As most of us know, there are two main communities in Sins of a Solar Empire, one for multiplayer and one for modding. Bar the occasional group of friends playing a mod on ICO together however, these two communities rarely interact with each other, besides occasional discussions of game balance.
Therefore I propose a little icebreaker in the true Sins fashion, complete with the typical disintegration of metal, screams of nuked worlds, and if we're lucky even the rare space pony sighting, that we've all come to know and love, regardless of which form of Sins we get most of our entertainment from. Yes, I think its time for the first ever Pro Player vs Modders MP game!
Of course as we are meeting in the Pro player's home court, I think in the interest of a semi-interesting game the modders will need a team advantage of some sort. Any ideas on the exact number of players on each team as well as the best time to arrange this will be welcome (I'd guess sometime on Thanksgiving weekend). And of course, if you're interested do let us know.
I'd like to have one pro player sort of be in charge of the logistics of making the game who promises to be there, presumably if any of the other pros don't show we can find substitutes at the game launch. As modders don't often log on to ICO don't commit unless you're sure you can make it at whatever time we agree on. Also if possible I think it would be nice for as many different mods as possible to be represented, but obviously filling the roster comes first.
Results:
Game 1 (4v4)
Auqia versus modders youtube
Modders FFA youtube
Replays
If we ever do play online mod games, I think the most interesting way to do it will be to have a coordinator that isn't playing the game pick a mod that none of the modders have worked on, with equal (probably smaller) teams. The mod will then be slightly modified so that its impossible for anyone to figure out what mod they are playing before the game. All players will use a random race and then have to figure out the game mechanics from scratch. Thus experience will be less of a factor than thinking on your feet, and if the mod happens to have entirely different races or mechanics things might even be stranger than 100 bombers failing to destroy a Kol.
I admit that playing other mods will screw me, but any race on DS (which will be difinitive on the start of the campaign) will work out.
I do have to ask this: Are we going to do random races in the first game here? I mean, vanilla is obviously the pro's home turf. If they can choose their race, they have as many options as one could ask for. When playing a mod, not all members of the mod team will be practiced in that given mod, so the addition of random race will potentially add a handicap. Given that the pro players are already more practiced at MP, they still have that to their credit while only two or three mod players will even be familiar with the game mechanics, something the pro players have down with this first game.
The pros are probably quite skilled in all of the races (in regular Sins) despite most preferring one or two over the other. On the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if some or most of the modders were only somewhat comfortable with one race... if you see where I'm going.
TEC only...
I do see what you mean and I'll accept that as a general weakness amongst the modders. When the pros have the upper hand in vanilla, it might benefit the modders to choose their race. But then let's say 2/5 modders are from DS and it's the mod for the next game. Well, you already have 3/5 modders that are out of their element, making them as handicapped as the pros, even with guidance. To add the random race has the potential to handicap them further because of the above point. Although the pros would have to adapt to the mod, they sure wouldn't be bothered by any race.
I'm not sure if there is a perfect balance. It also depends on what we're looking for as far as balance.
I play DS rather often, so I feel that I can do rather well if we played a game using it...
I don't really want to put a lot of extra rules on the first game (besides the stacked teams), and as people can usually pick whatever race they want I think that's what they should do. If all the pros pick Vasari or something than so be it.
Which they will.
Except Auq, who'll go random.
That's my guess, at least.
Going for a strong, late game race with phase missiles that kick ass? Yeah, imagine that.
Its sad that yes some are. Personally I know them all. Had to to test them right. On SP and MP both.
Don't forget the 1-tier Assailants and the SB on your HW 4 minutes into the game.
Well, the assailants is true. The SB depends on both sides. They can be disastrous, but I would like to think that they can be shot down early too.
Actually, I've been playing TEC recently and probably that's what I'm going to pick. No Sova rush though, it's too lame.
1 or 2 labs- it does't matter, LRM kicks the shit out of assailant (pun NOT intended:)) easily. And I mean EASILY. SB rush in 1v1 vs anyone who knows what he is doing is waste of creds, unless it's stab in the back.
Those are just some general truths of MP.
See you guys 7PM EST tomorrow.
I reckon so. To all the modders looking for a good show, I'll be your huckleberry.
Good luck...
Oh and BTW, if we are using it, when are people planning on getting on the TS channel?
I am probably open for some practice before 6:00, if anyone's interested...
All wings report in!
Probably 10 minutes or so before the game. Though that reminds me I need to double check that I have a microphone that works...
Confirm please--We're doing this SUNDAY at 7PM EST. Correct? (I'm pretty busy during days with family now and may miss any last minute posting.
Saturday
Hopefully we get plenty of extras loitering about to fill in the spots left hollow by such confusions.
Right now.
You dont have to wait till the match to come in and talk with us.
Oh crap--right. Saturday (I asked this before even--duh).
I have just been given a "honeydo". Can someone take my place? Or tomorrow I am easily avaialble if we go for a round 2.
My apologies guys. Holidays are a hard thing to schedule a game in.
TeamSpeak won't do me any good as I don't have a functioning microphone.
Mental telepathy!
lol, dont have to use TS just for playing the game.
We usualy just chit chat...talking or via text chat.
What can I say...im trying to expand our TS user numbers...Hopefully double it it to six at once!!!
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