Feature: Coop

[pipfromslitherine]

Multiplayer coop mode is something which has been much requested by players, and something that has been on our wishlist for a long time! We know some people much prefer to work together, rather than compete, and so we want BA2 to offer both modes of play.

There are a lot of ways that Coop mode could go, from split forces to different areas of responsibility. So we want your ideas and preferences!

[k9mike]

So...if they try an do this....then they probably could make it so could do 2vs2 in MP??

[GottaLove88s]

Multiplayer coop mode is something which has been much requested by players, and something that has been on our wishlist for a long time! We know some people much prefer to work together, rather than compete, and so we want BA2 to offer both modes of play.

There are a lot of ways that Coop mode could go, from split forces to different areas of responsibility. So we want your ideas and preferences!

This is perhaps the most interesting new option for BA2... permitting 1v3 or 2v2, many v many...

Can you design the engine, so multiple players on the same side, can take their turns at the same time? For example, so that the German in the northwest and the German in the southwest, can both take PBEM moves while the Russian in the northeast and the Russian in the southeast are waiting... So it doesn't require waiting for each of four players to go...

Absolutely please increase the map unit limit from 64!! I see mega-battles ahead...

[Grimnirsson]

Coop? Coooool!!!!!

Splitting units for different commanders, infantry leader, tank commander...that would be great.

And make it so that scenarios always can be played over the server as coop with a buddy (or more) against the AI too...

This is such a great game, getting even better - keep up the good work guys

[pipfromslitherine]

Multiplayer coop mode is something which has been much requested by players, and something that has been on our wishlist for a long time! We know some people much prefer to work together, rather than compete, and so we want BA2 to offer both modes of play.

There are a lot of ways that Coop mode could go, from split forces to different areas of responsibility. So we want your ideas and preferences!

This is perhaps the most interesting new option for BA2... permitting 1v3 or 2v2, many v many...

Can you design the engine, so multiple players on the same side, can take their turns at the same time? For example, so that the German in the northwest and the German in the southwest, can both take PBEM moves while the Russian in the northeast and the Russian in the southeast are waiting... So it doesn't require waiting for each of four players to go...

Absolutely please increase the map unit limit from 64!! I see mega-battles ahead...

I don't think we would be able to have turns being played simultaneously - or if we did it would to some extent require a very different system. I guess this process will help give us some idea of how valuable a feature it might be

Cheers

Pip

[Old_Warrior]

So...if they try an do this....then they probably could make it so could do 2vs2 in MP??

I am with K9 here! Ante up Pip!

[emos]

I am excited about this feature!

[jcb989]

this feature sounds like it would be hard to implement in BA mechanics I think..
Turn-based games, hard to do multiplayer (beyond 2 players, I mean) experiences well IMO.

If co-op, and at opposite ends of the battle, is that really co-op?
Better if you can find a way to split forces by military divisions or types and make scenarios have to work in concert.
But like I said, I have a hard time envisioning that working well beyond 1 or 2 scenarios...

[pipfromslitherine]

The current plan is for 1v1 or 1+1 in verses or coop MP. But we can start looking at 2v2 etc now and see whether it makes sesne in terms of work verses the likely % of players who would have the desire to play 2v2. You are correct in that it definitely changes the experience (given that simultaneous play is out!) and slows down each game.

But this is an ideas space, so it's good to have it out there so we can start thinking it through.

Cheers

Pip

[johntindall]

Inactive player.

Let's say that it's a 2 vs 2 game: 2 Allies versus 2 Axis. One option is to leave a turn "open" until all four players have submitted orders, then process the turn. This may cause delays if one or more player is slow or disinterested. We all get busy and sometimes might not be able to get to a turn for a week or more. So three players are waiting for a fourth to put in his/her orders. Frustrating.

To avoid this, options include:
1. process the turn once [x] days have elapsed since last process date. This means the non-responsive player's units would only move or fire reactively. At least the game progresses.
2. give one player the opportunity to submit orders for the other partner if no orders received within [x] days. This would allow people to go on holidays and have their partner play for them.

Just a thought.

[IainMcNeil]

The issue with more than 2 players is the time it takes to get to your turn.

[johntindall]

The issue with more than 2 players is the time it takes to get to your turn.

Agreed. But players would have to accept this potential problem if they choose to play this way. And my suggestions above may mitigate the delays.

[LandMarine47]

Well how about SP co-op? Example German and Finnish troops vs Red Army. Or Shock Troops and Guards Troops vs German Army. I'm interested in having an AI partner and see how they fare. Or will they get stuck on a rock.... Lol

[LandMarine47]

For Co-Op, I like it to work where you HAVE to depend on each other. If one flank/player is fatally weakened, the AI will begin to attack your flank, and if you survive, you run out of time.

[Celeborn]

Given that there are few, and I mean few, team-type games out there it seems to me that having to wait for all four players to put in their orders is an exceedingly small price to pay for the enjoyment that would attend with playing in team format. The solution here isn't software, its communicating with other players and agreeing upon a similar commitment to pace (ex: how multi-player games of turn-based Eclipse are informally organized)

[pipfromslitherine]

Given that there are few, and I mean few, team-type games out there it seems to me that having to wait for all four players to put in their orders is an exceedingly small price to pay for the enjoyment that would attend with playing in team format. The solution here isn't software, its communicating with other players and agreeing upon a similar commitment to pace (ex: how multi-player games of turn-based Eclipse are informally organized)

The problem is that this is a huge amount of work, for a tiny tiny % of people would take the time to play out the games (with correspondingly high % of games which would have people dropping out). It's still a feature on our wishlist though!

Cheers

Pip