Hello, all, RedRook here! I have an idea to share here on the Autosearch function. To piggyback on Burillo's thread (
http://www.spectromancer.com/forum.cgi#pageid=4777) I'd like to discuss the options of having a customizable Autosearch - it's an idea I've been toying with for quite a while.
Now that lv 10s can duel with anyone of a greater level, there can be some huge gaps in range & skill - sometimes it can seem unfair when Auto-searching an opponent & end up matched against an opponent that is 20+ levels higher than you are. I propose we add the option to customize the Autosearch by adding a level scale. Before I get started I would just like to say that I understand & appreciate the opportunity to play against players of significantly higher levels - the only way to advance is by challenging yourself. I also want to make it clear that I am only proposing an additional function to the Autosearch only, nothing more.
Sometimes it's nice to play against players of about the same level as yourself, but sometimes the Autosearch pairs you with players of much higher level or of much lower level. If a time comes when you would rather play opponents of your same level, you could customize the Autosearch to limit your potential opponents. Just as the Random Class settings can be customized, so too could Autosearch.
I propose an interval level scale something like this:
<---I-----I-----I-----II-----I-----I-----I--->
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
This scale represents the player at "0" & levels are displayed in both directions as either positive (greater than current level) & negative (lower than current level). A player may choose to limit the level gap to any number of levels from 1 to a determined maximum level, perhaps 10 or so. . To be fair, the level gap would extend into both the positive & negative spectrum of the scale. So a level gap setting of 3 would pair you with opponents both 3 levels higher than you & three levels lower. The minimum gap setting of 1 will pair a player with players of one
level less than their current level, players of the current level, &
players of one level higher than current level. However, current level-challenge restrictions would override the Autosearch function (a level 3 player could not use a level gap of 7 to play a lv 10 player & vice versa).
Here is what a level gap might look like for someone selecting a gap of 5 (
Bold represents the level pool):
<---I-----I-----I-----I-----I-----I-----I-----II-----I-----I-----I-----I-----I-----I-----I--->
-7 -6
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
By selecting a level gap of 5, the Autosearch will search for opponents of 0 to 5 levels greater than your current level, as well as 0 to 5 levels lower than your current level. So a level 18 player choosing a level gap of 6 would be paired with players of level 12 to level 24.
By customizing the level pool of Autosearch, one may limit the level of those one may duel.
There are some issues that would arise. The Autosearch function can help players find opponents quickly. By limiting the Autosearch level pool, the time it takes Autosearch to locate an opponent would likely be longer. Also, the number of player online at any given point can be rather small itself, making the custom Autosearch somewhat frivolous. But like I said, it's just an idea I've been toying with.
I would be glad to receive your feedback & hear of other innovations you might suggest. Thank you for your time.
A good idea and I don't think it's abusable in any way. I'd still use the Autosearch with all levels tolerated to cast the widest net possible, but I think some people might like such a feature.
Thank you for your support, Wave & DK! I thought it might come in handy at times. The best way I could find to balance it out was to extend the range both above & under your own level - so as to eliminate abuse, & make it fair. Like you, DK, I prefer manually proposing duels & rarely use Autosearch, but for those who do use it, it might be nice to customize the search.
I think mechanism how it connects to other players is as If more than 1 players are on autosearch And/OrThe one person is on Autosearch and at that time, any other player propose him duel, It automatically gets accepted.
I remember reading a thread a long while back discussing the Autosearch search rules...
*Edit* Here's the thread I was looking for:
http://www.spectromancer.com/forum.cgi#pageid=3603Modified by RedRook on 2015-05-30 00:23:05