From everyone's rants about the popularity system, I think I have come up with the perfect solution. The popularity system we currently have should be what you see when you decide to host a map. When you join a map, the DEFAULT SCREEN (VERY IMPORTANT) that you see should be exactly like the current popularity system, but deleting all games that dont have anyone in the lobby. This would make it so that whenever you decide to host a page 8 game, other people see it on page 3-4 (because honestly, what games are played that are past page 4?).
When I played WC3, there were tons of maps I would never think about playing normally, but every once in a while would see being hosted and would say "fuck it, I'll play it" because it was fun every once in a while, just not constantly. I joined because I knew it would fill quickly, because there were people like me who would see it flash before their eyes and join. When you have thousands of people doing this, the host of that game always has someone to play with. When you have the 30 people in the "looking for custom game" channel, you never have people to play with. When no one is willing to go past page 3 because the game will never, ever fill, you never have people to play with. This funnels everyone into the games that they know will fill quickly, even if they are more boring maps (because slightly boring is better than an empty lobby). If you feel this is not true, know that I have joined games I would rather not play just because I wanted to play a game, not wait for a full game. Therefor, my argument is valid.
After reading through this entire thread i think this hits the nail on the head. What a lot of people are ignoring is the fact that wc3 custom game's had a supply and demand presence. Before the custom map list was flooded (and ruined imo) by dota bots, the list was filled at a GOOD pace with games that would fill quickly and repeatedly. By some miracle of god/buddha/satan this was caused by the famous grey screen/error upon joining a game that was being improperly hosted(goddamn port forwarding) game. Because only half intelligent people who could overcome this problem were able to host games, THEY controlled what was played. Those that didnt know how or didnt want to host their own game were forced to join the games on the list, try something new, or wait until they found something bearable. THIS is what led to the variety and success of the wc3 custom map list. With the current system, everyone just wants to join something they know will fill and start quickly, regardless of what it is. SCII lacks this variety factor, everyone knows they can click on nexus wars and get a game going. So they literally dont even have the option of trying the page 3/4/5/X games that they might like.
The fix: (an elaboration upon my own and others comments and suggestions)
Easy:
Make the first page a person sees upon clicking join custom game their bookmarks list.
Show some stats on the:
-current number of games in progress
-current number of open spots in a lobby for this game
-average fill time
Allow an option to auto-join nearly full games (or games that will be full with your presence) in an order set by you. Maybe be able to number your bookmarks 1-10
Let word of mouth return the players lost to the bloodbath and revitalize the scII custom map community
Profit when the return rate for your expansion pack is greater than what it would be now
Long:
Institute a WORKING system such as the above. (suggestions welcome)
include basic models from wc3 with the next patch (as noted in the thread already, you simply cant make a variety of maps with 3 races that all scream starcraft)
include all the models from wc3 and then some in the next expansion
Forget this premium map bullshit, we are not stupid console gamers that pay $15 for a couple of maps that an intern could make in a week. (Maybe im behind on the news for this, have they come to their senses yet?)
Profit and be glorified for making the best game ever
TL;DR: go back and read it
Sorry to revive an old thread. Just thought i should add my two cents. Pardon the grammar, its late and there is no more caffeine.
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After reading through this entire thread i think this hits the nail on the head. What a lot of people are ignoring is the fact that wc3 custom game's had a supply and demand presence. Before the custom map list was flooded (and ruined imo) by dota bots, the list was filled at a GOOD pace with games that would fill quickly and repeatedly. By some miracle of god/buddha/satan this was caused by the famous grey screen/error upon joining a game that was being improperly hosted(goddamn port forwarding) game. Because only half intelligent people who could overcome this problem were able to host games, THEY controlled what was played. Those that didnt know how or didnt want to host their own game were forced to join the games on the list, try something new, or wait until they found something bearable. THIS is what led to the variety and success of the wc3 custom map list. With the current system, everyone just wants to join something they know will fill and start quickly, regardless of what it is. SCII lacks this variety factor, everyone knows they can click on nexus wars and get a game going. So they literally dont even have the option of trying the page 3/4/5/X games that they might like.
The fix: (an elaboration upon my own and others comments and suggestions) Easy:
Long:
TL;DR: go back and read it
Sorry to revive an old thread. Just thought i should add my two cents. Pardon the grammar, its late and there is no more caffeine.