Quick Play Defaults Screen
by Jack Nunn · in ThinkTanks · 12/27/2003 (4:44 pm) · 5 replies
There should be a screen to set the defaults for the Quick Play game. This would look just like the multiplayer "Create Game" screen but "Server Name", "Password", and "Auto Kick Bots" would be missing or grayed out. I know you can get the same results by using the multiplayer "Create Game" option and putting in a password so no one can join but there are two issues with that. First, this is a non-obvious way to set up a single player game and is more complicated than is needed. Second, my son has the Child Safe filter on so he does not get the in game messages when playing from the on-line screen that he gets when playing a Quick Play game.
Another possible solution is to have an option to automatically turn off the ChildSafe mode for password protected games since, presumably, you will know who is in these games. This would have to be a check box on the screen that enables ChildSafe mode so that the parent can decide to turn the option on or off. This would be a welcome addition as it would add an option for parents who want to protect their children but still allow them to have the full experience of on-line playing with selected friends. It would also solve the issue of no game messages for single player games, but I think the default settings screen for Quick Play games should still be added.
Another possible solution is to have an option to automatically turn off the ChildSafe mode for password protected games since, presumably, you will know who is in these games. This would have to be a check box on the screen that enables ChildSafe mode so that the parent can decide to turn the option on or off. This would be a welcome addition as it would add an option for parents who want to protect their children but still allow them to have the full experience of on-line playing with selected friends. It would also solve the issue of no game messages for single player games, but I think the default settings screen for Quick Play games should still be added.
About the author
#2
Changing that setting simply means that others wont be able to see any server he creates. With the child-filter off he can still see and join all the otehr servers.
Jack, I think (particularly the second) is a great idea - though perhaps only if the password meets a few criteria (i.e. longer than 5 characters) and not easily guessable.
-Z-
12/28/2003 (12:58 am)
From what I understood of Jack's post, that has very little to do with it Nathan. The suggestion was to automatically disable the child filter for password protected server that you create (as you will know who you are issuing the password to) The first paragraph related to a few extra options for the quickplay mode.Changing that setting simply means that others wont be able to see any server he creates. With the child-filter off he can still see and join all the otehr servers.
Jack, I think (particularly the second) is a great idea - though perhaps only if the password meets a few criteria (i.e. longer than 5 characters) and not easily guessable.
-Z-
#3
Nathan, I'll have to start digging into the .cs files to see what other goodies I can come up with. Any help you can point me to would be appreciated. Your suggesting would keep others from joining his single-player games but I would still want the filter on so he can join other games and so would not solve the problem.
-Z-, Glad you like my idea. My second idea (disable filter for password protected games) is the most useful but I would still like to see the single player interface improved. I know multi-player is 'where it's at' but don't think single player should be ignored.
12/28/2003 (7:33 am)
As always thanks for the replies. Nathan, I'll have to start digging into the .cs files to see what other goodies I can come up with. Any help you can point me to would be appreciated. Your suggesting would keep others from joining his single-player games but I would still want the filter on so he can join other games and so would not solve the problem.
-Z-, Glad you like my idea. My second idea (disable filter for password protected games) is the most useful but I would still like to see the single player interface improved. I know multi-player is 'where it's at' but don't think single player should be ignored.
#4
"Homework|bot| has been eliminated by *!"
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12/28/2003 (11:00 am)
Hmm. Also on the topic of quick play, mine always seems to bring up a spooky map. I hardly use it, because I find doing my own online game is easier and that that way I can customize the game. Then again, I don't use the child filter (not much point as long as you're on the forums, and besides, the community is what makes this game more human from others I've played), so the online game is essential an advanded version of quick play. I wish you could customize Target Practice too.."Homework|bot| has been eliminated by *!"
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#5
Asterisk, it should cycle through the maps, but only if you complete the map or exit the game completely.
-Z-
12/28/2003 (11:29 am)
Jack, yes, it makes a lot of sense. Personally, I'm not that keen on Battlemode and prefer the other game variants. Hence, I never really bother with the QuickPlay option. Also, having DSL I play most games online anyway as its far more challenging playing against human opponents. It is actually one of the very few games I have preferred to play online.Asterisk, it should cycle through the maps, but only if you complete the map or exit the game completely.
-Z-
Nathan
Find the line
Change "Always" to "Never". This will make it so your server does not show on the list of servers in the lobby.
Password protect it anyway. There. Child Safe off, nobody can join, and he can create servers without others joining.
You can set up the prefs.cs for him, and he can do the rest.