cod4 server Choosing players to create skill-balanced, competitive teams

[The Partisan GR]

When we were kids and about to play war or sports, the best two players got to choose their team-mates in turns, one at a time. Wouldn't it be fun if we did the same in COD4? Here's how it would work:

 

At the end of a round, the first of each team will get to pick players in the next map. Of those two, the one with the worse score will choose first, then the other one, and so on, one player at a time until all are assigned. Those two will auto-assign to end up in different teams, while the rest will remain unassigned until asked to join a side.

 

This way, teams more balanced skill-wise would be created and there can be a more competitive and challenging gameplay. Also, people will have an extra incentive to play better, as they may earn the privilege to get to choose, or be chosen as an acknowledgement of good gaming. I think it is an extra fun element added to the game.

 

Yes, a few seconds will be lost in the beginning of the map until players are assigned. And yes, there will be newcomers who won't understand, like, or comply with this. But to be honest, it is members and regulars that are usually more skilled and tip the game one way or another.

 

Of course, for this to work, regulars would have to know about this deal and accept it. However, telling them about it is the easy part. The question is, do you like this idea?

Edited March 17, 2014 by The Partisan GR

[Heretic121]

I'm kind of pressed for time at the moment, but no.

[Antichrist]

What about the guy who is picked last all the time? Doing this would basically ostracize the folks picked last. Nobody wants to be last all the time. Why do they need an incentive to play better? That removes the whole idea games were invented.. entertainment and fun.

 

=F|A= servers put FAIRNESS and FUN gaming first.

 

Skill? Nobody cares for skill. We play to have fun

[Reallity]

I see how this is fun but in a world where everything needs to be fast and on the spot this will never work.

[Owned]

the idea is really cool, and if it were to work it would be great as the gameplay would get balanced out.

however, things such as trolls that refuse to pick players can stall games for entire maps if they donot choose a teammate.

how would people who were in spectator the previous round join in on a game? and people who just got in the server? this can unbalance teams as quickly as they were made balanced.

and the things mentioned above ofcourse.

[LA_Kings_Fan]

While in theory It would be great to have something like this happen PARTISAN, I just do not see it happening in the real world.

 

Heck it's difficult enough to keep the nubs from coming and going and Team Stacking the Teams until it's like 4 on 9 and it becomes so noticeable because there is hardly anyone to shoot, and you think where is everyone, and THEN you press TAB to see how unbalanced the Teams have become and try and switch to help balance them, as =F|A= Clan members WE should be the first guys to always try and balance the teams out and try to spread the skill level across both teams as best we can. It IS part of what you signed up for in becoming an Admin and Clan member in the first place. But that's not always possible or easy to do, we want to PLAY and enjoy the game as much as the next guy, and frankly the AUTO-balance feature lags behind so badly and often doesn't seem to switch anyone over, not sure if it's not working at times ? or if that player is somehow blocking the switch over ?

 

That all said ... one thing that MAYBE could be done, that WOULD help ... is maybe FORCE AUTO-ASSIGN on EVERYONE from the get go, NO choosing if you want to be a Marine (SAS) or OpFor (Spetsnaz) just make everyone AUTO-ASSIGN !  This would keep some guys from teaming up always, and it would keep teams from getting too far unbalanced, at least not like 4 on 9 type of unbalanced I would think ?  Just not sure if that can be SET in the SERVER SIDE Set-Up or not ? 

[IceQueen]

nope

[Cyen]

Yep, While I agree with the premise that more balanced teams make for a better game experience, this is not a viable solution in the "real" world. 
The only solution I can think of, is to make some of the better FA members aware of this issue, and hope that they would be willing to switch to a losing team on occasion. I know Vyder has shown great sportsmanship in the past by doing this. We don't have to make this a RULE... nobody likes to switch to a losing team. And lets face it... we all like to be on a dominating team every once in a while as well. 
Another point to remember too... Being on a team with just 2-3 really good players, raises everyone's apparent skill level. The good players provide a wall of defense for those of us with lesser skillz (like myself).

I think the best option is to just make sure that the better players are using the auto-assign so that it's always a random event. If you have 2-3 players always choosing the same side, that's when the games get stale. 
Good topic for discussion though, I look forward to hearing other opinions.

[sonofsam]

OFF Topic but funny, I've been choosing OpFor since this game was released why I don't know. Couple weeks ago I thought I'd start auto assigning. We'll I found it funny When on Marine side I'd find myself shooting my own teammates I've been the OpFor for so long. I like the idea of choosing teams but everyone would have to be on board. This is where Team Speak would help tremendously and a translator lol.

[google+]

What about the guy who is picked last all the time? Doing this would basically ostracize the folks picked last. Nobody wants to be last all the time. Why do they need an incentive to play better? That removes the whole idea games were invented.. entertainment and fun.

 

=F|A= servers put FAIRNESS and FUN gaming first.

 

Skill? Nobody cares for skill. We play to have fun

all about dat skill dawg! lol

[soulJAHmon]

I'm with LA on this one. If I had the power to simply force auto-assign, plus give it a speed boost, I'd do that. BUT, since that's not an option, we will continue to balance the teams as best we can, by being willing to switch to a losing team, and by making sure those that get switched by cousin Auto, stay where he put them.

[Chameleon]

If we went by school yard pick-em, I would get picked after the blind girl

[The Partisan GR]

Thanks for your thoughts people. I must admit I got carried away by the competitive nature of the game, and the idea does seem a bit impractical in retrospective. And I do agree with the poster (Antichrist) who reminded me about simple fun and relaxing, regardless of skill. I never look down upon unskilled players, and perhaps what I suggested would put them in an awkward position. 

 

All in all, it might be an interesting idea, but with disadvantages and limited applicability. But that's what discussions are all about - sharing ideas, no?

[soulJAHmon]

You are correct Sir, exactly what the forum is all about.