automatch feature in lobby

[BigHead]

We all know that starting a game is a long and pain-in-the-ass-like experience. Auto-match feature like that in blizzard games (battle.net) would be great. To explain what I mean, let's say that this feature is already implemented:

I want to play 1v1 or a big game, I usually play BA but wouldn't mind if it was Star Wars mod and I don't like certain maps. In the lobby, next to battle screen button there is "auto-match" button. Under that there is a screen where I can see these options (X means checked):

Game type:
Duel X
Small game 2v2
Medium game 3v3 - 4v4
Big game 5v5+ X
List of installed mods:
BA X
CA
XTA
StarWars X
List of maps:
(same as above but maps this time, all enabled by default)

Finnaly under that there is a big Auto-Match button.

When I click it system automatically:
1. finds players with similiar taste (and if possible - skill)
2. makes the one with the most powerful computer host (actually, the first criterium is a trouble-free connection)
3. starts the game.
This will not be instant of course and will require some time for similair tasted players to gather. Players don't see the battle screen

Btw this could be integrated into the ladder just like it's in Battle.NET. In the game type there would be another item called simply "Ladder" which would find you a player with roughly the same skill (or points, I don't know - I don't play ladder).

What do you think about this idea?

Everything below this line is wrong so you don't need to read it.
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Here are my suggestions on how this could work. I don't claim to know how spring works, all I know comes from just observation.

There won't be any need to modify the sever. First - I assume that lobby is based on IRC. Necesary things are:
1. a special channel, not visible or accessible by players.
2. an irc-bot that would act as a server.
3. modified lobby.

My idea is that data between server (bot) and clients (lobby) would be transfered like standard messages in the channel. When a player clicks the auto-match button he enters the channel and sends his preferences (game type, mods, maps). This way the server (bot) knows all it needs about him. If he cancels the automatch or quits lobby, he simply leaves the room. If the server (bot) has enough players to start, it will notify the one who should host to host a game by sending him this or similair message: HOST [MOD] [MAP] [NUMBER OF PLAYERS]. The rest will recieve this message JOIN [HOSTNAME].
This is just a draft, actuall protocol may (and propably will) differ.

There are still some issues like that all maps would need additional file with start position rectangles as players don't get to draw them ...

I am affraid that my C++ skills have wanished over the time. Mostly becouse I got used to the ease of use of JAVA. After a brief googling I discovered a framework for JAVA based IRC bots so ...
I can make the server-irc-bot part. Someone is needed to do the lobby part ...

[tombom]

the lobby is not irc :)

http://spring.clan-sy.com:8202/lobby/pr ... iption.xml

[BigHead]

Ok, so everything below the line is wrong and I won't be able to make the bot.
Consider everything above the line as feature request. Anyway, what do you think? Is there anyone willing to look into it?

[LordMatt]

It should only do something like that if you elect to participate. If I want to host a regular game, or just idle in the lobby, I don't want tonnes of people pming me for game (or whatever this would do).

[Pressure Line]

It should only do something like that if you elect to participate. If I want to host a regular game, or just idle in the lobby, I don't want tonnes of people pming me for game (or whatever this would do).

dude. i get that anyway. and its always speedmetalers

[Warlord Zsinj]

This works well in SupCom, and ideally, it would also be tied to some sort of ELO ranking system.

You select the settings you are interested in (which should probablyh ave three options, 'preferred' 'acceptable' 'unacceptable'), and click 'I'm ready'. This immediately starts a search - but only for other players which indicate 'I'm ready'.

This is an excellent way to form an informal ranking list, which doesn't require the organisation of tournaments.

[Felix the Cat]

IMO Spring doesn't have enough players to make something like this work... I foresee it only being used by speedmetal heroes.

[Neddie]

We would need about five times the current playerbase, assuming that we all played the same game on the engine, which we do not.

[Warlord Zsinj]

This is true.

Perhaps a simplified version where no automatch is occurs, but people interested in a game can 'green up' in the lobby room, which shows a green light next to the player - hovering a mouse over them indicates their preferred gametype?

Could link it with an autonotify function so that someone with the settings 'BA, 2v2, skill rating x' is notified when a game matching his preferences is hosted.

Neither particularly groundbreaking features though...

[BigHead]

I don't think 5 times bigger fanbase is necesary. Most players play BA and 5+ most popular maps. Most of the time auto-match would propably let you play only those 5 maps. However it would let you play them almost instantly - even when there are few players in the lobby (I've never seen less than 70 ppl online). There are times of day when almost no games are played/hosted and yet there are enough free players for 5 big games. Don't tell me that 90% of them wouldn't have BA and deltasiegedry checked. With auto-match enabled they would be playing, not waiting. As I said the main goal of this is to remove those loooooong waiting times and let you play as soon as you connect to the lobby.
Btw even in the primetime (200+ players) I sometimes have to wait half hour for a DSD game to start.

[SwiftSpear]

Although I love automatch, spring really doesn't have enough players for it to work yet...