change how observer mode works

[jammyjamjamman]

Currently, observer mode requires a player to take a player slot, and then select "observer" as their faction. This means that, on a 1 v 1 map you can't have any observers, so no one can watch the 1 v 1 game.

So my suggestion is to allow observers to connect to a full game. Also,  the current limit to the number of players that can join a server is 8. But, there could be an option to allow a total of say, 12 clients to join where a maximum of 8 of those clients can be players.

[Coldfusionstorm]

I agree , and to be honest this seems like a no brainer.

[victorj]

I too think, I suggest a form fix these problem together, avoid that player forge the initializing the game before I wasn't to , So could resolve that problem of spectator have slots regardless with as players as slots. Can fix this problem and also the player joying overdue in the room.

[andy_5995]

I get the impression that there are many more people who would like observer than we realize.

When I tried 0 A.D. last year, in over 50% (rough guess) of the games I played, at least 1 or 2 people would request to be spectators.

Also in that game was the option for observers to join after the game had started.

Not realizing Jammy had started this post, I chatted with him and softcoder about this subject recently. They both mentioned the potential for network lag, which I understand is a valid concern.

I don't have much experience with network programming, but I have to ask if there's a way around that.

Observers don't need real-time data because they are not playing. If they have slow or bad connections, couldn't the packets be dropped? or queued, and then sent when their network connectivity reaches a certain acceptable level? And data being sent could likewise be dropped or queued? For observers, only chat messages, if any, really are the only thing that requires priority.

Allowing more opportunities for people to observe, combined with the ability to join games already running may help attract new players.

So often players come to the lobby but a game is already running. Being able to join a running game may provide a "safe" place for new players to find out what it's like to play MegaGlest and how friendly the Coop games are.

[Raptortue]

Hi guys,

In a few weeks, I'm gonna organize a LAN party with some friends on MegaGlest. But I've a problem : the limit of 8 players.
How can I (if it's possible) add more players to a party, 10 players would be perfect  ! If it's not possible that really sad 
Can I also add a player in spectator mode (8 players and 1 spectator) because I would like to relay it on a video projector.

(Sorry for my bad english but I'm french  )

Thanks 

[-Archmage-]

You can always setup two separate games: 2v2 and 3v3, or have a couple people sit out and spectate other people. A 10 player match isn't possible at this time.

[andy_5995]

Hi guys,

In a few weeks, I'm gonna organize a LAN party with some friends on MegaGlest. But I've a problem : the limit of 8 players.
How can I (if it's possible) add more players to a party, 10 players would be perfect  ! If it's not possible that really sad 
Can I also add a player in spectator mode (8 players and 1 spectator) because I would like to relay it on a video projector.

(Sorry for my bad english but I'm french  )

Thanks

No problem with your English

MegaGlest doesn't have the feature to support 8 players + 1 spectator. An observer always uses 1 slot on a map. So for instance a 3 v 3 game + one spectator, you would need a 7 or 8 player map.

There's a feature request open for this; I'm going to merge the posts.

[Raptortue]

Thanks for the reply. I think, I will setup two seperate games like Archmage said, it's the best alternative

Bye