What would you like to see in shogun2 Totalwar Multiplayer?

[Tomisama]

Three grouping improvements I would like to see

1. Saveable grouping along with army configurations, so you don’t have to rebuild groups every time you play.

2. Super grouping; the ability to nest sub grouped divisions into super groups, without loosing their sub group distinctions.

3. Stable grouping; keeps groups together and tabbed despite losses to them, even down to a single unit.

(The idea being “once grouped, always grouped” unless changed by the commander.)

[Shibumi]

Most def a flat map...

Mirrored maps...

A system so you can defend one match to then attack the next, with scored outcome over both games (for sieges and stuff, if they can make them interesting).

[Tomisama]

With all of the possible configurations of hardware and connection service, I understand that some players can only play smaller configuration battles.

But there are many players who do have a considerable investment in equipment and connections, that want to play full size map configurations with fewer players that the maximum setting.

Currently in Napoleon if you chose a 4v4 map, and take less players (say a 3v3) the map redline automatically shrinks to the 3v3 size.

My request is that listed map sizes actually reflect the map size you will get, regardless of the number of players you chose to play with.



Edit: Below The NE corner of Homestead 4v4 with 8, 6, and 2 players.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Making a balanced map does not necessarily require a mirrored map, this where the true art of game map making comes in.

Also using terrain naturally to enclose the map by natural barrier and limited size off roads that all but eliminate any red line abuses.

We had such maps before the Rome’s open vista style linking panoramas, and with Japan’s hilly terrain I hope we can get back to what was

[Shibumi]

Well, I do not really trust CA to have the skill and ability to balance maps without mirroring. Do you?

I am by no means suggesting all maps be mirrored, just that we have some clear tournament maps for the more competetive players, to adhere to the esporters.

[Tomisama]

Well, I do not really trust CA to have the skill and ability to balance maps without mirroring. Do you?

I am by no means suggesting all maps be mirrored, just that we have some clear tournament maps for the more competetive players, to adhere to the esporters.

I am truly puzzled by your posts.

I didn’t say anything about the first one because I didn’t want to get into any kind of an argument, and I do not now!

But when you slam CA’s ability, I have to say something.

I have every game and every map they have ever made, and they absolutely have the talent and ability to create anything you can imagine.

In fact in the current game (Napoleon) we have flat, mirrored, and balanced maps, as we have had for every era game.

As far as choosing Total War maps for competitions, I am the author of the largest, most successful, and continuously running competitive team competitions in the history of all of these games.

Now that does not mean I know everything, but I have been testing and reviewing maps for contests for a long time.

Can you please explain a bit more; perhaps you are referring to an absolutely barren flat field?

But please reframe from disrespecting the people and work of Creative Assembly, who are the source of all that we have in Total War are gaming.

The results of their innovativeness, skill, and hard work, is only reason that this forum exists in the first place, and the only reason that we are even here talking about anything at all.

And I am sorry that I it may appear that I am putting this all on you personally, because I am not really intending that.

It is more of the voicing of a general complaint against CA bashing, Steam and Sega bashing, it has to stop!

We are effectively biting the had that feeds us, and there is absolutely no sense in that.

I hope you understand.

Now, is an absolutely barren flat field (ironing board) what you are after?

[Shibumi]

Yes, there should absolutely be a barren flat field map. Just like in Rome or Medieval TW.

Not the most visualy appealing or strategicly challenging, agreed, but will adhere to some players (and adds to tactical choice for any player).

About CA's skill I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

About maps, I have a hard time seeing how a non-mirrored map can be completely fair for both sides. Maybe you could explain? Sure, for the average gamer they could probably make maps that are even enough to pass, but if you want to esporters you will have to go the extra lenght to strive for fairness and balance.

You think CA has a good record on multiplaying? I think the best was in Rome, still, the pricing on many units were way, way wrong (can be added as a wish to the new shogun game, please consider pricing for units for multiplayer, do not base it on the single player experience, except of course maintainence costs).



Please do explain how you can guarantee complete balance if map is not mirrored?

As far as choosing Total War maps for competitions, I am the author of the largest, most successful, and continuously running competitive team competitions in the history of all of these games.

With all respect, it's not exactly WOWs numbers of participants we talk about here. MP in TW has been a sidenote at best. If they want to sell more games, they must make the game pleasing for the esporters. Hopefully balancing getting that bunch (for sale statistics) while still keeping the single player intellectualy challenging.

[AMP]

They should make a little of everything when it comes to maps or at least make sure we have a map editor. I remember the completely flat map made back in the day for STW which was good for being 100% fair for both sides. It's good for competitive matches, but you could also play on an unbalanced map with each player/players attacking and defending once and it's just as fair and just have the winner if it's 1-1 be the one with the better k/l - kill worth/loss worth ratio (that's unit worth not kills/losses).

This isn't much different from when I played in tournaments in World in Conflict. You had 2 round matches where each play both sides once and if it's 1-1 winner was declared by best time (in STW2 it could be kill worth/loss worth). You also had best of 3 where if it's 1-1 the team with best time picked what side they wanted to play for the 3rd round, but in STW2 I know people would just pick defender. So 2 rounds (1 attack 1 defend) works better for unbalanced maps in STW2 and best of 3 would work better on flat maps.


Now for some more wishlist spam of mine. I only played the NTW demo cause the gun powder era play isn't my thing, so if I mention something that is already in it just means I'd like for it to be in STW2 as well and not forgotten about.

Kill worth / Loss worth - Along with showing kills and losses you should also have this to display the actual worth of units lost and killed. I remember in MTW in bigger battles people would be like "wow look at all my kills" forgetting about what they really killed or routed off the map and the fact that MTW has different unit sizes unlike STW where it was all mostly 60unit sizes, but even that only helped justify bragging about kills/losses to a certain point. Every solider in a unit should have a certain value that gets you your kill worth and loss worth at the end of a match.

Hit Points Viewable - If a unit has hit points I would like to see how much.

Option to disable enemy moral - I liked it old school where you couldn't tell your opponents moral it made it more interesting for me anyway.

FFA 2v2v2 3v3v3 -While not very popular I always wanted to play battles like that, but I know a lot hate them cause of the double teaming.

Shared Deployment Zones - I remember a lot of people asking for this in STW and MTW to able to just have one big deployment zone for your whole team to deploy together instead of each with their own circle.

All Cav can dismount and mount - Any cavalry unit can dismount and mount or at the very lest be able to dismount.

Friends list and Clan list - One that isn't by steam, but that is built into the game lobby... something similar to World in Conflict setup with this.

Player Stats - All players have stats wins,losses,dcs, and tournament wins etc.. that we can view by clicking on their name in the lobby or game room.

Spot Saving - Not many RTS have this right except for automatch setups with mates in some RTS games. If you have a custom game open or mp campaign game you should be able to save a spot or spots for friends or clanmates. Nothing more annoying than having that spot or spots fill up only to kick someone out that won't leave or not be able to host until they are all ready to join. This happened often in STW and other RTS games I've played, so annoying.

Test Room - Be able to test unit matchups against each or run different scenarios by yourself and not needing 2pcs or a friend. :)

Watch Replays with Friends - While not needed in games that aren't competitive if STW2 ever dose get very competitive or a future TW this would be nice to have. To be able to go to a room and upload a replay to everyone and start it where everyone is viewing it together and can point out stuff etc would be cool. We did this a lot in World in Conflict by making sure everyone had a replay of a match and we all loaded it up to a certain time and started by saying "go" heh.. it was a pain in the butt though sometimes when someone needed the replay or we needed to pause and go again, but in the end it was worth it if you wanted to win a tournament. Having a room for everyone to go to and watch it together with options to pause and start again and point out stuff on the map which everyone could see would've been so much easier and fun as well.


That's all I got for now and more to come in the future. :)