View Full Version : Play Multiplayer?
BlackFireStorm
10-07-2003, 21:07
The attraction of MP baffles me. I have no interest in playing faceless, unknown others. I can see the attraction in playing people I know and can share the experience with afterwards, but the idea of signing on to Gamespy and playing a stranger leaves me cold.
If you vote in the poll, please post an opinion as to why - I'm genuinely interested.
My feelings on this are not restricted to MTW, I'm simply not interested in playing people I do not know. For instance, I love Half Life, but I just can't get excited about Counter Strike. Maybe it's just me, but I am persistently amazed at the drive to get an online facility into just about every game. Help me out here and tell me what I'm missing.
Jeebus_Frist
10-07-2003, 21:57
The most obvious thing you will be missing if you neglect the Total War multi-player option is a dramatic increase in the competitive capabilities of both your foes and your allies. The programmed AI can't possibly hope to duplicate the deviousness and tactical savvy of the average wannabe general let alone the real pros. If you play often enough you will begin to run into the same players repetitively and develop the necessary friendships to enjoy a post battle recap I've just got my pc into form and acquired broadband internet access, so I am planning to storm the fields soon http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
The_Emperor
10-07-2003, 22:07
I played Multiplayer a few times but rapidly lost interest.
Having nearly all the battles on Steppe maps and all those PA Duels bored me out quite quickly. Whatever happened to making use of different terrain and different army configurations?
I prefer the SP Campaign, it seems to hold my interest more by having more varied battles.
Sasaki Kojiro
10-08-2003, 00:20
Well I played sp for a while and when I started MP I found it to be much more fun...You do get to know people well enough to talk about the game with them...and it is much less repetative than sp, every battle is different in MP. Also there is the possibility of playing big games with actual allies who work together and communicate, big battles are non-existent in the sp campaign.
i play both, love both, but both have different attractions, MP is just plain fun, and really tests your mettle against other humans, and i tend to find it only enhances the SP experience so much more.
I get bored by SP so its only MP for me.
I enjoy playing online and meeting other people. They might be unknown faceless opponents at first but you get to know people (one advantage of the relative small MP community in MTW) And remember there is the foyer where you can chat with people too http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
The_Emperor: Yes steppe is boring and its sad to hear you have quit MP because of that. But I can promise you that some of us hate steppe and we try playing with varied armies on maps with hills and woods.
CBR
I love the campaign mode, playing as the different factions, trying new strategies.
But MP is where its at. When I first started I didnt know anyone, but now I have a whole spectrum of friends and enemies. I learned more about the game in two weeks of MP than I knew in two years of SP (STW and MTW). A human will test you in ways the AI simply can't simulate. Humans fight hard and try tactics that can really challenge you.
The fun of fighting 3v3 or 4v4 is unmatched in SP. Of course, there are the drops and other problems, but you work thru em and the reward is fantastic
If you hate steppe battles then host a desert or a hilly map. There is a MP mappack out with some great fields to fight on.
You can fight at 5K florins, or 99K, on a bridge or castle, 1v1, or 4v4. Play against some of the best in world and watch your game improve.
Finally, I may be buying into an absurd idea that I can have friends online, but it seems true. Not only other Ronin Warlords, but a number of ronin and members of other clans. I know where they live, how old they are, why they paly. We talk and have a well developed sense of community (probably due in part to small nature of the community).
Some of the guys online play for fun, others mix fun and death. Some play strictly for the kill, and are more than willing to let you know they are better than you. When I do defeat one of the best (especially the arrogant ones) I get a feeling of accomplishment and sense of pride.
Heck, there's even a few guys that hate my ass. Thats one feeling you'll never get from a computer.
ichi
The AI simply can't compare, just like all the others have said. I do have friends online, I know people very well not only in my clan, but also in others. Like ichi said, I know where people live, what they're like (what some of them look like http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif ) etc etc. If you are wondering what some of the truly good games are like, they are available for download. Simply dl some of them, take a look at what you could be involved in, and you definitely want to play online.
Not all people play on steppes, in fact, I rarely get into steppe games anymore. Arb battles are much more rare in v 2.0, although it does get boring to see the same units in every game. And there are the drops/quits. But if the MP part of TW games was taken away, I wouldn't buy them, simple as that. I don't care how good Rome looks, take away MP and I won't buy it, well maybe at half price, or less.
If you do play online, don't let people bug you. Don't let them call you a noob and have it stop you from playing. Just #ignore (insert name) them and keep playing. Games do seem to be few and far between (one of the things I like about hugely popular games like Wolfenstein....no waiting 20 minutes for games) but SP seems like a waste of time compared to MP.
I've actually played multiplayer RTS games starting with Warcraft II over the internet and enjoyed it greatly. However, I never had any interest in playing MTW just for battles' sake...I think that the campaign game is interesting for its historical value and strategic turn based strategy, and that the battles are just the icing on the cake so to speak. Yes battles can be extremely interesting, but there are many many far better RTS games out there, I truthfully have no idea why you would be into MTW just for the multiplayer. If you like historical medieval RTS combat I recommend Age of Empires II. Played that game for a while and it's lots of fun. Also you actually get to build up stuff and then engage with your units...so it's not all tactical. In my opinion MTW multiplayer is just way too simplistic for me to enjoy it. I would however LOVE to play small MTW campaigns against other people, should that ever be an option http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
The_Emperor
10-08-2003, 08:40
All valid points.
Besides I am only a 56Ker so online gaming isn't the best for me. But I may be tempted to give MP another bash later on.
I just really hate the Steppe games
Duke John
10-08-2003, 10:12
Players are most of the time even more predictable than the AI, you see Pav Crossbows and you will know what the first 5/10 minutes will be like. You can try to fight different, but your teammates won't so you're stuck sitting there to avoid exposing your flanks.
There are some good fellas in the community although the last really good guy (Bull) was months ago. But again most of the time, the player has the same vocubulary in battles as the AI: none. It's hard to make a strategy and let the others stick to them. With the mentioned Bull I talked alot about different strategies to tackkle the opponents once in a game. So if you can find such players than MP is a treat. Otherwise it means boring, but more challengin games.
Cheers, Duke John
Just noticed that I am made a senior member. So listen to me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
There's no option for just Never played MP.
That would be my option
Anyways I only play SP and have never given MP a shot, but doesn't mean I never will. One day I might get the urge to try it out. But for now I'm satisfied with the single player aspect of the game, eventhough I've been playing this game for a very long time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif Though having occational breaks that sometimes have lasted for quite a while. So many nice/good games to play
ShadesWolf
10-08-2003, 13:10
I play both version SP and MP and enjoy both.
Most MP games I play 2V2 (or higher) and usually have some people in that I have played against before.
My biggest problem with MP is the lack of historic battles or even an objective. Howver I still do enjoy them http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Quote[/b] (Duke John @ Oct. 08 2003,04:12)]Players are most of the time even more predictable than the AI, you see Pav Crossbows and you will know what the first 5/10 minutes will be like. You can try to fight different, but your teammates won't so you're stuck sitting there to avoid exposing your flanks.
There are some good fellas in the community although the last really good guy (Bull) was months ago. But again most of the time, the player has the same vocubulary in battles as the AI: none. It's hard to make a strategy and let the others stick to them. With the mentioned Bull I talked alot about different strategies to tackkle the opponents once in a game. So if you can find such players than MP is a treat. Otherwise it means boring, but more challengin games.
Cheers, Duke John
Just noticed that I am made a senior member. So listen to me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
Someone said in an other thread that if you find yourself in the middle of a boring arbs duel which you hate then it is your mistake http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif I just dont buy this I hate steppe/ I hate arbs duel therefor MP is boring argument. If you dont like steppe games dont join steppe games, if you dont like arbs/x-bow duels then dont bring arbs/x-bows. This is so simple. It is your choice. If you can host then host winter, desert, hill, viking battles, and if you cannot host then ask someone else to host such battles http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Also, if you want to play something different than the usual tactics then communicate with your allies before the army selection phase. If you want reliable allies then join a clan.
PS. Duke John I would be happy to play with/against you to show that there are more in MP than the usual arbs duel on steppe game.
The Wizard
10-08-2003, 14:55
Personally I like MP, fighting human opponents, also with units that are full (not like in SP where they can have less than their normal number after fighting, and retraining all your forces all the time is a bit of a job...) is cool... but SP is also cool because, to me, there is a kind of story behind the battles, which is the attractive part of SP. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
Duke John
10-08-2003, 15:00
Quote[/b] ]I just dont buy this I hate steppe/ I hate arbs duel therefor MP is boring argument.If you dont like steppe games dont join steppe games, if you dont like arbs/x-bow duels then dont bring arbs/x-bows. This is so simple. It is your choice.
And I do make the choice, I very rarely play steppe and most of the time play English, which are looking much better with my own BIFs http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif, to encourage myself to avoid starting a missile war. The Longbows are mainly used to pepper hand-to-hand infantry not to engage lenghty missile wars which I will lose.
The problem is that if you pick an army without pavs you'll hit the enemy while your allies are still happily shooting away. This will enable the enemy allies to help your opponent you will get sandwitched. So I make the choice, but my allies restrict me in my options when on the battlefield.
And I certainly don't hate pavs, the problem lies with the players, it's a waste of time to hit each other missiles for a while and then charge once you're bored with it. Pavs may kill alot but contribute fairly little to the battle because most of their kills are the enemy missile troops. If people would instead be daring and use their missiles to hit the hand-to-hand troops, which are the key elements to victory, then the game would be much more interesting.
Quote[/b] ]Also, if you want to play something different than the usual tactics then communicate with your allies before the army selection phase.
I tried this a while ago, but it didn't seem to work. Either messaging allies simply doesn't work, or they refuse to respond. So I let go of this option. If it does work please tell me and I will try in the future.
Quote[/b] ]If you want reliable allies then join a clan.
Being part of a clan means commitment and I only have periods were I play MP games, then I have seen it again and do something else. And once the ME:TW mod is finished I will solely play that game because of the far more different factions and thus strategies.
Quote[/b] ]Duke John I would be happy to play with/against you to show that there are more in MP than the usual arbs duel on steppe game.
If I see you in the foyer I will remind you of this promise http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Cheers, Duke John
The Wizard
10-08-2003, 15:08
pavs duel... boring but mandatory unless rushed. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
I prefer engaging my melee with the enemy and then flanking him with my cav... not that that happens often because i usually commit my cav either to:
Help my ally
Protect my pavs
So the above really doesnt happen much http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
hellenes
10-09-2003, 04:07
I like playing MP and SP. For SP thanks god there are mods and keepin it aliveBut i dont think that the people on the MP community were hostile or strange (at least to me)
on the opposit they were friendly and helpful in any matter when i first joined (of course there are exeptions which nevertheless prove the rule) however i agree that it cannot be compared with a friendly game on lan BUT on the net u re behaving (well most of us) more controlled and polite because u dont know that people but with friends some games may cause u to argue and even quarrel about the result or any matter related to the game (in most of times of course u will be friends again) but my point is that the people should not be so closed and egokentric the communication and sharing improves IMHO us as persons so my goes to the third option as the more balanced... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
With games in general, i only play mp with my personal friends, and even then, we only play co-op. We tend to play games where we can work together towards a goal, rather than mindless shooting combat.
As for MTW, i enjoy the whole sp package. I enjoy the nation building, the shifting balances of power, and yes, the tactical battles. i dont really play the historical battles for the same reason i dont mp: they are battles only for the sake of battle. i dont get the sense of accomplishment without the campaign context.
before anyone gets excited, i do realise and even understand that the ai is not on par with even average human opponents. what i really want is for a mp campaign, but that will never fly.
invalidopcode
10-09-2003, 04:55
I liked playing MP but was quickly bored with the same maps and game settings. Has this changed in the recent months?
SP has been very fun for quite a long time as I progressed up to Expert Level and then played the various factions. However, sadly, this too has become repetitive and stale. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I readily admit that my battle tactics are a little shoddy and my campaign strategy good, but not great, but even with these shortcomings it has become too easy to win in expert mode.
Too bad GA mode was not working 100% or I would give that a shot again....
My $0.02.
BlackFireStorm
10-09-2003, 17:32
So, at the time of writing, half of the respondants play SP and MP, and a whopping 30% either tried MP and disliked it or haven't tried it and don't want to. Also only 20% loved the MP stuff...Seems all this effort going into online MP might be a little too much Thanks to all for taking part, I enjoyed reading your opinions. I have to say I was not at all swayed towards trying MP, I'm just fine and dandy with SP http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I ran another poll a little while ago about startegy vs battles. It would be interesting to see how many people who liked the strategy side more also play MP, or whether the MP contingent are just hooked on battles...maybe one for the future
Cheers,
BFS.
Quote[/b] (BlackFireStorm @ Oct. 09 2003,11:32)]So, at the time of writing, half of the respondants play SP and MP, and a whopping 30% either tried MP and disliked it or haven't tried it and don't want to. Also only 20% loved the MP stuff...Seems all this effort going into online MP might be a little too much
BFS.
Hm, a bit hasty conclusion. If someone responded that he playes both it does not means that he dislikes MP. To the contrary http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
where is the option for SP and maybe MP in the future?
i`m limited to 56k anyway, and like the to see the big picture of campaigns as well.
human v human is definately more interesting for battles, but i don`t feel the need to do it yet.
TheSilverKnight
10-09-2003, 22:52
I've tested around in multiplayer. Didn't really like it. Didn't suit me. I enjoy SP more.
Griefmaker
10-10-2003, 02:08
Played a few odd multi games in my time and sometimes its average and sometimes its damn great. Depends who your playing with. Like I played 2 multi games last nite, the first one i was defending 3v3 the most team comm was, grief are you there. Game starts i'm on a resonable rise on the far right, the middle and left armies take off to the far left of map, leave me stranded without telling me whats going on then bitch that i didn't help out.
The 2nd game (attacking) 4v4 was excellent, full team comms going. I was on far left we all pulled back to meet in middle to right side, we agreed to have the big punch on the far right so we all sent parts of our army to support the punch. Leaving archers and some foot in the middle and sending my 4 proni cav to support the punch on right. Worked a dream, rolled up the right side, when they started to run it had a cascading effect on there intire side. Then we sent in the middle parts of our armies and crushed there centre and left wing.
So as you can see it depends on who you play with. So if you've only tried it a few times give it another go, when you get the right mix of people nothing beats it.
There is nothing better than beating an army controlled by real people. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Krazy Munkey
10-10-2003, 03:01
MP is not that fun. But a MP campaign would kick butt http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
I've played multi, and my experiences were negative. I'm not very good at balancing out unit types and knowing certain unit powers, but I might try it again sometime when I reinstall MTW.
ChaosDrake
10-11-2003, 21:51
i cant play multiplayer http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif my pc is n old one only a p2 333 with 128 mb ram and a old creative graphic blaster riva TNT, i have tried it hehe but i got horrible lag and can do anything only watching how my army get overrun by other players and thats no fun BUT ONCE A DAY i get the ultimative gaming pc and then watch my army how they crush everything or see me fleeing from battle lol
Gregoshi
10-12-2003, 06:18
Welcome to the Org ChaosDrake. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif The only lag you'll find around here is your's truly. My PC has a cable modem, but my mind has a 300 baud dialup modem. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Skidrowpunk
10-12-2003, 10:57
My CD-key doesn't work and therefore I've never played the multiplayer part. I would like to play it though, because I think the AI is pretty stupid sometimes. Well, actually nothing assures that the human mind is much better, but you can at least hope it is.
And a multiplayer campaign would kick some serious ass
Skid, most people dont realise that thier CD key is fine, its a matter of entereing it EXACTLY how you see it.
Welcome to the Org, and i hope to see you online now http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Skidrowpunk
10-12-2003, 11:15
The problem is that it's nearly impossible to see whether it's a 0 or an O. Anyway, I've tried all imaginable combinations and I don't know what to do http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif.
Thanks Alrowan http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
ok, when you type it, use the hyphons and caps
eg.
SHF4-HSF5-4452-blablabla
that should do the trick
the O (letter) its wider than the 0 (number)
Duke John
10-12-2003, 15:04
The zero also has a diagonal across.
Quote[/b] ]My PC has a cable modem, but my mind has a 300 baud dialup modem.
You're truly medieval, Gregoshi. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif And it gets even worse when the phone is off the hook,
*PEEEEEEEP* This person is currently not available for contact, please try again later. *PEEEEEEP*
Cheers, Duke John
Gregoshi
10-13-2003, 04:01
Hello Skidrow. What do you know? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Welcome to the Org.
As easy as entering the CD key seems to be, it is actually one of the hardest parts of the game. There is a chance your CD key isn't good, but most likely there is something amiss in how you are entering it. Post back here is you still can't get it to work. BTW, do you already have your GameSpy account setup?
DJ, I suppose being medieval is a good thing in these forums. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
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