change to the Donner map... and that would be to extend the flag capture time limit... so that it gives
people a chance to kill the opposing team, rather than just a quick dash for the flag.
4. I remember when those "presents / gifts" were added to the Avalanche server briefly. I'm not sure how I feel about that (maybe not a fan). But on my proposed secondary server, I think those funny voice kill commentaries would be good...like "Head-shot! or Multi-kill or Princess just dominated the Axis AGAIN". This would add some "flare" to the server.
I do like the voice commentaries, but I think that sort of setup would be more useful in a "gun game" type setup,
or an orange map kind of setup... I think something like that "could" be a good server addition.... however, I think
we shouldn't get over-ambitious at this stage.... I think we want to start small, and first... I think we need to make
an acceptance, that something has got to change.
Just doing Ranger calls to improve our numbers, is not a long-term solution... its a short-term solution, and its not
permanent. Not all Rangers have the time to play the servers like they used to, or can play for hours and hours, and
I'm sure they'd rather be doing something else with their time, maybe even playing another game..... That being said,
that is why we should try to focus on improving our current setup... get it working like clockwork, and get people
returning on their own.... not just whenever a group of eGO decide to pile up.
5. So my other suggestion is the "MOTD" function. I see a lot of players type this but it hasn't interested me. I think it would be great if you typed MOTD and it was about recent player activity. Maybe it listed the top 10 players for that map or you added a fun stat of the most sniper kills last week. For me it should be about the players and be interesting. Maybe highlight a player of the week. If this was updated frequently then it helps reinforce a community of players.
Well, the reason why you see players type MOTD, i don't think is the reason you think....
I don't think there is any information there that people are looking at... I tell people to type motd in the servers
because, its supposed to aid in closing the advertisements that are programmed into the page.
Which can drastically effect your latency/ping. So its not that people are looking at the motd. lol
you have a good idea though.... that we could be taking advantage of that interface... by incorporating more useful information into it.
6. Somehow I wish eGo admins stood out more on the in-game score boards (Maybe a different color scheme)...I wish the junior members were more active in addressing inappropriate behavior as well. There are several DoDs servers in which "inappropriate" language and tone is the draw for players. Those types of players usually stand out quickly on the eGo Avalanche server. If not quickly dealt with these players will tend to disrupt game play. So overall the admins do GREAT. However, some (especially junior admins) are reluctant to address any issues. When players complain to them the admin will simply disconnect because they appear unprepared to deal with stuff.
Well, I think you are right in the sense that... there are sometimes some new =eG= members that are pretty green...
and just need more experience. What helps the eG members the most though.... is just being around other eGO members
and seeing how they operate.
I think the other day I seen an eG warning people in all caps, lol
they see something wrong, and they know they're supposed to do something there, but just aren't sure what.
just need a little bit more coaching is all it boils down to.
as I said before, I think many eGO don't really care for the Avalanche server as much, so they stay away from it...
which I think is not really helpful when it comes to training new admins...
Personally, I would like to see more =e= members get involved... just because they have no admin powers, does
not mean they can't set a good example for the other players. That's generally how an =e= stands out in the first
place, so I don't see why we don't encourage new members to be more pro-active. Then again.... you might not
want a new member giving out bad or incorrect advice.
7. I don't know the value it would provide but maybe create a STEAM eGo DoDs community page!?!?!? That might help communicate your thoughts and ideas quickly to those who frequent the server (You could promote this community with the schnazzy MOTD function ...you can also direct players to this forum from the Steam community.
A good idea, but would have to find someone to maintain it... plus this website is usually considered to be the community of eGO.
8. I already can't aim very well for FF (OMG ppl would be mad at me)...I'm not sure FF w/grenades is a good idea on avalanche. This might slow the game play too much. If my idea for Avalanche and the 2nd server work...then a 3rd "realism" server should be tried.
yeah, i dont recommend friendly fire for the current avalanche setup... we shouldn't change anything on the current Avalanche server,
though I think it would be really cool to make a couple of "tweaks" here and there.... like, wouldn't it be cool to have a ladder leading up
to orange apartments from the inside. Maybe add a few more destructible items here and there. small stuff. (though i doubt we'd get approval)
I've seen a friendly fire avalanche server work successfully.... eGO did an Anzio Friendly Fire server, and it went relatively smoothly.
If you TKed more than 4 people in an amount of time, you'd get booted out.
I think its like you said... if the 2nd server works... then we should start considering implementations for a 3rd.
but take this one step at a time.
9. Lastly and quite possibly most important....Warren if you stop "jumping around" and killing me on the server that would lead to a more enjoyable experience as well. I'm certain of it. Just saying!
Jumpers going to jump. :biggrin: