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Discussing Load Times
Submitted by Taliesan on July 24, 2009 - 07:37.
We've implemented background loading so that the game will load while you chat, create your character, manage your deck, etc. This makes the game play work much more smoothly for the majority of people.
However, there are still some challenges to be addressed and we'd like your input. For players with slow ISPs or in other parts of the world the game can still take a long time to download. If you're an experienced player who has already downloaded the game, this mean you may have to wait a long time if you challenge a first time player to a battle.
Our hope has always been to make R&R load in a browser without having to download a file. However, we're starting to think that making an install file - one that saves the resource files to your hard drive before you load the game - will actually improve the player experience.
We will make downloading the file optional, but are thinking of stopping people from being able to challenge one another until they have loaded the game completely. This will make it better for existing players who have already loaded, as they will not have to wait for new players to download the game content.
What do you guys think?
I think it depends on the
I think it depends on the size of the install file, how much extra data will still need to be loaded each match etc.
I do like the idea of players that haven't loaded can't be challenged. Just have it pop up with a little notification that says something like "Please wait a few minutes before challenging this character". I think that as long as their is a loading meter displayed for your individual character/some way of displaying in the lobby that you're fully loaded (maybe a different color name in the chat pane?) it would be great.
Thanks, Chet
Thanks for the feedback, Chetyre.
If we were to send out a file, it would simply be a very quick check pre-battle to make sure all the files have loaded (about 5-20 seconds). Otherwise, everything would be all downloaded and ready to go for first time players, should they choose to install the download file (about 20 MB in size).
I like your idea about making their names appear in a different color and/or a notification appearing that the player is still downloading files -- it would cut down on frustration, I think, too.
See you tonight at Friday Night Fights!
--
Burdenday
Rise & Ruin Community Mananger
im not so sure about this. I
im not so sure about this. I think the optional download client is a great idea, however i dont now about the whole not allowing them to challenge others. I would much prefer chets idea about the challenges.
~ Cerdric Darkfall -The Reaper- {The Reapers of Chaos}
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"You had better fear the Reaper... because I'm coming."
What's Different?
Cerdric,
What do you see as different about Chet's idea? Just show the loading progress and let people challenge if they want to? Rather than blocking it altogether?
Tal.
Hmm.
I think first time players shouldnt need to download anything. Usually I am skeptic when trying a new game, and if that game tries to make me install something other than virtools, i doubt i would go any further. Maybe a 3 battle trial or something, before making you get the file?
New player loading
Hi Geb,
That's a good idea but not technically feasible. While we know the cards a new player is going to have, we don't know the cards the people they battle are going to have. So we need to send them all the content. (The 'game' itself is very small. The card resources are what take the time.)
The download file would be optional for people who know they are on slow connections.
Tal.