Observation Mode.

[CornMaster]

This is a feature that could greatly enhance multiplayer games.

The observation mode would allow 1 or 2 players to "watch" one civ in the game. They could play as a team, or someone could learn another's stragities and help them with the game. A great teaching tool and team tool.

It could work like this: The main player would play the game. As other people join they can choose which civs they want to observe. The observers can watch and look at specs of the units/cities but can't move/change anything. Now...if the main player has to leave then they can appoint an observer to take over!!! Then the game won't die out at this point.....and could possible allow a game to last 24 hours of longer!!! This would add a FPS aspect (Continually games/playing!!!) to Civilization!!!! (The more I type, the better I think it is.

)

You could also use it for succession games in single player. Have a bunch of players connect and then one plays a few turns...then turns it over to the next player and so on. It could add a whole dimension to the game!!

Anyway.....what do you guys think?

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[BlueMonday]

I think it's a pretty good idea and one that I'd like to see. However, I think that the multiplayer designers should take an aggressive stance to minimize cheating using such a system. It would be pretty easy have a two person cheat system where one is watching the enemy and the other is playing and they communicate with an instant messenger or something. But I'm sure that there could be methods designed to eliminate such activities.

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[CornMaster]

Originally posted by BlueMonday:
I think it's a pretty good idea and one that I'd like to see. However, I think that the multiplayer designers should take an aggressive stance to minimize cheating using such a system. It would be pretty easy have a two person cheat system where one is watching the enemy and the other is playing and they communicate with an instant messenger or something. But I'm sure that there could be methods designed to eliminate such activities.

I know....cheating would be really easy....but then there should be a way to turn it off (Obversation mode that is). And there could be a rule where you can only play/watch one civ during the entire game from your IP or usermane.

Cheaters will cheat no matter what you do.

And it's sad when someone has to ruin the game for others.

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[GenghisK]

I think the main problem might be more technical. Building a 3D engine might not be easy. And integrating it to a 2D game is all the more difficult... I don't know. It's interesting but...

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[Jim]

Hmmmm...

If you are looking for a way to tutor other players, I think I recall seeing that the end of game replay is back. This could help serve as a teaching tool without opening the risk of cheating.
Or.. if someone is going to observe they can only see what the person they are observing is privy too, something along the lines of a fog of war would sure limit "spying". Combine that with only being able to observe one civ a game and you could implement your "tag team" idea. Which I like due to the length of some games. But I too fear it might be more a technical limitation .

 

[TTG]

Originally posted by BlueMonday:
I think it's a pretty good idea and one that I'd like to see. However, I think that the multiplayer designers should take an aggressive stance to minimize cheating using such a system. It would be pretty easy have a two person cheat system where one is watching the enemy and the other is playing and they communicate with an instant messenger or something. But I'm sure that there could be methods designed to eliminate such activities.

Simple:
...
Player "BlueMonday" wishes to observe you while you play. Do you want to let him?
YES / NO
...

How hard is that? This way you only let your clan/team members, friends or your "students" watch.

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[CornMaster]

Originally posted by TTG:
Simple:
...
Player "BlueMonday" wishes to observe you while you play. Do you want to let him?
YES / NO
...

How hard is that? This way you only let your clan/team members, friends or your "students" watch.

That's excatly what I meant. Thanks TTG!

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[BorderPatrol]

Corn I like this idea. Unfortunately, I don't think it would work because people would figure out how to hack it. That would totally ruin the game as far as multiplayer.

I don't think it is worth that risk.

Too bad though, It is a great idea.

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[CornMaster]

Kind of a little off topic.....but Value Software is working on a way to allow people (TV, and Computers) to watch Half-Life and Counter Strike games, just like a TV show. They are aiming for 1,000,000 spectators per game.

I'm not sure anyone would want the Civ 3 Channel and watch Civ 3 games all day.....but if they are going to do a million viewers, Civ 3 should be able to handle 2 or 3 (per player which would equal 21 MAX).
But of course it can be hacked. That's what hackers do....they hack stuff. A good hacker can probably hack a Civ 2 game and watch it now!!!

While cheating may become a problem, there would/should be a simple on/off switch that will enable or disable this in a game. Add that to the "Yes/No" box that TTG suggested, and it's almost perfect!!! I think the pros outweigh the cons, and if cheating becomes a problem, anti-cheating apps/methods will come out too.

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[This message has been edited by CornMaster (edited June 30, 2001).]

 

[BlueMonday]

Yeah, I'd go for it with a simple way to allow the games to either be open for anyone who wants to veiw it to do so, or for it to be a closed system where only your homeboys can watch. It's not perfect by any means, I admit, but it would offer a reliable system for players and watchers.

BTW, a whole channel of watching Half-Life? OH MY GOD, that is one of the stupidest things I've heard in a while. That would get old after an hour, and then you'd still be stuck with the $20/month bill from the cable company.

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