So, this post came to my attention by daBoss. I don't have much time to check follow-ups as I'm currently prepping for a very large software contract. I'll try to keep this brief.
Warzone's Multiplayer issue regarding pros vs. newbies
I see discussions by devs that "pros" need to be friendly or "pros" need to do XYZ to make the game more approachable. Which is probably all very true, but the fact is, we don't have control over the humans that play this computer game. Some players will be jerks; some players will be friendly. Just like in real life, we can't force someone to "be nice".
Every warzone 2100 player is different, and every warzone 2100 player will put in different amounts of time to learn to play skillfully. This fact will be true as long as the fundamental mechanics of the game remain the same.
So we should stop spending precious development time and efforts in trying to change the MP game to affect human nature. Instead, development efforts should be more focused on:
"How can we write game code to facilitate both types of players?" Now, let's apply this idea to questions like this:
* Does removing rank help both types of players? No.
It's just as simple as that. Follow this basic idea and the WZ MP community will grow.
Now, specifically, regarding our current challenges with newbies.
When newbies get kicked:
* Their feelings get hurt.
* Discourages their moral to keep playing.
* Doesn't give them a chance to learn.
* Doesn't provide them with an opportunity to experience a pro game.
These are real issues for newbies in MP. I've reiterated this before; Warzone should have a spectator mode that allows newbies to tag along for the ride. If a spectator mode existed in Warzone, newbie's feelings won't get hurt as much. Newbies would experience a pro game, and finally, it gives newbies a chance to learn. Spectator mode is where development efforts should be focused if we are thinking about making the MP experience more inclusive to all types of players. Spectator mode would be a positive step in the right direction. I'm sure many pros wouldn't mind showing off their skills.
Re: Score/Stats/Rank Log-in
Lastly, I do not think precious dev time should be spent on these features because I don't see these ideas solving our current MP community problem. In fact, I believe it would make current problems worse. Spectator mode only requires changing client-side code AFAIK; adds no additional burden server-side. All the proposed changes for a score/stats/login system all add extra weight and maintenance costs. And we _currently_ are running on volunteer time and money? Just doesn't make any sense to me.