05 Feb 11, 12:32PM
At the moment, all the AC ladder servers are empty.
![[Image: emptyg.png]](http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2127/emptyg.png)
But that's besides the point. Jiba pretty much summed up all my thoughts. Having a ladder won't necessarily bring a competitive atmosphere, nor will it make the game any better.
I don't play AC to score points on a ladder--even when Hi-Skill was around, I didn't really care much about my ranking. I know some players do, though. But I play AC because it's fun.
Having a ladder isn't what's going to make the game any more fun or better. Having players that genuinely care about gameplay and what they throw out of their mouths is what's going to make a better game.
I believe the best solution is to offer variety but also consistency. Players will only vote douze because that's all they've played. They can't know what they truly like if they're being "forced" to play douze. Therefore, some servers should disable voting, but have a very good maprotation that offers many different maps (variety), but not too many different modes (consistency).
For example, when Drakas added TKTF on ac_depot, it was received rather negatively. It wasn't consistent with what players (especially newer ones) wanted. Newer players are generally less confident and feel much more comfortable in a familiar map/mode (ctf ac_depot). If we want to end the whole ac_douze craze, it starts with making other maps and modes more familiar with players. No one else can really do this except our beloved server owners.
Remember that by disabling voting, you're not actually forcing anyone to play something--as long as it's not the same map/mode again and again, you're actually giving them a lot of choice.
As for "popularizing" the AC Ladder (I do believe it isn't as popular as it can be), I actually agree with |BC|Wolf's idea. I do understand that you can just go to the website and see what servers you need to play on, but a newer player won't bother to check websites. They just want to find a game--they'll be spending time looking at the server list. When they see all these "@AC LADDER"s, it would catch their attention that there's a bit of a network going on. Then they'll pay more attention to the MOTD and investigate themselves.
I also think that Prime/Shorty's idea of getting "better" servers is valid. Since Hi-Skill shut down, I haven't been able to find ANY servers offering a ping of 250 or lower and with a stable connection (PJ is usually 50+). It makes pubs and inters very, very strange and sometimes difficult to play. The "Sol" servers on Hi-Skill were practically lag free for me. It may be a worthy investment, although nevertheless more expensive to rent.
But really, in the long run, I'm not very interested in ladders. I believe that ladders encourage better admins and bring in better, more competitive players, but it's not going to make a "good game". Why do we say "gg" at the end of a game anyway?
It's because we all know that at the end of the day, time enjoyed is never time wasted.
But that's besides the point. Jiba pretty much summed up all my thoughts. Having a ladder won't necessarily bring a competitive atmosphere, nor will it make the game any better.
I don't play AC to score points on a ladder--even when Hi-Skill was around, I didn't really care much about my ranking. I know some players do, though. But I play AC because it's fun.
Having a ladder isn't what's going to make the game any more fun or better. Having players that genuinely care about gameplay and what they throw out of their mouths is what's going to make a better game.
Quote:A lot of new players like trash maps or like what is so very familiar to them (ac_douze). A bit of trash and something common (ac_douze) now and then is fine, but all the time is quite boring and unhealthy. So how do you encourage new players to expand their playing experience and appreciation? Does anyone have any ideas?I am willing to admit that pub action back when Hi-Skill was around was a lot better--mainly because the ladder was very popular, and it didn't have "crapmaps" in the maprotation. Of course, there was the occasional TwinTowers, Gemas, etc, but they weren't rampant.
I believe the best solution is to offer variety but also consistency. Players will only vote douze because that's all they've played. They can't know what they truly like if they're being "forced" to play douze. Therefore, some servers should disable voting, but have a very good maprotation that offers many different maps (variety), but not too many different modes (consistency).
For example, when Drakas added TKTF on ac_depot, it was received rather negatively. It wasn't consistent with what players (especially newer ones) wanted. Newer players are generally less confident and feel much more comfortable in a familiar map/mode (ctf ac_depot). If we want to end the whole ac_douze craze, it starts with making other maps and modes more familiar with players. No one else can really do this except our beloved server owners.
Remember that by disabling voting, you're not actually forcing anyone to play something--as long as it's not the same map/mode again and again, you're actually giving them a lot of choice.
As for "popularizing" the AC Ladder (I do believe it isn't as popular as it can be), I actually agree with |BC|Wolf's idea. I do understand that you can just go to the website and see what servers you need to play on, but a newer player won't bother to check websites. They just want to find a game--they'll be spending time looking at the server list. When they see all these "@AC LADDER"s, it would catch their attention that there's a bit of a network going on. Then they'll pay more attention to the MOTD and investigate themselves.
I also think that Prime/Shorty's idea of getting "better" servers is valid. Since Hi-Skill shut down, I haven't been able to find ANY servers offering a ping of 250 or lower and with a stable connection (PJ is usually 50+). It makes pubs and inters very, very strange and sometimes difficult to play. The "Sol" servers on Hi-Skill were practically lag free for me. It may be a worthy investment, although nevertheless more expensive to rent.
But really, in the long run, I'm not very interested in ladders. I believe that ladders encourage better admins and bring in better, more competitive players, but it's not going to make a "good game". Why do we say "gg" at the end of a game anyway?
It's because we all know that at the end of the day, time enjoyed is never time wasted.