My first impressions of MP

[garyknowz]

Well, I played my first MP game (of any sort) last night. And the verdict is: it was a heck of a lot of fun!

I appreciate the patience shown to me by my compatriots while getting me up and going. Hopefully I wasn't too exasperating.

Once in the game, it took me quite a while to get used to the lag between command and action. My machine is custom built for gaming (dual GPUs, water-cooled, yada yada), so I'm used to an immediate response when I command a unit to a position, formation, etc... (barring courier play). By the middle of the scenario, I think I got the requisite timing down. But it wasn't until I took a walloping. I don't know who was playing Rodes, but he fell on my flank hard. And while I noticed the action earlier, I instinctively played as I usually do rapidly ordering troops hither and thither into position. But they just kept going on their merry way without any heed to my orders. I wasn't on TeamSpeak, but if I was, you would have heard a string of vulgarities aimed at my troops that would have made a sailor blush. But eventually I managed turned the chaos into a semblance of order, and held on for a while until forced to retreat due to overwhelming numbers. But talk about baptism by fire! My troops were sort of frazzled thereafter and not as effective as they should have been, but did alright given the circumstances (i.e., user error). But man, it was a good fight, and a heck of a lot of fun.

Thank you for encouraging me to give it a try, gentlemen. I'm looking forward to it doing it again soon.

Cheers!

P.S. Is the sort of lag described above typical or anomalous of MP games? It was usually a three seconds or so delay (e.g., I would order a unit to a location, and it took 3 seconds for the arrow to appear). Thanks!

[John Buford]

Gratz on your baptisim by fire Gary!

We believe there are some issues with the latest patch. However with some of the complex OOB's and sheer number of players we are still trying to figure out what the real cuprit is.

It is not uncommon to see the delay/lag you describe. With your box setup, I'm sure it has no issues, it's just the software trying to keep everyone synched and not everyone has a monster machine like you.

I'm glad you enjoyed your first MP and I hope you will continue to. We all get a thrashing once in a while so don't worry about "performing". Just bring the good fight, and you will be fine!

[NY Cavalry]

We do get lag at times. Many games play very smooth with very little lag.

[X Navy Seal]

Good game Gary! I believe that was "Stonewall" Seal controlling Rodes. You did just fine considering: (1) it was your first mp fight; (2) you had 11th corp; and (3) you were outnumbered and had no help whatsoever from RichMac (you will have to get used to this third factor I'm afraid)

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Well, I played my first MP game (of any sort) last night. And the verdict is: it was a heck of a lot of fun!

I appreciate the patience shown to me by my compatriots while getting me up and going. Hopefully I wasn't too exasperating.

Once in the game, it took me quite a while to get used to the lag between command and action. My machine is custom built for gaming (dual GPUs, water-cooled, yada yada), so I'm used to an immediate response when I command a unit to a position, formation, etc... (barring courier play). By the middle of the scenario, I think I got the requisite timing down. But it wasn't until I took a walloping. I don't know who was playing Rodes, but he fell on my flank hard. And while I noticed the action earlier, I instinctively played as I usually do rapidly ordering troops hither and thither into position. But they just kept going on their merry way without any heed to my orders. I wasn't on TeamSpeak, but if I was, you would have heard a string of vulgarities aimed at my troops that would have made a sailor blush. But eventually I managed turned the chaos into a semblance of order, and held on for a while until forced to retreat due to overwhelming numbers. But talk about baptism by fire! My troops were sort of frazzled thereafter and not as effective as they should have been, but did alright given the circumstances (i.e., user error). But man, it was a good fight, and a heck of a lot of fun.

Thank you for encouraging me to give it a try, gentlemen. I'm looking forward to it doing it again soon.

Cheers!

P.S. Is the sort of lag described above typical or anomalous of MP games? It was usually a three seconds or so delay (e.g., I would order a unit to a location, and it took 3 seconds for the arrow to appear). Thanks!

Hi garyknowz.

Now that you have had your introduction to the MP experience, have you signed up at http://www.usvmc.net/csa/ yet? I think the Confederates require some new blood.

Cheers...

[SouthernSteel]

Good game Gary! I believe that was "Stonewall" Seal controlling Rodes. You did just fine considering: (1) it was your first mp fight; (2) you had 11th corp; and (3) you were outnumbered and had no help whatsoever from RichMac (you will have to get used to this third factor I'm afraid)

I do believe I rather prefer the moniker X Navy Sickles

[norb]

The little lag that you see everytime you give a command is inherent and you will get used to it pretty fast. The technical reason is that when you hit a command, it is then broadcast to everyone playing and then everyone executes that command at the same time to keep the games in sync.

[garyknowz]

Thank you, gents!

Although I'm extremely competitive, I don't mind losing when playing with classy folk such as yourselves. But next time, I'll know more of what to expect pertaining to the delay and such. So don't get too used to it.


Your pard,
Gary

P.S. Mike: I just joined up, but was attached to the Union battalion. See you on the field!

[SouthernSteel]

They probably used your first sign-up request. There's always sabotage!

[Rich Mac]

"you were outnumbered and had no help whatsoever from RichMac (you will have to get used to this third factor I'm afraid)

LOL...Ding goes the Karma!