Update! [Archive] - Tactics Arena Community Forums

Bills

08-24-2005, 04:38 PM

Hey guys/gals just checking in.

If you could be so kind as to post your feedback/suggestions on how your experience with TAO has been over the last few months that would be great.

Feedback in the following areas would extra helpful in making TAO even better in the problem or weaker areas.

The Ticket System
Lobby Spam
TAO Website
Server Entry (ei is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take)
Game Play
Overall Game Experience

cs_zero

08-24-2005, 04:43 PM

i still think the site should be mid-evilish like the game, but other than this its been cool.

ps. its nice to see your not like dead or anything. :)

Forest_Archer

08-24-2005, 04:43 PM

On your areas that you want suggestions on, it's pretty good. As a grey account on Banff, it usually takes like 8 minutes to log on max. Although on GL it takes a max of 10 minutes and on Amry it takes a max of 12 minutes.

Bills what I think would be really cool to have on the TAO Website is like a list of funky screenshots sent in by Gold Accounts.

And for the Ticket System, well I had a miscommunication with you earlier this year and when I asked for a password change, you took away my drops and stats, but it's all good. Basically the Ticket System works well and replies are sent daily.

Good job Bills!

zzzaacckk

08-24-2005, 04:44 PM

Lobby spam is still a big issue. Whenever I see it I screenie it and report it immediatly but everything else seems to be fine. The ticket system is great and everything else is fine... Just a few issues with people freezing the game just to gain a few stats. Also there have been many stat boosting issues with players playing themselves to boost their stats.

cs_zero

08-24-2005, 04:46 PM

oh, thats right, i forgot, i had sent in a ticket about my clan on rev, and it sent a reply saying i could remake it after the next wipe, but i was never able to, and its been months now. Other than that, it has worked fine for me.

ironhorse123

08-24-2005, 05:00 PM

The Ticket System: Great I sent in a ticket 2 hours later it was finished!
Lobby Spam: Horrible. Tons of golds and greys always spamming the lobby (also cyberers, but you can't really control that.)
TAO Website: I like the forums and FAQ's that is good.
Server Entry (ei is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take): I am gold, but when I play grey at peak times it is hard to get on. Normally it takes from 1-3 min. to get on (Army)
Game Play: Good more units would be nice!! (gold) ;)
Overall Game Experience: I really like the game there still can be improvments!

Matt 34.5

08-24-2005, 05:36 PM

Im busy so I didnt read everybodys but....

Lobby Spam: Not all that bad, it was a while ago then golds started dissapearing. But it still seems some golds dont realise its against the rules.
TAO Website: Works great, would be amazing if the Skin could get changed, just because after all that time it gets..... boreing :-\
Server Entry: As a gray I was having to try up to 30 times to log in... but that was like 3-4 months ago i think.... Been gold since then.
Game Play: Golem ambusher, causing problems - simply distroying old-school TAO
Overall Game Experience: Game is fun, People are fun (some are just fun to argue with) and tho I dont expect you to do anything about it, all the new golds flooding Army not knowing anything, spamming/cybering little kids (10-12). I'm not one of the top players.... but I can beat half the Army golds with the default gray, because their all so young >_>

I'malive24/7

08-24-2005, 05:37 PM

the only things I have problems with is getting on and my diconnecting. since I'm a grey sometimes(despite what others say) it can take up to 15-18 minutes to get on, mostly during peak playing times. About d/c'ing i have a tendancy to d/c more than any toher greys that i talk too. during peak, I'll get on, and less than a minute later, I'll get d/c'd. but otherwise, the game has been great.

crack class a

08-24-2005, 05:47 PM

lobby spam is a big problem, because if a grey does it theres really nothing you can do about it because when you delete them they will make another account unless you ip ban them, im a gold so im not worried but im saying this for the greys, so im not sure if you ip ban people already but i think you should start doing it on the spammers who carry on doing it after being deleted, but other than that tao rocks as far as im conderned, good job bills! :clapping2

EleMENTAL

08-24-2005, 06:23 PM

The Ticket System
Lobby Spam
TAO Website
Server Entry (ei is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take)
Game Play
Overall Game Experience

The lobby spam is getting way out of contol. I think a way to prevent this is to have only game mods. Mods that are not on the foums but are mods on the game. People who are really active in the gameplay. People like LonelyTylenol. He is really active in the server Great Lakes.....Anyhow, something needs to be done with it.

I love the TAO Website, it is easy to navigate through. Maybe more updates to it would be nice though.

Well, when I was grey, after each game I played, it took me like 5 minutes to get back in the server. But then I became gold.

The game is still awsome

My overall game experience has been tremendouse. This game kicks ass.

Moose

08-24-2005, 06:51 PM

My only complaint is make a few rules for the ambusher, it was designed for 1 scout not 2, could you at least make a unit restriction if you chose to use both 2 scouts and ambusher on the field at the same time perhaps?

bobdagangsta

08-24-2005, 09:24 PM

well u no moose it doesnt really matter to u because u turtle, and yes way too much lobby spamming and cybering which is annoying. the website is pretty good and the ticket system is great. and the server doesnt always pick up d/c. 1 time i got d/c and i tryed to get back on and it sayed connection refused, then i went on another acc and saw that my acc was in the same spot. u just have to keep trying to log in until it picks it up.

Office_Shredder

08-24-2005, 09:54 PM

The Ticket System - Haven't used it in a loooong time, so I can't really answer here :)
Lobby Spam - We really just need an individual player filter... that would solve everything (I know it's been said)

TAO Website - It would be nice if there was an archive of older news events from the front page.... or if there is, could someone tell me where?

Server Entry - Not bad.... never spent more than 2 minutes trying to log in grey

Game Play - The blocking system still seems bugged to me :p Other than that it's fine

Overall Game Experience - 4 out of 5!

Jeffery

08-24-2005, 10:36 PM

The Ticket System
Lobby Spam
TAO Website
Server Entry (ei is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take)
Game Play
Overall Game Experience

Ticket system has been pretty quick, and answered any questions I have needed.
Lobby Spam- Well, I don;t have time for a book. Let's just say the golds being deleted are far outpaced by the greys and new golds finding new ways to spam.
Website- There are still a few small errors. (the little arrows for news archive lead nowhere)
Server Entry- No real problems as a gold. Major denial during peak times as a grey. Servers are often completely full.
Game Play- About the same as normal.
Overall Game Experience has been good. The spammers and cyberers take it down a bit, but the game is still enjoyable.

Really, most in server problems could be solved by Mods with the ability to kick someone from the server. Now when a mod gets on, people spam MORE because they know they are almost powerless.

deleryn

08-24-2005, 10:45 PM

nvm, already covered

Moose

08-24-2005, 11:03 PM

Ticket system has been pretty quick, and answered any questions I have needed.
Lobby Spam- Well, I don;t have time for a book. Let's just say the golds being deleted are far outpaced by the greys and new golds finding new ways to spam.
Website- There are still a few small errors. (the little arrows for news archive lead nowhere)
Server Entry- No real problems as a gold. Major denial during peak times as a grey. Servers are often completely full.
Game Play- About the same as normal.
Overall Game Experience has been good. The spammers and cyberers take it down a bit, but the game is still enjoyable.

Really, most in server problems could be solved by Mods with the ability to kick someone from the server. Now when a mod gets on, people spam MORE because they know they are almost powerless.

Seed specfically does not want Mod's to have those kinds of powers, so i doubt it will happen.

gryph89

08-24-2005, 11:45 PM

Well , I just started playing so its still catchin a little interest on me, only thing I would want to complain about is the blank names. They spam the lobby. Maybe there could be a way to restrict the characters on a name.But other than that and spammers , its all good

Daemon Bloodmaw

08-25-2005, 01:33 AM

My main problem is simply a need for new in-game features. Such as an /ignore command, an updated interface (note: as in a built in challenge system. I had a though where you would hover the cursor over a player's name in the lobby list and a small window inside of tao would display their information. Such as stats, maybe W-L-D, clan, etc.), just small things that would make the game more enjoyable.

Most of the spammers are taken care of once they are reported and it is a difficult problem to stop with the current system's limitations. Although a simple /ignore command would solve that.

I sent in a password ticket the other day and was given a prompt where I chose my gold's name but the account name was not listed. I cancelled the prompt and the password was changed regardlessly but it was still somewhat worrying.

The servers are frequently either a few players below 40 or right at it, even at the late hours of the night as the game expands worldwide. As a gold it's not a problem but as a gray it's frustrating.

Overall, the gameplay hasn't really changed for me in comparison to the post-ambusher period.

Megabyte

08-25-2005, 02:15 AM

The Ticket System - No complaints, works like a charm and has been efficient when I've used it.

Lobby Spam - As long as their is a means to actively report gold spammers, and that we can see some sign of the removal/punishing of spammers (blacklist thread is a brilliant idea for that), then its all good. Ideally of course I'd like to see some sort of active in game cleanup, but I have no major qualms about the current setup.

TAO Website - Again, no real qualms. Site is functional and provides with what we need it for.

Server Entry - No issue on my gold, issues during peak times if I play as a grey. Pretty much same as others have said.

Game Play - Would positively LOVE to see some sort of gameplay improvements/changes. Game is still good, but starting to get a bit tired for anyone who's been around for several months or more from lack of updating.

Overall Game Experience - Site/community works well for me. Sergiy's institution of the blacklist and active modship have done wonders for my moral on dealing with cheaters/spammers (though improvements in means to handle them are always welcome). Game itself is still good, but some sort of refreshing change to it (of any sort really) would be most welcome and would likely help to keep older players around more.

edit: and moose, if admins are loking for open comments and input, don't put it down.

The Exile

08-25-2005, 09:14 AM

All the main points I would like to bring up have been covered. I'd like to reiterate the need for the ambusher/scouts rule allowing only 2 on the field at once, and also the problems with spammers and cyberers, which is harder to deal with. Perhaps altering the filter in some way and changing the rules so gold accounts can only type a message every 1-2 seconds. I would also like to say that wipes should become far more frequent, since the lag the large number of grey accounts is causing makes even a gold's life difficult.

Overall, the game is still as solid as ever.

StreetGang

08-25-2005, 10:41 AM

The Ticket System - One good thing I'll say is that they seem to process all tickets before they do any wipes. Another is that tickets appear to get resolved by the next business day.

Lobby Spam - More of a comment on the community here first. GL is awful. They have spam fests that last 30 minutes several times a week. The other servers aren't as bad. The mods are great folks, but they tend to mod the forums more than the servers. If there was more of a balance there, that would help. But at least spammers get handled and deleted when people provide solid proof of spamming. It’s a slow process and doesn't do enough to deter spamming on GL. I also think part of the problem there is there are gold accounts that are hacked and trashed (as in they have hardly any units) so the only useful purpose they have for some folks is to allow them to anonymously spam. If an account has all its units deleted and the owner is AWOL, might be a good idea to delete it or make it inactive in someway until the owner comes and claims it again.

TAO Website - Weird request: Could we get a mean and standard deviation for each server when rankings are published? I think I can provide SQL scripts for this.

Server Entry (i.e. is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take) - compared to Legends.... no complaints.

Game Play - Lag mainly affects the lobby, I can live with lag once in a game. But the clock freezing problem is becoming more and more prevalent. There is a thread on this topic.

Overall Game Experience - The feature request for "/log" and the accompanying anti-boosting feature would solve a lot of problems on TAO. Basically, I think the feature empowers the mods to hold tourneys with a definitive result from matches that is not debatable. I'd also like to see if clan administration could be enhanced. The ability to designate "recruiters" who have the ability to invite ppl to a clan would really solve a lot of problems with account sharing for leadership. Another request: the ability to put hyperlinks in the "welcome" message for a clan. I notice there is a hyperlink in the TAO welcome message for greys.

zzzaacckk

08-25-2005, 11:04 AM

I like those ideas SG but the problem is that there are things that we need before that happends... I do think that the log idea is great though.

Moose

08-25-2005, 12:23 PM

The Exile

08-25-2005, 01:14 PM

TAO Website - Weird request: Could we get a mean and standard deviation for each server when rankings are published? I think I can provide SQL scripts for this.
That would make your 400 list easier, wouldn't it? :wink2:

Megabyte

08-25-2005, 05:48 PM

Just a suggestion which is what this thread is about Megabyte, I find it odd that a specific problem couldn't be addressed here seeing as a lot of people have the same problems with the ambusher...agreed?

I would put that under a gameplay comment, which is a section Bills has in his post. So no, I don't see what the problem is.

No, we have no idea why this info is being asked, so we cant' make an assumption as to what will come of it. So, you should provide all the comments in the sections described as you think are important. Myself, I didn't include a comment about the GA because, while I don't like the unit or what it does to the game, its not a priority over getting other things updated or added to the game.

Moose

08-25-2005, 06:30 PM

I would put that under a gameplay comment, which is a section Bills has in his post. So no, I don't see what the problem is.

No, we have no idea why this info is being asked, so we cant' make an assumption as to what will come of it. So, you should provide all the comments in the sections described as you think are important. Myself, I didn't include a comment about the GA because, while I don't like the unit or what it does to the game, its not a priority over getting other things updated or added to the game.

Like i said, i'm simply making a comment, nothing more, nothing less. As to it being fixed, not likely unless Seed has some special plan which he has hinted at.

bullcat0

08-25-2005, 06:41 PM

I personally think that the auto ban should be installed like in Legends.

And Mods should only have people banned if they see the spammer personally.

Because some people are creating fake screenshots of people spamming. :mad:
Anyways...everything else is great!

Megabyte

08-25-2005, 07:39 PM

Because some people are creating fake screenshots of people spamming. :mad:
Anyways...everything else is great!

I'd guess that mods wouldn't ban someone from the screenshots of just one person for just this reason. So unless multiple are conspiriting against you, you should be ok ;)

edit:
Like i said, i'm simply making a comment, nothing more, nothing less. As to it being fixed, not likely unless Seed has some special plan which he has hinted at.

OH!

I believe you thought I was gettin on you for ur comments and suggestions. I was more on it for ur thing about jeff's comments.

Moose

08-25-2005, 08:13 PM

Ahh, well no my response to Jeff's post was that Seed has made it quite clear that he does not want Mod's given ingame Powers, believe me, I did have a white account and there is a lot more there when it comes to just banning and making funny messages for everyone to see.

Megabyte

08-25-2005, 08:18 PM

Seed's personal opinions are not necessarily what happens to the game though.

After all, I'm sure he makes a decent amount for the setup here. It would be in his best interest to keep it that way.

Moose

08-25-2005, 08:28 PM

Seed's personal opinions are not necessarily what happens to the game though.

After all, I'm sure he makes a decent amount for the setup here. It would be in his best interest to keep it that way.

In xyx's case yes thats true. But he does have superiorty when it comes to how the units are designed and played.

Tama Drummer

08-25-2005, 08:38 PM

The Ticket System - never used it

Lobby Spam - doesn't seem to happen to often that I see, but usually I don't sit in the lobby long

TAO Website - as in how it's running? Well... everything works fine I guess.

Server Entry - not bad, longest I've waited is about a minute I think.

Game Play - hmm... well, it's about time for a drop I think. :) My past 4 games all were against people loaded with pyros/witches.

Overall Game Experience - good

_Darkness_

08-26-2005, 09:45 AM

Ticket System: Great
Lobby Spam: not great... even when I send in screen shots to mods, it still takes about a day or two for them to get deleted.
TAO Website: I like it
Game Play: I dont like the Golem Ambusher, but besides that its pretty good.
overall: very good

The Exile

08-26-2005, 02:54 PM

It would be nice to see an admin posting here to tell us that they are listening to what we are saying here. :wink2:

Evolution (ARM)

08-26-2005, 03:22 PM

Ticket system : Not used yet.

Lobby spam : Has its times, has been cleared up since golds are easier to get deleted for it.

TAO Website : Server entry, normally straight in, longest 3 mins (army) maybe a lobby size upgrade could help, may have been suggested sorry if it has.

Gameplay : Well a new unit as many have said would be nice to hear, how ever long the wait. And new floor style pattern just to make it look attractive but no one cares if it stays the same lol.

Game Experiance : To addictive (Great)

Megabyte

08-26-2005, 03:34 PM

It would be nice to see an admin posting here to tell us that they are listening to what we are saying here. :wink2:

since an admin is the one who started the thread itself, I'd assume they were. Unless its a practice to ask for info then to ignore it.

Matt 34.5

08-28-2005, 01:22 AM

I might have missed this when I read this earlyer, so it may have already been said. But some moderation of the server forums, (e.g Army, GL, and Banff) would be greatly appreciated. ;)

Office_Shredder

08-29-2005, 10:35 PM

On the ticket system: when you submit aticket, it says a confirmation email is sent to your contact email, but I didn't get any email. This happened twice to me this weekend

Jeffery

08-29-2005, 10:39 PM

On the ticket system: when you submit aticket, it says a confirmation email is sent to your contact email, but I didn't get any email. This happened twice to me this weekend
Check your junk folder. Some automated responses such as the ticket system can get filtered into the spambox.

Office_Shredder

08-29-2005, 10:55 PM

I don't have a junk folder.

It's a school address... and everyone signs up the whole grade for tons of spam.... it would be ironic if there was some spam filter that ONLY picked up stuff from TAO :)

ironhorse123

08-30-2005, 01:41 PM

Ok well just to tell Bills:
Today on army (dunno about other servers) there was MAJOR lag. And this is right after the wipe. So just to let you know.

Jeffery

08-30-2005, 02:00 PM

You all should be aware of the fact that the hurricane went right east of where the datacenters are located. Several major trunk lines running through the southeast have been affected, which can result for lag for many sites.

ironhorse123

08-30-2005, 02:39 PM

Oh yeah I never thought of that. Good thought, Jeff!

Shaman

08-30-2005, 07:51 PM

Lobby Spam
Server Entry (ei is it hard to log in during peak times, and if so how long does it take)
Overall Game Experience

These three are linked.

One thing solves them all to some degree.

Put on a universal Chat Timer.
If players do not PLAY a game in X-minutes they are ejected for Y minutes.

At least make the people (including golds) logging in PLAY THE FREAKIN GAME.

That will limit spam a bit
That will let PLAYERS get back on the server
That will improve my overall Game Experience.

And for those that prefer to use Tactics Arena for a chat room.
Here is an Alternative. (http://www.sissyfight.com/)

meat.eater

08-31-2005, 01:39 PM

The Ticket System: Its difficult for those of us using lifetime rev accounts. We cant retrieve our old paypal numbers very easily. Ive had mine PM'd to me, but there should be an easier way.

Lobby Spam: I ignore it, but it is a problem for some. Much better then a year ago.

TAO Website: I like it, frankly. Much better then the old website, anyways. People will complain about a "medieval theme" which i guess would fly with me, but it looks good and functions. Its great.

Server Entry: Not a problem. But I'm gold. And when i do play gray, it normally doesnt take too long.

Game Play: On rev, make more rare drops, (IE: other units then muds). OR, allow more then one mud to use mudquake. Without that, the 2nd mud isnt good enough to be a rare drop. More tourneys. Thanks for the new mods. A new unit would be nice. But i retty much liek things how they are.

Overall Game Experience: In teh beginning, 9/10. Now 8/10. Thats probably just me outgrowing the game, however. And 8/10 is pretty good.

Bills

09-01-2005, 06:41 PM

Hmm things looks to be in working order a first for TAO!

I'm pushing Seed for a new unit but he seems quite busy these days....

We will redesign the website to match the game them later in the year once we have more free time here at the office (which doesn't happen often).

Thanks for all the feedback guys:)

Zoticus

09-01-2005, 06:51 PM

You're welcome. :)
And yes TAo is better than ever. :)

Moose

09-01-2005, 07:13 PM

ironhorse123

09-01-2005, 07:50 PM

Thanks for checking in Bills!

Moose

09-05-2005, 09:56 PM

By the way Bills, stop pushing Seed for units, it won't get you anywhere.

EleMENTAL

09-21-2005, 10:25 PM

By the way Bills, stop pushing Seed for units, it won't get you anywhere.

How bout you not push Bills around because he has the option to ban you

wolf-boy

09-22-2005, 08:38 AM

OOO, That next unit better not be anything like that sorry excuse for a unit..ga.

Sodamoeba

10-04-2005, 04:08 PM

WOAH! I just had the greatest idea ever! Lets find the best CAU unit, because people have obviously said that they love it, and turn it into a unit! nah...

The Ticket System - Umm...yea...seems to be working fine for me.:rolleyes:

Lobby Spam - Bad. I hated going on Army for about a week because everybody was naming themselves "so-and-so's puppy" and they were really, really stupid. They didn't go away either. They were on 24/7 for about 2 weeks, just making pointless spam.

TAO Website - No problems with it at all. A change of colors would be cool, or some nifty backgrounds, but that's not a big deal.

Server Entry - Horrible. I get "Server Unavailable" messages for minutes on end.

Game Play - Meh. I dont know how long I can keep playing the same thing over and over...I'm debating going to legends, where they have interesting drops and no wipes...

Overall Game Experience - I love the community, and I love the game. But spammers and a lack of anything new are kind of annoying. Also, I havent won a drop in weeks, but thats my problem, not yours. :dry: The servers are REALLY pissing me off right now though. 3.5/5

EmelGreenLeafer

10-04-2005, 05:49 PM

Its would be nice if you put another server, so we can end all of this server full and server unabeable thing. because not only greys but golds are allso experiencing this stuff, and you promised golds that when they upgrade they will have Unlimited game access specialy when servers are full. but it seems to me that servers are way! full now, and we badly need a new server so we can continue having fun and not waiting so much time just to log in.