Suggestion: Limit the number of identical games

[bartman569]

Concise description:

• Limit the number of identical games that a single user may create at one time.

Specifics:

• Some members tend to spam the site with identical games. These games tend to collect at the top of the search because most people don't want to play multiple versions of the same game at once. I would suggest either limiting the number of identical games to 3-5, or modifing the search results so that unique games show up at the top of the list, and idential copies move to the bottom of the search results.

This will improve the following aspects of the site:

• This will allow members to quickly find a game that they want to play without having to scroll through pages and pages of Circus Maximus.
• xxxxxxx

[blakebowling]

I don't like this, I should be able to start as many games as I want (I already don't like that maximum waiting games is 50) However, I would support a "Hide similar games" button that would hide all the games that were started by the same person. I also think a "Find all similar games button" and checkboxes for the Join a game page (man I crammed a lot into this post).

[Qwert]

yes i notice that,and klobber holding 45 games of 50

[tyler197802198]

Agreed - perhaps let them create however many they want but only display about 5?

[Timminz]

Rather than trying to limit what other players can do, why not limit the games that you have to look through? You can do this VERY easily, by simply clicking on the "Game Finder" link, to the left of your screen. Bingo, bango, no more circus games.

[lancehoch]

Rather than trying to limit what other players can do, why not limit the games that you have to look through? You can do this VERY easily, by simply clicking on the "Game Finder" link, to the left of your screen. Bingo, bango, no more circus games.

I think this is more a question of "I want to look for a circus game, but I do not want to have to see 50 of the same games started by the same person". A possible way that I see of changing this is to only list games that have different players involved, for example:
I start 10 Classic, 4 player, Standard, Sequential, Escalating, Unlimited, No Fog, Casual, Public games
When someone searches for these settings, they will only see one version of this game
If they join the game, then the next person who searches these settings will see two games, one game with only me and one with me and the player who just joined, then they can join one of the two games, if they join the second game, then a third game that I started will appear and so on.

[hecter]

Rather than trying to limit what other players can do, why not limit the games that you have to look through? You can do this VERY easily, by simply clicking on the "Game Finder" link, to the left of your screen. Bingo, bango, no more circus games.

I think this is more a question of "I want to look for a circus game, but I do not want to have to see 50 of the same games started by the same person". A possible way that I see of changing this is to only list games that have different players involved, for example:
I start 10 Classic, 4 player, Standard, Sequential, Escalating, Unlimited, No Fog, Casual, Public games
When someone searches for these settings, they will only see one version of this game
If they join the game, then the next person who searches these settings will see two games, one game with only me and one with me and the player who just joined, then they can join one of the two games, if they join the second game, then a third game that I started will appear and so on.

This creates problems for folks like myself, who enjoy joining lots of identical games.

[para]

^and thats when you should use game finder.

the join a game page should have the benefit of letting y9ou go through all sorts of games

that sort of game hiding thing wouldnt have to apply for the game finder.

[Zemljanin]

Rather than trying to limit what other players can do, why not limit the games that you have to look through? You can do this VERY easily, by simply clicking on the "Game Finder" link, to the left of your screen. Bingo, bango, no more circus games.

I think this is more a question of "I want to look for a circus game, but I do not want to have to see 50 of the same games started by the same person". A possible way that I see of changing this is to only list games that have different players involved, for example:
I start 10 Classic, 4 player, Standard, Sequential, Escalating, Unlimited, No Fog, Casual, Public games
When someone searches for these settings, they will only see one version of this game
If they join the game, then the next person who searches these settings will see two games, one game with only me and one with me and the player who just joined, then they can join one of the two games, if they join the second game, then a third game that I started will appear and so on.

I like lancehoch's suggestion, it's so natural, but

This creates problems for folks like myself, who enjoy joining lots of identical games.

How many is "a lot"? If ten is enough, it's fine with me.

If Game Finder showed up to ten identical games opened by same player, I'd be pretty satisfied and even hecter wouldn't be sabotaged too much. I mean, hecter, if you see ten identical games by same player, you can immediately join them all. If you want more, you can list all waiting games by this player and join the rest of them.

It's VERY annoying to see 50 identical games by same player...

[hecter]

How many is "a lot"? If ten is enough, it's fine with me.

I'll frequently join all of them, whether it be 10 or 50.

[lancehoch]

This creates problems for folks like myself, who enjoy joining lots of identical games.

Not really, if you join one game, then it is different from the other games created by the user. When you refresh the page, then another of the same game type should appear. It might take more time to join a bunch of games, but it is just the beginning of an idea.

[Kotaro]

Boht lances and the thread starters ideas are terrible IMO. I like to start between 30 to 40 of one map singles from time to time, and many times, people want to play 5 or more games with me, to eliminate less chance of luck, and more chance of skill, to determine who wins the most. However, nobody is going go search, join, than search, join and keep repeating. That's just stupid. And stopping me from creating as many games as I want, is going to deter me from paying for premium.

[para]

given, i forgot that the game finder search results expire after left.


this is technically a new suggestion altogether, but a solution for that would be to add the ability to join more than one game at once in the game finder, or more simply be able to have a "join all" link that you can click, since its possible to specify the search so that there wouldnt be any games you wouldnt want to join.

[hecter]

This creates problems for folks like myself, who enjoy joining lots of identical games.

Not really, if you join one game, then it is different from the other games created by the user. When you refresh the page, then another of the same game type should appear. It might take more time to join a bunch of games, but it is just the beginning of an idea.

That's just dumb, refreshing my page 50 time is a helluva lot more difficult than simply scrolling down, so why don't you just stick to scrolling, hmmm?

[Timminz]

given, i forgot that the game finder search results expire after left.


this is technically a new suggestion altogether, but a solution for that would be to add the ability to join more than one game at once in the game finder

Try holding 'ctrl' while you click the 'join game' link.

[laci_mae]

I see one possibility for a simple solution. When there are multiple identical games, only the first created should show. A link should then appear which says "Join more games like this". That link would then open the remaining games with the same settings and players.

Functionally, I'm thinking something like the spoiler links which hide answers or tips on walk-throughs for those escape games.

Laci

[para]

given, i forgot that the game finder search results expire after left.


this is technically a new suggestion altogether, but a solution for that would be to add the ability to join more than one game at once in the game finder

Try holding 'ctrl' while you click the 'join game' link.

Oh, okay then, well then that solves kotaro's problem.

[lgoasklucyl]

Since your main issues seems to be clogging in the finder rather than them being able to start the games, why not a [+] button next to their most recently started game with those exact settings that if you click will show the rest of those games. It would save a lot of space in the search, and they could keep their games up.

I don't know a thing about this type of programming though, so I don't know how difficult it would be. I've used search engines with it before so I know it's doable, just not necessarily how difficult it would be.

[TooHot4Jew]

Absolutely, 100% agree. This should be a priority. Even using the game finder to limit searches I have found this to be incredibly annoying.

I don't think anybody who isn't causing the issue would have a complaint about doing so. And those who are doing it are pathetic for climbing the ranks by learning all the little tips and tricks of a single type of play on a single map rather than just trying to learn good strategy like the rest of us.

[hecter]

Absolutely, 100% agree. This should be a priority. Even using the game finder to limit searches I have found this to be incredibly annoying.

I don't think anybody who isn't causing the issue would have a complaint about doing so. And those who are doing it are pathetic for climbing the ranks by learning all the little tips and tricks of a single type of play on a single map rather than just trying to learn good strategy like the rest of us.

You can only play 4 games a time, and have only ever played 51 games. Hardly much experience under your belt. I don't play identical games to climb the ranks (good thing considering my low rank), I play them because I enjoy them. Who the hell are you to say that I can't play the game I payed 25 bucks to play?

[happy2seeyou]

There are ways to get around certain game types/style when searching for a game. I don't think this is a good idea. 3-5 game cap on identical games?? No thanks

[bigreuben]

Before seeing all the responses I could tell that this topic is gonna be between the freemies and and the premies...

the thing is that a freemie can only play four games at the time, so he want to experience as much as possible, and doing so he don't wanna scroll all around trying to find something... the premies have played most of the maps probably during the first month of the membership, so they already know which maps are more to their taste (playability, bonuses, graphics and of course which map helps them to win more) so when they use the finder, most of the games they find they join, even if they are the same settings the same players...

I see one possibility for a simple solution. When there are multiple identical games, only the first created should show. A link should then appear which says "Join more games like this". That link would then open the remaining games with the same settings and players.

Functionally, I'm thinking something like the spoiler links which hide answers or tips on walk-throughs for those escape games.

Laci

I agree that this is the best option, if it's possible to program it with the head still attached to shoulders after it, then go ahead, if not... FREEMIUMS BUY MEMBERSHIP, you won't have this problem after that... after all this is (one of things) why people pay money here

[laci_mae]

There are ways to get around certain game types/style when searching for a game. I don't think this is a good idea. 3-5 game cap on identical games?? No thanks

Happy,

I agree with your sentiment. I think the thread title is off though. The general idea is that these identical games are annoying because they clutter the game finder.

Laci

[TooHot4Jew]

You can only play 4 games a time, and have only ever played 51 games. Hardly much experience under your belt. I don't play identical games to climb the ranks (good thing considering my low rank), I play them because I enjoy them. Who the hell are you to say that I can't play the game I payed 25 bucks to play?

I've been in the clogged game finder searches plenty of times, which is enough for me. That's first thing.

Second thing: 25 bucks not a lot of money. Don't sell yourself short with the money card.

Third thing is I could really care less how many games you are PLAYing at a given time. If you want to play the same map a hundred times over, knock yourself out. Just don't leave a dozen of queueing simultaneously for me to wade through. You're obviously using a greasemonkey widget if you're one of the ones pulling this shit, you can be troubled to create three or five, and when they get rolling create three more. They'll start faster that way, anyways.

[sailorseal]

I don't like this, I should be able to start as many games as I want (I already don't like that maximum waiting games is 50) However, I would support a "Hide similar games" button that would hide all the games that were started by the same person. I also think a "Find all similar games button" and checkboxes for the Join a game page (man I crammed a lot into this post).

I second the motion...