Planetside 2 and MLG: an e-sports Future? the mittani - Page 3

Rahabib · 2013-03-18, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Higby

...
- We're currently planning on doing 5 people live at the events, 4 squad leaders and 1 platoon leader, as the article speculated.
...

alright, so its 5 players and 43 well wishers per team. Oh well, its probably the only way it would work.

Hamma · 2013-03-18, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Higby

Some more details for you guys to answer a few of the questions popping up in the thread. We'll have a more complete release of all this plan, and of course we'll be changing and iterating it based on feedback from all of you throughout the development - but just to put a few things to rest.

- The people working on the systems to support eSports are NOT the same guys who are working on fixing performance issues. We have dedicated staff for it and the skill sets don't really overlap, so we're not "giving up" performance fixes/optimization bandwidth to get this stuff. If game development were a car dealership, it'd be like being upset about the finance guys working on figuring out loans while the mechanics shop has a queue - totally different specialties and you really wouldn't want them "helping" each other out.
- We're currently planning on doing 5 people live at the events, 4 squad leaders and 1 platoon leader, as the article speculated.
- It will support inter-faction fights, so you will be able to test your badass TR outfit against another badass TR outfit.
- We have discussed doing 3-way fights. It's something we're really interested in, but it has a lot of what-ifs to work out, it might be something we do for a later phase.

Will the systems be tied directly somehow to MLG's ladder/ranking system via their API? Also, do you guys plan to flesh out Observer much more to allow for things similar to what was mentioned in the article?

CzuukWaterson · 2013-03-19, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Higby

Some more details for you guys to answer a few of the questions popping up in the thread. We'll have a more complete release of all this plan, and of course we'll be changing and iterating it based on feedback from all of you throughout the development - but just to put a few things to rest.

- The people working on the systems to support eSports are NOT the same guys who are working on fixing performance issues. We have dedicated staff for it and the skill sets don't really overlap, so we're not "giving up" performance fixes/optimization bandwidth to get this stuff. If game development were a car dealership, it'd be like being upset about the finance guys working on figuring out loans while the mechanics shop has a queue - totally different specialties and you really wouldn't want them "helping" each other out.
- We're currently planning on doing 5 people live at the events, 4 squad leaders and 1 platoon leader, as the article speculated.
- It will support inter-faction fights, so you will be able to test your badass TR outfit against another badass TR outfit.
- We have discussed doing 3-way fights. It's something we're really interested in, but it has a lot of what-ifs to work out, it might be something we do for a later phase.

Very excited. Thank you. Finally an esport that challenges my brain.

o Solei o · 2013-03-19, 11:32 AM

Higby: Any chance of getting some of code, hardware, and assets for these E-Sports only instanced environments also utilized for other forms of game-play? (i.e. outfit-specific training areas - would make a nice outfit unlock, or orbital station maps?)

Gimpylung · 2013-03-19, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Higby

...The people working on the systems to support eSports are NOT the same guys who are working on fixing performance issues.....

Don't doubt that for a second, I'll wager, however, that there is significant overlap with the guys doing Hossin and Searhus, the new lattice/hex system, warp gate traversal and cont locking. All that important 'Big Game' stuff.

I have nothing against eSports aside from its timing, it's too early in the lifecycle of the game. The core game is too underdeveloped as yet to be used as a springboard for this eSports offshoot.

4 months in and the typical player is still zerging about on Indar in the general vicinity of the Crown with little of no reason to move to Esamir or Amerish because there is no incentive. Medium and small sized outfits are struggling to retain their playerbase due to player boredom and SOE are talking about instanced matches that are likely to be played by a very small proportion of players.

EVERYTHING including the kitchen sink should be thrown at developing the core game as fast as possible. Put the eSports component on the back burner until there is a solid foundation to support it.

Noxxia · 2013-03-19, 03:02 PM

Per Higby's post, the article, and other responses I've see, I wonder how having only 5 of 48 show up really effects the integrity of planetside as an eSport. I mean, I hate to bring up the evil h-word, but this really does have to do with hacking. Many counterstrike pros that were LAN proven players have admitted to hacking in online tournaments on a day where they were sick, or even just to not have to play as hard.I can't find anything on the internet because sometimes things you read 8 years ago completely vanishes. I will keep looking and if I come across the article I'll post it, because what i"m saying is a bold statement to make without any proof. So take it for what it's worth. But basically, with 43 players that aren't LAN proven my fear is that PS2 will not be taken seriously as an eSport. Obviously fielding 48 players at a LAN is just about impossible, but maybe a better goal would be "Bring as many as you can". Sending only 5 encourages teams to have a hacker or two, even if it's just Wall hacks. If there is a prize on the line and they don't have to prove they weren't cheating other than relying on anti-hack software, which is far from reliable, this scares me.

Rahabib · 2013-03-19, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by Noxxia

Per Higby's post, the article, and other responses I've see, I wonder how having only 5 of 48 show up really effects the integrity of planetside as an eSport. I mean, I hate to bring up the evil h-word, but this really does have to do with hacking. Many counterstrike pros that were LAN proven players have admitted to hacking in online tournaments on a day where they were sick, or even just to not have to play as hard.I can't find anything on the internet because sometimes things you read 8 years ago completely vanishes. I will keep looking and if I come across the article I'll post it, because what i"m saying is a bold statement to make without any proof. So take it for what it's worth. But basically, with 43 players that aren't LAN proven my fear is that PS2 will not be taken seriously as an eSport. Obviously fielding 48 players at a LAN is just about impossible, but maybe a better goal would be "Bring as many as you can". Sending only 5 encourages teams to have a hacker or two, even if it's just Wall hacks. If there is a prize on the line and they don't have to prove they weren't cheating other than relying on anti-hack software, which is far from reliable, this scares me.

I see we have someone who has actually played a competitive game before. Its not uncommon to find people playing years before they get caught online. CAL and even CEVO was full of them. I am skeptical it will work, but we will just have to see. Aimbots and recoil hacks can be detected by just spectating - but wall hacks aren't easy unless you can see the person's monitor.

nilkilla · 2013-03-18, 06:02 PM

A quick suggestion for smaller teams would be to pick something and specialize in it. That way you could interact with larger or equal sized teams and socket into a "department" they need. Say a platoon of aircraft/tanks/large number of medics/engineers. That could help manage the numbers and keep you involved.

Mastachief · 2013-03-18, 06:57 PM

Is this a USA only thing then?

bpostal · 2013-03-18, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mastachief

Is this a USA only thing then?

I hope not, that'd be fucked up if that was the case.

ChipMHazard · 2013-03-18, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mastachief

Is this a USA only thing then?

Good question. Even if it isn't restricted to US only it might become so indirectly.

Pella · 2013-03-19, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by ChipMHazard

Good question. Even if it isn't restricted to US only it might become so indirectly.

We can compete in the ladders as MLG already offer EU ladders.

But live events will be out of the question unless you have a private jet. Or Until SOE partner with ESL.

If the devs want to take esports seriously and want to attract the competitive crowd. They have to abolish hackers full stop.

It will take 1 Big match and 1 hacker to seriously destroy what soe are trying todo.

Trust me on that one.