Improving the Multiplayer mode in Cube 2:Sauerbraten

by Concerned on 01/14/2011 16:36, 8 messages, last message: 01/15/2011 19:04, 1526 views, last view: 05/05/2024 03:22, closed on 01/15/2011 19:04

Sauerbraten is a good game and enjoyed by many; however, there are a number of problems with the multiplayer that I would like to discuss.

For example, at the moment, anyone can type in any username and use it as if it were their own. This is generally bad, as people can impersonate clan players and create bad names for other people. What I would do is introduce a login-based system that you would to sign up to. Therefore, when a player logs in, they will be known as themselves, people know it's them and and any bad conduct within the game can be attributed to them when they have done so so that they can't just change their name and continue their bad deeds. Following this, I would allow for non-logins but force all of the names to be unnamed or guest. That way they can still play but masters can decide more easily whether they want them on the server. People with logins would be recognized among the community and servers should decide whether to accept unregistered users or not. The login system would be based on the main Sauerbraten server.

Also, evil users are consistently using the particle effects to crash the game for other people in multiplayer modes and mapwrecking is a constant concern, for this I would either rework the particle system to be more gentle on the client computer, limit the amount of particles on a particular map size or implement a mapwrecking detection system. These systems should be in place as mapwreckers are constantly ruining the experience for new players and veteran players alike and pushing people away from the game, particularly on auth-based servers. There should be some sort of automated system that servers can rely on in order to prevent bad experiences (one of the worst coop-edit sins is to build a swastika and other derogatory scenery).

Another problem is the elitism of some server masters. Usually, these are unnamed players who find an empty or unclaimed server and take master, only to abuse that power and kick everyone out of the game or spam particles. Or, they are of a particular nationality and will only accept people who speak their language. Server mastery should only work in combination with the aforementioned login system - you should be required to provide login information to take master of a server. The server should log who was master and what they did in order to provide a consistent and fair gaming experience.

Coop-edit shouldn't be allowed on Auth either; it allows bad players to repeatedly mapwreck with little to no consequence for their action, further making the game look bad.

I find that community moderation is a good idea - The community of people playing the game should be allowed to decide if the master is unfair, or if something on the server is offensive. If some sort of moderation were put into place, and logged to prevent abuse, the people playing the game could root out unfair masters and allow themselves a more genuine Sauerbraten experience.

Individual servers should be moderated and the community should be able to decide which servers are of high enough quality to reach the standard of a quality server for gaming. The server should be consistently named and there should be filters in place for players to choose the kind of servers they want to play on.

What are your thoughts?

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#1: ..

by Razgriz on 01/14/2011 17:01

Regarding "evil users" who particle spam and map wreck, i believe this case is contradictory. You see, people who have a few braincells left in their head usually lock the server they are in and don't let someone they don't trust inside, in fear of map wreckers. Open servers are prone to frequent attacks because there is hardly anyone watching them, and because no one guarantees the master isn't a total pisshole. Also, all the newbies gather there because few ever trust newcomers, and most feel like they own the world and do whatever they find funny, regardless of the possible consequences. Some find it funny, as you said, to kick people when they don't speak their language or when they don't answer what they ask. You wouldn't believe how common it was in the older days to see someone say "answer or i kick!!11!".
On the contrary, auth servers are usually monitored for any disturbance, and even if no one is there to look, they are often logged. The fact that only people with special auth given by the game dev can gain master there fixes the problem with abusive masters. Not to mention that there are only a handful of them available for coop editing, and only rarely are they used for such.
Rest assured though that map wreckers, name and map stealers are being reported. It's a small community, and people learn the news around here, fast.

Now regarding the "one of the worst coop-edit sins is to build a swastika and other derogatory scenery" remark. I just want to say that this is NOT our problem. We do not take responsibility for what the users make with this game, may it be nazist symbols or golden turds, that is their own problem.

Logins are a decent idea, though some might find it a bit extreme. The only login systems that exist so far come with server mods which allow specific players (not names) to use a wider and more powerful range of commands, or to prevent name stealers, such as the PSL mod.

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#2: Re: Previous Message

by Concerned on 01/14/2011 17:23, refers to #1

I see your point. Some servers are well protected, admittedly, but a lot aren't and it is here where bad users see fit to make life a misery for other gamers. Auth servers are well protected against the mastery abuse, they shouldn't be allowed to use coop-edit at all as it is too risky. The login system would help open servers because the user is logged, everyone knows who they are and if only a single account is allowed per email, IP address or MAC address, they would do well not to abuse the game or its mastery. It is a shame that derogatory symbols can be built in the game. It is the responsibility of the user themselves and maybe a monitoring system should be put into place to prevent this. Login can be made simple by incorporating a simple username and password box combo into the game that gives them access to multiplayer and identifies them uniquely in a user-friendly manner to the main Sauerbraten server. Then, unnamed or guest users can be blocked out of servers or regulated based on the preference of the server admin or the community.

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#3: ..

by SheeEttin on 01/14/2011 22:15

For particles: set the maxparticles variable lower if it's a problem for you.

If you want a better solution to impersonation, mod your server to require some kind of authentication if someone's trying to use a known name.

The looseness of Cube 2 is a feature. :P
(Well, not really, but Cube 2 is more of a fully playable engine demo than a complete game experience, so you don't get things like name registration.)

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#4: Re: ..

by |ice|sub-zero|L on 01/15/2011 05:17, refers to #3

peoples servers, (Rem, PSL, and Zen servers) include a #register command. there is no reason to have a set server for logins ect, ect.

people make crap on coop edit, being porn (which you may remind them thats what google is for) spamming particles and map models (mastermode 2/3 helps with that) and if you have a coop edit server on auth, there are over 140 servers up, look for one that doesn't, and if you can't find one you want, make your own (not too hard)

commute moderation would be ok, except like AC people constantly abuse the system and thus it also isn't fair so don't get your hopes up.

"Individual servers should be moderated and the community should be able to decide which servers are of high enough quality to reach the standard of a quality server for gaming." no, they shouldn't, heres why, then my server as great as it may be, might not be good enough for your standerds, however all i want is the ability to let a few friends on it.

as for people abusing master, go on CSL (Cube Server Lister) grab their IP and make a post somewhere (not on sauerbraten.org's fourm) or message the owner/admins of the server.

and as far as particles go, just spec/kick the person doing that, mastermode 2 or higher, and use the /clearents particles command.

as for anything that would have to be modded/coded, if you want these, feel free to make a mod, no one else cares that much or has the skill/ability to make such things.

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#5: Re: What a joke.

by Concerned on 01/15/2011 14:45, refers to #4

I used to think that Sauerbraten looked like the only decent 3D game on the Linux platform. From this post, I can now see that you all don't give a sh1t whether it's a good game or not. All you would have to do is make some simple changes to the game to make it accessible to all, but no - you leave it to individual people to try and make it work properly. This isn't the quality that I expect from open source applications - in fact, nothing open source is. It all sucks. I am abandoning open source and paying for my programs in the future because their developers really do care. In other words, this game will never reach professional quality. Nothing open-source ever will, so why don't you just call the whole thing off? But before you do, tell me how to delete my account.

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#6: Re: What a joke.

by Razgriz on 01/15/2011 15:42, refers to #5

The only joke i see here is you, because you expect everything you see to be how you like it, well guess what? IT'S NOT.

You have no idea what is really going within the game to know why sauer is "restriced" at some of sought after changes. And even if you do, you have no say in it to change anything. You have no idea if we care for this game or not because you are blinded by all the crap you expected for this game to have, or, in this case, to implement, shortly after your arrival. As if we can't think shit for ourselves, it's great to know that someone thinks that much of us.

And you really think that non-open source programs and games really give a shit about what you think? All they care about are statistics and reported problems which might make a dent in their income. And hey, guess what. Linux is open source? Great mindset you have there. You want professional quality? I hope you have a reaaally big wallet, cause you WILL need it. Forget about us, and we will forget about you. You weren't really helpful here either, were you? We all have great ideas, do you have the means necessary to accomplish them? no? All talk.

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#7: ..

by Papriko on 01/15/2011 17:25

One thing I am wondering about: how many people go on a masterless auth-server to build on their maps when they don't own a code? That is pretty dumb, seriously. When you have so many problems with mapfuckers, then listen to the others and go on a server, claim master yourself and then lock/private it.

As alternative I can offer you editing in SP mode. Simply use /map or /newmap on the main screen after starting SB.

Another alternative would be simply to live with mapfuckers and keep visiting auth servers.

Unimportant which way you choose, you shouldn't complain that much. Here are enough people who accept the system, some that even like it! Then you appear and tell how bad it is. When it is so bad, learn handling it or leave.

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#8: Re: What a joke.

by SheeEttin on 01/15/2011 19:04, refers to #5

Well, it does work properly. And it is accessible to all. Because there's no registration! :P

Besides, that IS how open-source works. You think eihrul isn't a single person? Or Aardappel or Quin?

(Good luck with your "closed-source-only" world, though. Better not use the TCP stack in Windows--it was originally based on the BSD one!)

Oh, and you can't delete your account. There are no accounts on the forum, either. :)

I'm closing this thread, because you're not going to see the responses (or so you claim), and if you do, your responses will be irrelevant. Feel free to start a thread that doesn't include flames, though.

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