Trying to setup a server status of SOWgb MP area.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

Hi,
If people hang around in the 'official' lobby to redirect people to GCM, isn't that a possible contributary factor to the lobby being 'dead'?
HTH

Hi.

No not at all (if I am reading this correctly). The MP games are moderated on the Teamspeak server, not in the Game lobby (this is where it should be done, but it is more convenient in Teamspeak since most use voice while playing the game). When everyone is in agreement on a game to play on Teamspeak, they only then log in to the game lobby to start the game.

This is why you never really see anyone in the game lobby itself because they are all on the Teamspeak server which is why folks like Chris G, and others redirect newcomers who have no idea that it's the Teamspeak server which is the "unofficial" game lobby.

I for one am happy you play MP, it is quite the experience, and Garnier's Mp Mod is just incredible.

[General P R Cleburne]

Interesting thread guys.
I myself use the little known about APP called "Battle HQ" that Garnier introduced me to when i first joined the MP community.When i first joined i could never quite find people at the right time in the SOW lobby and found quite quickly that teamspeak was where most of the Interested parties gathered to set up battles.Whilst being logged in at teamspeak i can then run the Battle HQ app which in turn allows me to see the status in the SOW lobby without having to run the .exe of the software to get in.I can then quite happily go about my business whatever that might be without worrying about constantly checking to see who is in the lobby, as when someone joins Battle Hq alerts me with a sound notification and if im available i can then go to the lobby and explain to any new guy that might have joined what the current accepted process is to find the crowds.
Teamspeak is that current process.I also manage to communicate quite often with other small groups that dont use the GCM to fight their battles and meet up on other forums or webpages to set their battles up.
I really like to try to blend these communities as much as possible but it isnt always a positive outcome as generally you have to accept the old adage of "horses for courses".But the current method we use to bring the players to teamspeak IS providing a service that currently doesnt exist and i must have seen 20 plus new guys grabbed this way over the holidays.I think for all intents and purposes it works but obviously as Micheal points out it isnt ideal.
Cleburne

[Blaugrana]

My point is that one of the reasons the lobby may be always empty is that no-one promotes it as a possible place to meet up. In fact, quite the opposite - anyone asking about MP games is invited to GCM & TS.

Is it possible for you / us / the 'community' / NSD to promote the lobby & promote GCM? I don't know, but it seems difficult to simultaneously promote the lobby and tell people to leave it and come to TS.

Just my two-penny-worth.

[General P R Cleburne]

I can see entirely what your driving at Blau.
The problem is that the SOW lobby isnt the best place to "explain" the details of joining the battles the GCM guys host there.It takes far too long and wastes everyones time.If the SOW lobby enabled users to create user rooms with possibly voice chat then its a whole different story.
I hope you can see that its merely communication that pushes people to TS.Its alot easier when not much time is available.
This is a matter for Norbsoft to consider not the GCM or MP communities.Norbsoft are responsible for the current lobby and if that is good enough for them, then all we can do is make the best of it, which is currently what we do.Im sure if there was a "better" lobby there for all to use then it would be used as such.
cleburne

[KG_Soldier]

The problem with the lobby regarding hanging out and having conversations is that you can't post links. Most people in Teamspeak do not actually talk very much. Most converse through typing. But it's nice to be able to post links.

[Hancock the Superb]

It would be nice if one of the team guys came into this area every once in a while, but I don't think they do.

What we need is a compiled multiplayer community thread, one where every multiplayer community (GCM, the other one, I think they are Europeans) can be listed. Norb and co then periodically update the demo file and put the links to the various multiplayer communities in the Multiplayer Lobby as well as on their webpage in an easily locatable spot. Again, this would be for their own benefit, more people will buy the game if they see that there is a very active multiplayer contingent.

[General P R Cleburne]

I think this thread would be a good place for them to visit for a start! :whistle:
Of course we understand they have alot on their plates right now and this isnt going to be too high on the to do list.Hopefully all will be "fixable" when they have the time.

[NY Cavalry]

The problem with the lobby regarding hanging out and having conversations is that you can't post links. Most people in Teamspeak do not actually talk very much. Most converse through typing. But it's nice to be able to post links.

Once you are in the lobby that is it, you cannot get out. Gamers HQ is a good way to go. At times players have hung out in the lobby so if new players came buy they would see someone there. I know for a fact that at times (months ago) I would hang out in there, Cleburne has sat in there and Willard used to.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

I am thinking more, and more about X-Fire. It certainly has all the trimmings SOWgb would ever need.

FLGobsonJr is right this has everything. NSD may wish to consider setting up X-Fire/SOWgb online status page for everyone who is playing Scourge of War by using X-Fire. By having this, and X-Fire having the ability to send Text, Voice, and Video while playing the game would make things far more easier, and much moire reliable as far as who is online , and etc.

Take a look at my Signature. You know when I am online, what I am playing, and immediately through X-fire you can send me immediate text while I am playing SOWgb. SOWgb already has a community page, and soon (if anyone steps up) will create the SOWgb community forum.

I have been pouring over the cool things X-fire has to offer, and I really do think that X-Fire is the way to go guys, no question in my mind.

If X-fire works as advertised then Teamspeak would go the way of the dodo bird. Everyone gets tied in when they use X-Fire...

If you folks haven't tried X-fire yet...PLEASE Try it.

X-Fire Download Link: http://www.xfire.com/download/

Screenshot while playing SOW. You can chat text, voice, video....Up to you.

The attachment sowgb-20120122-223654.png is no longer available

[Hancock the Superb]

First of all, I don't think that people enjoy running SOW all the time (it takes up a lot of memory!), and I often do other things while I'm waiting for a game on teamspeak.

Second, we would need to see if we could create all the channels there are on teamspeak as of now...and that is a lot, but I think that this is probably feasible.

Third, it will be difficult to get people to transition away from teamspeak. There are many advantages of teamspeak, including the ability to have a person (usually kg_sspoom) change all our channels before the game starts. I know you have dialup, and it is hard to place GCM all that often, but I think you should see how we work it out (we've done this for years now), then try to find a solution that answers all the problems.

Fourth, you need to go to Garnier, not us. He sets us up, we just play.