Generals 2 - LAN Support

[AZ-Stalker 88]

I'm certain most of you have noticed that fewer and fewer (new) games have actual LAN support. I can understand why that is and why game developers would want to make multiplayer play only possible through certain registrations and online "checks", but simple LAN play would definetly present a huge hit if Gen 2 turns out OK. I really hope we don't get stuck with only-online play for this one.

 

Whats your view on this issue?

[Guest Stevie_K]

My view is forget about it.

 

Fact is that no LAN does prevent some piracy, at the cost of the amount of sales, to a minor degree. It's most likely worth it.

Publishers have fought for long now to generalize the "always online systems". I see no reason for them to give up.

[PurpleGaga27 37]

But even with no LAN support, there's a fair possibility that there might not be any mod support at all. Remember that Battlefield 3 did not have any mod support due to a complicated Frostbite 2 engine.

[Doctor Destiny 40]

We're not talking about mods. We're talking about LAN. So shut up about mod support already.

 

Anyway, back on the subject at hand. I would prefer LAN support since it's more fun to LAN than get online all the time. If my ****ing connection goes out, I can still play local LAN with a friend. LAN parties lead to good times.

[Guest Stevie_K]

I can see that if you loose connection often. Personally this happened more than a year ago and lasted 10 minutes. Think I can live with that .

 

I miss the LAN parties I used to participate in, not the LAN connection option. Playing online works fine, despite the heavily lowered ping rate.

 

Then again, having the possibility of choosing is always favorable.

[Hippox77 0]

No LAN is the wrong way to go. People should just boycut **** like that, honestly. I mean have some backbone/principles, even if the game is awesome - so what? Luckily, there's another part of the industry that supports LAN and takes the side of the consumers. I cannot help think that people must be a bit stupid/ignorant not care about stuff like this.

 

LAN = LAN parties even if the internets goes down (This is soooo valuable)

LAN = no/very low latency

LAN = poor people with ****ty internet can still play

LAN = stability

 

 

I miss the LAN parties I used to participate in, not the LAN connection option. Playing online works fine, despite the heavily lowered ping rate.

 

Right, because one of those old LAN parties couldn't have been ruined without a LAN option? (Hypothetical question, of course). Also, I guess a millions different things couldn't possibly have stuck a stick in the internet-wheel? No LAN can ruin any event short of a satelite connection, and then it still could. And small private LANs doesn't have a satelite car in the backyard, you know.

 

It's all a backward evolution, in my book.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Hippox77

[Traymen 6]

SC2 doesn't have LAN either... nothing wrong happens to players. Sometimes on "LAN Tournaments" someone gets disconnected, but it's fault of the host, not ActiBlizz.

 

Of course we may whine, that "this will kill last true remnants of C&C Community"... no it won't. This is how every computer entertainment company works nowadays: to sell much more copies, they cuts such features as LAN or Single Player w/o required connection, to raise their bank account balance. This doesn't change much for "gray user" who have bought a game and have broadband connection.

The only thing which may kill this saga is badly coded and awfull gameplay, which will require next dlc to "repair" some bugs (like it does Paradox Entertainment).

 

P.S. That doesn't also mean that i support such actions...

Edited June 15, 2012 by Traymen

[Hippox77 0]

SC2 doesn't have LAN either... nothing wrong happens to players. Sometimes on "LAN Tournaments" someone gets disconnected, but it's fault of the host, not ActiBlizz.

 

Of course we may whine, that "this will kill last true remnants of C&C Community"... no it won't. This is how every computer entertainment company works nowadays: to sell much more copies, they cuts such features as LAN or Single Player w/o required connection, to raise their bank account balance. This doesn't change much for "gray user" who have bought a game and have broadband connection.

The only thing which may kill this saga is badly coded and awfull gameplay, which will require next dlc to "repair" some bugs (like it does Paradox Entertainment).

 

P.S. That doesn't also mean that i support such actions...

 

Have you been on the ActiBlizz smoke pipe again? Well, it's just that it's funny how you can claim that ''It's the fault of the event hosts'' and ''nothing wrong happens to players'' when stuff has happened in unforfunate ways. Listen, there will always happen unpredictable stuff. It's a physical law of the universe, right? So such a statement that you made is honestly quite silly. And let's be honest: Not having a LAN feature will only weaken our flexibility as customers/players, or event organizers, when unpredictable stuff happens as a lack of a top quality setup or random stuff. Yes, 'we' can buy more expensive internet access if they're really big like MLG or Dreamhack but what about the smaller events/private LANs? And what will even big boys like MLG or Dreamhack do when someone drives into their satelite truck and damages it? Hypothetical question, of course. Just one of a millions ones that I could make. Point is: stuff will go wrong and fewer safety nets = bad.

 

BTW: I watch SCII streams, too - and not having LAN - has ruined many matches/events for players/watchers - and hosts. I guess you must be new to the scene?

Edited June 15, 2012 by Hippox77

[Traymen 6]

Why there is always raised argue, that if i don't whine to a specific game i have to be a new to the community... gosh it is even more childish than simple "**** you".

 

Are my arguments silly, 'coz *some* companies cuts the piracy by deleting such features? Tell me why ActiBlizz or EA should consider to add LAN support, while there is huge amount of piracy copies which could gain a multiplayer option? Why to waste your time and code *a game* just for few morons who won't buy it - just download and play via LAN?

 

Nothing happens if host of such tournament have *know-how*. The only "problem" is that all players have to log-in BattleNet to play next to themselves. Even if it's somehow "disconnect" someone (even in LAN possible) game is restarted - so what's the big deal? When i buy SC2 it is obvious that i bought it for multiplayer, anyway i have to have a broadband connection to play. Such *tournament* doesn't even need to have highspeed internet. 'coz they only creates game on Battlenet.

 

I really don't care what are the problems on Dreamhack, MLG, 'coz:

1. It is too far away from me

2. I don't get involved in such "who spent more time with computer"

 

The only problem i see is Generals 2 will be a good polished game...

Edited June 16, 2012 by Sonic
Attempted to get around band language filter - Warning given

[Hippox77 0]

I certainly didn't mean to imply a '**** you', as you say. However, It IS a fact that because of the lack of LAN there has been much frustration and headaches in the SCII community.

 

Also, there's already a LAN patch out for SCII now. It's just not a official one. Surely you should know that? There will must likely be one for Generals 2, too. So you could say that they promote piracy themselves by not implanting a feature like LAN support. Why should we support a future where all games are heavily intergated to the internet. Like Diablo 3, Age of Empires online, ect? That's just wrong.

 

You should check out the Kickstarter project for Carmageddon Reincarnated for another take on how to make games with the customers in mind first and foremost. (The kickstarter has come to an end, but check out the info on there).

 

They'll release an offline, no DRM, LAN version (you don't need Steam). And it'll be mod-friendly, too! There'll also be a steam version. That's the future of 'real' games, in my book. It's companies like Stainless that actually has a face to the community. Not at all like big, shadow EA. That doesn't give a rat's ass about any of us. We're just milky cows to them - and we're digging our own grave by supporting this kind of stuff (no LAN, ect).

Edited June 16, 2012 by Sonic
Attempted to get around band language filter - Warning given

[Traymen 6]

The main reason why multiplayer mode is so heavily supported, is that most of ppl are looking for rivals with whom they could check themselfs in specific game. The game industry companies know that too, so the easiest way to *control* the sell and piracy of specific game is to add such DRM's to the title.

 

P.S. Game companies want to milk us? Wow... that something new.... i always thought that game industry makes games for self satisfaction.... money, pff who would like to earn money like that...

[Hippox77 0]

The main reason why multiplayer mode is so heavily supported, is that most of ppl are looking for rivals with whom they could check themselfs in specific game. The game industry companies know that too, so the easiest way to *control* the sell and piracy of specific game is to add such DRM's to the title.

 

P.S. Game companies want to milk us? Wow... that something new.... i always thought that game industry makes games for self satisfaction.... money, pff who would like to earn money like that...

 

There are other business models out there than what EA and others practices, dude. Been on the propaganda pipe that long? Did you read up on the Carmageddon kickstarter? I have a feeling you didn't bother during that. Believe it or not - but you can make good money while putting your customers before dumb sh*t like DRM and no-LAN. CD Project is pretty good example of this, too. They provide free (and non-small) DLC upgrades for their games - and buying options that include no DRM. I guess they're losing money, right? And their customers don't respect them much more because of it? - and want to *actually* support them? People only buy sh*t from EA to get their fix, and that makes us self-destructive in the long run.

 

It's only because people don't give a rat's ass, or because they're just ignorant sheeps, that companies like EA is still making money, today. But hopefully we'll see a change. Like more community funded projects of smaller game studios that actually have faces - and have a closer relationship with its customers And good gameplay was never limited to what only super big entities like EA can provide.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Hippox77

[Traymen 6]

Yeah, right - CD Projekt Red sells unfinished games to re-sell "extended version" which could be included in "vanilla".

 

Everyone is making money on games - not only EA. Actiblizz, Paradox Entertainment or City Interactive (and any other company). Not a big deal. If you want to gain respect from developers just stop buyin' **** like Sims, NFS or any other "series made games". About 70 % of gamers is below 18 - for them (mostly) are made games for, an it's the main reason why do you whine for.

 

Also stop makin' from game industry any *holy ground* which main ideology is to "make games for fun". What concerns to "small game studios with face" - look around. Good example is BlueHell Games. They don't bother in opinion of beta-testers, just continue of implement their own ideas which doesn't fit to the game.

 

P.S. I am really tired with your whine against EA - company like other companies which only care about big money.

[Hippox77 0]

Yeah, right - CD Projekt Red sells unfinished games to re-sell "extended version" which could be included in "vanilla".

 

Everyone is making money on games - not only EA. Actiblizz, Paradox Entertainment or City Interactive (and any other company). Not a big deal. If you want to gain respect from developers just stop buyin' **** like Sims, NFS or any other "series made games". About 70 % of gamers is below 18 - for them (mostly) are made games for, an it's the main reason why do you whine for.

 

Also stop makin' from game industry any *holy ground* which main ideology is to "make games for fun". What concerns to "small game studios with face" - look around. Good example is BlueHell Games. They don't bother in opinion of beta-testers, just continue of implement their own ideas which doesn't fit to the game.

 

P.S. I am really tired with your whine against EA - company like other companies which only care about big money.

 

Not to be an asshole, but your spelling is making it hard for me to get your menings clearly across. You're tired of my ''whining''? Well, then don't read it, don't reply. That should be easy solution to that.

 

Anyhow, I said what I wanted about this discussion.

 

P.S. I like cake

Edited June 16, 2012 by Hippox77

[Traymen 6]

Not to be an asshole, but your spelling is making it hard for me to get your menings clearly across. You're tired of my ''whining''? Well, then don't read it, don't reply. That should be easy solution to that.

 

Anyhow, I said what I wanted about this discussion.

 

P.S. I like cake

 

Anything else too add? Thanks for drawing attention.

[TheBlackOut 6]

You guys are getting worked up about businesses and how they intend to implement and combat piracy? Aw that's cute, are one of you a shareholder or something? If you don't like no LAN support then you don't have to buy it obviously.. Complaining online won't really affect much, especially since plenty of games have now sold without LAN capabilities and sold just fine. And more importantly, I think only a small faction now share your dissenting opinion with axing LAN play. So when you're one of the few voices complaining, that also means the threat of the hit to sales is very low...

 

The companies care foremost about money - but they have to maintain and make good products to make ze dough. So SCII is a good example. What did that show us? Make a good online experience (battle net), make a good game, and support it for longer than a teenage relationship and you'll get a positive community who will most likely buy other things. Blizzard also makes their games until they're done and polished rather than going "****, we gotta meet the deadline, GO GO GO!"

 

EA is focused about pumping out content IMO, which gets money. That's nice, but now people want long-term and community interaction. EA is sort of poor in this area, actually.. very poor. Origin is clunky and definitely on the level it needs to be to be competitive. If EA made a good Origin client with a good experience, who would really care about the lack of LAN? Very few in terms of the whole market. The fact the internet is spreading and most people who game have it, online system just makes sense.. But you just have to make it worth the wild of the customer. EA along with others I guess just didn't really forsee platforms like Steam blowing up the way they did.

 

Personally, I don't want to see LAN play knocked away but that's the way it's going nowadays. If there was an alternative game like Gens2 that would support LAN and be as diverse faction and gameplay wise, I'd considering voting with my wallet, but I don't see a chance like that coming and it isn't a big price to pay (install limits and such is where I draw the line).

 

Comparing indie/small time devs to bigger companies like EA and the departments under EA is a bit odd to do as well. Of course they're not going to act under the same pricing and development models. You're not going to get the same scale of game. That's not to say it won't be good, it just to say that they will be different (Minecraft comes to mind).

[Guest Stevie_K]

Have you been on the ActiBlizz smoke pipe again?

 

Been on the propaganda pipe that long?

 

Been much on pipe lately? lol

 

The LAN option in the gaming industry is rapidly fading with new titles, and if you have a problem with that, you are going to have a hard time. But obviously you don't have a problem

[Hippox77 0]

Been much on pipe lately? lol

 

The LAN option in the gaming industry is rapidly fading with new titles, and if you have a problem with that, you are going to have a hard time. But obviously you don't have a problem

 

You'll only have a problem if your needs for playing a certian game exceeds your principles of not buying it. I don't a problem, that's true. Now just let the thread go on, please.

[Doctor Destiny 40]

 

That goes to everyone.